All refugees approved for third country resettlement undergo an overseas medical examination before traveling to Rhode Island. The overseas medical examination is done by a local panel of physicians, or by physicians working under contract to the International Organization for Migration, and uses locally available facilities (laboratory, x-rays, etc).

Overseas examinations are conducted to ensure that refugees do not have conditions that would exclude them from entering the United States. These medical exclusions include certain communicable diseases and mental health conditions associated with violence. Refugees with communicable diseases that preclude their entry into the country may be delayed until appropriate treatment is initiated and they are no longer infectious. Following treatment, refugees will be allowed to emigrate to the United States. Waivers of admissibility may also be requested for conditions that are grounds for exclusion. The Division of Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is responsible for oversight of all overseas examinations.

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