Immigration Psychological Assessments

What is an Immigration Psychological Assessment?

An immigration psychological assessment evaluates your biological, psychological, and social history, both past and present, with a focus on the psychological impact of your immigration experience. It explores the events that led to seeking protection and relocation to another country.

Why Do You Need One?

Immigration psychological assessments are often required alongside other medical evaluations during the visa application process. The assessment generates a detailed report that provides psychological evidence to support various immigration claims.

What Does the Assessment Process Involve?

The assessment reviews your overall psychological well-being, current mental health status, and adjustment to life in a new country. It typically takes place over one 3-hour session or three 1-hour sessions:

First Hour/Session: Biopsychosocial history
Second Hour/Session: Detailed history of experiences leading to relocation
Third Hour/Session: Administering psychometric questionnaires (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, relationship assessments)

The completed report is delivered within 5-7 business days and sent to both you and your lawyer for review and revisions as needed.

How Does an Immigration Psychological Assessment Help in Different Cases?

Asylum Cases: An assessment highlights the impact of trauma on an individual fleeing their country due to oppression. It supports asylum claims by detailing ongoing psychological symptoms.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): For women survivors of domestic violence, an assessment emphasizes the mental and emotional toll of sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
T-Visas and U-Visas: For victims of human trafficking or crime, an assessment shows the mental health impact of trauma, including sexual abuse, harassment, and other violent crimes.
Extreme Hardship Cases: In cases of family separation due to visa denial, an assessment evaluates the psychological, medical, and financial impact of the separation on an individual’s well-being.

About Andrea Santiago

Andrea Santiago conducts thorough psychological assessments with cultural humility and respect for diversity. She provides these assessments in both English and Spanish, available in-person or via telehealth. The cost for an immigration psychological assessment is $1000.