What is the I-693 medical examination?

An I-693  immigration medical examinationis a required part of the application process to become a permanent resident of the United States. The exam is also called a green card medical exam or an I-693 medical exam. 

These medical exams are completed by a specially authorized doctor, also called a civil surgeon, who is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

These exams consist of a physical and mental evaluation, drug and alcohol screening, a review of an applicant for Adjustment of Status medical history and vaccination requirements, and tests for several communicable diseases. The tests may involve a blood test and a chest x-ray. 

The purpose of the exam is to determine if an applicant for Adjustment of Status has any medical conditions or exhibit harmful behaviors that are grounds of inadmissibility for your immigrant visa for entrance to the United States. Please read more details about the I-693 medical exam here.

Successfully completing an Adjustment of Status application towards permanent residence can be a confusing process, but here at Great City Medical, we are here to help! We have a certified civil surgeon on staff to perform these exams and help answer your questions.

If you’ve already received your I-693 medical exam and have questions about what the next steps are in the application process, read more below!

How long is the I-693 medical examination valid for USCIS?

The validity period for the immigration medical exam is two years after the date that you receive a civil surgeon’s signature on your I-693 form. (Remember, please do NOT sign your form yourself until your exam is complete and you are in the presence of your civil surgeon.) If the two-year period lapses before your application is processed, you will be required to complete the medical exam again.

After the exam, your Form I-693, including a report of medical examination and vaccination record will be in a sealed envelope to prevent tampering or modification. If you hang on to the form for a while before submitting it, be sure to keep it safe so that it does not become open or damaged and, therefore, invalid. It is USCIS policy to return any damaged, opened, or modified forms and you will have to receive a new one if you are not careful.

When should I submit Form I-693 to USCIS?

You have two options for when to submit your Form I-693 to USCIS. 

The first option is to submit your Form I-693 at the same time when you submit your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.   Filing Form I-693 and Form I-485 at the same time may eliminate the need for USCIS to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to obtain your Form I-693. This may also help avoid adjudication delays if USCIS decides that you do not need to be interviewed.

The second option is to submit your Form I-693 after you file your Form I-485 (as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature is no more than 60 days before the application is filed). You may also submit Form I-693 in person at an interview in a USCIS field office, if an interview is required.

If you have further questions about your green card application, green card interview, and the validity period of forms, you may wish to contact an immigration lawyer to help you understand the relevant immigration law and policy guidance and to successfully complete the entire application process. You may also contact USCIS for more help.

While our professionals at Great City Medical are more than happy to help answer any questions on health-related grounds, we are not immigration attorneys and can only help with our piece of the process! It is recommended to have an attorney review your entire application before submission.

What does I-693 deficiency notice mean?

If you received an I-693 deficiency notice (RFE), do not worry because this is not a big deal! The deficiency notice just means that you need to submit your signed and completed Form I -693. 

Contact us about your I-693 medical exam today

At Great City Medical, we are happy to help with your Form I-693. We make it easy to schedule and complete your I-693 medical examination with us, right on-site in NYC. 

Call us today to schedule an appointment with our civil surgeon to complete your I-693 medical examination!

An immigration medical examination is a routine part of the application process to become a permanent resident of the United States, also called a green card. The exam is also sometimes called a examen médico para la tarjeta verde. 

For a successful green card (Adjustment of Status) petition, these physical exams must be completed by a doctor who is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (designated civil surgeon). Outside of the U.S., these doctors are called panel physicians. Here at Great City Medical, we have a designated civil surgeon on staff to perform these exams.

The requirements for the exam are determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who provide technical instructions to civil surgeons and panel physicians.

What Do they Check in an Immigration Medical Exam?

During an immigration medical exam, the doctor will review your medical history and immunization records, and perform a physical examination. The doctor will also perform blood tests to look for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, and leprosy because these diseases pose a public health risk. Children under the age of 15 do not need to be tested for syphilis or gonorrhea. Finally, the doctor will check for any physical or mental disorders or mental illnesses that are associated with violent behavior or harmful behavior, as well as any signs of drug abuse or drug addiction. 

If you are between the ages of 18-64, you only require immunization against Tetanus and Diphtheria, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella, and flu during the flu season of October 1- March 31. Pregnant women may be exempt from some vaccination requirements, however.

Immigration medical exams are a bit different than standard physical exams. The purpose of the exam is primarily to screen a patient for certain medical conditions that are of concern to the U.S. government and public health and safety. The doctors are not required to examine or treat patients for any medical conditions outside of those deemed relevant by U.S. health officials for the immigration process. 

How Long Does the Immigration Medical Exam Take?

The immigration medical exam takes about the same amount of time as a regular doctor’s visit, and might last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. 

It takes about one week after the exam to receive your lab test results. If any lab tests results come back positive for a communicable disease, you may need to return for a second visit to be evaluated and treated.

Can I eat before the Immigration Medical Exam?

You may eat before your immigration medical exam. The blood tests that will be performed do not require you to complete a fast beforehand.

What should I bring to my exam?

Many people feel nervous about their immigration medical exam, but being well-prepared with all the documentation that you need can be a great help in ensuring your exam goes smoothly. Be sure to arrange these documents ahead of time and bring them all with you to your exam. Call us before your scheduled exam if you have any questions about what you need to bring with you.

• • • Form I-693, also called the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
      • The doctor will use this form to document the results of your exam. After the exam, the doctor will complete this form and place it in a sealed envelope for you to submit to USCIS.
      • You will receive a copy of the Form I-693 for your records
      • To save time on the day of your appointment, you can fill out pages 1-4 of the form in advance. The rest of the form is filled out by Great City Medical.

• • • Government-issued photo identification
      • This may include your passport, state ID, driver’s license, travel permit, or work permit.

• • • Your immunization or vaccination records 
      • If you have had immunizations, you must bring your records as proof, as the doctor cannot take your word for it.
      • If you do not have any immunizations, you can receive them during your exam for additional fees, however, at Great City Medical, we can run a blood test that will show if you are immune or not. If the tests show you are immune that that will be sufficient.

• • Copy of your medical history
  • Copies of previous chest X-rays, if any
  • If you have any existing health issues, a note from your doctor outlining your treatment plan
  • Payment for the medical exam fee. Great City Medical charges a base fee of $130for the Civil Surgeon Exam, and additional tests and vaccinations will cost additional fees. Please use this link below to find the pricing breakdown. As a note, insurance does not cover the cost of an immigration exam. https://greatcitymedical.com/immigration-doctor/#pricing

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