Completing I-693 Medical Exam takes anywhere between 1 week to 2/3 weeks. It totally depends on how much you go prepared to visit doctor. Your medical may not complete in one visit, it may take 2-3 visit to the doctor, so be prepared. In the first visit, the doctor will take a blood sample and next visit, they may discuss reports with you. The exam must be done by a doctor who is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Your regular doctor cannot do this.
Table of Content
- Before you Visit Doctor
- Vaccination Records
- During Doctor Visit
- Cost of I-693 Medical Exam
- Selecting Doctor for I-693 Medical Exam
- How doctor can mess up your medical
- List of Recommended Doctors
- Find a Doctor
- Medical Report Validity
- Recent update: Validity Period of Form I-693 (Including Use of Prior Versions)
- I-693 Medical FAQ
- References
Before you Visit Doctor
You will need vaccination records when you visit the doctor for the first time. Try to get below minimum records, otherwise your doctor will advice you to take those vaccines and that may delay your medical report.
Vaccination Records
- Tdap
- MMR
- Varicella (Chickenpox) (if you had Chickenpox then you don’t need to take vaccine, you can mention this to your doctor. This is fine, many Asians had this.)
- COVID-19 (from Oct-01-2021)
- Hepatitis B
- Flu (Seasonal)
- If you have any other records, then take those. If you don’t have any vaccine records then also fine, your doctor will advice you to take required vaccines.
If you are pregnant or has underlying health condition then don't take any vaccine before consulting Civil Surgeon and your primary physician. They will advice you.
See also USCIS Vaccination Requirements page
During Doctor Visit
- Your doctor will take a blood sample and discuss about vaccines. Any medical history etc.
- In 2nd visit, doctor will give you I-693 signed form in sealed envelope. They may also give you a photocopy of I-693.
- Make sure all information on I-693 form is correct before your doctor seal that envelope.
- If you are thinking to interfile medical then try to take two signed sealed medical reports. Doctor may charge some fees for this. You can use one report for interfiling and other in case if you get RFE. Some people also take 3 reports, just in case if USCIS schedule interview, and they used other 2 reports for RFE, and interfiling.
You should not open or tamper the sealed envelope. Don't write or stick anything on it.
Cost of I-693 Medical Exam
It can cost anywhere between $150 to $500. Depending on blood work and vaccination cost. Most of the insurances cover blood work and vaccination cost. You can see fees of some doctors here
Selecting Doctor for I-693 Medical Exam
If the doctor/Civil Surgeon you selected is not experienced, then they can mess up your case, so do research before visiting immigration doctor. Check doctor reviews before you visit.
How doctor can mess up your medical
- Not filling correct information or ignoring some fields on I-693 form.
- Providing false information by mistake.
- Asking you to take unnecessary vaccines.
- Asking you to take unnecessary medications. This may happen if your Blood TB test is positive. Your doctor can clear this test by recommending you to take X-ray for TB screening. If x-ray comes negative then you are good.
List of Recommended Doctors
Here is a list of recommended doctors/Civil Surgeon by Telegram group and Trackitt forum users who had a smooth medical exam and successful reports filing with USCIS.
Find a Doctor
If doctors from the above list are not close to where you live then you can also search on USCIS site
Medical Report Validity
Form I-693 Submitted to USCIS On or After November 1, 2018. Ref USCIS site
Timing of the Submission of the Medical Examination Report
| When did civil surgeon sign? | I-693 retains evidentiary value through |
|---|---|
| No more than 60 days before applicant filed underlying benefit application with USCIS | 2 years from date civil surgeon signed I-693 |
| After applicant filed benefit application with USCIS | 2 years from date civil surgeon signed I-693 |
| More than 60 days before applicant filed benefit application with USCIS | N/A – I-693 not valid at time applicant submits I-693 to USCIS |
Recent update: Validity Period of Form I-693 (Including Use of Prior Versions)
Effective August 12, 2021, USCIS is temporarily extending the validity period of an otherwise valid Form I-693 in cases where:
- The civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693 is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant files Form I-485;
- No more than 4 years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature; and
- The decision on Form I-485 is issued on or before September 30, 2021.
Ref: USCIS site
I-693 Medical FAQ
My PPD or blood test came positive for TB, what should I do?
This is normal for many Asian people, so don't worry. Your doctor will advice for x-ray test which can show negative for TB.
What if my skin test is positive and my chest x-ray is normal?
If you are diagnosed with Class B, Latent TB infection, the civil surgeon may recommend you go to the health department for further assessment and preventative treatment. However, it is only recommended (not required) that you get assessed by the local health department. The civil surgeon can immediately sign Form I-693 and give it to you in a sealed envelope provided that all other examinations are up-to-date, and you can be medically cleared for immigration purposes prior to the referral to the health department TB control program. ref USCIS site
What is a civil surgeon?
According to the USCIS, a civil surgeon is a doctor, selected by USCIS to conduct medical examinations of aliens in the United States who are applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence or who are required by USCIS to have a medical examination.
What medical tests may be required during the Physical examination?
Tuberculosis skin or blood test (TB), Gonorrhea, Syphilis for applicants 15 years or older, HIV (blood test), Mental defect, Lymphogranuloma venerum, Granuloma inguinal, Narcotic drug addiction, Psychopathic personality, Chancroid, And additional tests.
