The Immigration Medical Exam is a mandatory step for people applying for a Green Card (Permanent Residence), certain non-immigrant visas, and asylum. It’s essential because U.S. immigration law can deny entry based on certain public health and medical grounds.
Here is a simple breakdown of the process and what you need to know about Form I-693.
The Civil Surgeon and the I-693 Form
The exam must be conducted by a certified physician; a regular family doctor cannot perform this exam.
- In the U.S.: The exam is conducted by a USCIS-approved Civil Surgeon.
- Outside the U.S.: It is conducted by a physician on the official USCIS panel.
For Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), you must submit Form I-693, which serves two critical purposes:
- It formally reports your medical results to USCIS.
- It establishes that you are not medically inadmissible to the United States.
What Happens During the Medical Exam?
The Civil Surgeon will complete the I-693 form based on a series of tests and evaluations.
- Tuberculosis Screening: A Tuberculin Skin Test is performed. You must wait for the reaction (usually up to 72 hours). A strong reaction means you will need further testing, including a chest X-ray.
- Blood Tests: You will receive a serologic blood test to check for Syphilis and HIV.
- Physical Exam: A check-up is done to screen for other communicable diseases like Leprosy and Gonorrhea.
- Mental Health: A thorough evaluation of your mental health is performed, and the surgeon will review your medical records carefully.
- Required Vaccinations: This is the final section of the I-693 form. Required vaccines include Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and others.
Quick Tip: If you have records of prior vaccinations, be sure to bring those certificates from your healthcare provider to the exam!
Your Responsibility & The Sealed Envelope
Once the exam is finished, you must follow strict rules for submission:
- Do not fill out Form I-693 yourself. The Civil Surgeon completes and signs the form. (Services like easyIME streamline this, allowing Civil Surgeons to print the error-free form for you.)
- The Results are Sealed: The Civil Surgeon will complete the form and hand the results and the I-693 form to you in a sealed envelope.
- Handle with Care: The USCIS will immediately reject the results if the envelope is not sealed or shows any signs of being tampered with.
- Validity: The results of the medical exam are generally valid for a period of 12 months.
- Delivery: It is the applicant’s responsibility to deliver the sealed envelope to the USCIS office, ideally within a week of receiving it.
Before you go: Be sure to bring any previous medical records and your earlier vaccination records. If you are pregnant, carry a certificate from your physician.
Need Help?
If you have any queries, questions, or doubts regarding your immigration medical exam, you can always reach an easyIME representative at 888-437-6797 or write to us at imesupport@esmsys.com.
easyIME.com is a free service that simplifies the immigration medical process for Green Card applicants by helping them locate the right Immigration Doctors and schedule their USCIS immigration medical exam online. You can even find immigration lawyers near your zip code through this service.
