U.S. Immigration Medical Exams
Only USCIS–designated civil surgeons (inside the United States) or panel physicians (outside the U.S.) may complete the exam and sign Form I-693. A current list of approved doctors is on the USCIS “Find a Civil Surgeon” page. CDC
Core exam components
| Area | What the doctor does | Key references |
|---|---|---|
| Medical history & physical | Full review of past illnesses, mental-health conditions, current medications, drug/alcohol use, pregnancy status | CDC |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | IGRA blood test (T-Spot or QuantiFERON) for everyone ≥2 yrs; chest X-ray only if IGRA positive or symptoms/signs suggest TB | CDC |
| Syphilis | RPR + treponemal reflex test for ages 15–44 (or younger/older if risk) | CDC |
| Gonorrhea | Urine or swab NAAT for ages 18–24 (or any age if risk) | CDC |
| Hansen’s disease, others | Visual/neurologic screen; further labs only if signs present | CDC |
| Vaccination review | Verify records, give any missing age-appropriate ACIP vaccines (MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Flu, etc.) | USCISCDC |
| COVID-19 | No longer required for exams signed on or after Jan 20 2025 | USCIS |
| Form I-693 | Doctor completes, signs, and seals the form— you must submit it with Form I-485 if filing after Dec 2 2024 | USCIS |
Validity & timing
Forms I-693 signed ≥ Nov 1 2023 never expire under current policy, so you can file them at any stage of your green-card case. USCIS
Typical clinic timeline:
- Visit length: 30 – 90 min (longer for families)
- Lab turnaround: 5–8 business days
- Sealed packet ready: 5–8 business days after initial visit (faster if all vaccines are in hand)
What to bring to your appointment
- Government ID (passport, state ID, or driver’s license)
- A-number or USCIS receipt (if you already filed)
- Blank but printed I-693 (latest 03/09/23 edition) — leave all fields empty; the doctor completes it in black ink or electronic eMedical system
- Vaccination records (originals + English translations)
- Payment method (most clinics require payment at check-in)
- Any specialist letters for chronic conditions (e.g., HIV treatment, cardiac clearance)
How our clinic keeps it fast, accurate, and confidential
- Same-day labs for syphilis & gonorrhea; IGRA and blood chemistries couriered twice daily for <48 h results.
- Electronic health record (EHR) integrates lab feeds and autocompletes I-693 to reduce transcription errors.
- Multilingual team (English & Spanish); translated vaccine info sheets provided.
- Strict privacy — sealed envelope handed directly to you; no medical details shared with USCIS beyond the required pass/fail data.
Quick checklist before you go
- ☐ Schedule early— some vaccines (e.g., varicella, MMR) must be given ≥ 28 days apart if you lack proof.
- ☐ Eat normally unless fasting labs are added for personal care (they are not part of USCIS requirements).
- ☐ If pregnant or immune-compromised, bring a note from your OB-GYN/physician; certain live vaccines will be deferred and documented with a “medical contraindication” waiver.
- ☐ Keep a photocopy of the vaccination page before the envelope is sealed— you’ll need it for future boosters.