The medical exam or Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) is one of the USCIS-required forms for people looking to apply for a green card/permanent residency in the United States. Since Form I-693 needs to be filled out by a USCIS-approved doctor, there are many things to consider when choosing a doctor. This article will contain basic information for people completing the medical exam from inside the United States. 

This article will help answer the following:

• What is a civil surgeon?
• Where can I find a USCIS-approved doctor close to me?
• Things to consider when choosing a civil surgeon
• When should I get my medical exam done?

Please note that the process differs for those completing the medical exam outside the United States. If you are doing your medical examination from outside the US, please visit this link for more information on the correct medical exam process.

What is a civil surgeon?

The USCIS doctors assigned to perform the immigration medical examination are referred to as “civil surgeons.” Only civil surgeons can perform the medical examinations and fill out and seal Form I-693. It is important to remember that unless a doctor is a USCIS-approved civil surgeon and is part of the list of USCIS-approved physicians, they cannot complete Form I-693 or conduct the medical exam. 

Where can I find a Civil Surgeon close to me?

If you are applying for a Green Card from inside the United States, you can look for a USCIS-approved doctor (Civil Surgeon) near you using your address, state, or zip code with this link. You can also look up doctors by gender and the language they speak.

Things to consider when choosing a civil surgeon:

There are many things to keep in mind as you determine when and where to complete your medical exam and which civil surgeon to choose. Planning ahead and researching can be very helpful, especially for something as time-sensitive as immigration paperwork. Here are a few things to consider before taking the medical exam:

1. Cost of the Medical Exam 

USCIS does not require medical offices to charge a set fee for the medical exam. Rather, each medical office gets to determine the fee it will charge for the medical exam. Typically, the exam can cost anywhere between $175 and $900, though it can be much more at some medical offices. For this reason, calling different doctors and shopping around can be helpful. Additionally, please note that medical exam fees doctors charge do not usually include the cost of vaccinations that applicants may need. Some doctors can provide the necessary vaccinations in-office, so be sure to contact a USCIS civil surgeon for more information.

For a list of the vaccines required by USCIS, click here.

2. Wait times

Wait times for the medical exam vary and are subject to the availability of the civil surgeon you choose. While some offices are available within a week of scheduling, others may have long delays. Usually, the cheapest medical offices have the longest wait times. This is another reason why it can be helpful to consult multiple doctors when possible. While the medical exam can be a relatively short interaction with the doctor, it is not unusual for it to take two weeks or more for the doctor’s office to complete the required paperwork and mail it to the applicant. This wait time is often impacted by needed vaccinations.

Any Form I-693 that was properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, does not expire and can be used indefinitely as evidence to show that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds. USCIS officers have the discretion to request more evidence or a new or updated Form I-693 if they have reason to believe the applicant’s medical condition has changed since the civil surgeon signed the Form I-693, or that the Form I-693 submitted does not accurately reflect the applicant’s medical condition and the applicant may be inadmissible on health-related grounds. Medical exams completed before November 1, 2023, have a 2-year validity period.

3. Location

As listed above, you can find your closest doctor using this link and your zip code. Please note that the number of civil surgeons available varies by state and location. Planning ahead can be helpful, as some people may be required to travel long distances to complete this exam. 

4. Reviews

There are several ways people can find a doctor that they are comfortable with. Many civil surgeons have reviews on Google that discuss other patients’ experiences. Also, through the USCIS “Find a Civil Surgeon” link, a person can filter doctors by gender and by the language they speak. People can use reviews and these filters to look for options they trust. 

When should I get my medical exam done?

In terms of when to complete the medical exam, applicants generally have two main options:

1. Submitting the medical exam with the application:

The current USCIS recommendation for family-based applications is to send the completed medical exam with the application. The civil surgeon will return the exam in a sealed envelope, which should be attached to the application. To avoid unnecessary delays, DO NOT open the envelope that contains the results of your medical exam. It should remain sealed.

2.  Submitting the medical exam at the USCIS interview

Applicants also have the option to take the completed medical exam to their scheduled USCIS interview (not the biometrics appointment). Common USCIS practice is to send a courtesy reminder that the medical exam was not received and to remind applicants to bring the exam to the interview. USCIS can also request applicants submit the medical exam through a Request for Evidence letter before their interview. 

Important things to know if you plan to submit the medical exam during the USCIS interview:

The exam can take up to two weeks to get back from the doctor, depending on which vaccinations are needed. Please refer to the previous sections for information on prices, locations, and fees. 

IMPORTANT: The options to send a completed and sealed Form I-693 medical examination are: (1) Send it to USCIS with the entire application, or (2)  Take the completed Form I-693 with you to your interview. Otherwise, a person should only send the medical exam by itself if requested through a USCIS notice, such as a Request for Evidence.

Here is a table summarizing your options to send the medical exam:

TWO OPTIONS
1. Send the medical exam with the application	The current USCIS recommendation for family-based applications is to send the medical form with the application. The civil surgeon will return the exam in a sealed envelope, which should be attached to the application.	Important to know: Please keep in mind USCIS could require a new medical exam for medical exams completed prior to November 1, 2024.
2. Take the medical exam to the USCIS interview	Applicants also have the option to take the completed medical exam to their scheduled USCIS interview (not the biometrics appointment). USCIS can also request that a person send the medical exam through a Request for Evidence letter before the interview.	Important to know: It can take a few weeks to review the exam from the civil surgeon. Be prepared in advance for these timelines to ensure that the exam is ready before the interview.
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TRANSLATION OF VACCINATION RECORDS: Some offices require applicants to translate their vaccination records. In some cases, when the USCIS civil surgeon speaks the applicant’s native language, translations may not be needed. However, this can vary from office to office. Please make sure to call and check with the USCIS doctor to determine what documents are translations are needed.

USCIS requires the medical examination (Form I-693) for all people filing for a green card. A USCIS-approved doctor (civil surgeon) must perform the exam and complete the form. The exam can then be submitted with the application or at the moment of the USCIS interview. Please consider the vaccines needed, wait times, and availability of doctor’s offices before scheduling an appointment. It is also important to note that the current USCIS recommendation is to send the exam with the application. If you have any questions about your medical exam, please feel free to reach out to our live chat or call your doctor. 

Please visit this article for more information on what to bring to your medical examination, what happens at the exam, and how to send the form. 

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