You have been gathering documents, filling out forms, and preparing for months. Then your immigration attorney tells you there is one more step before you can submit your green card application: a medical exam. If you file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you typically must undergo an immigration medical examination and receive vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Applicants for adjustment of status generally must complete an immigration medical examination and all required vaccinations. They must submit a properly completed Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon to show they are free from health conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds. A Jamaica, Queens immigration medical exam provider at Rock Medical PC can guide you through the entire process with a USCIS-approved certified civil surgeon on staff.
What Is the Green Card Medical Exam and Why Is It Required?
The purpose of the green card medical exam is to ensure that the relative or other applicant seeking a green card has no health condition that could make them “inadmissible” to the United States.
The medical examination is not a complete physical examination. Its purpose is to screen for certain medical conditions relevant to U.S. immigration law. The exam results are documented on Form I-693, officially known as the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
Immigration medical examinations for aliens inside the United States must be performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Your regular family doctor cannot perform this exam unless they hold a civil surgeon designation from USCIS. At Rock Medical PC in Jamaica, Queens, Dr. Farid Shahkoohi is a certified civil surgeon authorized to conduct USCIS immigration medical exams and complete the I-693 form on-site.
One important detail to keep in mind: USCIS now requires certain applicants filing Form I-485 to submit Form I-693 with their Form I-485 or the Form I-485 may otherwise be rejected. This requirement, which took effect on December 2, 2024, means that your completed medical exam must accompany your green card application when you file it. Planning ahead and scheduling your exam before you are ready to submit your I-485 can help you avoid costly delays.
What Happens During the Immigration Medical Exam?
The immigration medical exam covers several key areas designed to assess your health in relation to public health admissibility standards. The immigration medical exam includes a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and required laboratory tests, including blood tests for syphilis. A chest X-ray is required when tuberculosis screening or your clinical history indicates it. During the physical exam, the civil surgeon will check your eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, and lymph nodes.
The exam also includes a review of your vaccination records to confirm that you meet current CDC requirements. If you are missing any required vaccinations, the civil surgeon can often administer them during your visit. The vaccinations typically required for immigration purposes include the following:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (if your exam falls during flu season, October 1 through March 31)
As of January 22, 2025, aliens applying for adjustment of status are no longer required to provide documentation of having received the COVID-19 vaccination. Your civil surgeon will review your age and medical history to determine which vaccines apply to you specifically.
How to Prepare for Your Green Card Medical Exam
Arriving prepared can help your appointment go smoothly and reduce the chance of needing a follow-up visit. You should bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license, any existing vaccination records, and your medical history including documentation of any ongoing treatments or medications. Print out and bring the most recent edition of Form I-693 to your immigration medical examination appointment. Complete Part 1 of Form I-693 but do not sign the form until the civil surgeon tells you to.
If you do not have vaccination records, the civil surgeon may offer blood tests known as titer tests to check whether you already have immunity to certain diseases. As an alternative to vaccination, where you’ve already had the disease in question, the doctor can use a U.S.-government-approved test kit to check whether you developed antibodies for it. If titers confirm immunity, you may not need to receive that particular vaccine again.
After the exam is complete, the civil surgeon will sign, seal, and provide you with the completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope. Do not break the seal or open this envelope. USCIS will not accept Form I-693 if it is not in a sealed envelope or if the envelope is altered in any way. You are responsible for submitting the sealed envelope along with your Form I-485 to USCIS.
What Could Affect Your Green Card Eligibility?
During your immigration medical exam, the doctor will classify any medical issues under one of two categories: Class A or Class B conditions. These classifications help immigration officials determine if a medical condition affects your eligibility for a green card.
Class A conditions, such as active tuberculosis, untreated syphilis, or certain substance abuse disorders, may make you inadmissible without a waiver. Class B conditions are less severe and generally do not prevent you from receiving a green card but are noted for the record.
Even if a medical condition complicates your application, certain health-related grounds of inadmissibility may be waivable, depending on the condition and your circumstances. If you have concerns about a particular health condition, speaking with both your civil surgeon and an immigration attorney before your exam can help you understand your options.
Schedule Your Immigration Medical Exam in Jamaica, Queens
The green card medical exam is a required step you can complete with confidence at Rock Medical PC. Dr. Shahkoohi and the multilingual team in Jamaica, Queens provide comprehensive USCIS-approved immigration exams, including all required blood work, vaccinations, and I-693 form completion. Contact us to schedule your appointment and keep your green card application on track.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider and an immigration attorney about your individual needs.
