You can find a USCIS-Approved Civil Surgeon through the USCIS online locator or, if you are in Queens, at Rock Medical PC in Jamaica. Only a physician that USCIS has designated as a civil surgeon may perform your immigration medical exam and complete Form I-693, so your usual doctor cannot do it. The good news is that designated providers are easy to search by ZIP code, and many are close to home. As a USCIS-designated civil surgeon in Queens, Rock Medical PC handles the exam, vaccinations, lab work, and sealed paperwork, with bilingual staff who explain each step in English and Spanish.
What Is a Civil Surgeon, and Why Can’t My Regular Doctor Do It?
A civil surgeon is a physician that USCIS has specifically designated to perform immigration medical exams. Only a designated civil surgeon can complete and seal Form I-693, the report USCIS uses to confirm that an applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds. Your primary care doctor, however experienced, cannot sign that form unless USCIS has granted the designation.
Civil surgeons are located inside the United States and handle cases for people applying for a green card from within the country. Applicants going through consular processing abroad see a different kind of approved doctor, called a panel physician, instead.
How Do I Find a USCIS-Approved Civil Surgeon Near Me in Queens?
The fastest way is the USCIS online tool, where you can search by address or ZIP code for a designated provider near you. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. Because the agency updates its civil surgeon list weekly, it is wise to confirm a provider is still designated close to your appointment date.
Rock Medical PC is a designated civil surgeon practice in Jamaica, Queens, located at 88-14 Sutphin Blvd. We serve applicants across New York City and Long Island, with Sunday availability and bilingual staff who assist patients in English and Spanish.
What Happens During the Immigration Medical Exam?
The immigration medical exam is not a routine checkup. It focuses on the specific conditions USCIS screens for, and it ends with documentation that only a civil surgeon can complete. At Rock Medical PC, your visit includes:
- A review of your medical history and past vaccinations
- A physical examination to assess your general health
- Laboratory testing, including screening for tuberculosis and syphilis
- Any vaccinations USCIS requires, based on your age and immunization records
- Completion and sealing of Form I-693 once your results are ready
After the exam, the civil surgeon completes, signs, and seals your form inside an envelope. Do not open it. USCIS will reject Form I-693 if the envelope is unsealed or altered in any way, which can mean repeating the whole process.
When Should I Schedule My Exam, and How Long Is Form I-693 Valid?
Timing matters more than many applicants expect. Since December 2, 2024, USCIS requires you to submit your completed medical exam together with Form I-485, your green card application. You can no longer file the application first and send the exam in later.
The validity rules also changed. Under a policy effective June 11, 2025, a Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023 stays valid only while the application it was filed with is pending. If that application is denied or withdrawn, the form is no longer valid, and you will need a new exam for any future filing. In practical terms, your medical exam is now tied to a single application, so plan to complete it close to when you file. You can review what the report covers and how it is submitted before your appointment.
What Should I Bring to My Civil Surgeon Appointment?
Bringing the right documents helps you finish in as few visits as possible. Plan to bring:
- Government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or state ID
- Your vaccination records, if you have them
- Records for any chronic conditions or past surgeries
- Payment, since immigration exams are usually not covered by insurance
If you cannot locate your vaccination records, our office can order blood tests to check your immunity and then administer any vaccines you still need to meet USCIS requirements. Arriving prepared keeps your green card timeline on track.
Schedule Your Immigration Medical Exam in Queens
Do not let the medical exam slow down your green card. At Rock Medical PC in Jamaica, our USCIS-designated civil surgeon completes your physical, lab work, vaccinations, and sealed Form I-693 in one convenient location, with bilingual staff to guide you. Contact Rock Medical PC today to schedule your appointment and keep your immigration process moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family doctor complete Form I-693?
No. Only a physician that USCIS has designated as a civil surgeon can perform the immigration medical exam and complete Form I-693. You can confirm a provider’s designation through the USCIS locator before you book an appointment.
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
Rock Medical PC offers walk-in care and scheduled visits, including Sunday availability. For an immigration medical exam, scheduling ahead helps ensure the civil surgeon and on-site lab services are ready when you arrive.
What happens to my exam if my green card application is denied?
Under the policy effective June 11, 2025, a Form I-693 filed with an application that is later denied or withdrawn is no longer valid. You will need a new immigration medical exam and a new Form I-693 for any future application.
