Complete Your Green Card Medical Exam with a USCIS-Approved Civil Surgeon
Form I-693, officially titled the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is a required document for most people applying for a green card from within the United States. This form reports the results of an immigration medical examination to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the examination is required to establish that applicants are not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds. At Rock Medical PC, our Jamaica, Queens immigration medical exam practice provides thorough I-693 examinations completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon with over 30 years of medical experience, helping you move forward with your immigration process with confidence.
Why Choose Rock Medical PC for Your I-693 Exam
Rock Medical PC provides immigration medical exams backed by years of experience navigating USCIS requirements. Our certified civil surgeon, Dr. Farid Shahkoohi, is board certified in Internal Medicine and has performed green card medical exams for individuals and families throughout Jamaica, Queens, and the greater New York City area. Reasons patients trust our practice include:
- USCIS-designated certified civil surgeon on staff
- Board-certified internist with 30+ years of clinical experience
- On-site blood work, lab testing, and vaccinations to streamline your visit
- Accurate completion of Form I-693 to help prevent application delays
- Multilingual staff serving the diverse Queens community
- Convenient Jamaica, Queens location near public transit with walk-in availability
Our team understands how important this exam is to your green card application and works to get it completed accurately the first time.
What Is Form I-693?
Most people applying for a green card from within the United States must show they are not inadmissible on health-related grounds, usually by submitting Form I‑693 after completing an immigration medical examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. The form documents the results of a medical examination and vaccination assessment performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Only a physician designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon is authorized to perform the immigration medical examination and complete Form I-693.
USCIS now requires certain applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to submit Form I-693 with their Form I-485.
Beginning December 2, 2024, the completed Form I-693 must accompany your Form I-485 (green card application), and failure to include it could result in rejection of your application. This means scheduling your immigration medical exam early in the application process is more important than ever.
Key Requirements for the Medical Examination
The immigration medical exam covers several areas designed to confirm that an applicant does not have a health-related condition that would make them inadmissible under U.S. immigration law. During the medical examination, the civil surgeon will perform tests for communicable diseases of public health significance and screen for certain physical or mental disorders, as well as drug addiction and abuse. The exam typically includes:
- A review of your complete medical history
- A physical examination including vital signs such as height, weight, and blood pressure
- Tuberculosis screening through a blood test or skin test
- Blood tests for syphilis and other required screenings
- A vaccination assessment and administration of any missing required vaccines
Under the immigration laws of the United States, applicants are required to receive vaccinations to prevent specific diseases, along with any other vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Common required vaccinations include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), and influenza during flu season. Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS waived the requirement that applicants for adjustment of status (Form I‑485) provide documentation on Form I‑693 showing they received the COVID‑19 vaccination.
If you do not have documentation of your vaccination history, the civil surgeon may order titer tests (blood tests that measure immunity) to determine whether you already have protection against certain diseases. If you cannot provide documentation of your vaccination history, the civil surgeon may offer blood tests to determine immunity to certain diseases. At Rock Medical PC, we offer on-site blood work and lab testing so that this process can be handled efficiently during your visit.
What Should I Bring to My Medical Examination Appointment?
Arriving prepared can help your immigration medical exam go smoothly and reduce the chance of needing a follow-up visit. Having all of your documents ready before your appointment can help the medical exam proceed without delays. You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, such as your passport, state ID, driver’s license, travel permit, or work permit.
Here is a checklist of items to bring to your appointment at Rock Medical PC:
- A valid, government-issued photo identification (unexpired passport, driver’s license, or state ID)
- Your vaccination records or any documentation of past immunizations
- Any relevant medical records, including records of past surgeries, ongoing treatments, or current medications
- Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you have one
- A printed copy of Form I-693 with Part 1 filled out (do not sign the form until the civil surgeon instructs you to)
If you have any medical records, including vaccination records, take them with you to the initial appointment. Bringing these documents helps the civil surgeon complete your vaccination assessment efficiently and may reduce the need for additional blood tests or repeat vaccinations.
What Happens at the Appointment?
Your immigration medical exam at our Jamaica, Queens office follows a structured process designed to meet all USCIS requirements. The civil surgeon will review your medical history, perform a physical examination that typically includes checking your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs, conduct tuberculosis screening, and review your vaccination history to verify you have received all required vaccines.
If additional vaccinations or lab tests are needed, our team can handle those during the same visit whenever possible. After completing your immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon must give you the completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope, and you should not accept it if it is not in a sealed envelope. You will also receive a copy for your personal records.
It is critical that you do not open or alter the sealed envelope. USCIS will return the form to you if it is not in a sealed envelope or if the envelope has been opened or altered, and you (not the civil surgeon) must submit your Form I-693 to USCIS. You will include this sealed envelope with your Form I-485 application when you mail it to USCIS.
How Long Is Form I-693 Valid?
Understanding the validity period of your Form I-693 helps you plan the timing of your exam. A Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the application the Form I-693 was submitted with is pending, and if the application is withdrawn or denied, that Form I-693 is no longer valid.
For forms signed before November 1, 2023, the standard two-year validity period applies from the date the civil surgeon signed the form. Because your completed I-693 must now be submitted together with your Form I-485, scheduling your medical exam early enough to receive your results before filing is essential.
Schedule Your Form I-693 Exam at Rock Medical PC
Do not let an incomplete or missing medical exam delay your green card application. Rock Medical PC in Jamaica, Queens is here to help you complete your Form I-693 accurately and efficiently. Contact us to schedule your immigration medical exam today.
Can Anyone Complete the Form I-693?
No. Only a physician designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon is authorized to perform the immigration medical examination and complete Form I-693. Your regular doctor, unless they have this designation, cannot conduct the exam for immigration purposes. You can find designated civil surgeons through the USCIS website, or you can visit Rock Medical PC, where our USCIS-designated civil surgeon is available to perform your exam.
How Much Does It Cost to Have the Form I-693 Completed?
Fees for immigration medical examinations are established by the civil surgeon, and fees may vary by civil surgeon. The total cost depends on factors such as required vaccinations, lab tests, and additional screenings. Because immigration medical exams are considered a special service for immigration purposes rather than routine medical care, many health insurance plans do not cover them, and applicants often pay out-of-pocket. Contact Rock Medical PC to ask about current pricing, what is included, and insurance plans we accept.
Does My I-693 Need to Be Filed at the Same Time as My Green Card Application?
As of December 2, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that Form I-693 be submitted concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Submitting Form I-693 separately after filing Form I-485 may lead to rejection of your application. Plan ahead and schedule your exam well before you intend to file so your completed form is ready.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider or immigration attorney about your individual needs.
