USCIS Immigration Medical Exam
When applying for a green card, i.e., adjustment of status, in the United States, applicants must submit a sealed medical examination. The immigration medical exam must be performed by a doctor who is authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), i.e., a “designated civil surgeon.”[i]
Individuals must bring the following to the USCIS immigration medical exam:
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record;
- Government-Issued Photo ID;
- Vaccination or Immunization Record;
- Medical Insurance Card (if any); and
- Payment.[ii]
During the medical exam, the doctor will review an applicant’s medical history and perform a physical exam. The doctor will also test for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
In November 2018, the USCIS revised its policy guidelines for the validity period of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.[iii] The updated policy requires that the applicants for adjustment of status submit a Form I-693 that is signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before filing.[iv]
Once signed, the Form I-693 remains valid for a two-year period, and can be submitted at various times throughout the immigration process, for example:
- By mail with your Form I-485, Application to Register for Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
- By mail after filing your Form I-485 to the location specified in your most recent communication with USCIS (for example, a Request for Evidence letter from USCIS); or
- In person at an interview in a USCIS field office (if an interview is required) (emphasis added).[v]
If you would like to know more about filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, contact Lally Immigration Services, LLC at (617) 870-1000 or by email to immigration lawyer, Dayna Lally, at [email protected].
[i] See: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons.
[ii] See: https://my.uscis.gov/findadoctor.
[iii] See: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-policy-manual-update.
[iv] Id.
[v] See: https://www.uscis.gov/i-693.
