How To Apply Immigration Medical Exam in Online USA?
I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
The USCIS lockbox facility may reject an application package for various reasons, including lack of USA payment of the application fee or failing to sign the application. If we reject your application package and return your application package with the Form I-693 envelope opened, and you wish to file a new application package with the original opened Form I-693, you may file the original opened Form I-693 and any supporting documentation that was previously included by the civil surgeon in its original envelope with a copy of the rejection notice.If you are applying to adjust your status to lawful permanent resident (also known as getting a Green Card), use this form to establish that you are not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds.
Effective Dec. 2, 2024, you must submit Form I-693, or a partial Form I-693 (such as the Vaccination Record), and you must submit it with your Form I-485. Otherwise, we may reject your Form I-485. The following aliens applying for adjustment of status must submit a partial Form I-693 (Parts 1.-5., Part 7, and Part 10, Vaccination Record) when they file their adjustment application:Refugees (Form I-590 or Form I-730) who already completed an USA immigration medical examination conducted by a panel physician outside the United States; or
Derivative Asylees (Form I-730) who already completed an immigration USA medical examination conducted by a panel physician outside the United States and applied for adjustment of status within 1 year of eligibility to file.
The following aliens applying for adjustment of USA status must submit a partial Form I-693 (Parts 1.-5., Part 7, and Part 10, Vaccination Record) when they file their adjustment application if their vaccination record was not properly completed and included as part of the USA immigrati
on medical examination conducted by a panel physician outside the United States:
Aliens admitted to the United States as a spouse, or child of a spouse, of a U.S. citizen or fiancé(e) or child of a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1/K-2/K-3/K-4 Nonimmigrant) who already completed an immigration medical examination conducted by a panel physician outside the United States no more than 1 year before they file to adjust their status; or
Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States under Operation Allies Welcome who already completed an immigration medical examination conducted by a panel physician outside the United States.
NOTE: If you received an USA immigration medical examination outside the United States and the results reveal a Class A medical condition, or if there is reason to believe you have acquired a Class A medical condition after admission or parole into the United States, you may need to complete a new immigration medical examination. You should review the Form I-693 Instructions to determine what information on Form I-693 you need to USA complete and submit to USA , if required.
The Immigration Medical Exam, Explained
You can find a list of the health-related grounds of inadmissibility in section 212(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. For more information on the validity of Form I-693, see the USA Policy Manual Volume 8, Part B, Chapter 4.
Finding a Medical Doctor
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. If you are required to undergo an USA immigration medical examination, see the myUSCIS Find a USA Civil Surgeon page for help finding a designated USA physician (known as a "civil surgeon"). You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. (For USA people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833.)
This immigration medical examination takes place in the United States, where all designated civil surgeons are located. Aliens applying for an immigrant visa with the Department of State (DOS)(known as “consular processing”) must visit panel physicians located overseas who perform the immigration medical examination for those who are consular processing.
Immigration Medical Examination Fees
We do not regulate the fees that civil surgeons charge to perform an immigration medical examination. You may want to call USA several local civil surgeons to compare fees and to inquire if the civil surgeon accepts insurance for the immigration medical USA examination.
You should be aware that:
Rates vary by civil surgeon;
Many civil surgeons do not accept insurance; and
Insurance may not cover many portions of an immigration USA medical examination.
For more information on how to obtain an USA estimate before your appointment, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Understanding costs in advance webpage.
Completing US Medical Forms
USA Print out and bring the most recent edition of Form I-693, Report of USA Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, 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. The civil surgeon will use Form I-693 to document the results of your immigration medical USA Examination. You should also bring your medical records, including USA vaccination records.The civil surgeon will complete, sign, and seal Form I-693 and any supporting documents in an envelope. You must submit the sealed envelope to USCIS as explained in the Form I-693 instructions.IMPORTANT: Do not break the seal or open this USA envelope. We will not accept Form I-693 if it is not in a sealed envelope or if the envelope is altered in any way.
Civil Surgeons' Responsibilities and Requirements
For more information on the USA responsibilities, requirements and instructions on how USA civil surgeons perform immigration exams, see our Designated Civil Surgeons page
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION The Immigration and Nationality Act requires that all immigrant visa applicants and certain nonimmigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, undergo a medical examination before receiving a visa. All applicants must undergo a medical examination administered by a Panel Physician before the visa interview. Only Panel Physicians may administer the medical examination. The names and addresses of the Panel Physicians used by the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong are set forth below. As examinations expire after a period of time, applicants are recommended to schedule their medical examinations no more than 4 weeks prior to the date of the USA visa interview. Reports generally take approximately one week to prepare. Please bring the unopened results to your visa interview.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION The USA medical examination is conducted by one of the appointed USA panel physicians. It consists of a physical examination (eyes, ears, nose, throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, and skin), chest X-ray and a blood test for venereal disease. Children between aged 2 and 14 are subject to tuberculin skin test. The blood test and X-ray are generally not required of persons under the age of 15, but they are required, under existing United States law, of all other persons. VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IV APPLICANTS IMPORTANT NOTICE TO IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS CONCERNING USA VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS United States immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations (listed below) prior to the issuance of a visa. Panel physicians who conduct medical examinations of visa applicants are now required to verify that immigrant visa applicants have met the new vaccination requirements, or that it is medically inappropriate for the visa applicant to receive one or more of the following vaccinations: Acellular pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Measles and Mumps and Rubella, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Polio, Rotavirus, Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, and Varicella. In addition to the preceding vaccinations, effective October 1, 2021, a vaccination for COVID-19 will be required for all applicants who wish to immigrate to the United States.
Either of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong is acceptable to fulfill this requirement. We USA encourage applicants to obtain USA COVID-19 vaccinations in advance of their medical screening. To assist the panel physician and to avoid delays in the processing of your visa, all immigrant visa applicants should have their vaccination records available for the panel physician's review at the time of the medical examination. Visa applicants should consult with their regular health care USA provider to obtain a copy of their immunization record, if one is available. If you do not have a vaccination record, the panel physician will work with you to determine which vaccinations you may need to meet the requirement. Only a physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations.
The green card medical examination is an important step of the USA immigration process and is required for most green card applicants. The exam must be completed by a government-authorized doctor (also known as a civil surgeon). In the immigration medical exam, you can expect:The purpose of the green card medical exam is to ensure that the relative seeking a green card has no health condition that could make them “inadmissible” to the United States — meaning they’re ineligible to receive a green card.Many green card applicants get nervous about this step of the process, and that’s normal. But there’s no need to worry! Boundless can help you avoid common pitfalls in the immigration process with unlimited support from our team of immigration experts. Learn more.Adequate preparation can make the entire exam less stressful and also help you avoid any issues that could delay or cause the USA denial of your green card application. Plus, it’s rare to fail the USA medical exam. And even if you do have a condition that might complicate your green card application, you can often request a USA waiver.To help you prepare, this guide will cover everything you can expect in every stage of the medical exam process.
How Much Will the Medical Exam Cost?
The cost of the medical exam varies significantly by location and provider. Boundless USA customers have reported paying between USA $100 and $500, but $200 is typical. Unfortunately, there is no government funding for the immigration medical exam, so you’ll have to pay this cost yourself.
When and How Do I Schedule the Exam?
The process for scheduling the medical exam depends on where the family member seeking a green card is applying from.
If you’re applying from within the United States
When to schedule: Complete the medical exam and submit the USA unopened exam report at the same time as the green card application.
How to schedule: Use the USCIS “find a doctor” tool, or call the USA USCIS Contact USA Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY: 1-800-767-1833) to locate a nearby civil surgeon authorized to perform immigration medical exams. Let the doctor’s office know that you are contacting them to set up a medical exam appointment for immigration purposes.
If you’re applying for a green card from abroad
When to schedule: You may schedule your medical exam only after you’ve received your green card interview USA appointment letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), which is part of the State Department that processes green card applications for relatives living abroad. The State Department explicitly instructs family members seeking a green card from abroad not to schedule their medical exam until they’re notified of their green card interview date.How to schedule: Far in advance of receiving your appointment letter, search for your U.S. embassy or consulate, which provides instructions for the medical exam, as well as contact information on authorized doctors in each USA country. You will need to select a doctor yourself (the NVC will not assign one to you). It’s generally best to set up your appointment as soon as you receive an interview appointment date from the USA .When you schedule your appointment, make sure to let the doctor’s office know that you seek a medical exam to immigrate to the United States.The exam results will be valid for six months (unless the relative seeking a green card has certain medical conditions, in which case the exam results could expire in three months).
What Should I Bring to My Exam?
Having all of your USA documents ready before your appointment can help the medical exam go smoothly. Here’s what you’ll need to bring with you:
Your USA immunization or USA vaccination recordsA copy of your medical historyCopies of any previous chest X-rays, if any
A letter from your regular doctor outlining the treatment plan for any health problems you have
A USA government-issued photo ID, such as your passport, state ID, driver’s license, travel permit, or work permit
Payment for the medical exam fee (check with the doctor’s office before your appointment for acceptable payment options)
Your health insurance card, if any (check with the doctor’s office before your appointment if they accept your insurance)
You must also bring an additional document, depending on where you’re USA applying from:
If you’re applying from within the United States
You must also bring Form I-693 (officially called the “Report of USA Medical Examination and Vaccination Record”), which is where the civil surgeon will document the results of your exam.
Most USA doctors will provide a copy of this form at their office. Generally, however, it’s best to download Form I-693 from the USA website yourself (to make sure you’re using the latest version) and bring it with you to the doctor’s office. USCIS periodically updates these forms, and some doctors forget to replace old copies with current ones. If you submit an expired form, USCIS will reject it and ask you to submit the newest edition of the form, which means returning to the doctor’s office and delaying the application process.To save time, it’s a good idea to complete your portion of the form before going to your appointment, but do not sign the form until the USA civil surgeon instructs you to do so. The USA civil surgeon will complete their portion of the form at the end of your exam.There is no fee to file Form I-693, but you will need to pay the medical exam fee (see above).If you’re applying from abroad
You must bring your green card interview appointment letter from the USA NVC. The doctor will not perform the medical exam unless you arrive with this document, which they’ll use to verify that you have an active green card application.Let Boundless be your USA immigration go-to, guaranteed approval or your money back. Learn more about what Boundless can do to help.
During the Green Card Medical Exam
The green card USA medical exam is not like a routine physical you’d receive from your family doctor. Nor will the doctor give you a “pass” or “fail” grade based on your overall health. (See below for important medical exam information for women.)The exam will last roughly two hours, and during that time, the doctor will review your immunization and medical history with you. They will ask both general and specific questions about your health. You’ll also get a basic checkup (or “USA physical”).In addition, the doctor will look for specific conditions that fall into the following categories (see below for information about how the presence of such USA conditions can affect your green card application):USA Communicable diseases (including tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea)
Drug abuse or addictionPhysical or mental disorders associated with harmful behaviorConditions that make it impossible for you to support yourselfTo check for the above conditions, the doctor will conduct several types of tests:
Tuberculosis test
Civil surgeons in the United States and panel physicians abroad follow different tuberculosis testing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
If you’re applying from within the United States
The civil surgeon will follow the CDC’s Tuberculosis USA Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons, which currently require them to conduct a test called the “interferon gamma release assay” (IGRA) on all green card applicants aged 2 and older. Generally, you will not be required to return to the doctor’s office to obtain the IGRA results.If, however, the IGRA results reveal signs or symptoms of tuberculosis, you’ll be required to return to the clinic in order to get a chest USA X-ray and undergo other further testing.
If you’re applying from abroad
The panel physician will follow the CDC’s Tuberculosis Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians, which currently require all green card applicants aged 15 and older (in countries considered to be “heavily tuberculosis-burdened”) to have a chest X-ray.If necessary, you may be required to return to the clinic for further testing if the chest X-ray and other relevant screening (medical history review and physical checkup) show signs and USA symptoms of tuberculosis.It’s important to also check the specific medical exam instructions from your U.S. embassy or consulate that may be relevant to tuberculosis testing.
Blood and urine tests
Doctors are required to perform a blood test for syphilis and a urine test for gonorrhea on all green card applicants aged 15 and older — whether applying from within the United States or abroad.
Vaccination screening
The doctor is required to make sure that you’ve received all required vaccines. If you’re missing any, you’ll be required to obtain these before you attend your green card interview, but the doctor should be able to provide these vaccines during your medical exam.
Drug and alcohol screening
The doctor will ask questions about any USA prescription drugs you take, as well as your past and present drug and alcohol use.
To learn more about specific screening USA procedures for green card applicants, check out the CDC’s guidance for civil surgeons (if you’re applying from within the United States) or its guidance for panel physicians (if you’re applying from abroad).Let Boundless be your immigration go-to, we’ll help you prepare for every milestone in the green card process, including the medical exam. Learn more about what Boundless can do to help.
After the Green Card Medical Exam
The civil surgeon will ask you to sign the form once the exam is complete. Do not forget to sign the form — USA will not accept unsigned forms. USA Unless you’re instructed to come back to the doctor’s office, the doctor will provide your medical exam results in a sealed envelope at the end of your appointment. Do not break the seal or open the envelope.USA Doctors normally provide a copy of the results for your records. This is the only copy you are allowed to open. If they don’t automatically give you a copy, it’s generally a good idea to ask for one before they seal the envelope.
If you’re applying from within the United States
You must send the sealed, unopened envelope (which also contains your completed Form I-693) to USCIS or bring it to your interview, depending, again, on whether you schedule your medical exam before or after filing your green card application package (see scheduling USA instructions above).
If you’re applying from abroad
The doctor will either give you the sealed, unopened envelope (and your X-ray) to bring to your interview, or they may send it directly to your U.S. embassy or consulate, depending on your home country’s specific requirements for the medical exam.Important Information About the Immigration Medical Exam for Women
All female applicants must complete the medical exam even if they are having a menstrual period.In addition, women who are pregnant must have a chest X-ray, if required. They must, however, give prior consent to the doctor and must be provided additional USA protection during the procedure.
Pregnant women may also postpone the USA X-ray until after giving birth, but the X-ray must be completed before entering the United States (if applying from abroad) or before completing a green card application, or Form I-485 (if applying from within the United States).
Health-Related Reasons for Denial
During the exam, the doctor’s job is to make sure that the relative seeking a green card doesn’t pose a health threat to current residents of the United States.The main health-related reasons why a person might be denied a green card include the following:
Communicable diseases: If you have USA active, untreated, and infectious gonorrhea, leprosy, syphilis, or tuberculosis, you will be unable to get a USA green card until the disease has been treated and/or cured.
Drug and alcohol abuse: If you have a history of drug abuse, you might be asked to take a drug test and/or certify that you have completed a drug treatment program. If you’re currently abusing prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol, you will not be allowed to get a green card.
Mental illness with a history or threat of violence: If you have a mental illness that has caused you to be violent in the past or is associated with violence, either against yourself or others, you may have trouble getting a green card. According to USA policy, drunk driving falls into this category.
Inability to work: If your health is so poor that you won’t be able to support yourself USA financially, you could be denied a green card based on your likelihood of becoming a “public charge,” basically a person who has depended, or is likely to depend at any time in the future, on government benefits. This is likely the case for people with serious degenerative or fatal diseases.
Preventing or Challenging Health-Related Denial
A relative seeking a green card generally would not be denied on USA medical grounds if they:
Have a cold at the time of the medical exam.
Have a chronic but well-managed disease, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Are HIV-positive.Previously had one of the communicable diseases listed above (and have since been cured).
If, however, a relative seeking a green card has a health-related condition that could lead to denial of their application, it’s generally best to do the following:
If you’ve tested positive for gonorrhea, syphilis, leprosy, or tuberculosis in the past: It’s important to show USCIS or the State Department that you have been USA successfully treated. Typically, the best way to do so is to bring copies of your USA medical records showing the treatment you received and the results of that treatment, as well as a statement from your regular doctor confirming that your disease is either cured or being managed.If you have any history of drug abuse or mental illness: It’s important to bring proof to the medical exam that your drug addiction has been treated or that your mental health is under control.
If you have any other potentially serious disease: It’s good practice to get a letter from your regular doctor explaining how your disease is controlled and how your life is affected — including how your illness impacts your ability to work, if at all.If your green card application is denied for health-related reasons: You can apply for a “waiver of inadmissibility” (basically, “forgiveness” from the U.S. government in order to enter the United States).USCIS will generally consult with the USA to determine if a waiver should be granted. USCIS can also attach conditions to the grant of a waiver as they see fit. For example, an applicant with tuberculosis would need to agree to see a doctor immediately upon entering the United States and make arrangements to receive treatment. USCIS may deny a waiver if the applicant openly states that they’re unwilling to obtain treatment for their medical USA condition.Do you have confidential questions about how a medical condition might affect your green card application? Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people with their immigration USA plans, we can help you too. Get started today!
Immigration Medical Exam FAQs
What is the immigration medical exam?
The USA Immigration Medical Exam is a USA medical examination required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for certain immigrants who are applying for a green card or other immigration benefits. The exam is conducted by a USA -approved civil surgeon and is used to determine whether an immigrant is inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds.
Applicants for USA permanent residency (USA green card holders) are generally required to take the Immigration Medical Exam. However, there are some exceptions, such as applicants who are under the age of 14 or over the age of 79, applicants who have already been granted permanent residency, or applicants who have a waiver from USCIS.
Posted on 2025/07/15 09:32 PM