USCIS Medical Exam and Approved Doctor - U.S ImmigrationForms

USCIS Medical Exam and Approved Doctor

The medical examination is part of the US Immigration admission process. This is part of the admissible/eligibility process, which looks out for the wellbeing of the residents of the United States. It may be equired of all foreign nationals, wishing to enter the US for a long or a short period of time.

The Medical Exam does not depend on your country of origin, nor on your age. It can be done only by selected certified professionals, who exclusively have the right to do this type of medical analysis to foreigners.

Note: The examination cannot be done by the family physician!

How to find an approved Civil Surgeon?

Because only licensed and approved doctors can conduct this exam, you can locate and contact them using the following link:

Find a USCIS doctor

What documents are required to bring to the Medical Exam?

You are required to provide the following documentation during your Medical Exam:

  • A medical list of all the vaccinations you have received as a child and as an adult

  • Form I-693, Report for Medical Examination and Vaccination Record - to be completed by the physician conducting your exam

  • A written statement regarding any psychiatric, mental illness, or drug or alcohol abuse you may suffer or have suffered in the past. You must provide details of the diagnosis, course of treatment and cure.

  • A written medical assessment of the current situation of the patient in case of a history of violent or harmful behavior towards yourself, animals or others.

  • A list of all the medication you have been taking as a result of chronic illness and/or any other medical condition. The list should include the names of the medication as well as a short explanation of the reasons for taking them.

  • If you have ever had positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test, you must provide a medical certificate from the doctor who has found the disease and treated it. The document must include a detailed description of the course of treatment and its duration. You must prove the treatment was successful and no longer suffer from this disease.

  • In case you have previously suffered from syphilis, you must include a written medical certificate detailing the diagnosis, course of treatment and cure.

  • In case you suffer from mental retardation or learning disabilities (or if of your any family members also immigrating to the U.S.), provide a report explaining their condition and any necessary supervision or educational requirements.

What does the Medical Exam consist of?

The Medical Exam consists of a medical review of your medical history and an assessment of your current state. Afterward, you will be given a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and a blood test.

Children under the age of 15 are not required to undergo the chest X-ray or the blood test. However, this may vary depending on the individual. If you are pregnant, you may postpone the chest X-ray. However, this will rely on the country of origin.

The doctor will examine your eyes, ears, throat and nose, your abdomen, lungs and heart, your skin, lymph nodes and the external genitalia.

In case you have never received any of the required vaccinations, the doctor will administer them.

The vaccination list includes:

  • Hepatitis A and B

  • Influenza

  • Influenza type B

  • Measles

  • Meningococcal

  • Mumps

  • Pneumococcal

  • Pertussis

  • Polio

  • Rotavirus

  • Rubella

  • Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

  • Varicella

What does the Medical Exam not consist of?

The medical exam will only assess some conditions, and should not be considered or replace a full complete medical examination or checkup.

If during the Medical Exam, the physician were to find an illness, which you were not previously aware of and is not part of the required examination list, the doctor is not obligated to diagnose or treat you. The doctor will not give you additional information on the matter either.

Instructions for the Medical Exam

Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record - Form I-693, is the official document used to inform of the medical examination to the USCIS. This form is to be completed by the civil surgeon administering the exam and is used as proof of eligibility of foreign citizens.

The results of the examination are confidential and are only used for immigration purposes.

All applicants that are required to undergo the Medical Exam only need to complete Part 1. of Form I-693 and must not sign it, unless in the presence of a qualified civil surgeon. The rest of the form must be completed by the physician, once the examination is done. The designated civil surgeon must complete the form and return to you in a sealed envelope. Please make sure the envelope is correctly sealed, or the exam will be considered invalid. You should also expect a scanned/printed copy of the form for personal records.

Once the Medical Exam and Form are complete, you must submit the sealed envelope the USCIS.

Please go to the following link www.uscis.gov/i-693 for more instructions on how to fill out and file the form.

Applicants filing Form I-495, Adjustment of Status are required to undergo the medical examination, which means the two forms should be submitted concurrently.

The results of the medical examination will be valid for one (1) year. Once you submit form I-495, the medical examination form will be valid for as long as Form I-495 is pending.