What Is USCIS Form I-693?

What Is Form I-693?

Form I-693, officially titled the "Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record," is the document USCIS uses to determine whether an immigration applicant has any health-related grounds of inadmissibility. It is one of the most important forms in the green card application process.

The form captures the results of a comprehensive physical examination, a review of your vaccination history, and the results of required laboratory tests including tuberculosis screening and certain blood tests. Without a properly completed and sealed Form I-693, USCIS cannot approve most green card applications.

Who Completes Form I-693?

Form I-693 must be completed exclusively by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon — a licensed physician who has been specifically authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to perform immigration medical examinations. Your personal physician, urgent care provider, or any other doctor who is not on the USCIS civil surgeon list cannot complete this form. Attempting to use a non-designated physician will result in rejection of your application.

• Only USCIS-designated civil surgeons may sign Form I-693
• Your primary care doctor cannot complete this form
• The civil surgeon must be currently active on the USCIS civil surgeon locator
• ImmigrationMedicalExams.com provides USCIS immigration medical examinations at our dedicated Costa Mesa location

What Does the Exam Include?

The immigration medical examination is a comprehensive evaluation that goes beyond a routine physical. The civil surgeon is required to follow USCIS Technical Instructions, which specify exactly what must be assessed and documented.

The exam includes a complete medical history review, a head-to-toe physical examination, tuberculosis (TB) screening via IGRA blood test (required for applicants age 2 and older), required blood tests including syphilis serology for applicants age 18 through under age 45 and gonorrhea NAAT for applicants age 18 through 24 (with testing at other ages when clinically indicated), a mental health evaluation, a substance use assessment, and a full review of your vaccination records. All examinations are performed at our Costa Mesa office.

• Complete medical history and physical examination
• Tuberculosis screening — IGRA blood test required for applicants age 2 and older
• Syphilis serology — required for applicants age 18 through under age 45; others when clinically indicated
• Gonorrhea NAAT — required for applicants age 18 through 24; others when clinically indicated
• Vaccination record review and administration of missing vaccines
• Mental health and substance use assessment

What Happens After the Exam?

After your examination is complete and all laboratory results are received, the civil surgeon will complete Form I-693, sign it, and place it in a sealed envelope. Do not open the sealed Form I-693 packet intended for submission to USCIS — USCIS may reject a packet that is not properly sealed. The clinic may provide a separate unsigned copy for the patient's records.

You will bring the sealed envelope to your USCIS interview or submit it with your Form I-485 as directed by USCIS.

How Long Is Form I-693 Valid?

The acceptance and applicable validity of Form I-693 depend on current USCIS policy, the date the civil surgeon signed the form, and the applicant's filing circumstances. USCIS policies have changed over time. Applicants should review the current official USCIS Form I-693 guidance at uscis.gov or consult their immigration attorney regarding their particular filing.