Can my primary care doctor complete Form I-693 if they become a civil surgeon?

Yes. If your primary care doctor obtains a USCIS civil surgeon designation, they would be authorized to complete Form I-693. However, they must be officially designated by USCIS before performing the examination — not just in the process of applying.

Can a nurse practitioner or physician assistant complete Form I-693?

No. Only licensed physicians (MDs or DOs) who have been designated as civil surgeons by USCIS can complete Form I-693. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers are not authorized to perform immigration medical examinations.

What if the civil surgeon's designation expired after my exam?

If the civil surgeon's designation expired after your examination was completed, USCIS may still accept the form if the civil surgeon was designated at the time of the examination. However, this situation can be complicated — consult your immigration attorney if you have concerns.

Are all civil surgeons equally qualified?

All USCIS-designated civil surgeons meet the minimum requirements set by USCIS. However, experience and familiarity with the immigration medical examination process can vary. Choosing a civil surgeon who specializes in immigration medical examinations — like ImmigrationMedicalExams.com — can help ensure a smooth, accurate examination.

Can I use a civil surgeon in a different state than where I live?

Yes. You can use any USCIS-designated civil surgeon regardless of where they are located relative to your home. However, for practical reasons, most applicants choose a civil surgeon near their home or workplace.

Form I-6935 min read readUpdated January 2025

Can Form I-693 Be Completed by Any Doctor?

Quick Answer

No. Form I-693 can only be completed by a physician who has been officially designated as a civil surgeon by USCIS. Your personal physician, urgent care doctor, or family practice physician cannot complete Form I-693 unless they are also a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.

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What Is a USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon?

A civil surgeon is a licensed physician who has been officially designated by USCIS to perform immigration medical examinations. To become a designated civil surgeon, a physician must apply to USCIS, meet specific requirements including medical licensure and training in immigration medical examination procedures, and be approved by USCIS. The designation is not permanent — civil surgeons must maintain their designation and comply with USCIS requirements to remain authorized.

Why Only Civil Surgeons Can Complete Form I-693

USCIS requires that immigration medical examinations be performed by designated civil surgeons to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with federal immigration health standards. Civil surgeons are trained in the specific requirements of the immigration medical examination, including which vaccinations are required, how to evaluate communicable diseases, and how to properly complete and seal Form I-693. A general practitioner or specialist who is not a designated civil surgeon does not have this specialized training and authorization.

How to Find a USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon

USCIS maintains an online Civil Surgeon Locator tool on their website (uscis.gov) that allows applicants to search for designated civil surgeons by zip code. You can also ask your immigration attorney for a referral. ImmigrationMedicalExams.com is a USCIS-designated civil surgeon practice serving patients throughout Southern California. We encourage you to verify that any civil surgeon you visit is currently designated by USCIS before your appointment.

What Happens If a Non-Designated Doctor Completes Your Form

If Form I-693 is completed by a physician who is not a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, USCIS will reject the form entirely. You will be required to schedule a new examination with a properly designated civil surgeon at your own expense. This can cause significant delays in your green card application. Always verify the civil surgeon's designation status before your appointment.

Verifying a Civil Surgeon's Current Designation

Civil surgeon designations can lapse or be revoked. Before scheduling your immigration medical examination, verify that the civil surgeon is currently designated by USCIS using the Civil Surgeon Locator on the USCIS website. At ImmigrationMedicalExams.com, our civil surgeon maintains an active USCIS designation and we are committed to keeping our designation current so that your examination is always valid.

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