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 employs USCIS-designated civil surgeons at every 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 chest X-ray or TB blood test, required blood tests (including syphilis serology for applicants 15 and older), a mental health evaluation, a substance use assessment, and a full review of your vaccination records.

• Complete medical history and physical examination
• Tuberculosis screening (chest X-ray or IGRA blood test)
• Syphilis serology (applicants age 15 and older)
• 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. This sealed envelope must remain unopened — breaking the seal invalidates the form.

You will bring the sealed envelope to your USCIS interview or submit it with your Form I-485 as directed by USCIS. Never open the envelope under any circumstances.

How Long Is Form I-693 Valid?

Form I-693 is generally valid for two years from the date the civil surgeon signs the form, provided USCIS adjudicates your case within that period. If your case is not decided within two years of the civil surgeon signature date, you may need to repeat the examination. Additionally, certain components of the exam — such as tuberculosis testing — have their own validity windows that may be shorter than the overall form validity.