Civil Surgeons: For Adjustment of Status Applicants

A civil surgeon is a licensed physician in the United States who has been designated by USCIS to perform immigration medical exams. Civil surgeons complete Form I-693 for applicants who are adjusting status to permanent resident (green card) while in the United States.

Civil surgeons are designated by USCIS and must meet specific training and certification requirements. You can find a USCIS-designated civil surgeon using the civil surgeon locator on the USCIS website (uscis.gov).

Panel Physicians: For Consular Processing Applicants

A panel physician is a physician in a foreign country who has been approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate in that country to perform immigration medical exams for immigrant visa applicants. Panel physicians complete a different medical form (DS-2053 or equivalent) for the State Department.

Panel physicians are designated by the U.S. embassy or consulate, not by USCIS. You can find an approved panel physician through the U.S. embassy or consulate website for your country.

Key Differences

The key differences between civil surgeons and panel physicians are:

• Location: Civil surgeons are in the U.S.; panel physicians are abroad
• Applicant population: Civil surgeons serve adjustment of status applicants; panel physicians serve consular processing applicants
• Designating authority: Civil surgeons are designated by USCIS; panel physicians are approved by the U.S. embassy/consulate
• Form completed: Civil surgeons complete Form I-693; panel physicians complete DS-2053 or equivalent
• Submission: Form I-693 is submitted to USCIS; DS-2053 is submitted to the embassy/consulate

Can I Use a Civil Surgeon for Consular Processing?

No. If you are applying for an immigrant visa through consular processing, you must see a panel physician approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. A civil surgeon in the United States cannot complete the medical exam for a consular processing applicant.

Can I Use a Panel Physician for Adjustment of Status?

No. If you are adjusting status in the United States, you must see a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. A panel physician abroad cannot complete Form I-693 for an adjustment of status applicant.