What the Exam Is For
For many people applying for a green card from within the United States, the immigration medical examination is part of the adjustment-of-status process. Most Form I-485 applicants need an exam, though requirements and limited exceptions depend on the case. Check the current USCIS Form I-693 guidance to confirm what applies.
The exam documents health information relevant to immigration requirements. It is not a general wellness assessment or a judgment of a person’s worth. A USCIS-designated civil surgeon reviews medical history, examines the applicant, and arranges required screening.
A practical first step is to verify the requirement and find an authorized doctor using the USCIS civil surgeon locator. Then gather identification and available medical and vaccination records, complete the examination and any required tests, and follow USCIS instructions for Form I-693. Jana HealthCare is a multidisciplinary Brooklyn practice offering integrated clinical care; verify a doctor’s civil-surgeon designation before scheduling.
Confirm the Requirement and Find a Civil Surgeon
Many people filing Form I-485 to adjust status need an immigration medical examination, though some applicants have different or limited requirements. The exam lets U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) review health matters relevant to immigration rules, including certain communicable diseases and vaccination requirements. It is not a general judgment of a person’s health or worth, and a diagnosis does not automatically make someone ineligible.
The civil surgeon records the examination findings on Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, for USCIS review. Check the current Form I-693 guidance and filing instructions to confirm whether the form is required for your case and how to submit it. Most applicants seeking adjustment of status need to provide it, but requirements can vary and may change.
For applicants examined in the United States, the exam must be performed by a doctor designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon. Verify the doctor’s designation before booking by using the official Find a Civil Surgeon tool. The information available here does not confirm whether Jana HealthCare is designated, so check the USCIS locator directly.
If you are unsure whether the exam applies to you, or have concerns about how a health condition may affect your case, review the relevant USCIS instructions or speak with an immigration attorney. Individual requirements depend on the applicant’s circumstances and current rules.
Prepare Records and Understand the Examination
Knowing what the appointment involves can help you gather useful records and answer questions clearly. A civil surgeon generally reviews your medical history and vaccination records, conducts a physical examination, and screens for certain communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea when applicable under current requirements. You can read more about what to expect during the immigration medical exam.
Testing and follow-up depend on current instructions, your history, and the examination findings, so avoid assuming every patient receives the same tests. Check the latest Form I-693 instructions and ask the civil surgeon’s office whether it needs additional records or prior test results.
Before the visit, gather government-issued photo identification, available vaccination records, relevant medical documents, a list of medications, and any prior test results the civil surgeon’s office requests.
Review Vaccinations and Health Findings
The civil surgeon reviews written vaccination records and decides which age-appropriate requirements apply. Not every applicant needs every vaccine, and a complete record can help the clinician assess what is already documented. For a closer look at how records factor into the visit, see this vaccination requirements guide.
USCIS materials list examples of vaccines that may be considered, including DT, DTP, DTaP, Td, and Tdap; polio; MMR; Hib; hepatitis A and B; varicella; pneumococcal; influenza; rotavirus; and meningococcal disease vaccines. This is not a checklist for every person. Requirements depend on age, medical circumstances, prior documentation, and the current instructions the civil surgeon must follow. Check the USCIS Form I-693 guidance for current information.
Bring available written records, including vaccination documents from previous providers or public health clinics. If records are incomplete, discuss the options with the civil surgeon rather than assuming that every dose must be repeated. Jana HealthCare is a multidisciplinary practice offering integrated clinical care; applicants should independently confirm that any doctor they plan to see is currently designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon.
The exam also considers certain communicable diseases and other health findings that immigration rules address. Depending on the finding, the civil surgeon may recommend treatment, further evaluation, or another step before completing Form I-693. A diagnosis or past medical history does not automatically mean permanent ineligibility. The effect depends on the specific circumstances and current rules.
Tell the civil surgeon about relevant conditions, treatment, and concerns, and bring useful medical records. If you are unsure how a health finding could affect your case, seek individualized advice from a qualified immigration attorney as well as medical guidance from your clinician.
Plan for Costs, Timing, and Submission
The time and cost of an immigration medical exam depend on the services needed and the civil surgeon’s process. The appointment may not be the final step: laboratory results, vaccination review, or follow-up can extend the turnaround. Ask the office how long it currently takes to complete and seal Form I-693, and leave room for possible delays.
Civil surgeons set their own fees, so there is no single price that applies to every applicant. Tests, vaccines, and other services may add to the total, and insurance may not cover every part of the exam. Before booking, ask what the quoted fee includes, which payment methods the office accepts, and whether it takes your insurance. USCIS also advises applicants to check costs with civil surgeons, since fees can vary significantly.
After the required examination and results are complete, the civil surgeon fills out Form I-693 and seals it in an envelope for USCIS. Ask whether you can receive a copy for your personal records before the form is sealed. Keep the submission envelope intact: USCIS will not accept it if it has been opened or altered. See the Form I-693 instructions for official form guidance.
Before filing, check USCIS instructions for the current form edition, required signatures, submission method, and timing. janahealthcare.com is a multidisciplinary Brooklyn practice offering integrated clinical care; confirm directly with the office what immigration-exam services, fees, and turnaround it currently provides.
For help organizing appointment logistics, see this immigration exam preparation timeline.
Check the Form Before Filing
Small paperwork errors can delay a filing. Before the appointment, download the current Form I-693 and its official instructions from USCIS rather than relying on an old copy or assumptions about when to submit it.
Check that the information is complete and accurate, required signatures are present, and medical testing and vaccination details have been documented. The examination must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, so verify the clinician’s designation and follow their directions about which sections to complete and when to sign.
After the civil surgeon seals the completed form, keep the envelope intact. USCIS will not accept an envelope that has been opened or altered. Review current USCIS filing instructions before submitting the form, since requirements can change.
For a final paperwork check, applicants can also use this guide to common I-693 filing problems.
A Careful Process Can Prevent Delays
Before booking or filing, check the current USCIS Form I-693 guidance and confirm that your doctor is a designated civil surgeon using the USCIS locator. Gather the records you have, then ask the office about required documents, fees, testing, and any follow-up.
The process is personal: timing, costs, tests, and vaccine needs depend on your records and circumstances. Jana HealthCare’s multidisciplinary practice in Brooklyn offers integrated clinical care, so patients can ask questions about their health history and the visit before scheduling, while confirming that any physician completing Form I-693 is USCIS-designated.
When the civil surgeon returns the completed form, keep its sealed envelope intact for submission. Ask for a personal copy for your records, and follow the latest USCIS filing instructions.
