Anyone who’s seeking a green card in the United States is required by the US government to successfully complete the USCIS medical exam. The purpose of this medical examination is to make sure all the applicants are free of communicable diseases and updated on vaccines so that the spread of diseases can be kept under control – Ensuring that the applicants as well as the US residents.
What is a USCIS i-693 Medical Exam?
One of the very important parts of the immigration process is the green card medical examination, which is required for each individual who requires a green card. USCIS medical exam requires a government-authorized panel physician to be appropriately carried out and completed successfully.
Listed below are the several parts that this examination is based on:
- A detailed review of vaccine and immunization records and medical history
- Physical and mental assessment
- Screening test for alcohol and drugs
- Tests to evaluate the presence of different illnesses and diseases
With a USCIS medical exam, the objective is to make sure that any individual who is applying for US immigration does not carry any health-related risks that would make them ineligible for a green card.
What Should You Expect During a from i-693 Green Card Exam?
During an i-693 medical exam, the designated doctor will review and analyze your medical history and vaccination records, along with having you tested for certain communicable diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis. And in the case where the applicant requires any of the new vaccinations, those will also be administered by the government-authorized doctor.
You will have to re-visit the doctor within a span of 2-3 days, as the test for tuberculosis is conducted in two parts, and will have to be completed in two separate visits. The test conducted for syphilis requires a blood test to be carried out.
The doctor will then conduct an in-depth review of your medical records – While most of the questions are mainly required for the form i-693, however, some of the questions might be added later on with the objective of replacing any of the primary questions, on the doctor’s instructions.
List of Required Documents in i-693 Immigration Exams
After an appointment has been scheduled with a government-authorized civil surgeon for the USCIS medical exam, then you will be expected to have the materials prepared that are listed below:
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record – this is the official report that must be completed and signed by the civil surgeon or the panel physicians
- Government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or US passport. If you are 14 or younger, you can bring any form of identification that reflects your name, place of birth, date of birth, and parent’s full name, for example, a birth certificate or an affidavit can be used
- Vaccination and/or immunization records such as DT, DTaP, DTP, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hib, IPV, meningococcal disease, MMR, OPV, pneumococcal influenza, rotavirus, Td, Tdap, or varicella
How to Fill Out USCIS Medical Exam Form?
- Type or print legibly in black ink.
- If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, use the space provided in Part 11. Additional Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print the applicant’s name and Alien Registration Number at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers; and sign and date each sheet.
- Answer all the questions completely and accurately. If a question does not apply to you, type or print “N/A” unless otherwise directed. If your answer to a question that requires a numeric response is zero or none, type or print “None” unless otherwise directed.
What is Included in The Physical Exam For Immigration?
A complete physical examination that is being conducted for immigration purposes will include testing of the following:
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose
- Throat
- Extremities
- Heart
- Lungs
- Abdomen
- Lymph nodes
- Skin
- External genitalia
- STD
If the preventative care doctor evaluates the requirement, they might also instruct to have a chest X-ray and blood test carried out, so that syphilis can be thoroughly checked.
Children are mostly excused when it comes to conducting an X-ray and blood test. And for the women who are pregnant while applying for USCIS medical exam, are then recommended to get in touch with their respective embassies for further instructions or exemptions.
How Long Does The USCIS Medical Exam Take?
The entire process of the USCIS medical exam generally requires 1-2 weeks of time. However, this duration can vary based on how long it would take to get a hold of your vaccine records.
Does The i-693 Form Also Include a Drug Test?
Every single individual who decides to apply for a USCIS medical exam, they are required to go through a thorough physical and mental examination which can only be conducted by government-authorized civil surgeons. While the standard immigration medical examination for a form i-693 medical exam does not require you to go through a drug test; however it does include a urine as well as a blood screening as compulsion, both of which are capable of identifying certain drugs, if present within your system.
What Potential Risks Can You Face in the USCIS Medical Exam?
The main risk being faced when it comes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services medical exam is the chance that the results of the immigration medical examination could rule you medically unfit, and consequently inadmissible to enter or continue to stay in the United States.
The commonly occurring reasons for a failed Form i-693 medical exam are:
- Detection of a communicative illness
- Involvement in drug abuse
- Missing required vaccinations
- Any physical or mental disorder that is deemed a threat, to others or the applicant
What is The Form i-693 USCIS Medical Exam Validity Period?
The most appropriate way to go about this USCIS i-693 application is to have the medical examination scheduled as close as possible to the time of applying; as the form i-693 carries its validity for up to 2 years, starting from the day of authorization civil surgeon’s signature.
Once the period of 2 years has been completed, the applicants will then be required to submit a new i-693 form all over again.
Do Insurances Cover The i-693 Exam For United States Citizenship and Immigration Services?
No! The majority of travel or health insurance plans do not commonly cover these USCIS medical examinations – However, at Manhattan Medical Arts, we will ensure to provide you with an invoice for the conducted psychiatric or medical problem exam, for possible reimbursement.
How Much Does The US Immigration Medical Examination Cost?
The cost designated for a USCIS medical exam has shown great variations based on the country and the doctors involved in the process.
Since the US government hasn’t determined any fixed charges for the immigration medical examination, the fee varies depending on the government-authorized doctor or the primary health care provider practice you have approached. It may be helpful to call a few civil surgeons to find out how much they charge for the immigration medical examination.
The cost of United States immigration medical examinations at Manhattan Medical Arts is $450, covering all the required facilities, at a state-of-the-art medical facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disqualifying medical conditions for a US visa?
Disqualifying medical conditions for a US visa include active tuberculosis, certain contagious diseases, mental disorders, and drug addiction.
Is it okay to have a medical exam even with your period?
Yes, you can have a medical exam while on your period for immigration medical examination. It won't affect the results.
Can I get a green card if I have hepatitis B?
Having hepatitis B does not automatically disqualify you from getting a green card. Treatment and management are considered.
Does a civil surgeon get a green card faster in the US?
Being a civil surgeon does not impact the speed of getting a green card. Green card processing time is based on immigration status and application type.
What if the applicant had a previous positive skin test?
If the applicant had a previous positive skin test, they should not undergo another one. Instead, they may need a chest X-ray and medical examinations to assess for active TB or latent TB infection.
What steps should be taken if an applicant has a history of psychiatric or mental illness?
If an applicant has a history of psychiatric or mental illness, a thorough mental health evaluation, medical history review, and possibly a consultation with a mental health-related grounds are recommended.
What is the role of the Department of Health and Human Services in public health?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees public health, provides essential services, enforces health regulations, funds research, and ensures access to healthcare and human services.
What is the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in managing public health?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) manages public health by monitoring disease outbreaks, conducting research, providing guidelines, promoting a public health service, and supporting health initiatives to protect public health.
What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?
If an applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior, a comprehensive risk assessment, background check, and possibly a psychological evaluation should be conducted to ensure safety and suitability.
– Disclaimer –
This blog is for informational & educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute any professional medical advice or consultation. For any health related concerns, please consult with your physician, or call 911.
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About The Author
Dr. Syra Hanif M.D.Board Certified Primary Care Physician
Dr. Syra Hanif is a board-certified Primary Care Physician (PCP) dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered healthcare.
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