Things You Should Know Before Appearing in USCIS Green Card Medical Exam

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 to keep 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 required a green card. USCIS medical exam requires a government-authorized 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 an 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. And 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 i-693 form, however some of the questions might be added later on with the objective to replace any of the primary questions, on 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 exampled 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?

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.

2. 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.

3. 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 which 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 typical 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 medical examination which can only be conducted by a government-authorized civil surgeon. While the standard medical examination for an 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 USCIS medical exam, is the chance that the results of the examination could rule you medically unfit, and consequently inadmissible to enter or continue to stay in the United States.

The commonly occuring reasons for a failed i-693 medical exam are:

• Detection of a communicative illness
• Involvement of drug abuse
• Missing required vaccinations
• Any physical or mental disorder that is deemed a threat, to others or the applicant themselves

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 filing the application; as the i-693 form carries its validity for upto 2 years, staring from the day of authorized civil surgeon’s signature.

Once the time span 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 USCIS?

No! Majority of the 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 exam, for possible reimbursement.

How Much Does The USCIS 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 haven’t determined any fixed charges for the exam, the fee basically varies depending on the government-authorized doctor or the healthcare practice you have approached.

The cost of USCIS medical examination at Manhattan Medical Arts is $450, covering all the required facilities, at a state-of-the-art medical facility.

– 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.