The I-693 immigration physical exam is also called a green card medical exam. It is a necessary part of the application process that enables an individual to become a permanent resident of the U.S.
The I-693 medical exam is conducted by USCIS-authorized doctors, also known as a civil surgeons.
The immigration Form I-693 includes a mental and physical examination as well as alcohol and drug screening. Furthermore, an analysis of an individual application ‘adjustment of status medical records’ and the vaccination requirements are also included in the I-693 exam.

I-693 Validity

The validity of the Form I-693 with the civil surgeon’s signature is not more than 60 days before an individual applies for their application. Moreover, the temporary changes in the USCIS lead to an extension in the validity time for Form I-693 from 2 to 4 years if the civil surgeon’s signature is dated no more than sixty days before the individual files an application.

The temporary extension would permit individuals who could comply with the sixty-day rule for the civil surgeon’s signature to fulfill the application procedure even if the USCIS takes up to 4 years to complete the process without requiring another medical exam.

I-693 Vaccine

An individual needs to document the receipt of the vaccine that is according to the individual’s age. The civil surgeon will mark on the Form I-693 that an individual is not required to have a specific vaccine due to inappropriate age during the physical exam.

Moreover, in the immigration laws of the U.S, it is necessary to get a vaccination for prevention of outbreak of diseases such as polio, measles, covid-19, hepatitis B, and any other vaccine for preventable diseases suggested by the advisory committee for immunization practices. The vaccinations are based on the individual’s present status in the United States.

The civil surgeon will review the vaccination card of an individual at the time of the medical examination to analyze whether an individual has any record of the vaccination mentioned in the Form I-693. To facilitate the process, an individual must provide the civil surgeons with all the required documents regarding immunization.

Moreover, if an individual lacks any vaccination due to age, he/she must get themselves vaccinated by their private health care advisor, but only a civil surgeon is authorized to fulfill the vaccination examination Form I-693. An individual must return to the civil surgeon with the evidence that the individual has received the pending vaccination.

USCIS I-693 Authorized doctors

If an individual applies within the United States, the civil surgeons approved by the USCIS officials can conduct the USCIS I-693 form.  Moreover, if an individual is planning to apply from abroad for the I-693 physical examination, then he will see a panel physician authorized by United States Department of states.

The civil surgeons must provide an individual with the complete Form I-693 in a sealed envelope to submit to the USCIS officials, otherwise, it will not be approved. An individual is advised to never receive unsealed envelope as the USCIS officials would return that I-693 Form.

I-693 Costs

The prices of the I-693 examination vary according to the requirements of the USCIS. The I-693 examination fee for the age of 15 and above is two hundred and forty-four dollars, including the lab fees of three hundred and ninety-nine dollars.

The I-693 examination for kids below 15 is about two hundred and forty-four dollars, adding the lab fees of eighty-nine dollars, which gives the total of three hundred and thirty-five dollars.

References

  • https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://greatcitymedical.com/blog/what-is-the-i-693-medical-examination/ Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://allcaremedicalclinic.com/i-693-fees Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://my.uscis.gov/findadoctor Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements#:~:text=are%20age%20appropriate%3F-,A.,time%20of%20the%20medical%20examination. Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/about/medical-exam-faqs.html Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://azitalaw.com/2021/12/uscis-temporarily-extending-the-validity-period-of-form-i-693/ Retrieved on July 18, 2022
  • https://www.uscis.gov/i-693#:~:text=Save%20time%20by%20filing%20Form,surgeon%20signed%20Form%20I%2D693. Retrieved on July 18, 2022.
  • https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/preparing-for-the-medical-exam/ Retrieved on July 18, 2022