U.S. Immigration
Physical Exams
Dr. In Ho Han, MD
Serving Long Island and Queens, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs an I-693 medical examination?
A medical examination is mandatory for:
- All refugees coming to the United States
- All applicants outside the U.S. applying for a VISA
- Aliens in the U.S. who apply for adjustment of their immigration status to that of a permanent resident.
Who can perform an I-693 medical examination for me?
In the United States, immigration medical examinations may only be performed by a physician who is designated and licensed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a Civil Surgeon.
What does the medical examination involve?
When the entire medical exam is required, the designated civil surgeon is responsible for ensuring that all of the required components have been completed. The civil surgeon will record the results on Form I-693. For applicants required to have the entire medical exam, all of the following are required. All adjustment of status applicants are required to comply with the vaccination requirements.
- Physical Examination: A physical examination (to include complete disrobing) and a mental status evaluation are required, regardless of age.
- Tuberculin (TB) Skin Test: Applicants age 2 and older are required to have a tuberculin skin test (TST). Civil surgeons may require an applicant who is less than 2 years of age to have a TST if he or she has a history of contact with a known TB case, or if there is any other reason to suspect TB disease. After the skin test, you will need to return to the civil surgeon in 48 to 72 hours to have the results read. If you have a reaction of 4 millimeters or less, you will not need any further tests for TB. A chest X-ray is required when the reaction to the TST is 5 millimeters or more. The civil surgeon will explain these medical requirements to you in more detail.
- Serologic (Blood) Test: Applicants 15 years of age and older are required to have serologic (blood) tests for HIV and for syphilis. Civil surgeons can require applicants under age 15 to be tested for HIV or syphilis if there is reason to suspect the possibility of infection. Civil surgeons are required to provide pre-test counseling to all applicants who take the HIV test. If you are found to have HIV infection, the civil surgeon must provide you with post-test counseling.
- Vaccinations: The required vaccination are: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B, hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Current ACIP recommendations also include the varicella, haemophilius inlfuenzae type B, and pneumococcal vaccines. The civil surgeon will review your vaccination history with you to determine whether you have all the required vaccinations. Make sure you take your vaccination records with you to your appointment with the civil surgeon. Do not try to comply with these requirements before you meet with the civil surgeon, in case it is not medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the required vaccines. For more information about the vaccination requirements, including information about waivers and exceptions for orphans, see our immunization records table.
Can I open the envelope with my I-693 certified forms?
NO. When all tests and immunizations are completed, the I - 693 & I - 693 supplemental forms will be signed and placed in a sealed envelope to present to USCIS. DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED ENVELOPE. Each patient will have his or her own envelope. Take or send the sealed envelope to the INS officer and let him / her open it. If for any reason the sealed envelope is opened before the officer receives it, you will need to return the envelope to our office to have it resealed. If the INS officer receives the envelope unsealed, he will void the forms and you must redo the forms.