Filing Form I-693 – Medical Examination for Adjustment of Status

While applicants fill out most immigration forms themselves, Form I-693 (Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status) is a rare exception. This U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form is designed to be filled out by an approved civil surgeon and is created to report the results of a medical exam to the USCIS. The USCIS will use this information in order to determine whether an applicant is medically eligible to enter the US. Form I-693 is important because there are some medical grounds for denial of entry into the US. Form I693 can help you offer evidence that you are eligible to enter the US. However, in order to fill out this immigration form correctly, you will need to visit a civil surgeon who has been authorized or designated by the USCIS to complete I 693. You cannot get your regular family physician to complete this form if your regular doctor has not been designated for this task. The USCIS website has a list of authorized civil surgeons in your area or you can find a qualified surgeon by contacting the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

When you visit the surgeon, bring a copy of a blank USCIS Form I-693 (Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status) with you. You can download the most recent version of this immigration form from the USCIS website. As well, bring any medical records and vaccine records you have with you to the appointment. The surgeon will give you a medical examination and record the results on the immigration form. The examination will require a mental status evaluation as well as a physical examination. In addition, the surgeon will generally need to administer a Tuberculin (TB) Skin Test. Once you have been given this test, you will need to return to the surgeon (usually within 72 hours) to have the reaction and skin area looked at to determine the results. If the results show a larger reaction area, you may need a chest x-ray or further TB testing.

Another common test a surgeon will need to administer when completing Form I-693 is the Serologic (Blood) Test, which tests for syphilis and HIV. You are required to have pre-test counseling if you need to take the test. If the test reveals illness, you will also need counseling after the testing.

A final test is to ensure that you have all the required vaccinations against mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, hepatitis B, varicella, haemophilius inlfuenzae type B, measles, pertussis, influenza type B, and pneumococcal. In addition, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) may require additional vaccinations. Due to this test, it is important to bring any evidence you have of any vaccinations you have already had.

If you have any questions or concerns about your exams or tests, be sure to ask the civil surgeon. He or she can explain the tests and procedures to you. Once all the tests have been completed and all the test results are in, the civil surgeon will give you the completed immigration Form I-693 in a sealed envelope. It is very important not to open this envelope as this will make the tests invalid with the USCIS. Instead, you will need to submit the completed Form I693 to the USCIS in the original, sealed envelope.

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