Medical Examinations
Medical Exam Requirement
All immigration applicants must complete a medical examination by USCIS-approved doctors. The exam screens for communicable diseases, mental health issues, and ensures required vaccinations are current.
Required for: All green card applications (I-485 and consular processing)
Valid for: 2 years from completion date
Form: I-693 (adjustment) or DS-3025 (consular)
Approved Doctors Only
Only USCIS-designated civil surgeons (in U.S.) or State Department panel physicians (abroad) can perform immigration medical examinations. Regular doctors cannot complete these exams.
In U.S.: Civil surgeons designated by USCIS
Abroad: Panel physicians at U.S. consulates
Find doctors: Use official USCIS/State Dept locators
Medical Examination Process (Adjustment of Status)
Complete I-693 Medical Exam Process
Find Approved Civil Surgeon
Locate USCIS-approved civil surgeon in your area
Required Documents:
- •Search USCIS civil surgeon locator
- •Verify current approval status
- •Check availability and costs
- •Schedule appointment in advance
Prepare for Examination
Gather required documents and vaccination records
Required Documents:
- •Valid government-issued photo ID
- •Vaccination records from your doctor
- •Medical history and current medications
- •Any relevant medical records
- •Form I-693 (surgeon provides blank form)
Complete Medical Examination
Attend appointment with civil surgeon for full exam
Required Documents:
- •Physical examination
- •Vaccination review and administration
- •Tuberculosis screening (TST or IGRA)
- •Blood tests if required
- •Mental health screening if applicable
Receive Sealed Report
Civil surgeon provides completed Form I-693 in sealed envelope
Required Documents:
- •Sealed Form I-693 report
- •Copy of vaccination record
- •Payment for exam and vaccinations
- •Instructions for submission to USCIS
Submit with I-485 Application
Include sealed medical report with adjustment of status application
Required Documents:
- •Unopened sealed envelope
- •Submit with Form I-485
- •Keep copy of vaccination record
- •Note 2-year validity period
Medical Examination Process (Consular Processing)
Panel Physician Exam Process Abroad
Receive Consular Interview Appointment
NVC schedules interview and provides medical exam instructions
Required Documents:
- •Interview appointment letter
- •Medical exam instructions from consulate
- •List of approved panel physicians
- •Required vaccination information
Schedule with Panel Physician
Contact approved panel physician in interview country
Required Documents:
- •Schedule exam before interview date
- •Bring all vaccination records
- •Valid passport
- •Previous medical records if available
Complete Medical Examination Abroad
Attend exam with approved panel physician
Required Documents:
- •Physical examination
- •Required vaccinations
- •Chest X-ray and blood tests
- •Medical history review
- •Results in sealed envelope
Bring Results to Interview
Submit medical results at consular interview
Required Documents:
- •Sealed medical examination results
- •Vaccination record copy
- •Any additional requested medical documents
- •Valid within 6 months of exam date
Required Vaccinations
CDC-Required Vaccinations for Immigration
- COVID-19 (as required by current guidelines)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Influenza (seasonal - age and date specific)
- Meningococcal disease
- Mumps, measles, rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Rotavirus (children 6 weeks to 8 months)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap/Td)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal disease
Vaccination Requirements
Age-Specific Requirements
- • Some vaccines only required for certain age groups
- • Children have additional vaccine requirements
- • Seasonal vaccines (flu) based on examination date
- • Catch-up schedules available for missed childhood vaccines
Exemptions Available
- • Medical contraindications (doctor's determination)
- • Religious or moral objections (waiver required)
- • Age-inappropriate vaccines
- • Previously completed vaccination series
Medical Inadmissibility Conditions
Communicable diseases of public health significance
Conditions:
- •Tuberculosis (active)
- •Syphilis (infectious stage)
- •Gonorrhea
- •Hansen's disease (leprosy - infectious)
Waiver Options:
Treatment or waiver may be available for some conditions
Mental and behavioral disorders
Conditions:
- •Mental disorders with associated harmful behavior
- •Substance use disorders
Waiver Options:
Mental health waiver (I-601) may be available with treatment
Physical disorders
Conditions:
- •Conditions that may interfere with ability to care for self, work, or attend school
- •Not automatically disqualifying - assessed case by case
Waiver Options:
Generally not inadmissible unless affects functioning
Lack of required vaccinations
Conditions:
- •Missing any CDC-required vaccinations
- •Religious or moral objections to vaccination
Waiver Options:
Waiver available for certain circumstances
Medical Examination Costs
United States (Civil Surgeon)
$200-$500
$100-$300
Varies significantly by location and required vaccines
Abroad (Panel Physician)
$150-$400
$50-$200
Often includes chest X-ray and blood tests
Common Issues & Solutions
Incomplete Vaccinations
Solution:
Get missing vaccines during exam appointment
Timeline:
Same visit or follow-up appointment
Additional Cost:
Additional $20-$50 per vaccine
Positive TB Test
Solution:
Chest X-ray required; treatment if active TB found
Timeline:
Additional 2-8 weeks for treatment
Additional Cost:
Treatment costs vary, may be substantial
Medical Inadmissibility
Solution:
May need waiver (Form I-601) with treatment plan
Timeline:
6-12 months additional processing
Additional Cost:
$930 waiver fee plus medical costs
Expired Medical Report
Solution:
Must redo entire examination
Timeline:
Full exam process again
Additional Cost:
Complete exam fees again
Medical Waivers (Form I-601)
Waivable Conditions
- ✓Mental health disorders with treatment plan
- ✓Substance abuse with completed rehabilitation
- ✓Certain physical disabilities
- ✓Missing vaccinations due to religious/moral objections
- ✓Some communicable diseases with treatment
Waiver Requirements
- • Form I-601: Application to Waive Grounds of Inadmissibility
- • Filing fee: $930 (non-refundable)
- • Medical documentation: Treatment plans, progress reports
- • Processing time: 6-12 months additional
- • Legal counsel: Strongly recommended for medical waivers
Critical Medical Exam Facts
Important Deadlines
- • Validity period: 2 years from completion
- • Consular exam: Valid 6 months for visa interview
- • Submit with I-485: Include sealed envelope
- • Never open: Sealed envelope must remain unopened
- • Extensions not available: Must redo if expired
Preparation Tips
- • Gather records: Bring all vaccination documentation
- • Schedule early: Appointments may have long waits
- • Verify approval: Confirm doctor is currently USCIS-approved
- • Budget appropriately: Costs vary significantly by location
- • Translation needed: Foreign documents must be translated