Form I-693 Explained: Medical Exam for Immigration

Form I-693, officially referred to as the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is critically important for your application if your status in the United States is changing. A designated civil surgeon must complete this form to make sure you satisfy health-related criteria established by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This guide will help you to fully grasp what Form I-693 is, when to submit it, and how to deal with the medical exam procedure; it will also address regular questions about validity and criteria.

What Is Form I-693?

Those seeking adjustment of status to become lawful permanent residents of the United States have to submit Form I-693, an obligatory document. It’s part of the procedure to show candidates are not ineligible for medical grounds. It verifies that the applicant has had all required immunizations, is free from any contagious diseases that would endanger public health, and does not suffer from mental illness or drug misuse that might disqualify them from a green card.

The form has been submitted after an examination under the direction of a USCIS-approved civil surgeon. The medical exam covers a physical and psychological assessment, an evaluation of vaccination records, and tests for several communicable diseases.

When to Submit Form I-693

One often asked question is when to submit I-693. There are two main ways for applicants to submit the Form I-693:

1. Concurrent Submission: You can submit Form I-693 concurrently with your Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). This can help to speed up the process because USCIS already has your medical examination results upon assessment of your application.
2. After Filing I-485: Alternatively, wait until you get a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS to submit Form I-693. This is usually advised if the validity duration of the USCIS medical exam worries you.

Step-by-Step Guide for Form I-693 Submission

The submission process for Form I-693 is equally important than the medical exam itself. This is a comprehensive guide to help you to guarantee correct submission:

Step 1: Choose the Right Submission Method

• Concurrent Submission: if you plan to send Form I-693 together with Form I-485, make sure the medical examination is carried out no more than 60 days before you submit the package. This will help to guarantee that the validity of the USCIS medical exams is kept all through the application process.
• Submission After Filing I-485: if you are submitting after filing Form I-485, wait for an RFE from USCIS and make sure your I-693 medical examination is still valid to prevent any delays or repeat exams.

Step 2: Sealed Envelope Handling

You never should open the sealed envelope with Form I-693. Opening or rearranging the envelope will make it useless, which would cause delays and extra expenses related to repeating the medical examination. The civil surgeon should send you a sealed envelope; keep it safe until you mail it to USCIS.

Step 3: Mailing Your Form I-693

If you are submitting Form I-693 separately from Form I-485:

• Make sure you use the address indicated in the RFE notification or USCIS instructions.
• Verify receipt by sending the envelope under the monitored mailing service. If USCIS asks for evidence of submission, this can be very helpful.

How Long Is Form I-693 Valid?

Knowing how long I-693 is valid is very important to avoid any issues. Usually starting from the date the civil surgeon signs Form I-693, the immigration medical examination is valid for two years. The time of submission of your Form I-485 can impact its validity.

Consider how long is a medical exam valid for immigration USA. If you submit Form I-693 within sixty days of the civil surgeon’s signing, USCIS will view it as valid for the whole length of your green card application, as long as it does not run more than two years. If the form not be submitted within that first 60-day timeframe, it may expire sooner and you might have to schedule a new exam.

Medical Exam for Immigration: What to Expect

The medical exam for immigration procedure is required for anybody seeking adjustment of status, as it is carried out by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. It includes the following main elements:

1.   Vaccination Record Review: The surgeon will check your immunization record to see whether you have got all the vaccinations needed for the United States. Among the I-485 vaccination requirements are those for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and other diseases. If you lack documentation of these vaccinations, you could be asked to have the missing ones during the medical examination.
2. Physical Examination: The simple physical examination consists of an extensive health assessment to look for diseases that might make you unacceptable.
3. Testing for Communicable Diseases: Blood testing and other screenings are done for some communicable illnesses, including syphilis and tuberculosis. Depending on their evaluation, the surgeon can call for other tests.
4. Mental Health Evaluation: The surgeon will also review your mental health to make sure you do not have any disorders that can cause harmful conduct.

The results are recorded on Form I-693; after finished, the surgeon puts it in a sealed envelope. You really should not open this envelope because USCIS only takes sealed forms.

Form I-693: Guidelines and Requirements

The I-693 form instructions cover the guidelines for completing the medical exam and submitting the form. The following key characteristics should help you:

• Schedule the Exam with a Certified Surgeon: Only USCIS-approved civil surgeons are qualified to provide the medical exam.
• Bring Proper Identification: Make sure to bring government-issued photo identification and your vaccination records to the appointment.
• Complete Relevant Sections: Before your appointment, you must complete some Form I-693 sections—including Part 1, which requests personal information.
• Sealed Envelope Submission: As stated earlier, the sealed envelope has to stay unopened when you forward it to USCIS.

Preparing for the I-693 Medical Exam: Documents and Tips

To guarantee a seamless Form I-693 medical examination process follow some basic rules and be ready with the necessary documentation.

Documentation to Bring to the Medical Exam

• Government-Issued Photo ID: Bring a current form of identification, such as a passport, driver’s license, or any government-issued ID including your picture. The civil surgeon will want this to confirm your identification.
• Vaccination Records: Before the test, compile all of your vaccination documents. The I-693 vaccination requirements call for documentation of multiple disease immunity. Inaccurate documentation could lead to additional vaccinations during the examination.
• Form I-693, Part 1 Completed: Before you get to the civil surgeon’s office, complete Part 1 of Form I-693. Your details—name, address, A-number—are included in this part. The civil surgeon has to complete the remaining part of the documents.
• Medical Records (If Applicable): Bring the appropriate medical documents if you have any medical issues or have been treated for a communicable disease. These will enable the civil surgeon to correctly assess your health and decide if additional actions are required.

Vaccination Waivers and Exceptions

Sometimes applicants who cannot get a vaccination for medical reasons or because it is not age-appropriate may be qualified for a waiver. The waiver request must be completed by the civil surgeon using Form I-693. There are three different kinds of waivers:

• Medical Contraindication: This comes true if a vaccine would be harmful due to an existing health condition.
• Not Age-Appropriate: If the applicant does not lie within the age range for which the vaccination is advised.
• Shortage of Vaccine: If there is no vaccine available locally, you can document it in the I-693 vaccination record.

The waiver request must be filled out accurately because failing to offer the necessary justification could cause Form I-693 to be denied.

Help from Immigration Consultants

With particular criteria for documentation, scheduling, and processes, adjusting status and submitting Form I-693 might be challenging. Our staff of immigration lawyers and experts at Passage Immigration Law can offer thorough advice to guarantee that your form is filled out accurately and that your application is handled swiftly. Our knowledge will enable you to prevent typical mistakes, control expiration issues, and keep current on USCIS policy changes.

Contact Us for Help with Your Adjustment of Status

Please contact Passage Immigration Law if you intend to apply for a green card and require help with Form I-693. Our staff is ready to help you every step of the process to guarantee that you satisfy all medical criteria, accurately complete papers, and meet all deadlines for your change of status.

Contact us right now to set up a consultation and progress toward obtaining U.S. residency