Form I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, is used by people seeking a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence) through the procedure known as adjustment of status. This means that you are doing your entire application, and attending your interview, within the United States, at offices of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Form I-693 must be completed by a doctor who is on USCIS’s list of designated civil surgeons. You can access this list on the “USCIS Civil Surgeons Locator” page of the USCIS website.
Preparing Form I-693 for Your Medical Exam
You should start by downloading Form I-693 from the USCIS website.
You’ll need to fill in Part I of the form. It asks for simple information such as your name, gender, U.S. address, date of birth, place and country of birth, alien registration number (“A number,” which you may have received if you have applied for other immigration benefits or been in immigration court proceedings) and your U.S. Social Security Number if you have one.
You’ll notice that there is a place for your signature at the bottom of Part 1. However, don’t sign it right away. You should not sign until the civil surgeon asks you to.
Purpose of the Medical Exam
The reason behind the examination is to make sure that you are not inadmissible to the U.S. -- that is, must be refused entry -- on public health grounds. Only certain medical conditions can make you inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.), Sections 212(a) and 221(d). These include:
- A communicable disease of public health significance. A list of these is kept in the Code of Federal Regulations at 42 C.F.R. Section 34.2. The main ones on the list are active tuberculosis, various venereal diseases, and infectious leprosy. AIDS (HIV) was once on the list, but is not any longer.
- A physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder that may pose or has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others.
- A physical or mental disorder and a history or behavior associated with the disorder that may pose or has posed a threat to the property, safety or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or lead to other harmful behavior. (Note that a conviction for driving while under the influence of alcohol has been interpreted to indicate inadmissibility as a medical disorder and associated harmful behavior.)
- Abuse of or addiction to drugs.
Some of these grounds of inadmissibility can be waived (legally forgiven). If you believe you have any medical issues that might make you inadmissible, you’d be wise to hire a lawyer for a full analysis and help with preparing a waiver application.
Doctor Preparation of Form I-693
When you go to your appointment with the civil surgeon, you’ll need to bring the Form I-693, a photo identification (to show that you did not send a healthier person in your place), a complete list of vaccinations you’ve received, and any other medical records that would help clarify whether you are inadmissible on medical grounds.
The doctor will examine you, ask questions, take a blood test, and administer any vaccinations that you are lacking.
Once the medical examination is completed, the doctor will ask you to sign the form. He or she will then complete it, sign and date it, and place it in a sealed envelope along with the supporting documentation (if any).
The doctor will initial across the flap of the envelope and write the words: DO NOT OPEN. FOR USCIS USE ONLY on the front. You must submit the envelope as it is to the USCIS, along with your application for adjustment of status, without opening or tampering with it. USCIS will return the form to you if it sees that the envelope has been opened.
Exceptions to Form I-693 Filing Requirement
Generally all aliens applying for adjustment of status must file Form I-693. However if you have already had a medical exam as part of your immigration application process within the last year, you most likely do not need to have it done a second time. For example, you may have already had a medical exam done if you are applying for adjustment of status as a K visa holder (K1, K2, K3, K4) or a V visa holder (V1, V2, V3).
If you are a refugee, you need not submit Form I-693 if you are applying for adjustment of status one year after your first admission and there were no medical grounds of inadmissibility during your medical examination overseas.
