Preparing for a U.S. Immigration Medical Exam
Most applicants seeking adjustment of status must complete an immigration medical examination and vaccination review as part of the green card process. At Tanner Law Offices, LLC, our green card attorneys help applicants in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and throughout Central Pennsylvania prepare immigration filings that include the medical-exam requirement.
Who Must Complete an Immigration Medical Exam
Applicants for adjustment of status generally submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by an authorized civil surgeon. Applicants pursuing immigrant visas abroad complete a related medical examination with a panel physician designated by the U.S. Department of State.
Current USCIS filing instructions should be checked before submission because the timing requirements for Form I-693 have changed in recent years.
Finding a Civil Surgeon in the Harrisburg Area
For an adjustment-of-status medical exam, the physician generally must be designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon. USCIS maintains a civil surgeon locator that applicants can use to search by location. Fees vary by provider, so applicants should ask about examination, laboratory, and vaccination costs when scheduling.
What to Expect During the Medical Exam
The civil surgeon reviews medical and vaccination history and completes the examination required by the current CDC technical instructions. Depending on age, medical history, and applicable requirements, the process may include communicable disease testing, vaccination review, and assessment of certain physical or mental health conditions associated with harmful behavior.
The exact testing requirements should not be assumed from a generic checklist. The civil surgeon follows the current technical instructions when determining which tests or vaccinations apply to a particular applicant.
Preparing for Your Appointment
USCIS Form I-693 instructions explain the documentation and identification requirements. Applicants should generally be prepared to bring:
- A valid government-issued photo identification document
- Available vaccination records, with translations when needed
- A list of current medications and relevant medical records
- Any documents requested by the civil surgeon’s office
- Payment for the examination and any required testing or vaccinations
If the civil surgeon provides a sealed paper Form I-693, do not open the envelope before filing it with USCIS. Some civil surgeons may use electronic procedures when authorized.
Form I-693 Validity
USCIS changed its Form I-693 validity policy in June 2025. Under the current policy, a properly completed Form I-693 is generally valid only while the immigration benefit application or request with which it was submitted remains pending. If that application is denied or withdrawn, a new Form I-693 is generally required for a later filing. USCIS explains the current rule in its Form I-693 validity guidance.
Talk With Our Harrisburg Immigration Lawyers About a Green Card
The medical exam is one part of the adjustment process, and filing requirements can change. Tanner Law Offices serves immigration clients throughout the Harrisburg area from its Camp Hill office. Call 717-731-8114 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.