Alyssa Lane
To be eligible for adjustment of status, an applicant must be admissible to the United States and not be subject to health-related grounds of inadmissibility. This is determined by a medical examination, which is required to be conducted by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon or panel physician. The applicant must submit Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by the designated civil surgeon. The cost of the medical examination is the responsibility of the applicant, and insurance will not cover it. The cost of the medical exam varies by location and provider, with reported costs ranging from $100 to $500, with $200 being typical.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to undergo a medical examination? | Anyone applying for adjustment of status in the US |
| Who conducts the medical examination? | Designated civil surgeons or panel physicians |
| What form needs to be submitted? | Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record |
| What happens if I don't submit Form I-693 with my application? | Your application may be rejected or delayed |
| What are the costs involved? | Your insurance will not cover the costs. You are responsible for paying all doctor and laboratory fees, which may cost several hundred dollars. |
| How often do I need to undergo the medical examination? | The results are valid for 1 year before filing Form I-485. After filing, they are valid forever as long as the I-485 is pending. |
| Are there any exceptions to the medical examination requirement? | Yes, certain refugees and asylees may be exempt under specific conditions. Non-immigrant visa applicants and non-immigrants arriving at a port of entry are also exempt unless there are reasons to believe they might be inadmissible on medical grounds. |
| Are there any specific vaccination requirements? | Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for immigration medical examinations as of January 20, 2025. |
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What You'll Learn
Form I-693 must be completed by a designated civil surgeon
To be eligible for adjustment of status, an applicant must be admissible to the United States and must not be subject to health-related grounds of inadmissibility. To demonstrate this, the applicant must undergo a medical examination and submit a Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by a designated civil surgeon.
Form I-693 is a Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. It must be completed by a designated civil surgeon, who will provide the applicant with the completed form in a sealed envelope. The applicant must then submit the form to USCIS by mail, along with their Form I-485, to the specified location. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of the Form I-485.
The civil surgeon designation has been given to qualifying military physicians, who can complete the medical examination and Form I-693 in limited cases. To qualify, the applicant must be a U.S. armed forces member, veteran, or dependent, and eligible to receive medical care at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). The medical examination must also take place on the premises of an MTF. Local and state health departments in the United States have also been given the designation to complete the vaccination portion of Form I-693 for refugees seeking adjustment of status.
The fees for immigration medical examinations are established by the civil surgeon and may vary by physician. Form I-693 must be submitted with Form I-485 if the applicant is required to submit it. It is important to note that Form I-693 is only valid for one year from the date it was completed. However, any Form I-693 that was properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, does not expire and can be used indefinitely as evidence that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.
As of March 11, 2025, the COVID-19 vaccination is no longer included on the list of required vaccinations for immigrants. Therefore, documentation of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination is not required for any immigration medical examinations associated with adjustment applications pending on or after January 20, 2025. Civil surgeons can either cross out the COVID-19 section or write "N/A" until Form I-693 is updated.
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Vaccination requirements must be met
To be eligible for an adjustment of status, an applicant must be admissible to the United States. This means that the applicant must not be subject to health-related grounds for inadmissibility. To demonstrate this, the applicant must undergo a medical examination and submit a Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by a designated civil surgeon.
The vaccination requirements for immigration to the US are set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC publishes the vaccination requirements and immigration medical examination instructions, including a detailed table listing all required vaccines. The CDC requires that an individual receive any vaccinations recommended by the ACIP. The vaccine must be age-appropriate for the immigrant and protect against a disease that has been eliminated or is in the process of being eliminated in the United States.
The Form I-693 must be submitted with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. If an applicant has previously completed an immigration medical examination abroad, they may not need to repeat the entire examination when applying for adjustment. However, they must still establish compliance with the vaccination requirements by submitting the relevant parts of the Form I-693.
As of January 20, 2025, documentation of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for any immigration medical examinations associated with adjustment applications. Until USCIS updates Form I-693, civil surgeons can either cross out the COVID-19 section or write "N/A". If the applicant meets all the other vaccination requirements, they can check the box that reads, "Applicant completed vaccination requirements or may be eligible for blanket waivers as indicated above."
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Medical examination results are valid for one year
To be eligible for adjustment of status, an applicant must be admissible to the United States. This means that the applicant must not be subject to health-related grounds of inadmissibility. To demonstrate this, the applicant must undergo a medical examination and submit a Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by a designated civil surgeon. The medical examination is only valid for one year.
The medical examination will include a medical history review, a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and blood tests for syphilis. The physical examination will include an examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, and skin. It is important to note that this examination is not a substitute for a full physical examination or a diagnosis by a primary healthcare provider.
If the applicant has any pre-existing medical conditions or is taking regular medication, they should be familiar with the medical conditions being treated and the names of the medications. If the applicant is unsure of their diagnosis, they must present a certificate describing the condition, the current treatment, and the prognosis, along with a list of prescribed medications.
Additionally, applicants with a previous positive skin test for tuberculosis should provide a certificate from their doctor, including the circumstances of the positive test result, any treatment prescribed, and its duration. If the applicant has ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis, they must present a written certification, signed by their doctor, proving that they were adequately treated, including dates and types of medications taken.
It is important to note that the medical examination results are valid for one year. This means that if the applicant's adjustment of status process takes longer than one year, they may need to undergo another medical examination to ensure that their medical information is up to date.
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Refugees and asylees may be exempt from repeat examinations
It is important to note that even if an asylee is exempt from the repeat medical examination, they must still comply with vaccination requirements. This can be done by submitting the relevant parts of Form I-693, which is the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Form I-693 must be completed by a designated civil surgeon.
The exemption from repeat examinations also applies to K and V nonimmigrants who have already undergone a medical examination. If their application for adjustment of status is filed within one year of the original medical examination, and no Class A medical condition was reported, then they are not required to repeat the examination.
In the case of refugees, they generally do not need to repeat the entire medical examination if they were initially examined by a panel physician for admission to the United States. However, if the original examination revealed a Class A medical condition, they must undergo an additional medical examination.
It is important to understand that the requirements for medical examinations and vaccinations may vary depending on the country and specific circumstances. For example, in Canada, refugees and asylum seekers may be exempt from paying fees for medical examinations, but they are still required to undergo the examinations as part of their immigration process.
To summarize, refugees and asylees may be exempt from repeat examinations under certain conditions, such as having no reported Class A conditions and applying for adjustment of status within the specified timeframe. However, it is crucial to refer to official sources and seek legal advice for specific situations, as the requirements may differ based on individual circumstances and the country of immigration.
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Insurance will not cover the cost of the medical examination
If you are applying for adjustment of status, you will need to undergo a medical examination and receive vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases. This is to establish that you are not inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds. The results of the medical examination are reported in the Form I-693, which must be completed by a designated civil surgeon.
While the USCIS does not charge a fee for the submission of Form I-693, you are responsible for paying all doctor and laboratory fees for the medical examination. Unfortunately, your insurance will not cover these costs. Depending on your location, the medical examination can cost several hundred dollars. For example, people have paid $300-500+ for a full I-693 medical examination. However, if you have already completed a full medical examination in your country of origin, you may only need to do the vaccinations part, which drastically cuts the cost. For instance, one person was charged $175 to complete the vaccination section with a civil surgeon.
It is important to note that the medical examination is only valid for one year. If your I-693 form was signed before November 2023, it is valid for two years from the date of the civil surgeon's signature. If your validity period expires before your application reaches final adjudication, you will need a new, valid exam.
To find a designated civil surgeon, you can refer to the USCIS Find a Civil Surgeon page or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.
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Frequently asked questions
No, your insurance will not cover the medical examination for adjustment of status. You are responsible for paying all doctor and laboratory fees for the medical examination. Depending on your location, it may cost several hundred dollars.
The medical examination for adjustment of status is a medical examination required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for certain immigrants who are applying for a green card or other immigration benefits. The purpose of the examination is to determine whether an immigrant is inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds.
The medical examination must be conducted by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon or panel physician, depending on whether the applicant is applying from within the United States or abroad, respectively.
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