USCIS medical exam (I-693): what to expect
The immigration medical exam has three rules people learn the hard way: only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can do it, the result travels in a sealed envelope, and the price is whatever the surgeon charges. This page explains the exam's structure — what it is, who performs it, and where it fits in the case. Every claim is cited; general process description, not advice about any individual case.
Only a civil surgeon
The exam is recorded on Form I-693 and must be performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon — a regular physician's exam doesn't count. USCIS's find-a-doctor tool locates designated surgeons by location, and Pop Immigration's tiers include a civil-surgeon finder and exam prep guide built on the same designation list.
What the exam covers
The exam addresses the health-related grounds the law defines, including a review of the vaccination record against the required list. The medical specifics are governed by the form's instructions and the CDC's guidance for civil surgeons — the surgeon works from those, which is why the applicant's job is mostly bringing records, not studying medicine.
Free. About 4 minutes. See your forms and your total cost before you pay anything.
The sealed envelope
The completed I-693 comes back sealed, and it must stay sealed — USCIS does not accept an opened envelope. The copy for the applicant's own records is requested from the surgeon separately.
Cost and timing
The civil surgeon sets the fee — there is no standard amount and no USCIS filing fee for the I-693 itself, so pricing between designated surgeons varies and calling ahead is rational. When the sealed exam must be submitted relative to the I-485 is stated on USCIS's pages and has changed over time; the current statement there is the authority.
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Can any doctor do the immigration medical exam?
No — only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. USCIS's find-a-doctor tool locates them.
What does the exam cost?
The surgeon sets the fee — there's no standard amount and no USCIS fee for the I-693 itself. Prices vary between designated surgeons.
What does the exam involve?
The health-related grounds the law defines, including vaccination-record review — governed by the form's instructions and CDC guidance for civil surgeons.
Why does the envelope matter?
The I-693 is submitted sealed by the surgeon; USCIS doesn't accept opened envelopes. Request a personal copy separately.
When is the I-693 submitted?
Per the current rule stated on USCIS's I-485/I-693 pages — the timing requirement has changed over time, so those pages are the authority.