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Medical Examinations Now Required with Green Card Applications

Posted by Hugo R. Valverde, Managing Attorney, and Anna D. Colby, Attorney Social Media Marketing Manager | Jan 20, 2025 | 0 Comments

Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash

Are you eligible to file a green card application and wondering what is required?

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has announced a new update to its processing of Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, commonly referred to as a green card. Effective immediately, USCIS now requires that the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be filed at the time of submission of the Form I-485. 

This change is designed to streamline the application process, reduce delays, and improve efficiency for applicants seeking permanent residency, and was announced last month by USCIS.

Why the Change?

Previously, applicants for adjustment of status (those filing Form I-485) could submit their Form I-693 medical exam either at the time of application or later in the process, typically at the interview stage. This often led to delays and additional paperwork. Now, by requiring Form I-693 to be submitted at the same time as the I-485 application, USCIS hopes to eliminate the need for follow-up requests and ensure that applicants' medical exams are up to date before any decisions are made.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

Applicants for a green card must now complete the required medical examination before filing Form I-485, so that the forms can be filed concurrently. The I-693 medical exam must be signed by a designated civil surgeon who will perform the medical exam, which includes vaccinations and a general health assessment. This point is extremely important, as USCIS does not allow the exam to be completed by just any doctor or medical office - it has to be signed by a civil surgeon, which is a doctor that has applied through the USCIS system to be able to do I-693 examinations. You can look for civil surgeons near you by using this USCIS civil surgeon locator

Because I-693 exams have to be filed by a special doctor, they are costly and typically not covered by health insurance. Exams run anywhere from $150 - $500 per person, so you may want to call multiple civil surgeons in your area to check prices before scheduling your exam. 

Please note that I-693 exams must remain sealed in order to be filed with USCIS. The civil surgeon's office will give you an envelope sealed with special tape and stamped, and you must file it in that condition. The civil surgeon is also supposed to give you a copy of your exam for your own records. 

Who Is Affected?

This new requirement applies to any type of applicant submitting a Form I-485 adjustment of status, whether they are applying based on family relationships, employment, asylum status, or other grounds for adjustment of status. However, if you entered the United States as a refugee and are applying for permanent residence based on that category, you are only required to have the vaccination portion of the I-693 exam completed. Please note this exception does not apply if you are a Class A refugee. 

The new policy is expected to help USCIS process green card applications more efficiently by reducing the number of follow-up requests and minimizing delays caused by missing or outdated medical exams. However, applicants are still advised to plan ahead, as scheduling a medical examination can take some time, depending on availability of civil surgeons and waiting times at local clinics.

If you have questions about filing a green card application or need help filing another immigration petition, you can reach us at (757) 422-8472, or send us a message on our website. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys by clicking on this link.

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