US Immigration Medical Exam Form: I-693 Guide

Immigration paperwork is easier to manage when you know which parts belong to you and which must be completed by an authorized medical professional. For Tampa Bay applicants, the Form I-693 appointment is not simply a routine physical. It connects your medical findings and vaccination history to the immigration process, so small preparation and sealing details matter.

Need help with Form I-693 in Tampa? Contact Med A Physical to ask about appointment preparation and scheduling.

The US immigration medical exam form is Form I-693, officially called the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. It reports your examination results to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which uses the information to assess health-related inadmissibility. A USCIS-designated civil surgeon completes the medical portions, while you provide accurate personal information and supporting records.

Med A Physical helps Tampa-area applicants organize vaccination records, understand the appointment process, and receive the completed packet correctly sealed. Start by separating the form’s purpose from its individual sections, then review what the form is designed to document and how it fits into your case.

What Is the US Immigration Medical Exam Form?

For many people preparing an adjustment-of-status application, the paperwork is as important as the appointment itself. The US immigration medical exam form is Form I-693, the document used to report the results of an immigration medical examination to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS. Its official title is Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. You can review the current form and instructions on the official USCIS Form I-693 page.

USCIS uses the completed report to help establish whether an applicant seeking an immigration benefit is inadmissible on health-related grounds. The form is not a general physical-exam note from a primary-care provider. It is a structured immigration document completed through an examination with a doctor designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon. A civil surgeon is the authorized physician who performs the required assessment and records the results in the format USCIS expects.

Why does each applicant need a separate form?

Each applicant must submit a separate Form I-693. A spouse, parent, child, or other family member cannot simply be added to another applicant’s report. This separate-form rule matters when a family is arranging appointments in Tampa or elsewhere in Tampa Bay. Each person’s identity information, vaccination history, examination findings, and supporting documentation must be connected to that individual.

The report also contains confidential medical information. USCIS uses the examination results primarily for immigration purposes, so applicants should handle the completed paperwork carefully and follow the civil surgeon’s instructions for delivery. The form itself is only one part of a larger process, and federal instructions can change. Do not rely on an old checklist or assume that a prior filing rule still applies. Check the current USCIS instructions for the edition, submission process, and any time-sensitive requirements that apply to your case.

Med A Physical provides USCIS Form I-693 examinations in the Tampa Bay area for applicants who want a clinic focused on occupational and regulatory medicine. Understanding the form’s purpose before the visit can help you bring the right records and ask better questions. The next step is knowing which portions you complete and which portions the civil surgeon completes.

Who Completes Each Part of Form I-693?

Form I-693 divides the applicant’s information from the medical findings recorded by the civil surgeon. Before your Tampa appointment, download the current Form I-693 from USCIS and complete Part 1, titled Information About You. USCIS identifies this part as the responsibility of the person requesting the examination, not the civil surgeon.

What does the applicant complete?

Part 1 asks for information that identifies you and connects the report to your immigration medical examination. Enter your information carefully and use the current form rather than relying on an older copy. The form also includes a USCIS Online Account Number field. This number is optional, so enter it if you have one and leave it blank if you do not. If you are unsure which information belongs in a field, ask the civil surgeon’s office before submitting anything rather than guessing.

Accuracy matters throughout this section. By signing, you certify that the responses and information you provided or authorized are complete, true, and correct. Review your entries for spelling, identifying details, and other obvious errors before the appointment. If something changes or appears inaccurate, point it out to the civil surgeon before the form is finalized.

When should you sign Form I-693?

Do not sign Part 1 before the appointment simply because the rest of the section is complete. USCIS instructions say to wait until the civil surgeon tells you to sign, and you must sign in the civil surgeon’s presence. This step helps the office complete its required verification process. A signature placed too early or outside the appointment may create an avoidable paperwork problem, so leave the signature area blank until you receive direct instructions.

What does the civil surgeon complete?

The civil surgeon is a doctor designated by USCIS to perform immigration medical examinations. After reviewing your information and conducting the required examination, the civil surgeon completes the medical and vaccination portions of the report, signs the appropriate sections, and handles the final packet process. Med A Physical serves Tampa Bay applicants with USCIS Form I-693 examinations and vaccination services. The clinic can help review the form and explain what you need to complete, while current USCIS instructions remain the authority for federal filing requirements.

Applicant and civil surgeon responsibilities at a glance

How Should You Prepare for the US Immigration Medical Exam Form Appointment?

1. Bring the most recent Form I-693 and complete only the applicant portion. The US immigration medical exam form is the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Before your appointment, review the current form and complete Part 1, Information About You, as instructed. Do not sign it in advance. USCIS instructions say the applicant signs in the presence of the civil surgeon, when directed. If more than one family member is applying, plan on a separate Form I-693 for each applicant.
2. Gather every medical and vaccination record you can reasonably obtain. USCIS instructs applicants to bring medical records, including vaccination records, to the initial appointment. Bring records from childhood and adulthood if available, including documents from another country. Clear dates, vaccine names, and identifying information can help the civil surgeon evaluate what is documented. You do not need to guess which records will be accepted or create an invented, exhaustive identity-document list. Ask the clinic what information it wants before you arrive, especially if records are incomplete or difficult to read.
3. Address language or documentation gaps before the visit. If your vaccine records are not in English, ask whether they need translation or validation and whether the original records should also be presented. Med A Physical offers vaccine-record translation and validation, CDC-compliant scheduling, and waiver documentation when a contraindication may apply. The clinic also reviews vaccination records and can administer needed vaccines on site. For a clearer overview of documentation and vaccine planning, read the Form I-693 vaccine requirements guide.
4. Prepare a short medical-history summary. Make notes about significant illnesses, hospitalizations, chronic conditions, disabilities, prior tuberculosis concerns, and relevant treatment records. Bring supporting documents when they are available. This is not a reason to withhold information or diagnose yourself. It is a way to help the USCIS-designated civil surgeon understand your history and determine what follow-up information may be needed.
5. Write down questions for the clinic. In a Tampa Bay appointment, useful questions include: Which records should I bring in original form? Can you review records before the examination? Are translation, validation, or additional vaccination services available? What follow-up testing or documentation might be needed? Which current USCIS submission instructions apply to my filing? For information about the full service, visit the Med A Physical immigration medical exam service. Federal requirements can change, so confirm filing details with USCIS and your qualified immigration adviser when appropriate.

What Does the Civil Surgeon Review and Record?

A civil surgeon is a physician designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to complete immigration medical examinations. For the US immigration medical exam form, the examination is not simply a routine physical. The civil surgeon documents findings and supporting information on Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Using current USCIS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) instructions, the civil surgeon records the required findings. Federal requirements can change, so applicants should confirm the latest guidance for their case.

Medical history and physical assessment

The review begins with your medical history and relevant records. CDC guidance describes consideration of hospitalizations, chronic physical or mental conditions, significant illnesses or disabilities, psychiatric history, psychoactive drug or alcohol use, and any history of harmful behavior. If your history suggests tuberculosis, the civil surgeon may need to review related chest radiographs and treatment records.

The appointment also includes a physical examination and a mental-status assessment. Med A Physical describes its Form I-693 service as including screening for Class A and Class B medical conditions. These categories are part of the federal medical-examination framework, not a promise of an immigration result. Bring accurate information and relevant records so the civil surgeon can document the examination appropriately.

Vaccination history and age-appropriate requirements

The civil surgeon must review the vaccination records you present. CDC criteria use age-appropriate recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), rather than applying one identical vaccine list to every applicant. Depending on your records, age, and current instructions, the civil surgeon may document that requirements are met, identify a needed dose, or address a permitted exception.

Med A Physical reviews vaccination records, can provide needed vaccines on site, and offers record translation and validation. Its service information also describes CDC-compliant scheduling and waiver documentation for certain contraindications. Bring every vaccination record you have, including records from outside the United States.

What testing may be documented?

Testing depends on the applicant and the applicable CDC Technical Instructions. Med A Physical identifies tuberculosis screening by IGRA blood test or TST skin test. Syphilis serology, and gonorrhea testing for applicants ages 18 to 24 among its immigration-exam services. For more detail on the narrower components, review its resources on USCIS tuberculosis screening and required STI testing.

Applicants in Tampa, Westchase, Carrollwood, and throughout Tampa Bay can use USCIS civil surgeon in Tampa to understand why designation matters. Med A Physical can then record the examination, vaccination review, and applicable testing within the Form I-693 process.

How Is Form I-693 Signed, Sealed, and Delivered?

The final paperwork step is designed to protect the integrity of your US immigration medical exam form. After the USCIS-designated civil surgeon completes the examination and the required sections of Form I-693, the civil surgeon will tell you when it is time to sign. Do not sign the form in advance, even if you have already completed the applicant information section.

Sign only when the civil surgeon instructs you

USCIS instructions state that the applicant must sign Form I-693 in the presence of the civil surgeon. This lets the civil surgeon observe the signature and complete the form according to the required process. Wait for those instructions at your appointment rather than signing at home or before the examination is finished.

Before signing, review the information you are asked to confirm and raise any apparent error with the civil surgeon or clinic staff. The applicant certification requires the submitted responses and information to be complete, true, and correct. If a correction is needed, it should be handled by the civil surgeon through the proper form process, not by crossing out or changing the completed packet yourself.

Keep the USCIS envelope sealed

Once the packet is complete, the civil surgeon gives Form I-693 to you in a sealed envelope for submission to USCIS. Check that the envelope is sealed before accepting it. Then keep it closed. Do not open it to inspect the contents, remove a page, add a document, or make any alteration. USCIS may return Form I-693 if the envelope is open or altered in any way.

For a closer explanation of this handoff, review Med A Physical’s I-693 sealed envelope rules for Tampa applicants. The civil surgeon should also provide a copy of the completed Form I-693 for your personal records. Keep that copy with your immigration paperwork, but submit the sealed envelope according to the current USCIS filing instructions. You can confirm the latest form and submission guidance through the official USCIS Form I-693 page.

At Med A Physical, Tampa Bay applicants can ask the team to confirm that the form is complete, signed as directed, sealed, and accompanied by a personal copy before leaving the appointment.

What Should You Confirm Before Leaving Your Appointment?

Before you leave a Tampa Bay appointment, take a few minutes to verify that your US immigration medical exam form is ready for the next step. This is a document check, not a second medical examination. The goal is to catch missing information while the USCIS-designated civil surgeon and clinic team can still clarify it.

1. Confirm that the form is complete. Ask whether the required sections of Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, have been completed. Check that your identifying information is accurate and that any supporting vaccination documentation has been addressed. USCIS instructions say applicants should complete Part 1, but the civil surgeon completes the medical portions. If something appears blank, ask whether it is intentionally left for another step. Review the current USCIS Form I-693 instructions for the official process.
2. Confirm when and how to sign. Do not sign simply because the form is in front of you. USCIS instructs applicants to sign Form I-693 in the civil surgeon’s presence and only when directed. Confirm that your signature was completed as instructed and that the information you provided is complete, true, and correct.
3. Confirm the envelope is sealed. The completed form must be given to you in a sealed envelope for submission to USCIS. Do not open, alter, or accept it if it is not sealed. USCIS may return a form if the envelope has been opened or altered. For more detail, see these I-693 sealed envelope rules.
4. Confirm that you received a personal copy. Ask for a copy of the completed Form I-693 for your records. Keep it with your immigration paperwork, but submit the sealed original or sealed packet according to the applicable filing instructions.
5. Ask how your packet should be submitted. USCIS currently requires certain applicants filing Form I-485 to submit Form I-693, or a required partial form, with Form I-485. Because filing instructions can change and may depend on your case, confirm the current process directly through USCIS guidance or with your qualified immigration representative. The clinic can explain what it prepared, but it does not decide your immigration filing strategy.
6. Clarify fees and insurance before you go. Ask which services were included, whether any follow-up components are separate, and what payment or insurance questions remain. USCIS does not regulate civil-surgeon fees, and insurance may not cover every examination component. Do not rely on a generic estimate from another clinic. Med A Physical can review the paperwork prepared during your USCIS immigration medical exam in Tampa and explain the clinic-side next steps.

Leaving with a sealed packet, a personal copy, and clear submission questions gives you a practical record of what happened at the appointment. Keep the sealed envelope protected until you are ready to file it under the current USCIS instructions.

Need help preparing your Tampa Form I-693 appointment? Contact Med A Physical before you schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents should I bring to my USCIS medical exam?

Bring your most recent Form I-693, medical records, and vaccination records to the initial appointment. Also bring any identity or case documents your civil surgeon requests when scheduling. Records can help the clinic assess your vaccination history and determine whether additional documentation or testing is needed. USCIS specifically advises applicants to bring medical and vaccination records to the initial appointment: USCIS Form I-693 instructions.

Do I need to submit Form I-693 with Form I-485?

For certain applicants filing Form I-485, USCIS requires Form I-693, or an applicable partial form, to be submitted with Form I-485. Filing requirements can change, so review the current USCIS instructions and filing guidance for your situation before sending the packet. If you are preparing in Tampa Bay, Med A Physical can help complete the examination paperwork, but USCIS determines the filing requirement.

How long is Form I-693 valid for USCIS purposes?

Do not rely on an older article or a remembered validity period. USCIS rules and policy can change, and validity may depend on the form, signature, and case circumstances. Check the current USCIS Form I-693 guidance before filing, and ask your civil surgeon which current form edition and submission instructions apply.

How much does Form I-693 cost?

The total cost is set by the civil surgeon and may vary based on the examination, vaccination review, laboratory testing, vaccines, or other required services. USCIS does not regulate civil-surgeon fees, and insurance may not cover every component. Ask Med A Physical for the current appointment details and an itemized explanation before proceeding, rather than relying on an outdated online price.

Contact us about your Tampa Bay I-693 exam

Form I-693 preparation is easier when you know what to bring, what the civil surgeon completes, and how the sealed packet should be handled. Med A Physical can help you prepare for your Tampa Bay immigration medical exam and clarify appointment questions before your visit.

Contact us to schedule your exam and ask about Form I-693 appointment preparation: schedule a Tampa immigration medical exam.