i693 FORMS
Attention: As of Oct. 1, 2021, USCIS requires you to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to completing your forms. If not, you must file for a waiver with USCIS and bring it into one of our offices.
What are the i693 forms?
Last year, nearly 120,000 refugees relocated to the United States, and close to 577,000 immigrants were granted permanent residence.
Both refugees and immigrants bring possible health risks as they come from diverse regions of the world, where healthcare systems and circumstances differ from those of the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the duty of monitoring these possible health risks through an immigration physical, the USCIS Medical Exam. This exam is documented through the I-693 Form, which must be completed prior to permanent resident applications for individuals entering the United States.
Following the immigration exam, the USCIS then determines if applicants will be admitted to residence in the United States. This article will cover the important facts and questions concerning Form I-693.
The Purpose of Form I-693
The USCIS requires Form I-693 to determine if foreign nationals relocating to the United States pose a health risk or possible harm to U.S. citizens.
Almost all individuals applying for permanent residence must first visit a USCIS authorized doctor to undergo a physical and mental exam that must be filled out and sealed in an envelope by the physician.
What medical issues would cause inadmissibility?
There are four main areas on Form I-693 that determine admissibility status on grounds of public health:
Communicable Diseases
Drug Abuse or Addiction
Failure to show proof of required vaccines
Certain Mental Disorders that lead to harmful behaviour
The communicable diseases flagged by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) include TB, Gonorrhea, and infectious leprosy. For more detailed information on these barriers to admissions and a full list of required vaccines, check the USCIS website.
How do I find USCIS approved physicians?
Sometimes referred to as ‘designated civil surgeons’ the USCIS approves certain doctors to conduct the USCIS Medical Exam.
At Statcare, our doctors are USCIS approved, which is why we’re one of the premier urgent care clinics to offer USCIS medical exams in NYC. Get one today at any of our 8 locations, open 7 days a week!
I-693 Forms – Frequently Asked Questions
The exam should be conducted within 30-90 days after the individual arrives in the United States.
Vaccine or immunization record, government-issued photo Id, Physician’s fee, and/or medical insurance card and Form I-693. More details found at the USCIS website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sets the regulations for the USCIS medical exam to evaluate the health of aliens applying for entry into the United States. This evaluation includes both a physical and mental evaluation.
The physical exam begins with an in-depth medical history review, checking previous surgeries or procedures, and other pertinent information. The physician will conduct a mental status examination focused on evaluating behaviors such as mood and cognition and affect. Following the medical history review, the immigration doctor will examine the major organ systems of the body for signs of monitored diseases and conditions.
Currently, there is no fee for filing this form, however, other associated forms such as Form I-485 may require such fees.
Following the exam, the Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician must give the applicant their Form I-693 in a sealed envelope which must be either mailed to or physically handed to an agent at a USCIS field office. Information regarding this process and the needed addresses for filing this form can be found at the USCIS website.