A small mistake on your immigration medical exam can mean a rejected filing, a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a second trip to the doctor. These are the problems we see most often — and how to avoid each one.
1. Opening the sealed envelope
USCIS only accepts the I-693 in the civil surgeon’s sealed envelope. Opening it, even just to check a name, can make the form unusable. Leave it sealed and ask the clinic if you need a copy.
2. Filing the I-485 without the I-693
Since December 2, 2024, the medical form must be filed together with Form I-485. Getting the exam “later” no longer works for most applicants. Schedule your exam first. (More on the current rules.)
3. Going to a doctor who isn’t a civil surgeon
Only USCIS-designated civil surgeons can complete the I-693 for applicants inside the U.S. A regular family doctor’s report won’t be accepted. All of our physicians are USCIS civil surgeons.
4. Signing the form in advance
You may fill in your personal information before the appointment, but sign it at the clinic so the civil surgeon can witness your signature. Use the current edition of the form from uscis.gov.
5. Name or date-of-birth mismatches
The name and date of birth on your I-693 should match your passport and the rest of your application. Bring the same ID you are using for your filing and double-check spelling before you sign.
6. Leaving vaccine records at home
Without records, the civil surgeon has to give the vaccines again or order titer tests. That adds time and cost. Bring every record you have, in any language — see our what-to-bring checklist.
Bottom line
Do the exam with a civil surgeon, keep the envelope sealed, and file it together with your I-485. That avoids almost every I-693 problem we see.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your case, talk to your immigration attorney.
Book your exam online in Villa Park or Des Plaines — one $375 flat price with the physical exam and required labs included.
General information, not medical or legal advice. Your civil surgeon decides what applies to you; for case questions, ask your attorney or see uscis.gov/i-693.
