It is time for your medical exam! But how do you set one up, and what do you need to bring with you? Here, you will find everything you need to know before you set foot in the examination room.
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Who to Schedule Your Exam With
Ultimately, this depends on what pathway you are on.
Adjustment of Status
You will need to schedule an exam with an approved USCIS Civil Surgeon. If you are working with an attorney, usually they will have a list of contacts for you to choose from. If you are not, you can use the below USCIS tool to find one near you.
Find a Civil SurgeonConsular Processing
When you get the notice from the NVC that your interview has been scheduled, that is your cue to schedule an exam. The interview notice and/or the embassy's immigrant visa instructions will direct you to the approved panel physicians you can choose from.
What You Need to Bring
Again, this depends on your pathway. You can find a checklist for both below.
Adjustment of Status
- Government-issued Photo ID
- Vaccine Records
- Medical Records*
- List of Medications*
- Payment
Consular Processing
- Passport
- Interview Appointment Letter or NVC Interview Notice
- DS-260 Confirmation Page
- Vaccine Records
- Medical Records*
- List of Medications*
- Passport-style Photos*
- Payment
*if it applies to you
Vaccine Requirements
If you would like to reference a list of required vaccines, you can visit the USCIS Vaccine Requirement page here:
If you have not received the necessary vaccines, the civil surgeon or panel physician (depending on your pathway) may give them to you or send you to get them yourself and then return.
"My exam was around 30-45 mins. There was height and weight measured. Blood pressure and vitals. I brought my childhood vaccine record just incase they needed it. My doctor asked me to get a flu shot before coming in(from cvs), make sure to get the proof of that flu shot from CVS too. They took my urine and blood sent it off to lab for overnight testing. Came back 4 days later with everything normal and me just needing MMR vaccine(often cheaper go get from outside like Walgreens). Bring with you: Passport or License, COVID-19 vaccine proof, other vaccine records. My doctor had 693s at his office but you also print them and bring them to be safe."
Read the Thread"My exam was split into 2 different visits. The first visit was paperwork mostly. Filling out a patient form, giving them my vaccination records and ID, then being put in a room with a lady that double checked my vaccinations. I had to get a TDAP booster which I did later that day. They also took a urine and blood sample. Total time was 15 minutes. The second visit was the medical itself. They took my height, weight, blood pressure, checked my heart, lungs and ears. I met with a nurse who double checked that the form had no mistakes. I then met with the civil surgeon and they rechecked my heart, lungs and ears. He signed my form then left the room with it. A few minutes later the nurse comes back in with a sealed envelope and my own copy of my medical. Total time was probably 15 mins."
Read the ThreadNervous for your appointment, or just like to be informed? Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what you can expect to happen during your appointment.
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1
Check-in
The clinic reviews your ID, appointment information, vaccination records, and payment.
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2
Medical history review
The doctor or staff asks about prior illnesses, surgeries, medications, vaccines, mental health history, substance use, and any past TB treatment.
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3
Physical exam
The doctor performs a basic exam, such as checking height, weight, blood pressure, eyes, ears, throat, heart, lungs, abdomen, and general physical condition.
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4
Required testing
Depending on age and immigration category, this may include:
- Tuberculosis testing or chest X-ray
- Blood test for syphilis
- Gonorrhea testing
- Other testing if medically indicated
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5
Vaccination review
The doctor checks whether you have the required vaccines. If records are missing, they may give vaccines, order blood tests to prove immunity, or mark certain vaccines as not medically appropriate when allowed.
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6
Additional follow-up, if needed
Some applicants may need extra testing, treatment, or specialist records before the exam can be completed.
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7
Results are completed
For adjustment of status, the civil surgeon completes Form I-693 and usually gives it to you in a sealed envelope for USCIS.
For consular processing, the panel physician usually sends results directly to the consulate or gives you sealed results, depending on that country's process.
DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED RESULTS
If you receive a sealed envelope, keep it sealed. USCIS or the consulate will likely reject it if it has been opened.