USCIS-designated civil surgeons

When filing for an immigrant visa application, the US government mandates a medical examination for the applicant. Those applying within the US must have their immigration medical examinations conducted by a civil surgeon designated by USCIS. The term "civil surgeon" does not necessarily refer to a surgeon in the traditional sense but to any physician who is designated and authorized by USCIS.

Applicants required to submit a medical exam can locate a designated civil surgeon by using the USCIS website's search feature, where entering a zip code yields a list of local doctors. It's crucial to contact them beforehand to inquire about their availability for new USCIS medical exams, fee structures, appointment scheduling, number of required visits, and the availability of language interpreters if needed. On the appointment day, bring your vaccination history and confirm that the exam is for USCIS submission purposes. The doctor will complete and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, which you will receive in a sealed envelope post-exam. Do not accept an unsealed, open, or altered form, as USCIS will reject it. Submitting the sealed Form I-693 is the applicant's responsibility.

Please note that as of April 4, 2024, any Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, will be considered valid indefinitely and can be used to prove that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.

Additionally, applications submitted from outside the US must undergo immigration medical examinations by a panel physician authorized by the Department of State. In the Philippines, this is carried out at St. Luke's Extension Clinic. Further details can be found on their website.

One might wonder why USCIS mandates a medical exam. Legally, it is required to prove that an applicant does not pose a health risk. The medical grounds of inadmissibility, the examination of non-citizens, and their vaccinations aim to safeguard the health of the US population. The immigration medical exam, its report, and the vaccination record are used by USCIS to assess if an applicant meets the health standards for admissibility. An applicant can be deemed inadmissible for health-related reasons due to: a communicable disease of public health significance, lack of proof for required vaccinations, a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior, or drug abuse or addiction.

Next week, we will discuss the four grounds of inadmissibility on medical bases, as they present interesting questions and scenarios that may intrigue our readers.