Process · 6 min read · Updated April 4, 2026

What Is Form I-693 and When Do You Need It?

Form I-693 is the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. USCIS uses it to decide whether an applicant is inadmissible on health-related grounds.

If you are applying for adjustment of status, a USCIS-designated civil surgeon usually completes the form as part of your immigration medical exam. The visit is not only about vaccines. Depending on your age and history, it may also include tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea testing.

Who usually needs Form I-693

Most people filing Form I-485 need Form I-693. Some applicants need only the vaccination part because they already had an overseas medical exam in a qualifying category.

The safest approach is to confirm whether you need the full exam or only a partial vaccination record before you book.

Most Form I-485 applicants need a full immigration medical exam
Some refugees and certain derivative asylees may need only a vaccination assessment
Some K visa entrants may need limited I-693 completion depending on timing and prior records

Why timing matters now

USCIS changed the filing rules on December 2, 2024. Applicants generally must submit Form I-693 or the required partial I-693 with Form I-485. If they do not, USCIS may reject the filing.

USCIS also says that if the civil surgeon signs on or after July 3, 2025, only the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693 is accepted.

What the form does not do

Form I-693 does not decide your whole green card case. It covers only the health-related part of admissibility.

It is also not a fully remote process. The final civil surgeon visit and examination are still done in person.

Common questions

Do I need to bring a blank I-693 form to my appointment?

Bring the current form if the clinic asks for it, but many offices handle that part for you. What matters most is that the civil surgeon uses the current accepted edition and seals it correctly.

Can I send Form I-693 later after filing Form I-485?

Usually no. USCIS says applicants generally must submit Form I-693 with Form I-485 as of December 2, 2024 or the filing may be rejected.

Can the immigration medical exam be done over telemedicine?

No. The final immigration medical exam and civil surgeon signoff still require an in-person visit.

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