The physical part of a green card medical exam is routine. The vaccination review is where applicants tend to get surprised.
A civil surgeon compares your records against a list set by the CDC. Anything missing has to be documented, tested for, or given before your form can be completed. Knowing the list ahead of time lets you arrive prepared.
Most people applying for a green card from inside the United States need a medical exam recorded on Form I-693. Only a civil surgeon designated by USCIS can complete it. A regular primary care doctor cannot.
If you are a family sponsor, the exam is for the applicant, not for you. You can still help by gathering records. Metro Urgent Care has civil surgeons authorized by DHS and USCIS, as described on our immigration physicals page.
CDC sets the vaccine requirements, and they depend on your age, medical history, and the doses you have already received. Depending on your age, the list can include:
Requirements can change, so the civil surgeon checks the current CDC list at your exam.
Written records that show the vaccine name and the date it was given are the standard. Common sources include:
Records in another language should come with an English translation. A parent’s memory or a verbal history usually will not substitute for a dated record.
Bringing children? Bring their records, too. Required vaccines differ by age, and each person’s history is reviewed separately. Metro Urgent Care also offers pediatric care for younger family members.
Missing records are common, and they are fixable. Depending on the vaccine, the civil surgeon may:
Extra vaccines and follow-up tests can add to the cost of the exam. Ask about pricing up front, and review our insurance and self-pay information to see what your plan may cover.
Beyond vaccines, the visit includes a physical exam, vital signs, a tuberculosis test, and a blood test for syphilis. The civil surgeon then completes Form I-693 and seals it in an envelope.
Lab results affect timing, so ask how soon your sealed form will be ready. Our in-house lab testing and screenings help keep that process moving.
USCIS rules on Form I-693 have changed in recent years. Applicants are generally expected to submit the form together with Form I-485, and a form signed on or after November 1, 2023 stays valid only while the application it was filed with is pending.
Do not open the sealed envelope unless USCIS instructions for your filing method say to. Confirm the latest rules with USCIS or your immigration attorney before you file.
The exam goes smoothest when records are organized before you walk in. Many vaccination gaps can be handled at the exam itself, but surprises cost time. A short search through old files and a few phone calls can save a return trip.
The civil surgeons at Metro Urgent Care review your records, give the vaccines you need, and complete Form I-693 according to CDC and USCIS requirements. Walk-ins are welcome at Fullerton Ave, Montrose Ave, and La Grange, and you can also book an appointment ahead of time.
Not sure what you have on file? Contact us before your visit, and we will help you plan what to bring.
No, missing vaccines can often be given at the visit or documented under CDC rules.
No, only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can complete Form I-693 inside the United States.
Bring them with an English translation if possible, and ask the clinic how it prefers to receive them.
Coverage varies, and many plans pay only for parts of it, such as vaccines or lab tests.
No, they depend on age, so the civil surgeon reviews each family member’s records separately.
Stay protected this flu season!
