
Medical Exams for Immigration (I-693)
FAQs
Para información en Español
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The standard cost is $400. This includes the medical exam, the lab tests that are required by USCIS, and completion of the I-693 form. You can pay with cash only at this time.
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No. Most insurance plans do not cover these immigration medical exams because they are not considered medically necessary. Also, my office does not have the ability to bill insurance companies. Therefore, you must pay for the exam out of pocket.
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During the first appointment, I will gather information about your identity, vaccinations, and medical history. I will also check your weight, height, and vitals signs and perform a general physical exam. I will then order any necessary blood tests. If you are missing required vaccines, I will let you know which ones you need, and you can get them at a nearby pharmacy (depending on your insurance and preference).
The lab usually takes 4-5 days to send me test results. When I receive the results, I will review them and contact you if there are any concerns. If you test positive for any of the screening tests, you may need additional visits for treatment and follow-up.
If you have a chronic medical condition (such as hypertension or diabetes), you will need to get a supporting letter from your primary care doctor or specialist, and they may need to sign page part of the I-693 (page 11). This can add extra time depending on how fast you can request this documentation from your doctor.
Once all of your labs results have been received (if normal) and you have received your required vaccinations, you will be scheduled to return to the office and pick up your sealed envelope containing the completed I-693 form. You will also receive a copy of the I-693 for your records.
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You need to bring valid government-issued identification document and your vaccination records. You may also bring any past medical records you have available. You will also need to bring cash or a credit card to pay for the exam.
Valid forms of ID include:
A passport or Visa
A driver’s license (make sure it does NOT say “Not Valid for Identification” at the top)
A USA Employment Authorization Card
We will provide you with a copy of the I-693 form.
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For most healthy adults under age 65, the following are required:
At least one dose (but possibly up to 3) of Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine within the last 10 years. The civil surgeon will review your records to determine how many doses you need since this can depend on whether you have old records available or not.
3 doses of the Polio vaccine. If you do not have your childhood records, you will need to get at least one booster dose at the time of your exam.
2 or 3 doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. If you are unvaccinated against Hepatitis B, you will need to get at least one dose in order to meet the requirement. If you think you may have received it but don’t have your vaccine record, you can request an extra blood test to check for immunity against Hepatitis B ($10 extra).
2 doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. If you are unvaccinated against these, you will need to get at least one dose in order to meet the requirement. If you think you received these vaccines but don’t have your vaccine record, you can request an extra blood test to check for immunity against these ($10 extra).
2 doses of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine OR a history of having chickenpox/varicella in the past. If you are uncertain whether you had it or got the vaccine, a blood test can be done to check for immunity ($10 extra). If you never had it and are unvaccinated, you will need to get one dose in order to meet the requirement. If you are over 50, you may be required to have the shingles vaccine, which is a particular version of the varicella vaccine for older adults.
One dose of Covid-19 vaccine within the last 12 months.
One dose of the current seasonal influenza vaccine if it is flu season (October 1 - March 31).
For adults 65 and older, or adults with chronic health conditions, additional vaccines may be required, including the PCV vaccine.
For children/teens, the list is much longer and may include vaccines agains the following (depending on exact age): DTaP, Polio, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, and Meningococcus.
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As noted above, extra blood tests can be ordered to check for immunity against certain diseases, including hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). These additional tests will cost an extra. For all other vaccines, if you do not have documentation you will have to receive at least one dose of each vaccine (or two in the case of Covid-19).
If you have received vaccines in the state of Georgia but cannot find your record, I can help search the Georgia immunization registry to obtain your record for you.
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I can interpret vaccine records in Spanish. For records in any other language, you will need to pay a professional to provide a certified translated copy and bring this to your first appointment. You can search for these services online.
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At the first appointment, I will review your vaccines and let you know which ones you still need (if any). You will then have a few days before the follow-up appointment to get them.
If you have medical insurance, you can get the vaccines at any pharmacy (such as Walgreens or CVS) and the pharmacy can bill your insurance for them.
If you do NOT have medical insurance, you will need to pay out of pocket for any vaccines you need at your local health department.
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You will need to obtain a blanket vaccine waiver through USCIS. You can still complete the medical exam and get the completed I-693 form, but I will check the box that says “Applicant will request an individual waiver based on religious or moral convictions.” Whether your waiver is approved by USCIS or not is completely up to USCIS. If your waiver is declined, you may need to pay to complete the process again.
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SCIS requires testing for the following:
Tuberculosis (blood test) for anyone over 2 years of age
Syphilis (blood test) for adults ages 18-44
Gonorrhea (urine test) for adults ages 18-24
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If you complete all of your vaccinations on time AND all of your lab results are normal, then the process typically takes one week. If you have any abnormal test results or a chronic medical condition, or if you are missing vaccines, the process may take a few weeks longer. At the second or final appointment, you will receive the completed I-693 in a sealed envelope and a copy of the completed I-693 for your records.
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Please schedule your appointment below. If you have any trouble scheduling, call 706-420-3410 for assistance.
If you need to re-schedule your appointment, please give at least 48 hours advance notice. If you cancel with less than 48 hours of notice or do not show up to your appointment, you will be charged a no-show fee of $100.