What is Form I-693?

Form I-693 is the form that the U.S. government uses for required medical examinations. All foreign nationals who apply for a green card must complete and pass a required medical examination before their green card cases can be approved. A government-approved physician must perform your medical exam.

If foreign nationals are applying for their greens cards from outside of the United States then there often are just one or two designated doctors that are authorized to perform the medical exam to be provided to the U.S. Consulate.

If foreign nationals are applying for Adjustment of Status in the U.S. then there are more approved doctors for you to choose from. The doctor will use form I-693 to complete your medical examination. You should be provided with a copy of your completed medical examination form. If not, you should request a copy from the doctor. However, the doctor will give you the original I-693 form in a sealed envelope that must be submitted to the government still sealed.

The required medical exam is performed to determine whether or not an individual has diseases that may be communicated to the American people or other physical and mental conditions. The individual undergoing the exam must undergo a blood test and tests for tuberculosis and syphilis. A green card applicant must also show that they have received vaccinations for a number of different diseases. Many green card applicants need to get additional vaccinations and/or updates to be in compliance.

The doctor reviews the combination of blood tests and vaccination records and your other test results to determine whether or not you are medically eligible for a green card. As part of the physical examination, the doctor may also check for gang tattoos and other signs that the foreign national is possibly ineligible to immigrate to the U.S. Waivers for certain medical conditions are available in some cases.

Foreign nationals that apply for a K-1 fiancé(e) or as a K-2 fiancé(e) dependent also need to complete their medical exams. The exams occur when they are abroad and before their K visas can be approved at the U.S. Consulate. While the medical exam must be completed it is not required that all of the required vaccinations be completed before a foreign national can be approved for a K-1 or a K-2 visa. A K-1 or a K-2 visa holder is allowed to enter the United States on his or her K visa and then receive the required vaccinations while in the United States, before applying for Adjustment of Status. However, it is usually more efficient to do both the medical exam and the vaccinations abroad before the foreign national is admitted to the U.S. in K-1 or K-2 visa status.