Medical exam.
When you apply for a green card, one step in the process is the medical exam. This is how the U.S. government makes sure you don’t have certain health conditions that could pose a public health risk or make them inadmissible.
Girl did her medical exam prior to filing the green card application – almost too early. The medical exam results are generally valid for two years from the date the doctor signs the form, as long as it was properly submitted within 60 days of signature. Doing it too early, almost took us out of the 60 day window, but thankfully we made it just under the cutoff.
In the U.S, only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can perform the medical exam. You can search for approved doctors on the USCIS website.
Below is a step-by-step process:
Schedule the appointment. Contact an approved doctor, book your exam, and confirm what documents (see below) and fees are required (prices vary; I believe ours was a couple hundred dollars, but that’s a guess – I cannot find the actual record).
Gather what you’ll need. Girl needed:
A government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license).
Her vaccination records.
Prior medical records, related to a chronic condition.
At the appointment, the doctor reviewed her vaccination history and a physical exam was done. The doctor also asked about her medical history.
After the exam, the civil surgeon will complete Form I-693. You’ll receive a sealed envelope with your results—DO NOT OPEN IT. We submitted it directly to USCIS with our application
The medical exam was straightforward. The main things you can do to prepare are: make sure you have your complete vaccination records, picking a doctor you feel comfortable with, and make sure you bring the necessary documents to avoid having to reschedule.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Thanks!
G&G
