Immigration Physicals
Newcomers to the United States who want to apply for permanent residency and temporary residents who need to extend their stay will have to have an Immigration Physical. You must see a civil surgeon who is a doctor approved by the government to have the examination done. The doctor will fill out the I-693 form then it will be returned to you sealed in an envelope to be sent to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
Preparation for the appointment
- You must bring a valid government issued form of identification with you to the visit. It can be in the form of a Drivers License or a Passport.
- You will need to bring a blank I-693 form with you. You can obtain from the USCIS website. They may also be available at the office.
During the examination
- The exact procedure that a civil surgeon will follow will depend on the documents that are furnished at the time of visit.
- All immunization records will be transferred to the I-693.
- The office stocks all USCIS required vaccines and can administer them same day or during the follow up visit.
- Applicants age 15 and older are required to have a serologic blood test for Syphilis (RPR). Applicants under the age of 15 may or may not require the blood test at the discretion of the civil surgeon. Please note that Florida law states that the lab must perform a confirmation test if the blood work is positive. The charges for the extra lab work are not included in our price and may cost extra.
- A full and detailed history as related to the INS exam is taken at time of visit.
- The civil surgeon will perform a physical examination and a mental status exam regardless of age.
PPD Testing
- Applicants age 2 and older are required to to have a PPD skin test performed as part of the physical. It is a relatively painless injection under the skin of the arm.
- The patient will need to return to our office 48 to 72 hours after the test is administered to have the results read.
- If the test is read as positive, a chest X ray will be required to make sure tuberculosis is not present and is not included in the cost of the physical.
- If you have had a previous positive result but did not have tuberculosis you will be asked for the X rays. If the X ray is more than 90 days old, new ones must be acquired.
Vaccines
- The civil surgeon will review your vaccination history and determine whether you have all the required and necessary vaccinations. Make sure you have your history of vaccinations with you at the time of the visit.
- The immigration physical exam requires the following vaccines for applicants: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B, hepatitis B, and any other vaccination that is recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP).
- Please do not attempt to comply with the vaccination requirements
before you meet with the civil surgeon in case it isn't medically
appropriate for you to have any of the required vaccinations.
Once the I-693 form requirements are completed you will be given the completed and signed I-693, Report of Medical and Examination and Vaccination Records Form in a sealed envelope. This envelope must not be opened and you are to submit it to the USCIS as a part of the application process. You will also be given an unsealed, identical set of documents for your records.