If USCIS asks you for a medical exam, not just any doctor will do: Form I-693 is only valid when it is signed and sealed by a physician designated by USCIS, called a civil surgeon. This guide explains what that is, how to check that a physician is one, and what to expect from the visit in Pasadena.
What is a civil surgeon, and who designates them?
A civil surgeon is a U.S.-licensed physician whom USCIS has authorized, through an official designation, to perform the immigration medical exam inside the country. USCIS grants the designation to the physician, not to the clinic, after reviewing their license and experience. Their job is to review your history, examine you, order the tests immigration law requires, give any missing vaccines and record everything on the I-693. They do not decide your case or give legal advice: they deliver a medical report that USCIS uses to assess health-related admissibility.
Is it the same as a panel physician?
No. A panel physician performs the exam outside the United States, for people applying for a visa at a consulate. A civil surgeon performs it inside the country, for adjustment of status and other cases USCIS processes here. If you are in the United States and your attorney or the form asks for an I-693, you need a civil surgeon.
How do I verify that a physician is authorized?
USCIS keeps a public search tool, "Find a Civil Surgeon", on its official website: you enter your ZIP code and the list of designated physicians near you appears. It is the only valid registry. An office that advertises itself as an "immigration doctor" but does not appear on that list cannot sign your I-693. Before your visit, check the physician's name on that list and ask at the clinic.
What does the civil surgeon do during the exam?
- Verifies your identity, medical history and vaccine record.
- Performs a general physical exam.
- Orders the required tests: for everyone over 2 years old, the tuberculosis blood test (IGRA) and, if positive, a chest X-ray; depending on age, syphilis and gonorrhea tests.
- Gives any vaccines you are missing from the USCIS list for your age.
- Once results and vaccines are complete, fills out the I-693, signs it and hands it over in a sealed envelope.
The exam and vaccines happen at the first visit. Sealing happens when the lab results arrive, because the form must include them; at that point you are told to pick up the envelope.
What should I ask before choosing?
- Whether the physician who will sign is on the USCIS list.
- Whether they serve you in Spanish and explain the results.
- Whether they give the vaccines and draw the tuberculosis sample at the same clinic, so you do not have to go to several places.
- How much the exam costs and what the price includes: the visit, tests, vaccines and form completion are often quoted separately.
- Whether they give you a copy of the form for your records before sealing it.
What should I do with the envelope?
Deliver it sealed to USCIS, with your application or when they request it. If you open it, it becomes invalid and the process has to be repeated. Keep your copy separately. Under current USCIS policy, forms signed on or after November 1, 2023 do not expire while used for an application; confirm the current rule at uscis.gov, since it can change.
In Pasadena
At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Pasadena the exam is performed by a USCIS-authorized physician, with lab tests and vaccines at the same clinic and care in Spanish. You can read the process in detail on our immigration medical exam page or call (281) 747-8817 to ask about the price and what to bring.
