Immigration Medical Exam (Form I-693)
Dr. Vani Venkatachalam is a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon — one of the relatively few physicians authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to perform the official medical examination required for a green card (lawful permanent residence). She performs these exams for applicants of all ages at Care & Cure Pediatrics in Irving, TX.
USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon
All Ages Welcome
Self-Pay (Cash / Card)
Not Covered by Insurance
Important: Immigration medical exams are not covered by health insurance. All fees are self-pay. Labs, vaccines, and titers required for the exam are billed separately and are also self-pay. Please review the fee schedule below before scheduling.
Immigration Exam Fees
| Medical Exam & standard labs (Form I-693) | $475 |
| Additional Form I-693 Preparation (if requested) | $75 |
| Additional Labs including Titers | Billed separately |
| Required Vaccines | Billed separately |
| Surveillance registry reporting (if applicable) | $50 |
Accepted payment: Cash, Debit, Credit Card. No checks. A 3% convenience fee applies to all credit and debit card payments.
What Is a Form I-693 Medical Exam?
Form I-693 is the official medical examination form required by USCIS as part of the green card (lawful permanent residence) application process. It must be completed by a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon — a physician specially authorized by USCIS. Not all doctors can perform this exam.
Physical Examination
Full physical exam documenting general health, vital signs, and any conditions relevant to USCIS medical inadmissibility grounds.
Lab Work
Tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, and other labs as required by USCIS for the applicant’s age and history.
Vaccination Review
Review and documentation of all required USCIS vaccines. Missing vaccines must be administered or titers drawn to confirm immunity.
Form I-693 Completion
Completion and Civil Surgeon signature of Form I-693 in a sealed envelope, submitted directly to USCIS with your green card application.
Who needs this exam?
Anyone applying for a green card from inside the United States. This includes adjustment-of-status applicants (Form I-485) and certain other immigration benefit categories. If you are applying from outside the U.S., you will need a Panel Physician at a U.S. embassy — not a Civil Surgeon.
The Exam Process — Step by Step
Schedule Your Appointment
Call (972) 893-1192 or book online. Immigration exams require a dedicated appointment — they are not walk-in visits. Allow 60–90 minutes for the full exam.
Gather Your Documents
Collect all required documents before your visit (see the checklist below). Missing documents may delay or cancel your exam.
Attend Your Exam
Dr. Vani performs the full physical examination, reviews your vaccination records, and orders any required lab work or vaccinations.
Lab Work & Vaccines
Required labs are ordered and any missing vaccines may be administered.
Form I-693 Completed
Once all results are back, Dr. Vani completes and signs Form I-693. The form is provided in a sealed envelope — do not open it.
Submit to USCIS
Submit the sealed Form I-693 envelope with your I-485 application, or bring it to your USCIS interview as instructed. Do not open the envelope.
Timing matters
Form I-693 has a validity window — it must be submitted to USCIS within a certain timeframe after being completed, and USCIS updates these rules periodically. Please verify current I-693 validity rules at uscis.gov or consult your immigration attorney before scheduling.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please bring all of the following. Missing documents will delay your exam and may require rescheduling.
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or state ID)
- Printed Form I-693 (blank — obtain from uscis.gov; fill biographical information but DO NOT sign the form)
- Complete vaccination records — all vaccines ever received
- List of all current medications, including dosages
- Records of any prior positive TB test (PPD or IGRA) and treatment
Medical History Documents
- Records of any prior mental health treatment or hospitalizations
- Documentation of any substance-use treatment history
- Records of any prior communicable-disease diagnosis or treatment
- Surgeon or specialist records, if applicable
- Prior immigration medical exam records (if any)
- Payment — cash, debit, or credit card (3% card fee). No checks.
If you do not have complete vaccination records, Dr. Vani may need to order titer blood tests to confirm immunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any doctor perform the immigration medical exam?
No. The I-693 immigration medical exam must be performed exclusively by a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon — a specific USCIS authorization that not all physicians have. Dr. Vani Venkatachalam is a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon and can legally complete Form I-693 for green card applicants.
Does insurance cover the immigration medical exam?
No. Immigration medical exams are not covered by any health insurance plan. All fees are self-pay. We accept cash, debit, and credit cards (3% fee on cards). We do not accept checks.
How long does the exam take?
Plan for 60–90 minutes for the full appointment, including the physical exam, review of vaccination records, ordering labs, and administration of any required vaccines.
How long is Form I-693 valid?
USCIS has specific validity rules for Form I-693 that determine how long the results remain usable, and these rules have changed over time. We strongly recommend verifying current I-693 validity requirements at uscis.gov or consulting your immigration attorney before scheduling.
I don’t have my vaccination records — can I still be seen?
Yes, without vaccine records, Dr. Vani will order titer blood tests to check immunity to each required vaccine; if immunity is not confirmed, the missing vaccines must be administered. Bring whatever records you have.
Do you perform immigration exams for children?
Yes — Dr. Vani performs immigration medical exams for applicants of all ages, including infants, children, adolescents, and adults. As a pediatrician and Civil Surgeon, she regularly handles exams for families applying together.
Will a medical condition prevent my green card approval?
Not necessarily. USCIS has specific categories of medical inadmissibility (certain communicable diseases, missing required vaccines, certain disorders with harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction). Most medical conditions do not result in inadmissibility. Dr. Vani’s role is to accurately document your health status — not to make the immigration decision. Consult an immigration attorney for your specific situation.
Can I open the sealed Form I-693 envelope?
No. The sealed envelope must be submitted to USCIS unopened. If the seal is broken, USCIS will not accept the form and a new exam will be required. Submit the sealed envelope with your I-485 application or bring it to your USCIS interview as instructed.
Ready to Schedule Your Immigration Exam?
Call us directly to book — immigration exams require a dedicated appointment and cannot be booked as a standard visit.
1121 Kinwest Pkwy, Suite 150 · Irving, TX 75063 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Legal Disclaimer: This page provides general information about the immigration medical exam process and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — always verify current USCIS requirements at uscis.gov and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation. For medical emergencies, call 911.