The Immigration Medical Exam for EB-3 Applicants: What to Know
Nearly every applicant for an EB-3 employment-based green card must complete an immigration medical examination. It is a required health screening designed to confirm you are not inadmissible to the United States on certain health-related grounds. Knowing what the exam generally involves can help you prepare and avoid delays.
This post explains the immigration medical exam in general terms. It is meant to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed immigration attorney — it is not legal or medical advice.
Why the Medical Exam Is Required
U.S. immigration law includes health-related grounds of inadmissibility. The medical examination exists so a designated doctor can screen for those specific conditions and record required vaccinations. It is a standard part of the green card process, whether you apply from inside or outside the United States.
Importantly, you cannot use just any doctor. The exam must be performed by a government-authorized physician:
- If you are inside the United States and applying through Adjustment of Status, you generally see a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, and the results are recorded on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
- If you are outside the United States and applying through consular processing, you generally see an authorized panel physician designated by the U.S. embassy or consulate, and results are recorded on the State Department’s medical forms rather than the I-693.
Always use the official tools to find an authorized provider — a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (via uscis.gov) or the panel physician list for your consulate (via the embassy’s website). An exam by a non-authorized doctor generally will not be accepted.
What the Exam Generally Includes
The exact components are set by the U.S. government and public health guidelines, and can change, so confirm the current requirements before your appointment. In general, the examination commonly includes:
- A review of your medical history and relevant records
- A physical examination
- Testing for certain communicable diseases of public health significance (for example, tuberculosis screening)
- A review and update of required vaccinations
- An assessment related to certain mental-health and substance-related conditions defined by law
Bring identification, your vaccination records, and any documents the physician’s office requests. Having complete vaccination records can help you avoid repeating shots.
Vaccinations
U.S. immigration law generally requires applicants to show they have received certain vaccinations (or qualify for a permitted exception). The specific list is set by federal public-health authorities and is updated periodically. Because the list can change, confirm the current vaccination requirements with your authorized physician and the official CDC and USCIS guidance rather than relying on an older list.
About Form I-693 and Timing
For applicants inside the U.S., the civil surgeon generally completes Form I-693 and gives it to you in a sealed envelope — do not open it, because an opened envelope may not be accepted. Rules about how the form is submitted and how long it remains valid change over time, so verify the current I-693 validity and filing instructions on uscis.gov before your exam and before you file. For consular cases, the panel physician’s results are generally transmitted to the consulate or provided to you as instructed for your interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own family doctor for the immigration medical exam? Generally no. The exam must be done by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (inside the U.S.) or an authorized panel physician (abroad). Use the official government tools to find an approved provider.
How long is the medical exam valid? Validity rules change over time and depend on your path and when you file. Do not assume a fixed period. Check the current guidance on the official USCIS I-693 page or with your consulate, and coordinate timing with your attorney.
What if I am missing some vaccination records? The authorized physician can generally review your records and administer any required vaccinations, or note a permitted exception where one applies. Bring whatever records you have to your appointment.
Does the medical exam decide whether I get a green card? No. The exam screens for specific health-related grounds of inadmissibility and records vaccinations. It is one required piece of the overall process; a consular officer or USCIS makes the final decision on your case.
A Few Important Reminders
Immigration outcomes are never guaranteed. No agency, employer, physician, or attorney can promise you a visa, a green card, or a specific timeline — outcomes depend on your individual facts, government processing, and visa availability.
Government forms, health requirements, and validity rules change. Any form edition, vaccination list, or timing rule referenced here is as of July 2026 — verify current requirements on the official government pages listed below before relying on them.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance about your specific situation, please consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney, follow your authorized physician’s instructions, and rely on the official government sources below.
Sources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record: https://www.uscis.gov/i-693
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Find a Doctor (Designated Civil Surgeons): https://my.uscis.gov/findadoctor
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Vaccination Requirements: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-9
- U.S. Department of State — The Immigrant Visa Process: Medical Examination: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/medical-examination-faqs.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/
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