An immigration medical examination is a specific step in the adjustment-of-status process. Knowing which instructions come from USCIS and which details depend on the civil surgeon can help applicants prepare accurately.
Primary care examination room with a blank clipboard, stethoscope and sealed medical supplies
The short answer
Applicants who need a USCIS immigration medical exam in San Ramon generally need an examination by a designated civil surgeon and documentation on Form I-693. The required steps, vaccination review, tests, and timing depend on current USCIS instructions and the applicant’s circumstances. Symphony Health lists immigration medical exams and civil-surgeon services among its offerings. Before booking, confirm that the provider is currently designated, ask what records to bring, and follow the latest USCIS and office instructions. This article provides general orientation only; questions about immigration eligibility, filing strategy, deadlines, or case-specific legal consequences should be directed to USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney.
Know what Form I 693 is used for
Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, documents the results of the required medical examination for certain immigration processes. USCIS explains who must submit the form, how it should be completed, and how the sealed documentation must be handled. The form’s instructions and related policy can change, so applicants should check the current USCIS page rather than rely on an older checklist or another person’s experience.
The civil surgeon performs the medical examination and records findings and vaccination information under applicable instructions. The examination is not the same as a general annual physical, and a regular primary care appointment does not substitute for the designated process unless the clinician is currently authorized as a civil surgeon and follows USCIS requirements. Ask the office which services it provides, how the appointment is scheduled, and what the applicant is responsible for completing or bringing.
Confirm the provider is currently designated
USCIS designates civil surgeons to conduct immigration medical examinations in the United States. Before scheduling, verify that the clinician is on the current USCIS civil surgeon list and that the appointment will follow current Form I-693 procedures. Do not assume that a provider’s past designation or a directory listing on a third-party website is still current.
When calling a clinic, ask whether it performs the immigration medical examination for the specific type of application, whether the civil surgeon will complete the required form, and whether the office has any appointment limits. Symphony Health identifies civil-surgeon and immigration medical exam services on its website and lists a San Ramon office. Applicants should confirm current availability, clinician designation, fees, and office requirements directly. If the applicant is outside the United States, the process may differ and may involve a panel physician rather than a civil surgeon.
Ask the clinic what to bring
The civil surgeon’s office may ask for government-issued identification, vaccination records, prior medical documents, medication information, and immigration paperwork. Ask for the current list before the appointment and bring the exact documents requested. Vaccination records from another country may be reviewed, but the office must determine how they fit current requirements. If a record is incomplete, illegible, or unavailable, ask how the clinic handles it.
Bring a list of current medicines, allergies, medical conditions, prior surgeries, and relevant test results. Disclose health information accurately so the clinician can complete the examination. If the applicant has a medical condition or disability that affects the appointment, let the office know in advance to discuss access or communication needs. Do not alter or omit information to try to speed the process; the form must accurately reflect the examination and records. Ask whether documents should be original, copies, translated, or submitted through a secure portal.
Understand the examination and testing process
The appointment may include a review of medical history, physical examination, vaccination assessment, and tests required under current USCIS instructions. The exact process depends on age, records, medical history, and current rules. The clinic can explain what will happen at the visit and whether additional appointments are needed. Applicants should ask whether laboratory testing is performed on site, how results are communicated, and whether additional costs apply.
A general article cannot identify the tests needed for a particular applicant. The civil surgeon determines the medical steps under USCIS guidance. If an applicant has questions about a test, a result, or a medical condition, discuss them with the clinician. If the concern is how a medical finding affects immigration eligibility or filing, consult USCIS resources or an immigration attorney; the clinic’s medical role is distinct from legal advice. Ask the office how long the process typically takes, while recognizing that records, lab results, or follow-up may affect timing.
Review vaccination records with the civil surgeon
Vaccination requirements are part of the Form I-693 process and are governed by USCIS policy and public-health guidance. Applicants should bring available records and avoid receiving duplicate or unnecessary vaccines without discussing the documentation and medical history with the civil surgeon. The clinician reviews the records and determines what is required under current instructions.
If the applicant lacks records, ask the office what documentation may be accepted and whether testing or vaccination is recommended. Do not rely on an online chart that may apply to a different age group, application type, or policy date. Medical contraindications and other clinical considerations must be discussed with the clinician. USCIS may update requirements, so the office should use the current form and technical instructions. Keep copies of records and ask how they will be included or returned.
Clarify fees timing and what the appointment includes
Costs may include the exam, laboratory work, vaccines, follow-up visits, form preparation, or copies, and not every office bundles the same items. Ask for a written estimate and identify which services are included and which may be billed separately. Confirm the payment methods accepted and whether insurance applies; immigration medical exams may be handled differently from ordinary covered primary care visits.
Ask when the completed form will be ready and whether the applicant must return for results or signatures. Do not schedule a filing deadline based on an estimated turnaround without checking USCIS requirements and the applicant’s own case timeline. If a laboratory result or vaccine record is missing, ask how the clinic will contact the applicant. Keep receipts and any copies the office provides. For questions about form validity or submission timing, use USCIS instructions or seek qualified legal advice.
Protect the sealed form and keep a personal record
USCIS instructions describe how the completed Form I-693 should be submitted and handled. Follow the civil surgeon’s directions about whether the form will be placed in a sealed envelope, whether an electronic submission applies, and what the applicant should keep. Do not open a sealed envelope if the instructions say it must remain sealed. Ask for a copy of the completed form or a record of the visit when permitted and retain vaccination and test documents.
If a packet is damaged, opened, missing, or returned, contact the civil surgeon’s office for instructions before altering it. Keep the receipt, appointment details, and any USCIS notice together. The applicant’s filing method may affect how documents are delivered, so avoid relying on a generic checklist. USCIS and the civil surgeon can clarify medical documentation handling; an immigration attorney can advise on the broader filing strategy.
Ask what happens if additional information is needed
Sometimes a clinician needs additional records, testing, or follow-up before completing the form. Ask the office how it communicates a missing item and whether the applicant should call or wait for a message. Provide current contact information and check the secure portal or phone messages identified by the clinic. If a result raises a medical question, ask the clinician to explain it and identify the next medical step.
A civil surgeon’s office cannot guarantee a particular immigration decision or processing time. The medical examination documents health information for USCIS; adjudication is a separate agency function. Applicants should not treat a clinic’s estimated completion date as a legal deadline. If the form must be updated or repeated because of timing, a returned filing, or a change in instructions, confirm current requirements with USCIS or legal counsel. Keep communication factual and retain written instructions.
Separate medical questions from immigration legal questions
The civil surgeon can explain the medical examination, test results, vaccination review, and how the clinic completes Form I-693. Questions about eligibility, inadmissibility, waivers, filing strategy, interview timing, or how a health condition affects a case are immigration legal questions. Applicants should use official USCIS information or consult a qualified immigration attorney for case-specific advice.
This distinction helps the applicant reach the right source and reduces misunderstandings. A clinic should not be expected to predict an immigration outcome based on a medical visit. Likewise, a legal representative does not replace the clinician’s medical evaluation. Bring a written list of questions and ask whether each is about the medical process or the application itself. Symphony Health provides primary care and lists civil-surgeon services; applicants should verify the exact current scope of the appointment when booking.
Prepare documents before the civil surgeon visit
Before attending an immigration medical examination, review the current instructions on the USCIS form and confirm what the clinic asks patients to bring. Commonly useful items include government-issued identification, vaccination records, medication information, and prior medical documentation relevant to the examination. The clinic should clarify appointment requirements and whether records need translation or a particular format. Requirements can change, so verify the current form edition and instructions from USCIS rather than relying on an old checklist.
Bring original records when available and keep copies for personal files. If a vaccine record is incomplete, tell the clinic instead of guessing about dates or doses. The civil surgeon determines what documentation is acceptable and which steps are required for the individual examination. Ask how the clinic communicates results, what the expected timing is, and how the completed paperwork is delivered or sealed.
Understand the role of the civil surgeon and the form
A civil surgeon performs the medical examination and completes the applicable sections of Form I-693 under current federal instructions. The examination is not a general primary-care visit and does not decide an immigration case. USCIS reviews submitted materials as part of its own process. Patients should follow the current USCIS directions about submission timing, signatures, sealed envelopes, and whether the completed form must accompany a specific filing.
The clinic can explain its process for collecting history, performing required tests, reviewing vaccination records, and notifying a patient about follow-up steps. Ask before the appointment how unresolved test results are handled and whether a return visit may be needed. Do not open a sealed packet if the official instructions say it must remain sealed. Keep a personal copy when permitted and follow the agency’s directions for the exact filing.
Coordinate the examination with other health care
Patients may have existing care with a primary-care clinician or specialist. Tell the civil surgeon about relevant conditions, medications, and available records so the examination can be completed accurately. The immigration exam does not replace ongoing treatment. If a health issue needs care, ask which provider should address it and whether records can be shared with consent.
Schedule with enough time to address record gaps or required follow-up before a filing deadline. The clinic can provide an estimate of its own processing steps, but government review timing is outside its control. Keep appointment confirmations and receipts, and confirm the contact method for questions. If instructions from the clinic and current USCIS materials appear inconsistent, ask the clinic to review the current agency guidance before proceeding.
Confirm appointment logistics and follow-up in advance
Ask the clinic whether the appointment requires more than one visit, how long patients should expect to be at the office, and how the clinic handles records that arrive after the examination. Clarify the fee and what it covers, including any laboratory testing or follow-up that might be needed. If a patient has mobility, language, or scheduling needs, discuss them when booking so the office can explain available arrangements.
After the visit, follow the clinic’s instructions about returning for results or additional documentation. Keep copies of receipts and any permitted paperwork, and note how to contact the office if a name, date, or form detail appears incorrect. Use current USCIS instructions to determine how and when the completed examination documents are filed. The clinic can explain its examination process, but it cannot guarantee a government decision or processing time.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form I 693?
Form I-693 documents a required immigration medical examination and vaccination record for certain USCIS processes. Check current USCIS instructions for who must submit it and how it should be completed.
Who can perform a USCIS immigration medical exam in the United States?
A USCIS-designated civil surgeon performs the examination in the United States. Verify the provider’s current designation using USCIS resources before scheduling.
Does Symphony Health offer immigration medical exams in San Ramon?
Symphony Health lists immigration medical exams and civil-surgeon services on its website and has a San Ramon office. Call to confirm current designation, appointment availability, requirements, and fees.
What should I bring to a civil surgeon appointment?
Ask the clinic for its current checklist. It may request identification, vaccination records, medical history, medication and allergy information, and relevant immigration paperwork.
Does the immigration medical exam include vaccines?
The civil surgeon reviews vaccination documentation and current requirements. Whether a vaccine or additional documentation is needed depends on the applicant’s records, clinical situation, and current USCIS instructions.
Can I use my regular doctor for Form I 693?
Only a currently designated civil surgeon can perform the required examination in the United States. Confirm the provider’s designation and process with USCIS before booking.
How long does the exam take?
The visit length and completion timing vary with the clinic, required testing, records, and possible follow-up. Ask the office for its current estimate and whether lab results may require another visit.
How much does a USCIS medical exam cost?
Fees vary by provider and may include separate charges for the exam, lab work, vaccines, copies, or follow-up. Request a written estimate from the clinic before scheduling.
Can the civil surgeon advise me about my immigration case?
The civil surgeon handles the medical examination and form. Questions about eligibility, waivers, filing decisions, or legal consequences should be directed to USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney.
Should I open the sealed Form I 693 envelope?
Follow the current instructions from the civil surgeon and USCIS. If the form is sealed for submission, do not open it unless the official instructions say otherwise; contact the clinic if the packet is damaged.
What if I do not have vaccination records?
Tell the civil surgeon and ask what documentation or evaluation is appropriate. The clinician will review the available records under current instructions and explain any required follow-up.
Can USCIS reject an immigration medical form?
USCIS determines whether submitted documents meet its requirements. Use the current form and instructions, follow the civil surgeon’s handling directions, and seek legal advice for case-specific filing questions.