Form I-693 and Form I-485 are two different documents that must be submitted together. Form I-485 is your application to adjust status and become a permanent resident. Form I-693 is the medical exam report completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon that proves you are not inadmissible on health grounds. One is the application; the other is the medical clearance required to support it. Neither is valid without the other.
If you are in the Tampa Bay area and need to complete the medical clearance portion of your application, immigration medical exam for adjustment of status in Tampa at Medical Exams of Tampa is performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon with same-day blood draws and Saturday availability.
What each form does
| Form | Full name | Who completes it | Purpose | Filing fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | The applicant | Requests adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (green card) | $1,440 (adults under 79) as of 2025 |
| Form I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | USCIS-designated civil surgeon (with applicant completing Part 1 and signing Part 2) | Documents that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds | No USCIS filing fee; civil surgeon charges separately |
Why they must be submitted together
Effective December 2, 2024, USCIS requires Form I-693 to be submitted simultaneously with Form I-485. This is a change from prior policy, which allowed applicants to submit the medical exam separately or later in the process. Under the current rule, submitting Form I-485 without Form I-693 (or a required partial Form I-693) may result in USCIS rejecting the entire application package.
USCIS made this change to reduce the number of Requests for Evidence issued during adjudication and to ensure that medical information is current at the time of filing. The practical implication is that you must complete the immigration medical exam and have the sealed Form I-693 in hand before you can file your I-485.
How Form I-693 is completed and sealed
The applicant completes Part 1 (personal information) and signs Part 2 in the civil surgeon’s presence. The civil surgeon completes the remaining parts: medical history review, physical examination findings, lab results, vaccination record, and certification. Once all components are done and any required follow-up is resolved, the civil surgeon signs the form, places it in a sealed envelope marked «DO NOT OPEN. FOR USCIS USE ONLY,» and gives it to the applicant.
The applicant also receives an unsealed copy. This copy is for personal records only and should be reviewed carefully for errors before the sealed envelope is submitted.
How to submit: mail vs online
Filing Form I-485 by mail: include the sealed I-693 envelope inside your I-485 package without opening it. USCIS reviews the sealed envelope as part of the application package.
Filing Form I-485 online: you must open the sealed envelope and upload the completed Form I-693 as a digital document with your online application. Keep the original form and envelope in a safe place until USCIS makes a final decision. USCIS may request the originals at an interview or as supporting evidence.
The partial Form I-693: who needs it and why
Some applicants who completed an immigration medical exam abroad (through consular processing) are not required to redo the full exam when they apply for adjustment of status inside the U.S. Instead, they must submit a partial Form I-693 covering Parts 1 through 5, Part 7, and Part 10 (the vaccination record) with their I-485.
This applies to two specific groups:
- K-1, K-2, K-3, and K-4 nonimmigrants (fiancé(e)s and their children) who completed a panel physician exam abroad no more than one year before filing for adjustment of status, and where no Class A condition was found.
- Afghan nationals who arrived under Operation Allies Welcome and completed a panel physician exam abroad.
All other applicants filing I-485 inside the United States must submit a full Form I-693 completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.
How long Form I-693 is valid
As of June 11, 2025, Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023, is valid only while the associated Form I-485 is pending. If your I-485 is withdrawn or denied, the I-693 is no longer valid for any future filing. A new immigration medical exam will be required if you reapply.
Forms signed before November 1, 2023, remain valid for two years from the civil surgeon’s signature date under the prior policy.
Book your medical exam in Tampa before filing your I-485
Medical Exams of Tampa is a USCIS-designated civil surgeon office at 7345 Jackson Springs Rd, Tampa, FL. The office uses the current 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693, processes lab results promptly, and provides the completed sealed form typically within 3 to 10 business days of the appointment. To book your immigration exam in Tampa before filing your I-485, visit medicalexamstampa.com/immigration-exams or call 813-249-0001.
