The immigration medical exam is a targeted health screening, not a full physical. The civil surgeon is not evaluating your overall health. They are checking for a specific set of conditions that USCIS considers relevant to public health admissibility: communicable diseases, vaccination status, physical or mental disorders associated with harmful behavior, and substance use. Most applicants leave the same day with no issues. Knowing what happens and in what order removes most of the uncertainty.
If you are in the Tampa Bay area, Medical Exams of Tampa offers a USCIS immigration exam in Tampa at $270 for adults and $220 for children, with bilingual staff and Saturday appointments available.
How long does the appointment take?
Plan for one to two hours at the clinic. The physical exam itself takes around 30 to 45 minutes. The rest of the time goes to document review, the blood draw, and any vaccines administered at the appointment. Some offices split the process into two visits: one for the blood draw and document review, and a second for the physical exam and Form I-693 sign-off once lab results return. Confirm with your office which format they use before you arrive.
What happens when you arrive
The civil surgeon or staff will verify your identity using the government-issued photo ID you bring. This is a USCIS requirement: the physician must confirm you are the person named on the application before the exam can begin.
You will be asked to sign Part 2 of Form I-693 in the civil surgeon’s presence. Do not sign the form before the appointment. Your signature at this stage certifies that you consent to the exam and that any information you provide is truthful.
Medical history review
The civil surgeon reviews your medical history before the physical exam. They will ask about current medications, past surgeries, chronic conditions, any history of tuberculosis or positive TB tests, mental health treatment, and substance use. Answer honestly and completely. The civil surgeon is not looking to disqualify you for having a medical history. They are documenting findings according to CDC Technical Instructions, and incomplete or inconsistent information creates problems later.
If you have documentation of prior conditions (TB treatment records, mental health letters, medication lists), this is when you present them.
The physical examination
The physical exam covers the following systems in sequence:
- Vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight
- Eyes, ears, nose and throat
- Heart and lungs (stethoscope)
- Abdomen
- Lymph nodes
- Skin
- Extremities and basic mobility
- External genitalia
The exam is thorough but not invasive. The civil surgeon may ask you to perform simple physical tasks to assess mobility and coordination. The external genitalia examination surprises some applicants who are not expecting it. It is a standard USCIS requirement for screening purposes.
Common conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, or heart disease do not make you inadmissible. The exam is not a general health judgment. What matters is whether you have an active communicable disease or a mental health or substance use condition associated with current harmful behavior.
The blood draw
All applicants age 2 and older have blood drawn for a QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. Applicants age 15 and older are also tested for syphilis and gonorrhea. The blood draw takes a few minutes. You do not need to fast beforehand.
Results typically return within 24 to 72 hours. If the TB result is positive, a chest X-ray will be required before the civil surgeon can complete Form I-693. The chest X-ray may be done at the same clinic or at a separate radiology facility.
Vaccination review
The civil surgeon reviews your vaccination records and identifies which required vaccines you have documentation for and which are missing. If you are missing vaccines, the office will either administer them at the appointment or direct you to a pharmacy. Vaccines administered at the clinic are charged separately from the base exam fee.
Do not get vaccinated before the appointment without the civil surgeon’s guidance. Some vaccines require multiple doses with minimum intervals between them. The civil surgeon determines which vaccines are appropriate for your age and health before any are given.
When you will receive Form I-693
The civil surgeon cannot complete and sign Form I-693 until all lab results are back and any required follow-up is resolved. Most applicants receive the sealed form within three to ten business days of the appointment, depending on how quickly lab results return.
When it is ready, the civil surgeon gives you two envelopes: one sealed and one unsealed. Review your unsealed copy before leaving the office. Confirm your name, date of birth, and all personal details are correct. If there is an error, report it to the civil surgeon immediately so it can be corrected before the sealed envelope is submitted.
Do not open the sealed envelope. USCIS will reject any form that arrives in an opened or altered envelope. Submit the sealed envelope together with your Form I-485. You cannot file them separately.
What happens if a condition is found
If the civil surgeon identifies a Class A condition (active TB, untreated syphilis, active gonorrhea, or other immediately disqualifying finding), they cannot complete Form I-693 until the condition is treated and resolved. The civil surgeon will explain what treatment is required and refer you to the appropriate provider. Once treatment is documented, the exam can be completed and the form sealed.
A Class B finding (latent TB, a treated condition, or a non-disqualifying health note) is recorded on the form but does not block your application. USCIS may recommend follow-up care after admission.
Book your immigration medical exam in Tampa
Medical Exams of Tampa is a USCIS-designated civil surgeon office at 7345 Jackson Springs Rd, Tampa, FL. The office processes lab results promptly, has bilingual staff, and offers Saturday appointments. To book your immigration medical appointment in Tampa, visit our website or call 813-249-0001.
