Leaving the civil surgeon’s office is not the end of the process. After the immigration medical exam, the civil surgeon still needs to receive all lab results, complete Form I-693, and seal it before you can pick it up. Once you have it, there are specific rules for how to review it, how to submit it, and what to do if something goes wrong. This guide walks through every step in order.
If you have not scheduled your exam yet, immigration exam results in Tampa are processed promptly at Medical Exams of Tampa, with bilingual staff and Saturday appointments available.
Step 1: waiting for lab results and Form I-693 completion
The civil surgeon cannot sign and seal Form I-693 until all required lab results have returned and any necessary follow-up is resolved. Blood test results (QuantiFERON-TB Gold, syphilis, gonorrhea) typically take 24 to 72 hours. If the TB result is positive, a chest X-ray is required before the form can be completed, which adds several days.
Most applicants receive the sealed form within 3 to 10 business days of their appointment. Some offices contact you by phone or email when it is ready. Confirm with the office at the time of your appointment how they will notify you and how long they typically take.
Step 2: reviewing your copy before leaving the office
When you pick up Form I-693, the civil surgeon gives you two copies: one sealed envelope for USCIS and one unsealed copy for your personal records. Review the unsealed copy before you leave the office. Check the following:
- Your full legal name is spelled correctly and matches your ID
- Your date of birth is correct
- Your A-Number and address are accurate
- The civil surgeon’s signature and stamp are present
- The edition date on the form is 01/20/25 (required for forms signed on or after July 3, 2025)
If you spot an error, tell the civil surgeon immediately. They can void the sealed envelope, correct the form, and issue a new sealed copy. Do not try to correct errors yourself and do not submit a form with known errors. USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) that will require you to return to the civil surgeon anyway, delaying your application by weeks or months.
Step 3: keeping the sealed envelope intact
Do not open the sealed envelope under any circumstances. USCIS requires the form to arrive in an intact, unsealed envelope. If the seal is broken, USCIS will reject the form and you may need to repeat the entire exam at full cost.
The civil surgeon writes «DO NOT OPEN. FOR USCIS USE ONLY» on the front of the envelope and initials the seal on the back. Keep the envelope in a safe place until you submit it. Do not store it where it could get wet, bent, or torn.
Step 4: submitting Form I-693 with Form I-485
As of December 2, 2024, USCIS requires Form I-693 to be submitted at the same time as Form I-485. You cannot file your green card application and submit the medical exam separately. Sending them apart will result in rejection of the entire I-485 package.
Two submission methods apply:
- Filing by mail: include the sealed envelope from the civil surgeon inside your I-485 package. Do not open it.
- Filing online: open the sealed envelope and upload the completed Form I-693 digitally with your application. Keep the original form and envelope until USCIS makes a final decision on your case, as they may request the original at an interview.
Step 5: what USCIS does with your medical exam results
Once USCIS receives your application package, they review Form I-693 as part of the overall adjudication process. Three outcomes are possible:
No issues found: your application moves forward. The medical exam is cleared and USCIS continues reviewing the rest of your I-485 package.
Request for Evidence (RFE): USCIS issues an RFE if the medical exam has a deficiency, such as missing vaccination documentation, an incomplete section, an outdated edition date, or an illegible signature. The RFE will specify exactly what is needed. Depending on the issue, you may need to return to the civil surgeon for a corrected form, additional vaccination documentation, or in some cases a new exam.
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): issued in rare cases where USCIS has determined that a Class A condition exists. This is not a final denial. You have the opportunity to respond with additional documentation or to apply for a medical waiver using Form I-601.
How long is Form I-693 valid after submission
As of June 11, 2025, Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023, is valid only while the associated Form I-485 application is pending. If your I-485 is withdrawn or denied, the I-693 is no longer valid for future filings. You will need a new immigration medical exam if you reapply.
This is an important change from the previous policy, which considered the form valid indefinitely for forms signed after November 1, 2023. The current policy ties the validity of the medical exam directly to the status of the specific application it was submitted with.
What happens if your application is approved
If USCIS approves your I-485, you will receive an approval notice and your green card will be issued. The medical exam results do not follow you indefinitely. If your circumstances change and you need to file a new immigration benefit application in the future, a new exam will be required.
Schedule your immigration medical exam in Tampa
Medical Exams of Tampa is a USCIS-designated civil surgeon office at 7345 Jackson Springs Rd, Tampa, FL. Lab results are processed promptly, the office uses the current 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693, and bilingual staff is available. To book your civil surgeon office in Tampa appointment, call 813-249-0001 or visit medicalexamstampa.com/immigration-exams.
