Why Client Preparation Matters

A well-prepared client has a smoother examination experience, is less likely to require a follow-up appointment, and is more likely to have a complete Form I-693 on the first visit. Attorneys who take the time to prepare clients for the medical exam reduce delays and improve outcomes.

The most common reasons clients need to return for a second appointment are missing vaccination records and failure to bring required identification. Both are easily preventable with proper preparation.

What Clients Should Bring

Advise clients to bring the following to their immigration medical exam:

• Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID)
• All available vaccination records, including childhood immunization records and any records from their home country
• Any medical records relevant to chronic conditions, past surgeries, or ongoing treatment
• A list of current medications, including dosages
• Payment for the examination fee
• The appointment confirmation or reference number

Gathering Vaccination Records

Vaccination records are the most critical documents to gather before the exam. Clients who cannot produce vaccination records may need to receive additional vaccines or titer tests, which can add time and cost to the process.

Advise clients to contact their primary care physician, pediatrician, school health records office, or home country health authorities to obtain vaccination records. Records in foreign languages should be brought as-is — the civil surgeon can work with records in most languages.

What to Expect at the Exam

The immigration medical examination typically includes a physical examination, review of vaccination records, blood draw for laboratory testing (TB blood test, syphilis, gonorrhea), and a review of medical history.

Clients should be prepared to answer questions about their medical history honestly. The civil surgeon is not an immigration officer and is not making immigration decisions — they are completing a medical form. Honest, accurate responses are in the client's best interest.

Day-of Logistics

Advise clients to arrive on time or a few minutes early, wear comfortable clothing that allows for a physical examination, avoid eating or drinking heavily before the blood draw, and plan for the appointment to take approximately 1–2 hours.