Can I Complete Form I-693 If I Am Currently Outside the United States?
Quick Answer
No. Form I-693 must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon located in the United States. The applicant must be physically present in the United States for the examination. If you are currently outside the United States, you cannot complete Form I-693 until you return. Applicants applying for an immigrant visa from abroad undergo a different medical examination process.
Form I-693 Is Only for Applicants in the United States
Form I-693 is used exclusively for applicants who are applying for adjustment of status (Form I-485) while physically present in the United States. USCIS-designated civil surgeons are located only in the United States. If you are outside the United States, you cannot access a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and therefore cannot complete Form I-693.
Medical Examination for Applicants Abroad
Applicants who are applying for an immigrant visa from outside the United States undergo a different medical examination process. Instead of Form I-693, they complete a medical examination with a panel physician designated by the U.S. Department of State. The panel physician examination is conducted at a U.S. embassy or consulate-approved medical facility in the applicant's country. The results are submitted directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate as part of the immigrant visa application.
Planning Considerations for Applicants Abroad
If you are currently outside the United States and plan to apply for adjustment of status after entering, you will need to complete Form I-693 after your arrival. Do not schedule your immigration medical examination before you enter the United States. Once you are in the United States and have filed or are ready to file Form I-485, schedule your appointment with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Our office can accommodate appointments for recently arrived applicants.
What If You Travel Abroad After Filing Your I-485?
If you have already filed Form I-485 and have a valid Form I-693 on file with USCIS, traveling abroad on advance parole does not invalidate your Form I-693. The form remains valid for two years from the civil surgeon's signature date regardless of your travel. However, if you travel abroad and your Form I-693 expires while you are away, you will need to schedule a new examination after you return to the United States.
Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status
Applicants who are eligible to apply for adjustment of status in the United States and those who must apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing have different medical examination requirements. If you are unsure which process applies to you, consult your immigration attorney. The type of medical examination required depends on your immigration status, how you entered the United States, and other factors specific to your case.
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