What Does USCIS Do With Form I-693 After Submission?
Quick Answer
After receiving Form I-693, USCIS opens the sealed envelope and reviews the medical examination findings as part of the adjudication of the applicant's I-485. USCIS adjudicators assess whether any findings constitute grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law and determine whether the applicant meets the medical requirements for adjustment of status.
Opening and Reviewing the Sealed Envelope
When USCIS receives Form I-693 in its sealed envelope, a USCIS officer opens the envelope and reviews the contents. The officer verifies that the form is complete, that the civil surgeon is currently USCIS-designated, that the form is the current edition, and that all required sections have been completed. If any of these basic requirements are not met, USCIS may reject the form or issue an RFE.
What Adjudicators Look For
USCIS adjudicators review Form I-693 to identify any findings that may constitute grounds of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act. These include communicable diseases of public health significance (such as active TB or syphilis), physical or mental disorders associated with harmful behavior, drug abuse or addiction, and failure to meet vaccination requirements. Adjudicators also verify that all required tests were performed and that the results are properly documented.
How Medical Findings Affect the Case
If Form I-693 shows no grounds of inadmissibility, the medical examination is considered satisfactory and USCIS proceeds with adjudicating the I-485 based on other factors. If the form shows a potential ground of inadmissibility, USCIS may issue an RFE requesting additional information, refer the case for further medical review, or — in cases of clear inadmissibility — deny the application. Most applicants have no findings that affect admissibility.
USCIS Review Timeline
USCIS does not review Form I-693 in isolation — it is reviewed as part of the overall I-485 adjudication process. The timeline for review depends on the overall processing time for the applicant's case type, the USCIS field office or service center handling the case, and whether any issues are identified that require additional review. USCIS processing times are published on the USCIS website and are updated regularly.
After Adjudication: What Happens to the Form?
After USCIS adjudicates the I-485, Form I-693 becomes part of the applicant's permanent immigration record. It is retained by USCIS and is not returned to the applicant. If the I-485 is approved, the applicant receives their green card and the medical examination record is archived. If the I-485 is denied, the form remains in the USCIS file and may be relevant to any future immigration applications.
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