Medical Exam Requirement for Employment-Based Applicants

The immigration medical examination requirement applies to all applicants for lawful permanent residence, regardless of the basis for their green card application. Whether you are applying through an employer sponsorship, a self-petition, or a national interest waiver, you must complete an examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submit Form I-693 with your I-485.

The medical exam evaluates whether you have any health conditions that constitute grounds of inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act, including communicable diseases of public health significance, lack of required vaccinations, and physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior.

Employer-Sponsored vs. Self-Petitioned Categories

The medical exam requirement is the same whether your green card is employer-sponsored or self-petitioned. EB-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-1B (outstanding researchers and professors), EB-1C (multinational managers), EB-2 PERM (advanced degree professionals), EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver), and EB-3 (skilled workers, professionals, and other workers) all require the same Form I-693.

The only difference between categories is the timing of when you can file I-485, which depends on your priority date and visa bulletin. Once a visa number is available and you are eligible to file I-485, the medical exam requirement is identical across all employment-based categories.

Timing the Medical Exam for Employment-Based Applicants

Employment-based applicants often face longer wait times for visa number availability, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories for applicants from high-demand countries. It is important not to complete your medical exam too far in advance of your I-485 filing date, as Form I-693 is only valid for two years from the civil surgeon's signature date.

Schedule your medical exam when your priority date is current or close to becoming current, and when you are ready to file I-485. The civil surgeon must sign I-693 no more than 60 days before you submit it to USCIS.

• Do not complete the exam until your priority date is current or nearly current
• I-693 must be signed no more than 60 days before submission to USCIS
• I-693 is valid for two years from the civil surgeon's signature date
• Monitor the USCIS Visa Bulletin for your priority date

What the Exam Includes for Employment-Based Applicants

The civil surgeon exam for employment-based applicants is identical to the exam for family-based applicants. It includes a complete physical examination, medical history review, TB testing, required laboratory tests (syphilis and gonorrhea serology for applicants aged 15 and older), and a vaccination review. Any missing required vaccines will be administered at the appointment. The civil surgeon completes and seals Form I-693 for submission to USCIS.