Immediate Relative Categories

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are a special category of family-based immigrants who are not subject to annual numerical limits. Immediate relatives include the spouse of a U.S. citizen, the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and the parent of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is at least 21 years old).

Because there is no annual cap on immediate relative visas, immediate relatives can often obtain their green cards more quickly than other family-based immigrants.

Medical Exam Requirement for I-485

All I-485 applicants, including immediate relatives, must complete an immigration medical examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submit Form I-693. The medical exam requirement applies regardless of the family relationship.

The exam must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Your family doctor or a general practitioner cannot complete the I-693 unless they are a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.

What the Exam Covers

The immigration medical exam covers a complete physical examination, tuberculosis testing, required laboratory tests, and a vaccination review. The civil surgeon will administer any missing required vaccines.

Age-appropriate requirements apply. Children under 15 do not need syphilis or gonorrhea testing. The civil surgeon will apply the appropriate requirements based on each applicant's age.

Timing With I-130 and I-485 Processing

Immediate relatives can often file the I-130 petition and I-485 application concurrently (at the same time) because there is no annual cap on immediate relative visas. If you are filing concurrently, schedule your medical exam 2 to 4 weeks after filing.

If you filed the I-130 separately and are now filing the I-485, schedule your medical exam promptly after filing the I-485.

Family Members Applying Together

If multiple family members are filing I-485 at the same time (for example, a spouse and children), each person must complete their own immigration medical exam. Family members cannot share a Form I-693.

Schedule family appointments together to streamline the process. At ImmigrationMedicalExams.com, we accommodate family groups.

Common Questions

Immediate relatives sometimes ask whether their close relationship to a U.S. citizen exempts them from the medical exam. It does not. The medical exam is a universal requirement for all I-485 applicants. The relationship to a U.S. citizen affects visa availability, not the medical exam requirement.