Standard Lab Result Turnaround Time

Laboratory results for the immigration medical examination — including syphilis RPR, gonorrhea NAAT, and TB IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold) testing — are typically available within 1 to 2 business days. Because all testing is performed on-site at our Costa Mesa clinic, there is no delay associated with sending samples to an outside laboratory.

This is significantly faster than clinics that rely on outside reference laboratories, where sample transport and processing can add 1 to 3 additional days to the turnaround time.

Turnaround Time by Test

Each required immigration lab test has a slightly different processing timeline:

• QuantiFERON-TB Gold (IGRA): 1–2 business days
• Syphilis RPR serology: 1–2 business days
• Gonorrhea NAAT: 1–2 business days
• Confirmatory syphilis treponemal test (if needed): 1–2 additional business days
• Chest X-ray (if indicated): same day or next business day

When Will My Sealed Form I-693 Be Ready?

Your completed, sealed Form I-693 will generally be ready within 2 to 3 business days of your appointment. The exact timeline depends on your laboratory results and whether any follow-up testing is required.

Expedited processing options may be available for applicants with upcoming USCIS interviews or filing deadlines. Please contact our office when scheduling to discuss your timeline and available options.

What Can Delay Lab Results?

In rare cases, laboratory results may take longer than expected. Common causes of delay include specimen quality issues requiring a repeat blood draw, reactive screening results requiring confirmatory testing, or high patient volume during peak periods.

If your results require additional follow-up testing — such as a confirmatory syphilis treponemal test or a chest X-ray for a positive IGRA — our staff will contact you promptly to advise on next steps and the revised timeline.

How You Will Be Notified

Our staff will contact you when your Form I-693 is ready for pickup. We will provide instructions on how to receive your sealed envelope and what to do with it before submitting it to USCIS.

The sealed Form I-693 envelope must remain intact until it is submitted to USCIS. Do not open the envelope — an opened envelope cannot be accepted by USCIS and will require a new examination.

Planning Around Your USCIS Deadline

If you have an upcoming USCIS interview, a filing deadline, or a specific date by which you need your Form I-693, please inform our staff when scheduling your appointment. We will do our best to accommodate your timeline. As a general rule, we recommend scheduling your immigration medical exam at least 2 weeks before any USCIS deadline to allow adequate time for processing and any unexpected follow-up.