Civil Surgeons: Domestic Adjustment of Status

A civil surgeon is a physician designated by USCIS to perform immigration medical examinations for applicants who are adjusting their immigration status inside the United States. This process is called adjustment of status, and it is typically used by applicants who are already in the U.S. and are applying for a green card.

Civil surgeons complete Form I-693, which is submitted to USCIS as part of the adjustment of status application. Civil surgeons are designated by USCIS and must complete specific training to maintain their designation.

Panel Physicians: Overseas Consular Processing

A panel physician is a physician designated by the U.S. Department of State to perform immigration medical examinations for applicants who are applying for immigrant visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. This process is called consular processing.

Panel physicians complete Form DS-2053 (or the equivalent form for their country) and submit the results directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate. Panel physicians are designated by the State Department, not USCIS.

Key Differences

Here is a summary of the key differences between civil surgeons and panel physicians.

• Civil surgeon: designated by USCIS; performs exams in the United States
• Panel physician: designated by the State Department; performs exams abroad
• Civil surgeon: completes Form I-693 for adjustment of status
• Panel physician: completes Form DS-2053 (or equivalent) for consular processing
• Civil surgeon: exam results submitted to USCIS
• Panel physician: exam results submitted to the U.S. embassy or consulate

Which Type of Exam Applies to You?

If you are currently in the United States and applying for a green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485), you need a civil surgeon and Form I-693.

If you are outside the United States and applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you need a panel physician and the appropriate overseas medical examination form.

If you are unsure which process applies to your case, consult your immigration attorney.

Can a Civil Surgeon Exam Be Used for Consular Processing?

No. A Form I-693 completed by a civil surgeon cannot be used for consular processing. Similarly, an overseas medical examination completed by a panel physician cannot be used for adjustment of status. The two processes use different forms and are administered by different government agencies.