frequently asked
questions
Q: I am looking for a USCIS Civil Surgeon. Is Dr. Lewis a certified designated USCIS Civil Surgeon?
A: Yes. He is considered to be one of the top in the nation.
Q: May I get my immigration physical exam completed with my family doctor?
A: No. You must see a certified USCIS Civil Surgeon.
Q: Do you have multiple locations available for me to get the exam?
A: Yes, we have offices in three states—PA, NJ, and DE.
Q: What is the cost of having my I-693 examination in your office?
A: The cost of the immigration medical exam is $375/person
Q: What is included in the fee for the immigration physical exam?
A: Immigration physical exam, completion of all paperwork, lab tests interpretation, review of vaccination records, evaluation of other physical or mental abnormality, disease, or disability, and the sealed I-693 and copy.
Q: Do you accept medical insurance or travel insurance for the immigration physical exam?
A: No. Most health and/or travel insurance plans do not cover immigration medical exams. We will provide you with an invoice for possible reimbursement.
Q: What if I do not have medical insurance?
A: If you do not have insurance, you may go to your family doctor, local pharmacy or health department get your vaccinations. Patients without insurance will be given a discount rate for lab tests.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: Major credit or debit cards.
Q: What supporting documents do I need to upload to you prior to my appointment?
A: Government issued photo ID-e.g., passport or driver’s license, Vaccination records, I-693 form, New patient medical forms. Any pertinent medical records if you are being treated for a disease or disability
Q: How much time does the exam take?
A: About 30 minutes depending on the complexity of each person’s case.
Q: Can I eat or drinking before arriving?
A: Yes.
Q: Can my I-693 exam be completed in a single visit?
A: Yes
Q: What lab tests are required by USCIS for patients 15 years or older?
A: Lab tests for tuberculosis, syphilis and gonorrhea
Q: What lab tests do children need to get?
A: Children under 15 years of age need testing for tuberculosis only. They do not need testing for syphilis or gonorrhea.
Q: Do you perform the TB skin test or blood test?
A: In our office we perform the TB blood test only, not the PPD skin test due to the fact that patients are given the BCG vaccination in some countries which creates a false positive result. We do not want our patients to have unnecessary tests or take TB medication. The TB blood test does not produce a false positive result if you had the BCG vaccination.
Q: What vaccinations are required by USCIS?
A: Measles, mumps, rubella
Polio
Tetanus
Varicella
Hepatitis A/B
Haemophilus influenzae type B (children)
Flu (seasonal)
Rotavirus (children)
Meningococcal (65 yrs. or older)
Pneumococcal (65 yrs. or older)
COVID-19 (age appropriate)
Q: Do I need to send my vaccination records to you? What if I do not have any?
A: Yes, if they are available. If you do not have any, then you may get all of the required vaccinations or we will order you lab tests to prove immunity.
Q: Can I undergo the exam if I do not have my vaccination records?
A: Yes. You may send them to us later.
Q: Will I need to get vaccinations if I am pregnant?
A: You will need to check with your OB/GYN doctor to see if you are able to get any vaccinations or not during your pregnancy.
Q: What if any of my lab tests are positive?
A: Patients with positive tests have three options to complete their I-693 form:
- They may contact their local health dept to be evaluated and treated to get a letter of clearance. The cost is usually free.
- Find their own infectious disease or pulmonary specialist to get evaluated and treated and get a letter of clearance. Cost will depend on their insurance plan.
- Or if they do not prefer the above options, we will find and refer them to a medical specialist and coordinate all results and paperwork for them. Our fee for this service is $150 plus the medical specialist’s fees (less insurance coverage).
Q: Is a chest x-ray required?
A: No, not unless you have a positive tuberculosis lab test result.
Q: Will I receive a copy of my I-693 for my personal records, in addition to the original I-693 in the sealed envelope?
A: Yes.
Q: How long is my I-693 valid?
A: I-693 validity period is 60 days from the date the Civil Surgeon signs the I-693 medical exam and then once it is submitted to USCIS, it will be valid for two years from the date of submission.
Q: How long does it take for me to receive my sealed I-693 form and copy?
A: It takes about 1 week to 10 days, unless any of your lab tests come back positive. Then additional tests need to be done and completion of your I-693 form will take longer.
Q: What happens after the exam and lab tests are completed? How do I receive my sealed I-693 form and copy?
A: You will be informed by us that your I-693 form and copy are ready to be picked up from one of our offices. Or, if you wish, your documents can be sent directly to your lawyer for a small fee.