Introduction
If you’re applying for a Green Card or any U.S. immigration status, one of the most important steps is your immigration medical exam. This exam makes sure you’re healthy and up to date on all the vaccines that the U.S. government requires.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) wants to protect everyone in the country from serious diseases that can spread easily like measles, polio, and whooping cough. That’s why part of your medical exam includes checking your vaccination record and giving any missing shots.
Why Vaccines Are Part of the Immigration Process?
Vaccines help keep groups of people healthy. When someone moves to a new country, checking vaccines helps stop fast-spreading sicknesses. This keeps families, schools, and hospitals safer.
The law also says the medical check must look for health problems that could hurt the public. The vaccine rules come from that law and from CDC instructions civil surgeons must follow. That is why the exam includes vaccines.
Moreover, vaccination at the medical exam is a chance to find and fill gaps in care. Many newcomers have missed shots or do not have records. A quick shot or a simple blood test can protect them and the people around them. Even public health teams also use this step to spot and treat other problems early.
Globally, health groups ask countries to make vaccines fair and easy to get for refugees and migrants. Doing vaccines at the immigration exam helps newcomers join school and work faster and lowers the chance of outbreaks.
Who Needs These Vaccines?
If you are applying to live in the United States, you will most likely need these vaccines as part of your immigration medical exam. The U.S. government wants to make sure everyone coming to live here is healthy and protected from serious diseases.
Most people who need these vaccines are:
- Green Card applicants (people applying for lawful permanent residence)
- Refugees and asylees adjusting their status
- Certain visa holders like K (fiancé) visa applicants who apply for their Green Card inside the U.S.
- An immigrant adjusting their status after living in the U.S. for a while.
If you are doing your medical exam in another country, you will see a Panel Physician instead of a Civil Surgeon. You follow the same CDC vaccine rules.
Even children who move with their parents must show proof of the right vaccines for their age. Babies, teens, adults, and seniors all have slightly different vaccine lists, which we’ll go over next.
Before your exam, bring any shot records or school vaccine cards you have. If you’re from another country, your Civil Surgeon will review them to see which vaccines still count.
After your records are checked, the next step is to understand which vaccines are officially required.
The Official Vaccine List Required by USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) follows vaccine rules made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccines protect against diseases that can cause serious illness.
You might not need every vaccine on this list. The shots you need depend on your age, health, and vaccination history. But every immigration applicant is checked for the same group of diseases.
Here is the full list of vaccines the USCIS may require for your Form I-693 immigration medical exam:
- Influenza (Flu): Needed each year during flu season for anyone 6 months and older.
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib): For babies and young children to prevent meningitis.
- Hepatitis A: Protects your liver from a virus spread through food or water.
- Hepatitis B: Protects your liver from a virus spread through blood or body fluids.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Prevents three serious viral infections.
- Meningococcal (Meningitis): Helps protect the brain and spinal cord.
- l (Pneumonia): Protects against lung and blood infections.
- Polio: Protects from a virus that can cause paralysis. (As of 2024, all applicants 2 months and older must show proof.)
- Rotavirus: For infants to prevent severe diarrhea and dehydration.
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap or DTaP): Protects against lockjaw, throat infection, and whooping cough.
- Varicella (Chickenpox): Protects against a very contagious rash illness.
Not every person will get every vaccine. For example, babies get Hib and rotavirus, while older adults often need the pneumonia vaccine instead. During your exam, your Civil Surgeon will review your records, check which vaccines apply to you, and update anything missing.
If you already received some of these vaccines in the past, bring your records. If you can’t find them, a quick blood test or another dose can usually take care of it.
Why Vaccine Requirements Change Over Time
Vaccine rules don’t stay the same forever. The CDC and USCIS review them often to keep people safe from new or returning diseases. These updates are based on science, travel trends, and what is happening around the world.
Sometimes, a disease that was once rare starts to spread again in certain parts of the world. When that happens, the CDC may update the vaccine list to protect people immigrating to the United States. That’s what happened in 2024, when the polio vaccine became required again for immigration medical exams for anyone 2 months and older.
Other times, a disease becomes much less of a threat, or there’s already enough protection in the community. In that case, a vaccine might be removed from the list. For example, COVID-19 vaccine was removed from the USCIS list in 2025 after health officials decided it was no longer needed for immigration exams.
The CDC also updates rules to make them easier to follow. For instance, if a vaccine changes how many doses are needed or if a new safer version becomes available, the immigration vaccine list is adjusted too.
These changes don’t happen randomly, they’re made to protect both new immigrants and people already living in the U.S.
That’s why it’s important to visit a USCIS-certified Civil Surgeon before your medical exam. Clinics like ours stay up to date on all new rules, so you’ll always meet the latest vaccine requirements without stress or confusion.
Preparing for Your Immigration Medical Exam
Getting ready for your immigration medical exam is easy when you know what to bring and what to expect. The goal of this visit is to make sure you’re healthy and have all the vaccines needed for your Form I-693.
This is how to get ready before your appointment.
- Bring the Right Documents
- A valid photo ID, like your passport, driver’s license, or work permit.
- Any vaccine or shot records you have from your doctor, school, or country of birth.
- Translated records if they are not in English. The Civil Surgeon’s office may not accept other languages.
- Lab results if you already did blood tests for TB, Hepatitis, or other diseases.
If you don’t have vaccine records, don’t worry. Your Civil Surgeon can give you any missing shots or order blood tests to check your immunity.
- Know What Will Happen During the Exam
Your immigration medical exam includes:
- A review of your vaccine history and updates on missing vaccines.
- A physical exam to check your overall health.
- A TB test (usually a blood test called IGRA).
- A check for other conditions that USCIS lists as important for public health.
The visit usually takes 30-60 minutes, depending on how many vaccines or tests you need.
- Eat and Drink Normally
Eat a light meal and drink water before your visit so you feel comfortable during your blood draw or shots.
- Wear Short Sleeves
Most vaccines go into your upper arm. Wearing short sleeves or loose clothing makes the process faster and easier.
- Be Honest About Your Health
Tell your Civil Surgeon if you’re pregnant, allergic to any medicine, or recently sick. Because some vaccines might be delayed or replaced depending on your health.
- Ask Questions
It’s normal to feel nervous or unsure about the process. Feel free to ask about:
- Which vaccines you’re getting?
- What side effects to expect?
- When to come back if you need another dose.
Your Civil Surgeon is there to guide you through every step.
- After Your Visit
Once your exam is complete, your Civil Surgeon will:
- Fill out and seal your Form I-693 in an official envelope.
- Give you a copy for your records.
- Remind you when to return if you have pending results or a second TB test.
Don’t open the sealed envelope; it must go straight to USCIS with your immigration paperwork.
Pro Tip:
If you plan to submit your Green Card application soon, schedule your medical exam within 60 days of filing. This ensures your I-693 stays valid for as long as your application is pending.
How USCIS-certified Civil Surgeons Can Help You
Getting your immigration medical exam doesn’t have to be confusing or stressful. At Destination Health Clinic, we make the process simple, clear, and fast.
As a USCIS-certified Civil Surgeon, my team and I handle every part of your Form I-693. We know exactly what the U.S. government requires and help you get everything done in one visit whenever possible.
Here’s what we offer:
- Full Immigration Medical Exams: We complete the full I-693 exam from start to finish.
- Vaccinations On-Site: We keep all required USCIS vaccines in stock, so you don’t have to visit another clinic.
- TB Testing: We provide both blood tests (IGRA) and follow-up chest X-rays if needed.
- Titer (Immunity) Testing: If you lost your vaccine records, we can check your immunity with a simple blood test.
- Same-Day Appointments: We offer flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends, so you don’t have to wait.
- Sealed I-693 Envelope: We prepare your completed and sealed I-693 paperwork ready for USCIS submission, along with a copy for your own records.
We’ve helped thousands of people in New Jersey complete their medical exam smoothly. Whether you’re applying for your Green Card, refugee adjustment, or another immigration benefit, we make sure you meet all the vaccine and health requirements.
So you can call us or book your appointment online today to get started. You can also visit to my clinic in New Jersey on Monday, Thursday, and Friday for complete guidance.
Common Questions from Immigration Applicants
1. Do I need to finish all my vaccine doses before my exam?
No, you don’t. USCIS only requires one dose of each vaccine at the time of your medical exam, even if that vaccine normally comes in a series. You can complete the remaining later with your regular doctor.
2. What if I already got my vaccines in another country?
That’s great! Bring your vaccine card or any medical records you have. If the information is complete and clear, your Civil Surgeon can accept them.
3. How long is my medical exam valid for?
Form I-693 is valid as long as your immigration application is active. Once the exam is sealed and submitted, it stays valid during the review process unless your case is denied.
4. How long does the whole process take?
Most people finish everything in one visit, unless they’re waiting on TB test results or need more vaccines. You’ll get your sealed I-693 envelope once all results are ready.
- Do I have to redo the whole exam if something is missing?
Not always. If you’re missing a vaccine or lab result, you can return to the same Civil Surgeon to finish what’s needed. Once it’s complete, the doctor will reseal your updated Form I-693.