Once a family in southwest Houston gets the go-ahead to file for adjustment of status, the paperwork piles up fast: birth certificates, certified translations, passport photos, fee receipts. Buried in that pile is Form I-693, the medical report USCIS expects from anyone seeking permanent residence without leaving the country. If you live in Westbury, Fondren or Bellaire and several relatives are filing together, a little planning keeps the medical exam from becoming the piece that holds everyone up.
One exam per person, not per household
Every applicant needs a separate I-693. Two parents and two kids on the same case means four forms, four vaccine histories and four evaluations. Bring each person's documents in their own folder, labeled with the name exactly as it's spelled on the passport or application. That small step avoids mix-ups with hyphenated last names or middle names that appear on one record but not another.
Before you come in, check with your immigration attorney or case preparer about whether you're filing the form with your I-485 or responding to a request from USCIS. The current filing instructions live on the USCIS I-693 page, and since they get updated from time to time, it's worth a fresh read.
Who is allowed to complete the form
The signature on the form has to belong to a Civil Surgeon designated by USCIS; nobody else qualifies. A letter from your regular doctor won't do, and neither will a checkup from your home country. Our immigration exam service is set up specifically for this step: the medical team reviews your history, performs the evaluation and fills out the form according to USCIS rules.
Tracking down vaccination records
This is where many families get stuck. USCIS requires proof of certain vaccines based on each applicant's age and the current requirements, so the list isn't identical for everyone. A few places to look:
- Old shot cards from your home country. A record from Mexico, El Salvador or Colombia can count if the dates are readable.
- Your kids' school. Texas schools keep immunization records on file and can usually print a copy.
- Other clinics or the health department where anyone in the family got vaccinated in the U.S.
If something is missing, the medical team will tell you which doses you still need for your case, and you can get them on-site through our vaccination service. For school-age kids, it can make sense to knock out their school physical during the same trip.
What the evaluation covers
Not every part applies the same way to every family member, but in general you can expect:
- A health history review, including past illnesses, hospital stays, medications and mental health. Be straightforward; your answers become part of your immigration file.
- A physical exam covering eyes, ears, skin, heart, lungs and other body systems.
- Tuberculosis screening according to USCIS requirements for the applicant's age, done through our TB testing service.
- Blood tests USCIS requires for certain age groups, such as syphilis screening, collected with support from our lab work service.
- A vaccine review comparing your records against what USCIS asks for.
If any result calls for a closer look, the medical team walks you through the next step and helps arrange a referral when one is needed.
After the visit: the sealed envelope
The completed form is handed to you in a sealed envelope, and that seal is what makes it valid for USCIS. Don't open it, peel it back or fold it. Keep it somewhere dry with the rest of your filing packet. If you're given anything outside the envelope, such as a copy of your vaccine record, make a photocopy for your own files.
If your attorney is mailing the packet, give them the envelope exactly as you received it. If you're bringing it to a USCIS appointment, slip it into a stiff folder so it arrives flat.
Don't put your own health on hold
The I-693 is not a full checkup. Its job is to satisfy immigration requirements. If the exam flagged high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar, follow up through our chronic condition care. A green card process can stretch out, and walking into your interview with your health under control is one less thing to worry about.
Finding us
Clínica Hispana Cruz #3 is at 5411 S Braeswood Blvd in the Meyerland area, a short drive from Bellaire Blvd and the 610 Loop. Because the doors stay open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays too, and the line simply moves first come, first served, bringing the kids on a day off from school is easy. Parking is free, the entrance is wheelchair accessible, and you can message us on WhatsApp if you're unsure what to bring. Deals on other services are posted on our promotions page.
Need medical attention?
We're here to help. Call now to schedule your appointment or visit our clinic without an appointment.
Call now: +1 (832) 323-2330
