Form I-693 in Spanish: Complete Guide to U.S. Immigration Medical Exams

Table of Contents#

1. What Is Form I-693, and Who Needs It?
2. Can You Access Form I-693 in Spanish?
3. Step-by-Step I-693 Process for Spanish-Speaking Applicants
4. What to Expect During Your Immigration Medical Exam
5. Common Mistakes Spanish-Speaking Applicants Make (and How to Avoid Them)
6. I-693 Cost and Validity Rules
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8. References

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What Is Form I-693, and Who Needs It?#

Form I-693 is an official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) document that confirms you do not have any public health risks, contagious diseases, or missing required vaccinations that would make you ineligible for U.S. permanent residency.

You are required to submit Form I-693 if you are:

• Applying to adjust your status to a permanent resident (green card holder) from within the U.S. (Form I-485)
• A refugee or asylee applying for permanent residency after your entry to the U.S.
• Applying for certain immigration waivers or status adjustments that require medical clearance

Effective December 2, 2024, USCIS requires you to submit Form I-693 together with your Form I-485 application. If you file Form I-485 without the required I-693, USCIS may reject your application.

You do not need to submit Form I-693 if you are a U.S. citizen applying for naturalization. Note that as of June 11, 2025, a Form I-693 is only valid for the specific immigration application it was submitted with — if that application is withdrawn or denied, you must obtain a new I-693 for any future application.

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Can You Access Form I-693 in Spanish?#

USCIS provides official, free Spanish-language instructions for Form I-693 on its website, but the form itself must be completed in English by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon to be accepted. Key details for Spanish speakers:

• The official Spanish instructions explain all eligibility requirements, document checklists, and exam rules in plain Spanish, so you can fully prepare before your appointment.
• You have the legal right to bring a certified Spanish interpreter to your medical exam if your assigned civil surgeon does not speak Spanish, to avoid miscommunication about your medical history.
• Avoid unofficial translated versions of Form I-693 from third-party websites: these are often outdated and will be rejected by USCIS if submitted instead of the official English form.
• USCIS now offers online filing of Form I-485 for certain employment-based applicants. If you file online, you must open the sealed envelope from the civil surgeon and upload the completed I-693 with your application. Keep the original I-693 and envelope until USCIS makes a final decision.

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Step-by-Step I-693 Process for Spanish-Speaking Applicants#

Follow these steps to complete your I-693 process without delays:

1. Download official materials first Pull the latest English Form I-693 (current edition: 01/20/25) and matching Spanish instructions directly from the USCIS website to confirm you have up-to-date requirements.
2. Find a USCIS-approved civil surgeon Use the USCIS Find a Civil Surgeon tool to search for approved providers in your area. Filter for providers who speak Spanish, or ask local immigrant advocacy groups for recommendations for Spanish-speaking civil surgeons to eliminate the need for an interpreter.
3. Gather required documents before your appointment Bring the following to your exam:
   • Valid government-issued ID (passport, consular ID, or state driver’s license)
   • Your full vaccination records (if your records are in Spanish, bring a certified English translation so the surgeon can count completed shots)
   • Any medical records for pre-existing chronic conditions (with certified English translations if applicable)
   • Your USCIS receipt number if you already submitted your green card application
4. Arrange for an interpreter if needed If your surgeon does not speak Spanish, hire a certified medical interpreter (avoid minors or family members without medical translation experience, as miscommunication can lead to errors on your form).
5. Attend your exam and collect your sealed envelope The civil surgeon will complete the English Form I-693 during your appointment, sign it, place it in a sealed USCIS envelope, and give it to you. Never open this envelope if you are filing by mail: if the seal is broken, USCIS will reject the form and you will need to repeat the entire exam. (If filing I-485 online, follow USCIS instructions to upload the form and keep the original sealed envelope.)
6. Submit your I-693 with your Form I-485 As of December 2, 2024, you must include the sealed I-693 envelope when you file your green card application (Form I-485). USCIS may reject your application if the I-693 is missing. Do not plan to submit it separately unless USCIS specifically requests it in a Request for Evidence (RFE).

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What to Expect During Your Immigration Medical Exam#

The exam is regulated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and includes 4 core components:

1. Medical history review: The surgeon will ask about prior illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, and mental health diagnoses.
2. Contagious disease screening: You will be tested for tuberculosis (using the IGRA blood test, which replaced the older TB skin test for applicants age 2 and older), syphilis, gonorrhea, and other public health risks.
3. Vaccination verification: The surgeon will confirm you have all required CDC vaccines for immigration, including MMR, polio (IPV), tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap), hepatitis B, varicella, and seasonal influenza (required September through March). Note: the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required as of January 2025. If you are missing any vaccines, you can receive them on site or bring proof of completion from another provider. A single dose of each required vaccine is sufficient to sign the form — you can complete multi-dose series later with your regular doctor.
4. Physical and mental health assessment: The surgeon will check for any conditions that could pose a safety risk to the public. Note that pre-existing conditions (including diabetes, asthma, or managed mental health conditions) do not automatically disqualify you from immigration status.

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Common Mistakes Spanish-Speaking Applicants Make (and How to Avoid Them)#

1. Submitting a Spanish-language version of Form I-693: Only the official English form completed by a civil surgeon is accepted. Use the Spanish instructions only for preparation.
2. Visiting a non-approved doctor: Only USCIS-authorized civil surgeons can complete Form I-693. Regular primary care doctors are not approved for this process.
3. Opening the sealed I-693 envelope (for mail filings): Even if you want to check for errors, opening the envelope invalidates the form for mail submissions. (If filing I-485 online, USCIS instructs you to open and upload the form — keep the original envelope.)
4. Forgetting to translate vaccination records: Without certified English translations of your Spanish shot records, the surgeon will require you to repeat all missing vaccines, adding hundreds of dollars to your cost.
5. Not disclosing medical history due to language barriers: Failing to share pre-existing conditions can lead to application denials. Always bring an interpreter if you are not fully comfortable speaking English about medical topics.
6. Waiting too long to book your exam: Spanish-speaking civil surgeons often have 2-4 week wait times in many parts of the U.S. Book your appointment as soon as you begin your green card application to avoid delays.
7. Using an outdated Form I-693 edition: USCIS periodically updates the form. Confirm your civil surgeon is using the current edition (01/20/25) to avoid rejection.

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I-693 Cost and Validity Rules#

Cost#

Most I-693 exams cost between $200 and$700, depending on your location and the number of vaccines you need. Civil surgeons set their own fees, and prices tend to be higher in cities with large immigrant populations (Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, New York). Many community health centers and immigrant advocacy organizations offer sliding-scale or free exams for low-income Spanish-speaking applicants: contact your local Spanish-language immigrant support group for discounted options. Call several civil surgeons to compare fees before booking.

Validity#

As of 2026, Form I-693 follows these rules:

• You must submit Form I-693 with your Form I-485 application. USCIS may reject applications filed without it (effective December 2, 2024).
• The old 60-day signature rule is no longer in effect. Once properly completed and submitted with your I-485, the I-693 does not expire for that application.
• However, the I-693 is valid only for the specific application it was submitted with. If your I-485 is withdrawn or denied, the I-693 is no longer valid, and you must obtain a new one for any future application (effective June 11, 2025).
• Make sure your civil surgeon uses the current form edition (01/20/25). Older editions may be rejected.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: Can I fill out Form I-693 in Spanish myself?#

A: No, the form must be completed in English by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon. You can use the official Spanish instructions to understand requirements and prepare for your appointment.

Q: Are the Spanish I-693 instructions free to download?#

A: Yes, all official USCIS Spanish language resources are available for free on the USCIS website.

Q: Can my adult child who speaks English be my interpreter for the exam?#

A: USCIS allows family members over 18 to serve as interpreters, but we recommend a certified medical interpreter to avoid miscommunication about sensitive medical information.

Q: What if I cannot afford the I-693 exam?#

A: Many nonprofit immigrant support groups and federally qualified health centers offer low-cost or free exams for low-income Spanish-speaking applicants. Search for local Spanish-language immigration services in your area for options.

Q: Is the COVID-19 vaccine still required?#

A: No. As of January 20, 2025, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required for immigration medical exams.

Q: Can I refuse a required vaccine?#

A: If you refuse a vaccine, your green card application may be denied. However, waivers are available in limited cases: a medical contraindication (documented by the civil surgeon), or a sincere religious or moral objection (requires filing Form I-601 with supporting evidence). The religious waiver is not automatic and is scrutinized by USCIS.

Q: What happens if USCIS sends me a Request for Evidence (RFE) about my I-693?#

A: Common RFEs include a missing signature, wrong form edition, or incomplete vaccination record. The fix is usually another visit to the civil surgeon for a corrected or new sealed I-693. Respond by the deadline (typically 87 days).

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References#

1. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2026). Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/i-693
2. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2026). Find a Civil Surgeon Tool. Retrieved from https://my.uscis.gov/findadoctor
3. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2026). Spanish Language Resources. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/es
4. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2025). USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-changes-validity-period-for-any-form-i-693-signed-on-or-after-nov-1-2023
5. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2025). Vaccination Requirements. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements
6. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Vaccination Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/hcp/civil-surgeons/vaccination.html