Did you file your original AOS petition with form I-693 (Medical)?

[웃 910]

I read around on the forums and spotted quite a few AOS'ers that said they purposely didn't send the form I-693, and that if they get an RFE, they will worry about it then.

My situation:

I have all the paper work for the I-693. I paid the rip-off Civil Surgeon $170, paid for the rip-off HPV shots ($360), got the MMR and Tetnis and HIV testing. But since I have had problems with TB my chest x-ray shows a scar on my lung. I was treated 6 months in 2008 and am cured.

But the head nurse wants to give me another sputum test (takes 6 weeks for the results) even though she knows I was treated through the US embassy in Juarez, Mexico. She knows that my past 4 sputum tests have been negative and she knows that I am cured. Unfortunately, the clinic in Juarez didn't give me any paperwork so I have no official document that proves all of this.

My plan today was to get the TB clearance (because my x-ray results were ready today) and send in my AOS paperwork with the I-693 filled out. But when I went for the results I was told about this extra sputum test which sets me back 6 weeks.

So I thought about it and decided to send in all the paperwork today (minus the I-693) and if I get an RFE a month and a half from now it will be perfect timing because by then I will have the sputum test results.

Is it necessary to file form I-693 with the AOS paperwork?

[Camilla 0]

If I were you, I would send the paperwork without I-693. They might not open your envelope for a while and you might be able to send your medical just in time.

But I may be wrong.

[웃 910]

If I were you, I would send the paperwork without I-693. They might not open your envelope for a while and you might be able to send your medical just in time.

But I may be wrong.

That is what we did. We sent all paperwork in today. I just find it absolutely shocking that the I-693 is not needed. The I-693 proves that a person does not have AIDS and Tuberculosis. Plus that he/she has all of the vaccinations. One would think this would be a very important form. Why and how can people slide by without form I-693? Is it that it is needed for the AOS interview but not with the original petition?

Edited March 12, 2009 by Confucian

[Dakine 26]

Shows how screwed up the priorities in the immigration system are.

You'd think they would be strict on checking on the vaccination requirements and they are definitely slack.

LOTS get by without follow ups on series vacinnations plus LOTs get by without submitting the I-693.

[cartman1417 0]

i am no expert, but i surely remember reading past posts on this website.....someone mentioned that these days, USCIS rejects ur application if u do not send I-693...most of the time they dont..and send RFE...but some did receive rejection just because of that....if i were u, i wouldn't risk it...why give them a chance at all....unless ofcourse its urgent...like ur current visa is expiring or something...

infact i m in ur position a little...i am on H1 applying for AOS through marriage....all my documents are absolutely ready to be mailed except i-693 just coz i was PPD positive...X-ray negative....but, I'd rather wait, get everything over with..necessary paperwork....and mail a complete package....

Edited March 12, 2009 by cartman1417

[웃 910]

Shows how screwed up the priorities in the immigration system are.

You'd think they would be strict on checking on the vaccination requirements and they are definitely slack.

LOTS get by without follow ups on series vacinnations plus LOTs get by without submitting the I-693.

So a lot of people get by without ever submitting the I-693? I mean in the year 2010 (I know it is 2009 but 2010 sounds more futuristic) immigrants can become American citizens without EVER having to submit the I-693 (proof immigrant does not have Tuberculosis and AIDS)? If so, I find that hard to believe. Please tell me the I-693 is checked at some point during the road to US citizenship so that I don't feel stupid for spending over $500 on it ($170 for Civil Surgeon and $360 for HPV).

Edited March 12, 2009 by Confucian

[Camilla 0]

I spent 500$ for vaccination sheet ONLY... (Not mention the medical I had in Poland and an x-ray (again), blood tests for I-693 - around 100$).

100$ for visit, the rest was for MMR, TB test and x-ray, Varicella and Gardasil.

But they good thing is that we sent the bill to the insurance company and they reimbursed us for 400$. Well, only the visit in not covered, cause it's for USCIS, but any other type of preventing stuff is covered.

[ikarus 1]

Well, believe it or not, a lot of people come in to the usa illegally and they get by without doing any health clearance, whatsoever. Now, for those of us trying to do it the legal way---yea, we get abused....

Anyway, we were running out of time and we didn't send in our 693 when we sent our AOS packet; our reasoning was...lets send this now before is too late and we'll deal with RFE later. So far no RFE yet, but we did get the AP and EAD. And im sure that even if we don't get an RFE, we'll get the 693 question at the interview, so we have that now, and we are holding on to it when is due. And yes, if you read thru the forums, many people sent in their 3025 and no 693 and they got approved. Is all at the dicretion of the USCIS!

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

So a lot of people get by without ever submitting the I-693? I mean in the year 2010 (I know it is 2009 but 2010 sounds more futuristic) immigrants can become American citizens without EVER having to submit the I-693 (proof immigrant does not have Tuberculosis and AIDS)? If so, I find that hard to believe. Please tell me the I-693 is checked at some point during the road to US citizenship so that I don't feel stupid for spending over $500 on it ($170 for Civil Surgeon and $360 for HPV).

From my understanding of K1 applicants:

If you have a medical in your home country, you are tested for HIV and that information is sent to the embassy before your Visa is issued. It's taken into consideration at that stage. The I693 for K1 applicants, is ONLY to transfer vaccination information as already validated by the doctor in your home country. (My understanding is that now the TB test is also done in the home country. This came into effect after I got my visa so I'm open to correction on that).

From my (very) spotty observations, the people who get through without the I693, are K1 applicants, often from VWP countries, where the perceived risk of contagious disease is lower, and who have already passed a medical. (Again that's my own probably faulty observations).

<side note>

I don't think it's that scandalous that people living with HIV and TB can become American citizens.

<end side note>

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

As for the I693, I didn't send it in either and I did not receive an RFE.. The invitation letter, however, did state that if you did not submit it, you will need to hand it over at the interview itself. (It says: "You must bring the following items with you:" "- A completed medical examination (Form I-693) and vaccination supplement in a sealed envelope (unless already submitted)."

I never got my medical through the I693 form but through the old forms (even though I was already in the new timeframe). So according to the rules, I didn't need a new medical and what I did instead was, I went out for a free TB skin test (they're paid for by the US government) and went to a civil surgeon afterward who transcribed the vaccination history and the TB skin test results on the I693 and placed that information in a sealed envelop, which is the one that I will be handing in tomorrow.

So, to answer your question, you do NOT need to file the I-693 with your AOS application, you will NOT receive a RFE.. but, instead, you will have to show them the forms (in a sealed envelope) on the interview itself. So you can safely send out your application now without worrying about it, just make sure you have the I-693 ready by the time you get your interview

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

From my understanding of K1 applicants:

If you have a medical in your home country, you are tested for HIV and that information is sent to the embassy before your Visa is issued. It's taken into consideration at that stage. The I693 for K1 applicants, is ONLY to transfer vaccination information as already validated by the doctor in your home country. (My understanding is that now the TB test is also done in the home country. This came into effect after I got my visa so I'm open to correction on that).

From my (very) spotty observations, the people who get through without the I693, are K1 applicants, often from VWP countries, where the perceived risk of contagious disease is lower, and who have already passed a medical. (Again that's my own probably faulty observations).

<side note>

I don't think it's that scandalous that people living with HIV and TB can become American citizens.

<end side note>

You're right. Those who have a medical done in their home country are tested on HIV and everything else (they will not give a K visa to enter the US without them). They also do TB chest X-rays but they didn't do any skintests (at least not in my old country). Those who entered the US and who wanted to stay here also have to undergo the same tests but they do them here instead. Without a medical, they will not be able to adjust status.

As for admitting people in the US with HIV and TB.. TB is something they can actually cure, so I don't see the problem in that, as long as they cure it. And as for HIV, I don't see the problem in that either if people can come into the US but, as for now, they can not do that yet legally (there are plans to change the rules on that tho).

[wizardfitz 13]

just for info: when I came into the country, POE immigration officer had me contact the local health dept for my state due to my history of tb (treated). I HAD to do another sputum test even though I did it back home at the medical I had to go through to get the visa, so it is not unlikely for you to re-do the sputum test again once in the US.

also as someone stated above, some do get by without sending in their 693 others get an RFE

Edited March 13, 2009 by wizardfitz

[luckytxn 2,263]

I did not send in the I-693 either as I needed to get the paperwork sent in quickly so my wife can get her EAD. If one has had the physical in the last year it is not supposed to be needed but the A form with the transcribed shot records can be asked for. I did much searches and sometimes they ask for the A form and sometimes they do not if the shot records are sent along with the application.

[c&z 0]

Just FYI I sent in my AOS package without an I-693 because we wanted to send it before my I-94W expired and I couldn't get a medical appointment in time. I received an RFE for it (initial evidence rather than additional evidence). It also states on my interview letter to bring the I-693 "unless already submitted".

[hime 0]

I didn't send the I-693 in with my AOS. Because I didn't have the money to do it. But later I got an RFE for that.

I personally think that you should send in the AOS first, just to get the process going.