FAQs: Forms I-693 and DS-3025

[Captain Ewok 1,857]

Thanks to Krikit for creating these faqs!

Q: Why are K non-immigrant visa holders asked to include a vaccination supplement when filing Form I-485 to adjust status?

Some countries allow K non-immigrant visa applicants to defer their vaccinations until after they arrive in the U.S. If the beneficiary's vaccinations were not completed as part of the visa process, it is necessary to include form I-693- part 1, part 2-vaccination section, and part 5 in the application.

If the beneficiary's vaccinations were COMPLETED as part of the visa process, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE FORM I-693 IN THE AOS SUBMISSION. All your medical information is enclosed in the brown envelope which was handed in at the POE. The envelope is then forwarded on to USCIS where it will be consolidated with the I-485 submission, once received. If you received a copy of the Vaccination Documentation Worksheet (Form DS-3025) from your Panel Physician, you may include a copy of that form in your AOS submission in place of Form I-693.

Q: Do I need to complete another full medical to adjust status?

Per Section 1245.5 in the Code of Federal Regulations, a medical examination shall not be required of an applicant for adjustment of status who entered the United States as a non-immigrant spouse, fiancée, or fiancée of a United States citizen or the child of such an alien as defined in section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Act and §214.2(k) of 8 CFR chapter I if the applicant was medically examined prior to, and as a condition of, the issuance of the non-immigrant visa; provided that the medical examination occurred not more than 1 year prior to the date of application for adjustment of status.

Q: I received an RFE for Form I-693 and my medical is less than one year old.

Sometimes the medical gets "lost" during the transfer. It is entirely possible that you may receive an RFE for the vaccination supplement (Form I-693), and possibly even for the full medical (Form I-693), even if the medical is current. Here is a helpful post from someone who was able to relocate a lost medical.

To find a Civil Surgeon in your area you can link here to use the USCIS Civil Surgeons Locator.

To have your vaccination information transcribed to Form I-693, the following Civil Surgeon will do it by phone and fax for a nominal fee ($10 at time of writing):

Dr. L. E. Arnold

4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 106

Austin, TX 78745

Tel: (512) 444-3131

Fax: (512) 447-4699

Something to note if you are yet to have your medical: If you have not yet had your medical prior to visa issuance, make sure to ask the Panel Physician if they will supply you with a copy of your full medical prior to scheduling. If they will not provide one for you, call another Panel Physician. If you cannot find a Panel Physician who will provide you with a copy of your medical, or if you have already had your medical and were not supplied with a copy, try asking the officer for one at the POE.

[raymaga 25]

Great info, Krikit and Ewok!!!!!!

I hope everyone reads this prior to sending in their AOS applications.

This info will save a lot of repetitive posts asking about the I-693, I-693A and the DS-3025.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

Thanks for the info, but the statements regarding the I-693a/DS-3025 seem to contradict Tip #1 in another pinned thread, "Applying for AoS in the USA", which implies that we DO need I-693a to be "safe"

Is the other thread incorrect? I have seen arguments both ways on this.

Edited December 29, 2007 by Jesse G

[SweetSugahDumplin 0]

Thanks for the info, but the statements regarding the I-693a/DS-3025 seem to contradict Tip #1 in another pinned thread, "Applying for AoS in the USA", which implies that we DO need I-693a to be "safe"

Is the other thread incorrect? I have seen arguments both ways on this.

Does this Dr Arnolds office answer the phone i have been calling for two days? Do they only accept contact via leaving a voicemail message? Thanks.

[Krikit 1,163]

Does this Dr Arnolds office answer the phone i have been calling for two days? Do they only accept contact via leaving a voicemail message? Thanks.

Yes, you have to leave a voicemail and they will call you back.

[Lona.C. 16]

I used Dr arnolds for my vaccination process , they where amazing

first I left a message they calld back within 2 hours took all the info ,

told me to expect the envelop in mail 2-3 days after they recievd my info with 10$ check

well i waited for a week nothing came , so I calld them back they noticed they had the wrong Apt # in theyr system and apologized for it , they resend the document same day I had it 2 days later ,

then 5 days later I recievd a second envelope the exact copy of the first ,I calld them asking about the second they said yes they wasnt sure if I would resieve the first and wonted to make sure I realy get the document since they know its extreamly important for immigration

so then I had 2 copies for no extra charge ( best 10 bucks I spend in years lol ), those people are very proffesionel on what theyr doin real lifesavers

[SpiritAlight 1]

Dr. Arnold's price is now $20, and they are very quick about turn around for those of you who need it.

[JessiPooh 0]

I just got a return call from Dr. Arnold's office. The fee increase is only for priority mailing. You can still pay $10 for regular mail. FYI.

[KimS 0]

So I will need a copy of the medical I had... I never got one. So I assume I will have to ask the officer at POE (chicago for me) if there is any possibility to have him/her make a copy.

[second stage 14]

* Dr. Hisham Zafari, Medi-Physicians

4920 West Cypress Street, Suite 102, Tampa, FL 33607

(813) 289-0445

They charge only $35 for vaccination supplemental form including any additional shots that you may need.

Fees maybe different for full medical exam..

[fedekat 0]

We recieved an RFE for our I-693 even though we did the medical for the K1 less than one year since the time of the application. I called our local Representative's office and they contacted the CSC where our AOS had been transfered for processing and they basically told her his medical form was lost (not in his file were thier words) and so he must repeat them. I also sent in an RFE letter explaining this- but I have not heard back yet.

The bottom line is that we have to repeat the medical and I urge anyone who receives this RFE to do the same as unless you have a very helpful political contact or a lot of time on your hands to get to the bottom of where these medicals go (I am envisioning a file cabinet in a dark closet) than you will be better served by paying up and re-doing the medical!

Another $300 in doctors fees and lab tests! Yay!

Love is expensive.

Edited February 13, 2008 by fedekat

[Krikit 1,163]

Here is another helpful post on how someone else was successful at overcoming a lost medical.

[naaj13 0]

I haven't file my Green Card Application yet, should i file I 693 form and its supplement now so i can send all the forms togather or should i wait till i get RFE ???

Reason for asking is b/c Blood test and TB ppd test are valid only for 6 mnths and i think if process delays then i have to redo it ...

Guide me...

Following files i will be filing

I-130, I-131, I-765, I-485 & I-864

[fedekat 0]

I would send it all in now. Waiting for an RFE only add to time and anxiety!

I received information from the USCIS about why so many people get RFE's for medicals with their I485.

"When the USCIS reviewed the file and the I-485, and did not locate the required medicals on the file, he/she would request out for the medicals. There are times when, although the applicant has completed the medicals, they are not send to the file of the applicant. (IN OTHER WORDS THEY LOST THE MEDICAL) In those instances, in order for processing of the case to continue, the applicant must comply with the evidence request..."

I want to do something to stop the USCIS from losing medical reports. It causes an undue burden on applicants- financially and practically- when the USCIS loses our paperwork.

I spoke with my congressional representative for immigration and if more people start contacting their Reps then perhaps we can bring attention to the problem and hopefully make our Reps aware that USCIS has a problem- and make them do something to correct it!

We can need to bring attention to this problem so that the USCIS will be more responsible and not lose our valuable paperwork! Especially since the fees have tripled for filing an AOS in the last year!

Of course it is probably impossible to do anything about this.

But if you can just take the time to call your Representative, it might help!

Here is the link to finding your local Rep:

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Thanks!

[Melyssa 0]

I would send it all in now. Waiting for an RFE only add to time and anxiety!

I received information from the USCIS about why so many people get RFE's for medicals with their I485.

"When the USCIS reviewed the file and the I-485, and did not locate the required medicals on the file, he/she would request out for the medicals. There are times when, although the applicant has completed the medicals, they are not send to the file of the applicant. (IN OTHER WORDS THEY LOST THE MEDICAL) In those instances, in order for processing of the case to continue, the applicant must comply with the evidence request..."

I want to do something to stop the USCIS from losing medical reports. It causes an undue burden on applicants- financially and practically- when the USCIS loses our paperwork.

I spoke with my congressional representative for immigration and if more people start contacting their Reps then perhaps we can bring attention to the problem and hopefully make our Reps aware that USCIS has a problem- and make them do something to correct it!

We can need to bring attention to this problem so that the USCIS will be more responsible and not lose our valuable paperwork! Especially since the fees have tripled for filing an AOS in the last year!

Of course it is probably impossible to do anything about this.

But if you can just take the time to call your Representative, it might help!

Here is the link to finding your local Rep:

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Thanks!

This is cool! I also hope there is something that can be done, because being one of those this has happened to, it is completely unfair and annoying and stressful and ought to be an unnecessary expense! And I don't want it to happen to anymore people!

I honestly don't see why they don't just give us the paperwork and let us send it. I mean the doctors give us the medicals in sealed envelopes and then we have to hand it over at the border. Maybe we should be able to ask for it at the border (which some of us WERE able to do, and not even in a sealed envelope) or at least a copy in a sealed envelope so we can just send it in with our I-485's and take care of it ourselves.

Them losing the files - and so many of them - is completely unacceptable and does not speak well for their services.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Melyssa