How Long Does the Immigration Medical Exam Take?
Nov 12, 2025
When you are planning a green card application, timing matters. The immigration medical exam on Form I 693 is mandatory, and delays at this step can hold up your entire case. The good news is that once you understand the phases of the process, you can plan your exam so it fits neatly into your filing timeline.
In most cases, the exam at the clinic takes about 1 to 2 hours. The full process from booking your appointment to walking out with your sealed Form I 693 usually takes 1 to 2 weeks with standard processing, or about 5 to 7 days if you choose a rush option and book promptly.
At Baron Medical Group in Los Angeles, we offer clear timeframes so you know exactly when your paperwork will be ready.
The clock starts when you try to schedule your appointment. In a large city like Los Angeles, wait times can vary a lot from one clinic to another.
At Baron Medical Group, same day and next day appointments are often available, especially when you call early in the week. This is useful if your attorney needs your I 693 quickly for a filing deadline.
For most applicants, a safe plan is to schedule the exam 3 to 4 weeks before you intend to file Form I 485. That window covers appointment wait time, lab processing, and a buffer for unexpected issues.
When you arrive for your immigration medical exam, several steps need to be completed in one visit. The more prepared you are, the closer you will stay to the 1 to 2 hour estimate.
Many patients move through this flow in about 90 minutes. During busy times or for more complex histories, the visit can stretch closer to 2 hours or slightly more. Planning for up to 2 to 4 hours door to door will keep your schedule comfortable.
Patients who arrive with complete records and on time usually see the shortest visit length.
The visit may feel like the main event, but the real timeline driver is the lab work that happens afterward. Your clinic cannot complete and seal Form I 693 until required test results are back.
Clinics usually wait for the slowest test before moving to the paperwork stage, so a realistic lab window is 3 to 5 business days.
Once all lab results are back, the civil surgeon still needs time to review everything and complete the form.
Before sealing, the civil surgeon will:
You will need to come in person to sign and pick up the sealed packet. USCIS will not accept an opened envelope or a form that you have not signed.
Most patients follow the standard pattern above. Certain findings can add extra time, and it is better to know this upfront so you are not surprised.
A positive TB blood test triggers a chest X ray and additional review.
This can add about 1 to 2 extra weeks to your timeline, although you may still be cleared if you do not have active TB disease.
If a sexually transmitted infection is detected, treatment is required before the civil surgeon can sign off. That process can take:
Your exam does not fail permanently, but your I 693 cannot be completed until treatment is documented.
If you arrive with no vaccine documentation, the clinic may need to:
Depending on what is missing, this can add several days to your process. Getting records and vaccines in advance is one of the simplest ways to keep your timeline short.
Pregnancy alone usually does not change the schedule. Chest X rays can be done with protective shielding, and many vaccines are either safe or can be deferred without blocking the form.
Complex medical histories may require specialist letters or additional tests, which can add 2 to 4 weeks depending on how quickly records can be collected.
You cannot control every factor, but you can remove most of the avoidable delays. Here is a simple checklist.
At Baron Medical Group, our staff can walk you through this list when you book, so you know which items apply to your situation and how to plan your filing date around them.
There are many USCIS civil surgeons in Los Angeles, and they follow the same federal rules. The difference is in how predictable and organized your experience feels.
The immigration medical exam itself is a short visit, usually 1 to 2 hours, but the full timeline from first phone call to sealed Form I 693 is closer to 1.5 to 3 weeks for most applicants. Lab processing, clinic workflows, and special findings such as TB or STI results are what drive the schedule.
By booking early, bringing complete records, and choosing a clinic that is upfront about processing times, you can keep this step predictable and avoid last minute stress with your green card filing.
If you are planning your immigration medical exam in Los Angeles and want a clear, realistic timeline, contact Baron Medical Group. Our team will help you choose the right processing option for your case and make sure you know exactly when your sealed I 693 will be ready for USCIS.
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