For many green card applicants, the immigration medical exam feels like a big hurdle. You gather documents, come to your appointment, complete lab work, and meet with the civil surgeon. Then the visit ends and a new question shows up: what actually happens after the exam is done?
At Baron Medical Group in Los Angeles, Dr. Daesoon Leem, a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, has completed thousands of I-693 exams. Our team sees the same concerns again and again: how long it takes to get results, what the sealed envelope is for, when to worry, and what to do if something goes wrong.
This guide explains what typically happens after your immigration medical exam, how your sealed I-693 is used in your green card case, and how to avoid the most common post-exam problems so your case can move forward smoothly.
Once your in-office examination and required lab tests are complete, your civil surgeon moves into the paperwork phase. At Baron Medical Group, this usually includes:
After that, the clinic must prepare a sealed I-693 packet. This is the envelope you are told never to open. It is sealed because USCIS wants to know that the contents have not been changed after the civil surgeon signs off.
In our office, you receive:
Turnaround time depends on lab processing and how quickly your case is reviewed. In many Los Angeles practices, results can take anywhere from 5 to 14 days, especially if outside labs or extra vaccines are needed.
At Baron Medical Group, most patients choose between:
These faster processing options can be helpful if you are working with a filing deadline, dealing with a Request for Evidence, or trying to file your I-485 before a visa bulletin date changes.
Today, for most applicants, USCIS expects Form I-693 to be submitted with Form I-485 rather than later in the process. In practice, that means:
There are still limited situations where an attorney may advise filing the I-485 first and submitting the medical later, but for most family and employment based cases, planning to file both together is now the safer default.
Once Baron Medical Group gives you your sealed packet, the next step is logistics:
In every scenario, you should use trackable shipping and keep a copy of your tracking and delivery confirmation. If USCIS later claims it never received your I-693, you will want proof of when and where it was delivered.
The most common outcome is straightforward: your exam is normal, your vaccinations are complete or properly documented, and your lab tests do not show any Class A conditions. In that case:
A normal exam does not speed up the rest of your case, but it removes a major source of delay. When the officer is finally ready to review your file, the medical portion should already be complete.
Some findings require extra steps:
If your exam uncovers something that affects admissibility, Baron Medical Group will explain your lab results and next steps in simple language. In many cases, completing treatment and documenting it properly allows your case to move forward.
Even when your medical exam is fine, paperwork issues can cause trouble:
To reduce this risk, we stay current with USCIS updates, use the latest form version, and confirm your exam timing with you if your case has been pending for a long time.
Sometimes the problem is not your health, but the paperwork. Common issues include:
If USCIS flags an error that came from the medical side, the first step is to contact the civil surgeon who completed your exam. In many cases, the clinic can:
If your medical has become invalid under current rules, or if it is tied to an application that was denied or withdrawn, you will need a new exam and a new I-693.
Once your sealed packet is in USCIS hands, your main job is preparation and record keeping. You should keep:
These documents are useful if there is ever a question about what was sent, or if you move and need to transfer records to a new attorney or doctor.
While you wait for your green card decision, your medical exam usually stays in the background. Still, there are moments when you should check in:
The goal is to avoid surprises. A short call or email now is better than discovering a problem months later when visa numbers or family plans are on the line.
Your immigration medical exam is not just a one-time visit. What happens afterward can affect how smoothly your green card case moves forward. The civil surgeon’s documentation, the way your I-693 is sealed and submitted, and how you respond to any follow-up requests all matter.
The good news is that most applicants complete this step without major issues, especially when they choose an experienced civil surgeon who follows current USCIS guidance. At Baron Medical Group in Los Angeles, we focus on three things:
If you have completed your immigration medical exam with us and still have questions about what happens next, reach out to our team. We can explain your results, help you understand your paperwork, and work with your attorney to support the medical part of your journey to permanent residency.
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from your immigration attorney or official USCIS guidance.