What does a USCIS Civil Surgeon do?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires certain medical examinations for individuals applying for permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.

A designated USCIS Civil surgeon must perform these exams, but what exactly does a USCIS civil surgeon do? This article will explore the role of a USCIS civil surgeon, how you can best locate one in your area, what to expect from the medical exam, and any next steps.

Who is a USCIS civil surgeon?

A USCIS civil surgeon is a medical professional authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to conduct medical examinations on individuals applying for certain immigration benefits.

To be designated as a USCIS civil surgeon, a medical professional must be licensed in their state of practice and meet additional requirements set by the USCIS. These requirements may include completing a training course on the immigration medical exam and signing a memorandum of understanding with the USCIS.

Individuals seeking a medical examination as part of the immigration process should choose a civil surgeon near them from this list.

Preparing for the medical examination

The medical examination is a mandatory part of the immigration process. It aims to protect the public health of US citizens and ensure that individuals seeking to enter or remain in the country are healthy and free from communicable diseases.

The exam comprehensively assesses an individual’s medical history and current health status. During the examination, the USCIS civil surgeon will perform a behavioral assessment as well as a physical examination. They will review the individual’s medical history and order laboratory tests to screen for communicable diseases.

Next steps

After completing the medical examination, the USCIS civil surgeon will complete Form I-693, the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, and provide a copy to the applicant in a sealed envelope. The applicant must include the sealed envelope with their immigration application package.

If laboratory tests indicate the presence of a communicable disease, the USCIS civil surgeon will provide follow-up instructions and may refer the individual to a specialist for treatment. In some cases, a communicable disease may disqualify an individual from obtaining certain immigration benefits.

Bottom line

A USCIS civil surgeon plays a vital role in the immigration process by ensuring that individuals seeking to enter or remain in the United States meet the health requirements set by the US government. The medical examination and behavioral assessments are a mandatory part of the immigration process and help protect the public health of US citizens while ensuring that individuals seeking to enter or remain in the country are healthy and free from communicable diseases.

If you are seeking to immigrate to the United States, it is crucial to choose an authorized USCIS civil surgeon and follow the guidelines set by the USCIS for the medical examination.