Why Your Medical History Matters for the USCIS Immigration Medical Exam

Your health history carries more weight than you might expect during your immigration medical exam in Jacksonville. From vaccination records to chronic conditions and even behavioral health, each detail plays a role in how your Form I-693 is reviewed and completed by a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon. 

At Integra Wellness & Aesthetics, these exams are performed by Dr. Paul Busse, a bilingual, board-certified family physician with over 21 years of experience guiding individuals and families through this process with clarity and compassion.

Whether you’re preparing for an adjustment of status or completing the immigration process for your child, understanding how your medical history factors in can help prevent delays and ensure full compliance with 2025 requirements.

What Medical Records Are Required for the USCIS Immigration Exam?

Before arriving at your immigration exam appointment, it’s essential to gather key documents that help the civil surgeon evaluate your health background. This includes details of past illnesses, chronic conditions, hospitalizations, and surgeries, particularly if they involved communicable diseases or psychiatric diagnoses. All information should be complete, accurate, and, where applicable, translated into English.

For individuals who have been treated for conditions such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or mental health disorders, prior medical records and discharge summaries can help clarify your current health status and assist in the classification of any findings. If documentation is unavailable, diagnostic testing may be required during your visit.

At Integra, our process includes reviewing all submitted records during your first appointment so that your final I-693 form reflects a complete and compliant medical profile. Dr. Busse personally oversees this review and communicates clearly about any areas that may require clarification or additional evaluation.

What Vaccinations Are Required – and What if You’re Missing Records?

Vaccination requirements are a core part of the USCIS medical exam. The CDC provides a standardized immunization schedule based on age, health status, and risk exposure. These include vaccines for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and others. For children, the list also includes routine childhood immunizations such as varicella and polio.

If your immunization records are incomplete or unavailable, you are still able to move forward. At Integra Wellness & Aesthetics, missing vaccines can be safely administered on-site during your appointment. In cases where serologic evidence (bloodwork) can confirm immunity, unnecessary re-vaccination may be avoided. This approach not only streamlines your care but supports a seamless transition to a sealed and compliant I-693 packet, typically ready in three to four business days.

Gloved hands holding a syringe inserted into a small glass vial containing liquid, with a medical tray in the background.

How Does Mental Health History Impact Your Green Card Eligibility?

USCIS guidelines require disclosure of any physical or mental condition associated with harmful behavior, including behaviors that may have endangered the safety or welfare of the applicant or others. This can include a history of psychiatric illness, substance misuse, or hospitalization for behavioral health reasons. However, not all mental health diagnoses result in inadmissibility.

Conditions such as depression, anxiety, or past therapy are common and, when managed appropriately, do not disqualify a person from permanent residency. The focus of the civil surgeon’s evaluation is not the label itself, but whether the condition has been associated with actions that could be interpreted as harmful, violent, or risky. Dr. Busse provides this portion of the examination with great sensitivity, ensuring that all disclosures are handled confidentially and in alignment with USCIS expectations.

For those already receiving support, Integra also offers mental health services that combine hormonal, lifestyle, and behavioral care, helping to reinforce wellness beyond the immigration process.

What if You’re Bringing a Child? Pediatric Medical History & Requirements

Children applying for adjustment of status also require a complete medical exam, including vaccination verification and a general health screening. Parents or guardians should bring translated immunization records, pediatrician summaries, and any documentation of chronic health conditions such as asthma, developmental delays, or allergies.

Pediatric vaccine requirements follow the CDC immunization schedule and often include multiple shots depending on the child’s age. If your child is missing one or more vaccines, Dr. Busse can administer the required doses during the exam, eliminating the need for multiple visits or outside referrals.

Integra’s family-friendly, bilingual care model makes these visits more comfortable for both children and parents. By ensuring your child’s records and immunizations are up to date, the entire family can move through the immigration process smoothly and without added stress.

What’s on the USCIS Immigration Health Questionnaire?

During your visit, you’ll complete a standardized health questionnaire as part of the I-693 process. This form includes questions about your personal medical history, immunizations, and past exposure to communicable diseases. There are also screening sections related to mental health, substance use, and any prior history of harmful behavior.

The responses provided are reviewed by Dr. Busse in conjunction with your physical exam findings, lab results, and any documentation you provide. If clarification is needed, follow-up testing or external evaluations may be recommended. At Integra, our process ensures that all questions are explained thoroughly, in English or Spanish, and that your answers reflect your health accurately and without confusion.

Person in a white lab coat writing on a clipboard beside an open laptop, with eyeglasses and a stethoscope on a desk.

What Does a USCIS Civil Surgeon Look for in Your Exam?

The civil surgeon plays a very specific role in your immigration journey: to assess whether any physical or mental health condition may pose a concern under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The goal is to identify any Class A or Class B medical conditions, with emphasis on public health risk, safety, and long-term care needs.

At Integra Wellness & Aesthetics, this examination is conducted personally by Dr. Paul Busse, a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon in Jacksonville. During your visit, he will perform a full physical and mental status evaluation, check vital systems such as heart, lungs, abdomen, and lymph nodes, and review your immunization compliance and lab results.

Mental health status is assessed through respectful conversation, including mood, cognitive awareness, behavior, and judgment, with great care to avoid bias or assumptions. In situations where further testing is needed, Dr. Busse will guide you through the next steps and coordinate referrals if necessary.

The focus is not to exclude, but to document clearly and ensure that your I-693 form is accurate, sealed, and in full compliance with current USCIS guidelines.

Timeline: From Appointment to Sealed I-693 Packet

Knowing what to expect can ease much of the stress surrounding this required process. At Integra, the immigration medical exam follows a structured, streamlined timeline to support fast, compliant processing:

Step 1: Schedule Your Exam
Call our office or request an appointment online. We offer flexible scheduling, including same-week availability.

Step 2: First Visit – Documentation & Testing
You’ll meet with Dr. Busse to review your medical history, complete the health questionnaire, perform the physical exam, and receive any required vaccines or blood tests. If you are missing immunization records or lab documentation, we can provide all testing and vaccines on-site.

Step 3: Results Review & Form Completion
Once labs and records are finalized, Dr. Busse completes and signs the I-693 form.

Step 4: Sealed Packet Pickup (3–4 Days)
Your I-693 will be printed, signed, and sealed according to USCIS requirements. You will also receive an unsealed copy for your own records.

This efficient process reflects our commitment to concierge-level care, removing the common delays and confusion often associated with traditional clinics.

Why Integra Wellness & Aesthetics Is Different

Choosing the right civil surgeon makes a meaningful difference not only in how smoothly your exam is completed, but in how you feel throughout the process. At Integra Wellness & Aesthetics, we provide a unique combination of:

  • Doctor-led visits with no provider shuffling
  • Fully bilingual care in English and Spanish
  • On-site labs, vaccines, and form processing
  • Fast turnaround: sealed I-693 packets ready in 3–4 days
  • Compassionate support for mental health and chronic conditions

Dr. Paul Busse takes time to answer questions, explain every step, and support your wellness beyond the immigration exam. Whether you’re applying for yourself, a spouse, or a child, our care is tailored, respectful, and fully compliant with 2025 USCIS expectations.

Start Your Immigration Journey with Confidence

Your medical history is not just paperwork; it’s part of your story. At Integra Wellness & Aesthetics, we honor that story by offering immigration medical exams that are personal, precise, and free of guesswork. With bilingual care, on-site services, and a physician who leads every exam, we help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Schedule your immigration medical exam with Dr. Paul Busse today

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’ve recently recovered from a serious illness?

You may need to bring discharge papers, recent labs, or a letter from your physician confirming full recovery. This helps the civil surgeon determine if your condition qualifies under USCIS Class B guidelines.

Can I complete my immigration exam while pregnant?

Yes, but some vaccines and X-rays may be deferred. Dr. Busse will adjust your exam safely and note all exemptions according to CDC and USCIS pregnancy protocols to avoid delays.

Does USCIS require drug testing during the exam?

USCIS doesn’t mandate routine drug tests, but you must disclose any history of substance use. If there’s clinical suspicion or relevant history, further evaluation or documentation may be requested by the civil surgeon.

Is dental history part of the immigration medical exam?

No, dental records or oral exams are not included. The USCIS exam focuses only on physical and mental health conditions that could impact public safety or long-term medical needs.

Can I complete the immigration exam without insurance?

Yes. Immigration medical exams are self-pay services and not billed through insurance. At Integra, we offer transparent pricing and on-site services to reduce costs and avoid third-party delays.

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