FAQs: Forms I-693 and DS-3025

[rheanick 42]

Please don't pay $110 for just transcribing your vaccinations onto a I-693. As recommended by other VJers, I sent my DS-3025 to a civil surgeon in Austin, Texas who will do it for $30 (includes postage too). Mine came back after about a week.

They are used to providing this service so you don't need to explain painfully that you don't require another medical exam, provided you've completed all the required vaccinations. They will call you back after you leave a voicemail.

Dr. L.E. Arnold

4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 114

Austin, TX 78745

(512) 444-3131

Does Dr. Arnold accept a copy of the previous DS-3025 form (filled by the Civil Surgeon in the country of origin for the K-1 application) and copies of any other immunization record - like the yellow immunization card Angela got today for the Td-ap vaccine at the local county clinic - , or does she need the ORIGINALS?

And I was reading about them requesting "receipts". What kind of receipts do they want?

By the way, I will be writing to our dear government agency to mention the racketeering by so-called Civil Surgeons here in good old Bay Area. I went to three Civil Surgeons to get the vaccination Part 2 filled out and you wouldn't believe how much they were asking for... well, at least the last one said they were "no longer doing it" (a lie!). Of course, if you accept the physical examination at $190 and the Td-ap immunization at $65 ($20 at the local County clinic), they will transcribe for a low $25! Basically around here the Civil Surgeons do NOT want to do their jobs as instructed by the USCIS, so they should not be approved in the first place. Proves that the only reason these doctors are CS is for the money. These immigrants are easy targets, and there is no dealing with insurance, all cash, what a deal. Free advertising from the government and $200+ in the pocket for 5mn work.

"Racket": extortion carried on for profit.

Dr. Arnold, here I come!

Just send Dr Arnold a photocopy of your DS3025 and the immunization card from local clinic. I did that last week. Received my sealed envelope (I-693) yesterday.

[Angela & Paul 12]

Just send Dr Arnold a photocopy of your DS3025 and the immunization card from local clinic. I did that last week. Received my sealed envelope (I-693) yesterday.

Can you please let me know how soon (or late) after the phone call Dr. Arnold came back to you? I called on Monday early afternoon her time and I am still waiting...

[rheanick 42]

Just send Dr Arnold a photocopy of your DS3025 and the immunization card from local clinic. I did that last week. Received my sealed envelope (I-693) yesterday.

Can you please let me know how soon (or late) after the phone call Dr. Arnold came back to you? I called on Monday early afternoon her time and I am still waiting...

I mentioned my contact number twice when i left them a message. Someone called me the following day.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

By the way, I will be writing to our dear government agency to mention the racketeering by so-called Civil Surgeons here in good old Bay Area. I went to three Civil Surgeons to get the vaccination Part 2 filled out and you wouldn't believe how much they were asking for... well, at least the last one said they were "no longer doing it" (a lie!). Of course, if you accept the physical examination at $190 and the Td-ap immunization at $65 ($20 at the local County clinic), they will transcribe for a low $25! Basically around here the Civil Surgeons do NOT want to do their jobs as instructed by the USCIS, so they should not be approved in the first place. Proves that the only reason these doctors are CS is for the money. These immigrants are easy targets, and there is no dealing with insurance, all cash, what a deal. Free advertising from the government and $200+ in the pocket for 5mn work.

"Racket": extortion carried on for profit.

This goes on nationwide. There is a very small percentage of them who are doing their job according to the rules and regulations set by CIS, but the large majority of them are white-collar criminals. Out of the 100+ in NYC, I have yet to find one that is willing to just transcribe the form. They all ONLY do medicals. Many say that they don't want "problems" down the road if they don't do a full medical.

As a form of stress release (and entertainment), I sometimes call these fools and argue and yell at them and their receptionists about this issue. I really have no reason to look for a CS since my wife is already approved and my step daughters are on their way to approval.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Green card received in the mail today from CSC.

Summary of facts:

No RFEs the whole process from K1 to GC. Nice!

Did not do an I-163 for immunizations. Submitted a copy of DS3025 (which had all immunizations completed in UK).

Did not have a TB skin test, even though medical was after the June 1 cut-off date.

USCIS website did not update and CRIS did not send email.

[HighwayStar 0]

Hello all! Just found my interview appointment letter in the mail... It's for May 14, so I would still have a lot of time to get my vaccinations transcribed if I needed to. The thing is, do I really need to? I expected to get an RFE for the missing I-693, but probably they go about things differently for people who are selected for an interview. What would you recommend me? Should I contact Dr. Arnold just in case, or try my luck?

[JM2008 0]

If all the civil surgeon is doing is transcribing the information from the DS-3025 (which is issued by the State department and done by a government approved physician) to the I-693, then why can't the USCIS do this? Why would the USCIS ask for us to pay a civil surgeon to do this when they could do it for a small fee?

[JM2008 0]

I have read and re-read the instructions for form I-693 and if applied to the letter, it means that NO ONE on a K-1 visa needs a TB Test (probably because everyone gets an X-Ray and the doctor would state something regarding TB if that was positive).

The Civil Surgeon needs to fill out the vaccination section (transcript from the section prior to K-1) and sign the document, put it in a sealed envelop and give it to you.

I just called a local CS and she quoted me $60 for the transcript and $15 for the TB test (if we want it).

The important words in the new instructions are:

------------------------------------------------------

If you were admitted as a K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e),

you received a medical examination prior to admission, then:

You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

(VACCINATION SECTION, nothing about TB test here. TB test is NOT a vaccination)

Did you ever come to a resolution on this? One would think if there is no mention of something being required, then it shouldn't be required. Note that there is absolutely no mention of the I-693 on the I485 instructions.

[Angela & Paul 12]

I have read and re-read the instructions for form I-693 and if applied to the letter, it means that NO ONE on a K-1 visa needs a TB Test (probably because everyone gets an X-Ray and the doctor would state something regarding TB if that was positive).

The Civil Surgeon needs to fill out the vaccination section (transcript from the section prior to K-1) and sign the document, put it in a sealed envelop and give it to you.

I just called a local CS and she quoted me $60 for the transcript and $15 for the TB test (if we want it).

The important words in the new instructions are:

------------------------------------------------------

If you were admitted as a K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e),

you received a medical examination prior to admission, then:

You are not required to have another medical

examination as long as your Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or

Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your

overseas medical examination

You will, however, be required to complete Part

1, Information about you, and submit the

vaccination section of Part 2 with your

adjustment of status application. A designated

civil surgeon must complete the vaccination

section and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's

Certification.

(VACCINATION SECTION, nothing about TB test here. TB test is NOT a vaccination)

Did you ever come to a resolution on this? One would think if there is no mention of something being required, then it shouldn't be required. Note that there is absolutely no mention of the I-693 on the I485 instructions.

No, no resolution on this. I was thinking that by now the number of couples having been through the process post-July 2008 change would be high enough to have statistical evidence, but it's difficult to get any data.

I have seen one person posting saying they did not even use the I-693 and they got approved for GC without RFE.

The I-485 mentions the need of a medical examination "when required", with the "form you have obtained from USCIS". For AOS, one of the applicable form is I-693. The I-693 instructions clearly states that no medical examination is required.

Personally, we sent the I-693 with just the vaccination supplement filled out by Dr. Arnold, per the I-693 instructions for K-1 visas. You will sure hear from us if we have a RFE on the subject (including the TB test).

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

At our Interview the IO spent a lot of time questioning us about our use of Dr. Arnold. Didn't seem to pleased that we had used a doctor many miles away to fill out the I693. Questioned us about whether we had travelled to Texas, what civil surgeons had we contacted locally, why didn't we use them... how much did they charge compared to Dr. Arnold, how long did it take to get the paperwork back from Dr. Arnold, etc. etc. etc... Dr. Arnold was the MAIN subject of the entire interview... I can't figure out what the point of all that was... Disbelief? Curiousity?

Has anyone been denied because they used Dr. Arnold for the I693? Anyone required to get it done again by a local doc? Injections were done at the local Public Health Dept...there was no indication that some were missing.... just 64 questions about Dr. Arnold...

Anyone else experience this?

[Angela & Paul 12]

At our Interview the IO spent a lot of time questioning us about our use of Dr. Arnold. Didn't seem to pleased that we had used a doctor many miles away to fill out the I693. Questioned us about whether we had travelled to Texas, what civil surgeons had we contacted locally, why didn't we use them... how much did they charge compared to Dr. Arnold, how long did it take to get the paperwork back from Dr. Arnold, etc. etc. etc... Dr. Arnold was the MAIN subject of the entire interview... I can't figure out what the point of all that was... Disbelief? Curiousity?

Has anyone been denied because they used Dr. Arnold for the I693? Anyone required to get it done again by a local doc? Injections were done at the local Public Health Dept...there was no indication that some were missing.... just 64 questions about Dr. Arnold...

Anyone else experience this?

You do no say anything about the 'tone' of the questions (except for the "Didn't seem too pleased"). Was the IO irritated? Or naturally curious?

I would think they might be surprised to see so many people having to go to an honest Texas CS to get a decent price for some easy paperwork.

I would say it's a good thing they asked. They probably want to know if all of us did try first to find a decent honest CS locally too.

Did you ask the IO some questions too?

Like:

- Why are the local CS charging a minimum $190 for a medical visit that the USCIS clearly states is not required?

- Why can't the USCIS make it a flat $25 fee to fill out the vaccination supplement for all CS they approve?

- Why is the I693 even required since they already have all the information they need from the CS who filled the DS-2035 (when that CS stated all vaccinations were complete).

I would personally welcome the questions because I will come ready with the names and phone numbers of the three doctors who tried to extort us here in the Bay Area.

The CS thing is a huge nationwide scam and the USCIS needs to be made aware of it. The interview is a good place to actually address the issue (if they start the discussion first, that is).

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

At our Interview the IO spent a lot of time questioning us about our use of Dr. Arnold. Didn't seem to pleased that we had used a doctor many miles away to fill out the I693. Questioned us about whether we had travelled to Texas, what civil surgeons had we contacted locally, why didn't we use them... how much did they charge compared to Dr. Arnold, how long did it take to get the paperwork back from Dr. Arnold, etc. etc. etc... Dr. Arnold was the MAIN subject of the entire interview... I can't figure out what the point of all that was... Disbelief? Curiousity?

Has anyone been denied because they used Dr. Arnold for the I693? Anyone required to get it done again by a local doc? Injections were done at the local Public Health Dept...there was no indication that some were missing.... just 64 questions about Dr. Arnold...

Anyone else experience this?

You do no say anything about the 'tone' of the questions (except for the "Didn't seem too pleased"). Was the IO irritated? Or naturally curious?

Not sure ... Skepticism/Light Sarcasm at first... asking if we had actually TRAVELLED to Texas for such a simple thing... And then when I said no, we did it because of the huge cost quoted by the local CS. The IO started taking notes and asking for names of local CS's that I had called... asking prices I was quoted, and then asked me where I got Dr. Arnold's name and then asked which website I "liked to use for information", etc. All of which started to make me a bit nervous.. because I didn't know WHERE it was going...

The IO did not seem pleased to hear how much local Doc's wanted, but also didn't like it when I said Dr. Arnold was so cheap.. I mean reasonable.. I got really worried when the IO started focusing on why the vaccinations were cheaper at the County Health Office than at the CS's office... because I felt like a point was being made that we had "used" the public service inappropriately. I made it clear that we paid full price (no sliding scale fee, etc.) for the vaccinations and that we did not hide the fact that it was for immigration purposes. I wish now I had pulled out the receipts I had with me showing what we paid.

I would think they might be surprised to see so many people having to go to an honest Texas CS to get a decent price for some easy paperwork.

I would say it's a good thing they asked. They probably want to know if all of us did try first to find a decent honest CS locally too.

I would hope that this was the point... the fact that the IO wrote this down on a seperate piece of paper, not in our file might lead me to think that this could have been an issue the IO was doing a little research on... (Good LORD I hope that is why!!!)

Did you ask the IO some questions too?

Like:

- Why are the local CS charging a minimum $190 for a medical visit that the USCIS clearly states is not required?

The IO did ask me for the name of the CS I called locally and the price I was quoted and wrote it down... I hope I remembered correctly because the was more than 6 months ago... But what really seemed to irritate the IO was the fact that I was quoted $100 just to come in and find out what shots he needed... then about $400 to GET the shots, and $150 to fill out the form AFTER they did the shots... The IO seemed shocked that we even wondered for one minute which shots he needed... like that was child's play... (NOT!) I told the IO that I had researched the CDC website and made some assumptions and then double checked with the County Health Clinic and Dr. Arnold's office too.

- Why can't the USCIS make it a flat $25 fee to fill out the vaccination supplement for all CS they approve?

Because most CS's wouldn't do it for that amount.. it would not be profitable for them, and no one is forcing them to be CS's. This is America... remember.. practicing medicine is about $$ not healing people...

- Why is the I693 even required since they already have all the information they need from the CS who filled the DS-2035 (when that CS stated all vaccinations were complete).

In our case I understand it, my husband came on an K1 visa and he was not examined by a civil surgeon in Egypt... (no such thing... just embassy an designated doctor). What made me mad is that if I had known he was going to need the vaccinations LATER... (there's no request for that information during the K1 process in Egypt) he could have had them done there and we could have saved a BUNDLE! PLUS we could have had it all ready to go with the AOS packet when he got here and not worried that an RFE for the I693 was going to stall out our case!

Why not tell us from the beginning what is needed and let us get going with it! But if you really want to ask WHAT THE HECK!!! Think about how stupid it is to have people come here WITHOUT the vaccinations (like they are allowed to do from Egypt) and perhaps fall ill with one of the diseases when they are LEAST LIKELY to have health insurance! (upon arrival)... Or what about making sure people coming here are vaccinated before they come so they won't SPREAD these diseases to the MANY US Citizens who chose NOT to vaccinate!

I would personally welcome the questions because I will come ready with the names and phone numbers of the three doctors who tried to extort us here in the Bay Area.

The CS thing is a huge nationwide scam and the USCIS needs to be made aware of it. The interview is a good place to actually address the issue (if they start the discussion first, that is).

I'm sure they are aware of it and only wish they could find a way to tax the CS's on a percentage basis to increase their revenue... $1010 wasn't enough I'm SURE!

Do you really think they care???? If so, then we have to agree to disagree on this point.. The IO was very nice to us... (overall) and I have no complaints in this regard, just made me nervous because of fear that this small issue was going to cause us an unexpected, unnecessary problem.. Guess I won't know for SURE until the card comes in the mail.. (or some other less desireable outcome...) Will keep you posted...

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

What made me mad is that if I had known he was going to need the vaccinations LATER... (there's no request for that information during the K1 process in Egypt) he could have had them done there and we could have saved a BUNDLE! PLUS we could have had it all ready to go with the AOS packet when he got here and not worried that an RFE for the I693 was going to stall out our case!

Why not tell us from the beginning what is needed and let us get going with it! But if you really want to ask WHAT THE HECK!!! Think about how stupid it is to have people come here WITHOUT the vaccinations (like they are allowed to do from Egypt) and perhaps fall ill with one of the diseases when they are LEAST LIKELY to have health insurance! (upon arrival)... Or what about making sure people coming here are vaccinated before they come so they won't SPREAD these diseases to the MANY US Citizens who chose NOT to vaccinate!

You didn't hear about AOS until after he arrived in the US? (I think most people know that they will have to go thru AOS once here and start to prepare for it ahead of time.)

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

What made me mad is that if I had known he was going to need the vaccinations LATER... (there's no request for that information during the K1 process in Egypt) he could have had them done there and we could have saved a BUNDLE! PLUS we could have had it all ready to go with the AOS packet when he got here and not worried that an RFE for the I693 was going to stall out our case!

Why not tell us from the beginning what is needed and let us get going with it! But if you really want to ask WHAT THE HECK!!! Think about how stupid it is to have people come here WITHOUT the vaccinations (like they are allowed to do from Egypt) and perhaps fall ill with one of the diseases when they are LEAST LIKELY to have health insurance! (upon arrival)... Or what about making sure people coming here are vaccinated before they come so they won't SPREAD these diseases to the MANY US Citizens who chose NOT to vaccinate!

You didn't hear about AOS until after he arrived in the US? (I think most people know that they will have to go thru AOS once here and start to prepare for it ahead of time.)

Of course I knew about AOS... I've been through it twice before! Why would that make me think there would be more medical requirements AFTER he arrived here???? I don't recall ANY vaccinations being required the last 2 times... but both of those experiences were years ago... And both men were already living in the USA... So I assumed that once he was here it would be a similar experience.

As I mentioned before, it makes no sense to me to let people come here and THEN require vaccinations...

[Scarlett 0]

I just wanted to let people know that, for my Adjustment of Status process in Spokane, WA, I only submitted a photocopy of the Medical I had in London before I received my K1 visa. And this was sufficient to fulfil the medical requirements. I was approved withour RFE or questions at interview.

I had all vacinations up to date before the London Medical, and had the Chest Xray in London. The photocopy of the report (saying my vacinations were up to date) from the Medical officers in London was enough for my AoS. I did not use any additional US civil surgeon.