FAQs: Forms I-693 and DS-3025

[Peterspeak 0]

This FAQ was very helpful to read. We will contact Dr. Arnold in Texas first thing tomorrow morning. When we contacted civil surgeon's office here in Albuquerque, NM, for an appointment, the receptionist informed us that we'd have to pay $500 and have the shots and physical done all over again. After I calmly informed receptionist that Vivi, my fiance was here on a fiance visa from South Korea... and that we were already aware of this misconception that we have to get another physical... in fact, warned about it... etc... receptionist insisted that the law had changed and now we must pay for physical and vaccinations again by civil surgeon here in the US.

I sure hope the law hasn't changed. That would really suck. My concern is that this receptionist was lying on purpose and not misinforming out of ignorance... trying to swindle some hard earned cash out of us. that's probably illegal, but wouldn't surprise me.

Please say it ain't so folks (about the law)... and how about that receptionist? Is this a scam or swindle (I mean within the bigge r scam that immigration already is) ?

[Chantel 0]

I got a call back from Dr. Arnold's clinic, and they just want me to send in 2 copies of the first page of I-693?

How come its just the first page only?

thanks

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

This FAQ was very helpful to read. We will contact Dr. Arnold in Texas first thing tomorrow morning. When we contacted civil surgeon's office here in Albuquerque, NM, for an appointment, the receptionist informed us that we'd have to pay $500 and have the shots and physical done all over again. After I calmly informed receptionist that Vivi, my fiance was here on a fiance visa from South Korea... and that we were already aware of this misconception that we have to get another physical... in fact, warned about it... etc... receptionist insisted that the law had changed and now we must pay for physical and vaccinations again by civil surgeon here in the US.

I sure hope the law hasn't changed. That would really suck. My concern is that this receptionist was lying on purpose and not misinforming out of ignorance... trying to swindle some hard earned cash out of us. that's probably illegal, but wouldn't surprise me.

Please say it ain't so folks (about the law)... and how about that receptionist? Is this a scam or swindle (I mean within the bigge r scam that immigration already is) ?

The law has NOT changed. There are new vaccines added periodically and procedure changes but the fact that people with a valid medical don't have to re-do them has not changed.

That receptionist was simply following her greedy crooked doctor's orders. You really can't blame her, the doctors tell them to lie so they can charge more money. Why would he do the form for $50 when he can lie and some unknowing lost soul will fall for it and pay $500.

These are white lab coat-wearing crooks. Plain and simple.

I got a call back from Dr. Arnold's clinic, and they just want me to send in 2 copies of the first page of I-693?

How come its just the first page only?

thanks

because that's where you fill out (and sign... did they tell you to sign?) part 1. They will fill out parts 2 and 5.

[Chantel 0]

I got a call back from Dr. Arnold's clinic, and they just want me to send in 2 copies of the first page of I-693?

How come its just the first page only?

thanks

because that's where you fill out (and sign... did they tell you to sign?) part 1. They will fill out parts 2 and 5.

oh yes, I signed the papers, I sent it today...hope it will be back before Friday, thank you

[Thai family 0]

We were going to use Dr. Arnold, without even attempting to check with a local civil surgeon. On second thought I called locally and they said they would transcribe the records for $25. I was very specific that we needed transcription only. They don't even give vaccines at their office. They send you to the county health department if any additional are needed. This was a very pleasant experience for us, which I wasn't prepared for after reading all the negative experiences on VJ.

Thai Mom

[Angela & Paul 12]

We were going to use Dr. Arnold, without even attempting to check with a local civil surgeon. On second thought I called locally and they said they would transcribe the records for $25. I was very specific that we needed transcription only. They don't even give vaccines at their office. They send you to the county health department if any additional are needed. This was a very pleasant experience for us, which I wasn't prepared for after reading all the negative experiences on VJ.

Thai Mom

Please for all good experiences, it's worth mentioning the name and address of the CS. They need our support. Thank you.

[HighwayStar 0]

I had my interview yesterday, and was approved immediately, after probably under 10 minutes. Though I was one of those people who had chosen not to have the vaccinations transcribed on the I-693, the issue never came up at all. However, it seems every USCIS local office has different criteria, so I understand people wanting to get it over with before getting an RFE.

[Peterspeak 0]

Just wanted to update the latest on Dr. Arnold's:

It's now $30 fee. Dr. L.E. Arnold 4534 Westgate Boulevard, Suite 106, Austin, TX 78745

(512) 444-3131

In our situation we had to get an additional chicken pox vaccination and fax that to their office before they would complete the authorization.

Peter

I just got a return call from Dr. Arnold's office. The fee increase is only for priority mailing. You can still pay $10 for regular mail. FYI.

[chadherm 0]

My husband called Dr . Arnold today and they said that i need a chicken pox vaccine which i had already in the philippines. I am confused now because if i will have another shot , it will be my 2nd shots of chicken pox vaccine in one year. Is there someone have same situation ? I guess i will just go with the flow.

[winifredbee 1]

My husband called Dr . Arnold today and they said that i need a chicken pox vaccine which i had already in the philippines. I am confused now because if i will have another shot , it will be my 2nd shots of chicken pox vaccine in one year. Is there someone have same situation ? I guess i will just go with the flow.

I found this link on the CDC page: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/civil_sur...nstructions.pdf

I am still trying to figure out what my Husband needs as well.

[AFG 0]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone who has specific knowledge on this matter Please reply:

My fiancee entered the US on 3/14/09 based on K-1. We got married within 90 days and I am almost done with the Adjustment of Status package. The medical exam was completed overseas within the last year. The big question is whether I can skip Form I-693 Vaccination Supplement??

I talked to a couple of attorneys in Denver, Colorado and I got conflicting information. One attorney said that the vaccination supplement should be completed and submitted with the package. The other attorney said that the vaccination supplement need not be submitted.

Has anyone filed their Adjustment of Status WITHOUT submitting an I-693 Vaccination Supplement and did everything go through OK without any problems?

Thank you very much!

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

Technically, you are required to submit I-693 with AOS package. If the exam was within 1 year, the whole form does not need to be submitted. The Civil Surgeon only needs to fill out parts 2 (vaccinations) and sign part 5.

Some people have not sent the I-693 at all and got approved. My wife and I only sent a copy of DS-3025 vaccination worksheet that she got at her overseas medical and we were approved quickly and without problems. But my wife had to complete ALL vaccines before they issued her K-1 visa. That might have been the reason why she wasn't RFE'd, who knows... Others in the same exact situation have gotten RFE's.

My stepdaughters also had their vaccines completed before the K-2 visas were issued, so we did the same way as for my wife, but we received RFE's for them. Go figure....

It's up to you. A RFE isn't the end of the world, it will delay your case by at least 2-3 weeks.

If you really want your EAD/AP as soon as possible, get an I-693 filled out and include it. If you can afford a delay, take your chances.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone who has specific knowledge on this matter Please reply:

My fiancee entered the US on 3/14/09 based on K-1. We got married within 90 days and I am almost done with the Adjustment of Status package. The medical exam was completed overseas within the last year. The big question is whether I can skip Form I-693 Vaccination Supplement??

Has anyone filed their Adjustment of Status WITHOUT submitting an I-693 Vaccination Supplement and did everything go through OK without any problems?

Thank you very much!

Yes we filed only sending in the DS3025, but all shots were complete and documented on that form. Just being granted a visa doesn't mean all the immunizations were complete so look over the form and make sure all requirements were met. I don't know anybody who got an RFE for not using the I-693 form if they had a complete DS3025 instead. Often the whole medical report in the brown envelope turned in at POE gets lost and people will get a medical RFE, but I haven't seen it happen for only the form used to show vaccinations. I know the previous poster said it happened to his wife's kids, but actually their whole medical was lost.

Here's some more names of people that got green cards using only the DS3025--Dutti, Gary and Alla, Slightly Bonkers, Roselinda, ikarus, Talyss, HighwayStar and Danielle-Justin (just approved at an interview pending letters from employer.)

[shawndoc 0]

We just had our AOS interview on June 5th. We only submitted a copy of DS3025 from her medical exam for K1. She had not completed all vaccinations (Booster shots for at least 1 weren't possible due to requiring 12 months between shots).

We had no problem getting approved.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

We just had our AOS interview on June 5th. We only submitted a copy of DS3025 from her medical exam for K1. She had not completed all vaccinations (Booster shots for at least 1 weren't possible due to requiring 12 months between shots).

That's because you don't have to COMPLETE a vaccination series, you just have to take the first dose to be able to submit AOS. You're supposed to finish the series on your own.