FAQs: Forms I-693 and DS-3025

[Shannon and David 0]

Thanks for the reply. Pretty annoying they didn't do the TB test in the medical in London, given the new requirements, if that's the case.

Ah well, these things are sent to try us

Stu

I feel ya! Doesn't make sense that they didn't do it there.

i just want to make things clear for me and my fiance with regards to the medical exam requirement upon filing the AOS. i already read the new TB guidleines by CDC as well..

i have no idea on this yet, i hope you can help us with some of our concerns...here i listed them..

ABOUT THE VACCINATION:

what will happen to the medical exam that we had at SLEC? will it be continued by a so called "civil surgeon" assigned by the USCIS once the beneficiary arrives in the u.s.? does that mean that our follow up vaccinations (the one started by SLEC) will have to be done in the u.s.? ( can i have a shot from some clinic here in the PI or i should continue it in the u.s.)

ABOUT THE NEW TB TEST REQUIREMENT:

with all these... how will i know the flow of the processing? WILL THE USCIS SEND ME A LETTER OF INSTRUCTION THAT I HAVE TO UNDERGO SUCH DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES? OR WILL I GET A NOTIFICATION AS SOON AS I ARRIVE AT THE POE?

I do not think USCIS will send you a notice about it. But here is what I did and did not do. I had my additional shots here in the US at a health center and it did not cost me anything. I did not submit I-693. I could not find any CS in our area that charges $50 or lower. They want to always do a full medical on me before they fill up the I-693. I just photocopied my DS-3025 from SLEC and the vaccination paper that I got from the health center and mailed that together with the other paperworks last June 19, 2008. I had my biometrics done last July 26, 2008. So far I have not received any RFE regarding my medical.

Hi... the new regulations say that an I-693 needs to be submitted. I know that some people are taking chances and just submitting the DS-3025, but I wouldn't take the chance. Just one more thing that could delay the process, IMHO.

The above poster is correct: you will not receive any instructions on the how to complete the medical. Follow the directions for the new I-693. Link provided below. You will need to talk to a Civil Surgeon (CS) to find out what additional vaccinations you need, if any and get them done somewhere. Wherever you want (your personal doctor, free health clinic, whatever). Then, you will need to go back to the CS and get the info transcribed onto the I-693.

You do NOT need to get a new medical exam done, contrary to what some of the CSs are trying to tell K-1 people. Some people have successfully brought a copy of the I-693 directions with them to the office and then they (the doctors) changed their minds once they saw the directions.

The I-693 forms were revised on 06/05/08. New info. Directions to the new I-693 link below.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-693instr.pdf

Here's the form itself.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-693.pdf

When was your medical?? What vaccinations you need and whether or not you need the TB test will depend on the date of your medical exam.

Edited August 14, 2008 by Shannon and David

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

We sent in DS-3025 in July. The package was accepted and we received an NOA. That doesn't mean much other than it wasn't rejected right off the bat. It also doesn't mean that an RFE won't come later in the process. If it does, we'll deal with it. And if it comes, we'll get one of the Civil Surgeon crooks to fill out the I-693 for us and we'll send it in. At most, it would slow the process down about 2-3 weeks. No big deal, this isn't a race. And it's not like waiting for the visa where you are apart from your loved one. I'm together with my wife, so I am not all that concerned about how long the AOS takes.

Edited August 15, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

We sent in DS-3025 in July. The package was accepted and we received an NOA. That doesn't mean much other than it wasn't rejected right off the bat. It also doesn't mean that an RFE won't come later in the process. If it does, we'll deal with it. And if it comes, we'll get one of the Civil Surgeon crooks to fill out the I-693 for us and we'll send it in. At most, it would slow the process down about 2-3 weeks. No big deal, this isn't a race. And it's not like waiting for the visa where you are apart from your loved one. I'm together with my wife, so I am not all that concerned about how long the AOS takes.

Could not have said it any BETTER.

[shes 0]

there are some people here who got their viaccinations for free! how? how about the TST and if ever the medication, would that be free as well? i heard someone here told me she was instructed by the USCIS to call a certain CS for her medical. i am really quite lost about the whole TST, additional medical exam or treatment for TB

i had my medical exam here in the PI last July 17, so i will be part of the new immigration policy with regards to TB testing..since im from Philippines, if they l do a TST on me, that could be positive and i read the new TB test policy, once positive,a course of medication will be required..

..will they provide the medication and treatment for free?

[Jeraly 4]

Hi...

Here's some info from the USCIS website....

Date of Medical Exam

Do I have to submit the revised Form I-693?

Does the medical exam have to be done in accordance with the new TB requirements?

Do I have to receive the new vaccines (if age appropriate?)

Before June 1, 2008

No

No

No

June 1 – July 31, 2008

Yes Edition dates 4/2/08 and 6/5/08 are acceptable

Yes

No

On or after Aug. 1, 2008

Yes - must submit Edition date 6/5/08

Yes

Yes

Here's the link from where I got it...

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

So, it does indeed look like, since you had your medical in July, you need to take the new TB test. It's listed on the above link. Good luck!

Wow... so that suggests that I don't even need to have the HPV vaccine because I had my medical before June 1??? Someone tell me that is correct and I will love you forever!!! Also, I would REALLY like to verify this with the DOS or USCIS as it would save us so much money... I am tempted to just attach the printed webpage with the relevant info highlighted to the vaccine form thing and see what happens...

[Shannon and David 0]

there are some people here who got their viaccinations for free! how? how about the TST and if ever the medication, would that be free as well? i heard someone here told me she was instructed by the USCIS to call a certain CS for her medical. i am really quite lost about the whole TST, additional medical exam or treatment for TB

i had my medical exam here in the PI last July 17, so i will be part of the new immigration policy with regards to TB testing..since im from Philippines, if they l do a TST on me, that could be positive and i read the new TB test policy, once positive,a course of medication will be required..

..will they provide the medication and treatment for free?

Hi! The people who have received free vaccines are the ones who went to their local health dept. You do not have to call a certain CS. Look on the CS locator to find one in your area and call around (prices/knowledge about the rules/requirements vary wildy!). What you need to do is find out first what additional vaccines under the old requirements that you are expected to have (see my signature for what we did - David needed a second MMR vaccine). You should NOT have to fulfill the new vaccine requirements as your test was July 17th. Later, after you have your shots (if any), then you can get it transcribed. I paid $25 (David got his shots for free under my health insurance after we got married). That's it!

To be prepared, I would take a copy of this info from the USCIS website (link above) to show the CS, along with the directions from the I-693 as it seems that many CSs are trying to get K-1 people to get a whole new medical. Some people here have mentioned that they've had success with taking a printed copy of the directions and info from the USCIS website to avoid having to re-get a medical.

Yep, you are required to have the TB skin test, but you are not required to fulfill the new vaccine requirements. If for whatever reason you would test positive for TB, you would have to have an X-ray to see if really is positive. I, for example, am from Germany and was born at a time that they were still giving live TB vaccines. Therefore if I get a positive skin test (I have), I would just need to get an X-ray to prove that I don't have it (which I did). You probably got an X-ray in the Phillipines from your medical, so I would maybe bring that with you when you get the results from the skin test.

Link to FAQs in regards to the new vaccine requirements...

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

Hi...

Here's some info from the USCIS website....

Date of Medical Exam

Do I have to submit the revised Form I-693?

Does the medical exam have to be done in accordance with the new TB requirements?

Do I have to receive the new vaccines (if age appropriate?)

Before June 1, 2008

No

No

No

June 1 – July 31, 2008

Yes Edition dates 4/2/08 and 6/5/08 are acceptable

Yes

No

On or after Aug. 1, 2008

Yes - must submit Edition date 6/5/08

Yes

Yes

Here's the link from where I got it...

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

So, it does indeed look like, since you had your medical in July, you need to take the new TB test. It's listed on the above link. Good luck!

Wow... so that suggests that I don't even need to have the HPV vaccine because I had my medical before June 1??? Someone tell me that is correct and I will love you forever!!! Also, I would REALLY like to verify this with the DOS or USCIS as it would save us so much money... I am tempted to just attach the printed webpage with the relevant info highlighted to the vaccine form thing and see what happens...

That's the way that the website reads... I would print out the webpage and when you find out from a CS if you have all the required vaccines (my husband needed a 2nd MMR shot even under the old requirements), then just show him/her the page if they say that you need the vaccine. You'd have info direct from USCIS that answers their question!

Edited August 17, 2008 by Shannon and David

[Jeraly 4]

Good plan I'm tempted to just send in the DS-3025 - I'm in no rush so an RFE isn't a big deal but it would buy me some time to look into it all a bit more

[Shannon and David 0]

Good plan I'm tempted to just send in the DS-3025 - I'm in no rush so an RFE isn't a big deal but it would buy me some time to look into it all a bit more

Cool! (I actually read someone's RFE post today... didn't have the I-693.)

[Jeraly 4]

Yeah - I read that as well - it seems to be a bit hit or miss - maybe depends on the country of the immigrant? Who knows - at this stage of the game I figure I'm here and a week or two extra won't hurt if I get an RFE

[SMB x2 0]

My mother-in-law (a nurse) made an interesting point, the other evening. Given that the x-ray is more conclusive (i.e., should the skin test flag positive, an x-ray is required), why, having already had an x-ray, is the skin test required?

Strange.

Also, for those caught in the June - July window, it's really not entirely obvious how to proceed. Presumably, the embassy appointed medical centre should have carried out the TB skin test, but they didn't. I got my vaccination details copied over on to the relevant section of the I-693 on Friday and when I mentioned the new TB skin test regulations, they didn't know what I was on about, despite this CS office being used to dealing with immigration cases. Is the sealed I-693 I have here useless, and will they need carry out the TB skin test and put the results in the medical section of the form? I suggested this to them, but they were of the opinion that this section was usually for full medicals (they were at least of the understanding that K visa holders don't need to do that).

Being caught in this June - July window is frustrating. There are clearly defined procedures for those who fall before it after, but not during.

Stu

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

My mother-in-law (a nurse) made an interesting point, the other evening. Given that the x-ray is more conclusive (i.e., should the skin test flag positive, an x-ray is required), why, having already had an x-ray, is the skin test required?

Strange.

Also, for those caught in the June - July window, it's really not entirely obvious how to proceed. Presumably, the embassy appointed medical centre should have carried out the TB skin test, but they didn't. I got my vaccination details copied over on to the relevant section of the I-693 on Friday and when I mentioned the new TB skin test regulations, they didn't know what I was on about, despite this CS office being used to dealing with immigration cases. Is the sealed I-693 I have here useless, and will they need carry out the TB skin test and put the results in the medical section of the form? I suggested this to them, but they were of the opinion that this section was usually for full medicals (they were at least of the understanding that K visa holders don't need to do that).

Being caught in this June - July window is frustrating. There are clearly defined procedures for those who fall before it after, but not during.

Stu

That is the same thing many of my friends that are nurses said. I'm also caught in the June-July window. If I get an RFE, I'll just deal with it. My husband's physical was June 3, 2008. I'll see what happens. I filed for AOS August 14th.

[Zee Bee 61]

This thread

[shes 0]

ok so this means when i get to america, i will have to be under this new procedure since my medical exam in my local country happened on July 17. correct??

il definitely be more asky on this thread when im already in the u.s.

[shes 0]

there are some people here who got their viaccinations for free! how? how about the TST and if ever the medication, would that be free as well? i heard someone here told me she was instructed by the USCIS to call a certain CS for her medical. i am really quite lost about the whole TST, additional medical exam or treatment for TB

i had my medical exam here in the PI last July 17, so i will be part of the new immigration policy with regards to TB testing..since im from Philippines, if they l do a TST on me, that could be positive and i read the new TB test policy, once positive,a course of medication will be required..

..will they provide the medication and treatment for free?

Yep, you are required to have the TB skin test, but you are not required to fulfill the new vaccine requirements. If for whatever reason you would test positive for TB, you would have to have an X-ray to see if really is positive. I, for example, am from Germany and was born at a time that they were still giving live TB vaccines. Therefore if I get a positive skin test (I have), I would just need to get an X-ray to prove that I don't have it (which I did). You probably got an X-ray in the Phillipines from your medical, so I would maybe bring that with you when you get the results from the skin test.

hi there shannon! thanks for answering my question. btw, is the TB skin test should be done by a CS? and say treatments need to be done as well, should it be also by the CS?

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

I'm not suggesting or advocating that anybody do it this way but here's what my wife and I did. And so far, so good.

My wife (k-1) had her medical in March in Costa Rica. CR requires that the k-1's complete all required vaccinations as part of the visa process, so she had to get the ones she was missing before she received a visa.

When we sent her AOS in late July, we did NOT include any parts of the I-693, only a copy of the DS-3025 worksheet and a note stating that she completed all vaccinations before the visa was approved and all those records were in her big yellow envelope.

We were just transferred to CSC, so I think that means that they accepted the DS-3025. I don't know if we can still receive an RFE for it or not.