What is the TRUTH about DS-3025 and I-693

[HeatDeath 430]

I had my medical in Vancouver on April 30, 2009. As a 30ish year old male I needed 3 vaccines: Varicella, MMR, and TDap. I got blood tests for the first two and got TDap on the day of my medical.

From my medical I was given a sheet that is laid out and looks exactly like a DS-3025, except that it does not say DS-3025 and is marked "For use only in Canada." As if what you're supposed to do isn't confusing enough already. Figure that one out

[i was also able to get a full copy of my medical at PoE, but this is appreantly very unusual, and didn't end up affecting anything anyways. The CS has no use for it and it doesn't help or facilitate the transcription process.]

I PoE'd in early July, married in early September, and filed my AOS in late September. Around this time a lot of people were still just sending their DS-3025s in. Some would get through but some were getting RFEs. I was a little worried about what to do, both from the RFEs for the DS-3025's, and the fact that my vaccination worksheet didn't even say DS-3025 on it, so to be on the safe side I found a local CS (The Dr. Cobble in Salt Lake City listed above - I made that entry) who would do a transcription nice and cheap (cheaper, actually, than Dr. Arnold, who was doing them mail order until early November, but that's a whole 'nother story!).

Now, even though the panel physician in Vancouver had marked all of the vaccines on my pseudo-DS-3025 either complete or "Age inappropriate", the Salt Lake City CS required me to go to the local public health clinic and get at least the first shot of a Hep A vaccine (as noted in the entry) before they would do the transcription, but there was never any question of them trying to charge me for a full examination.

I'm glad I spent the extra money for the Hep shot and the transcription to the I-693, because right after I filed, a whole bunch of RFEs came down for people who had only sent DS-3025s. As was noted above, procedures were in serious flux. I think they've settled out now. I would NOT send a DS-3025 at this point. It isn't what they want, and you would get an RFE if you tried.

I sent in an I-693 with just the first section for personal information, the vaccination section, and the last section (doctor's signature, etc) filled out, and got through with no RFE or interview. That seems to be what they want now. The only pain in the rear in the whole process is finding a local CS who will do the transcription without you having to literally cram the I-693 instructions right down their throats. It's a pity that a lot of otherwise very talented physicians tragically lose all ability to comprehend written text the day after they receive their diplomas. I got very lucky - the receptionist at Dr. Cobble's office knew exactly what I needed and was very nice about it. I didn't need to explain anything.

Regarding getting an RFE for the full medical even after you sent in a transcribed I-693 in a sealed envelope, that seems to have begun in November. I was never quite sure what was causing that - whether it was some kind of clerical error, adjudicator carelessness, fluctuating rules weirdness, or whether the documents actually went missing. I do know that a number of people sent a response to the RFE saying that the medical was less than a year old, and that was enough to get their case moving again. If it had happened to me, I would have been very thankful for the advice from the guy at the consulate that enabled me to get a copy of my full medical. It's possible he knew that people were having problems with that. I'm glad I didn't have to make the choice of springing for a whole new medical or not based on an RFE. The safest choice there, to have it redone, is terribly expensive. In a situation like that an InfoPass appointment might be the best bet. That way you can talk to someone with authority who has access to your file and can tell you precisely what the problem is.

Edited May 13, 2010 by HeatDeath

[that_girl 9]

I had my medical in Vancouver on April 30, 2009. As a 30ish year old male I needed 3 vaccines: Varicella, MMR, and TDap. I got blood tests for the first two and got TDap on the day of my medical.

From my medical I was given a sheet that is laid out and looks exactly like a DS-3025, except that it does not say DS-3025 and is marked "For use only in Canada." As if what you're supposed to do isn't confusing enough already. Figure that one out

[i was also able to get a full copy of my medical at PoE, but this is appreantly very unusual, and didn't end up affecting anything anyways. The CS has no use for it and it doesn't help or facilitate the transcription process.]

I PoE'd in early July, married in early September, and filed my AOS in late September. Around this time a lot of people were still just sending their DS-3025s in. Some would get through but some were getting RFEs. I was a little worried about what to do, both from the RFEs for the DS-3025's, and the fact that my vaccination worksheet didn't even say DS-3025 on it, so to be on the safe side I found a local CS (The Dr. Cobble in Salt Lake City listed above - I made that entry) who would do a transcription nice and cheap (cheaper, actually, than Dr. Arnold, who was doing them mail order until early November, but that's a whole 'nother story!).

Now, even though the panel physician in Vancouver had marked all of the vaccines on my pseudo-DS-3025 either complete or "Age inappropriate", the Salt Lake City CS required me to go to the local public health clinic and get at least the first shot of a Hep A vaccine (as noted in the entry) before they would do the transcription, but there was never any question of them trying to charge me for a full examination.

I'm glad I spent the extra money for the Hep shot and the transcription to the I-693, because right after I filed, a whole bunch of RFEs came down for people who had only sent DS-3025s. As was noted above, procedures were in serious flux. I think they've settled out now. I would NOT send a DS-3025 at this point. It isn't what they want, and you would get an RFE if you tried.

I sent in an I-693 with just the first section for personal information, the vaccination section, and the last section (doctor's signature, etc) filled out, and got through with no RFE or interview. That seems to be what they want now. The only pain in the rear in the whole process is finding a local CS who will do the transcription without you having to literally cram the I-693 instructions right down their throats. It's a pity that a lot of otherwise very talented physicians tragically lose all ability to comprehend written text the day after they receive their diplomas. I got very lucky - the receptionist at Dr. Cobble's office knew exactly what I needed and was very nice about it. I didn't need to explain anything.

Regarding getting an RFE for the full medical even after you sent in a transcribed I-693 in a sealed envelope, that seems to have begun in November. I was never quite sure what was causing that - whether it was some kind of clerical error, adjudicator carelessness, fluctuating rules weirdness, or whether the documents actually went missing. I do know that a number of people sent a response to the RFE saying that the medical was less than a year old, and that was enough to get their case moving again. If it had happened to me, I would have been very thankful for the advice from the guy at the consulate that enabled me to get a copy of my full medical. It's possible he knew that people were having problems with that. I'm glad I didn't have to make the choice of springing for a whole new medical or not based on an RFE. The safest choice there, to have it redone, is terribly expensive. In a situation like that an InfoPass appointment might be the best bet. That way you can talk to someone with authority who has access to your file and can tell you precisely what the problem is.

Hmmm, well.... We sent our AOS on May 11, with only a certified (i.e. had a stamp and raised seal on it) copy of the DS-3025 from my husband's K-1 medical. I wrote in the cover letter/list of contents at the front of our packet something to the effect of "documentation of vaccination as per part blah.blah.blah of I-485 instructions" with the blah.blah.blah directing them to the part that talks about K-1 medicals. The DS-3025 has the box that says "complete..." ticked at the bottom, so I'm hoping that everything will be alright, but we'll see. At least if we get an RFE we have another certified copy of the DS-3025 and there are a whole bunch of CSs here in Miami, so at least one of them must transcribe these durn things for a reasonable price....

[april082010 3]

Help! We are seriously frustrated and confused as to what we need to do regarding the medical exam requirements on the AOS form.

Here is an entry we found on the AOS tips page:

If you are a K-1, K-2, K-3 or K-4 visa holder the I-693 instructions state that you are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485 is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. Regardless of if you are exempt from a medical exam, you are still required to complete certain portions of the I-693 and have a Civil Surgeon certify the form (and seal it in an evelope). Specifically, you will complete Part 1 (Information about you) of the I-693 and provide both the form and your DS-3025 (if you have it, proving your vaccination history) and any proof of required vaccinations that were completed prior to entering the US. If you do not have a copy of your DS-3025 you will need to provide sufficient evidence of your vaccination history to the Civil Surgeon (talk to the civil surgeon's office to discuss what vaccination records they accept as proof). If you do not have proof of your vaccination history the Civil Surgeon may insist on re-administering all the required vaccinations prior to completing the I-693. Once the Civil Surgeon has has verified that all required vaccinations have been performed, they will complete form I-693 Part 2 (the vaccination section) and Part 5 (the Civil Surgeon's Certification). They will then seal the form in an envelope and return it to you.

Here is an entry we found on a VJ recommended thread regarding medical exam for AOS:

If the beneficiary's vaccinations were COMPLETED as part of the visa process, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE FORM I-693 IN THE AOS SUBMISSION. All your medical information is enclosed in the brown envelope which was handed in at the POE. The envelope is then forwarded on to USCIS where it will be consolidated with the I-485 submission, once received. If you received a copy of the Vaccination Documentation Worksheet (Form DS-3025) from your Panel Physician, you may include a copy of that form in your AOS submission in place of Form I-693.

Unless I am missing it, can we please have ONE entry that spells out the requirements clearly? I think, though a great source, VJ drops the ball here and a LOT of time is wasted trying to figure out what is really required. Being the two comments above contradict each other, maybe the incorrect entry can be removed.

Anywayyyyy, my fiance had a full med exam and received some vaccinations (measles and Tetanus and diphtheria) prior to entry. However, we have no DS-3025. So what is it we need to do? Is I-693 required or not?? If we need to have proof of the vaccinations, we have NO IDEA how we would go about getting that being all med exam info was sealed in envelopes and we received copies of nothing.

A straight answer would be helpful.

Thanks to all.

PF

If you don't have DS-3025 which is the proof of her vaccination, she will need to do it again, unless otherwise you would be able to get a copy of the vaccination record from her country. Civil surgeon use I-693 to transfer the vaccination records only from DS-3025. Then the I-693 will be signed by the AOS applicant and Civil Surgeon, then sealed it in an envelope.

[Enigma11561 336]

After a lot of reading on this subject, here is my personal experience. My wife's son, a K-2, arrived last week with his DS-3025 completed by the panel physician. It was a copy of the original with seal and signatures. He also has a chest X-ray. I selected a CS in my area. $100 to fill in the I-693. Others I called wanted $250. When we got there I was told:

1. Chest X-ray is no good unless it has a written explanation from a radiologist.

2. Syphilis tests are now required starting October 1, 2010. $150.

3. Need to do another TB test. But since the kid had a vaccination in his own country, called a GSM (or something like that), he could come back with a false negative (positive), which will require another chest X-ray locally, with a written report, of course. Cost of that yet unknown.

I think some of these doctors are just rip offs.I wish I could find EXACTLY what is required for the CS to file the I-693 and not have to take their word that this is needed but not that. Any suggestions on where to find this stuff out? thanks.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

After a lot of reading on this subject, here is my personal experience. My wife's son, a K-2, arrived last week with his DS-3025 completed by the panel physician. It was a copy of the original with seal and signatures. He also has a chest X-ray. I selected a CS in my area. $100 to fill in the I-693. Others I called wanted $250. When we got there I was told:

1. Chest X-ray is no good unless it has a written explanation from a radiologist.

2. Syphilis tests are now required starting October 1, 2010. $150.

3. Need to do another TB test. But since the kid had a vaccination in his own country, called a GSM (or something like that), he could come back with a false negative (positive), which will require another chest X-ray locally, with a written report, of course. Cost of that yet unknown.

I think some of these doctors are just rip offs.I wish I could find EXACTLY what is required for the CS to file the I-693 and not have to take their word that this is needed but not that. Any suggestions on where to find this stuff out? thanks.

Sure, here's the CS field manual: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/technical-instructions-civil-surgeons.html or here: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/2009-ti-vaccination.pdf

Here's the immunisation schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5901-Immunization.pdf

To comment on what you were told directly:

1. lie. The chest x-ray is part of the K1 medical. As the medical is less than a year old then the x-ray is irrelevant to them because you're just getting a vaccination transcription.

2. lie. This should already have been done with the K1 medical in your home country. It's one of the reasons they took your blood. HIV and syphillis. I had mine in 2009.

3. lie again. As a K1 applicant you had your TB test. The TB test is part of the medical. If you're doing a vaccination transcription no TB test is required because you're not re-doing the medical... just vaccinations.

I could show you links for point 3 in USCIS Q&A... but basically it's just all there in their instructions and their updates. They obviously have no idea. It's important to note that the CS you're dealing with is probably confusing FULL medicals with K1 vaccination transcriptions. I'm sure the TB Skin test and syphillis tests are required when someone needs a COMPLETE medical, but as you're just doing the transcription then it's not.

Also, the I-693 form instructions also mention that the K1 only needs part 1, part 2 (vaccination table only) and part 5.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It's one of the reasons they took your blood. HIV and syphillis

I don't think they even check for HIV anymore since HIV is no longer an inadmissable condition (as of the first of this year).

Syphilis testing for age 15 or older, but that would have already been done at the visa medical like the above poster said.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I don't think they even check for HIV anymore since HIV is no longer an inadmissable condition (as of the first of this year).

Syphilis testing for age 15 or older, but that would have already been done at the visa medical like the above poster said.

True that. My bad I thought they still tested for it but that you can't be excluded for it..

[Enigma11561 336]

Oh boy. The DS-3025 has all his vaccinations on it, and in English. I think I could have just mailed in this form with the other papers. But I hear this is a ####### shot in terms of acceptance and I cannot afford an RFE as we are facing an age out issue. So I went the route of the I-693 which opened a can of worms. Its not transcribing the data, now the CS must do the syphilis test ( which does not show in the DS-3025)and a TB test. He has one but an older version not accepted here, so I am told. And could give a false positive which mean having his chest x-ray, now read by a radiologist. Seems if the CS signs off on the 693, he is signing off on all sections, not just the vaccinations.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Oh boy. The DS-3025 has all his vaccinations on it, and in English. I think I could have just mailed in this form with the other papers. But I hear this is a ####### shot in terms of acceptance and I cannot afford an RFE as we are facing an age out issue. So I went the route of the I-693 which opened a can of worms. Its not transcribing the data, now the CS must do the syphilis test ( which does not show in the DS-3025)and a TB test. He has one but an older version not accepted here, so I am told. And could give a false positive which mean having his chest x-ray, now read by a radiologist. Seems if the CS signs off on the 693, he is signing off on all sections, not just the vaccinations.

That's what the CS claims but it simply isn't true, the signing off that is. The instructions of the forms, and the USCIS website clearly state that as a K1 medical is still valid only pages 1 (part 1), Part 2 (vaccination table) and Part 5 are to be completed. It also states that only the pages that hold that information need to be sent in.. seems you got a stupid CS... sorry but it does happen.

He does NOT need a syphillis test, and he does NOT need a new TB test. These are part of the medical. You only need the vaccinations transcribed. If you're doing a whole new medical then yes, he'll have to re-do everything.

FYI - when I went for my transcription they tried pulling the TB ####### on me. I told them no. They finally let it slide on the proviso if I got an RFE for it I didn't come back to them and expect them to "fix it" without payment. No problem, I won't get an RFE for a test I don't need... and I didn't. Approved without interview and no RFE's.

**Edit - if you're already done this is a moot point but if you've still got stuff to do then I would try and find another CS. Sounds like this one needs to be reported for not following the rules. Have a read of the first link I sent you. It shows there have been NO updates to syphilis.

Edited October 9, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Zenda 0]

Okay, I'm going to take a stab at this. I thought we were okay with just the DS-3025, but I want to be certain.

My wife had her medical exam in Norway in July 2010, K-1 POE August 2010, married September 2010. She asked for and received a copy of the DS-3025 before she left the country.

Prior to the exam (while we were waiting for the NOA2) she went to a clinic and made sure she had her vaccinations. When she went to see the physician in July 2010, he looked at her vaccination record and administered no vaccinations because she was up to date.

On the DS-3025, every column is either marked with "Completed Series" (along with dates under "Vaccine History Transferred From a Written Record") or "Not Age Appropriate". In the section at the bottom for "2. Results" the box is checked next to "Vaccine history complete for each vaccine, all requirements met (Documented Above)." The section for the panel physician has his name, seal, and date on it.

From reading through posts and the USCIS instructions, this seems about as clear-cut a case as possible for not needing to go and get the I-693. We'd like to send off the AOS paperwork with only the DS-3025 form. Is this the correct thing to do?

If we need to get the I-693 then so be it; we're fortunate in that there are literally dozens on civil surgeons within an hour's drive. I'm even willing to call around and find a low price "just in case" but honestly if it isn't required I'd rather not waste the time and money to do it.

Thank you,

Zenda

[Zenda 0]

Okay, I just got off the phone with USCIS. I was told that in her situation, her DS-3025 was sufficient and the I-693 was unnecessary.

[J J Moose 3]

We did not receive a copy of my fiance's DS-3025. Thanks to the wonderful information that VJ provides, I became aware of this oversight while my fiance and I were still in his home country of Ghana. We returned to the clinic to request a copy. The Hospital Administrator phoned the U.S. Consulate in Accra in my presence, and they told her not to release a copy of the DS-3025 to us, and to inform us that any further issues should not be brought to the clinic but should be taken to the U.S. Consulate directly.

I immediately called the consulate with the public access phone number. Nobody answered in the Visa Services section and Citizen Services was unable to answer my question. Citizen Services suggested I email the consulate. They replied 7 days later saying they would not give me a copy, and I should ask the office at the POE.

We arrived at Washington Dulles. Immigration was very friendly and quick. I went through the non-citizens line with my fiance to ask the immigration officer if he would make us a photocopy (even though it was obviously not his responsibility).

The immigration officer was very helpful and obliged. He directed us to a secondary immigration station (which had a photocopier) where a second immigration officer grumbled about it but still made the photocopies for us.

We plan to go to a CS to get his vaccines transcribed onto a I-693; after reading up on it on VJ I just don't trust the DS-3025 to cut it. I actually plan to include both the DS-3025 and the I-693 in our AOS packet so that in case our DS-3025 got lost, they know we did actually file it and hopefully we won't get an RFE. We called around; one clinic wanted to do a full medical for almost $300, but we found a clinic in our area that was familiar with the k-1 needs and they're charging under $50 for same day service. I realized I will pay that for some peace of mind and to avoid delays and complications. If we have a pleasant experience, I plan to add this clinic to VJ's Civil Surgeons list.

Edited March 23, 2011 by J J Moose

[CGOlivas 9]

Members need to remember that the USCIS website provides a list of Civil Surgeons that are authorized to fill out I-693 forms.

[J J Moose 3]

For anyone in the Wisconsin area, here is a good CS option.

Concentra Madison East (They have 3 different CS's there)

1619 North Stoughton Road

Madison, WI 53704

608-244-1213

They are an Urgent Care Clinic, so no appt. necessary. They charged us $40 to transcribe my fiance's K-1 vaccinations to an I-693. He needed an additional vaccination, which ran an extra $70 (which was still worth it for us). This clinic knew what they were doing; they were efficient and professional and well-versed with the K-1 procedure to the I-693. We went in on Friday; they asked us to return on Monday to pick up the completed I-693 envelope, but because we live kind of far away, they agreed to mail it instead. Went into the mail on Monday, and we received it Tuesday. I was very impressed by this clinic.

I tried to add it to the VJ Wiki Civil Surgeons Page, but couldn't get in to edit it. As this page does not yet have a Wisconsin entry, I would appreciate it if someone could insert this Clinic.

Edited March 30, 2011 by J J Moose

[baron555 934]

We played it safe and sent in both the 3025s and transcribed 693s and had no issues and both got their green cards.