i-693 - which sections to fill out? help please!

[Viridian 10]

I've tried searching around the forums but, although I've seen a lot of discussion of this topic, I haven't been able to find definitive answers to my questions.

 

My K-1 has been issued and I'm trying to throw together the bulk of the AoS paperwork so it'll be as ready as possible once I arrive in the US. My understanding is that, since I had my medical appointment for the K-1 last month in London, I don't need to schedule another appointment in the US. Per the guidance from the FAQ:

 

Quote

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 envelope). 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.

 

This information seems to be out of date, since not all of the sections in the current form match those listed here. My questions, then, are these:

 

1) Which sections of form i-693 do I need to fill out BEFORE sending it off as part of my AoS package?

2) Do I need to visit a Civil Surgeon BEFORE filing for AoS, or will this take place after USCIS has received my green card application (or not at all)?

3) Can I in fact, as some on this forum have suggested, skip i-693 entirely and just submit a copy of my DS-3025 (vaccination record) with the i-485?

 

I'd really appreciate some clarity on this. Thanks!

[mushroomspore 3,044]

My civil surgeon filled out my I-693 for me but I am not adjusting from K1.

 

Check out this pinned thread at the top of this forum about this topic.

[Yan_Inna 32]

Even though my wife had it done in Ukraine she still went to one in US. She got some of the shots that are required in US. So I would say it’s best one get it done again and bring a fresh one to the interview. You might not need it, but it’s better to have it just in case they do ask for it.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, Viridian said:

I've tried searching around the forums but, although I've seen a lot of discussion of this topic, I haven't been able to find definitive answers to my questions.

The best answer is usually in the written instructions provided by USCIS for the form. Read the whole thing. 

 

Find the form on https://www.uscis.gov/forms

Edited September 23, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Viridian 10]

Thanks, Wuozopo. I've read the instructions in full, however, and they are extremely unclear on this point. Here is the section that comes closest to addressing my question (also reproduced in Nich-Nick's post):

 

Quote

3. What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and already had a medical examination overseas?
    If you were admitted as a:
     A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e); or
     B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen; and
     C. You received a medical examination prior to admission, then:
            (1) You are not required to have another medical examination as long as you file your Form I-485 within one year
                  of an overseas medical examination; and
                   (a) The panel physician did not find a class A medical condition during your overseas examination; or
                   (b) The panel physician did find a class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility, and
                          you have complied with the terms and conditions of the waiver.
            (2) Even if a new medical examination is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the
                vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included
                as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the Part 9. Vaccination
                Record completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you must submit Parts 1., 2., 3., 4., 6., and 9.
                of Form I-693.

I understand all of these instructions, but they do not clarify whether or not a partially completed I-693 is still required in my case (K-1 filing for AoS, had medical, all vaccinations up-to-date). I've seen every possible answer to this question on these forums, and was wondering if there is any consensus.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

Back to your original 3 questions:

 

1) The whole form gets filled out and sealed before you send off. You fill out some before you go to the civil surgeon. 

Page 1 of instructions: Fill out Part 1. Information About You of Form I-693. Do not sign the form until the civil surgeon tells you to sign it. You must sign in the presence of the civil surgeon. 

Page 3/4.  Start with this and continue reading.

How To Fill Out My (the Applicant’s) Portion of Form I-693

Form I-693 is divided into 10 parts. These instructions will help you and the civil surgeon complete Form I-693.

Only complete Part 1. of Form I-693 and the identifying information at the top of each page. The civil surgeon and any other doctors, clinics, or health departments that you are referred to will complete the remaining parts of Form I-693. 

 

2) The USCIS page for Form I-693 has "Special Instructions" you open and read. Basically you can wait until close to your interview if you like.

USCIS requires most applicants seeking to adjust to lawful permanent resident status to submit the results of a medical examination by a designated civil surgeon on Form I-693, which indicates whether an applicant is or is not inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds.

NOTE:  To ensure the results of the medical examination are still valid at the time USCIS adjudicates the associated benefit application, applicants should schedule the medical examination as close as possible to the time they file for adjustment of status, respond to a Request for Evidence, or attend an interview (if applicable). Applicants should, however, also provide sufficient time for the performance of laboratory testing or additional testing required under CDC's Technical Instructions. For more information on the validity of Form I-693, see the USCIS Policy Manual Volume 8, Part B, Chapter 4.

 

3) Yes. You can skip the civil surgeon completely if your required shots are all on your form DS-3025 and signed off by Knightsbridge. If you believed the nurse there who may have said you could go back to your GP after you medical and get your shots, then those would now have to be signed off by a civil surgeon. 

Edited September 23, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Viridian 10]

 

34 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

3) Yes. You can skip the civil surgeon completely if your required shots are all on your form DS-3025 and signed off by Knightsbridge.

Thanks, that's very helpful! In that case, I think I'm going to follow the example I've seen from others on this forum who have submitted just the DS-3025 with a note explaining that it is in lieu of the I-639.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Viridian said:

 

Thanks, that's very helpful! In that case, I think I'm going to follow the example I've seen from others on this forum who have submitted just the DS-3025 with a note explaining that it is in lieu of the I-639.

It worked for me. The interviewers all across the US are not equally knowledgeable about what USCIS tells them to do and some have come up with their own interpretations. And the latest version of the DS-3025 is better than the previous at showing if a K1 did get the shots. Knightsbridge used to refuse to mark any results for a K1.

 

I think with the many adjudicators, the changes to forms, and how the various panel physicians fill out the DS-3025 is the reason you see so many different responses in the forums. Best case is you sail through. Worst case is your interviewer has no clue and sends you to a civil surgeon. I would politely point out that all shots are indeed signed off. But if he insists, then go spend your money on a civil surgeon at that time. It goes straight back to your interviewer and will be quickly resolved. You won't go back into endless months of waiting. One thing to point out, you may get a pre-interview letter mentioning an I-693 "if not already submitted". That is a form letter, not specific to your case. You submitted an allowed substitute for I-693 so go to your interview and hope it works out. It is supposed to. 

Edited September 23, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Viridian 10]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I appreciate it. It does sound as though this is one of those areas where even the interviewers can't always agree on the rules. In any case, it's reassuring to know that this isn't something that will cause a serious delay to my application.