Immigration medical exam in Shelton, CT: what to bring and what to expect

What is the immigration medical exam?

Most people applying for lawful permanent residence in the United States (the "green card," filed on Form I-485) must complete a medical examination and submit the results on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. The exam screens for conditions that could make someone inadmissible and verifies that the applicant meets vaccination requirements. Since December 2, 2024, Form I-693, or a partial version such as the vaccination record, must generally be submitted together with Form I-485 or USCIS may reject the application.

Who can perform the exam?

Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, or a U.S. Public Health Service officer, can complete Form I-693. A checkup from a regular physician does not satisfy the requirement, even if the physician is board certified. The civil surgeon must also report exam data electronically to the CDC, so the clinic you choose needs to be set up for that workflow.

What happens during the exam?

The visit includes a medical history interview and a physical examination, a review of your vaccination records, and the required screening tests. Per the CDC's Technical Instructions for civil surgeons, applicants age 2 and older must have an IGRA blood test (interferon-gamma release assay) as the initial tuberculosis screening, rather than a skin test. A chest X-ray is required if the blood test is positive, if TB signs or symptoms are present, or for applicants who are immunocompromised: CDC tuberculosis technical instructions. A positive blood test with a normal chest X-ray, indicating latent TB, is generally not a bar to adjustment, while active TB disease must be treated.

Which vaccinations are required?

The civil surgeon applies the CDC vaccination technical instructions, which require all age-appropriate vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Commonly required vaccines include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); polio; tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap); hepatitis B; varicella; and seasonal influenza during flu season, along with others depending on age. COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for Form I-485 filings as of January 2025. Written documentation of vaccinations is essential: self-reported doses without records are not accepted.

How long is Form I-693 valid?

For forms signed on or after November 1, 2023, Form I-693 is valid only while the specific I-485 application it was submitted with is pending. If that application is withdrawn or denied, the form loses its validity: USCIS notice on I-693 validity. This is why the exam is usually timed to your filing, and why the clinic should confirm the form edition USCIS currently accepts before your visit.

What should I bring to the exam?

• Government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license.
• Your I-485 receipt notice or pending application details, if you have already filed.
• Written vaccination records, including childhood immunization records. Bring every record you have; the civil surgeon applies them against current requirements.
• A list of current medications, with doses.
• Relevant medical records, such as documentation of any chronic conditions or recent treatments.
• Results of any recent TB tests or chest X-rays, if available.
• Corrective lenses or hearing aids if you use them.

If you are missing vaccination records, the civil surgeon can discuss which vaccines you may need to receive before the form can be completed, so it helps to ask when you book.

How do I book an immigration medical exam in Shelton, CT?

APRM Solutions provides USCIS immigration medical examinations at the Shelton office. Call (475) 314-3113 or request an appointment, and the team will confirm what to bring and what to expect. The same team also handles DOT physicals for commercial drivers, so exam-based services are a regular part of the practice.