WHAT IS A PANEL PHYSICIAN
The Panel Physician is a doctor that works for the U.S. government.
You will have to have an interview with the Panel Physician if you are:
- applying for your green card, and you are outside of the United States, or
- applying for your green card, and you are physically inside the United States, or
- applying for a temporary non-immigrant visa application, and you are outside of the United States, if there is an issue from your past (such as a denial, criminal activity etc.)
- For example, maybe you had a past DUI (driving under the influence), then you will have to see an embassy-approved doctor even if it is for a temporary visa and you are outside the US
The Panel Physicians is essentially interviewing you for inadmissibility issues.
They will ask you a series of questions. These questions are being asked to determine whether you will be admitted into the United States or denied entry.
We often encounter professionals and businesspeople go to a panel physician interview to then have their visa request denied based on the physicians’ interview results; and are in complete shock as to why. If you are scheduled to speak to a panel physician, you should speak to our office first so we can go through your case with you to see if there are red flags; or listen to one of our audios discussing this topic in greater detail.
Form I-693 reports the results of an immigration medical examination to USCIS.
US Immigration requires this examination for applicants who are seeking immigration benefits that are not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds, found under INA section 212. A separate Form I-693 is required for each applicant; your children for example cannot use the same form as you do for the medical exam.
WWW.USCIS.GOV has a list of designated panel physicians. When you go for your medical examination, the civil surgeon will give you the completed I-693 form in a sealed envelope, which you will submit to USCIS. USCIS will not accept the form unless it is sealed, and an updated edition form is used. There are no filing fees for this form; you pay the civil surgeon for their service.
You must be truthful and accurate about what you tell the designated civil surgeon. The civil surgeon is required to perform specific tests for tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. The medical examination also requires the civil surgeon to evaluate for other sexually transmitted diseases, including leprosy. If you have a communicable disease of public health significance, the civil surgeon will advise you on how to obtain treatment.
All applicants two years of age and older must be tested for tuberculosis with an initial screening test.
The civil surgeon will also test for mental and physical disorders, drug addiction, and drug use. The civil surgeon will review your medical history during the medical examination and ask you questions to determine whether you are currently using drugs or psychoactive substances, or whether you have used them in the past.
All applicants for adjustment of status must present documents showing they were vaccinated against a broad range of vaccine-preventable diseases. The Doctor will review your vaccination history to determine whether you have had all your required vaccinations, and you can bring your vaccination records with you to your appointment with the civil surgeon. There are waivers you can avail of under certain conditions if you don’t wish to be vaccinated.
Medical records and the medical examination scope are only valid for a certain period of time, typically no more than two years, but check because US immigration laws are constantly changing this requirement. Listen to Caro’s audios to further guide you on the importance of understanding the legal implications of what you tell the panel physician as it may trigger issues for your green card.
