I-693 Medical Exam in North Houston: Step by Step
Getting ready for your I-693 immigration medical exam in north Houston: which papers to bring, which tests are done and how the sealed envelope works.
Reviewed by the Clínica Hispana Cruz medical team
If you're applying for a green card from inside the United States (adjustment of status), USCIS will ask for Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a civil surgeon the agency has designated. At Clínica Hispana Cruz, on Airline Drive in north Houston, the exam is done by a Civil Surgeon designated by USCIS, and you leave with the completed form inside the sealed envelope the process calls for.
This guide is meant to help you show up prepared, skip unnecessary trips and know what happens at each stage.
Before You Come In: Three Questions to Settle
Do I actually need the I-693 right now?
That depends on your case. Some people file it together with their adjustment application; others send it later, once USCIS requests it. The current instructions live on the official form page: uscis.gov/i-693. If you have an attorney or accredited representative, ask them when it makes sense to schedule it.
What paperwork should I gather?
- An official photo ID, such as your passport or a consular ID card.
- Your vaccination card or records, from the U.S. or your home country, even if they're incomplete or written in Spanish.
- Reports about chronic conditions, current treatment or earlier tuberculosis tests, if you have them.
- A list of the medications you take today.
Your vaccine history is the biggest time saver: every documented dose is a dose nobody has to repeat.
Do I need an appointment?
No. The clinic sees patients in the order they arrive, Monday through Sunday, 9 AM to 9 PM. You don't need health insurance either: the exam is self-pay, with cash or a credit or debit card. To find out the cost, ask at the front desk or on WhatsApp before you come, or check the promotions page.
Exam Day, Stage by Stage
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Check-in | Your identity and the details that go on the form are confirmed. |
| History | Past illnesses, medications and any documented vaccines are reviewed. |
| Physical exam | A general check: vital signs, skin, heart, lungs and other systems. |
| Testing | Samples required under USCIS rules are collected, including the tuberculosis test. |
| Vaccines | If your records show missing doses, the ones that apply are given. |
| Hand-off | You receive the signed I-693 inside the sealed envelope. |
Some lab tests depend on age and personal history, so not everyone goes through exactly the same steps. The clinic's medical team walks you through each one before it happens, in English or Spanish.
Vaccines: Where Most Questions Come Up
USCIS checks that you have the vaccines recommended for your age under current public health standards. In practice:
- If a vaccine is already documented, you won't get it again.
- If one is missing, it's given during the process; the clinic stocks the vaccines the exam calls for.
- If a vaccine isn't appropriate because of your age, a pregnancy or another condition, the Civil Surgeon notes that on the form following USCIS rules.
That's why it pays to dig up any proof you have at home, even an old card or a phone photo of your vaccination booklet.
The Sealed Envelope: Leave It Closed
When you're done, the form is handed to you in a sealed envelope. It needs to reach USCIS untouched: if it's opened or tampered with, the agency can reject it and you'd have to start over. You can ask for a copy for your own records, but the original stays sealed.
Common Mistakes That Slow Things Down
- Showing up with no vaccine proof when records actually exist at home or overseas.
- Giving a name or date of birth that doesn't match your application.
- Opening the envelope out of curiosity or to make copies.
- Waiting until the last minute after USCIS has already set a deadline.
If You Have Other Health Concerns Too
The immigration exam isn't a follow-up visit, but if something comes up that needs attention (high blood pressure, elevated sugar, an infection), the team can guide you at a separate visit. The clinic manages chronic conditions and runs blood work under the same roof. When a finding calls for it, you'll be guided toward a specialist referral.
Where to Find Us
Clínica Hispana Cruz is at 7640 Airline Dr, Suite D, Houston, TX 77037, near I-45 and a short drive from Aldine, Greenspoint, Hidden Valley, Northline and East Aldine. Parking is free, and the entrance and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Questions before your visit? Message us on WhatsApp or see the immigration medical exam page.
This article is for general information and isn't legal advice; for questions about your immigration case, talk with an immigration attorney.
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