· 5 min read
Civil Surgeon vs. Panel Physician: Which One Do You Need?
Applying inside the U.S.? You need a civil surgeon. Applying abroad? You see a panel physician. Learn the difference, the forms, and the costs.
Green card medical exam guides
Clear, simple answers about civil surgeons, Form I-693, costs, vaccines and lawyers. Reviewed against official USCIS guidance.
· 5 min read
Do You Need an Immigration Lawyer for a Green Card?
Do you need an immigration lawyer for a green card? See when filing on your own is common, when a lawyer helps, and how to check a lawyer is licensed.
· 4 min read
What Happens at a Green Card Medical Exam, Step by Step
Here is what happens at a green card medical exam, step by step: booking, what to bring, the tests by age, vaccines, and the sealed Form I-693.
· 4 min read
Vaccines Required for the Green Card Medical Exam
Which vaccines you may need for the green card medical exam, why COVID-19 is no longer required, and how blood tests can show you are already immune.
· 4 min read
Form I-693 Explained: The Filing Rules That Matter in 2026
Form I-693 explained for 2026: who fills out each part, the 60-day signature window, the sealed envelope rule, and why it must go with Form I-485.
· 4 min read
What to Bring to Your Immigration Medical Exam
Bring your passport, vaccine records, medicine list, old chest X-ray results and the exam fee to your immigration medical exam. See the full checklist.
· 5 min read
Green Card Medical Exam Cost in 2026: What You Will Pay
A green card medical exam often costs $200 to $500 or more. See what goes into the price, from lab tests to vaccines, and how to avoid surprise charges.
· 4 min read
How to Choose the Best Civil Surgeon Near You
Use this checklist to pick a civil surgeon for your green card medical exam: USCIS designation, total cost, wait times, reviews, location and red flags.