Fort Myers Immigration Physical

Immigration medical exams provided throughout Fort Myers, FL by USCIS-designated civil surgeons.

The immigration medical exam is a required part of many green card and adjustment of status applications, and only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can complete it. Our practice provides the Fort Myers, FL immigration physical, handling the exam, the required testing, and the sealed Form I-693 that USCIS expects. Health Care Centers of Florida has served South Florida since 1980. We work to keep your paperwork accurate and your timeline on track. Schedule your appointment when you are ready.

Immigration Physical Provider in Fort Myers, FL

An immigration medical exam confirms that an applicant meets the health requirements set under federal immigration law. It is not the same as a routine physical. A civil surgeon authorized by USCIS performs the exam, records the results on Form I-693, and seals the form so it can be submitted with your application. USCIS will not accept an immigration medical exam from a physician who is not designated, so confirming this credential is the first thing any applicant should check.

Our Fort Myers office serves applicants and families from across the region, including green card applicants, people adjusting their status, and relatives filing together. Many patients also see us afterward for primary care, and our office handles DOT physicals for commercial drivers as well, so several needs can be met in one location.

Immigration Physical Services We Offer in Fort Myers

Every Fort Myers immigration physical meets the same federal requirements, though each visit is shaped by the applicant’s age, history, and records. The exam brings together several parts, and each one must be finished before the form can be sealed. Arriving with your records and identification ready keeps the appointment efficient and reduces the chance of a return trip.

• History and Records Review. The civil surgeon goes over your past illnesses, surgeries, medications, and vaccination records. Accurate information at the start prevents problems later in the process.
• The Medical Examination. We evaluate your general health, including the heart, lungs, eyes, and other systems, and we record your vital signs. This portion identifies conditions that may affect admissibility.
• Tuberculosis Screening. Testing for tuberculosis is required. Depending on your situation, it may involve a skin test, a blood test, or a referral for a chest X-ray, and we guide you through any additional steps.
• Required Lab Work. Bloodwork screens for certain communicable diseases, such as syphilis. We collect samples in the office and send them to certified laboratories for processing.
• Vaccination Updates. We compare your immunization records against the federal requirements and administer any missing doses during the visit. Bringing written records can save you a return trip.
• Sealing Form I-693. Once every requirement is met, the civil surgeon signs Form I-693 and places it in a sealed envelope for you to submit. You should not open the envelope yourself.
• Guidance for Complex Cases. Some applicants have a condition that needs documentation, or a vaccine that cannot be safely given. We explain how these situations are handled and what the next step is.
• Care for the Whole Family. Immigration cases often involve applicants of different ages, including children. We evaluate each person individually while keeping every file compliant with federal guidelines.

Why Choose Health Care Centers of Florida for Immigration Physicals in Fort Myers, FL?

An immigration physical is only useful if it meets USCIS requirements exactly. A small error, a missing vaccine, or an opened envelope can lead to a Request for Evidence and a delay. Our primary care doctor in Fort Myers, FL focuses on getting every detail right the first time, because a clean submission is the fastest path forward.

Civil Surgeons Who Know the Requirements

Our providers are board-certified and hold the USCIS designation that allows them to complete and seal Form I-693. They work with green card and adjustment of status applicants regularly, so they know where applications tend to stall and how to prevent it. That familiarity helps keep your file moving and reduces the chance of a follow-up request.

Local Care in English and Spanish

Our practice has served South Florida since 1980 and now operates under new ownership since 2024. Our physicians and staff speak English and Spanish, so you can follow each step and ask questions comfortably. We accept many insurance plans and offer reasonable rates for applicants paying on their own. You are welcome to return to our Fort Myers office for ongoing care after your exam is complete.

Understanding Immigration Physicals

Conditions and Requirements We Review

The immigration medical exam looks for a specific set of health issues defined by federal requirements, and it follows the same national standard everywhere. Our office screens for the health conditions checked during the exam, which fall into a few broad groups:

• Communicable diseases of public health significance, including tuberculosis and syphilis
• Required vaccinations for your age, following CDC vaccination instructions
• Mental or physical disorders associated with harmful behavior
• Drug abuse or drug addiction

Most applicants pass these requirements without trouble, and many find the visit feels routine once they understand why screenings are required. When a finding does come up, the civil surgeon records it and explains whether it affects your application or simply needs documentation. In some cases, a condition that would otherwise be a barrier can be addressed with treatment or a waiver, and we walk you through those options.

What Should You Expect from Your Immigration Physical?

The visit is usually straightforward. We explain what each step is for and what happens with your results, so you are never left guessing about your record. If a result needs a second look, we tell you the same day and explain what the next step involves, rather than leaving it for a notice from USCIS.

• A review of your history and vaccination records with the civil surgeon
• A physical examination and a check of your vital signs
• Tuberculosis testing and any required bloodwork
• Vaccinations you still need, administered during the visit
• A sealed Form I-693 to submit with your application

What Is the Typical Timeline?

How long the process takes depends on your records and your health, so we do not promise a fixed timeline. Since December 2024, Form I-693 must be filed together with your green card application, which makes completing the exam on time more important than ever. Once the civil surgeon signs the sealed form, you keep it unopened until you submit it with your application.

• Many exams are finished in a single visit when your records are complete
• Missing vaccines or records may require a short second visit
• A positive tuberculosis result calls for further evaluation before the form is signed
• Laboratory results generally take a few days to return
• The civil surgeon signs Form I-693 only after every requirement has been met

What Should You Bring to Your First Visit?

Bringing your family medical history and complete records helps the civil surgeon finish the exam in one visit. Families immigrating together should gather each person’s vaccination history in advance, and parents whose children are managing chronic conditions should bring the treating doctor’s notes so the exam can be completed without delay. The more complete your records are, the more likely the civil surgeon can finish everything in a single appointment.

• A valid government-issued photo ID
• The current edition of Form I-693 with Part 1 completed but left unsigned
• Your vaccination records, including any from childhood or another country
• A list of your medications and past medical conditions
• Records for any condition under treatment, such as recent test results

What Are Some Important Florida Immigration Physical Resources?

You have the right to confirm that your physician is a designated civil surgeon and that your exam meets federal standards. The following official sources can help you verify details and prepare for your appointment.

• Florida Department of Health: For state public health information and local resources
• Florida Board of Medicine: To verify a physician’s state license
• The USCIS directory to find a civil surgeon and confirm a physician’s current designation
• USCIS guidance on vaccination requirements for immigration applicants

These resources are for verification and general information. They do not replace a conversation with your physician or your immigration attorney about your specific case.

Contact Health Care Centers of Florida

The medical exam is one of the more manageable steps in the immigration process, especially with the right help. At our Fort Myers office, a designated civil surgeon completes your exam, administers any vaccines you need, and seals your Form I-693 to USCIS standards. We schedule visits promptly and explain what to bring, so most applicants finish in a single trip. Contact us to arrange your Fort Myers immigration physical, and we will help you take the next step.

Immigration Physical Statistics in Fort Myers, FL

Southwest Florida is home to a substantial and growing immigrant community, and that shapes demand for immigration physicals well beyond what national averages suggest. Lee County’s population has grown quickly in recent years, and a meaningful share of that growth reflects new arrivals working through the green card and adjustment of status process.

Statewide, Florida consistently ranks among the top destination states for new lawful permanent residents, according to data published in the Department of Homeland Security’s Yearbook of Immigration Statistics. That volume touches nearly every county, and Lee County is no exception. A civil surgeon here needs to move applicants through the exam efficiently while still getting every detail right, since Florida’s overall caseload leaves little room for a redo caused by a missed vaccine or an incomplete form.

• 17.9%: Share of Lee County residents who are foreign-born, according to U.S. Census data
• #2 destination state: Florida ranked second among all states for new lawful permanent residents in fiscal year 2022, behind only California, per the DHS Annual Flow Report

These numbers point to a straightforward reality: immigration physicals are not a niche service in Fort Myers. They are a routine part of healthcare for a large share of the community, and having a civil surgeon who handles the process regularly matters. A physician who only occasionally performs these exams is more likely to miss a step that a regular civil surgeon would catch automatically, and that gap tends to show up as delays rather than as anything visible during the visit itself.

Mistakes That Can Delay Your Immigration Physical

Most immigration physicals go smoothly, but a handful of avoidable mistakes account for most of the delays civil surgeons see. None of these require a medical condition to trigger; they are almost always administrative, and nearly all of them are avoidable with a bit of advance planning.

• Scheduling too close to a filing deadline. Since Form I-693 must generally be filed with your green card application, waiting until the last minute leaves no room for a second visit if a vaccine or test result is missing. Building in a buffer of a few weeks gives everyone room to fix a small issue without threatening your filing date.
• Arriving without vaccination records. Without proof of prior vaccines, the civil surgeon may have to re-administer doses you already received, which costs time and sometimes money. This is one of the most common and most preventable causes of a second visit.
• Opening the sealed envelope. Form I-693 must stay sealed until USCIS opens it. An opened envelope is treated as compromised and generally cannot be submitted, which means starting the exam over from the beginning.
• Letting the exam expire before filing. Immigration medical exams are valid for a limited window. Completing the exam too far ahead of your filing date can mean it’s no longer valid when USCIS reviews your case, forcing an unnecessary repeat visit.
• Leaving out relevant medical history. Civil surgeons need an accurate picture of past conditions and treatments. Omitting something, even something that feels minor, can cause a delay if it surfaces later in the review, since inconsistencies between your exam and other records draw closer scrutiny.
• Using a physician without current USCIS designation. Not every doctor can perform this exam. A physical completed by a non-designated physician is not valid and has to be redone, which wastes both time and the original visit’s cost.
• Skipping a required TB follow-up. When a tuberculosis test calls for additional evaluation, skipping that step leaves the exam incomplete and the form unsealed. The exam cannot move forward until that piece is resolved.
• Not bringing identification that matches your application. A name or date of birth that doesn’t match your other paperwork can create confusion that slows down the review, even when the mismatch is a simple clerical difference.
• Assuming family members can skip their own exam. Each applicant, including children, generally needs an individual exam and a separate Form I-693, even when filing together as a household.
• Forgetting the current edition of Form I-693 itself. USCIS periodically updates the form, and a civil surgeon cannot complete an outdated version. Bringing the current edition, with Part 1 filled in but unsigned, keeps the visit on schedule.

Avoiding these mistakes rarely requires more than preparation. Most applicants who finish the process without delay simply arrived with complete records, current forms, and a realistic sense of the timeline between their exam and their filing date.

Fort Myers Immigration Physical FAQs

Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?

An appointment is strongly recommended. Immigration physicals involve several steps, including lab work, and scheduling ahead lets our office set aside enough time to finish everything properly rather than rushing between other patients. Walk-ins are sometimes accommodated, but a scheduled visit is far more likely to be completed in one trip.

How much does the exam cost without insurance?

Self-pay pricing depends on which components you need, since vaccinations and certain lab tests are billed separately from the exam itself. Our staff can give you a full cost estimate before your appointment so there are no surprises, and we can also explain which parts of the exam might already be covered if you do have insurance.

Can a civil surgeon see my whole family in one visit?

Often yes, if scheduled in advance, though each family member still needs an individual exam and their own sealed Form I-693. Let our staff know when booking so we can allocate enough time for everyone, since a family of four takes longer than a single applicant.

What if my vaccination records are from another country?

Foreign vaccination records are generally acceptable if they are complete and legible. The civil surgeon reviews them against U.S. requirements and administers only the doses you still need, which can save you from repeating vaccines you already received as a child.

How long does it take to get lab results back?

Most required bloodwork returns within a few business days. Tuberculosis testing can take longer, particularly if it involves an additional evaluation beyond the initial screening, so it helps to ask about expected timing at your visit rather than assuming a fixed number of days.

Is an interpreter available if I don’t speak English fluently?

Our physicians and staff include Spanish speakers who can walk you through each part of the exam directly. Let our office know in advance if another language would be helpful so we can plan accordingly and avoid any misunderstanding during the visit.

What happens if I don’t pass part of the exam?

A finding on the exam doesn’t automatically mean your application is denied. The civil surgeon documents it accurately, and depending on the situation, treatment, further evaluation, or a waiver may address it before or during your case review. We explain what a specific finding means for your situation rather than leaving you to guess.

Do children need a separate appointment from their parents?

Children can often be seen the same day as a parent if scheduled together, but each child still receives an individual exam appropriate to their age, and their results go on a separate Form I-693.

Can I schedule the exam before I have a case number from USCIS?

Yes. Many applicants complete the exam as part of preparing their overall application package, before every piece of the filing is finalized. Just keep the exam’s validity window in mind so it doesn’t expire before you actually submit your case.

Will the civil surgeon discuss my results with me, or only send them to USCIS?

You will hear about your results directly. The sealed Form I-693 goes to USCIS, but the civil surgeon still explains what was found during your visit and answers any questions before you leave, so you are not waiting on a government notice to understand your own exam.

Fort Myers Community Resources for Immigration Applicants

Local Support Beyond the Medical Exam

The medical exam is only one piece of an immigration case, and many applicants also need legal guidance, document help, or general community support along the way. The organizations below are not affiliated with our practice, and we do not receive any benefit from including them; they are listed here as a starting point for applicants who need services beyond what a civil surgeon provides.

• Amigos Center (239-274-0401): A Fort Myers nonprofit offering low-cost, family-based immigration legal services, including help with petitions and naturalization paperwork.
• Catholic Charities Immigration Program (239-334-4007): A community program assisting Fort Myers-area residents with immigration-related paperwork, referrals, and advocacy.
• USCIS field offices (800-375-5283): The Tampa Field Office serves the Fort Myers region for interviews and naturalization ceremonies that cannot be completed by phone or online.

About Health Care Centers of Florida

Health Care Centers of Florida operates beyond Fort Myers, with additional South Florida locations that share the same records system and standard of care. That matters for immigration cases specifically, since a copy of an old exam or a referral note can be pulled up quickly rather than tracked down from scratch. Many of our immigration physical patients come to us on a referral from a local immigration attorney or community organization, and just as many return afterward for ongoing primary care once their case is filed. We built the practice around that continuity, treating the immigration exam as the start of a relationship rather than a single transaction.

What Our Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Went in for a physical exam, and had a good experience with this clinic.From front desk to the doctors all very nice and super helpful. Would recommend this place for any physical exams needed.”

— German Lobo

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Additional Resources for Fort Myers Immigration Physicals

• Medicaid Cuts and Florida Patients
• Why Regular Checkups Matter
• Questions to Ask Your New Primary Care Doctor

Contact Health Care Centers of Florida

An immigration physical is one deadline you don’t want to leave to chance. Our Fort Myers civil surgeons complete the exam, administer any needed vaccines, and seal your Form I-693 correctly the first time, so your case moves forward without an avoidable setback. Self-pay pricing is confirmed before your visit, and most applicants finish in a single appointment when their records are complete. New patient calls typically get a response within one business day. Contact us to schedule your Fort Myers immigration physical.