Miami Immigration Physical

Board-certified physicians and USCIS-designated civil surgeons caring for immigration applicants throughout Miami, FL. 

If you are applying for a green card or adjusting your immigration status, a USCIS-designated civil surgeon must complete your medical examination and prepare Form I-693. Our board-certified physicians perform the Miami, FL immigration physical and manage each part of the process, from the exam and testing to the sealed paperwork USCIS requires. Health Care Centers of Florida has cared for South Florida patients since 1980. We prepare your documentation accurately so your application stays on schedule, and we explain each step along the way. Schedule your appointment when you are ready.

Immigration Physical Provider in Miami, FL

An immigration medical examination is a required health screening for many people seeking a visa, a green card, or adjustment of status. It confirms that an applicant is not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds. Only a physician designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon may perform the exam and complete the official documentation.

Where you file determines who examines you. Applicants completing their case through a U.S. consulate abroad are seen by an overseas panel physician, while applicants adjusting status inside the United States are seen by a civil surgeon here. We serve patients of every age and background, including single applicants, married couples, families filing together, and students or visitors who need medical clearance.

Immigration Physical Services We Offer in Miami

Each Miami immigration physical follows the same federal standard, though the details differ from one applicant to the next. Some patients arrive with complete records and finish in a single visit, while others need vaccinations or additional testing before the form can be signed. The appointment generally includes the following:

• Medical History Review. We review past illnesses, surgeries, current medications, and known conditions. This gives the examining physician an accurate picture before the physical exam begins.
• Physical Examination. Our physician checks vital signs, listens to the heart and lungs, and evaluates your general health. The goal is to identify any condition that affects admissibility or requires follow-up.
• Vaccination Review and Administration. We compare your immunization records against the federal schedule for immigration applicants. If a required dose is missing, we can administer it during the same visit.
• Tuberculosis and Communicable Disease Screening. Federal requirements include testing for tuberculosis and syphilis, among other conditions. Depending on your history, this may involve a skin test, a blood test, or a referral for a chest X-ray.
• Laboratory Testing. We collect samples in the office and send them to certified laboratories. Results are documented and added to your file for the application.
• Form I-693 Completion and Sealing. Once every requirement is met, your civil surgeon completes and signs Form I-693 and places it in a sealed envelope. You submit that sealed envelope to USCIS, and you should not open it.
• Follow-Up Care and Referrals. If a finding requires further attention, we arrange follow-up testing or refer you to an appropriate specialist. We remain involved until your documentation is finished.
• Support for Families and Children. Family-based cases often involve applicants of different ages. We adjust each evaluation to the individual while keeping every file compliant with federal guidelines.

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

Choosing the right civil surgeon protects your case. A mistake on the form, a missing vaccination, or a broken envelope seal can prompt a Request for Evidence and delay your application. Our process is designed to complete your examination correctly the first time.

USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeons

Our board-certified physicians hold the USCIS designation required to perform immigration medical examinations and to complete and seal Form I-693. Our providers trained in the United States, hold active Florida licenses, and work with adjustment of status and green card applicants regularly. That experience allows us to identify issues early and keep your application on track. We explain our findings throughout the visit, so nothing on the completed form is unexpected.

Bilingual Care and Local Roots

Health Care Centers of Florida has cared for South Florida since 1980, and our Miami office serves the surrounding communities. Our physicians and staff speak English and Spanish, so you can ask questions and understand each answer in the language you prefer. We accept many insurance plans and offer affordable options for patients paying out of pocket. Families filing together can frequently be seen during the same visit, which keeps related applications moving on a similar schedule and reduces the number of trips you make to the office. After your immigration visit, you are welcome to continue with us for primary care in Miami.

Understanding Immigration Physicals

Conditions and Requirements We Review

The immigration medical examination reviews a specific set of health issues defined by federal immigration and public health requirements, rather than serving as a general checkup. We screen for the conditions reviewed at every immigration physical, which generally include:

• Communicable diseases of public health significance, such as tuberculosis and syphilis
• Proof of required vaccinations for your age group, set by CDC vaccination instructions
• Physical or mental disorders associated with harmful behavior
• Drug abuse or drug addiction

Most applicants meet these requirements without difficulty. When the examination identifies a concern, it is recorded as either a Class A or a Class B finding. A Class A condition can affect admissibility and may require treatment or a waiver before your case proceeds. A Class B finding is documented for the record but generally does not stop your application. We explain either outcome and the next step it requires.

What Should You Expect from Your Immigration Physical?

You remain involved throughout the appointment. We explain what each step checks and why it matters for your application. If a result requires a second look, we tell you the same day and review your options, rather than leaving it for a notice from USCIS.

• A review of your medical and vaccination history with the physician
• A physical exam covering vital signs, heart, lungs, eyes, and general health
• Required laboratory work and tuberculosis testing, with a chest X-ray referral only if needed
• Any vaccinations you still need, administered during the visit
• A completed Form I-693, signed and sealed for you to submit

What Is the Typical Treatment Timeline?

Timelines depend on your health history and the completeness of your records, so we avoid firm guarantees. Since December 2024, Form I-693 must be submitted together with your green card application, which makes completing the examination on time especially important.

• Most examinations finish in one visit when your records are complete
• Missing vaccinations or records can add a short follow-up visit
• A positive tuberculosis screen calls for further evaluation before the form is signed
• Laboratory results usually take a few days to return
• Your civil surgeon signs Form I-693 only after every requirement has been met

What Should You Bring to Your First Visit?

Preparing your family medical history before the visit speeds the review. Many patients also use the appointment to begin ongoing care, and a brief list of questions for your doctor, along with a plan for regular checkups, helps them stay on top of their health afterward.

• A valid government-issued photo ID
• The current edition of Form I-693 with Part 1 completed and left unsigned
• Any vaccination records you have, including childhood records
• A list of your medications and major medical history
• Prior test results or specialist records for any ongoing condition

What Are Some Important Florida Immigration Physical Resources?

You have the right to confirm that your exam meets federal standards and that your physician is properly designated. A few official sources can help you verify details and understand the process before and after your appointment.

• Florida Department of Health: State public health information and local clinic 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

Your immigration case is important, and the medical examination should not be the step that delays it. When you visit us, you meet a board-certified physician who is also a designated civil surgeon, completes the exam, and prepares your sealed Form I-693 to USCIS standards. Most appointments are scheduled promptly, and we explain in advance what to bring so a second visit is rarely necessary. Contact us to arrange your Miami immigration physical, and we will guide you through each step.

Immigration Physical Statistics in Miami, FL

More than half of Miami-Dade County residents are foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with roughly one in seven people nationwide. A large share of those residents sit somewhere in the green card process, and nearly every adjustment-of-status applicant has to complete an immigration physical with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.

The stakes rose in December 2024, when USCIS began requiring applicants to file Form I-693 together with the green card application. For families here, the exam is rarely a solo errand, since spouses and children often file at the same time. That combination of high demand and tighter filing rules makes an accurate, on-time immigration medical exam more important in Miami than it used to be.

What to Expect During Your Miami Immigration Physical

The immigration medical exam is more predictable than most people expect. A civil surgeon follows a fixed federal checklist, so once you know the steps, the visit tends to move quickly. Here is how a typical Miami immigration physical unfolds from start to finish.

• You complete Part 1 before the visit. You fill in your name and identifying details on Form I-693, but you don’t sign it yet. The civil surgeon watches you sign in person, which USCIS requires. A government-issued photo ID and your A-number let us match your paperwork without delay.
• The civil surgeon reviews your history and records. We go over past illnesses, surgeries, hospital stays, and current medications, and we check your immunization records against the federal schedule so nothing slips through. Your family medical history can matter here too, since some conditions run in families and shape what the civil surgeon looks for.
• You receive a physical and mental status examination. The civil surgeon checks your general health and screens for the health conditions that immigration law treats as relevant. For most applicants this part is quick.
• We complete the required testing. Federal rules call for tuberculosis screening and a syphilis blood test, and the CDC instructions civil surgeons follow add evaluation for other communicable diseases. A positive TB screen leads to a chest X-ray and sometimes a referral, which is one reason required medical screenings shape your timeline.
• We update any missing vaccinations. Only a civil surgeon can record the vaccination assessment on Form I-693. If you’re short a required vaccine, we administer it during the visit or document proof you bring from another provider.
• The civil surgeon seals Form I-693 in an envelope. You must not open it. USCIS returns a form that arrives unsealed or altered, so we hand you the sealed envelope along with a copy for your own records.
• You submit the form with your application. Since late 2024, Form I-693 goes to USCIS together with Form I-485. We make sure the completed form leaves our office ready to file.

Most applicants walk out with everything sealed and ready to go. When a finding needs follow-up, we explain the next step clearly and keep your file moving rather than leaving you guessing.

Miami Immigration Physical FAQs

How much does an immigration physical cost in Miami?

Fees vary by clinic, and USCIS does not regulate what a civil surgeon charges. Payment goes directly to the office performing the exam, and insurance often will not cover an immigration medical exam or its lab work. Call ahead for current pricing so you can budget the visit alongside your other filing costs. We’re glad to explain what your exam includes when you schedule.

Do I need an appointment for my immigration medical exam?

Booking ahead is the reliable way to get seen quickly, since demand for a Miami immigration physical runs high. An appointment also lets our multilingual staff prepare your paperwork before you arrive. Walk-ins can often be accommodated, though scheduling protects you against a long wait on a busy day.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring a government-issued photo ID, your A-number if you have one, and any vaccination records you can locate. Add a list of your current medications and records for any ongoing condition. Filling out Part 1 of Form I-693 in advance, without signing it, moves things along once you sit down with the civil surgeon.

Which vaccinations are required for immigration?

A civil surgeon checks your records against the federal schedule and administers whatever you’re missing. The list follows CDC and ACIP guidance, and you can review the current USCIS vaccination requirements before your visit. One recent change is worth noting: as of early 2025, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required for immigration purposes. Bring proof of any shots you’ve already had.

How long is Form I-693 valid?

Under current USCIS policy, a Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon stays valid while the green card application it was filed with is pending. If that application is denied or withdrawn, the form is no longer valid and a new exam is needed. Filing the sealed form promptly with your application is the safest approach.

Can my whole family complete the exam together?

Yes. We see applicants of every age, and family-based cases often involve parents and children in one filing. Each person needs a separate Form I-693, so we complete an individual exam and record for each family member. Parents can bring records for any child’s ongoing condition so nothing holds up the paperwork.

Will a chronic health condition affect my exam?

A managed condition like diabetes or high blood pressure rarely stops an immigration physical on its own. The civil surgeon confirms the condition is stable and documents it properly. Applicants who see us for primary care in Miami have their records on hand, which keeps the exam efficient and well documented.

Should I see a doctor before my immigration exam?

It can help. Establishing care ahead of time means someone already manages your medications and knows your history. If you’re new to a provider, thinking through the right questions for your doctor helps you organize everything before the immigration medical exam. Walking in with clear records lowers the chance of a follow-up visit.

Do you screen for drug or alcohol use during the exam?

The immigration medical exam includes a mental and behavioral health review, which covers substance-related conditions defined under immigration law. It is not a criminal check. If your situation calls for formal drug and alcohol screening, we handle that at the same Miami location, so you aren’t driving across town for a second appointment.

Do you handle exams for employment-based immigration?

Yes. Employment-based green card applicants complete the same Form I-693 immigration physical as family-based applicants. Some workers also need separate clearance for a job, which falls under occupational medicine in Miami rather than the immigration exam. We can take care of both, which spares employment-based applicants a second trip.

Can I handle other health needs at the same clinic?

Many patients stay with us after the immigration exam is finished. We provide ongoing care, and drivers in the family often book a DOT physical while they’re already here. Keeping your records in one place makes future visits simpler, whether the next one is a checkup or a work-required exam.

What if the civil surgeon finds a health problem?

Most findings do not derail an application. Immigration law sorts conditions into categories, and many are handled with treatment or the right documentation, while some qualify for a waiver. The civil surgeon explains what a result means and what comes next. Staying current with regular checkups after your exam keeps small issues from growing into larger ones.

Local Information for Miami Immigration Physical Exams

The medical exam is one required step toward a green card, and a few local offices handle the parts that fall outside a clinic. Knowing who does what helps Miami applicants plan around their filing deadlines.

How Your Miami Immigration Physical Fits Into the USCIS Process

A civil surgeon must hold a current USCIS designation, and you can confirm a provider’s status before you book. Your results stay confidential and are used for immigration purposes. Once the civil surgeon seals your Form I-693, you carry that sealed envelope to USCIS along with your application, unopened. Because the exam ties directly to a pending filing, timing matters, and completing it close to when you submit Form I-485 keeps everything aligned.

What Are Important Local Resources for Miami Immigration Physicals?

Several Miami and Miami-Dade offices support applicants before and after the medical exam. The organizations below can help with steps that reach beyond the clinic.

• USCIS runs the Find a Civil Surgeon tool and can confirm that a provider is designated. The USCIS Contact Center answers at (800) 375-5283.
• The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County handles tuberculosis services and immunizations, which matters when an exam calls for follow-up. The main office answers at (305) 575-3800.
• Americans for Immigrant Justice offers legal help to immigrants across South Florida, often at low or no cost. Reach the Miami office at (305) 573-1106.
• Catholic Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami provides affordable immigration representation for eligible families. The downtown Miami office answers at (305) 373-1073.

Health Care Centers of Florida shares these resources for convenience only. We don’t endorse or take responsibility for any outside organization, its services, or its content.

About Health Care Centers of Florida

Health Care Centers of Florida completes immigration medical exams at several locations across South Florida, with Jaynier Moya, MD, guiding the clinical care behind each Form I-693. We accept many insurance plans and keep costs manageable for applicants paying on their own, which matters when the exam is one expense among many in a filing. Because our civil surgeons perform these evaluations regularly, they know how to document a file that holds up to USCIS review and helps applicants avoid the requests for evidence that stall cases.

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.

Contact Health Care Centers of Florida

When you’re ready to complete your immigration physical in Miami, FL, Health Care Centers of Florida is here to help. Our USCIS-designated civil surgeons perform the exam, handle the required testing and vaccinations, and seal your Form I-693 so it’s ready to file. Our multilingual staff can answer questions in the language you’re most comfortable with, and we’ll walk you through each step before we begin. Contact us to schedule your immigration medical exam or to ask what to bring.