- March 18, 2026
To complete your immigration medical exam for USCIS Form I-693, you must visit a USCIS-designated civil surgeon – a physician officially authorized to conduct the exam and complete the form. Regular doctors, urgent care providers, and general practitioners cannot perform this exam, regardless of their qualifications.
USCIS maintains a publicly searchable civil surgeon locator at uscis.gov, updated weekly, where you can find authorized providers by ZIP code. Windermere Medical Group offers immigration medical exams through USCIS-certified civil surgeons at six North Georgia locations, Monday through Saturday.
Why Your Choice of Civil Surgeon Matters
Finding a civil surgeon is not the same as finding a doctor.
The immigration medical exam is a federally regulated process. USCIS sets the requirements, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) sets the clinical standards, and only a physician who has been formally designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon – through an application process requiring at least four years of medical practice experience and a valid, unrestricted state license – is authorized to perform the exam and complete Form I-693.
Choosing the wrong provider invalidates your exam. If an immigration medical exam is performed by a non-designated physician, USCIS will reject Form I-693 entirely, and you will need to start over with a properly designated civil surgeon.
Beyond designation, the quality of experience matters too. Civil surgeons who handle immigration exams at high volume stay current on USCIS policy updates – and there have been three significant ones between December 2024 and June 2025 alone. Those who treat immigration exams as an occasional add-on to a general practice may not be.
What Makes a Physician a USCIS Civil Surgeon?
Civil surgeon designation is not automatic for licensed physicians. To become designated, a physician must apply using Form I-910 and meet specific requirements set by USCIS:
- Hold an MD or DO degree from an accredited institution
- Possess an unrestricted medical license in the state where they practice
- Have at least 4 years of professional medical experience
- Agree to follow all USCIS and CDC Technical Instructions for immigration medical exams
- Register with the USCIS eMedical system for electronic exam reporting
Civil surgeons can only perform immigration exams in the state where they are licensed. A physician designated in Georgia cannot conduct a valid immigration exam in another state.
USCIS can revoke a civil surgeon’s designation for failing to follow technical instructions, fraud, or unprofessional conduct. This is why USCIS recommends verifying designation status as close to your appointment date as possible – the list is updated weekly, and status can change.
What to Look for When Choosing a Civil Surgeon in Georgia
Here is what separates a smooth, accurate experience from one that leads to delays, extra visits, and potential Request for Evidence (RFEs).
Immigration Exam Experience and Volume
There is a meaningful difference between a civil surgeon who completes a handful of immigration exams per year and one for whom it is a core, high-volume service. High-volume providers:
- Stay up to date on USCIS rule and form edition changes
- Have established internal processes for reviewing Form I-693 before sealing
- Are familiar with how to document complex cases – positive TB results, incomplete vaccination histories, prior conditions – without triggering unnecessary RFE scrutiny
On-Site Services
Look for clinics that offer:
| Service | Why It Matters |
| In-house lab testing | Faster turnaround on HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and TB results |
| On-site vaccinations | Missing vaccines administered same visit, no pharmacy detour |
| Chest X-ray capability | TB follow-up handled without outside imaging referral |
Completing everything at one clinic – ideally in one or two visits – is the most efficient path to a sealed Form I-693.
Appointment Availability
Flexible scheduling – including Saturday appointments – makes it possible for working applicants and families to complete the exam without disrupting their week.
Location Convenience
North Georgia is a large and growing region. Gwinnett County alone is home to one of the most diverse immigrant populations in the Southeast, with Forsyth, Cherokee, and Hall counties showing similar growth. Access to a civil surgeon close to where you live or work reduces travel time and makes it easier to return for any required follow-up visits.
Civil Surgeon vs. Panel Physician: What Is the Difference?
This distinction trips up many applicants.
Civil Surgeon – USCIS-designated physician who performs immigration medical exams for applicants inside the United States filing Form I-485 (adjustment of status). This is who you need if you are already in the U.S. applying for a green card.
Panel Physician – Designated by the U.S. Department of State, not USCIS. Panel physicians perform immigration medical exams for applicants going through consular processing outside the United States. They do not use Form I-693.
Key Questions to Ask Before Booking
- Are you currently USCIS-designated, and can I verify your status on uscis.gov?
- Which edition of Form I-693 are you currently using?
- Do you offer on-site lab testing, vaccinations, and chest X-ray services?
- What is your typical turnaround time from appointment to sealed form?
- Do you offer Saturday or flexible weekday appointments?
- What is included in your base exam fee, and what is billed separately?
How to Prepare Once You Have Found Your Civil Surgeon
- Valid government-issued photo ID (passport preferred)
- Complete vaccination records, including childhood immunizations and any foreign records
- Medical history documentation for any chronic conditions, prior hospitalizations, or prior TB history
- Immigration paperwork (your I-485 filing details if available)
- Health insurance card and payment for exam fees
- Write down all current medications and dosages
- Note any known history of TB exposure, communicable disease, or substance use history
- Do not open or tamper with any sealed Form I-693 envelope from a prior exam
Immigration Medical Exams Across North Georgia: Windermere Medical Group
Windermere Medical Group’s USCIS-certified civil surgeons provide immigration medical exams at convenient North Georgia locations, with Monday through Saturday availability. In-house lab services mean faster test turnaround, and experienced staff ensure that Form I-693 is completed accurately and in compliance with the most current USCIS requirements, reducing the risk of RFEs and delays.
As a full-service practice offering primary care, urgent care, and acute care across North Georgia, WMG is built for more than one appointment. Patients who begin their relationship with WMG through an immigration exam have a trusted medical home already in place for routine checkups, sick visits, chronic care management, and everything in between.
Ready to schedule? Contact your nearest Windermere Medical Group location to book your immigration medical exam today.
Trusted Medical Care, Wherever You Are
With established offices in:
FAQs:
Q1. How do I find a USCIS civil surgeon in Georgia?
Use the official civil surgeon locator at uscis.gov or call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. The list is updated weekly.
Q2. Can any licensed doctor perform my immigration medical exam?
No. Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can complete Form I-693. Regular physicians are not authorized, regardless of their credentials.
Q3. What is the difference between a civil surgeon and a panel physician?
Civil surgeons serve applicants in the U.S. who are filing Form I-485. Panel physicians serve applicants going through consular processing abroad.
Q4. How do I know if a civil surgeon's designation is still active?
Check uscis.gov as close to your appointment as possible – the list is updated weekly, and designation status can change.
Q5. Does Windermere Medical Group offer Saturday immigration medical exam appointments?
Yes. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday across six North Georgia locations. Contact your nearest WMG office for current availability.
About the Author
Priya Bayyapureddy
Dr. Priya Bayyapureddy, MD is a board certified Internal Medicine doctor with over 20 years of experience in primary care Internal Medicine. Dr. Bayyapureddy completed her Internal Medicine residency at Emory University School of Medicine and internship at University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Chattanooga.
