Form I-693 Need assistance

[fathertime]

I'm currently confused as I am about to turn in my I-485 package of paperwork.  I have already procrastinated a long while now and am finding another potential delay. 

I thought I had it all assembled but am now wondering wondering about the I-693 form.

MY QUESTION:

1.  Does my wife (K-1 visa) need to see a doctor here for this form?  She satisfied all entry requirements prior to entry.  Is there anything I need to do with this form? 

Thanks,

Fathertime!

[Dan]

I'm currently confused as I am about to turn in my I-485 package of paperwork.  I have already procrastinated a long while now and am finding another potential delay. 

I thought I had it all assembled but am now wondering wondering about the I-693 form.

MY QUESTION:

1.  Does my wife (K-1 visa) need to see a doctor here for this form?  She satisfied all entry requirements prior to entry.  Is there anything I need to do with this form? 

Thanks,

Fathertime!

FT,

Here is the relevant guidance -- http://www.ailc.com/i-693faq.htm

Ks: If you were admitted to the United States as a fiance(e) (K-1), child of a fiance(e) (K-2), Spouse of a U.S. citizen (K-3), or child of K-3 (K-4), and received a medical examination prior to admission, then you do not require another medical examination as long as your application for adjustment of status (Form I-485) is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination. You will, however, be required to submit a vaccination supplement with our adjustment of status application. The vaccination supplement must be completed by a designated civil surgeon.

Hope this helps.

- Dan

[fathertime]

Thanks Dan,

I read that exception as well and from what I'm gathering, it seems that my wife does not need the exam BUT she does need to obtain a      vaccination supplement with  adjustment of status application. The vaccination supplement must be completed by a designated civil surgeon.


I want to get further assurance on my line of thinking before I send in her papers and obtain this 'vaccination' supplement'. 

I do notice a 1 800 number I can call too.

Thanks again,

Fathertime!

[Capstone]

FT,

Did your wife get the required vaccinations done at the same time that she received her K-1 medical exam? The vaccinations are not required to obtain a K-1 but are required for AOS, so there is a good chance that she did not get them during her K-1 medical exam as they are not included in the base exam - she would have had to ask to have them done and pay extra. If she did not have the vaccinations done during her medical and they were not documented on the DS3025 medical form then yes, you will need to visit a Civil Surgeon and have them complete Part 1, Part 2 #5 (Vaccinations) and Part 5 of the I-693.

The Civil Surgeon does not actually have to administer the vaccinations but only needs to certify that the required vaccinations have been completed, so you can go down to your local health department and get them or if your medical insurance covers them you can have your regular family doctor administer them - this is what I did. BTW - your wife will be required to have 3 vaccinations -   MMR, Tdap/TD and chicken pox (Varicella).

Don't let the civil surgeon tell you that your wife is required to have another complete exam because she does not - apparently many of the civil surgeons do not know the rules and try to do this. I printed off the I-693 instructions from the USCIS website and took them with me to the civil surgeon so that he would not try and pull that on me.

EDIT: The Civil Surgeon will fill out the relevant sections of the I-693 and then place them in a sealed envelope which you will then send in with your AOS package - do not open the envelope, make sure that it stays sealed!!

[fathertime]

FT,

Did your wife get the required vaccinations done at the same time that she received her K-1 medical exam? The vaccinations are not required to obtain a K-1 but are required for AOS, so there is a good chance that she did not get them during her K-1 medical exam as they are not included in the base exam - she would have had to ask to have them done and pay extra. If she did not have the vaccinations done during her medical and they were not documented on the DS3025 medical form then yes, you will need to visit a Civil Surgeon and have them complete Part 1, Part 2 #5 (Vaccinations) and Part 5 of the I-693.

The Civil Surgeon does not actually have to administer the vaccinations but only needs to certify that the required vaccinations have been completed, so you can go down to your local health department and get them or if your medical insurance covers them you can have your regular family doctor administer them - this is what I did. BTW - your wife will be required to have 3 vaccinations -   MMR, Tdap/TD and chicken pox (Varicella).

Don't let the civil surgeon tell you that your wife is required to have another complete exam because she does not - apparently many of the civil surgeons do not know the rules and try to do this. I printed off the I-693 instructions from the USCIS website and took them with me to the civil surgeon so that he would not try and pull that on me.

EDIT: The Civil Surgeon will fill out the relevant sections of the I-693 and then place them in a sealed envelope which you will then send in with your AOS package - do not open the envelope, make sure that it stays sealed!!

yoyo cappy,

Thanks, the info you gave is precisely what I needed.  I have checked my wife's vaccination document (which is already in English) and she received all these vaccinations just prior to her interview in late June.  Therefore it seems all I need to do is see this civil surgeon and  have him take care of the I-693 and send it off.  Am I missing anything?  I see a 1 800 number for civil surgeons in my area.  I believe you are within a dozen or so miles of my house too.  Who did you use?  I don't know if this is possible, but I would like to take care of this tomorrow if it is feasible to walk in and get it done.   What kind of cost did you have to pay to this 'civil surgeon'?

Thanks again,
Fathertime!

[Capstone]

yoyo cappy,

Thanks, the info you gave is precisely what I needed.  I have checked my wife's vaccination document (which is already in English) and she received all these vaccinations just prior to her interview in late June.  Therefore it seems all I need to do is see this civil surgeon and  have him take care of the I-693 and send it off.  Am I missing anything?  I see a 1 800 number for civil surgeons in my area.  I believe you are within a dozen or so miles of my house too.  Who did you use?  I don't know if this is possible, but I would like to take care of this tomorrow if it is feasible to walk in and get it done.   What kind of cost did you have to pay to this 'civil surgeon'?

Thanks again,
Fathertime!

Yea, I just took the vaccination record that my family doctor gave my wife after administering her shots to a Civil Surgeon and then he transcribed that information onto the I-693 and signed off on it. He charged me $85 to do next to nothing but from what I have read over on visajourney I got a pretty good deal as other people have had to pay more. There used to be a CS in Austin who would do it for $40 if you mailed him your vaccination records (no matter where you live in the US) but unfortunately he just recently retired. I don't think that we live in the same state (I live in Alabama) so giving you the name of the guy I used won't help. What I did was get the phone numbers for all the civil surgeons in my area and just started calling around and asked what they charged -you can get a listing of USCIS approved civil surgeons in your area and their contact info from this page on the USCIS site:  https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

[fathertime]

Yea, I just took the vaccination record that my family doctor gave my wife after administering her shots to a Civil Surgeon and then he transcribed that information onto the I-693 and signed off on it. He charged me $85 to do next to nothing but from what I have read over on visajourney I got a pretty good deal as other people have had to pay more. There used to be a CS in Austin who would do it for $40 if you mailed him your vaccination records (no matter where you live in the US) but unfortunately he just recently retired. I don't think that we live in the same state (I live in Alabama) so giving you the name of the guy I used won't help. What I did was get the phone numbers for all the civil surgeons in my area and just started calling around and asked what they charged -you can get a listing of USCIS approved civil surgeons in your area and their contact info from this page on the USCIS site:  https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

Thanks for that locator.  I called the 1 800 number and they gave me two options, but I like this list of dozens.  85 bucks is too much as usual, but I am getting used to grabbing my ankles for the docs!

Fathertime!

[Ray]

If her vaccination requirements were signed off during her visa medical exam, then her immigration file should already have that information.

Did she get a copy of the DS-3025 vaccination worksheet at her medical exam?

Ray

[fathertime]

If her vaccination requirements were signed off during her visa medical exam, then her immigration file should already have that information.

Did she get a copy of the DS-3025 vaccination worksheet at her medical exam?

Ray

Hey Ray!

Yes she did get a copy of the DS-3025 worksheet and it has been completed by a doctor in Colombia.  I'm still under the impression that she needs to see this 'civil surgeon' though. 


Fathertime!

[Researcher]

    She shouldn't need another complete exam if it was done less that one year prior but the civil surgeon still needs to sign off on the vaccination sheet.We just went ahead and got the exam and all with the results in a sealed envelope.My wife had failed the TB skin test because of a vaccination she had as a child.Luckily she still had proof she had this vaccination which will cause her to fail the skin test.She had chest xrays done(which were clear)and we got a report from our family doctor that said she was clear.I took that to the civil surgeon and he signed off on it stating she was OK.When we were interviewed they saw my wife had failed the skin test but was cleared by the civil surgeon.I was glad we went ahead with the exam even though it wasn't required.

   Researcher 

[Ray]

Hey Ray!

Yes she did get a copy of the DS-3025 worksheet and it has been completed by a doctor in Colombia.  I'm still under the impression that she needs to see this 'civil surgeon' though.  

Then she has that in her medical report in her file.

If it were me, I would just send a copy of the DS-3025 with the AOS package and forget about the civil surgeon and the vaccination supplement.


From CIS Web Site:

“Even if a new medical examination is not required, you still must show proof that you have complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original, overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon.”

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fcf75b836ea73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3d7fa6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD


Ray

[fathertime]

Then she has that in her medical report in her file.

If it were me, I would just send a copy of the DS-3025 with the AOS package and forget about the civil surgeon and the vaccination supplement.


From CIS Web Site:

“Even if a new medical examination is not required, you still must show proof that you have complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original, overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon.”

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fcf75b836ea73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3d7fa6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD


Ray

Well Ray,

You bring up an excellent point.  The  orginal vaccination document was filled out correctly and turned in with the original paperwork and the word IF is used in the reference you provided. 

So now the question is; what is the consequence if I do not include this 'civil surgeon' certified envelope?  It appears that this requirement has already been met.  If I turn the paperwork in without the 'civil surgeon' certification, how much time will this cost us if indeed it was required?

Fathertime!

[fathertime]

    She shouldn't need another complete exam if it was done less that one year prior but the civil surgeon still needs to sign off on the vaccination sheet.We just went ahead and got the exam and all with the results in a sealed envelope.My wife had failed the TB skin test because of a vaccination she had as a child.Luckily she still had proof she had this vaccination which will cause her to fail the skin test.She had chest xrays done(which were clear)and we got a report from our family doctor that said she was clear.I took that to the civil surgeon and he signed off on it stating she was OK.When we were interviewed they saw my wife had failed the skin test but was cleared by the civil surgeon.I was glad we went ahead with the exam even though it wasn't required.

   Researcher 

thanks researcher...I'm past the full exam issue and my woman passed all the exams just fine.  I can't see any benefit to seeing the 'civil surgeon' and dropping another $130  unless it is 100% necessary.  In your case it was a benefit I guess.

All in all this paperwork begs questions which I have been unable to find a 1800 number to call to get rectified.  If William were around I'd ask him but he is indisposed for a period of time...

Fathertime!

[Researcher]

 
    Hey ft, This has been discussed on the visajourney website alot.There was a discussion of a civil surgeon in Texas that would do the vaccination stuff via mail and cheaper than other civil surgeons.But if your lady didn't have any issues it'll be a piece of cake.

   Researcher

[Capstone]

FT,

Ray is correct in that the instructions say that if the required vaccinations were included on the DS-3025 then no other vaccination supplement (I-163) should be needed. However there are several hundred people who have posted on visajourney that have just included a copy of the DS-3025 with their AOS package without a I-163 and have received a RFE requesting that an I-163 vaccination supplement also be submitted. These RFEs seem to be coming more from the California Service Center than from anywhere else. But at the same time there have been just as many people post to where they have just submitted a copy of their DS-3025 and no I-163 and sailed through AOS without encountering any problems. There just does not seem to be a single established procedure that all of the USCIS adjudicators are following in regards to this.  

It was because of this inconsistency that I decided to just play it safe and have my wife wait until she got to the US before having her vaccinations done so that I knew for sure that the I-693 would be needed for AOS.  

 

[Researcher]

     That's it in a nutshell Capstone.All through this process it depends on who you get that's why there are different stories and opinions.Some adjudicators are laid back while others are real sticklers and nit pickers.I took the "better safe than sorry" approach and it worked for my wife and I. Also I wanted everything done properly throughout the process so that something didn't come back and bite us in the behind! I know a few people that has happened to.


    Researcher

[fathertime]

FT,

Ray is correct in that the instructions say that if the required vaccinations were included on the DS-3025 then no other vaccination supplement (I-163) should be needed. However there are several hundred people who have posted on visajourney that have just included a copy of the DS-3025 with their AOS package without a I-163 and have received a RFE requesting that an I-163 vaccination supplement also be submitted. These RFEs seem to be coming more from the California Service Center than from anywhere else. But at the same time there have been just as many people post to where they have just submitted a copy of their DS-3025 and no I-163 and sailed through AOS without encountering any problems. There just does not seem to be a single established procedure that all of the USCIS adjudicators are following in regards to this.  

It was because of this inconsistency that I decided to just play it safe and have my wife wait until she got to the US before having her vaccinations done so that I knew for sure that the I-693 would be needed for AOS.  

Thanks guys,
Well I guess it all comes down to "do I feel lucky"...

I think I'm going to go with the vaccination sheet we have...It is complete and if it does not hold up for some reason then we will just have to suffer the consequence I guess... Question: So what is the consequence?  How much of a delay does this (rfe as you called it) take typically?

Now really things should be clearly be more consistent at the service center.  Perhaps there is some other factor that triggers this RFE response...I dunno, but it is annoying.

Now onto another potential and hopefully FINAL problem I've discovered.  I'm being asked for an approval for the Form I-129F,  I do have some sort of letter from Bogota that gleefully states "we are pleased to inform you that my case is being processed" 
THE QUESTION:  Is this the "NOA2"  form I'm required to submit with my papers currently? It does not say 'notice of action' anywhere but frankly it is all I have, so I'm hoping it will be all I need to fulfill that requirement.

Thanks,
Fathertime!

[Ray]

FT,

The NOA is on Form I-797. It is on 8x11 official-looking security paper. On the top it says “Notice of Action” and has a large banner “United States of America” near the top.

If they should send you an RFE for the unneeded vacc sup, it probably wouldn’t delay things more than a few weeks or so. Are you in a hurry to get the AOS?

$130 can buy a lot of beer...  

Ray

[fathertime]

FT,

The NOA is on Form I-797. It is on 8x11 official-looking security paper. On the top it says “Notice of Action” and has a large banner “United States of America” near the top.

If they should send you an RFE for the unneeded vacc sup, it probably wouldn’t delay things more than a few weeks or so. Are you in a hurry to get the AOS?

$130 can buy a lot of beer...  

Ray

Thanks Ray,
 
I have located the I-797.

I just talked to an authority on the whole vaccination matter.  Consequently I'm going to take my woman to the doctor tomorrow and spend the $130.  If it is a waste of money then I can live with that, but barely!

Am I in a hurry? Well I should have been in a hurry a couple months ago.  We have an international cruise scheduled for us in mid to late April.  We may very well miss that opportunity, but at this point I just want to get these papers filed and I'll deal with extraneous things such as cruises after I can get past this little hurdle.

By tomorrow night these papers are on there way to:
USCIS
PO BOX 805887
Chicago IL 60680-4120

After that, whatever happens, happens.

Fathertime!

[Ray]

And I hope you are also filing the I-765 & I-131 with your petition… (?)

[fathertime]

And I hope you are also filing the I-765 & I-131 with your petition… (?)

 

I am filing those also.  I am just creating a giant stack and putting it all in the order that I read I'm supposed to.

Fathertime!

[Capstone]

FT,

Good Luck - hopefully your AOS will sail through without any problems! If you get your AOS package mailed out soon then your wife should at least have her Advanced Parole if not her Green Card before your planned April cruise - it took 6 weeks for my wife to receive her AP & EAD and 9 weeks to receive her Green card after sending in her AOS package.

[Researcher]

   ft,
       If you find yourself close to your travel date during the AOS interview you may be able to get the adjudicator to put a I551 stamp in her passport.My wife's green card was delayed and we went to Infopass and got the stamp which is just as good as a green card.You may want to double check but I think they can do this if they tell you she has been approved.Also, check the processing times on visajourney for AOS.I found it to be pretty accurate.


   Good Luck,

     Researcher