When completing the USCIS Immigration Medical Exam (Form I-693), applicants often focus on the medical tests and vaccinations. However, one simple mistake can cause serious delays in the immigration process: opening the sealed envelope that contains Form I-693.
Applicants in Lumberton and throughout Robeson County are often unaware of how important this sealed envelope is or why USCIS requires it to remain unopened. Understanding this rule can help you avoid delays, repeat exams, and unnecessary expenses.
What Is the Sealed Form I-693 Envelope?
After you complete your immigration medical exam, the USCIS civil surgeon prepares Form I-693 and places it in a sealed envelope. This envelope contains your official medical results and is meant to be submitted directly to USCIS.
The seal confirms that:
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The form was completed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon
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The information has not been altered or tampered with
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The medical exam meets USCIS requirements
USCIS relies on the integrity of this sealed envelope to accept your medical exam as valid.
Why USCIS Requires the Envelope to Remain Sealed
USCIS requires the envelope to remain sealed to protect the accuracy and authenticity of your medical exam. Once the envelope is opened, USCIS can no longer verify that the form has remained unchanged since it was completed by the civil surgeon.
Even if the form inside is accurate, opening the envelope can cause USCIS to consider the exam invalid.
What Happens If You Open the Envelope?
Opening the sealed Form I-693 envelope may result in:
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USCIS rejection of the medical exam
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A Request for Evidence (RFE)
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Being required to repeat the immigration medical exam
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Additional delays and costs
In most cases, USCIS will not accept an opened envelope under any circumstances.
Common Reasons People Open the Envelope
Applicants often open the envelope because they want to:
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Check their medical results
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Make copies for their records
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Confirm the form was completed correctly
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Show the form to an attorney or family member
Unfortunately, even opening the envelope for these reasons can invalidate the exam.
Can You Review Form I-693 Without Opening the Envelope?
Yes. Many civil surgeons provide applicants with a copy of Form I-693 for personal records before sealing the official version. This allows you to review the information and keep a copy without risking your immigration case.
Always ask your clinic for a copy if you would like one.
How to Properly Handle the Sealed Envelope
To protect your immigration application:
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Do not open the sealed envelope
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Do not bend, damage, or write on the envelope
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Store it in a safe place
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Submit it to USCIS exactly as instructed
Handle the envelope carefully until it is submitted.
Final Thoughts
Opening the sealed envelope containing Form I-693 is a simple mistake that can cause major delays in your immigration process. USCIS requires the envelope to remain sealed to ensure the integrity of the immigration medical exam.
At Lumberton Internal Medicine Group, a USCIS civil surgeon–approved clinic, we carefully prepare and seal Form I-693 in compliance with USCIS requirements. We also provide guidance on how to handle your documents properly to help avoid unnecessary delays.
If you are preparing for your immigration medical exam, understanding the importance of the sealed envelope can help your application move forward smoothly and with confidence.