Your civil surgeon seems cold for a reason. A civil surgeon is designated by USCIS to verify medical facts for the government. The job is not to act as your personal doctor. That neutrality is what makes adjudicators (the USCIS officers who decide your case) trust the form the civil surgeon signs. So a detached exam protects your filing.
You’re the patient. But the U.S. government is the client. That’s the paradox at the center of every immigration medical exam. It is the hardest thing for applicants to accept.
Who does a civil surgeon work for?
Your own doctor works for you: your comfort, your outcomes, your story. A civil surgeon is designated by USCIS to verify facts for the government. When you walk into a civil surgeon’s office, the professional loyalty in the room shifts. It does not shift against you. It shifts toward the accuracy of a federal document. If the visit feels detached, that isn’t indifference to you as a person. It’s indifference to everything that doesn’t affect your filing.
Why does the civil surgeon seem so detached?
An objective examiner produces a document adjudicators trust. A civil surgeon known for precision and neutrality lends that trust to every form they sign. That includes yours. The opposite is also true. Some examiners are seen as advocates or rubber stamps. They invite a closer look at every applicant who walks through their doors.
How should I answer the civil surgeon’s questions?
Answer questions directly. Don’t over-explain. Don’t add opinions. Don’t try to “sell” your history. The law doesn’t want your story; it wants your data. Over-explaining creates noise, and noise creates follow-up questions. The best exam is one where every answer is accurate and complete. Each answer is exactly as long as it needs to be.
Related reading: USCIS Medical Exam Is Not a Physical: What It Is · Organize Medical Records for Your I-693 · I-693 Immigration Medical Exam Cost — $390 Flat, St. Louis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the civil surgeon working for me or for USCIS?
The civil surgeon is designated by USCIS. The job is to verify medical facts for the government. Your own physician is still your advocate for health care choices.
Should I explain the background behind my medical history?
Answer questions accurately and directly. Long stories add noise. They do not help. The form requires data, not context.
Does a detached exam mean something is wrong with my case?
No. Professional neutrality is what makes adjudicators trust the certification. It protects your filing.
What is a civil surgeon?
A civil surgeon is a physician designated by USCIS. The civil surgeon performs the immigration medical exam. They verify medical facts for the government on Form I-693. Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP, is the USCIS-designated civil surgeon (CSID 111051) at 4477 Woodson Rd in St. Louis. His job at the exam is to produce an accurate federal document. It is not to manage your ongoing health care.
Is a civil surgeon the same as a regular doctor?
No. Your own doctor works for you: your comfort, your outcomes, your story. A civil surgeon is designated by USCIS to verify facts for the government. So the professional loyalty in the room shifts toward the accuracy of a federal document. That is why the visit can feel detached. It is not indifference to you as a person.
How much is a civil surgeon visit?
At our St. Louis office the I-693 immigration medical exam is a flat $390. A follow-up visit is $190. The fees are listed in the contact box on this page. To book your exam with Dr. Padda, you can schedule online, call (314) 960-9100, or text (314) 886-5902.
Watch the full video above, and explore the rest of the series on our YouTube channel.
Schedule Your Exam in St. Louis
Schedule Your Exam Text (314) 886-5902 Call (314) 960-9100
Dr. Gurpreet Padda, MD — USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon (CSID 111051)
4477 Woodson Rd, Suite 102, St. Louis, MO 63134 — minutes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport
🌐 ImmigrationExam.us
🕗 Mon–Wed 8:00am–5:00pm · Thu 8:00am–12:00pm · Closed Friday & federal holidays
💵 I-693 exam $390 · Follow-up visit $190 · N-648 case review $400 (credited toward evaluation) · N-648 evaluation from $1,400
This article is educational information about the immigration medical examination process. It is not legal advice and does not create a physician–patient relationship. For legal questions about your case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP — USCIS-designated civil surgeon (CSID 111051), board certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, Addiction Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Last reviewed September 2026.
