U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is discontinuing the stipulation that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, within 60 days of an individual applying for an underlying immigration benefit, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This requirement had been temporarily waived since December 9, 2021.
This policy modification enables USCIS to process cases with immigration medical examinations that would have previously been deemed invalid. Instead of issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for Form I-693 signed more than 60 days before the filing of the I-485, while still being otherwise valid, USCIS will now accept these Forms I-693 for adjudicative purposes for up to 2 years from the date the civil surgeon signed the form.
Consistent concerns voiced by applicants, civil surgeons, USCIS officers, federal partners, and other stakeholders highlighted the confusion and necessity for RFEs due to this requirement. Although the 60-day rule was initially intended to enhance operational efficiency and reduce the need for updated Forms I-693, practical efficiencies have not been realized.
Civil surgeons are no longer obligated to sign Form I-693 within 60 days before the filing of the underlying application for an immigration benefit.
USCIS is formalizing this policy change in the policy manual in line with the updated Form I-693 approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
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