In continuing with the pandemic related flexibilities offered towards legal immigrants who are navigating the long, tedious paperwork for their US immigration, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now waiving the requirement for a civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, 60 days prior to an applicant filing the subsequent immigration form.
What Is The Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record?
Legal immigrants who are filing for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence (Green Card) or Adjustment of Status (AoS) are required to get a medical examination done before they can be eligible for a US green card. Once the medical exam is successfully completed, a civil surgeon has to sign it and seal it in an envelope for it to be valid. The civil surgeon’s signature should be done just 60-days prior to final submission.
Effective December 9, 2021, this rule now has been temporarily waived until Sept. 30, 2022.
There is no fee for filing the Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
What Is The New Rule For Form I-693?
Many have been affected by the pandemic related delays in their immigration processing. One of the delays is in completing the mandatory immigration medical examination. In order to mitigate these delays, USCIS is temporarily allowing applicants to submit their underlying application for an immigration benefit with a completed Form I-693, even if the civil surgeon signed it more than 60 days prior.
Did You Know: CDC Has Made Covid-19 Vaccination Mandatory For Green Card Applicants
This means if the Form I-693 will still be considered valid if the civil surgeon had signed it earlier than the mandated 60 days. This will allow individuals to complete the application process without the need to undergo another immigration medical examination.
Who Is Impacted By The I-693 Waiver?
- The Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record is required for every legal immigrant who is applying for permanent residency with the United States.
- Those who are already in the US on a different visa like the H1-B or K1 visa need to adjust their visa status before being granted a green card. Form I-693 is applicable to them as well.
- Lastly, this waiver is applicable to Afghan nationals evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome who have completed immigration medical examinations at government-run facilities but were not able to apply for adjustment of status within 60 days of the completed examination.