What is The Significance of FORM I-693?
- A person seeking an immigration benefit and who is subject to the health-related grounds of inadmissibility must establish that he or she is not inadmissible on health-related grounds
- In general, those applying for immigration benefits while in the United States must use Form I-693to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds
An officer may determine that the applicant has met the burden of proof required to establish that he or she is free from a medical condition that would render the applicant inadmissible on health-related grounds if all of the following criteria are met:
- A USCIS-designated civil surgeon performed the immigration medical examination in accordance with HHS regulations
- The civil surgeon and the applicant properly completed the current version of Form I-693
- The Form I-693 that the applicant submitted is signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before the date the applicant filed an application for the underlying immigration benefit
- The Form I-693 establishes that the applicant does not have a Class A medical condition and has complied with the vaccination requirements or is granted a waiver
- USCIS issues a decision on the underlying immigration benefit application no more than 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed Form I-693
What Happens if Any of These Criteria Are Not Met?
- If any one of the above criteria is not met, the applicant has not met the burden of proof required to establish that he or she is free of a medical condition that would render the applicant inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds
- In this case, the officer should follow standard operating procedures regarding issuance of a denial or an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) to address the deficiency
- Additionally, even if all of the above criteria are met, but the officer has reason to believe that the applicant’s medical condition has changed since submission of the Form I-693 such that the applicant’s admissibility could be affected, the officer, in his or her discretion, may request that the applicant submit a new Form I-693
- Special rules may apply to certain applicants who were examined overseas, including certain nonimmigrant fiancé(e)s or spouses of U.S. citizens (K visa), spouses of lawful permanent residents (V visa), refugees, and asylee dependents
- Such applicants usually do not need to repeat the full immigration medical exam in the United States for purposes of adjustment of status
When Should I File Form I-693?
- Save time by filing Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- USCIS generally considers a completed Form I-693 to retain its evidentiary value for two years after the date the civil surgeon signed Form I-693, as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature is no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
You can find the i-693 form here
What is the Reason for This Temporary Change?
- USCIS is making this temporary change because COVID-19 has caused processing delays and affected applicants’ ability to complete the required immigration medical examination
- Previously, USCIS considered a completed Form I-693 to retain its validity for two years after the date the civil surgeon signed, as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature was no more than 60 days before the applicant filed for adjustment of status
- USCIS is on track to approve more employment-based adjustment of status applications than it has since FY 2005
- USCIS has also prioritized employment-based adjustment of status applications during every step of its processing and adjudication during this fiscal year
- USCIS continues to make processing and resource allocation decisions to increase the pace of adjudications and limit the potential for employment-based visa numbers to go unused
What Do I Need to Do If I Received an RFE Due to a Two-Year Expired Form I-693 Before the Temporary Extension?
- On Aug. 12, USCIS issued guidance in the Policy Manual temporarily extending the validity period of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- If USCIS sent you a Request for Evidence (RFE) because your I-693 had expired after two years, but it is valid under the temporary extension to four years and you meet the requirements, please respond to the RFE by citing, printing out or otherwise mentioning this policy alert
Please Note: You are not required to file the Form I-693 at the same time you file Form I-485, and many applicants bring their completed Form I-693 to their interview
What Could Be the Possible Benefit of Filing i-693 and I-485 At the Same Time?
However, some applications may not require an interview:
· USCIS makes decisions to waive interviews on a case-by-case basis
· Filing Form, I-485 and Form I-693 at the same time may eliminate the need for us to issue an RFE to obtain your Form I-693
· This may also help avoid adjudication delays if we decide that you do not need to be interviewed
Where Can I File the I-693 Form?
- After completing your medical examination, the civil surgeon must give you, the applicant, the completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope
- Do not accept it if it is not in a sealed envelope
- USCIS will return the form to you if it is not in a sealed envelope, or if the envelope has been opened or altered
You (not the civil surgeon) must submit your Form I-693 to USCIS
If you are applying for adjustment of status, you may submit Form I-693:
- By mail with your Form I-485, Application to Register for Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to the location specified for your Form I-485 (see Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485).
- By mail after filing your Form I-485 to the location specified in your most recent communication with USCIS (for example, a Request for Evidence letter from USCIS).
- In-person at an interview in a USCIS field office (if an interview is required).
Other applicants: Follow the instructions on or included with the application or the instructions given to you by the office requesting the medical examination.
Please don’t forget to sign your form. USCIS will reject any unsigned form.
Special Note:
- To ensure your medical examination results are still valid when we adjudicate your associated benefit application, you should schedule the medical examination as close as possible to the time you file for adjustment of status, respond to a Request for Evidence, or attend an interview (if applicable)
- NOTE: The Form I-693 must be dated no earlier than 60 days before you filed your underlying application
- Be sure to provide enough time for any laboratory testing or additional testing required under CDC’s technical instructions.
What is The New Rule Regarding Temporary Extension of Validity Period of Form I-693?
Beginning Aug. 12, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, from two years to now four years due to COVID-19-related delays in processing
USCIS May Consider a Completed Form I-693 as valid if:
- The civil surgeon’s signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
- No more than four years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature; and
- A decision on the applicant’s Form I-485 is issued on or before Sept. 30, 2021.
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