19 Aug USCIS Temporarily Extended Validity Period of Medical Report

By Atty. Chris Caday Lozano

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.

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, they 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.  They have prioritized employment-based adjustment of status applications during every step of its processing and adjudication during this fiscal year. They continue 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.

If you are applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident with USCIS (also known as applying for a Green Card), please file Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, together with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Doing so may eliminate the need for USCIS to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) and helps avoid adjudication delays.

Note: This is not a legal advice.  You need to speak to an Immigration Attorney to analyze your personal circumstances.  We offer free consultation on immigration matters.  If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation. 

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Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers.  He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and income tax preparation since June 1999.  His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net  Website:  www.crispinlozanolaw.com/