Effective December 2, 2024, the USCIS has begun requiring certain applicants filing the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to submit the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with their Form I-485 at the time of filing or the Form I-485 may be rejected.

Generally, applicants for adjustment of status must complete an immigration medical examination and all required vaccinations and submit a properly completed Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon to show they are free from health conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds. Until this recent announcement, the USCIS’ general practice was to  allow applicants to submit their medical exams either at a time of filing or at a later date pursuant to a Request for Evidence.  The previous policy allowed useful timing flexibility in the scheduling and obtainment of the medical exam 

However, in an attempt to reduce processing delays and minimize the administrative burdens associated with the issuance of a Request for Evidence, the USCIS has now opted to require applicants to provide the medical exam at the time of filing.    

What Should Applicants Do Now? 

Per the updated USCIS guidance, applicants should submit the properly completed Form I-693, alongside the Form I-485 to avoid a denial of their case.      

Additional Considerations Regarding the Form I-693  

Applicants should schedule their appointment with a USCIS-approved civil surgeon as soon as possible, as it may take several weeks to secure an appointment, complete all required vaccinations, and receive the results of medical exams. To find a USCIS-approved civil physician, you can check out this link:   Find a Civil Surgeon | USCIS 

Applicants having difficulty scheduling an appointment with a civil surgeon in their region of residence may consider traveling to another area to complete the medical exam. In many cases, securing an appointment in a different location is a better option than missing the opportunity to file the Form I-485 within the month of immigrant visa availability due to the possibility of visa bulletin retrogression the following month. 

Additionally, another option to explore is obtaining the medical exam in advance. Any Form I-693 that is properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, is now valid indefinitely. This could provide flexibility, ensuring that an applicant has the necessary documentation ready when they are able to submit the Form I-485 application. 

Foster will continue to monitor developments in U.S. immigration law and will make future updates available via the Foster website at www.fosterglobal.com.