USCIS Enforces Form I-693 Submission for All Green Card Applicants.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently emphasized the requirement for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, as a mandatory part of all green card applications. This move aims to standardize health screenings and ensure compliance with public health policies across immigration processes.
What is Form 1-693?
Form I-693 serves as a report verifying that green card applicants meet the health-related admissibility standards as outlined by U.S. law. It requires completion by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, who conducts a medical examination to evaluate vaccination status, communicable diseases, and other health conditions.
Who Does This Impact?
Applicants seeking adjustment of status are generally required to undergo an immigration medical examination, ensure they have received all necessary vaccinations, and submit a completed Form I-693. This form, signed by a designated civil surgeon, demonstrates that the individual has no health conditions that would render them inadmissible based on health-related grounds.
Form I-693, or portions of it (such as the Vaccination Record), must be submitted alongside Form I-485. Failure to comply with this submission requirement may result in the rejection of Form I-485. USCIS has updated the Form I-485 instructions to clarify this policy, emphasizing the necessity of filing both forms together.
Implications of the Policy Change
This procedural change aims to minimize delays and reduce the number of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued during the adjudication process of Form I-485, streamlining application processing.
The indefinite validity of forms signed after November 2023 is also expected to reduce redundancy and save time for applicants who may experience delays in their immigration process. This policy adjustment also reflects an effort by USCIS to streamline its operations and align with evolving public health protocols.
To locate an authorized civil surgeon near you, visit the USCIS civil surgeon locator tool.
What’s Next: USCIS Enforces Form I-693 Submission for All Green Card Applicants.
USCIS’s enforcement of Form I-693 for all green card applicants underscores the importance of public health in immigration. By ensuring that all applicants meet established health standards, the agency enhances both individual and community safety. We encourage applicants to review the updated guidelines and comply with these requirements to avoid delays in their immigration process.
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