Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released policy guidance that significantly alters the validity period of Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
New Policy: Effective April 4, 2024, USCIS has implemented a new policy regarding the validity period of Form I-693: Forms I-693 completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, do not expire. This means that they retain their evidentiary value indefinitely, providing assurance to applicants and streamlining the immigration process.
USCIS collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to arrive at this decision.
Previous Policy: For forms completed before November 1, 2023, the prior policy remains in effect. These forms retain their evidentiary value for two years from the date of the civil surgeon's signature. However, certain exceptions apply, such as those for Operation Allies Welcome parolees.
USCIS Officer Discretion: Despite the validity of Form I-693, USCIS officers have the discretion to request additional evidence or a new medical examination if there are reasons to believe that the applicant's medical condition has changed or if the existing form does not accurately reflect their health status.
(Immigration laws and policies change regularly. If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)