Oakton Health Center

1. USCIS Immigration Medical Exam Guidance

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new rules for the validity of immigration medical exam reports (using Form I-693). From November 1, 2023, any Form I-693 completed and signed by an approved civil surgeon will not expire, meaning it can be used indefinitely as evidence of the applicant’s health status. However, immigration officers can request updated exams if they suspect the applicant’s health status has drastically changed or if the form does not accurately reflect their current health condition. For forms completed before November 1, 2023, the old validity rules still apply, rendering a Form I-693 valid for two years. However, some exceptions exist, such as Afghan parolees under Operation Allies Welcome, whose forms remain valid for three years.

2. Medical PM/WAG Updates to Asylum Applicants and Torture Victims (AATV) and Victims of Trafficking, Torture or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC)

Manual Release #25.20 announces updates to the policy for asylum applicants, torture victims (AATV), and victims of trafficking, torture or other serious crimes (VTTC). It includes new procedures for processing AATV and VTTC cases and updated policy regarding “derivative family members.” Adult noncitizen applicants who do not meet Medicaid qualifying criteria may be evaluated for state-funded health benefits. Exceptions apply for undocumented noncitizen children up to age 18 who are Illinois residents. Changes were made to the eligibility factors for state-funded VTTC benefits in June 2024. Single adults without any children, spouse, or other derivative family members are no longer eligible, and filing intent no longer qualifies.

3. Difficulty in accessing Affordable Medical Exams for Immigrants in Kansas City

Priyanka Raeburn, an immigrant from India studying in Kansas City, USA, experienced hefty costs for the medical examination required for US permanent residency, which is not covered by most insurance. These examinations, which must be conducted by USCIS approved civil surgeons and can cost up to $1,400, are becoming more difficult to schedule due to long waitlists and a limited number of clinics offering the services. Raeburn eventually found affordable care at KC CARE Health Center, which provides the medical exams at a base cost of $250. The U.S. Office of the Inspector General suggested that more improvements, such as cost controls for vaccines and subsidies for immigrants, are needed to help ease the financial burden on immigrants.

A string of new immigration policy updates affecting a broad spectrum of immigration and visa issues have recently been announced. Here’s a detailed summary of those updates and how they may potentially affect visa applicants, employers, and educational institutions:

1. WR Immigration News Digest:

a. Visa processing for F, M, and J visas for Harvard International students and exchange visitors is set to resume due to a recent court order. This directive reverses a Trump-era order that denied such applications citing national security issues. The order, however, is only applicable to individuals affiliated with Harvard; no restrictions were placed on students at other institutions.

b. Due to a Supreme Court ruling, the Department of Homeland Security has started to terminate parole programs and revoke employment authorizations for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans under the CHNV parole programs. Affected individuals will receive notifications via their myUSCIS account.

c. USCIS has updated the validity of medical exams for Green Card applications. From June 11, 2025, USCIS clarified that any Form I-693 (Medical Exam) signed on or after November 1, 2023, is only valid while the associated application (e.g., Form I-485) remains pending.

d. DHS announced on June 9, 2025, that fines for failing to depart will be waived for undocumented individuals who self-deport using the CBP One Home App.

e. The Department of State has released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin with USCIS using the Dates for Filing chart for family-based categories and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based cases.

f. Following President Trump’s remarks urging protection of long-term workers in agriculture, hospitality, and restaurant sectors, DHS announced a pause on ICE worksite raids in these industries.

g. The State Department now requires consular officers to screen the online presence of all new and returning student visa applicants for signs of hostility toward the U.S., political activism, or support for foreign terrorist organizations.

2. Trump Admin Makes Green Card Change ‘Effective Immediately’

a. Immediate changes to green card applications were announced by the Trump administration stating a previous policy introduced a year ago could threaten public health. The change requires every new permanent residency application to submit a renewed medical examination form where applicants were previously allowed to use forms indefinitely.

3. United States | COVID-19 vaccination requirements waived for certain AOS applicants

a. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that as of January 22, it will waive the requirement to present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination for certain adjustment of status applicants. USCIS won’t issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination and won’t deny any AOS application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

Generally, these changes underline the dynamic nature of U.S. immigration policy and the importance of stakeholders staying updated and agile in their responses. It highlights areas where employers and students need to adjust their expectations and prepare for changes to timelines, documentation, and the visa application processes. Regular monitoring will continue to be critical as these changes roll out and potentially adjust based on legal challenges and additional administration decisions.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that green card applicants or those seeking permanent residence in the United States must include their medical and vaccination reports alongside their I-485 form for adjustment of status starting December. This shift is aimed at streamlining the immigration process by reducing the amount of additional evidence requested before adjudicating the Form I-485.

Under this new update, applicants that fail to include their Form I-693, the Immigration Medical Examination Report and Vaccination Record, with their I-485 form will have their applications denied. USCIS specifies that most people subject to medical objections must undergo a medical examination to ascertain their admissibility, however, some applicants such as nonimmigrants may not need to unless a public health issue arises.

Also, going forward, USCIS states that starting April 4, 2024, any Form I-693 properly completed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, will not expire and could be used indefinitely as evidence of the person not being inadmissible on health-related grounds.

Applicants seeking immigration benefits that require a medical and vaccination report include those applying for immigrant visas through the Department of State, status adjustments applicants like immediate family members of a U.S citizen, victims of crimes or human trafficking with U-Visa or Visa T, among others.

Meanwhile, USCIS reversed a year-old policy under the Trump administration requiring every new permanent residency application to renew a medical examination form. This adjustment means that those with pending applications that lack an associated medical exam form will be denied. The change applies to every I-485 form filed starting June 11, 2025, and all applications already pending.

Moreover, President Trump announced a new initiative of a “gold card” program. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to purchase a green card for $5 million. However, legal experts state that the President cannot alter or terminate the EB-5 visa program, an effort aimed at granting green cards to individuals who invest significant sums in the U.S., without congressional approval. It’s suggested that the “gold card” program could coexist with the existing EB-5.},