Oakton Health Center

1. USCIS Immigration Medical Exam Guidance
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed an updated policy about the validity of the immigration medical exam report (Form I-693). Beginning from November 1, 2023, any officially filled and signed Form I-693 by a sanctioned civil surgeon will not expire and can be applied indefinitely for immigration processes. It serves as proof that the applicant doesn’t possess any inadmissible health conditions. Conversely, an immigration officer can request an updated medical exam if the applicant’s health condition is not consistent with the previous exam or if the older Form I-693 doesn’t precisely reflect the applicant’s present health status. Forms I-693 completed before November 1, 2023, will remain valid for two years from the date a civil surgeon signed it, with the exception of specific Afghan parolees, whose Forms I-693 will remain valid for three years from the civil surgeon signature date.

2. MR #25.20 Medical PM/WAG Updates to Asylum Applicants and Torture Victims (AATV) and Victims of Trafficking, Torture or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC)
This manual release updates the medical PM/WAG for AATV and VTTC, incorporating new processes and policies for processing AATV/VTTC cases including status verification and clarifications on state-funded medical coverage versus federally funded Medicaid. Noncitizen adults not meeting Medicaid qualifying criteria will be evaluated for eligibility for state-funded health benefits. VTTC legislative amendments made effective on June 5, 2024, have altered eligibility factors for state-funded VTTC benefits. Asylum applicants should provide credible evidence of their victim status, with several options provided for verification documentation. The Department may review and amend eligibility requirements during redetermination processes.

3. United States | USCIS Reminder: New edition of Form I-693 effective July 3
Starting from July 3, 2025, USCIS announced that they would only accept the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. If a civil surgeon signs the form before July 2, 2025, either the 03/09/23 edition or 01/20/25 edition can be used. This change follows the waiving of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for certain adjustment of status applicants announced in January by the USCIS. The edition date can be found at the bottom of the form and instructions page.

The recent court order has directed consular posts to resume processing F, M, and J visas for Harvard University students and exchange visitors, reversing the earlier decision to deny applications for concerns over national security. However, the decision is only limited to Harvard-affiliated individuals. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is terminating the CHNV parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans following the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Furthermore, USCIS has clarified its stance on Form I-693 (Medical Exam) from November 1, 2023, stating that the document will only be valid while the associated application remains pending. If the application is denied or withdrawn, a new I-693 will be required for future filings. From July 3, 2025, they will only accept the 01/20/2025 edition of Form I-693 with the filing of I-485 Applications to Adjust Status.

The DHS has offered fine forgiveness for individuals who self-deport via the CBP One Home App and waive civil fines for non-departure. The Department of State has also released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, using the Dates for Filing chart for family-based categories, and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based cases.

DHS paused ICE worksite raids in the agriculture, hospitality, and restaurant sectors following President Trump’s remarks. However, ICE announced that it would continue worksite enforcement, focusing on employers who hire undocumented individuals. The State Department now requires consular officers to screen the online presence of all new and returning student visa applicants.

The Trump administration announced that every new permanent residency application would require a renewed medical examination form. The change directly impacts immigrants applying for adjustment of status, who could previously use a previous form. If an application is withdrawn, the I-693 is invalidated, and the applicant must retake the exam to obtain a new, signed copy.

Effective December 2, 2024, applicants seeking to adjust their status to permanent residency in the United States must submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, along with Form I-485. This change aims to ensure health-related admissibility and reduce the number of RFEs issued during the adjudication process. A failure to do so may result in the rejection of the Form I-485 application. The instructions for Form I-485 have been updated to reflect this requirement.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that green card applicants must now include their medical and vaccination report along with their Form I-485 application for adjusting their status. This new policy is effective starting from December. Failure to include the medical report (Form I-693) alongside the green card application will result in the rejection of the form I-485.

An immigration medical examination must be completed by the applicants applying for adjusting of status, along with receiving all required vaccinations, to demonstrate that there are no medical conditions which render them inadmissible due to health-related grounds. The revision of Form I-485 instructions now mandates the submission of both forms together.

This policy change is intended to streamline the immigration process and reduce the amount of additional evidence requested before adjudicating a Form I-485. Previously, the USCIS sent Requests for Evidence to complete essential documents, which generated a substantial workload. Hence, the authority has now amended the process, extended the validity of certain documents, and now requires the completion of all necessary information at the very outset of the immigration process.

From April 4, 2024, any Form I-693 that has been correctly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, will not expire and can be used indefinitely as evidence to demonstrate that an applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.

The authority advises applicants to seek guidance from an immigration attorney or an accredited immigration services organization to avoid errors while submitting the application to USCIS.

The necessity for a medical examination and vaccination varies depending on the immigration benefit an individual seeks. In some cases, however, a medical examination is not required unless there are specific concerns. A USCIS table highlights the immigration benefits that require a medical report, vaccinations, and whether a civil surgeon or a panel doctor must perform it.

The new rules will apply to applicants seeking an immigrant visa who apply to the United States Department of State (DOS), including petitioners seeking visas for immediate relatives, spouses, fiancés, work-related applications, orphan relatives’ adoptions, religious workers, and more. Also, those applying for a status adjustment, such as immediate family members of US citizens, refugees or asylum status, victims of crimes or human trafficking with U Visa or Visa T, among others, will have to comply with the new requirement.

More information about the designated civil surgeons who perform medical exams and vaccinations, and about local civil surgeons, is available on the USCIS website.