Oakton Health Center

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new guidance regarding how long an immigration medical exam report (Form I-693) remains valid as evidence. Starting November 1, 2023, any Form I-693 properly filled out and signed by an approved civil surgeon will be valid indefinitely. This means the exam will be accepted as proof that the applicant does not have any inadmissible health conditions, without any time limit. However, immigration officers can still request updated medical exams if there is reason to believe the applicant’s health status has changed since the previous exam.

The Trump administration has made immediate changes to green card applications, one of which is a requirement that every new permanent residency application requires a renewed medical examination form. Previously, applicants could use forms indefinitely. This change could directly impact immigrants currently applying for adjustment of status and the changes are happening without providing adequate time for applicants and their attorneys to prepare.

On Dec. 2, 2024, the USCIS announced that the agency will now require, with immediate effect, the concurrent filing of Form I-693, with all adjustment of status applications. This updated policy represents a departure from USCIS’ prior filing requirements which had permitted applicants to file their green card applications without Form I-693. This development means that AOS applicants should plan ahead to ensure they can timely file for their green card as soon as they are eligible under the Department of State’s visa bulletin.

This significant change in immigration policies can potentially affect thousands of AOS applicants and highlights an increased scrutiny of immigrants as the Trump administration continues with a tougher stance on immigration enforcement. The government has reiterated that even green cards can be revoked on national security grounds and for immigration law violations. It is therefore recommended for immigration applicants and their representatives to familiarize themselves with updated USCIS policies concerning medical exam validity periods.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has declared that all permanent residence (green card) applicants must submit their medical and vaccination reports along with their adjustment of status form from December onwards. Failure to include these documents will result in the petition being denied. This requirement is necessary to demonstrate that applicants are not medically inadmissible under health-related grounds.

This change aims to streamline the immigration process and reduce the quantity of additional evidence needed before a form is reviewed. Previously, requests for evidence would be sent out to individuals to gather essential documents, creating a significant workload, thus necessitating this policy update.

The validity of the medical report has also been clarified by the agency, stating that any report correctly completed and signed by a civil surgeon after November 1, 2023, will not expire and can be used indefinitely to prove that the applicant is not restricted due to health concerns.

A separate ruling by the Trump administration reversed a policy concerning green cards implemented last year. Under this revised ruling, every new permanent residency application now requires a renewed medical examination form. If an application does not have an associated medical form filed, it will be denied.

Additionally, civil surgeons can now share medical data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thanks to technological advancements. Appropriate collaboration between the Center and USCIS is expected to improve the reporting process.

In a separate development, President Trump announced the launch of a website allowing people to register for a “gold card” granting green card status for $5 million. Trump estimated that sales from this new venture could raise around $50 trillion, despite data suggesting a lower amount of $25 billion to $40 billion instead. This plan could potentially replace the EB-5 immigration program, although the President cannot make such amendments without congressional approval.

Summary:

Starting from December 2, 2024, certain applicants seeking to adjust their status to permanent residency in the United States are required to submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, along with their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This new mandate is aimed at ensuring health-related admissibility and reducing the number of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued during the application process, subsequently minimizing delays.

Form I-693 is a comprehensive health check form that is filled and signed by a designated civil surgeon, confirming that the applicant does not carry any health conditions that would make them inadmissible on health grounds. This form must be submitted alongside Form I-485 and in some cases a partial form I-693 (like the Vaccination Record), failure to do so may result in outright rejection of the Form I-485 application.

In essence, this procedural change is aimed at ensuring that health checks and vaccinations are done before the application is reviewed. This would significantly reduce the number of RFEs generated during the adjudication process, making it smoother and quicker.

For compliance, applicants are encouraged to seek a USCIS-designated civil surgeon to carry out the medical examination and fill out the Form I-693. A correctly filled and signed Form I-693, done on or after November 1, 2023, does not have an expiration date. Thus, it is crucial that applicants correctly submit both forms, I-693 and I-485, to avoid rejection of their application. It is worth noting that the instructions for Form I-485 have been updated to reflect this new requirement.

In conclusion, this new approach emphasizes the cruciality of health in the immigration and residency process and seeks to streamline and expedite the adjudication process by centralizing health evaluations before an application is assessed.