Oakton Health Center

The Trump administration has announced significant changes to the US green card application process, with immediate impact. New policies introduced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) mandate a renewed medical examination form for each permanent residency application, superseding a policy introduced last year that allowed for indefinite use of such forms. This will affect immigrants currently applying for adjustment of status.

Until June 2025, applicants were allowed to use a form signed by a civil surgeon indefinitely. Under the new guideline effective June 11, 2025, if an application is withdrawn, the form is invalidated and the applicant would need to retake the exam to acquire a new signed form. The adjustment affects the I-693 form, also known as the “Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.”

This measure imposes a significant burden on thousands of applicants looking to file their adjustment of status application (Form I-485). The medical exams, which mirror physical exams and include checks for specific conditions, can cost between $100 and $500, therefore, this policy change could lead immigrants to pay twice for these exams. The form must be completed by immigrants in the US applying for adjustment of status or to become a permanent resident.

Before December 2024, only those individuals who needed to prove they were not medically inadmissible were required to file a medical examination form. However, from now, every green card applicant is required to file a medical examination form. The USCIS may also request this from immigrants applying for other visas.

The policy change comes amid harsher scrutiny of immigrants as they apply for temporary and permanent visas, as the Trump administration cracks down on those allegedly violating immigration laws. Dramatic modifications made to application forms caused confusion for applicants and resulted in a lawsuit which forced the USCIS to give at least two weeks’ notice for changes.

An increasing number of green card holders are being arrested within the US or denied re-entry following travel abroad. The federal government has stressed that green cards do not signify US citizenship and can be revoked on grounds of national security, immigration law violations, or criminal convictions. These cases were less common prior to January 20.

The policy change, designed to “ensure that aliens get timely and proper medical examinations and treatment, which safeguards public health,” was effective Wednesday, June 11, 2025. A new version of the form will take effect from July 3, 2025.

Starting from December, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has mandated green card applicants to include their medical and vaccination report along with Form I-485 for adjustment of status. This change seeks to streamline the immigration process and reduce additional evidence requests. The validity of the Form I-693, signed by a civil surgeon, which demonstrates that applicants are not medically inadmissible, will not expire after November 1, 2023.

USCIS requirements for medical examinations and vaccine records vary depending on the immigration benefit sought. However, the officer has discretion to order a medical exam if there may be a public health issue. The USCIS provides a comprehensive summary of the immigration benefits that require a medical report and vaccinations.

The Trump administration is reversing a policy that was implemented last year, which required renewed medical examination forms for new permanent residency applications. This rule applies to all applications for permanent residency filed starting from June 11, 2025. Additionally, President Trump announced a “gold card” program, which would enable successful applicants to buy a green card for $5 million. This program could coexist with the existing EB-5 visa program.

Australia is launching the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for top Indian graduates and early career professionals starting in December 2024. In China, a mutual visa exemption agreement was signed with Solomon Islands on November 7, 2024. In Finland, work permit services were transferred from TE Offices to Finnish Immigration Service on January 1, 2025, to improve customer experience and streamline the process.

In Kazakhstan, starting from November 18, 2024, new types of visas have been introduced, including the B9 visa for sought-after professionals and the Digital Nomad Visa for IT specialists. USCIS updated their guidance to state that certain Afghan nationals’ immigration medical examination documentation is valid indefinitely. USCIS also clarified that a naturalization applicant’s burden to demonstrate lawful admission for permanent residence applies only to their initial admission as an LPR or adjustment to LPR status.