USCIS Advises Applicants to Save Time by Filing Required Evidence with Form I-485

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a release advising applicants to save time by filing all required initial evidence and supporting documentation at the same time they file their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

The USCIS has recommended using the “Checklist of Required Initial Evidence” as a tool to prepare the form, although it is not a replacement for statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. Submitting all required evidence at once may eliminate the need for the USCIS to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), which would request additional documentation and could result in adjudication delays.

In particular, the USCIS advises applicants to submit Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, when they file Form I-485. The completed form generally remains valid for two years after the date it was signed by the civil surgeon. Additionally, the requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature be dated no more than 60 days before filing Form I-485 has been waived from Dec. 9, 2021 until March 31, 2023.

The USCIS has also released a new edition of Form I-485, dated 12/23/22, which must be used for all filings on or after that date to avoid rejection. By following these guidelines, applicants can save time and potentially avoid adjudication delays.