The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued an important reminder to green card applicants with pending applications regarding the submission of medical reports (Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). Even if their visa category is currently retrogressed (not available), USCIS advises applicants to promptly provide medical reports when requested.
“If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) for Form I-693 for your pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you must provide Form I-693, even if the visa has retrogressed,” USCIS stated in its reminder.
“We issued this update to improve the efficiency of Form I-485 processing throughout USCIS. If all the necessary required evidence is in the record when a visa becomes available, we can pull cases more swiftly to adjudicate them on their merits,” the agency added.
Visa retrogression occurs when visa availability in a specific category temporarily becomes unavailable due to high demand and annual quota limits. While retrogression can delay the final decision on green card applications, USCIS emphasizes the importance of submitting requested medical reports without delay. Prompt submission helps prevent further processing delays and ensures applications are ready for review when visas become available.
In an update released on December 2, USCIS announced that medical reports must now be submitted concurrently with Form I-485, the green card application. Previously, applicants could provide these reports later upon request. However, under the new rules, failing to include the medical report with the initial submission could result in application denial.
USCIS has also updated the validity period of medical reports. As of November 1, 2023, medical reports completed and signed by civil surgeons will no longer expire, provided they meet the latest guidelines. This change was made after consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and considering advancements in electronic public health reporting.
However, reports completed and signed before November 1, 2023, remain valid only for two years under the previous policy. This limitation exists because older reports were not electronically shared with the CDC, which is now a requirement.
Despite these updates, USCIS officers may still request new or updated medical reports if they have reason to believe that an applicant’s medical condition has changed or if the initial report fails to accurately reflect the applicant’s health status. Additional evidence may also be required if there are concerns about health-related grounds for inadmissibility.
USCIS has consistently recommended that applicants filing Form I-485 include their medical and vaccination reports with their application to avoid processing delays. While this was previously optional, it is now mandatory under the updated policy.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
