U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to remove the requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature on the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be dated no more than 60 days before an applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit.
In general, noncitizens applying for certain immigration benefits while in the United States must use Form I-693 to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds. Currently, USCIS considers a completed Form I-693 to retain its evidentiary value for 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form, as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature is no more than 60 days before the applicant filed the application for the underlying immigration benefit. This is commonly referred to as the “60-day rule.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing related processing delays, USCIS has experienced delays in all aspects of operations. Applicants have also experienced difficulties beyond their control, including delays with completing the immigration medical examination. In response, USCIS has temporarily waived the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before the applicant files the underlying application since December 9, 2021.
USCIS is now removing this requirement permanently. This guidance, contained in Volume 8 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies to all Forms I-693 associated with applications for underlying immigration benefits pending as of March 31, 2023, regardless of when the application was filed or when the civil surgeon signed Form I-693.
If you wish to apply for immigration to the United States please contact the Law Offices of Mark A. Urbanski PLLC and we will be happy to assist you.