USCIS revises validity of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Immigration Policy Tracking Project (2024)

Original Date Announced

USCIS issued a policy alert notifying the public that it is updating the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the period of time during which a Form I-693 submitted in support of a related immigration benefits application is considered valid. Specifically, USCIS is updating the way the current maximum 2-year validity period is calculated. Form I-693 is now valid only when a civil surgeon signs it no more than 60 days before the date an applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit and when USCIS adjudicates the application within 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon’s signature. [ID #634]

Effective Date

Biden Administration Action: Modified

2021.08.12 USCIS Temporarily Extending Validity Period of Form I-693.pdf

This Biden administration action modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

On August 12, 2021, USCIS announced that due to COVID-19-related processing delays, they are extending the validity period of Form I-693 from two years to four years. This is a temporary extension. Specifically, USCIS may consider a completed Form I-693 as valid if:

• The civil surgeon’s signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• No more than four years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature; and
• A decision on the applicant’s Form I-485 is issued on or before Sept. 30, 2021.

Biden Administration Action: Modified

2021.12.09 Temporary Waiver of “60-Day Rule” for Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)

This Biden administration policy temporarily waives the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

On December 9, 2021, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related processing delays, USCIS announced a temporary waiver until September 30, 2022, of the "60-day rule" which had required that the civil surgeon’s signature on an otherwise valid Form I-693 be dated no more than 60 days before the applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit.

Biden Administration Action: Modified

Extension of Temporary Waiver of “60-Day Rule” for Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)

On September 29, 2022, USCIS announced a continuation of the temporary waiver until March 31, 2023 of the "60-day rule" which required that the civil surgeon’s signature on an otherwise valid Form I-693 be dated no more than 60 days before the applicant files the application for the underlying immigration benefit.

Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

Removal of “60-Day Rule” for Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)

On March 31, 2023, USCIS announced that it would permanently remove the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an underlying immigration benefit. The new policy applies to all Forms I-693 associated with applications for underlying immigration benefits that were pending as of March 31, 2023.

USCIS will accept Forms I-693 for adjudicative purposes for up to two years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form, regardless of when the application for the underlying immigration petition was submitted.