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Original Date Announced
October 16, 2018USCIS 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]
USCIS Policy Alert 2018-09Effective Date
November 1, 2018Biden Administration Action: Modified
August 12, 20212021.08.12 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
December 9, 20212021.12.09 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.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
September 29, 2022Extension 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.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced
March 31, 2023Removal 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.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Not in effectMost Recent Action
March 31, 2023 Action: Revoked/Replaced Removal of “60-Day Rule” for Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)August 12, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
December 9, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
September 29, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
March 31, 2023Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Actions: Change in Practice Forms and Information CollectionSubject Matter: Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies
Pre Trump-Era Policies
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May 30, 2014
The I-693 medical exam was previously valid for one year from the date of submission to USCIS. Additionally, the I-485 applicant had to submit the I-693 medical exam within one year of the actual medical exam date.
USCIS Policy Alert 2014-005