USCIS Removes 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693
This afternoon, the USCIS announced an end to the requirement that civil surgeons sign the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an immigration benefit, such as a green card.
In general, individuals applying for an immigration benefit while in the United States are required to submit a “sealed medical” to show that they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible under the health-related grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In December 2021, the USCIS implemented a temporary waiver of the “60-day rule” due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related processing delays. That USCIS extended the temporary waiver several times over the past few years. The requirement has now been removed.
A sealed medical is valid for 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon’s signature and may be submitted to the USCIS at any point during that period. If the USCIS has not made a decision during the sealed medical’s validity period, then the applicant must submit a new Form I-693.
What does an immigration medical look for?
- Communicable Diseases of Public Health Significance (TB, Syphilis, Gonorrhea);
- Physical or Mental Disorders with Associated Harmful Behavior;
- Drug Abuse/Drug Addiction; and/or
- Other medical conditions (such as hypertension or diabetes).
The sealed medical also confirms that an individual is up to date with their vaccination record, including the following (if age appropriate):
- DT/DTap/DTP
- Td/Tdap
- OPV/IPC
- MMR
- Hib
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella
- Pneumococcal
- Influenza
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal
- COVID-19
If a “Class A condition” is noted on the medical form, it is conclusive evidence that the applicant is admissible. If a “Class B condition” is noted by the civil surgeon on the medical form, the applicant should not be found inadmissible on health-related grounds.
Filing Your I-485 with Form I-693
The USCIS recently issued an alert suggesting that filing a green card application with a sealed medical could decrease the overall processing time by eliminating the need for the USCIS to issue either a “I-693 Deficiency Notice” and/or a “Request for Evidence.”
Hand Delivering Sealed Medical to I-485 Medical Drop Box at USCIS Boston Field Office
Another option recently made available is to hand deliver a sealed medical to an I-485 Medical Drop Box at the USCIS Boston Field Office, located at 15 New Sudbury Street, Room E-160, Boston, MA 02203.
The hand delivery option is now available as part of a USCIS Pilot Program at the Boston Field Office. Individuals may drop off a sealed medical during the extended hours of 7am – 4pm EST, Monday through Friday. We recommend that individuals include a copy of their I-485 receipt notice and/or a copy of the Request for Evidence.
Immigration medical Exam Boston MA
If you have questions about undergoing an immigration medical exam in Boston, MA, contact green card lawyer, Dayna Lally, at [email protected]. Consultation fees apply.
Disclaimer: This blog article is provided by Lally Immigration Services, LLC for informational and marketing purposes. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. No reader should act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any information presented in this article, or elsewhere on this website, without seeking the advice of appropriate legal counsel, or other professional counsel, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Lally Immigration Services, LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect to any actions taken, or not taken, based on any content of this article or website. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Last Reviewed/Updated: 003/31/2023
