A Sealed, Unsubmitted Form I-693 Is Valid Indefinitely. Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Delays and Unnecessary Expenses.
A Sealed, Unsubmitted Form I-693 Is Valid Indefinitely. Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Delays and Unnecessary Expenses.
You may have completed your immigration medical exam and submitted your green card application, only to discover that your priority date is no longer current. Does that mean you need another medical exam?
Visa Bulletin retrogression can delay your green card application, but it does not automatically invalidate your medical exam. Whether another examination is necessary depends on your application status, when Form I-693 was signed, and the applicable USCIS validity requirements.
Completing your immigration medical examination well before your anticipated filing date can help you avoid last-minute complications. Required testing, vaccination reviews, and Form I-693 preparation may take additional time, so planning ahead is important even if your priority date is not yet current. Your examination timing should also account for applicable USCIS validity requirements.
The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin showing immigrant visa availability for different family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
Visa Bulletin retrogression occurs when a cutoff date moves backward rather than forward. This typically happens when demand for immigrant visas exceeds the number available under annual or country-specific limits.
For example, suppose:
This is commonly called green card priority date retrogression. Your priority date itself has not changed; the government's cutoff date has moved.
The impact largely depends on whether you have already submitted Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
If USCIS accepted your application when you were eligible to file, subsequent retrogression generally does not mean you must start the application again.
Your Form I-485 may remain pending while USCIS waits for an immigrant visa number to become available. USCIS generally cannot approve the adjustment application until your priority date is current under the applicable Final Action Dates chart.
Retrogression may affect when you can submit your adjustment-of-status application.
The Visa Bulletin includes two important charts:
USCIS announces which chart applicants must use for adjustment-of-status filing each month.
If retrogression changes your eligibility to file, you may need to wait before submitting Form I-485.
Because Form I-693 is generally submitted with Form I-485, changes to your filing timeline can also affect when it makes sense to complete your immigration medical exam.
No. Retrogression alone does not automatically invalidate a completed Form I-693.
Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, documents whether an applicant meets the applicable health-related immigration requirements.
On June 11, 2025, USCIS updated its policy regarding the validity of Form I-693.
Under the updated rules:
For applicants experiencing visa retrogression, the key distinction is between a pending application and an application that has ended.
If your Form I-485 remains pending during retrogression and your Form I-693 meets the applicable validity requirements, the delay itself generally does not require another medical examination.
You can review the USCIS Form I-693 guidance for current requirements.
Although visa retrogression alone generally does not require a repeat examination, certain circumstances may make an updated Form I-693 necessary.
If your Form I-485 was denied or withdrawn, a Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023, and submitted with that application cannot generally be reused for a new application.
You would need a newly completed Form I-693 when filing again, if the medical examination requirement applies.
USCIS may request additional medical evidence or a new Form I-693 if it has reason to believe the applicant's medical condition has changed or that the previously submitted examination no longer accurately reflects their health status.
For example, new information relating to a health condition covered by immigration medical requirements could warrant additional evaluation.
Medical examination forms signed before November 1, 2023, have different validity requirements.
If you completed your examination several years ago, confirm whether the form remains acceptable before relying on it.
Completing your immigration medical exam early can help prevent last-minute complications when you're ready to file your green card application. The process may involve laboratory testing, vaccination record reviews, additional medical evaluations, and Form I-693 preparation. Some of these steps may require follow-up appointments or additional time to complete. Waiting until your filing deadline approaches could leave insufficient time to obtain the necessary medical documentation.
Since December 2, 2024, USCIS has generally required applicants who need to submit Form I-693, or a partial Form I-693, to include it with Form I-485. Applications missing the required medical documentation may be rejected, making advance preparation particularly important.
Even if Visa Bulletin retrogression has delayed your filing eligibility, completing your immigration medical examination before your priority date becomes current may be beneficial. Having your medical documentation ready can help you avoid delays when you become eligible to file Form I-485. Because USCIS validity requirements vary depending on when Form I-693 was signed and the status of the associated application, discuss the appropriate examination timing with your civil surgeon and immigration attorney.
Before scheduling your immigration medical exam:
A USCIS-designated civil surgeon can guide you through the medical requirements and help you prepare the necessary documentation, while your immigration attorney can advise you on your filing timeline. Planning ahead helps reduce the risk of medical documentation delays when you become eligible to submit your application.
If visa retrogression has delayed your green card application, several practical steps can help you remain prepared.
If you have already received your completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope, keep it sealed and follow the applicable USCIS submission instructions.
Visa Bulletin retrogression may delay your green card application, but it does not automatically mean you need another immigration medical exam. Understanding how these delays affect Form I-693 validity and preparing your medical documentation early can help you avoid last-minute complications.
Because the examination process may involve required testing, vaccination reviews, and additional medical documentation, allowing sufficient time is essential. Even if your priority date is not yet current, planning ahead can help ensure you're prepared when you're eligible to file, while accounting for applicable USCIS validity requirements.
If you're preparing to file Form I-485 or need updated medical documentation, Steven Wittenberg Gordon, MD, a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can guide you through the medical examination process, review your vaccination records, coordinate required testing, and complete your Form I-693 documentation.
Schedule your immigration medical exam to complete the necessary medical requirements with sufficient time before your anticipated green card filing.
