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New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect Sept. 18, 2026 - File Your I-485 Now Under Current Standards »
For many green card applicants, the medical exam is completed early in the Adjustment of Status process, while the application itself may remain pending for months or even years. This often creates an important question: will Form I-693 still be valid by the time USCIS reviews the case?
The answer depends on whether the form was completed correctly, when it was signed, and whether the related Form I-485 remains pending. Understanding the current validity rules can help applicants avoid repeat examinations, Requests for Evidence, and unnecessary delays.
Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, documents the medical examination required for many applicants filing Form I-485 to adjust status inside the United States.
The form records the applicant’s medical examination, vaccination history, and required testing. It must be completed and signed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. A regular physician cannot complete Form I-693 unless that physician is also authorized by USCIS.
The medical exam helps USCIS determine whether the applicant meets the health-related requirements for lawful permanent residence.
USCIS has changed the Form I-693 validity policy more than once in recent years.
Forms properly signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, were previously described as valid indefinitely. USCIS later revised that policy.
Under the current rule, Form I-693 generally remains valid while the Form I-485 with which it was submitted is still pending. If that I-485 is withdrawn or denied, the applicant usually cannot reuse the same medical form with a new Adjustment of Status application.
This means Form I-693 should not be viewed as a medical document that can automatically be transferred from one green card application to another. Its validity is connected to the pending I-485 case.
Long green card processing times sometimes caused applicants to repeat medical examinations even though their original forms had been completed properly.
The policy changes were intended to:
However, the fact that Form I-693 remains valid does not guarantee that USCIS will accept an incomplete or incorrectly submitted form. The form must still be complete, accurate, properly signed, and submitted according to current USCIS instructions.
A medical form may still create delays even when it is connected to a pending I-485.
USCIS may not accept Form I-693 if it contains:
USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence or ask the applicant to complete another medical examination.
Under current policy, Form I-693 generally remains valid only while the associated Form I-485 is pending.
If the application is denied or withdrawn, a new medical examination and Form I-693 may be required for a future I-485 filing.
USCIS may request further medical documentation if there is reason to believe that relevant health information has changed or the original form can no longer be relied upon.
Long processing time by itself does not necessarily mean the medical exam must be repeated. The condition of the form and the status of the associated I-485 are more important.
If USCIS cannot accept the submitted Form I-693, it may issue a Request for Evidence.
The notice may ask for:
Applicants should read the notice carefully and respond by the stated deadline. Delayed or incomplete responses may further slow the green card application.
Certain Adjustment of Status applicants must submit Form I-693 with Form I-485. When the medical form is required at filing, leaving it out may result in USCIS rejecting the I-485 application.
Applicants should plan the medical examination around their filing schedule and follow the current Form I-485 and Form I-693 instructions.
In some cases, USCIS may request medical documentation later. Applicants who have received a Request for Evidence should follow the instructions and deadline listed in that notice.
The Form I-693 rules discussed above apply to applicants adjusting status inside the United States.
Applicants completing immigrant visa processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate undergo an examination with an authorized panel physician instead. Those medical exam results are generally valid for six months, although they may be valid for only three months in certain medical circumstances.
Consular applicants should normally wait until their visa interview has been scheduled before completing the examination.
Applicants should avoid:
Careful preparation can prevent many medical-related delays.
Bring:
Mention any USCIS deadline when scheduling so the office can explain its current appointment and paperwork process.
Form I-693 validity is tied closely to the green card application with which it is submitted. Under current USCIS policy, a properly completed medical form generally remains valid while the associated Form I-485 is pending, but it usually cannot be reused if that application is denied or withdrawn.
Even when the form remains valid, missing signatures, incomplete vaccination records, incorrect submission, or use of a non-authorized doctor can still lead to delays or another medical exam. Understanding the current rules and completing the process correctly can help applicants avoid unnecessary setbacks.
If you need a green card medical examination Dr. Steven Wittenberg Gordon, is a USCIS-authorized civil surgeon who can help you complete Form I-693 in accordance with current immigration medical requirements.
