USCIS Tightens Green Card Medical Exam Rules, Limits Validity of Form I-693

Last Updated Jun - 14 - 2025, 03:42 PM | Source : Fela News

USCIS updates Green Card rules, limiting the validity of Form I-693 to pending applications only. New policy ensures up-to-date health screenings and aligns wit

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a major policy change that impacts individuals applying for a Green Card. Effective June 11, 2025, medical examination reports submitted through Form I-693 will now only remain valid while the related Green Card application (Form I-485) is under review. If the application is denied or withdrawn, the previously submitted medical exam will not carry over to future filings, requiring applicants to undergo a new examination for any subsequent attempt.

This decision marks a reversal of a more lenient policy introduced in April 2024, which had allowed applicants to reuse their medical examination indefinitely for immigration benefits. USCIS has now decided that such indefinite validity could pose health risks by delaying the detection and treatment of communicable diseases. By limiting the report's use to a single, active application, USCIS aims to ensure that all applicants undergo timely and relevant health evaluations, in line with the country’s public health standards.

In a related update, USCIS has also stopped issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for COVID-19 vaccination status in Green Card applications, effective January 20, 2025. This change follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from its list of required immunizations for immigration purposes. Until USCIS updates the Form I-693, civil surgeons are instructed to mark the COVID-19 section as “N/A” if other vaccinations are up to date. These updates not only streamline the medical screening process but also reflect the evolving public health landscape, aiming to balance efficiency with safety for all applicants.