Effective April 4, 2024, any Form I-693 that was properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after Nov. 1, 2023, does not expire, and can be used indefinitely as evidence to show that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.

What does this mean for our RIS clients?

When filing their I-485, Application to Adjust Status, our clients provide a Form I-693, signed by a civil surgeon, confirming that the foreign national is free from any health conditions that would render them inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds. Prior to this policy update, and since Dec. 9, 2021, a properly completed Form I-693 was valid for 2 years from the date the civil surgeon signed the form. Given current Adjustment of Status processing times, and delays due the Visa Bulletin backlog, many of our clients have received a Request for Evidence (RFE) in connection with their pending I-485 case requesting an updated Form I-693 as more than two years has passed. In this Policy Alert, USCIS clarifies that a properly completed Form I-693, signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, does not expire. Due to this update, we can expect a decrease in RFEs received by our clients requesting an updated Form I-693.

Please note that it is within USCIS discretion to request a new Form I-693, even if the original Form I-693 is still valid, if USCIS has reason to believe the Form I-693 does not accurately reflect the applicant’s current medical condition.

Please reach out to your assigned RIS attorney with any questions or concerns regarding the Form I-693.

USCIS Policy Alert: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20240404-I-693Validity.pdf