USCIS removes ‘60-day rule’ for Form I-693

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has removed the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an underlying immigration benefit.

Key Points:

• As of March 31, USCIS will accept Forms I-693 for up to two years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form regardless of when the application was filed.
• Civil surgeons no longer have to sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before the underlying application for an immigration benefit is filed.
• USCIS will not send Requests for Evidence for Forms I-693 signed more than 60 days before filing a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
• USCIS will still send RFEs if more than two years have passed since the civil surgeon signed the Form I-693.
• More information regarding the removal of the “60-day rule” is available in this policy alert and the USCIS Policy Manual.

BAL Analysis: USCIS stated that it removed the 60-day civil surgeon signature rule as there was a consensus among applicants, physicians, USCIS officers and other stakeholders that the requirement was confusing and did not “enhance operational efficiency.” Going forward, the agency will accept Form I-693 for up to two years from the date of a civil surgeon’s signature.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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