Not submitting i-693 with the initial application

[aragornath 11]

Hi everyone,

I have recently married a US citizen, and we want to immediately apply for a change of status from my F-1 visa to a greencard.

I have read a lot about the procedure on this forum, and I have a question.

I might not have enough time go through the medical exam since we want to file the application by Dec 23rd. Somewhere on this forum I read:

As of June 1, medical examination reports (I-693) submitted by applicants in support of a benefit application will be only valid for one year from the time of the civil surgeon’s signature and submission to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In other words, the report must be submitted to USCIS within one year of the complete examination and the application must be adjudicated within one year after the date the report was submitted to USCIS. Medical exam reports are most commonly submitted in support of I-485 adjustment of status applications. Previously, since about 2002, USCIS had agreed to extend the validity of the civil surgeon’s I-693 endorsement until the time of adjudication, because of backlogs in certain preference categories. While the new policy means that some applicants must undergo another medical exam before their case is adjudicated, the good news is that medical examination forms will no longer be required as initial evidence and may be submitted at any time after filing the immigration benefit application but prior to adjudication. If the medical examination form is not filed concurrently, USCIS encourages applicants to wait until the medical examination form is requested by USCIS, either through the issuance of a Request for Evidence (RFE) or through a notice to bring a completed medical examination form to the interview. This policy change was made in response to concerns raised by the Centers for Disease Control.

In the meantime, and in anticipation of this policy change, USCIS has been sending RFEs to applicants notifying them that their medical reports filed in support of their adjustment applications are about to exceed the validity period. Moving forward, RFEs for new medical examinations will only be issued shortly before it is anticipated that the case can be adjudicated to completion.

Is this true? I couldn't find it anywhere on USCIS website, is there any official notice that we don't have to submit i-693 with the initial application? cause if so, it will solve many of my problems...

Thanks,

Navid

[embay16 12]

The information you provided is about having to do with doing an exam before filing. In essence, once you submit your exam, it is valid, but you cannot submit an exam more than a year old with your application.

I suggest doing it as early as possible so that you have it, but you are not required to submit the medical exam with the application. You might be given an RFE for it and then will send it in, or if not, just bring it to the interview (that is what one section of your paragraph says).

"medical examination forms will no longer be required as initial evidence and may be submitted at any time after filing the immigration benefit application but prior to adjudication. If the medical examination form is not filed concurrently, USCIS encourages applicants to wait until the medical examination form is requested by USCIS, either through the issuance of a Request for Evidence (RFE) or through a notice to bring a completed medical examination form to the interview. "

[aragornath 11]

Thank you,

but my main question is if anyone has seen this info on USCIS website... mainly just want to make sure if it is legit and if it won't hurt my case if I send form 693 a little later (maybe a month)

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

It's fine to bring it to the interview, too.

[aragornath 11]

Have you seen this statement anywhere on USCIS website?

I'm just asking since the guide to adjustment of status on USCIS counts i-693 as one of the requirements.

[Cadence 20]

My interview notice says to bring a completed I-693 in a sealed envelope unless already submitted, so yea, you can bring the medical form later with your interview time I believe.

Edited December 1, 2016 by Cadence