I-693 now required for interviewees

[Loo1 91]

Just now, billding said:

Please do thanks! Kind of worried too because with the AOS already costing a lot plus extra fees for a new medical.

 

I wish they'd publish a clear set of guidelines about this. 

Same here. It’s such a contradiction. Or at least give you clarification as to why they are requesting it when you’re still in date you now? 

[billding 59]

1 minute ago, Loo1 said:

Same here. It’s such a contradiction. Or at least give you clarification as to why they are requesting it when you’re still in date you now? 

I agree. I'm guessing it could be because the AOS process is taking so long, but that's not our fault. We shouldn't be penalized for it. (Unless we actually filed the AOS late.)

 

I hope your RFE response won't take long! Keep us posted! Good luck!

[Loo1 91]

Just now, billding said:

I agree. I'm guessing it could be because the AOS process is taking so long, but that's not our fault. We shouldn't be penalized for it. (Unless we actually filed the AOS late.)

 

I hope your RFE response won't take long! Keep us posted! Good luck!

Our biggest frustration is that we had it with us at our interview, repeatedly told the officer we had everything that was mentioned on the appointment letter and she kept telling us she didn’t need it. Hopefully we’re just unlucky and it doesn’t happen to other people. 
The joy of US immigration! I will, I’ll message you about the medical tomorrow. 
Good luck to you guys too! 

[K1visaHopeful 2,871]

16 minutes ago, billding said:

Please do thanks! Kind of worried too because with the AOS already costing a lot plus extra fees for a new medical.

 

I wish they'd publish a clear set of guidelines about this. 

There is a clear set of guidelines in the policy manual exempting K1s from a second medical.

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-3

 

"4. K or V Nonimmigrants Applying for Adjustment [26]

 

K and V nonimmigrants applying for adjustment of status are not required to repeat the medical examination if the application was filed within one year of the date of the original medical examination, and:

 

The medical examination did not reveal a Class A medical condition; or 

 

The applicant received a conditional waiver in conjunction with the K or V nonimmigrant visa or the change of status to V and the applicant submits evidence of compliance with the waiver terms and conditions. [27] 

 

If a new medical examination is required and reveals a Class A medical condition, a new waiver application will also be required. In such cases, the officer should determine whether the applicant complied with the terms and conditions of the first waiver, if applicable. Such determination should be given considerable weight in the adjudication of a subsequent waiver application. [28] 

 

Even if a new medical examination is not required, applicants must still comply with the vaccination requirements if the vaccination record was not included as part of the original medical examination report. If the vaccination report was properly completed at the time of the overseas examination, the officer may accept the vaccination assessment completed by the panel physician. 

 

An applicant’s overseas medical examination report completed by a panel physician should already be in the applicant’s A-file. If it is not in the A-file, the officer should request the medical examination report through a Request for Evidence (RFE)."

 

Whether your IO knows the rules for K1 AOS applicants or knows how to read your DS3025 is up to them. 

It's always suggested you know the policy, bring a copy going into your interview and can confidently remind/explain to one that doesn't.

Edited November 13, 2019 by K1visaHopeful

[billding 59]

14 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Whether your IO knows the rules for K1 AOS applicants or knows how to read your DS3025 is up to them. 

It's always suggested you know the policy, bring a copy going into your interview and can confidently remind/explain to one that doesn't.

I know that there are guidelines but based on OPs post and the comments of people who experience it too, there is a disconnect. And they didn't explain why exactly they're issuing an RFE.

 

While there is a policy, it's not exactly easy to go against what their telling you when you are at their mercy.

 

[SalishSea 18,074]

18 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

There is a clear set of guidelines in the policy manual exempting K1s from a second medical.

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b-chapter-3

 

"4. K or V Nonimmigrants Applying for Adjustment [26]

 

K and V nonimmigrants applying for adjustment of status are not required to repeat the medical examination if the application was filed within one year of the date of the original medical examination, and:

 

The medical examination did not reveal a Class A medical condition; or 

 

The applicant received a conditional waiver in conjunction with the K or V nonimmigrant visa or the change of status to V and the applicant submits evidence of compliance with the waiver terms and conditions. [27] 

 

If a new medical examination is required and reveals a Class A medical condition, a new waiver application will also be required. In such cases, the officer should determine whether the applicant complied with the terms and conditions of the first waiver, if applicable. Such determination should be given considerable weight in the adjudication of a subsequent waiver application. [28] 

 

Even if a new medical examination is not required, applicants must still comply with the vaccination requirements if the vaccination record was not included as part of the original medical examination report. If the vaccination report was properly completed at the time of the overseas examination, the officer may accept the vaccination assessment completed by the panel physician. 

 

An applicant’s overseas medical examination report completed by a panel physician should already be in the applicant’s A-file. If it is not in the A-file, the officer should request the medical examination report through a Request for Evidence (RFE)."

 

Whether your IO knows the rules for K1 AOS applicants or knows how to read your DS3025 is up to them. 

It's always suggested you know the policy, bring a copy going into your interview and can confidently remind/explain to one that doesn't.

Thank you for posting this.  We will definitely be taking a copy of it to my husband's AOS interview when and if we ever get one.....lol.....we are now ONE YEAR since filing.  😫

 

What is your theory as to the reports that a new medical is now being requested for some applicants?  I know that some choose to defer completing their vaccinations until after POE, but I wonder if that is the reason.....

[Loo1 91]

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

Thank you for posting this.  We will definitely be taking a copy of it to my husband's AOS interview when and if we ever get one.....lol.....we are now ONE YEAR since filing.  😫

 

What is your theory as to the reports that a new medical is now being requested for some applicants?  I know that some choose to defer completing their vaccinations until after POE, but I wonder if that is the reason.....

I could be completely wrong, we feel ours was lost. All my vaccinations are up too date, everything was fine at my medical in March. We will never now the reason, that’s purely are thoughts on it. 

[K1visaHopeful 2,871]

6 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Thank you for posting this.  We will definitely be taking a copy of it to my husband's AOS interview when and if we ever get one.....lol.....we are now ONE YEAR since filing.  😫

 

What is your theory as to the reports that a new medical is now being requested for some applicants?  I know that some choose to defer completing their vaccinations until after POE, but I wonder if that is the reason.....

There could be many reasons which would require a new medical.

Vaccines not complete.

DS3025 not filled out properly.

DS3025 filled out properly but your IO is clueless on how to read it.

Your IO doesn't know of the K1 exemption.

Your IO doesnt read the policy properly.

Your IO doesn't look for your Medical packet in your A-file.

CBP lost your medical packet.

Plus many more.

Hence there is no way anyone can make the statement that an I693 is now a requirement because there are too many reasons why one could be requested with ignorance of the IO being #1.

It's definitely not required.

 

Edited November 13, 2019 by K1visaHopeful

[K1visaHopeful 2,871]

17 minutes ago, billding said:

I know that there are guidelines but based on OPs post and the comments of people who experience it too, there is a disconnect. And they didn't explain why exactly they're issuing an RFE.

 

While there is a policy, it's not exactly easy to go against what their telling you when you are at their mercy.

 

I have already advised the OP what to do regarding their case on their original post but by posting this again it makes me feel that that has not been done. And posting this again only opens more dialogue for misinformation to be spread. (That's not healthy for an immigration forum as we are trying to provide advice and not allow fear to be spread).

There are steps to take AT the interview.

Educate your IO if you must. 

There are steps to take after the interview as well to have action taken to have someone actually look for your medical or to find out why it wasnt accepted at your interview. 

Your IO doesnt have the final say. A supervisor does. You can ask to have your case reviewed but you have to be confident and explain yourself correctly both at your interview and when you are calling USCIS to review why your medical was not accepted.

You are not completely at their mercy. It's up to you sometimes to ensure your case is reviewed properly.

Edited November 13, 2019 by K1visaHopeful

[GioRod 69]

1 hour ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Lots of misinformation in this post.

Please do your research through the VJ forums as this is discussed almost daily.

An I693 is not required if your IO knows the policy and the applicant followed the procedure of vaccinations and filing within a year of medical exam.

 

in my case my io did not know the policy she checked multiple sources and still just told me I need a new one for my wife. When I took them in and handed them in they had to call my io officer out her office the day I took them in and she told me to my face that she was still unsure if I needed the medical or not. She then opened the the results told me they were good and she would add them to the file hopefully she did. But good call out this has been discussed multiple times.

[billding 59]

14 minutes ago, GioRod said:

in my case my io did not know the policy she checked multiple sources and still just told me I need a new one for my wife. When I took them in and handed them in they had to call my io officer out her office the day I took them in and she told me to my face that she was still unsure if I needed the medical or not. She then opened the the results told me they were good and she would add them to the file hopefully she did. But good call out this has been discussed multiple times.

Did you end up doing the new medical? 

[GioRod 69]

50 minutes ago, billding said:

Did you end up doing the new medical? 

Yes we did i stated in first post with my exp we took them in will be 5 months this month no approval yet after new medical was given in.

[Scandi 4,176]

The interview letter is generic, it's sent to everyone, including those who don't need a i-693.

[HRQX 4,145]

20 hours ago, mjoyceb said:

 

Everyone gets that generic checklist:

I recommend to follow @K1visaHopeful's advice.

 

P.S. It's easy to scan the barcodes in your picture and get your personal info (A number and I-485 receipt number). You should ask the moderators to remove the sensitive info: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/724145-i-693-now-required-for-interviewees/?do=reportComment&comment=9936853

Edited November 13, 2019 by Ontarkie
edited quoted part to remove attachment containing personal info

[flfreddy 93]

Its a $400 gamble... I will just redo the I-693  easier to earn that $400 than go thru Months of priceless agony.