I-693 medical exam duration

[juancarlos 126]

Hi guys,

 

I am still new in the process of AoS after marrying a US citizen (I sent the package 3 weeks ago and still did not receive my NOA1). Let's pray that everything goes well, but meanwhile, I was wondering how long the medical exam lasts once you do it. I did not include it in my package but I am now in my summer break until the school starts and I was thinking to do the exam now that I have plenty of time and take it to the interview later, even though the interview is gonna take a lot of months from now.

 

I read on the official website that this medical exam currently lasts 2 years, which I assume would be valid when I have my interview, but other sources and comments here in VJ say that it lasts 1 year. So well, does it last 1-year o 2 years? would you recommend me to do now or I should wait a little more?

 

Thank you!

[mbssss 112]

"The updated policy, which goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2018, will require applicants to submit a Form I-693 that is signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before filing the underlying application for an immigration benefit. The Form I-693 would remain valid for a two-year period following the date the civil surgeon signed it. As such, USCIS is retaining the current maximum two-year validity period of Form I-693, but calculating it in a different manner to both enhance operational efficiencies and reduce the number of requests to applicants for an updated Form I-693."

 

It is valid for two years, it looks like. I hope that helps!

Edited July 17, 2020 by mbssss

[vanessanguyen083 13]

Submit within 60 days of physical signature date, valid for 2 years. I'm confused about those 1 year comments too, since the rule has been changed for years now. 

[juancarlos 126]

But can I take it to the interview? In this case, I have to do the exam within 60 days before the interview? I'm confused with this part.

[Ayrton 965]

1 hour ago, juancarlos said:

But can I take it to the interview? In this case, I have to do the exam within 60 days before the interview? I'm confused with this part.

The exam can't be more than 60 days older than the date of filing the underlying petition, which is the I-130.

 

Since you already filed for I-130, you're good to do the medical anytime you want before the interview, just keep in mind that it's valid for 2 years. If your interview takes a long time, you will need a new one.

[Ayrton 965]

2 hours ago, vanessanguyen083 said:

Submit within 60 days of physical signature date, valid for 2 years. I'm confused about those 1 year comments too, since the rule has been changed for years now. 

 

VJ has people with all kind os visas and AOS. 

 

The foreign medical done by a K1 applicant is only valid for 1 year. 

 

The medical done inside of the US is valid for 2 years and can't be more than 60 days older from the filing date of the I-130.

[juancarlos 126]

Very helpful Ayrton, thank you!

 

In that case I might do soon and pray that we aren't delay for more than 2 years!

[vanessanguyen083 13]

11 minutes ago, Ayrton said:

 

VJ has people with all kind os visas and AOS. 

 

The foreign medical done by a K1 applicant is only valid for 1 year. 

 

The medical done inside of the US is valid for 2 years and can't be more than 60 days older from the filing date of the I-130.

Oh wow that makes so much sense now! Thanks Ayston!

[portorusa 431]

59 minutes ago, Ayrton said:

 

 

The foreign medical done by a K1 applicant is only valid for 1 year. 

 

 

What about the foreign medical done by a CR1 applicant? For how long is it valid?

We abandoned Consular Processing and filed for AOS but the medical was done in France.

[Ayrton 965]

10 minutes ago, portorusa said:

What about the foreign medical done by a CR1 applicant? For how long is it valid?

We abandoned Consular Processing and filed for AOS but the medical was done in France.

I'm not familiar with that. I'm not even sure if you can use the foreign medical.

[KAP2019 187]

2 hours ago, juancarlos said:

Very helpful Ayrton, thank you!

 

In that case I might do soon and pray that we aren't delay for more than 2 years!

That's what I did. I was planning to file it separately, but will probably hold on to it until the interview. 

Just a heads up that it's expensive (but *does* vary by the doctor). I paid $400 for the medical, but the lab fees caught me off guard at $300! So, if the interview is more than 2 years away, that's a lot more money down the drain. I kind of wish I'd waited just for peace of mind. 

Edited July 17, 2020 by KAP2019
typo DOESN"T changed to DOES

[juancarlos 126]

2 minutes ago, KAP2019 said:

That's what I did. I was planning to file it separately, but will probably hold on to it until the interview. 

Just a heads up that it's expensive (but *does* vary by the doctor). I paid $400 for the medical, but the lab fees caught me off guard at $300! So, if the interview is more than 2 years away, that's a lot more money down the drain. I kind of wish I'd waited just for peace of mind. 

Maybe it is cheaper if you have health insurance? Or still you have to pay the full amount? 

[KAP2019 187]

Just now, juancarlos said:

Maybe it is cheaper if you have health insurance? Or still you have to pay the full amount? 

I believe you have to pay out of pocket. The clinic I went to stamped the lab req with a discount for uninsured patients, but it was still $300. 

 

7. Who pays for the medical examination?

   You, the applicant, must pay all costs of the medical examination, including the cost of any follow-up tests or treatment that is required. Make payments directly to the civil surgeon or other health care provider.
   
   From USCIC i-396 form instructions.
    

[mbssss 112]

8 hours ago, Ayrton said:

 

VJ has people with all kind os visas and AOS. 

 

The foreign medical done by a K1 applicant is only valid for 1 year. 

 

The medical done inside of the US is valid for 2 years and can't be more than 60 days older from the filing date of the I-130.

60 days older than the date you get the first notification from USCIS that they have recieved it or the date that they initially recieve the application? I am doing my exam tomorrow and will be sending my application in about two weeks after that.

Edited July 18, 2020 by mbssss

[Ayrton 965]

17 minutes ago, mbssss said:

60 days older than the date you get the first notification from USCIS that they have recieved it or the date that they initially recieve the application? I am doing my exam tomorrow and will be sending my application in about two weeks after that.

From the received date on the NOA, I assume.

 

My tip is: Don't do your medical before filing the forms. You're not required to. Your AOS can take years depending on where you live. I would reschedule the medical to close to the interview.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2020 by Ayrton