K1 AOS RFE - Full Medical or Just Vaccinations

[partofimmigration 2]

I received an RFE for my AOS application after a K-1 visa, and I'm having trouble parsing the exact meaning. They specifically mention the Hep B vaccine, so I looked back at my DS-3025. The doctor had marked Hep B as not age appropriate. Looking at the CDC/USCIS vaccination requirements, it is clearly required for anyone under 60 (I'm under 60), so it seems like the doc back home screwed up.

 

My question is whether I actually need to redo a full medical or just the vaccinations part of I-693 for the new submission. My read of the letter is that they must have the records of the overseas medical (it didn't get lost, like has happened to other people), because they specifically call out the Hep B that I'm missing. If so, I think I should only have to do the vaccination part. But, the wording of the letter refers to things like "complete Form I-693" and talks about the possibility of having a specialist reference, which seems to imply that they might be expecting an entirely new medical.

 

Timeline-wise, my original medical was only 3mo or so before I submitted the I-485, but since it has taken them so long to process everything, it's now about a year and a half old. I see wording stating that the medical is good if done within a year before filing for AOS... and I see wording that a I-693 is good for two years... but I can't find anything that states that the prior medical is otherwise still suitable.

 

 

[OldUser 6,689]

If you can afford it, just redo the whole medical. It'll be easier for USCIS. Plus medicals expire.

[Chancy 6,241]

11 hours ago, partofimmigration said:

My question is whether I actually need to redo a full medical or just the vaccinations part of I-693 for the new submission.

 

USCIS just needs an I-693 that shows you completed all the required vaccinations.  The problem is whether you can find a civil surgeon who is willing to sign the I-693 without charging you for a full medical.  Ask around in your area.  The thread below may also help --

 

 

[V5712 11]

We got an RFE for the same thing (worded slightly different). My husband got the first dose of the Hep B 2-dose series today but might not have time to complete 2nd dose before RFE deadline. The letter says they need the response by the given date to make a final decision on the case. If he doesn’t show proof of completed series will the AOS application be denied? Or does he only need proof of 1st dose for AOS approval?

[partofimmigration 2]

We went ahead and did a new full medical, just out of caution. We had several bad experiences trying to do things with places that are listed as having civil surgeons, but ended up (thankfully!) with a guy who really REALLY knew his stuff and what was going on. He told us that USCIS actually changed their Hep B requirements this summer (it used to be a narrower age range; now it's everyone up to 60), and instead of grandfathering in everyone who had met the requirements as they stood at the time that they had their initial medical, they up and decided to just reject everyone and require them to go get new shots. Very strange that they didn't do this for the new COVID requirement, but did for Hep B (unless this was a stealth way of rejecting people who hadn't gotten a COVID shot without saying that they were rejecting people who hadn't gotten a COVID shot).

 

Concerning needing a full series or just one shot, what I've seen is that for every vaccine OTHER than COVID, the doc just needs to give you one dose, and you're good; you don't need a complete series. For COVID and COVID alone, you are required to have a "complete series" (not including booster). So, if you're someone with a pending AOS based on a K-1 medical done pre-COVID vaccine requirement and you don't have a COVID vaccine, I would recommend seriously considering finding a source where you can get one of the last few J&J shots floating around on short notice (if you get one of these letters) or just getting one of the doses of one of the other shots (so that you can get the other one on short notice). You likely won't have the requisite 28 days between shots to get both of them after you receive the letter and before it's due back to them.

 

Interestingly, the doc also noted that the CDC has changed the ages for the screening requirements on gonorrhea, but the current form doesn't reflect the changes. You might not have to do the gonorrhea test; perusing the CDC's website confirms the change, but of course, nothing on USCIS's website does. Let the battle for worst gov't agency continue forever!