Request for Form I-693 COURTESY EMAIL

[EatBulaga 315]

11 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

I don't want to convince you of anything, you will do what you think is better for you. 

 

But, I seriously doubt someone went through a good amount of cases and checked the DS-3025 to see if the proper boxes were checked and then sent a courtesy email. 

 

If it was not a mistake it was definitely an en masse email aimed at those who actually might need to send the completed I-693.

 

Personally, I would dismiss it and then worry every night wondering if I should have sent a new medical. 😜 

I agree we received en masse email.

 

Maybe it is just the Atlanta FO "rock salt shotgun" notification to everyone that they have the case now and that they will prioritize the I-693 cases while supporting some public health policy especially with the current Atlanta FO backlog of 35-month wait time?

 

Or not...but at least we have some response and action that we can take while in the queue for the 35-month wait?

 

And as you pointed out dismissing it could lead to more worries. And the last thing we want is to delay our case even more when we could have followed thru on the I-693 medical.

 

I'll post any updates here as we go thru the medical process and see if there are any progress to our case? At least others can use our experience to help make their best decision.

Edited March 29, 2023 by EatBulaga

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

4 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

I agree we received en masse email.

 

Maybe it is just the Atlanta FO "rock salt shotgun" notification to everyone that they have the case now and that they will prioritize the I-693 cases while supporting some public health policy especially with the current Atlanta FO backlog of 35-month wait time?

 

Or not...but at least we have some response and action that we can take while in the queue for the 35-month wait?

 

And as you pointed out dismissing it could lead to more worries. And the last thing we want is to delay our case even more when we could have followed thru on the I-693 medical.

 

I'll post any updates here as we go thru the medical process and see if there are any progress to our case? At least others can use our experience to help make their best decision.

Best of luck. 

Hopefully sending a new medical trigger some action in your case. 

 

As a side note: such a long wait for AOS is not actually bad; if your case is approved on or after your 2 year anniversary, you'll receive a10 year GC and skip ROC.

[EatBulaga 315]

6 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

As a side note: such a long wait for AOS is not actually bad; if your case is approved on or after your 2 year anniversary, you'll receive a10 year GC and skip ROC.

You are correct.

Although I don't think there are many K1-to-AOS cases that got the 10-year GC? 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/797800-aos-to-10-year-gc/

If you know of any, please let me know. Thanks.

 

BTW, I tried to call the 800-375-5283 today, but just got the answering bot that nothing is due in my case, which is what the case status shows. There is no option to ask about the courtesy email. Do you know how to get to the local field office? Since the email came out of the Atlanta Field Office, I don't think the USCIS system recognizes the courtesy email? At the same time, it is the Atlanta Field Office that will be making the decision on the case.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

6 minutes ago, EatBulaga said:

You are correct.

Although I don't think there are many K1-to-AOS cases that got the 10-year GC? 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/797800-aos-to-10-year-gc/

If you know of any, please let me know. Thanks.

 

BTW, I tried to call the 800-375-5283 today, but just got the answering bot that nothing is due in my case, which is what the case status shows. There is no option to ask about the courtesy email. Do you know how to get to the local field office? Since the email came out of the Atlanta Field Office, I don't think the USCIS system recognizes the courtesy email? At the same time, it is the Atlanta Field Office that will be making the decision on the case.

Call and say "Infopass", that will connect you to an agent. Then ask for a Tier 2 agent. 

 

Regarding statistics on K1's receiving 20 year GC, I honestly have no clue.

[EatBulaga 315]

On 3/29/2023 at 7:54 PM, Allaboutwaiting said:

Call and say "Infopass", that will connect you to an agent. Then ask for a Tier 2 agent. 

 

Regarding statistics on K1's receiving 20 year GC, I honestly have no clue.

We called USCIS today at 800-375-5283 and said "Infopass" to get a live agent.

We asked about the courtesy email and the agent said yes that is sent as a courtesy notice that you do not have the I-693. 

We then explained that we had the DS-3025 (2022-04) overseas medical submitted with the I-485 (2022-07), the agent said yes she was able to see the DS-3025 in our documents (in myUSCIS documents tab).

So when we asked if we need to do the I-693 medical, she just said this is a courtesy notice not an RFE, and we can follow the instructions in the courtesy email.

When we asked if our interview has been waived, she said that currently there is no determination in the system.

 

Okay, so no new info here because the phone agent can probably only see the same info in our account as we can.

 

Here is my interpretation. After the Atlanta Field Office received our case, they sent the courtesy email to the cases that do not have the I-693 among their documents. That is not to say their DS-3025 is not compliant or not complete because USCIS probably haven't even looked at the case yet.

Those fortunate to have their cases processed early probably had someone determine if the DS-3025 is compliant/complete, or if not, send a RFE for the I-693.

 

Therefore, if you are so sure that your DS-3025 is compliant/complete, then ignore the Request for Form I-693 courtesy email. Then again if you are wrong, you risk delaying your case with an RFE.

If you go thru with the courtesy email I-693 medical, you pay now and the I-693 will trump the DS-3025 whether it was compliant/complete, or not.

 

So now, many cases going thru the Atlanta Field Office need to make that decision.

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798037-field-office-asking-for-i-693-medical-but-according-to-the-instructions-this-isnt-required-for-k-1-filing-aos-within-a-year-of-the-overseas-medical/

 

As for the 38.5 month delay and possibility of getting the 10-year GC, I'm starting to formulate a theory, which I will post later if anyone cares at

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/?tab=comments#comment-10823001

 

I'll post our I-693 medical experience here after we see the Civil Surgeon if anyone cares to read it.

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by EatBulaga

[NoMansLand2020 298]

I've seen a lot of people get this same email, including my wife and 2 k2 children who are adjusting from K1/K2.  We got an RFE about a month later. I've seen people who received this same RFE and a week later or so, the RFE is cancelled even when they didn't submit a response. 

 

I'm currently going to ignore the RFE for a few weeks and see what happens. One visit to the Civil Surgeon is expensive enough. I don't want to pay 3x, especially when the I-693 is not required in our case. 

Edited April 2, 2023 by NoMansLand2020

[EatBulaga 315]

5 minutes ago, NoMansLand2020 said:

I've seen a lot of people get this same email, including my wife and 2 k2 children who are adjusting from K1/K2.  We got an RFE about a month later. I've seen people who received this same RFE and a week later or so, the RFE is cancelled even when they didn't submit a response. 

 

I'm currently going to ignore the RFE for a few weeks and see what happens. One visit to the Civil Surgeon is expensive enough. I don't want to pay 3x, especially when the I-693 is not required in our case. 

I would call 800-375-5283 and say "Infopass" to ask to speak with a tier 2 agent.

Ignoring a courtesy email is one thing, but ignoring an RFE can get your case abandoned, and you may have to pay to re-file again?

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

14 minutes ago, NoMansLand2020 said:

I've seen a lot of people get this same email, including my wife and 2 k2 children who are adjusting from K1/K2.  We got an RFE about a month later. I've seen people who received this same RFE and a week later or so, the RFE is cancelled even when they didn't submit a response. 

 

I'm currently going to ignore the RFE for a few weeks and see what happens. One visit to the Civil Surgeon is expensive enough. I don't want to pay 3x, especially when the I-693 is not required in our case. 

You definitely must respond to that RFE before deadline. 

 

What you can do is sending a copy of the DS-3025 and a letter saying you already sent that with your initial application and including the USCIS text that indicates the I-693 for K1 is not required for AOS as it was handed in a sealed packet to CBP at port of entry. 

[NoMansLand2020 298]

2 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

I would call 800-375-5283 and say "Infopass" to ask to speak with a tier 2 agent.

Ignoring a courtesy email is one thing, but ignoring an RFE can get your case abandoned, and you may have to pay to re-file again?

 

We have three months to respond and getting an appointment here is a piece of cake. So I'm good waiting a month and see what happens. If the RFE gets cancelled, I've saved myself nearly $2500

[EatBulaga 315]

On 4/1/2023 at 11:23 PM, NoMansLand2020 said:

We have three months to respond and getting an appointment here is a piece of cake. So I'm good waiting a month and see what happens. If the RFE gets cancelled, I've saved myself nearly $2500

Check out the latest alert on I-693

https://www.uscis.gov/i-693

I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later?

[NoMansLand2020 298]

17 hours ago, EatBulaga said:

Check out the latest alert on I-693

https://www.uscis.gov/i-693

I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later?

Yes, for non K1 and some other s. It's not required for K1/K2 as long as you file for AOS within a year of your medical abroad. It even states this on the I-693 form. 

[EatBulaga 315]

On 3/30/2023 at 7:58 PM, EatBulaga said:

I'll post our I-693 medical experience here after we see the Civil Surgeon if anyone cares to read it.

Here is our report of our visit with the I-693 Civil Surgeon doctor.
We got to the doctor's office almost an hour before the appointment, and good thing too since it took us a while to fill out all the forms while they took the picture ID (driver's license), health insurance card, and Covid vaccination cards to make copies.
Observing other patients waiting, we were not the only ones there for the I-693. 
One lady had a foreign passport in hand. 
Another guy specifically said to the desk clerk, "I'm here for the green card medical".

Even though the doctor's office is in our health insurance in-network and we've been to a branch office before so they have my foreign spouse's record already, they said the I-693 medical exam is treated independently and needed us to fill out all the new patient paperwork.
After turning in all the forms: HIPAA, medical history, insurance information, etc., they then gave us the first 2 pages of the I-693 (Part 1 and 2) to write-in. 
We made very sure that the I-693 is the latest edition with the bar code as advised by the I-693 courtesy email.
Aside from the name and address in the I-693, the main identifier is the Alien Registration Nmber (A-Number) and the USCIS Online Account Number (from myUSCIS), so we wrote down both very clearly.
After we turned in the I-693 written form to the front desk, a little while later, they gave us the printed first 2-pages of the I-693 to verify that they typed in the information correctly and to sign it.
Again we verified the I-693 form is the latest edition, and the information is all correct.
Then they asked us to pay 385 up front, which we charged to the credit card.
The other Civil Surgeon that we looked up quoted us 250 but we could not make an appointment with that doctor due to scheduling conflicts so we decided to go with this one even though the fee is higher.

 

After the paperwork, we only waited a few minutes before the nurse called us in to measure the weight, blood pressure, etc. 
Then the nurse led us to a private room, and instructed my foreign spouse for a urine sample.
After that, the nurse then drew a few vials of blood.
Then the nurse led us to another private room, where we waited for the doctor.
The doctor came in and asked if we are there for the green card application medical? "Yes".
The doctor then asked a few questions like do you have this? Or do you have that? All "No's".
Then we gave the doctor the DS-3025 and the latest flu vaccination record.
The doctor said, "Oh yes, thank you! I need to make copies of those".
The doctor took some time looking over the DS-3025 vaccination record.
Then the doctor said we need one particular vaccine dose (not specified here for privacy reason) to fulfill the green card medical, and do we have record of having the dose? My foreign spouse said maybe she received it as a baby but she doesn't have a record of it.
The doctor said the vaccine shot will cost 160, and asked us if we wanted to do that today? "Yes".
The doctor then did the routine stethoscope thing.
We then asked do we need x-rays as we handed the x-ray disk from the overseas medical, the doctor said "No. Don't need it."
If the blood tests and urine tests come back normal, then we can pick up the completed sealed I-693 next week.
Then, we waited for the nurse to come give the vaccine shot and said, your arm may feel a little heavy for a while but everything should be fine.

 

Our final out-of-pocket cost on the day of the medical exam was 545 = 385 + 160, but this is before the insurance claims.
So it is possible that the insurance bill us later for more? 
The total time from walking in to walking out of the doctor's office was about 2 hours, 1-hour to fill out the forms and 1-hour for the medical exam.
Our next step is to pick up the final sealed envelope from the doctor later next week and drop it off at the USCIS Field Office as instructed in the courtesy email.

 

Does this help us avoid an RFE? We certainly hope so.

If anyone cares to read it, I can post a report after our experience of dropping off the I-693 sealed envelope with the Atlanta Field Office?

 

[MnY 3]

K1/K2 medicals turned in today at the Atlanta Office. (following the courtesy email info)  lets see what happens...more waiting probably ughhhhhhhhh

[EatBulaga 315]

On 4/15/2023 at 2:47 PM, MnY said:

K1/K2 medicals turned in today at the Atlanta Office. (following the courtesy email info)  lets see what happens...more waiting probably ughhhhhhhhh

Yes. But start researching and preparing for the I-751, and collect the I-751 evidences.

That should keep you busy? 😂

 

Here is our report for submitting the I-693 per the courtesy email.

 

We went to the doctor's office earlier in the week as instructed to pick up the sealed packet.
Based on the stack of sealed brown envelopes that the receptionist had, we were among the many that did the I-693 with this Civil Surgeon.
The envelope itself is just a standard 10 X 13 brown envelope, but it is taped sealed with the doctor's stamp over the flap that has the name, "Civil Surgeon", and the doctor's phone numbers.

 

They also gave us a copy of the I-693 that is supposed to be in the sealed brown envelope.
As posted in our Civil Surgeon report
https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/?do=findComment&comment=10826873
We were only able to check the first 2-pages, then signed the I-693. 
There is a leap of faith in assuming what is inside the sealed envelope is the accurate I-693, and the copy they gave us is a duplicate of what is in the sealed envelope.

 

In any case, the doctor completed Part 5 thru 11 of the I-693.
Part 10 is the vaccination record that was transcribed from the DS-3025 along with the particular vaccine dose received during the I-693 medical exam.
In Part 10 Results, the doctor selected the box, "Applicant completed vaccination requirements or may be eligible for blanket waivers as indicated above".
Attached to the end of I-693 are the copies of the Covid vaccination cards, lab reports, and driver's license.

 

Also as instructed in the courtesy email, we put together supplemental "evidence of the bona fides of marriage". 
We used this opportunity to include among other evidence: the 2022 Tax Return Married Filing Jointly, joint bank statements, credit card statements, car insurance, affidavits from church members, beneficiary of the retirement accounts, bill statements of joint accounts, driver's license, health cards, pictures of the wedding, and pictures of married life.
In addition to printing all those out, we uploaded the files to my.USCIS.gov as instructed in the courtesy email. For each file we uploaded, we had to select a category for the file, which we chose "Bona Fides of Relationship".
We now have about 20 files in our document section of the I-485 in the online account.

So our final drop off packet consists of: 1) printout of the Request for Form I-693 Courtesy Email, 2) sealed brown envelope (10 X 13) from the Civil Surgeon, and 3) our sealed brown envelope (10 X 13) of evidence. And we put all those in a 10.5 X 15 bubble mailer plastic envelope.

 

We went to the USCIS Atlanta Field Office on the Saturday as instructed in the courtesy email to drop off our packet.

When we arrived, the parking lot was fairly full with plenty of people coming in and out, but we were able to find a parking spot without much trouble.

At first we thought everyone was there to drop off their packets like us.

But other things appeared to be going on like Naturalization Oath, appointments, etc. and we all had to go thru an airport-like security to enter the building.

An USCIS agent was hollering like a TSA agent at the airport, "all items in the bin...take off belts...have your id's and appointment letter ready..."

There was about a 10-minute line getting into the building.
Once in, we followed the arrows to the first check-in station.

That was where we dropped off the packet.

I asked for a receipt that they got the packet, but the agent said they don't give one, but assured me that this was the place to drop off the packet.
So it took less than a few minutes to drop off the packet once in the building.

As we were leaving, we continued to see steady streams of people and cars coming in and out.

 

After completing this process, there is a sense of relief, much like the feeling I had after sending off the AOS, or getting the fax confirmation after submitting the I-765 expedite evidence.

Our final cost was 545 for the I-693 medical.

The fact that a particular vaccine was needed from the Civil Surgeon probably meant we avoided an RFE at least for the I-693.

But putting together all these over the course of the last 3 weeks required effort and focus.

It was certainly mentally and emotionally taxing at times much like putting together the AOS or the I-129F. Now comes the waiting, which should be the easy part but the waiting itself can also be emotionally draining.

As I recommended above, start researching and preparing for the I-751 to keep yourself busy while waiting.

 

If anybody cares to read it, I'll post the outcomes from all this waiting.

Edited April 16, 2023 by EatBulaga

[MnY 3]

well my friends, 485(s)  K1 K2 approved one week after turning in the medicals at the atlanta office per the courtesy email

There were many, including attorneys said to wait for RFE, they were wrong (in this case, anyway)

 

4-23-22 arrived in USA
6-13-22 i485 received at USCIS
6-24-22 biometrics

3-24-23 got the courtesy email
3-28-23 i765 -i131 approved
4-7-23 EAD card arrived
4-15-23 turned in medicals
4-22-23 i485 approved

 

havent received social security number yet.....