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USCIS Temporarily Waiving 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures

On December 9, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit until Sept. 30, 2022.

Under the newly released guidance, USCIS will allow applicants to submit their underlying application for an immigration benefit, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with a completed Form I-693, even if the civil surgeon signed more than 60 days prior. 

USCIS is making this temporary change to the signature requirement because the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused processing delays, which has affected applicants’ ability to complete the required immigration medical examination.

Individuals applying for permanent residence in the United States are required to obtain a medical exam from a qualified Civil Surgeon. Form I-693 reports results of this medical examination to USCIS and proves that an applicant is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. 

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