Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related processing delays, USCIS has experienced delays in all aspects of operations. Applicants have also experienced difficulties beyond their control, including delays with completing the immigration medical examination.  To address these issues, USCIS is temporarily extending the validity period of an otherwise valid Form I-693.

Effective Aug. 12, 2021, USCIS is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693 from 2 years to now 4 years. For decisions on Form I-485 issued on or before Sept. 30, 2021, the adjudicating officer may accept an otherwise valid Form I-693, if no more than four years have passed since the civil surgeon’s signature. The officer may accept for consideration a Form I-693 for a decision issued on or before Sept. 30, 2021 if:

• The civil surgeon’s signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485;
• No more than four years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature; and
• A decision on Form I-485 is issued on or before Sept. 30, 2021.

Although applicants are not required to file the medical exam at the same time that the I-485 application is being filed, USCIS recommends employment-based applicants to do so in order to save time and avoid adjudication delays.