The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ((USCIS) have announced that it will be temporarily waiving the requirement for a civil surgeon to sign Form I-693, which is used to report the results of a medical examination to the USCIS, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an application is filed for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form Form I-485 which is an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

In addition, the I-693 medical exam will remain valid for two years from the date of the civil surgeon’s signature, regardless of when the I-485 is filed.

This change in regulation is good news for all of our nurses, as it will help speed up the process for applicants who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related processing delays. Applicants will now be allowed to submit Form I-693, even if the civil surgeon signed more than 60 days prior.

This means nurses looking to immigrate to the U.S. can complete the application process without the need to undergo another immigration medical examination if Form I-693 is otherwise valid.  This new regulation will stay in effect until 30 September 2022.