Introduction

When someone wants to live in the United States permanently, they have to go through many steps. One important step is showing that they are healthy and do not have certain diseases that could be harmful to others. To do this, the U.S. government asks for a special form called Form I-693. This form shows the results of a medical exam that checks your health.

Knowing how long this form is good for and the new rules about it is very important. These rules have changed recently, and they affect how you prepare your application to live in the U.S. This video will help you understand what Form I-693 is, why it matters, and the latest updates from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as of 2025.

What is Form I-693 and Its Role in Immigration?

Form I-693 is a special paper that shows the results of a medical exam you need when you want to get a green card (which means you can live and work in the U.S. permanently). This exam is done by a doctor called a civil surgeon, a doctor approved by the government to do this kind of check-up.

The exam looks for things like:

• Diseases that can spread to other people, like tuberculosis or syphilis.
• Whether you have had all the required vaccines, like shots for measles or mumps.
• If you have any physical or mental health problems that might cause harm to yourself or others.
• If you have problems with drugs or alcohol.

The doctor will do a physical check-up, ask about your medical history, and may do tests like blood tests or chest x-rays. After the exam, the doctor fills out Form I-693 and seals it in an envelope. You then send this sealed form to USCIS with your green card application.

This form helps USCIS decide if you are healthy enough to live in the U.S. without causing a risk to public health. It is very important because if you have certain health problems or missing vaccines, it could delay or stop your green card from being approved.

Historical Validity Period of Form I-693

Before November 1, 2023, the medical form called Form I-693 was only good for two years from the date the doctor signed it. This meant that if your medical exam was done more than two years ago, USCIS would not accept it anymore. You would have to get a new medical exam and fill out a new form.

This two-year rule caused problems for many people because sometimes it takes a long time for USCIS to process green card applications. If your application took more than two years, USCIS would ask you to do the medical exam again. This made things harder and more expensive for applicants who had to repeat the exam and wait longer for their green card.

April 4, 2024 Policy Update: Indefinite Validity Introduced

On April 4, 2024, USCIS made a big change. They said that if your Form I-693 was signed by a doctor on or after November 1, 2023, it would never expire. This meant you could use the same medical exam form again and again for any future immigration applications.

This new rule was meant to help people avoid having to do the medical exam many times. It was a way to make the process easier and faster, especially because USCIS was dealing with many applications and delays.

For example, if you submitted your green card application but later decided to withdraw it or if it was denied, you could still use the same Form I-693 when you applied again. This was good news for many applicants because it saved them time and money.

June 11, 2025 Policy Reversal: Validity Limited to Pending Application Only

However, on June 11, 2025, USCIS changed the rule again. They said that the Form I-693 is now only good while the application it was submitted with is still being processed. This means:

• If your green card application is still waiting for a decision, your Form I-693 is valid.
• But if you withdraw your application or if USCIS denies it, your Form I-693 is no longer valid.
• If you apply again in the future, you must get a new medical exam and submit a new Form I-693.

USCIS made this change because they were worried that the old rule letting people use the same medical exam forever could be bad for public health. People’s health can change over time, and USCIS wants to make sure everyone has a recent medical exam to protect the health of the community.

This new rule helps make sure that immigrants get the right medical tests and treatment at the right time. It also helps USCIS make sure the information they have about each person’s health is up to date.

Why Did USCIS Change the Policy Again?

USCIS changed the rules about Form I-693 because they wanted to keep everyone safe and healthy. The earlier rule said that once you had a medical exam signed after November 1, 2023, it would be good forever. But USCIS realized this was not safe because people’s health can change over time.

• If someone got sick after their medical exam, USCIS would not know about it if the form was used forever.
• This could cause health problems for other people in the community.
• USCIS wants to make sure everyone has a recent medical exam to catch any new health issues.
• So, they decided the form should only be good while the green card application is still being processed.
• If the application is denied or withdrawn, the form is no longer valid, and a new medical exam is needed.

This helps protect public health and makes sure the information USCIS has is current and accurate.

Practical Implications for Applicants and Attorneys

What does this mean for people applying for a green card and the lawyers helping them?

• Applicants must submit a new Form I-693 every time they apply if their previous application was denied or withdrawn.
• You should always send your medical exam form with your green card application to avoid delays or requests for more information.
• The medical exam form must be sealed by the doctor and sent unopened to USCIS, or it could be rejected.
• If you don’t follow these rules, your application could be delayed or even rejected, which means more time and money spent.
• For attorneys and doctors, it means they need to prepare clients for the possibility of needing new medical exams if their first application doesn’t work out.
• This change might make the process a bit harder and more expensive for some, especially those who live far from authorized doctors or have financial challenges.

Additional Important Updates and Facts

Here are some other important things to know about Form I-693 and medical exams for immigration:

• Since January 20, 2025, USCIS no longer requires COVID-19 vaccines for the medical exam.
• The medical exam form must be submitted in a sealed envelope from the civil surgeon. If it is opened or unsealed, USCIS may reject it.
• People applying for naturalization (becoming a U.S. citizen) do not need to submit Form I-693.
• The cost of the medical exam can vary but usually ranges from $200 to $500 depending on where you live and what tests are needed.
• The exam looks for diseases that can spread, checks vaccination records, and makes sure you don’t have any health problems that would stop you from getting a green card.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Let’s quickly review the most important points:

• Form I-693 is the medical exam report needed for most green card applications to show you are healthy.
• Before November 1, 2023, the form was good for 2 years.
• From November 1, 2023, to April 3, 2024, USCIS said the form was good forever (indefinite validity).
• But starting June 11, 2025, USCIS changed the rule again: the form is only good while your green card application is still being processed.
• If your application is denied or you withdraw it, you will need a new medical exam and a new Form I-693 for any future applications.
• Always submit your Form I-693 with your green card application to avoid delays.
• These changes help protect public health and make sure USCIS has up-to-date medical information.
• Keep an eye on USCIS announcements because rules can change.