New Medical Exam Form Effective May 1, 2008
Posted May 02, 2008
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As regular readers of MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin know, when applying for adjustment of status (i.e. the last stage toward obtaining permanent residency, known as the "green card," when one files Form I-485 in the U.S.), an applicant must submit the results of a medical examination on Form I-693, which is completed by a USCIS designated civil surgeon. The USCIS WebSite provides a search feature for approved civil surgeons by geographic location. On April 22, 2008, the Service Center Operations (SCOPS) advised the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that a new Form I-693 would go into effect on May 1, 2008. An update (PDF 28.3KB) was issued by the USCIS on April 29, 2008, clarifying that the form has been revised due to the new instructions pertaining to TB screening. Previously, AILA requested that the new Form I-693 not go into effect until at least 30 days after May 1, 2008. In response, the USCIS provided additional information on the requirements for filing the I-693.
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Possibility of Grace Period to Submit the Old Form
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Based on a request for an extension of time, the USCIS indicated that an additional grace period of 30 days is currently under review. If approved, it will allow for submission of the old form until June 1, 2008. Otherwise, and as the rule currently stands, only the new Form I-693 is accepted for processing if completed after May 1, 2008. The old form will only be accepted after May 1, 2008 if it was signed by a civil surgeon prior to that date. If the old form, signed by the civil surgeon after May 1, 2008, is submitted, then the USCIS will still accept the I-485 filing, but will, at some point, issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), directing the applicant to submit the new version of the form.
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USCIS Attempting to Contact Civil Surgeons Regarding New Form
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The USCIS states that it maintains a list of over 5,000 physicians certified to perform medical examinations for immigration purposes. The USCIS has on record the eMail addresses for about half of these doctors. They plan to send eMail messages to these civil surgeons and letters to others to notify them of the new form requirement. Applicants should consider bringing their own forms, with the proper revision date, to their medical exams. This form is available from the USCIS through MurthyDotCom, and is usually available at the local USCIS office.
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Conclusion
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The new Form I-693 is an important change of which applicants for adjustment of status and civil surgeons should be aware. This is important in order to avoid possible delays and additional expenses due to the failure to submit the correct version of the form. Many civil surgeons keep a supply of paper copies of Form I-693 in their offices. It may be easy, therefore, to overlook the new form requirement. Those affected by the new requirement should verify that the civil surgeon completes the new version of the form before it is submitted to the USCIS.