USCIS (The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has updated a key requirement to get a green card in 2019.
The policy changes affects the medical and vaccination examination for immigration purposes. This new policy makes sure there are no health issues that would deem the applicant inadmissible to the United States of America.
The medical examination is a must-do for all immigrants filing for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident. The results must be submitted to USCIS through Form I-693.
According to the latest USCIS Policy Manual Update, Form I-693 must be signed by a USCIS designated civil surgeon no later than 60 days before filing the underlying application for an immigration benefit.
Additionally, this form will remain valid for a two-year-period after it was signed by the doctor.
Previously, the doctor was not required to sign the exam’s results so close to the filing date of the application. That created a problem for many applicants because by the time their immigration benefit was adjudicated, the Form I-693 was no longer valid. To overcome this hurdle, the lawful person was required to obtain an updated medical report.
The goal of the new rule is to “enhance operational efficiencies and reduce the number of requests to applicants for an updated Form I-693,” said the migration agency.
The revised policy maximizes “the period of time Form I-693 will be valid while the underlying application is under USCIS review,” the agency said, specifying that its officers will have leeway to request a new I-693 within the two-year period if they have “reason to believe an applicant may be inadmissible on the health-related grounds.”
“Delays in adjudicating the underlying application will also be reduced if fewer requests for updated Forms I-693 are necessary,” said the immigration agency, which lately has been revising guidelines to strengthen the enforcement priorities of the Department of Homeland Security.
With stricter deadlines, it is important that green card applicants calculate well sufficient time for the performance of laboratory testing or additional testing required before submitting the results of the medical examination, which must be completed, signed and sealed by the designated physician.
If you are looking to Immigration Medical Exam in North Shore, Dr Alexander Katz is a USCIS certified provider who can perform INS Exams in North Shore Medical Center in Peabody, MA. You can schedule your appointment ONLINE or call 978-594-8980.
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