USCIS Mandates Submission of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record with Form I-485 for Certain Applicants

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Going forward, applicants must submit Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to accompany the Form I-485, or the application may be rejected. (Note: Previously, the applicant could submit the form I-693 subsequent to the filing of the initial form I-485.) Form I-693 serves as proof that the applicant is free from health-related conditions that would make them inadmissible under U.S. immigration law.

The immigration medical examination for Form I-693 must be conducted by a civil surgeon, and the completed form must be provided to the applicant in a sealed envelope in order to be eligible for submission to the USCIS. The sealed envelope cannot be tampered with or opened once received to ensure authenticity. Any Form I-693 that was completed properly and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, does not expire and can be used indefinitely as evidence that you are not inadmissible on health-related grounds. The medical examination will include the following medical evaluations:

1. Communicable Diseases of Public Health Significance
   1. Tuberculosis test for all applicants two years of age and older
   2. Blood test for Syphilis for all applicants 18-44 years of age
   3. Urine test for Gonorrhea for all applicants 18-24 years of age
2. Physical or Mental Disorders
   1. A thorough assessment for physical or mental illness that could lead to harmful behavior
      Note: Being diagnosed with a physical or mental health disorder alone does not make you inadmissible on health-related grounds, unless there is behavior associated with the disorder that can be ruled as harmful to you or others.
3. Drug Addiction or Abuse
   1. The civil surgeon is responsible for assessing the applicant’s medical history and determining whether the individual has any conditions related to drug addiction or abuse, whether it may be current or in the past.
4. Vaccination Requirements
   1. Applicants must present documents to the civil surgeon completing their examination, showing they were vaccinated against a broad range of vaccine-preventable diseases. Requires vaccinations for Form I-693 are as follows:
      • Mumps
      • Measles
      • Rubella
      • Polio
      • Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td)
      • Pertussis (whooping cough)
      • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
      • Hepatitis B
      • Hepatitis A
      • Varicella (Chickenpox)
      • Pneumococcal Disease
      • Influenza (seasonal flu)
      • Covid-19

Note: Vaccination requirements may vary based on the applicant’s age, medical history, and any contraindications (medical reasons preventing vaccination).

As this matter is subject to further updates, we encourage our readers to check the website regularly for updates regarding this and all matters regarding immigration law. Pasricha & Patel’s immigration department has extensive experience in handling business and personal immigration matters. Our team is happy to speak to you on your specific issues.