The United States extends the validity period of the authorized signature of the Medical Report and Vaccination Record from no more than 60 days to a maximum of 2 years.
The document (Form I-693) must be signed by a civilian physician. It is one of the essential requirements to apply for a Permanent Resident Card (also known as Green Card). It is also required to apply for adjustment of status.
The updating of the process will make applications that previously would have been unsuccessful, due to invalidity, viable. This, in the midst of an unprecedented immigration crisis in the country.
Faster granting of Green Cards
The general and most sensitive effect of the measure should be the acceleration of the processing of permanent residency and adjustment of immigration status.
Since December 9, 2021, the medical examination required to obtain a Green Card, among other benefits, has been temporarily waived.
Previously, applicants were required to file a Request for Evidence (RFE) for Form I-693, which had to be signed no more than 60 days prior to the filing of the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485).
Now, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept the form which, "for adjudication purposes," will remain in effect until two years after the date it is signed by the civilian physician. This is explained by the immigration agency in an official statement.
Benefits
The direct beneficiaries are, clearly, foreigners applying for permanent residence and adjustment of status in the United States.
However, with this measure USCIS is also responding to complaints from civilian physicians, immigration officials and federal collaborators. The "no more than 60 days" requirement caused many doubts and chaos in the processing of the process.
At the time, the rule was intended to reduce requests for applicants to file updated Forms I-693. But, in practice, the result was to have to repeat the immigration medical exams, once the validity of the civilian doctor's signature expired, after 60 days.
Comments / 7