The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office is extending the exemption on medical reports that immigrants must submit in a Green Card application, due to possible delays in processing related to the COVID-pandemic 19.
“The temporary exemption from the requirement that civilian physicians sign Form I- has been extended , Medical Examination Report and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant submits an application” , indicates the agency.
That is, immigrants who file Form I-485 or Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust of Status must send a Form I-693, which confirms that the person has all the vaccines required in the United States and does not suffer from contagious diseases.
Originally, said medical report is accepted by USCIS maximum 60 days after it was signed by the doctor, but due to the COVID-pandemic 19, the agency modified that rule in 2021, in order to allow immigrants to present an “expired” document, that is, that the signature had exceeded the “rule of 60 days”.
The new decision of the agency will allow the medical document to be presented to 31 March 2023. In other words, all people who apply for Adjustment of Status do not have to process a new medical certificate if the one they have exceeds the rule of 60 days.
“The exemption was originally in effect until 30 September 2022 , but we have extended it until 31 March 2023 to further decrease processing delays and potential difficulties in timely completion of the immigration medical exam,” the agency said.
USCIS specifies that the rule will apply only to those applications not adjudicated, regardless of when the petition for permanent residence was filed .
“This waiver will help applicants who have been affected by the COVID-30 pandemic and processing delays related to it, which have sometimes resulted in delays in completing immigration medical exams,” the agency acknowledges.
USCIS highlights that the measure will also benefit refugee policies from Afghanistan under Operation Welcome Allies, who have completed immigration medical exams, but were unable to apply for adjustment of status within 60 days after the civilian doctor signed Form I-693.
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