How Long Is the I-693 Medical Exam Valid for Visa Categories?

First, list of detected resources in order of appearance:
1. USCIS Form I-693 – Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (uscis_resource)
2. USCIS Form I-693 (form)
3. 01/20/2025 edition (policy)

Now the article with only the required .gov links added (only the first mention of each resource linked, maximum 5 links). No other changes were made.

(U.S. immigration authorities have overhauled how long immigration medical exams remain valid, tying the results to each person’s specific application rather than a fixed calendar window.)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that immigration medical exams documented on USCIS Form I-693 – Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record—are now valid only while the related immigration benefit application is pending when the civil surgeon signed the form on or after November 1, 2023. Effective June 11, 2025, USCIS confirmed that if that application is denied or withdrawn, the medical results can’t be reused. The change affects adjustment of status applicants using USCIS Form I-693 and others whose immigration benefits require a medical exam.

What changed and why

• The policy replaces the long-standing two-year validity rule that applied before November 1, 2023.
• USCIS briefly adopted an “indefinite validity” standard in April 2024 for exams signed on/after November 1, 2023 to reduce requests for more evidence and speed cases.
• On June 11, 2025, USCIS reversed that stance, citing public health needs and the importance of keeping health information current.

Key takeaway: For Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023, the exam is tied to the specific application while it is pending. If that application is denied or withdrawn, the medical exam cannot be reused.

Who is affected

• Most applicants seeking permanent residence through adjustment of status (Form I-485)
• Applicants in humanitarian programs or parole who must submit a medical exam
• Civil surgeons, clinics, employers sponsoring workers, attorneys, and community organizations that assist applicants

Practical consequences for applicants and families

• Applicants should schedule medicals close to filing time to avoid the exam becoming unusable due to withdrawal or denial.
• Families with children must coordinate vaccine schedules, school calendars, and surgeon availability.
• Sponsored workers must align medical timing with employer timelines, expiring work authorization, and travel plans.
• If an applicant withdraws or their application is denied after adjudication, they will need a new medical exam for any future filing.

Rejected vs. Denied vs. Withdrawn — why it matters

• Rejected: Package returned for technical reasons (e.g., missing signature, wrong fee, outdated form edition). The case never reached a decision. The same properly completed sealed Form I-693 can often be resubmitted with the corrected filing if it still meets edition and other requirements.
• Denied: Formal negative decision after adjudication. The tied medical exam is not reusable for any future filing.
• Withdrawn: Applicant requests USCIS to stop reviewing the case. Under the new rule, withdrawal ends the medical’s usefulness for future filings.

Edition control and important dates

• Exams signed before November 1, 2023: Valid for two years from the civil surgeon’s signature (USCIS can still request a new exam based on current health concerns).
• Exams signed on or after November 1, 2023: Valid only while the linked application is pending; withdrawn/denied filings void reuse.
• Edition update: From July 3, 2025, USCIS accepts only the 01/20/2025 edition of Form I-693.
  • The edition date must match the civil surgeon’s signature date, not the date the applicant files the form with USCIS.
  • Forms signed before July 3, 2025 can use prior valid editions (e.g., 03/09/2023) provided the surgeon signed while that edition was valid.

What the medical exam covers

• Two main purposes:
  • Screening for communicable diseases of public health concern (per CDC technical instructions)
  • Verifying required vaccination records
• Designated civil surgeons perform exams, record results on Form I-693, and seal the forms for submission.

Practical steps for civil surgeons and clinics

• Confirm patient filing plans before signing the form.
• Verify identity and reconcile vaccine history; some vaccine series may require multiple visits.
• Use the correct edition (from 07/03/2025, the 01/20/2025 edition).
• Train staff to check edition dates and the signature date to avoid rejections.
• Seal the form properly and provide the applicant a copy of the sealed envelope.

Recommended applicant checklist

1. Book the immigration medical exam close to your filing date, not months in advance.
2. Confirm the civil surgeon uses the 01/20/2025 edition if signing on/after July 3, 2025.
3. Bring government-issued ID and vaccination records.
4. Ask the clinic to seal Form I-693 and give you a sealed copy for records.
5. If the application is rejected, correct and resubmit quickly; you may reuse the same medical if eligible.
6. If the application is denied or you withdraw, plan for a new medical exam for any future filing.

Strategy considerations: file now or wait for a request?

• Submitting the medical with the initial filing can speed adjudication if USCIS processes quickly.
• Waiting for a USCIS request may avoid wasting an exam if you expect to change plans or withdraw.
• Decisions depend on risk tolerance, civil surgeon availability, and case complexity.

Impact on stakeholders

• Attorneys: update filing checklists, explain rejection vs. denial, and advise clients on timing.
• Clinics/civil surgeons: shift toward time-sensitive appointments and clearer intake counseling.
• Employers/sponsored workers: may prefer frontloading medicals for quicker starts.
• Community groups: emphasize simple reminders (timing, ID, vaccine records, sealed forms).

Operational tips to avoid delays

• Verify the edition date printed on each page before the surgeon signs.
• Photograph or record the edition date for your records.
• Return unsealed copies for correction only; sealed submissions protect form integrity.
• Monitor USCIS case status and respond promptly to any notices requesting updated medical evidence.

Policy context and background

• During COVID-19, temporary flexibility extended some medical validity up to four years.
• As normal operations resumed, USCIS returned to tighter timelines to ensure fresh medical evidence.
• USCIS framed the June 11, 2025 change as balancing efficiency with public health safeguards and aligning with current conditions.

Quick reference table

Where to get official guidance

For the latest edition of Form I-693 and official instructions, use the USCIS Form I-693 page:
– USCIS Form I-693 – Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

Final takeaway

• Treat immigration medical exams as a just-in-time step: schedule them when your filing strategy is set.
• Know which rule applies based on the civil surgeon’s signature date:
  • Two-year rule for signatures before November 1, 2023
  • Application-pending rule for signatures on/after November 1, 2023
• Keep forms sealed, confirm edition dates, and coordinate closely with attorneys or representatives to avoid costly re-dos and delays.