Important Update for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

This update is relevant to all immigrant applications.

Effective October 1, 2021, USCIS requires that all “applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.”

What does this update mean for you?

If you have a pending immigration application, whether based on family sponsorship or employment, and you have not yet had your interview and planning on bringing your I-693 form with you, or received an RFE that requires you to send the relevant form to USICS prior to your interview, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order for a civil surgent to sign your form. 

If you are not vaccinated, there are exceptions to this requirement and you must ask for a waiver.

How can this new requirement affect your case?

Going into an interview without the required Form I-693 might result in denial or delay of your case. If you are not vaccinated, the civil surgeon will not sign your form. If you cannot be vaccinated or choose not to be vaccinated, you must apply for a waiver that might delay your case. Without a valid Form I-693 or a waiver approval, your case might be denied on public grounds.

See the full Policy Update Announcement; https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20210914-COVIDVaccinationRequirement.pdf