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Your Form I-693 Medical Exam, Explained
Also called: Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, civil surgeon exam
Last reviewed 2026-07-11
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What this notice usually means
Form I-693 is your medical exam and vaccine record. You file it with certain green card applications. As of June 11, 2025, USCIS has a new rule. A Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 stays valid only while its application is still pending. This replaced an older policy. The older rule let the same exam be used without expiring. If your application, like Form I-485, is withdrawn or denied, your Form I-693 is no longer valid. If you file a new green card application later, you need a brand new exam. A civil surgeon must sign the new exam. This can mean another exam and another fee if your case is ever withdrawn or denied.
What to do now
- 1
Check if your application is still pending
Your Form I-693 stays valid only while the application you filed it with is pending. If that case ends, the exam ends with it.
- 2
Know what happens if your case is withdrawn or denied
A withdrawn or denied application makes your Form I-693 invalid. This is true even if you signed the exam recently.
- 3
Plan for a new exam if you refile
Do you submit a new green card case after a withdrawal or denial? Then you need a new Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon.
- 4
Ask about cost and scheduling early
A new civil surgeon exam takes time to schedule and usually costs money. Start looking into this as soon as you know you need one.
- 5
Talk to an immigration attorney or accredited representative about your timeline
This rule can affect your overall case timing. A qualified helper can look at your specific situation.
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This rule covers any Form I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023. It applies to cases pending or filed on or after June 11, 2025. From that date, the exam is valid only while its case stays pending.
“This guidance is effective immediately and applies to applications pending or filed on or after June 11, 2025.”
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Sources
- USCIS Newsroom Alert, USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023 (uscis.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-11
- USCIS Newsroom Alert, USCIS Announces New Guidance on Form I-693 Validity Period, superseded April 2024 alert (uscis.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-11
Last reviewed 2026-07-11
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