Thursday, June 12, 2025
The US introduces a new immigration rule requiring fresh medical exams for all green card applications starting June 11 to enhance public health standards.
US Makes Major Update to Green Card Medical Exam Requirements to Strengthen Public Health Safeguards
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major policy update that significantly alters the medical examination process for individuals applying for lawful permanent residency. Effective June 11, the new rule mandates that all green card applications include a recently completed Form I-693, the official medical examination and vaccination record, signed by a designated civil surgeon.
This adjustment replaces the previous standard, which allowed applicants to reuse an older medical form from a prior submission, even if the earlier green card application had been withdrawn or denied. Under the updated rule, such previously submitted medical reports will no longer be considered valid. Every new application must be accompanied by a freshly executed medical form, even if it is from the same individual who previously applied.
The revised policy applies to all applications currently pending or filed on or after June 11, 2025. The shift in practice reflects an increased focus on public health and the importance of current medical information during immigration evaluations.
One of the key features of this change is the new restriction placed on the validity of Form I-693. Any form signed on or after November 1, 2023, will now remain valid only while the immigration application with which it was filed is still active. If an application is either declined or withdrawn by choice, the connected medical examination form becomes void and is no longer eligible for use in any future filings.
This is a departure from the interim policy introduced in April 2024, which had allowed Form I-693 to remain valid indefinitely. That earlier policy was intended to ease processing burdens and reduce redundancy for applicants. However, a recent internal review concluded that the indefinite validity of medical forms posed potential public health risks, particularly when long gaps occurred between examinations and reapplications.
As a result, the agency reversed its stance, stating that maintaining strict validity requirements ensures applicants undergo up-to-date evaluations and receive any necessary medical treatment in a timely manner. By aligning the validity period with the lifecycle of a specific immigration application, USCIS aims to reduce the risk of outdated or inaccurate medical assessments influencing immigration decisions.
Individuals applying for adjustment of status—those who seek to become lawful permanent residents while already in the US—are generally required to submit Form I-693. This medical report verifies that the applicant does not have any communicable diseases of public health significance or other medical conditions that would render them inadmissible under health-related immigration grounds.
The USCIS also retains discretion to request a Form I-693 from applicants who may not typically be required to submit one, particularly if there is evidence suggesting a possible public health concern. This adaptability enables authorities to address newly arising health risks or unique concerns identified in individual cases.
With the revised guidance now in effect, applicants and their legal representatives are encouraged to plan accordingly. Filing with an outdated or invalid medical form may lead to delays or rejections, as immigration officers will no longer accept documents that do not meet the updated criteria.
This policy change represents a broader shift toward reinforcing public health protections within the immigration process. USCIS emphasized that the move supports national health standards and ensures that those entering or adjusting their status in the United States do so with a recent and verified health screening.
The new rule requires every green card applicant to submit a newly completed Form I-693 for each application, eliminates the indefinite validity of past medical forms, and ensures that immigration decisions are based on accurate, timely health evaluations. The change underscores the federal government’s continued commitment to both immigration integrity and the health and safety of the public.
