January 5, 2010

USCIS Extends Validity of Medical Certification Until 01/01/2011 For Pending I-485 Applications

Medical certifications by immigration civil surgeons on Form I-693 are usually valid for one year from the date of certification. The Form I-693 is submitted in support of an Adjustment of Status application (I-485). In certain cases, adjustment of status applications have been pending for more than one year. Considering the current backlog in I-485 applications, as well as visa retrogression, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on December 31, 2009, issued a memorandum extending the validity of the medical certification until January 1, 2011 if no Class A or Class B medical condition is certified by the civil surgeon in section 2, 3 or 4 of Part 2 of the Form I-693. A Form I-693 remains valid until the time of adjustment of status, even if section 6 of Part 2 shows a Class B medical condition other than those addressed in section 2, 3 or 4. This means that the current I-485 applicants whose I-693 on file is older than one year may not have to retake medical examination at least until January 1, 2011.

Please read the attached memorandum.