There is a new Policy Memorandum regarding the validity of Medical Reports/Certifications on Form I-693. The memo, dated December 29, 2011, essentially extends the validity of civil surgeon endorsements contained on the I-693. An I-693, when submitted in support of an I-485 or I-687 application, will be deemed valid until the time of adjudication provided that: 1) the I-693 was included with the initial adjustment of status filing and 2) there is no Class A or B medical condition, other than a Class B condition in the Other Medical Conditions section of Form I-693. This policy represents a change from current practice in which medicals are deemed valid for only one year; with current delays associated with some I-485 applications, this is a welcome adjustment that will enable faster adjudication of cases once they are scheduled for disposition, sometimes past one year. This new policy will be in effect until January 1, 2013.
