© The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C.
---------------------
3. Medicals Valid until I-485 Adjudicated, Policy Extended
The BCIS issued a memo on July 23, 2003, extending the current policy
regarding the validity period of medical examinations submitted in
connection with Applications for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). While
the physician's endorsement on the medical examination is valid only for
a year, the BCIS will continue to consider the medical examination to
be valid until the Application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) is
adjudicated. The policy extends only to those who do not have any of
the medical conditions of concern to the BCIS. Specifically, the
adjustment applicant should not have any Class A or Class B medical condition
certified on the endorsement of the civil surgeon. The extended policy
is only valid until January 1, 2004.
The medical examination, endorsed by a civil surgeon on Form I-693,
Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, is a necessary
part of the green card process. The examination is submitted in
connection with the Form I-485, to ensure that the individual does not have
any "communicable diseases of public health significance" or other
medical conditions that may pose a danger to the individual or to others. The
medical examination includes proof that the foreign national has had
vaccinations against a specified list of preventable diseases.
Generally, the medical endorsement of the physician is only valid for a
year. However, on October 17, 2002, Legacy INS issued a policy memo to
extend the endorsements throughout the life of the case. This policy
ended on January 1, 2003, but has now been officially extended until
January 1, 2004. This policy eliminates the need for most I-485 applicants
to obtain a new medical examination at the end of 12 months, avoiding
unnecessary processing time delays, as well as additional expense to the
applicants. This policy is significant and helpful to most I-485
applicants, as I-485 processing timeframes for employment-based cases, as
well as most family-based cases, are well beyond one year at all of the
BCIS Service Centers.
© The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C.
ND: 2/2002
FP1: 3/2002
FP2: 5/2003
---------------------
3. Medicals Valid until I-485 Adjudicated, Policy Extended
The BCIS issued a memo on July 23, 2003, extending the current policy
regarding the validity period of medical examinations submitted in
connection with Applications for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). While
the physician's endorsement on the medical examination is valid only for
a year, the BCIS will continue to consider the medical examination to
be valid until the Application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) is
adjudicated. The policy extends only to those who do not have any of
the medical conditions of concern to the BCIS. Specifically, the
adjustment applicant should not have any Class A or Class B medical condition
certified on the endorsement of the civil surgeon. The extended policy
is only valid until January 1, 2004.
The medical examination, endorsed by a civil surgeon on Form I-693,
Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, is a necessary
part of the green card process. The examination is submitted in
connection with the Form I-485, to ensure that the individual does not have
any "communicable diseases of public health significance" or other
medical conditions that may pose a danger to the individual or to others. The
medical examination includes proof that the foreign national has had
vaccinations against a specified list of preventable diseases.
Generally, the medical endorsement of the physician is only valid for a
year. However, on October 17, 2002, Legacy INS issued a policy memo to
extend the endorsements throughout the life of the case. This policy
ended on January 1, 2003, but has now been officially extended until
January 1, 2004. This policy eliminates the need for most I-485 applicants
to obtain a new medical examination at the end of 12 months, avoiding
unnecessary processing time delays, as well as additional expense to the
applicants. This policy is significant and helpful to most I-485
applicants, as I-485 processing timeframes for employment-based cases, as
well as most family-based cases, are well beyond one year at all of the
BCIS Service Centers.
© The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C.
ND: 2/2002
FP1: 3/2002
FP2: 5/2003