ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented immediate changes to its green card application process, requiring all new applicants to submit a newly completed medical examination form, regardless of prior submissions.
The updated rule reverses a 2024 policy that allowed Form I-693, the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to remain valid indefinitely in most cases—even if the original application was later withdrawn or refiled. According to USCIS, the indefinite validity posed potential public health risks, prompting this swift reversal.
“The Agency now requires a fresh Form I-693 for every new application,” officials stated, citing concerns about the accuracy and timeliness of older medical data.
Policy in Effect, New Form Coming July 3
Effective June 11, 2025, applicants for Adjustment of Status (i.e., green card seekers applying from within the U.S.) must now undergo a new medical examination and submit a current version of Form I-693, even if a valid form was previously provided with a withdrawn or altered application. A new version of the form itself will be released and enforced beginning July 3, 2025.
This adjustment introduces additional expenses for applicants—typically ranging between \$100 and \$500—and may lead to further delays in case processing.
Significant Impact on South Asian Applicants
The policy change disproportionately affects immigrants from South Asian countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Many of these applicants are pursuing permanent residency through family-based sponsorships, employment visas, asylum pathways, or student-to-residency transitions.
Applicants who believed their applications were near completion are now required to repeat medical exams and resubmit documentation—compounding financial and procedural burdens.
“This is not a minor change. USCIS normally provides a transition period,” immigration attorney Adeel Malik noted. “Thousands of applicants in mid-process will now be required to restart a critical component of their application.”
Legal and Logistical Complications
Under the revised policy, even unexpired I-693 forms will no longer be valid if connected to a withdrawn case. This presents legal ambiguities for applicants who previously acted in compliance with earlier USCIS rules.
Moreover, immigration attorneys warn that sudden enforcement of the policy without a buffer period contradicts standard USCIS procedural norms, potentially impacting a large number of green card applicants who had already planned their filings based on prior guidance.
Wider Crackdown Amid Policy Shifts
This development comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration. Several green card holders have recently reported detentions or reentry denials, with officials alleging actions contrary to U.S. foreign policy.
While USCIS maintains that the new policy ensures “timely and accurate” health assessments for public safety, critics argue it adds a layer of bureaucratic complexity and disproportionately penalizes immigrants following the legal pathway.
With the updated policy now active and a new Form I-693 due in July, applicants are urged to consult with legal counsel and prepare for additional requirements. For South Asian immigrants in particular, the changes represent yet another hurdle in an already intricate path to permanent residency.
