If your immigration medical exam is delayed or has an error, you can either contact a civil surgeon to correct mistakes and sign the document, request an extension from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or complete a new exam.
For help with immigrant medical exams and other aspects of the immigration process, reach out to the legal team at Cho Immigration Law by calling 312-853-3088 to consult a Chicago immigration attorney.
What Causes Delays or Errors in an Immigration Medical Exam (Form I-693)?
At this time, there are almost 400,000 green card holders in Illinois. To become lawful permanent residents (LPRs), these individuals needed to undergo a medical exam with a document signed by a civil surgeon. When completing these exams, doctors ensure that immigrants are of sound health and meet all immigration vaccine requirements.
However, some individuals may submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, only to see a denial because of errors or experience delays in the process.
The following are some reasons your immigration medical exam is delayed or contains errors:
- You’re completing an outdated Form I-693
- There are missing or incomplete vaccination records
- Envelopes have been improperly sealed or handled
- You scheduled the exam too early, leading to an expiration before USCIS can process Form I-485
- Documents contain missing signatures from civil surgeons or other information
- You do not have valid identification
These and other issues could cause a delayed or erroneous medical exam review process, which could compromise your entire immigration case. As such, you should do what you can to fix errors and expedite the process when applying for a green card.
How to Fix a Delayed or Incorrect Immigration Medical Exam Before USCIS Audits
With ICE’s shift in enforcement of immigration laws and the possibility of a USCIS audit, you must fix any errors to avoid removal and deportation when applying for LPR status.
The following are some steps you can take to fix incorrect or incomplete information on Form I-693:
Correct Errors
You can return your document to the civil surgeon involved in your case to fix mistakes on your form. He or she can then identify any errors, annotate them, initial the document, and indicate the date of the change. In some cases, civil surgeons may need to complete an entirely new document if there are multiple or major errors.
Re-Seal the Envelope
After correcting the document, the civil surgeon must put it in a new and properly sealed envelope to prepare it for submission to USCIS.
Update Vaccination Records as Needed
You may also need to update your vaccination records with correct documentation and obtain any missing records to mitigate the risk of future delays.
Submit the Document to USCIS
Submit the completed and sealed document and vaccination records to USCIS, ideally before the agency sends you a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) or a Request for Evidence (RFE).
If you are experiencing a delay with your immigration medical exam, there are some additional steps you can take:
Check the Validity Period
While some I-693 forms benefit from indefinite validity as of changes to policies in 2023, it’s best to have a civil surgeon sign the document within a year of filing.
Get a New Medical Exam If Necessary
If your exam has expired, which usually occurs after a year, you will need to complete a new exam and have a civil surgeon complete and sign a new Form I-693.
Track the Status of Your Case
Via the USCIS website, you can check on the status of your case to determine if there’s a delay, and you’ll be able to upload any additional requested documentation to support your application.
Seek Legal Counsel
Another key step you can take is to consult an attorney for further assistance with your case. The right lawyer will be able to assess your case and take additional steps to expedite your case or fix any errors on your documents.
How an Immigration Lawyer Can Help Resolve Medical Exam Problems
There are multiple benefits of hiring a reputable immigration attorney to help you with your medical exam and other aspects of your case:
Handling Administrative Errors and Deficiencies
An attorney could reach out to a civil surgeon if he or she notices issues with Form I-693, such as missing or incomplete information or incorrect signing. The civil surgeon may need to then complete a new form with the correct information.
Additionally, your lawyer may be able to respond to RFEs from USCIS, ensuring you submit the requested documents to support your case and prevent a denial.
Addressing Inadmissibility
Another area where a lawyer could help is determining what could make you “medically inadmissible” and taking steps to restore your eligibility for entry into the U.S. For example, your lawyer could file Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, or he or she may advise on treatment that you may need to qualify you for reapplication.
Preparation and Prevention
An attorney could also provide counseling pre-exam, indicating what to expect with the process and helping to ensure you submit all necessary documentation to keep Form I-693 accurate and complete. He or she may also guide you on the proper timing to keep Form I-693 from expiring before USCIS has the chance to process your green card application.
Other Immigration Matters
Another benefit of working with the right lawyer is the ability to handle every other aspect of the immigration process.
In addition to helping you with your medical exam and submitting a signed Form I-693 to USCIS, a lawyer could assist you with the overarching green card application process. For instance, he or she may be able to help confirm that all information on Form I-485 is accurate and updated.
The right lawyer could also protect your legal rights during deportation if you risk removal, possibly helping you find another means of living and working in the U.S. without risking re-entry bars.
To sponsor family members as an LPR to come to the U.S., your attorney may also be able to facilitate the petition process and help ensure that your loved ones meet all requirements to qualify for legal immigration.
For help with your immigration case in Chicago, including a delayed or erroneous medical exam, Cho Immigration Law is here for you. Contact us today to speak with an attorney.
FAQs
What should I do if my immigration medical exam is delayed past my USCIS deadline?
In the event of a delay in your immigrant medical exam, you should contact a civil surgeon to help expedite the process with a signed exam document, request an extension from USCIS if the agency submitted a Request for Evidence, or prepare for a new exam if needed.
Can USCIS deny my case because of an error on Form I-693?
USCIS can deny an immigrant’s application for a green card if there are errors on Form I-693, including instances of documents with outdated information, missing signatures, or even failed envelope seals.
Should I contact an immigration attorney if my medical exam has a mistake?
It’s often best to consult an immigration lawyer in Chicago if your medical exam has an error. Experienced attorneys will be able to review your documentation and ensure it contains accurate information before filing with USCIS.
