Medicals Valid until I-485 Adjudicated, Policy Extended Posted Aug 29, 2003 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.
	Disclaimer : The information provided at this site is of a general nature and may not apply to any particular set of facts or under all circumstances. It should not be construed as legal advice and does not constitute an engagement of the Law Office of Sheela Murthy or establish an attorney-client relationship. Copyright : Documents from this site may be printed as long as the copyright notices are included on the print-outs and the documents are not modified or altered.