The validity of your immigration medical exam depends on when it was completed and, under the most recent USCIS rules effective June 11, 2025, on what happens with the application you submit it with. If you’re planning your immigration medical exam in Tampa, here’s exactly what you need to know before you schedule your appointment.
The rules have changed several times in recent years, and a lot of information online is outdated. This article reflects the current USCIS policy as of June 2025.
What is Form I-693 and why does validity matter?
Form I-693 is the official document that records the results of your immigration medical exam. A USCIS-designated civil surgeon completes and seals it after your appointment. You then submit it with your Form I-485 (adjustment of status application) to show USCIS that you’re not inadmissible on public health grounds.
The validity period matters because if your I-693 expires or becomes invalid before USCIS processes your case, you’ll need to repeat the exam and pay again.
How long is the I-693 valid? The current rules explained
The answer depends on when your civil surgeon signed the form.
| Form I-693 signed | Validity rule |
|---|---|
| Before November 1, 2023 | Valid for 2 years from the date the civil surgeon signed it |
| On or after November 1, 2023 | Valid only while the application it was submitted with is pending |
The key change under the June 2025 USCIS update is this: if your application is denied or withdrawn, your I-693 becomes immediately invalid, even if the exam was recent. You cannot reuse it for a future application. You would need to start over with a new medical exam.
Before this update, USCIS had briefly allowed applicants to reuse a post-November 2023 I-693 for future applications indefinitely. That policy was reversed. USCIS cited public health reasons: requiring current exams ensures applicants receive timely medical evaluations.
What does «valid while pending» actually mean in practice?
It means your I-693 stays valid as long as your Form I-485 is being processed by USCIS, regardless of how long that takes. USCIS processing times for adjustment of status can stretch 12 to 24 months or more. Under the current rule, you don’t need to renew your medical exam during that wait, as long as your case remains open.
However, USCIS officers retain discretion to request an updated exam if they have reason to believe your health status has changed since the civil surgeon signed the form.
When is the best time to schedule your immigration medical exam?
Timing your exam correctly avoids two common mistakes:
Too early: if you schedule the exam months before filing your I-485, you risk having the exam completed but your application not yet filed. While there’s no strict deadline between exam and filing since the 60-day rule was removed in 2023, scheduling your exam close to your filing date is the practical recommendation from USCIS itself.
Too late: if your application is denied for any reason and you need to refile, you’ll need a new exam. Factor this into your timeline and budget.
The straightforward approach: schedule your exam when you have all other documents ready and you’re within a few weeks of filing your I-485.
Can USCIS ask you to redo the exam even if it’s still valid?
Yes. Even if your I-693 is technically valid under the current rules, a USCIS officer can issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for a new or updated medical exam if they believe your health condition may have changed or that the form doesn’t accurately reflect your current health status. This is uncommon but happens, particularly in cases with long processing delays.
What happens if you need to redo your immigration medical exam?
If your application is denied, withdrawn, or USCIS requests a new exam, you simply schedule a new appointment with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, complete the exam, and submit a new sealed I-693 with your new application. The exam process typically takes one appointment, and you’ll receive your sealed form the same day or within a few days depending on blood test results.
Schedule your immigration medical exam in Tampa
If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and need a USCIS-certified immigration exam, Medical Exams of Tampa has a USCIS-designated civil surgeon on staff, bilingual service in English and Spanish, and Saturday appointments available. The exam includes everything you need to move your application forward: blood test, vaccination record review, and your sealed I-693 form.
Book your immigration medical exam in Tampa and get your sealed form ready to file.
