U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a reminder to applicants on February 10, 2023, to file all required initial evidence and supporting documentation listed under the Checklist of Required Initial Evidence heading when they file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. “Submitting all required initial evidence and supporting documentation at the same time [as] you file Form I-485 may eliminate the need for us to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to obtain additional evidence and documentation. This may also help avoid adjudication delays if we decide that you do not need to be interviewed,” USCIS said.

In particular, USCIS emphasized submitting Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, when filing Form I-485. “We generally consider a completed Form I-693 to remain valid for two years after the date the civil surgeon signed Form I-693. Additionally, from Dec. 9, 2021 until March 31, 2023, we are temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature be dated no more than 60 days before you file your Form I-485,” the agency said.

USCIS published a new edition of Form I-485 (edition date 12/23/22) on December 23, 2022. Earlier versions will be rejected.

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