Trump administration revises Green Card policy

WASHINGTON: The Donald Trump administration has introduced a key change in the green card application process, requiring applicants to submit a renewed medical examination form with every permanent residency request.

According to a notice by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Form I-693, also known as the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, will now only be considered valid at the time the green card application is submitted.

Previously, applicants could reuse the same medical form indefinitely. That policy has now been scrapped.

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USCIS stated, “Form I-693, signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023, is valid only while the immigration application it was submitted with is still pending. If that application is withdrawn or denied, the medical form will no longer be valid.”

This revised guideline takes effect immediately and applies to all applications pending or filed on or after June 11, 2025.

USCIS explained the change was necessary, calling the earlier policy “too broad” and a possible threat to public health.

“By linking the validity of the medical form to a specific application, we make sure immigrants receive updated medical evaluations and treatment, which helps protect public health in the U.S.,” the agency added.