Interfiling Medical Exams for I-485 Process

I-485 is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Medical is the mandatory part of this process, it can be submitted with I-485 form or later.

Table of Content

What is Medical Interfiling?

Interfiling medical (form I-693) is a process where I-485 pending applicant can send medical reports to USCIS before they send RFE. In most cases USCIS will accept the interfile, but it is not 100% guaranteed. USCIS may send RFE requesting for medical reports even after interfiling or request you to bring at the time of in-person interview. In such case, you must get another sealed medical report and provide to them.

Remember

  • If you are thinking to interfile medical then it is recommended to get two copies of sealed medical reports from civil surgeon. One use for interfiling and other in case if they send RFE.
  • After interfiling, it is not advised to chat with Emma or call USCIS for checking interfiling status. They may not be able to answer you, so don’t get stressed out by calling or chatting with them.

Timing of I-693 Submission

As per USCIS, Applicants may submit the Form I-693 medical examination report to USCIS:

  • Concurrently with the immigration benefit application; or
  • At any time after filing the immigration benefit application but before USCIS finalizes adjudication of that application. If not submitted simultaneously with the immigration benefit application, applicants may bring the medical examination report to an interview or wait until USCIS issues an RFE requesting the medical examination report.

Filing Process

  • Complete medical and get sealed I-693 Medical Reports signed by the Civil Surgeon
    • You need to send reports within 60 days to USCIS if you are filing with I-485.
    • If you already filed I-485 then you can send within 2 year, 60 days rule don’t apply here. See USCIS table on this page. Also see this video by immigration attorney Reddy.
    • Try to get two sealed I-693 Medical Reports signed by the Civil Surgeon, they may charge you some fees. One you can use for interfiling and other you can use in case if you get RFE.
  • Attach below required documents
  • Send packet to USCIS.
    • Use single packet for primary and derivative.
    • On USPS/FedEx/UPS envelope put Attn:I 693 medical interfile
    • Address should be what you have on your I485, if Emma gave you a non PO number, that is ok too, they both go to same location. (This is not applicable unless your application is transferred to another service center, in that case, go with what Emma tells you)
    • Sent using USPS if address is PO Box, use fedex/USPS if not a PO Box

USCIS Processing Fees

$0 (Zero USD)

Documents Required

  • Copy of I-797C, Notice of Action, Receipt of filing I-485
  • Sealed I-693 Medical Reports signed by the Civil Surgeon
  • Copy of COVID-19 vaccination record (send this if it is not mentioned on your I-693 form)
  • Copy of biometrics receipt (if your biometrics status is not updated)
  • Copy of driver’s license (specify state) or copy of passport
  • Cover letter, see formats below (You can use one letter for each member or single letter for family. Trackitt users confirmed they both work!)
  • Barcodes page (if they are not printed on cover letter), see format here.

Notes:

  • Some people sent cover letter without barcodes and their medical is attached to their case.
  • Some people also sent cover letter without barcodes and they attached separate barcodes page.
  • and some people sent cover letter with barcodes on it and that also worked.
  • You must put I-485 receipt number and A number on cover letter.

Generate Medical Interfiling Cover Letters

Generate USCIS I-693 medical interfiling cover letter with barcodes, its FREE!

For Creating Barcodes

USCIS uses CODE39 type of barcodes on receipts. You can use below generator for creating such barcodes. You can also verify barcodes using App from Google Play or Apple App store.

How to Arrange Packet Documents

for Primary and Derivative(spouse/son/daughter)

  1. Cover letter (it can be with or without barcodes, both works. Keep it simple. You can use one cover letter for all or individual, anything is fine)
  2. Barcodes page (this is optional)
  3. Copy of I-797C, Notice of Action, Receipt of filing I-485
  4. Copy of biometrics receipt (if your biometrics status is not updated)
  5. Copy of driver’s license (specify state) or copy of passport (This is not required for derivative applicants if you are sending together. Add only for Primary applicant)
  6. Copy of COVID-19 vaccination record (if you have, but this will be mandatory after Oct-01-2021)
  7. Sealed I-693 Medical Reports signed by the Civil Surgeon (Don’t tamper envelope by writing or sticking anything on it. USCIS don’t accept tampered envelope)
  8. Put primary and derivative medical reports in a single envelope. (if cases are at different location then send them separately)

Don't staple documents, use binder clip (smallest 0.6-inch clip) or paper clip.

USCIS Interfiling Addresses

  1. Highly recommend sending with FedEx/UPS/Courier since they usually guarantee the delivery time, and you can refund if they missed it.
  2. Send to the service center that is on your latest I-485 letter (especially if you receive a case transfer). Unless you know for a fact that your case is at the local field office. (From Emma, lawyer communication, etc)
  3. Use the table below to match the service center to their address. The P.O. box addresses are just for USPS (the blue logo one, not UPS which has a brown logo).
Service Center USPS Address FedEx/UPS/Courier
Nebraska (LIN) USCIS Nebraska Service Center
Attn: I-693 medical interfile
P.O. Box 82521
Lincoln, NE 68501-2521		 USCIS Nebraska Service Center
Attn: I-693 medical interfile
850 S. Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Missouri (MSC) USCIS National Benefits Center
Attn: I-693 medical interfile
P.O. Box 648003
Lee's Summit, MO 64002		 USCIS National Benefits Center
Attn: I-693 medical interfile
850 NW Chipman Rd, Suite 5000
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Texas (SRC) Use FedEx/UPS/Courier address.
PO Box 851488, Mesquite,TX is closed now as per Telegram users		 USCIS Texas Service Center
Attn: I-693 medical interfile
6046 N. Belt Line Rd, Suite 172
Irving, TX 75038-0015

Sending to Suite 110 also works.
Field Office Enter your ZIP code here Enter your ZIP code here

Use the contact form to notify us of address changes.

Medical Report Validity

Form I-693 Submitted to USCIS On or After November 1, 2018. Ref USCIS site

Timing of the Submission of the Medical Examination Report

When did civil surgeon sign? I-693 retains evidentiary value through
No more than 60 days before applicant filed underlying benefit application with USCIS 2 years from date civil surgeon signed I-693
After applicant filed benefit application with USCIS 2 years from date civil surgeon signed I-693
More than 60 days before applicant filed benefit application with USCIS N/A – I-693 not valid at time applicant submits I-693 to USCIS

Recent update: Validity Period of Form I-693 (Including Use of Prior Versions)

Effective August 12, 2021, USCIS is temporarily extending the validity period of an otherwise valid Form I-693 in cases where:

  • The civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693 is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant files Form I-485;
  • No more than 4 years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature; and
  • The decision on Form I-485 is issued on or before September 30, 2021.

Ref: USCIS site

Interfiling FAQ

Is there any risk of interfiling medical?

There is virtually no risk in sending the I-693 form without an RFE except that you may lose the doctor's fee if USCIS does not add it to your file.

Can I interfile medical or do I need attorney for filing?

You can do it yourself. See this video by immigration attorney Reddy.

Where I should send I-485 interfiling documents?

You should send to the address mentioned on your I-485 receipt. If address is PO Box then you can only use USPS. If you want to send using FedEx or UPS then send to the alternate address of service center. Also before sending documents check with EMMA where your case is currently in process, sometime they transfer cases to other service center or FO.

I interfiled medical but now received RFE for medical, what should I do?

Respond to RFE and send them another sealed I-693 Medical Reports signed by the Civil Surgeon. You can get multiple medical reports from your doctor, they may charge some fees for this.

Do USCIS send receipt notice after interfiling?

No. USCIS will not send receipt notice or any type of communication after they receive a medical record.

How long it will take to attach medical record to my case?

Once USCIS receives your package, it may take 2-5 days, but again it totally depends on the processing service center. Some service centers may take more time.

How I will know if my medical is attached to my case or not?

You may check by using EMMA chat or call USCIS. Contact number: +1-800-375-5283 and just say “infopass” to speak to an agent.

Does calling USCIS multiple times have any affect on the case?

No, as per these immigration attorneys. If your attorney suggests not to call USCIS then follow what they say.

Getting I-693 Medical Done

If you want to understand steps to complete I-693 medical exam then complete guide is here.

References