Incomplete I-693 Medical Exam Causes Interview Denial for Green Card Applicants

A couple applying for a green card through an employment-based category experienced a setback at their USCIS interview when an officer identified an incomplete page 13 on their sealed I-693 Civil Surgeon medical examination form. The form had been submitted with their initial filing in July 2025, but the incomplete section prevented any decision from being made on their case. The USCIS officer issued a written notice giving the applicants 84 days to resolve the issue and resubmit a corrected, sealed I-693. However, the instructions on the notice created confusion, as they appeared to direct applicants to both submit online and mail the sealed document via express mail to the USCIS field office. When the applicants consulted their civil surgeon afterward, the doctor indicated that page 13—which contains three checkboxes related to COVID-19 and flu vaccinations—had not been completed for any patient since January 2025, based on their understanding that it was no longer required. This raises questions about whether USCIS updated its requirements or whether civil surgeons received conflicting guidance. For EB-3 and other employment-based green card applicants, this case highlights the importance of verifying that all pages of the I-693 are fully completed before submission, even sections that may appear optional. Applicants should confirm current I-693 requirements directly with USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney, particularly regarding vaccination-related documentation that has seen policy changes in recent years. Applicants who receive similar notices should carefully follow USCIS instructions and may wish to consult an immigration attorney to clarify submission procedures and ensure the corrected form is resubmitted within the 84-day window to avoid case abandonment.