USCIS announced today that it will temporarily waive its requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature on the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be dated no more than 60 days before an applicant files the immigration application. The waiver is effective from December 9, 2021 until September 30, 2022.

Why is this good news?

Before today, USCIS considered a completed Form I-693 to retain its evidentiary value for two years after the date the civil surgeon signed, as long as the date of the civil surgeon’s signature is no more than 60 days before the applicant filed the application for the underlying immigration benefit. This is commonly referred to as the “60-day rule.”

But, USCIS is still taking a long time to process applications. Also, due to COVID 19, Applicants are finding it difficult to complete the immigration medical examination. So, USCIS is waiving the "60-day rule" for a few months, at least.