Does the I-693 Immigration Medical Exam Expire? Process & Validity
It's the question that keeps people up at night after they pay for the exam: does the I-693 expire before USCIS gets to my case? The rules changed in your favor — here's exactly how the current process and validity rules work.
Does the I-693 immigration medical exam expire? The current rule
Here's where things stand: an I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 does not expire based on time passing — the old two-year clock doesn't apply. That's the situation for anyone getting their exam today at PassQual Health. An I-693 signed before November 1, 2023 falls under the older rule, keeping its value for two years from the date the civil surgeon signed it.
So if you're booking your exam now, you're under the newer, more forgiving rule — no more racing to file before a medical form goes stale.
The 2025 detail you need to know
As of June 11, 2025, USCIS clarified that an I-693 signed on or after November 1, 2023 stays valid while the application you filed it with is still pending. In plain terms: your medical exam is tied to that specific application. If that application is withdrawn or denied, the I-693 filed with it is no longer valid, and a fresh exam is needed for a new filing.
For the vast majority of applicants, this changes nothing — you get your exam, file it with your green card application, and it stays good until USCIS decides your case. Just don't think of the I-693 as a floating document you can reuse across different applications down the road.
How to time your exam the smart way
Because time-based expiration is gone for current forms, timing is simpler than it used to be: get your exam done so you can file the I-693 with your application, or send it promptly if USCIS requests it. You no longer have to gamble on whether USCIS will reach your case within two years, which takes real pressure off, especially with current processing times.
At PassQual Health, we complete and seal your I-693 the same visit, so the moment you walk out you're ready to file.
Had an exam for an earlier application? Be careful about reusing it
Because the current rule ties your I-693 to the specific application it was filed with, an exam from an application that was denied or withdrawn generally can't be carried over to a brand-new filing. If you're in that situation, the safe move is a fresh exam for the new application — when you call, tell us what happened with the prior case and we'll help you figure out whether you need a new I-693 before you spend a dollar.