Change in wording of I-693 validity, effective Nov 1, 2018
From Nov 1, 2018 - I-693 valid for 2 years from date of surgeon signing it. However, form needs to be submitted within 60 days of surgeon signing it.
Per https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/H...-Chapter4.html :
In 2018, USCIS revised its policy regarding the extent to which a Form I-693 retains its evidentiary value. This policy is effective November 1, 2018. Before November 1, 2018, the validity period policy provided Form I-693 retained its evidentiary value as long as it was submitted to USCIS within 1 year of the civil surgeon’s signature and USCIS issued a final decision on the underlying immigration benefit application within a year of the Form I-693 submission to USCIS. This policy contained a maximum 2-year period during which Form I-693 retained its evidentiary value.
Due to increasing caseloads and more complex adjudications, USCIS observed an increasing number of cases where benefit applications could not be decided within 1 year from the date the Form I-693 was submitted. In these cases, USCIS would have to request a new Form I-693, further delaying processing the underlying application and inconveniencing the applicant.
The new policy, effective November 1, 2018, addresses these issues by realigning the existing 2-year period (during which Form I-693 retains its evidentiary value) to require applicants to complete their immigration medical examination closer in time to the filing of the underlying benefit application. This revised policy is intended to reduce the need for USCIS to request an updated Form I-693, thereby streamlining case processing and minimizing inconveniences to applicants.
Related USCIS policy announcement: https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/U...93Validity.pdf