Individuals who receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) concerning their Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, are strongly encouraged to respond promptly. While there is an 87-day window to respond to the RFE, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is urging recipients to submit their responses as quickly as possible.

RFEs are sent to applicants on an as-needed basis, particularly for USCIS employment-based adjustment of status cases, including those adjusting their status as Special Immigrant Juveniles. These RFEs typically request valid medical clearance through the submission of Form I-693. USCIS may be actively processing applications within the 87-day timeframe, so a swift response to the RFE can expedite the overall process.

Additionally, as September 2023 marks the end of the current fiscal year, there may be opportunities to utilize available visas from FY2023 if the RFE response is received before October 1, 2023. Failure to respond by this date may require the use of fiscal year 2024 visa allocations.

RFE responses can be submitted in a few different ways, including standard mail, overnight delivery services, priority mail, commercial delivery, and courier services. The address for submission is provided on the RFE request itself.

Once you have submitted your RFE response, no further action is required on your part.

If you have questions about Form I-693, RFEs, or any other immigration-related matters, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are committed to working closely with our clients to provide them with the guidance and advice they need for their specific situations.