I-693 Courtesy Letter Question

[DCGuy]

Hello everyone. My wife and daughter received I-693 Courtesy Letters about a week ago. Since their letters were yellow and stated the only thing keeping their applications from being processed is the I-693, does that mean we should go ahead and get the examinations scheduled soon? I don't want the interview dates to creep up on us and we don't have those results in hand. Any advice from folks with expertise of the I-693, and those who did not complete the exam prior to submitting you AOS packages would be greatly appreciated.

[Tezza]

Hello everyone. My wife and daughter received I-693 Courtesy Letters about a week ago. Since their letters were yellow and stated the only thing keeping their applications from being processed is the I-693, does that mean we should go ahead and get the examinations scheduled soon? I don't want the interview dates to creep up on us and we don't have those results in hand. Any advice from folks with expertise of the I-693, and those who did not complete the exam prior to submitting you AOS packages would be greatly appreciated.

It highly depends. Your I-693 has a validity period, so there is always a risk of paying for it and then it expiring before your interview, and then having to get another one done.

Receiving the courtesy letter usually means that everything you sent is good and that you're unlikely to receive any other RFEs at this point, so good job. But what it doesn't mean is that you will get your interview any time soon, they vary highly. Some people get their interviews quickly while others wait months.

My advice, wait for the notice that your interview has been scheduled, you usually receive the notice of interview 4-6 weeks beforehand, and then have the medical done in this period, as you know that you have an interview and won't waste your money. That's what we did and it worked out fine.

Good luck.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Hello everyone. My wife and daughter received I-693 Courtesy Letters about a week ago. Since their letters were yellow and stated the only thing keeping their applications from being processed is the I-693, does that mean we should go ahead and get the examinations scheduled soon? I don't want the interview dates to creep up on us and we don't have those results in hand. Any advice from folks with expertise of the I-693, and those who did not complete the exam prior to submitting you AOS packages would be greatly appreciated.

I know I?ve said RFEs are pink but we?ve seen yellow ones, too. Pink/yellow/fluorescent beige - it does not matter. What you got is not a RFE.

I would advise getting the I-693 before you have an intervieq appointment. You have 1 year to submit the I-693 from the date it is completed. Then, from the date USCIS receives it, it remains valid for another year for adjudication purposes. If timed carefully, it may be valid up to 2 years.

I would definitely start shopping around. I would search for civil surgeons in your area, and cross reference that list with the providers in your insurance network.

The more medical records you have available for the civil surgeon, the less $$$ it will cost. If all vaccines are up to date and it?s all documented, you?re left with a few tests to run and that?s it. We?ve seen consultation fees as low as $85 if all the civil surgeon has to do is transcribe info from your records to the I-693.

All the best,

USCFFS

[Plz]

I know I?ve said RFEs are pink but we?ve seen yellow ones, too. Pink/yellow/fluorescent beige - it does not matter. What you got is not a RFE.

I would advise getting the I-693 before you have an intervieq appointment. You have 1 year to submit the I-693 from the date it is completed. Then, from the date USCIS receives it, it remains valid for another year for adjudication purposes. If timed carefully, it may be valid up to 2 years.

I would definitely start shopping around. I would search for civil surgeons in your area, and cross reference that list with the providers in your insurance network.

The more medical records you have available for the civil surgeon, the less $$$ it will cost. If all vaccines are up to date and it?s all documented, you?re left with a few tests to run and that?s it. We?ve seen consultation fees as low as $85 if all the civil surgeon has to do is transcribe info from your records to the I-693.

All the best,

USCFFS

Oh I see. For example I sent my I693 with the AOS application (Of course the lawyer told us to Smh). So my medical doesn?t expire until 2/22/19 since my PD is 2/22/18? Means I have to do another one if my interview is not scheduled before 2/22/19?

[DCGuy]

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks for all of the advice/information. Glad the applications made it this far. I'll start researching the civil surgeons and their prices so I'll have an idea of who to contact once we receive news about interview ready for scheduling. Again, thanks for the taking the time to answer!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Oh I see. For example I sent my I693 with the AOS application (Of course the lawyer told us to Smh). So my medical doesn?t expire until 2/22/19 since my PD is 2/22/18? Means I have to do another one if my interview is not scheduled before 2/22/19?

YES! Correct! Isn't it silly, though? USCIS could just say - it's valid for 2 years. Since most people send it right away, they use up that initial 1 year window.

Remember, it's not about your interview being scheduled. It's about your case being adjudicated before the 2nd one year window expires.

Lawyers are all over the place. I had a $100 dollar consultation with a Raleigh based law firm. Of course, we had to email them our 13 lb AOS package. And the first thing the attorney said was "I see that you followed directions and sent ALL the evidence of bona fide marriage with your AOS applications. GOOD! The only item missing is the I-693. I'd wait to do that until you get your interview scheduled"

That's when I knew that attorney was knowledgeable.

[Plz]

YES! Correct! Isn't it silly, though? USCIS could just say - it's valid for 2 years. Since most people send it right away, they use up that initial 1 year window.

Remember, it's not about your interview being scheduled. It's about your case being adjudicated before the 2nd one year window expires.

Lawyers are all over the place. I had a $100 dollar consultation with a Raleigh based law firm. Of course, we had to email them our 13 lb AOS package. And the first thing the attorney said was "I see that you followed directions and sent ALL the evidence of bona fide marriage with your AOS applications. GOOD! The only item missing is the I-693. I'd wait to do that until you get your interview scheduled"

That's when I knew that attorney was knowledgeable.

It is the most silliest thing. I think immigration should tell people not to do the medical eXam until they know their interview date. The interview is a month away from the interview notice anyways. That?s enough time to get one. I was under the impression that it?s a must to send the medical with the AOS application. Paying two times is not fun at all. I did mine for $380