With processing of immigrants taking longer because of COVID-19, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a temporary waiver on the time requirement for medical exams.

The agency is temporarily waiving a requirement that a civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an immigrant applies for permanent residence in the U.S., a news release said.

"The temporary waiver will benefit many applicants, including Afghan nationals evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome who have completed immigration medical examinations at government-run facilities but were not able to apply for adjustment of status within 60 days of the completed examination," the agency said in a news release.

COVID-19 has created delays in processing applications for permanent residence applications for immigrants, USCIS said. With processing taking longer, the 60-day rule meant that some immigrants had to have a second medical examination because their first had been conducted more than 60 days earlier.  

"Temporarily allowing applicants to submit their underlying application for an immigration benefit with a completed Form I-693, even if the civil surgeon signed more than 60 days prior, will allow individuals to complete the application process without the need to undergo another immigration medical examination if Form I-693 is otherwise valid," the agency said.

COVID-19 has caused delays "in all aspects of operations," USCIS said.

The delays are beyond the applicants' control, the agency said. 

The waiver is good through September 2022, the agency said.