You check your mailbox and see the USCIS envelope. Your hands shake as you open it. “Request for Evidence: Medical Examination (Form I-693).”

Your stomach drops. Your mind races. Is this bad? Did they find something wrong? Am I getting denied?

Is medical RFE a good sign? That’s the question burning in your mind right now. And here’s the answer that will change everything: Yes. Is medical RFE a good sign? In most cases, it’s one of the strongest signals you can get that approval is coming.

But only if you understand what it really means, and what you need to do next.

Right now, you’re standing at a crossroads. One path leads to approval, your green card, your American dream realized. The other path leads to denial, wasted money, lost time, and starting over.

The difference between these two paths? What you do in the next 30-87 days.

Let me show you why that medical RFE sitting in your hands isn’t the disaster you think it is. Let me show you why it’s actually the best news you’ve gotten in months. And let me show you exactly how to turn it into the approval you’ve been waiting for.

Read Also: Can a masters student apply for o1 visa: Unlock Your US Future

What a Medical RFE Actually Means

When USCIS asks for your medical exam and nothing else, they’re telling you something important: they’ve reviewed everything else in your application.

Think about it. USCIS officers don’t work randomly. They follow a process. They check your credentials. They verify your achievements. They review your evidence. They confirm you meet the visa requirements.

Only after all that do they ask for your medical.

Is medical RFE a good sign? In the immigration world, it’s often the last checkpoint before approval.

But let’s be clear. This doesn’t mean you can relax. A medical RFE still requires action. You need to respond correctly and quickly.

Why You Got a Medical RFE (And Why It’s Not Bad)

There are three main reasons USCIS sends a medical RFE:

1. You didn’t submit Form I-693 with your initial application

Many attorneys advise clients to wait for the RFE. Why? The medical exam has a 60-day validity window from the date the civil surgeon signs it. If you submit it too early and USCIS takes months to review your case, the exam expires. Then you pay again and do it again.

So if you didn’t include it initially, getting a medical RFE means USCIS is ready to make a decision.

2. Your medical exam expired

If you submitted your I-693 months ago, it may have expired while your case sat in the queue. USCIS can’t approve an application with an expired medical. They need a fresh one.

This happens often with EB-2 NIW cases that take 10-15 months to process.

3. Your original submission was incomplete

Maybe your civil surgeon missed a vaccination, maybe they forgot to sign a section, maybe the envelope wasn’t properly sealed.

USCIS won’t deny your case for this. They’ll ask you to fix it.

Notice what’s missing from this list? Big problems with your case.

USCIS doesn’t waste time asking for medicals if they plan to deny your O-1 or EB-2 petition. They would have issued an RFE about your credentials, your evidence, or your qualifications first.

Is medical RFE a good sign? Yes, because it means those bigger issues don’t exist.

The Timeline: What Happens After a Medical RFE

Here’s what most people want to know: How long until approval?

Based on real data from thousands of cases:

• 1-2 weeks: Some lucky applicants get approved this fast, especially if their case was already in final review
• 30-60 days: This is the standard timeframe USCIS aims for
• 60-90 days: Common during busy periods or when field offices are backlogged

The speed depends on several factors:

Your processing office matters

Some USCIS field offices move faster than others. Cases at the National Benefits Center can take longer than cases at local field offices. But there’s no consistent pattern. We’ve seen Brooklyn approvals in 14 days and San Francisco cases stuck for 3 months.

Your visa category matters

O-1 cases with premium processing (if you paid for it on your I-129) tend to move faster. EB-2 NIW cases depend on whether your priority date is current.

Your specific situation matters

If USCIS asked for medical only, you’re looking at the faster end. If they asked for medical plus other documents (marriage evidence, employment letters, etc.), expect a longer timeline.

Is Medical RFE a Good Sign for O-1 and EB-2 Specifically?

Let’s talk about your visa category specifically.

For O-1 visa holders:

The O-1 requires proof of extraordinary ability. USCIS scrutinizes your achievements, your media coverage, your awards, and your peer reviews. This is where most O-1 RFEs happen. USCIS wants more evidence of your extraordinary ability.

If you got a medical RFE instead, it means USCIS already accepted your extraordinary ability claim. They believe you qualify. They just need your health check to finalize everything.

Is medical RFE a good sign for O-1 cases? Absolutely. Your hardest work is done.

For EB-2 NIW applicants:

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver requires proving that your work benefits the United States. USCIS uses the Dhanasar framework. They check if your work has substantial merit. They verify it has national importance. They confirm you’re positioned to advance your work.

If USCIS had doubts about any of these, they would have asked for more evidence about your work, your publications, and your impact. Instead, they asked for your medical.

Is medical RFE a good sign for EB-2 NIW? Yes. It suggests USCIS is satisfied with your petition.

But here’s the catch. This assumes your petition was strong from the start.

When a Medical RFE Isn’t Enough

Let’s be honest. Not every medical RFE leads to approval.

If your original petition had weaknesses, unclear evidence, weak recommendation letters, or insufficient proof of impact, those problems still exist. The medical exam won’t fix them.

Some applicants get a medical RFE and then, weeks later, get a second RFE asking for additional evidence about their qualifications. This is rare, but it happens.

Other applicants submit their medical and get denied anyway. Why? Because USCIS found issues during their final review that the medical couldn’t solve.

Is medical RFE a good sign? Yes, but only if your underlying petition was solid.

This is where preparation matters. If you cut corners on your initial application, generic letters, thin evidence, unclear narratives, a medical RFE won’t save you.

What You Must Do After Getting a Medical RFE

Getting a medical RFE is good. Handling it wrong is bad.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Read the entire notice

Don’t skim it. Read every word. The RFE will tell you:

• What documents USCIS need
• Where to send them
• When they’re due (usually 30-87 days)
• Whether they want anything beyond the medical

Some RFEs say “submit as soon as possible” or “submit by [date] to be considered for this fiscal year.” These deadlines matter. Miss them, and your case gets pushed to the next review cycle or denied.

2. Schedule your medical exam immediately

Don’t wait. Civil surgeons get busy. You need:

• Time to get vaccinations if you’re missing any
• Time for the civil surgeon to complete the form
• Time to mail the sealed envelope to USCIS

The civil surgeon must seal the I-693 in an envelope and sign across the seal. You cannot open it. If you do, USCIS will reject it.

3. Check your vaccination records

The I-693 requires specific vaccinations:

• COVID-19
• Influenza (if during flu season)
• Hepatitis B
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Others, depending on your age

Missing vaccinations are the most common reason for medical RFE complications. Some vaccines require multiple doses over weeks or months. Plan ahead.

4. Submit everything together

If USCIS asked for medical plus other documents, send them all in one package. Don’t send the medical first and other documents later. USCIS won’t wait for your second package.

5. Use a trackable shipping method

FedEx or USPS Priority with tracking. You need proof of delivery. Keep your tracking number and delivery confirmation.

6. Keep copies of everything

Photocopy the RFE notice. Keep your FedEx receipt. Save your tracking details. If USCIS claims they never received your response, you’ll need proof.

The Mistakes That Turn a Good Sign Into a Denial

Is medical RFE a good sign? Yes. But people still mess it up. Here’s how:

Mistake #1: Missing the deadline

You have 30-87 days to respond. Not “around that time.” Not “close enough.” The exact deadline is printed on your RFE.

If USCIS doesn’t receive your response by that date, they can deny your case without further review. No extensions. No second chances.

Mistake #2: Using the wrong civil surgeon

Only USCIS-designated civil surgeons can complete Form I-693. Your regular doctor can’t do it. Your specialist can’t do it. Check the USCIS website for the list of authorized civil surgeons in your area.

Mistake #3: Opening the sealed envelope

The civil surgeon seals your I-693 in an envelope and signs across the seal. This proves the form hasn’t been tampered with. If you open it, even accidentally, USCIS will reject it. You’ll pay for another exam.

Mistake #4: Incomplete vaccination records

Some applicants skip vaccinations they think are optional. They’re not. USCIS requires them unless you have a medical contraindication or religious objection (which requires documentation).

Mistake #5: Sending to the wrong address

Your RFE lists a specific address. Don’t send your response to the address on your original application. Don’t send it to the USCIS lockbox. Send it to the exact address on the RFE.

Mistake #6: Not including the original RFE notice

Your response package must include the original RFE notice on top. Not a copy. The original. USCIS uses the barcode on that notice to match your response to your case.

Why Medical RFEs Happen at Different Stages

Is medical RFE a good sign regardless of when you get it? Mostly yes, but timing tells you something.

Early medical RFE (within weeks of filing):

This usually means you didn’t submit the medical with your initial application. USCIS reviewed your case quickly and is ready to move forward. This is common with premium processing for O-1 cases.

Late medical RFE (after 6-12 months):

This typically means your original medical expired while your case sat in the queue. It doesn’t reflect anything about your case quality. It’s just timing. Common with EB-2 NIW cases, where processing takes 10+ months.

Medical RFE after an interview:

Some applicants interview at a USCIS field office and then receive a medical RFE. This is actually good. It means the officer liked what they saw in your interview. They just need the medical to approve.

Medical RFE alongside other requests:

If USCIS asks for medical AND other evidence (employment letters, additional proof of your work, etc.), the medical alone won’t get you approved. You need to address everything.

What the Data Really Shows

Let’s talk numbers. Is medical RFE a good sign based on approval rates?

There’s no official USCIS statistic for medical RFE approval rates. But immigration attorneys and online forums track thousands of cases. Here’s what the data suggests:

Medical-only RFEs: 85-95% approval rate after submission

Medical plus other evidence RFEs: 60-75% approval rate (depends on what else USCIS requested)

Medical RFEs for cases with weak initial petitions: Much lower approval rates

The key factor isn’t the medical RFE itself. It’s the strength of your underlying case.

How Veripass Changes the Game

Here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: RFEs are expensive.

You pay for another medical exam. You pay your attorney to prepare the response. You lose time. You lose sleep. You add months to your processing timeline.

But here’s the bigger truth: most RFEs are preventable.

At Veripass, we’ve helped hundreds of high-achieving professionals secure O-1 and EB-2 NIW approvals. Our approach is simple: build petitions so strong that USCIS has no reason to issue an RFE in the first place.

How we help:

We analyze your achievements and map them to USCIS criteria before you file. We don’t guess. We don’t hope. We know what evidence USCIS needs to approve your case.

We work with you to gather the right documentation, specific, detailed, compelling. We help you secure recommendation letters from recognized leaders in your field. We structure your evidence to address every USCIS requirement.

We time your medical exam strategically. Should you submit it with your initial application? Should you wait for the RFE? We advise based on your specific situation.

And if you do get an RFE, medical or otherwise, we help you respond. We review what USCIS is really asking for. We help you gather the right evidence. We prepare a response that addresses their concerns completely.

Is medical RFE a good sign? Yes. But not needing one at all is better.

Our clients avoid RFEs because their petitions are thorough from day one. When they do get medical RFEs, they respond correctly. Their approval rates reflect this.

This is what strategic preparation looks like. Not panic. Not guesswork. Just solid work from the start.

Questions You’re Probably Asking

Can I still get denied after submitting my medical?

Yes. If USCIS finds problems with your underlying petition during their final review, the medical won’t fix them. But if your petition was strong and you respond correctly to the medical RFE, your chances are very good.

Should I pay for premium processing after getting a medical RFE?

Premium processing only applies to Form I-129 (for O-1 visas, filed before adjustment of status). It doesn’t apply to I-485 (adjustment of status for EB-2 NIW). If you already paid for premium processing on your I-129, USCIS should still process your case within 15 days after receiving your medical response.

What if my medical expires again while USCIS reviews my response?

This is rare, but it happens. If your medical expires again, USCIS will issue another RFE. There’s no way around it. This is why timing matters when you submit your initial application.

Do I need to include my dependents in the medical RFE response?

If USCIS asked for medical exams for your spouse and children, yes. Include everyone mentioned in the RFE. Don’t submit just your medical and hope USCIS will ask for theirs later.

What if I can’t get a required vaccination?

You have two options:

1. Medical waiver: If a vaccine is medically contraindicated for you (allergies, health conditions), a doctor can document this
2. Religious/moral waiver: If you object to vaccinations on religious or moral grounds, you need to document this belief

These waivers require proper documentation. Don’t try to handle this alone. Get help.

The Real Story Behind Medical RFEs

Is medical RFE a good sign? Most of the time, yes.

But let me tell you what it really means. It means USCIS spent time on your case. An officer opened your file. They reviewed your evidence. They assessed your qualifications. They determined that you meet the requirements.

They could have denied you. They didn’t.

They could have issued an RFE about your credentials. They didn’t.

They could have asked for more proof of your achievements. They didn’t.

Instead, they asked for the one administrative document that every applicant must submit: proof that you’re healthy enough to live in the United States.

That’s good news.

But it’s not the finish line. You still need to respond correctly. You still need to meet the deadline. You still need to submit a complete, properly sealed I-693.

And you need to remember: the medical RFE is only good news if your underlying petition was strong to begin with.

What Comes After You Submit Your Medical

You send your response. Now what?

Week 1-2:

Your tracking shows delivery. USCIS receives your package. In some cases, your online case status updates to “Response to RFE was received.” In other cases, it doesn’t update at all. Don’t panic if you don’t see an update. Not all field offices update the online system.

Week 2-4:

USCIS reviews your medical. An officer verifies the civil surgeon’s credentials, checks that all vaccinations are recorded, and confirms the form is complete.

Week 4-8:

Your case moves to final review. If everything checks out, USCIS approves your case. Your status updates to “Case approved” or “New card is being produced.”

Week 8+:

If you don’t see an update after 60 days, contact USCIS. Use the online system or call the Contact Center. Sometimes cases get stuck in administrative processing for reasons unrelated to your response. A polite inquiry can move things along.

Some applicants get approved within 7-14 days. Others wait 90+ days. There’s no reliable pattern. Processing times vary by office, by officer, by season.

Your Next Move

Is medical RFE a good sign? You know the answer now. In most cases, yes. It means USCIS is close to approving your case.

But knowing this doesn’t help if you don’t respond correctly. And it doesn’t prevent the next RFE if your underlying petition has gaps.

Here’s what you need to do:

If you just received a medical RFE, act fast. Read the notice completely. Schedule your exam immediately. Submit your response before the deadline.

If you’re planning to file an O-1 or EB-2 NIW petition, don’t leave it to chance. Build a petition that’s strong enough to avoid RFEs in the first place.

If you’re not sure whether your case is strong enough, get expert eyes on it. Don’t wait until USCIS issues an RFE to find out you missed something.

At Veripass, we specialize in helping high-achieving professionals like you get this right the first time. We’ve guided hundreds of innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders through the O-1 and EB-2 NIW process. We know what USCIS wants to see. We know how to present your achievements in a way that meets their criteria.

Book a consultation with Veripass today. We’ll review your situation, assess your case strength, and give you a clear path forward. No guesswork. No stress. Just a strategic plan to get you approved.

Your extraordinary ability got you this far. Let us handle the immigration process so you can focus on what you do best.