COVID-19 Vaccination Required for Immigrant Medical Exams

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies immediately introduced that, efficient Oct. 1, 2021, candidates topic to the immigration medical examination should be absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 earlier than the civil surgeon can full an immigration medical examination and signal Type I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Document.

We’re updating our coverage steerage in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Aug. 17, 2021 replace to the Technical Directions for Civil Surgeons. That replace requires candidates topic to the immigration medical examination to finish the COVID-19 vaccine sequence (one or two doses, relying on the vaccine) and supply documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon earlier than completion of the immigration medical examination. This requirement is efficient Oct. 1, 2021, and applies prospectively to all Types I-693 signed by the civil surgeons on or after that date. We’re engaged on updating Type I-693 and the shape directions to include this new requirement.

Basically, people making use of to develop into a lawful everlasting resident, and different candidates as deemed needed, should bear an immigration medical examination to indicate they’re free from any situations that may render them inadmissible below the health-related grounds. USCIS designates eligible physicians as civil surgeons to carry out this immigration medical examination for candidates inside america and to doc the outcomes of the immigration medical examination on the Type I-693.

USCIS could grant blanket waivers if the COVID-19 vaccine is:

• Not age-appropriate;
• Contraindicated as a result of a medical situation;
• Not routinely obtainable the place the civil surgeon practices; or
• Restricted in provide and would trigger important delay for the applicant to obtain the vaccination.

People can also apply for particular person waivers based mostly on non secular beliefs or ethical convictions by submitting Type I-601, Utility for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

For extra data, see the coverage alert (PDF, 465.02 KB).