Starting on October 1, 2021, green cards will only be issued to those applicants, who are vaccinated against COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced. The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) added the COVID-19 vaccine on the list of mandatory vaccinations for medical examination Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
This means that any applicant who is eligible to apply for a green card should be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19. Applicants should have two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson. The applicants must provide the necessary documents to the civil surgeon to confirm they are fully vaccinated.
There are a few cases when the applicant can be exempt from vaccination:
- Applicants who can document the presence of contraindications.
- Applicants whose moral or religious beliefs do not permit vaccination.
- Not-age appropriate.
In this case, the applicant must submit a waiver request to the USCIS Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. Then, the officer will determine if this exception is valid or not.
According to the agency, applicants without full vaccination or documentary exemption will face delays in their immigration cases.
*For informational use only.
Photo by Gustavo Fring
