Immigrants seeking a Green Card need to be fully vaccinated against covid-19

Immigrants seeking a Green Card need to be fully vaccinated against covid-19

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On October 1, a new policy will enter into effect in the United States, requiring Green Card applicants to be fully vaccinated against covid-19 to be able to apply.

On Tuesday, September 14, USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) said in a statement that those who are seeking permanent residence in the country will need to show proof of vaccination when they attend the immigration medical exam.

This medical exam is a necessary step in the Green Card application process. The objective is to ensure that the applicant has no known health conditions that would make them inadmissible to the United States.

Important information regarding the new covid-19 requirement

If you have received a covid-19 vaccine which requires two shots, and at the time of the medical exam, you have received only one, you are permitted to return and complete the rest of the exam once you are fully vaccinated.

Also, take note of the accepted form of proof:

• Official vaccination record or copies of a medical chart.
• Records should include the dates (month, day, and year) the applicant received the vaccine.
• The name of the manufacturer and lot number should be included if available.
• The document should not appear to have been altered.

Lab tests that show natural immunity from a prior covid-19 infection will not be accepted.

Can you be exempted from this requirement?

Yes, if you apply, there are some cases in which you could be excused from this requirement, such as:

• The applicant is too young to receive the vaccine. (As of Aug. 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for people older than 12, while Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) is approved for those 18 years or older).
• People that have a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccination.
• If you live in a state in the US where there is a limited supply of covid-19 vaccines.
• If you have religious or moral convictions for not getting vaccinated, you can request a waiver to USCIS. It is up to them to grant you the waiver or not.

If the applicant refuses the vaccine without a medical reason, the medical exam will be marked as incomplete and will not be allowed to enter the United States.

If you have questions about this requirement or anything else related to your immigration to the United States, contact an immigration attorney today. We are in San Diego, California, ready to help.