Immigrants who apply for a visa broad or who seek to become permanent resident while in the United States, must undergo a medical examination to establish that they are free from any illness or medical conditions that would make them inadmissible on health-related grounds. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has established a new medical requirement surrounding COVID-19.
As of October 1, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requires that applicants must establish that they have completed all their COVID-19 vaccination (one or two doses) to the physician performing the medical evaluation. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement this requirement by mandating proof of vaccination. To provide proof of vaccination, an applicant can provide either (a) an official vaccination record, or (b) a copy of a medical chart with entries made by a physician or other medical professions. If an applicant does not have these documents, a physician may agree to administer the vaccine to the applicant to meet the CDC requirement. USCIS will update its medical evaluation form and instruction to reflect the new COVID-19 vaccination requirement
There are waivers from this requirement that are available under certain circumstances. For example, waivers may be granted for those who are under the age for the vaccine, those who vaccination may be harmful due to other medical concerns, and those who are in countries or cities that have limited vaccines.
Alternatively, an applicant may seek to be exempt from the vaccination requirement by establishing that (a) the applicant is opposed to vaccination in any form, (b) the objection is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions; and (c) the belief or conviction is sincere. An applicant would need to submit to USCIS Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
Contact us today at (201) 668-7559 or elararlaw@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding this new requirement or if you want us to help you submit a waiver (Form I-601).