COVID Vaccination Required for Immigration Medical Examinations

On September 14, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, effective October 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before a civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693). Generally, individuals applying to be lawful permanent residents, and other applicants, must undergo a civil surgeon immigration medical examination to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds. USCIS has issued a new version of Form I-693, which now includes the COVID-19 vaccine among the required vaccinations of the immigration medical examination. USCIS confirmed it may grant blanket waivers to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement in certain cases and individuals may also apply for individual waivers based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.