September 14, 2021 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that, effective October 1, 2021, applicants subject to immigration medical examinations, including applicants for lawful permanent residence (green cards), must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before those examinations can take place and civil surgeons can sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
This guidance will apply prospectively to Form I-693 signed by civil surgeons on or after October 1, 2021 submitted to USCIS. It also does not apply to applications for immigrant visas administered by the Department of State through U.S. consular posts outside the United States.
In updating its policy in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, USCIS will require applicants subject to immigration medical examinations to complete the COVID-19 vaccine series (receiving one or two doses depending on the type of vaccine) and provide proof of vaccination to their civil surgeon before completion of the medical examination.
USCIS may grant waivers to this requirement if the COVID-19 vaccine is not age appropriate for an applicant or if the vaccine is contraindicated due to an applicant’s medical condition. It may also be waived if the vaccine is not routinely available where the relevant civil surgeon practices, or if the vaccine is in limited supply and there would be a significant delay for the applicant to receive the vaccination. Individuals may also apply for waivers based on religious beliefs or moral convictions by submitting Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
Individuals applying to become lawful permanent residents and other applicants as deemed necessary are required to undergo immigration medical examinations to show they do not have any conditions that would make them inadmissible under health-related grounds. USCIS designates eligible physicians as civil surgeons to perform this examination for applicants within the United States and to document the exam results on Form I-693.
Ulmer’s Immigration Law Group is closely monitoring these developments and is prepared to support you and your organization with your business needs. Please reach out to our immigration attorneys if you have any questions.
The information provided in this client alert speaks only to the information and guidance we have available as of the date of publication and is subject to change. We will continue to follow further issued guidance and regulations and endeavor to post those updates via our website. Please continue to follow these updates at ulmer.com. This legal update was created by Ulmer & Berne LLP, and is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. Receipt of this client alert, by itself, does not create an attorney client relationship. For any questions, or for further information, please contact David W. Leopold at dleopold@ulmer.com or Anastasia Tonello at atonello@ulmer.com.