On August 19, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued new guidelines for conducting medical examinations for certain immigration-related purposes. So, beginning on October 1, 2021, all refugees and immigrants, and certain non-immigrants who are required to complete a medical examination will be required to be vaccinated against COVID. This requirement would apply to anyone applying for a green card through the adjustment of status process domestically, anyone seeking a K-1 fiancée visa or spousal and family-based immigration visa (green card) processing abroad, refugees, or anyone else who undergoes a medical examination abroad to visit the United States.
However, this requirement does not apply to children who are too young to get vaccinated, to anyone who has a documented contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine, or to anyone who lives in a country that does not have access to the vaccine, but anyone who was not vaccinated prior to arriving in the United States will be offered the vaccine domestically. Anyone who has a religious or moral objection to getting vaccinated will have an opportunity to apply for an individual waiver with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you have any questions regarding any immigration related matter, please do not hesitate to contact KILO Immigration, a Sacramento immigration law firm by filling out this contact form.