USCIS Eases COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Green Card Applicants

Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS has waived the requirement for applicants adjusting their status to lawful permanent resident to provide documentation of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination as part of their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This means applicants will no longer be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and USCIS will not issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID) related to missing vaccination documentation. Additionally, USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application due to the absence of proof of the COVID-19 vaccination. However, applicants must still meet all other medical examination requirements, such as other vaccinations and health screenings.

This change reflects the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to reduce barriers for applicants who may face challenges in obtaining or documenting the COVID-19 vaccination. While the waiver alleviates this particular requirement, applicants should remain aware of other medical requirements for adjustment of status and follow the guidance of their civil surgeon. The change also ensures that applications for adjustment of status will not be impacted by the vaccination issue, streamlining the process for many applicants.

Explore more on:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-693

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