COVID-19 Vaccinations Will Soon Be Required for Most Green Card Applicants

COVID-19 Vaccinations Required for Applicants Applying for LPR or Refugee Status Beginning October 1 

Beginning on October 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for Legal Permanent Resident (“Green Card”) and Refugee applications, with some exceptions. All applicants who receive their medical exam from a Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician (to complete Form I-693) on or after October 1 must provide documentation of a complete COVID-19 vaccination series. Civil Surgeons must inspect and approve applicant’s medical documentation, proving a full vaccination status. Self-reported vaccine doses without documentation will not be accepted. However, if Form I-693 is completed before October 1 and is still valid, proof of vaccination will not be required. Blanket waivers are available to all applicants who are too young to receive the vaccine, have a medical condition that precludes them from receiving it, or live in a country where the approved vaccines are not yet accessible. Applicants may also apply for individual waivers based on religious or moral beliefs. USCIS will be updating Form I-693 and instructions soon to include this new requirement.