COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Green Card Applicants, Starting October 1st

The Legal Immigrant Podcast, Episode 12 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new requirement that will affect all green card applicants. Starting October 1, 2021, intended immigrants must receive full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to immigrate to the U.S. This new requirement affects eligibility for permanent residence on health-related grounds. COVID-19 has been added as a Class A medical condition that bars a person from the United States. Class A inadmissibility includes a communicable disease of public health significance per regulations under the Department of Health and Human Services; and a failure to present documentation of having received vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases. In episode 12 of The Legal Immigrant, you will learn: 1) The ACIP has now recommended COVID-19 vaccination for the age-appropriate, general U.S. population. The CDC says this means the COVID-19 vaccination is now required to immigrate to the U.S. 2) The CDC does not recognize natural immunity. 3) What is an acceptable COVID-19 vaccination and proof of vaccination 4) What is the COVID-19 vaccination requirement 5) What are the exemptions to the vaccination requirements: blanket waiver and individual waiver 6) If an applicant refuses one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series and is not eligible for a waiver of this requirement, the civil surgeon will document the vaccine requirements as incomplete. On health-related grounds, the applicant will be deemed inadmissible for a Class A condition and will be found ineligible for permanent residence. 7) As of August 12, 2021, USCIS temporarily extended the validity period for Form I-693 from two years to now four years. For decisions on Form I-485 green card applications issued on or before September 30, 2021, USCIS may accept an otherwise valid Form I-693 if: The civil surgeon’s signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed the I-485; and No more than four years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon’s signature 8) If you have weighed the risks and benefits, and do not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine for U.S. immigration purposes, you will have to get a completed medical exam report before October 1st. Then you must file your I-485 application within 60 days. 9) Starting October 1, all green card applicants will have to take the vaccine unless they qualify for a waiver or exemption. Dyan Williams, Esq. Dyan Williams Law PLLC Website: https://dyanwilliamslaw.com/ Email: info@dyanwilliamslaw.com Telephone: 612-225-9900 The Legal Immigrant podcast and this article provide general information only. It is based on law, regulations and policy that are subject to change. Do not consider it as legal advice for your situation. The sharing or receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. 🎧 Listen to The Legal Immigrant podcast at: https://thelegalimmigrant.transistor.fm/ Subscribe to The Legal Immigrant e-newsletter at: https://bit.ly/33JyL4b