COVID-19 Vaccine Now Required for All Green Card Applicants

Beginning on October 1, 2021, all green card applicants will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to immigrate to the United States. This applies to people applying for adjustment of status within the United States, as well as people applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad.

Green card applicants will be required to show proof that they have received a full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the time of their medical exam. Since there is a 21 to 28 day waiting period in between doses for most COVID-19 vaccines, it will be important to schedule your shots ahead of any deadline for your case, such as an interview. If you are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will not need to get the vaccine again specifically for the medical exam.

Green card applicants are already required to show proof of certain vaccinations at the time of their medical exams, such as polio, tetanus, and hepatitis B. The COVID-19 vaccine is the latest addition to this list of requirements. There are certain exemptions based on age, medical conditions, vaccine availability, and religious or moral grounds. If an applicant without an exemption refuses the vaccine, they will not be eligible to immigrate to the United States.

If you are a green card applicant and you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to do so now, to avoid any delays in your case.

Immigration attorney Inna Scott and her team at Global Law Advocates specialize in helping immigrants of all kinds gain legal status and other immigration benefits in the United States. To consult with an experienced attorney about your immigration options, call us at 206-774-8758 or send us an email at info@globallawadvocates.com.