Conversation Guide: Immigration

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is required for the immigration medical examination because it is an age-appropriate vaccine, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and protects against a disease that has the potential to cause an outbreak. Given the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep us all safe, keep people at work, and keep kids in school, the COVID-19 vaccine is required for your adjustment of status (lawful permanent resident, or Green Card) application, Form I-485. You will need one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if you are not up to date according to CDC recommendations in order to complete the immigration medical examination. 

Please see the CDC website for additional information: If you have specific questions, consult with a healthcare professional.

The civil surgeon completing your medical examination may determine that the COVID-19 vaccine is not medically appropriate for you, such as: 

1. The vaccine is not age-appropriate (for example, the person applying for adjustment of status is a child younger than the current approved age for the COVID-19 vaccine). This is subject to change based on recent developments in vaccines for children. Always check the CDC website for the latest information.
2. Due to health reasons or a previous reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, it is not recommended for you.

Additionally, the COVID-19 vaccine may not be routinely available in your area. In the US, vaccines tend to be highly accessible so this would be a rare reason.

If you do have a medical concern, you may find it helpful to talk to a trusted healthcare professional. There are very few underlying medical conditions that would prevent a person from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, people with medical conditions are often encouraged to get the vaccine because they are more at risk for serious illness and even death from COVID-19.

A person who does not want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of religious or moral reasons may apply for a specific exemption: a waiver of inadmissibility from USCIS (I-601 or I-602 depending on adjustment category). USCIS will consider an exemption when the following are met:

You are opposed to vaccinations in any form– that is, you cannot obtain a waiver based on an objection only as to the COVID-19 vaccination:

• Your objection must be based on religious beliefs or moral convictions; and
• The religious or moral beliefs must be sincere.

Only USCIS can determine if this waiver will be granted, and generally, these waivers are rare.

If you have a cultural or religious concern, it may be helpful to talk with a trusted religious or cultural community leader. Many leaders support people getting the COVID-19 vaccine and from a religious perspective believe the vaccine is necessary to save lives. The COVID-19 vaccine is also halal.

You will not be able to apply for adjustment of status without either completing the COVID-19 vaccine requirement or meeting the criteria and having an approved waiver. Refugees are required to apply for a green card/LPR status after one year in the US. Lawful permanent residence is a necessary first step before applying for US citizenship.

If you do not complete the COVID-19 vaccination requirement and do not meet the criteria and obtain a waiver, you will be inadmissible. This means that you are not eligible to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) and could be subject to removal (deportation) from the U.S.  
 

COVID-19 has killed millions of people and infected hundreds of millions of individuals. 

To date the vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions of individuals from different races, ethnicities, ages, and health conditions in the United States, including pregnant women. The vaccines have met the US Food and Drug Administration’s high scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing.

Because the vaccine is safe and is vital to protecting communities from COVID-19 outbreaks, the US government recommends that everyone who is eligible for the vaccine receives it. All of these reasons are why the COVID-19 has joined many other vaccines as required for adjustment of status and others seeking to enter the U.S. Data shows that the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, you are much more likely to get infected with COVID-19, get dangerously ill, and spread it to others. Reducing the impact of COVID-19 through vaccination is a critical step to ensure we can work, go to school, and spend time with our family and friends with reduced risk of getting severely sick and/or dying from COVID-19.
 

The COVID-19 vaccine requirement will remain as long as COVID-19 continues to be a public health concern and has the potential to cause outbreaks, which will likely be a risk for many years to come. Adjusting your status is important to being able to live and work in the US permanently. People who have an adjusted status also have additional rights in the US. Refugees are required by law to apply to adjust status after one year in the U.S. If you opt to wait to apply for adjustment of status because of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, the effect on your immigration status may vary depending on your personal circumstances. It is best to speak with an immigration expert about this.

You can get COVID-19 vaccines at your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, or through a mobile vaccination program or vaccination site. This website can help you find a vaccine.

Currently, CDC recommends 1, 2 or 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, depending on your age. For the immigration examination, you will be required to receive one dose of COVID-19 if you are not currently up to date to complete the exam. Your civil surgeon will let you know if you need any additional vaccinations in order to complete your exam.

For more specific questions about how the COVID-19 vaccine works, its safety and effects, addressing myths around the vaccine and more, you can visit the following conversation guides:

• COVID-19 vaccines including how they work and safety
• Vaccine for children and youth
• Fertility and parenthood questions
• Variants of concern
• Breakthrough infections
• Wearing a mask

For a list of resources translated into different languages that you could share with clients, visit the following links:

• Short vaccine fact sheet
• Two-page vaccine fact sheets
• After you’re vaccinated
• Variants of concern
• Vaccines for children and youth
• Fertility & parenthood
• Wearing a mask

No. Personal data collected during vaccination are only used for public health purposes. Personal data are not transferred or stored outside of public health systems or used for immigration purposes. Public health professionals have long, successful track records with data protection.

Health departments and health care providers do not support immigration or law enforcement efforts. The inappropriate release of data can have severe consequences.

No. The use of COVID-19 vaccination services will not be considered in USCIS public charge determinations. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not negatively impact your immigration status.

Beginning May 12, 2023, COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required for international travelers. 

Possibly. You will need to check with the requirements issued by the country to which you are traveling.  If you are flying, the airline might have a listing of what is needed.

No. COVID-19 test results are private health information and are not shared with immigration authorities.

You will need to be vaccinated again if you are not currently up to date for COVID-19 vaccination according to the CDC. COVID-19 vaccines received overseas are acceptable if they are offered in the United States (currently Moderna, Pfizer or Novavax) or approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, if you have not received the current COVID-19 vaccine formulation, you will likely need to receive a dose to complete your immigration examination. 

If you received a vaccine that is not approved by the WHO (like Sputnik) you will likely need to get vaccinated again in the United States (source). Ask your doctor what is best for your specific situation.