Did you know the new requirements of COVID-19 in Form I-693? Several recent changes have happened in COVID-19 vaccination criteria in Form I-693 for the green card. Learn all the COVID-19 vaccination requirements to easily clear your medical exam for the green card.

COVID-19 vaccination requirements for the I-693 medical exam

At the beginning of October 1, 2021, U.S. Citizenship, and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State made it official that all immigrant visa applicants who apply for refugee or permanent residence need to receive all series of COVID-19 vaccinations (except a few who have claimed a blanket waiver). After the date, all permanent residency applicants need to include in their medical examination from a Civil Surgeon (U.S.) or Panel Physician (abroad) the COVID-19 vaccine series or show vaccination documents.

This new requirement is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on the fact that COVID-19 infections are classified as a Class A medical condition that can lead to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Eligibility criteria

To acquire a green card, you need to receive a medical exam from an approved civil surgeon when you apply within the US and by a panel physician when applying from abroad. During the medical exam, applicants need to show proof that they’ve received certain vaccines which include the COVID-19 vaccination.

During the exam, applicants must show proof that they got all the required vaccines which also include the COVID-19 vaccination. The only difference right now is that you should have the entire vaccine series completed in addition to other routinely required vaccines. The records should have a clear date of receipt (month, day, and year) when you had the vaccination which includes the manufacturer and lot number. Keep in mind that self-reported vaccinations without written documentation are not accepted.

In case the applicant doesn’t have proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the civil surgeon or panel physician may vaccinate them at the time of the medical exam with 1st or the remaining dose they need. However, applicants still need to complete the entire vaccine series, which delays the completion of the exam. Keep in mind that the COVID-19 vaccine schedule can’t be shortened because the other parts of the medical examination need to go as scheduled as decided by the USCIS and the civil surgeon. That’s why the civil surgeon confirms your documentation in person that you’ve received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. In case applicants wish to complete the remaining exam components after they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, they can request the civil surgeons for additional time.

After the medical exam, the civil surgeon completes your form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) by signing your form and giving it to you in a sealed envelope which should be submitted to USCIS to get the approval for the green card.

Waivers and exceptions

According to the CDC, there are some waivers and exceptions. Waivers are available for applicants in certain situations such as:

• Not age-appropriate: Applicants who are younger than 12 years of age cannot receive the vaccine.
• Applicants who can show a documented contraindication or precaution from the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine formulation available.
• Not routinely available: In case during the time of COVID-19 vaccine routine, the civil surgeon or vaccine is not available due to limited supply, which causes a significant delay in receiving the vaccination.

Other than that, there are certain scenarios where an applicant may request an individual waiver to avoid completing the COVID-19 vaccine:

• Religious or moral convictions: Applicants may request a vaccination waiver based on religious or moral convictions by submitting a waiver request to USCIS. However, it is on USCIS what type of waiver will be granted, not on the civil surgeon and CDC.
• If an applicant refuses to receive the COVID-19 vaccination the examining physician will document the incomplete requirements of vaccination. These types of applicants are inadmissible to the U.S., and not eligible for a green card.

Pro tip:

If you’re qualified for blanket waivers, then you should prepare your documents in advance to expedite the process. It’s unclear how long this process may take, but early preparation is key.

Ineligibility

The Department of State states that if an applicant has a certain physical, or mental disorder that makes them vulnerable to taking care of themselves are inadmissible to the United States. Physical disorders are clinically diagnosed medical conditions that affect the applicant physically. Mental disorders are defined as conditions that affect thinking, mood, and behavior.

If your current physical or mental disorders affect your behavior or pose a threat to the property, safety, and welfare of others, it may make you inadmissible. Additionally, if you have had this type of physical or mental disorder in the past or are at the risk of recurrence of that type of behavior, then USCIS may deem your application invalid based on the likelihood of recurrence. However, this does not happen all the time.

Other than that, drug abuse or alcohol addiction may not be a disorder, but this factor also works as the reason for your ineligibility because it can be associated with harmful behavior. During the exam, physicians ask questions and do tests to check the effects associated with stopping drug or alcohol use. It means that if you don’t have the pattern of substance abuse then USCIS will issue you a green card.

These changes and policies for the COVID-19 vaccine and I-693 exam help you complete the documents and vaccination to clear the medical exam and get approved for the green card.

If you have any doubts regarding COVID-19 policies in Form I-693, Doral Health & Wellness has immigration physicians who have extensive knowledge in their respective fields. This is why our Immigration physicians will scrutinize your reports closely. Doral Health & Wellness, located at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, provides immigration medical exam facilities to clients of all ages. Contact us at info@doralhw.org or (+1) 347-384-5690 to take the first step towards a seamless immigration journey to make your ‘American dream’ a reality.