Are you applying for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence (a green card)?
If so, you will be pleased to know that on January 22, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is waiving any and all requirements for the COVID-19 vaccination on the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
As a result, adjustment of status (green card) applicants will no longer be required to present evidence that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination.
USCIS will also not deny any adjustment of status application based on an applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.
Due to this new policy, USCIS will no longer issue any Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination.
Evidence of having received the COVID-19 vaccine was previously a requirement of the Form I-693, Immigration Medical Examination under the Biden administration. Those who were opposed to receiving the vaccine based on a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction, were required to complete an I-601 vaccine waiver.
This new change will provide green card applicants with the freedom to choose whether they would like to receive the vaccine. Those who are opposed to receiving other vaccinations should consult with an immigration attorney to discuss their options.
For more information about this new change, please click here.
Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants
- I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- All About the COVID-19 Vaccine Waiver and Success Story: Vaccine Waiver Based on Religious Belief or Moral Conviction
- President Trump’s Day One Executive Orders
- February 2025 Visa Bulletin
- January 2025 Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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For other COVID 19 related immigration updates please visit our Immigration and COVID-19 Resource Center here.