Vaccine Requirement for Future U.S. Residents

All prospective permanent residents of the U.S. are required to complete the immigration forms provided by USCIS to be eligible to receive a green card. Form I-693 is a medical exam required by aliens seeking adjustment of status that contains a medical report and a vaccination record, completed and signed by an approved panel physician or civil surgeon.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The COVID-19 vaccine is required for all individuals applying for permanent residency in the United States, as well as for the application of adjustment of status and those applying for immigrant visas at U.S. Consulates abroad.

What If I Submitted My Application Before the Requirement?

If your medical exam was completed and signed by an approved physician before October 1st, 2021, then you may continue to use the prior edition of the I-693 form, but you are advised to make sure the form is completed in its entirety and signed accurately.

Approved Vaccines

In most cases, applicants will be required to receive the entire series of an approved COVID vaccine which includes:

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• Janssen (Johnson and Johnson)

Exemptions and Waivers

Unless the applicant is not age appropriate to receive the vaccine as determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an applicant may request a waiver based on religious or moral convictions. This is not considered a blanket waiver and must be approved by USCIS.

If an applicant simply refuses one or more doses of an approved COVID vaccine that is medically appropriate for and available to the applicant, this applicant is considered Class A and is inadmissible to the United States.

Required Documents for I-485 Adjustment of Status

• Form I-485 application
• Birth certificate
• Copy of passport page with non-immigrant visa
• Colored photographs
• Fingerprints
• Form I-693 medical exam
• Form G-325A biographic information

If you are not yet vaccinated, you should start the vaccination process and complete the full series of shots as soon as possible to prevent future delays in your application.