CDC Makes Covid-19 Vaccination Mandatory for Green Card Applicants

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"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that US permanent residence applicants must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination beginning October 1, 2021. The CDC has classified the Covid-19 virus as a “Class A Inadmissible Condition"."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Oct 15, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that US permanent residence applicants must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination beginning October 1, 2021. The CDC has classified the Covid-19 virus as a “Class A Inadmissible Condition.” It means that if you do not vaccinate against the Covid-19 virus, you will be considered inadmissible to the United States. Quarantinable diseases designated by a presidential order classify as Class A Inadmissible Conditions. These include tuberculosis, syphilis, etc.

Who Will be Required to Vaccinate Against the Covid-19 Virus?

All permanent residence applicants are required to submit proof of vaccination as a part of their medical examination. Immigrants must take a medical exam before they are cleared for US permanent residence. Immigrant applicants who completed their medical exam on October 1, 2021, or after will be required to present proof of vaccination against the Covid-19 virus. They will be required to provide either an official vaccination document or submit a copy of their medical chart along with a written confirmation from a physician stating that they have completed their vaccination doses.

Who Is Exempt from Providing Proof of Vaccination?

Only minors under the age of 12 who can not receive the Covid-19 vaccination are exempt from this rule. Applicants must complete the course of the vaccine. Applicants may request an exemption from the USCIS based on religious or moral reasons. Certain applicants who can not take the vaccination due to their age or pre-existing medical conditions may also request a waiver. They may also request a waiver if the applicant is in a region where vaccines are not readily available.

While there are certain exemptions, applicants will not be allowed to bypass vaccination requirements by presenting a negative Covid-19 test result. Since a negative test result at the time of medical examination does not guarantee any future infection when becoming a lawful permanent resident, vaccination is mandatory.

Also, this CDC guidance only applies to applicants to US permanent residence and not everyone traveling to the US.