The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that, starting October 1, 2021, permanent resident applicants will be required to obtain full COVID-19 vaccination as part of their immigration medical examination to obtain legal permanent residency. According to the CDC, COVID-19 meets the definition of severe acute respiratory syndromes as defined by Presidential Executive Order 13674 of July 31, 2014, thus making it a Class A Inadmissible Condition for receiving permanent residency of the United States. Applicants should receive any of the CDC approved COVID-19 vaccinations based on the required doses and number of shots required to receive full vaccination. Typically, applicants are medically screened days or weeks prior to travel to the United States, this makes a negative result for COVID-19 not guaranteed at the time of immigrating to the United States. Applicants can apply for waiver for COVID vaccination based on: Not age appropriate, vaccine not routinely available in the country, and religious or moral convictions. COVID-19 vaccine waiver application must be well documented to be reviewed by proper agency. If applicant refuses to take COVID-19 vaccine and/or application for waiver of COVID-19 vaccine is denied, applicant will be deemed as Class A inadmissible to the United States.
We will stay updated on this matter at Law Offices of Wiliani-Malek. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding your application, call us immediately at (714) 432 – 1333!
