Provided by American Immigration Lawyers Association:
Individuals submitting Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, on or after October 1, 2021, must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Most applicants filing for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an immigrant visa application with Department of State (DOS) must submit Form I-693 completed by a designated civil surgeon. Certain other applicants may also be required to submit Form I-693. If the Form I-693 is completed before October 1, 2021, and remains valid, the applicant will not be required to have the vaccine. The civil surgeon must physically inspect and confirm the documents proving the applicant received the COVID-19 vaccine. Review of vaccination documentation will require:
- A vaccination record
- Copy of a medical chart with physician entries, or
- Review by appropriate medical personnel
Self-reported vaccine doses will not signify proper proof. Additionally, the Form I-693 must be completed by the civil surgeon and must document the doses and the formulation of the vaccine. Blanket exceptions to the vaccine requirements include:
- Applicants who are too young to receive the vaccine,
- Individuals who have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, or
- Foreign nationals who live in an area where approved vaccines are “not routinely available.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Air Passengers to the United States
Beginning November 2021, all foreign travelers will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated (with very limited exceptions that may differ than those enumerated above) before boarding a plane to the United States. If you have not yet been vaccinated, you should consider getting vaccinated in accordance well in advance of any anticipated travel. Moreover, all passengers arriving in the United States by air are required to show a negative COVID-19 test obtained within three days of departure, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months.
The COVID-19 vaccine requirements, particularly for air passengers, will be changing as the new policy is implemented. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact our office.
Provided by:
Alexander Farquhar
Senior Associate Attorney – Dallas, Texas
Tidwell, Swaim & Farquhar, P.C.
