Vaccination Waiver for Immigration Medical Exam
At the time of filing of the immigrant visa at the US Consulate or an application to adjust status with the US Citizenship & Immigration Status (USCIS), every applicant must include Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, signed by a Panel Physician/Civil Surgeon that documents that the applicant is up to date on all vaccinations designated as mandatory by the USCIS. Under US immigration law, all applicants are required to have received the vaccines against the following disease:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pertussis
- Rubella
- Polio
- Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
- Influenza Type B
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal disease
- Varicella
- Pneumococcal disease
- any other diseases, preventable by vaccine, that are recommended by Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP[1])
The vaccine requirement maybe waived if the panel physician/civil surgeon deems a specific vaccine medically inappropriate for the beneficiary or if the vaccine is not age-appropriate, the vaccine is contraindicated, lack of availability of a vaccine, there is insufficient time interval to complete the vaccination services, or similar other reason(s).
There is also a waiver available for individuals who can establish that compliance with the vaccine requirements would be contrary to their Religious Belief or Moral Conviction. This waiver is available only if the individual is opposed to all kinds of vaccination (not just a certain one).
Specifically, to meet the waiver on Religious Belief or Moral Conviction, the individual will need to meet the following requirements:
- The individual is opposed to all vaccinations in any form.
- The objection is based on religious belief or moral conviction.
- The religious belief or moral conviction is sincere.
As generally is the case with all waivers, a waiver of vaccination requirement requires an officer to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis. A favorable exercise of discretion if generally warranted if the individual meets the requirements outlined above.
Additional information about waivers is available on the Department of State and USCIS websites. If you have specific questions about your case or waivers in general, please schedule a consultation with our office.
[1] ACIP comprises of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the civilian populations.