The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that beginning October 1, 2021, foreign nationals submitting green card applications must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccination was added to the list of vaccinations already required for those seeking permanent residency in the U.S. either by applying for Adjustment of Status if the applicant is in the U.S. or Consular Processing abroad. According to the CDC, applicants “must complete the COVID-19 vaccine series and provide documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon in person before completion of the medical examination.”

There are certain waivers to the Covid-19 vaccination requirement, including the applicant’s age, documented contraindications, availability of the vaccines, and the applicant’s religious or moral beliefs. If applicants refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and are unable to provide that they qualify for a waiver, their green card application may be denied based on a Class A medical grounds of inadmissibility according to Section 212(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.