In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that, effective January 22, 2025, applicants for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (Green Card applicants) will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
Under this new policy, USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) regarding an applicant’s failure to submit documentation proving they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, adjustment of status applications will not be denied due to the absence of COVID-19 vaccination records.
This change is expected to reduce administrative burdens for applicants and medical professionals completing Form I-693, while still ensuring that other health-related grounds of inadmissibility are appropriately addressed.
Next Steps for Applicants:
Individuals seeking adjustment of status should stay informed of any additional changes to USCIS health-related policies. While the COVID-19 vaccination requirement is being lifted, applicants must still comply with all other health-related eligibility criteria, including required vaccinations for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, Polio, etc.
To ensure compliance with all adjustments of status requirements, please contact me at cprescott@patellegal.com.