Effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to an immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
We’re amending our policy recommendations to reflect the August 17, 2021 change to the Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Applicants who are undergoing an immigration medical examination must now complete the COVID-19 vaccine series (one or two doses, depending on the vaccine) and present documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon before the immigration medical examination may be completed. This requirement will take effect on Oct. 1, 2021, and will apply to any Forms I-693 signed by civil surgeons after that date. We’re working on incorporating this additional requirement into Form I-693 and the form instructions.
Individuals intending to become lawful permanent residents, as well as other applicants as judged essential, must submit to an immigration medical examination to demonstrate that they are free of any conditions that would make them inadmissible on health-related grounds. USCIS appoints qualified physicians as civil surgeons to conduct this immigration medical examination for applicants residing in the United States and to document the results on Form I-693.
