By: Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq.

IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE U.S. IMMIGRATION PROCESS, YOU KNOW THE MEDICAL EXAM IS A CRUCIAL STEP. THIS ARTICLE WILL DISCUSS WHETHER YOU NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION TO THE IMMIGRATION DOCTOR.

For several years, COVID vaccination was a requirement of the green card process, including a recent dose if you did not have one in the past 12 months.

So, what is the situation now in 2025? Do you still need that COVID shot or booster for your immigration medical?

• The Short Answer: NO

That's right. As of early 2025, COVID vaccination is no longer required for applicants undergoing the immigration medical examination.

Earlier this year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective January 20, 2025, they would stop issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) solely based on a lack of COVID-19 vaccination documentation. USCIS confirmed that it would not deny adjustment of status applications based on failure to prove COVID-19 vaccination.

Following updates to public health guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons on March 11, 2025. This update officially removed COVID vaccination from the list of required immunizations for immigration purposes.

The Department of State also confirmed that Panel Physicians conducting medical exams for immigrant visa applicants outside the U.S. will no longer require the COVID vaccine. This means that U.S. embassies and consulates will not refuse immigrant visa applications for lack of COVID vaccination documentation.

What this Means for You:

• You do not need to provide proof of COVID vaccination to the immigration doctor or clinic at your medical exam.
• If you have an application pending that was filed before this change, you will not receive an RFE or denial just because you did not submit COVID-19 vaccine proof.

Other Vaccinations Are Still Required

While the COVID vaccine requirement is gone, the immigration medical exam still requires you to be up-to-date on other vaccinations deemed necessary by the CDC for public health. These typically include vaccines against diseases such as:

• Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Tetanus and Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
• Hepatitis A & B
• Rotavirus
• Meningococcal disease
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Pneumococcal disease
• Influenza (during flu season)

The civil surgeon will review your vaccination history and determine which vaccines are required based on your age and medical records, following the CDC's current guidelines.

As always, immigration policies can evolve. It would be wise to double-check the latest requirements on the official USCIS and CDC websites before your immigration medical exam.

________________

LEARN ABOUT OUR IMMIGRATION SERVICES:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Family Immigration
• Complete List of Legal Services

** Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, Esq. is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa, an immigration law practice that provides local and remote immigration assistance to clients throughout the U.S. and worldwide.**

DISCLAIMER : This blog provides general information and is not intended to be legal advice. Use of the information does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Any information mentioned does not guarantee or predict outcomes in future cases. Some of this information may be outdated. Please consult an attorney before acting on any material. Please do not submit any time-sensitive or confidential information in the comments below. Any information you send may be publicly-visible and is not protected from disclosure. Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa is the attorney responsible for the content and material on this blog. She is licensed in D.C. and HI, and exclusively practices immigration law in federal jurisdictions.

The post Is the COVID Vaccine Still Required to Immigrate appeared first on Law Office of Jennifer Fabian-Verzosa.