Beginning October 1, 2021, all immigrant visa applicants will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a medical clearance prerequisite. Medical evaluations, which are regulated by the United States Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), require immigrant visa applicants to meet certain health and vaccination standards before an immigrant visa can be issued. Under CDC regulations, applicants who refuse to accept vaccinations may be determined inadmissible to immigrate to the United States.
The new policy, which comes after the White House announced that foreign visitors would soon be mandated to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, will require immigrant visa applicants to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during their medical evaluation at overseas CDC approved clinics – called Panel Physicians – that perform examinations for immigrant visa applicants in each country. Currently, the CDC recognizes vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Jannsen Johnson & Johnson.
It is unclear how visa applicants will be considered if they demonstrate that they have already received approved vaccinations from other than Panel Physicians, such as local Government organized vaccination campaigns.
For more information on this new policy concerning how it will impact immigrant visa applicants in Asia, contact us today at info@enterimmi.com and speak with a U.S. immigration attorney in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and Taipei.
Copyright 2021. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.