K1 Visa COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

[Lyndaa 27]

Hi all,

 

Is COVID-19 an actual requirement for K1 visa applicants before arrival to the US? Has anyone actually been allowed through without getting the COVID-19 vaccination? Or has anyone been denied entry? I'm really curious to know the deal here since it’s not straightforward.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

If it is required, it will be treated like any other required vaccine.  Sounds like after September 30 it will be required.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/covid-19-vaccination-required-for-immigration-medical-examinations#:~:text=U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,Report of Medical Examination and

 

Good luck 

[Lyndaa 27]

2 hours ago, canadian_wife said:

If it is required, it will be treated like any other required vaccine.  Sounds like after September 30 it will be required.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/covid-19-vaccination-required-for-immigration-medical-examinations#:~:text=U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,Report of Medical Examination and

 

Good luck 

That is quite frustrating but thank you for your help!  

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Out of curiosity why is it frustrating?

[Lyndaa 27]

2 minutes ago, canadian_wife said:

Out of curiosity why is it frustrating?

Well, because some people do not want to take the vaccine for specific reasons and it is frustrating that it is now a requirement. 

[Limey 550]

26 minutes ago, Lyndaa said:

Well, because some people do not want to take the vaccine for specific reasons and it is frustrating that it is now a requirement. 

A lot of people dying here. Our local hospital is overflowing, many operations cancelled so its impacting people with other sicknesses too. It's good that they are adding covid vaccine to the list.

[Jays0n 19]

10 hours ago, Lyndaa said:

Hi all,

 

Is COVID-19 an actual requirement for K1 visa applicants before arrival to the US? Has anyone actually been allowed through without getting the COVID-19 vaccination? Or has anyone been denied entry? I'm really curious to know the deal here since it’s not straightforward.

Not required

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#7

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

4 hours ago, Jays0n said:

Not required

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/nonimmigrant-visa-for-a-fiance-k-1.html#7

Just because they haven't changed the travel.state.gov website yet does not mean it is not now required. It is. And if you don't get it and marked off on the overseas K-1 exam form DS-3025, then you will need to get it for form I-693 in order to adjust status beginning Oct.1, 2021.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for the age-appropriate, general US population. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination now meets the criteria for required vaccinations and is a requirement for applicants.

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to the 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.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/covid-19-vaccination-required-for-immigration-medical-examinations

Edited September 21, 2021 by KayDeeCee

[slavaskii 885]

10 minutes ago, KayDeeCee said:

Just because they haven't changed the travel.state.gov website yet does not mean it is not now required. It is. And if you don't get it and marked off on the overseas K-1 exam form DS-3025, then you will need to get it for form I-693 in order to adjust status beginning Oct.1, 2021.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

The US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for the age-appropriate, general US population. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination now meets the criteria for required vaccinations and is a requirement for applicants.

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, effective Oct. 1, 2021, applicants subject to the 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.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/covid-19-vaccination-required-for-immigration-medical-examinations

Is it clear, however, that the second link supersedes the policy manual that K visas do not require a complete medical assessment? I feel like this could just be a wait-and-see moment, but COVID shot isn't elevated any higher than the other vaccines. Is that link saying they'll refuse to issue any medical clearance whatsoever if the COVID shot is not there? In that case, the answer to OP's question is an unambiguous yes. But if not, as a technicality, it's still not required even if it does inflict headaches during AOS. 

Edited September 21, 2021 by slavaskii

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

2 minutes ago, slavaskii said:

Is it clear, however, that the second link supersedes the policy manual that K visas do not require a complete medical assessment? I feel like this could just be a wait-and-see moment, but COVID shot isn't elevated any higher than the other vaccines. Is that link saying they'll refuse to issue any medical clearance whatsoever if the COVID shot is not there? In that case, the answer to OP's question is an unambiguous yes. But if not, as a technicality, it's still not required even if it does inflict headaches during AOS. 

The vaccinations for a K-1 are not technically required(but many panel physicians still require them for the K-1 exam), but they are required for AOS. So whatever you did not have done that is a requirement for the I-693 for AOS will be required when you apply to adjust status. I assume they will still have the ability to apply for a religious waiver, but that will be up to the USCIS to decide.

[waiting1234 25]

8 hours ago, canadian_wife said:

Out of curiosity why is it frustrating?

I can give you another reason. Because some countries this adds another 2 month wait for people already waiting almost two years. In some cases you can’t even find the second dose for the vaccine you have for months. Additionally the vaccines available are absolute trash and show little effect against new covid strains unless you can get an rna one which are hard to find.

 

 

In the US they could just make a thing you have to do before you adjust status. But no. More stress and pain for people who have already gone through so much showing just how little the government cares about both its current and future citizens.

Edited September 22, 2021 by waiting1234

[slavaskii 885]

1 hour ago, KayDeeCee said:

The vaccinations for a K-1 are not technically required(but many panel physicians still require them for the K-1 exam), but they are required for AOS. So whatever you did not have done that is a requirement for the I-693 for AOS will be required when you apply to adjust status. I assume they will still have the ability to apply for a religious waiver, but that will be up to the USCIS to decide.

Ah yes, I see; I guess if OP had severe opposition to being vaccinated abroad they could do it now in the US, but just with added difficulty. However, the fact you can't fly to the US without the vaccine starting November pretty much forces the shot to be mandatory anyway, so it's probably safe to assume you absolutely need it to use the visa (even if on a technicality you can get it without). 

[Edward_Jaqueline 18]

Só as I understand it 

 

1. if you get your medical exam before October - the vaccine is not required. after - it is required 
 

2. After November - vaccine is required for everyone.  And a NIE doesn’t give exemptions to fiancé’s. (Is this correct?)

[waiting1234 25]

3 hours ago, Edward_Jaqueline said:

Só as I understand it 

 

1. if you get your medical exam before October - the vaccine is not required. after - it is required 
 

2. After November - vaccine is required for everyone.  And a NIE doesn’t give exemptions to fiancé’s. (Is this correct?)

This is correct 

[Lyndaa 27]

Thanks to everyone for their responses, I was just curious about the whole situation to be honest, as I do not want to get the vaccine.

 

2 hours ago, waiting1234 said:

This is correct 

What if you file for a waiver after November? & it is then granted, I’m sure it will be fine to go to the medical & also travel. I think right now the waiver is the only option I can see.