K1 Visa COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, MysticFalls said:

Does anyone know if there is a medical exemption you can apply for? 

There are only 3 blanket waiver options. Anything else would need a I-601 waiver form during AOS: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

Blanket Waivers Applicable to COVID-19 vaccinations:

• Not age-appropriate
  For COVID-19 vaccines, the age for which a particular vaccine can be administered differs by formulation. If the applicant is younger than the lowest age limit for the formulations in use (less than 12 years of age at the time of posting), this blanket waiver should be documented.
• Contraindication
  If an applicant has a contraindication or precaution to the COVID-19 vaccine formulation available, the “Contraindicated” reason should be documented, and the vaccine should not be administered. If the applicant has had a severe reaction to the first dose that is considered a contraindication to receiving a second dose, the first dose should be documented in addition to the blanket waiver.  Please refer to Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States for COVID-19 specific information about contraindications and precautions.
• Not routinely available
  If no COVID-19 vaccine is routinely available in the state where the Civil Surgeon practices, the “Not routinely available” reason should be documented.  If vaccine is available to the applicant but due to limited supply, it would cause significant delay for the applicant to receive their vaccination, then this situation would also be considered “Not routinely available.”

[MysticFalls 21]

On 10/1/2021 at 9:17 AM, HRQX said:

There are only 3 blanket waiver options. Anything else would need a I-601 waiver form during AOS: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

Blanket Waivers Applicable to COVID-19 vaccinations:

• Not age-appropriate
  For COVID-19 vaccines, the age for which a particular vaccine can be administered differs by formulation. If the applicant is younger than the lowest age limit for the formulations in use (less than 12 years of age at the time of posting), this blanket waiver should be documented.
• Contraindication
  If an applicant has a contraindication or precaution to the COVID-19 vaccine formulation available, the “Contraindicated” reason should be documented, and the vaccine should not be administered. If the applicant has had a severe reaction to the first dose that is considered a contraindication to receiving a second dose, the first dose should be documented in addition to the blanket waiver.  Please refer to Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States for COVID-19 specific information about contraindications and precautions.
• Not routinely available
  If no COVID-19 vaccine is routinely available in the state where the Civil Surgeon practices, the “Not routinely available” reason should be documented.  If vaccine is available to the applicant but due to limited supply, it would cause significant delay for the applicant to receive their vaccination, then this situation would also be considered “Not routinely available.”

Wow thank you so much you've been very helpful! 

[MysticFalls 21]

This might help someone. Religious exemptions:

 

https://rumble.com/vl3hpi-vaccine-exemption-guide-mat-staver.html

 

https://news.gab.com/2021/07/29/important-download-covid-vaccine-religious-exemption-documents-here/

 

Good luck

[HRQX 4,145]

50 minutes ago, MysticFalls said:

Religious exemptions:

A well prepared I-601 waiver is eventually approved. For example:

• https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/err/H1 - Waiver of Inadmissibility - Medical - 212 (g)/Decisions_Issued_in_2011/Feb102011_04H1212.pdf Page 4 "The applicant's father further states..."
• https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/err/H1 - Waiver of Inadmissibility - Medical - 212 (g)/Decisions_Issued_in_2010/Jan202010_02H1212.pdf Page 4 "She states..."
• https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=308164 "Sent waiver for vaccinations form I-601 on October 16th approved on November 25th"

 

But if the waiver is poorly prepared then it could be denied, like in this example: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/err/H1 - Waiver of Inadmissibility - Medical - 212 (g)/Decisions_Issued_in_2020/JUL202020_01H1212.pdf "Despite the Director's August 2018 specific request for additional evidence, such as signed affidavits from religious leaders attesting to the religious conviction against vaccinations and other information as it relates to the Applicant's religious and moral beliefs opposing vaccinations, the Applicant's RFE response only consisted of her personal statement and lacked any additional documentation. On appeal, the Applicant has not indicated whether she was a member of the (redacted) Church prior to the May 20, 2019, date on the membership certificate and further, she has not established whether the new evidence submitted on appeal regarding her church's doctrine opposing vaccinations was previously available. In addition, we note that the submitted affidavits from the Applicant and her spouse, sister, and friend, do not reference the Applicant's membership in the (redacted) Church."

Edited October 6, 2021 by HRQX

[NorthernBoy 5]

On 9/27/2021 at 10:30 PM, HRQX said:

Panel Physicians also accept the ones listed for emergency use by the WHO: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

 

The exact details for boarding flights to the US starting early November are still not available, so I won't comment on that.

See the above referenced link.

I was able to backcheck the WHO list of Emergency Use, and my fiance's vaccination is on the emergency use list (EUL):

https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/Status_COVID_VAX_29Sept2021_0.pdf

https://www.who.int/teams/regulation-prequalification/eul/covid-19

 

Though, still a bit confusing for us since:

• Fiance completed medical exam about 4 weeks prior and completed interview about 3 weeks prior to US announcement requiring foreign travelers to be vaccinated.
• Fiance's medical exam documents don't include the covid-19 vaccination, however fiance was able to get separate documents to show vaccination record of covid-19
• Fiance planning to enter US in November.

 

Hopefully, this is enough covid-19 vaccination proof for fiance to enter US with K1 visa. Not very clear directions and have to research around to hopefully find an answer.

[NB5347 43]

On 10/7/2021 at 3:55 AM, NorthernBoy said:

I was able to backcheck the WHO list of Emergency Use, and my fiance's vaccination is on the emergency use list (EUL):

https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/Status_COVID_VAX_29Sept2021_0.pdf

https://www.who.int/teams/regulation-prequalification/eul/covid-19

 

Though, still a bit confusing for us since:

• Fiance completed medical exam about 4 weeks prior and completed interview about 3 weeks prior to US announcement requiring foreign travelers to be vaccinated.
• Fiance's medical exam documents don't include the covid-19 vaccination, however fiance was able to get separate documents to show vaccination record of covid-19
• Fiance planning to enter US in November.

 

Hopefully, this is enough covid-19 vaccination proof for fiance to enter US with K1 visa. Not very clear directions and have to research around to hopefully find an answer.

I've been wondering this same thing... though if your fiance is vaccinated, I don't think there will be any issues with this as they can show the card upon checking into their flight.

 

Is there any update on those who are 1. unvaccinated and 2. did medical exam prior to October 1 deadline but are entering USA post November 1? Our local consulate does not require any vaccines to issue the K1 visa... our interview is this month. Will K1 visas be able to board flight to enter USA that are unvaccinated post Nov 1? We will obviously be getting our Antigen tests prior to entering and will have that... and yes, we are aware we will need to file an exemption at AOS stage. There is no issue with this.

Edited October 15, 2021 by NB5347
edit