Entering US without Covid vaccine? (split)

[Isabella G 5]

What do you plan on doing now that it’s required to enter the US and required before you get your visa? I am lost on what to do because getting these vaccines is not an option. 

[jg121783 3,907]

2 hours ago, Isabella G said:

What do you plan on doing now that it’s required to enter the US and required before you get your visa? I am lost on what to do because getting these vaccines is not an option. 

I think there is a vaccine waiver application you can fill out but I have heard it will cause delays in your case and they usually deny waivers. Your other option is to wait until this madness ends (if it ever does). Those are the only options I can think of unfortunately. I am not suggesting you do this but you could fly to Mexico and cross the border illegally. Illegal aliens are not required to get the vaccine then you would also have a fast track to a green card. Like I said I am not suggesting that option because I wont advocate breaking the law.

[millefleur 5,035]

**Topic split from CEHST and moved to Covid-19 Discussion; OP is looking for answers on possible waivers or options to enter US without being vaccinated**

[Merica-n 65]

12 hours ago, Isabella G said:

required before you get your visa

Is there a specific visa type this question applied to?  The question is a little bit confusing removed from the context of it's original thread.

[millefleur 5,035]

11 minutes ago, Merica-n said:

Is there a specific visa type this question applied to?  The question is a little bit confusing removed from the context of it's original thread.

The question was a hijack from a Covid news post with zero context other than the above question, OP did not specific what visa type in nor has filled in timeline.

 

@Isabella G can you provide us with more info on your situation such as visa type and travel plans, otherwise we will have difficulty answering your question.

Edited December 14, 2021 by millefleur

[Isabella G 5]

@millefleur I apologize for not being specific and I didn’t mean to hijack I just wanted to know the thoughts of the author of the post. I am waiting on NOA2 for my K1 and my fiancé is Brazilian. My NOA1 is April 12th 2021. I need to know how to get my fiancé into the US without being vaccinated and if that’s even possible at all. If it isn’t then we have to figure something else out and drop our case entirely because getting vaccinated is not an option. We initially were going to file the i-601 for religious exemption once married and in the US but the Proclamation of November 8th totally threw that plan out the window :( and now I am so lost and feel discouraged on what to do. This process is emotionally exhausting and frustrating. I appreciate any help I can get. 

[millefleur 5,035]

@Isabella G Russian applicants are in a similar boat because there are no CDC approved vaccines available there. K-1 holders without the vaccine have successfully crossed the land border in Mexico. If you don't have a vaccine, this seems to be your only option. 

 

Please see this post for more info:

 

[Isabella G 5]

@millefleur there are CDC approved vaccines in Brazil. But we do not want to be vaccinated because it goes against our religious beliefs. Also in order to pass the medical exam you need to show proof of vaccination so if my fiancé doesn’t show proof then he will not get a K1 visa. Our problems are getting our visa issued without any vaccines and also being able to fly to the US without being vaccinated. Crossing the Mexican border by land is something I considered too but apparently as of January 2022 they will require proof of vaccination. This is why I feel trapped. 

[milimelo 4,188]

The route is I-601. It will delay your case but plenty of folks got vaccination waiver (pre-Covid and apparently during Covid). 

[Isabella G 5]

@milimelo hello yes I am aware of the i-601 but I thought you were supposed to file that once married and already in the US before you apply for your Green Card. Since the proclamation of November 8th I didn’t know that was still an option. 

[Boiler 43,423]

I am vaguely intrigued as to what religion is against Covid vaccines.

 

K1 does not require a vaccination history, you can get them in the US or file for a waiver, a waiver is not particularly cheap and of course takes time.

 

Quite what the rules will be at some point in the future for somebody unvaccianted seeking entry, well that would be a guess.

 

 

[Isabella G 5]

@Boiler Thank you for responding. Yes I am aware that it is expensive and takes time for a waiver. Also to get your waiver approved you have to be against all vaccines not just the covid one. You said, "K1 does not require a vaccination history, you can get them in the US or file for a waiver…." before yes it used to be like this but now in order to pass your medical exam, get your K1 visa issued, board a flight to the US you must show proof of vaccination due to the President’s proclamation as of November 8th. Apparently religious exemptions are not an option anymore. So my question is it possible to enter the US without being vaccinated and if so how? If not then I might have to drop my case. 
 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/10/25/a-proclamation-on-advancing-the-safe-resumption-of-global-travel-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

[Boiler 43,423]

Unless things have changed it is the getting a flight to the US bit that requires vaccination. Otherwise entering by land has been mentioned. I suppose worst case is get married go the IR1 route and seek a I 601 waiver, currently LPR's do not need Covid vaccination.

[Isabella G 5]

@Boiler thank you for your help 

[millefleur 5,035]

2 hours ago, Isabella G said:

Crossing the Mexican border by land is something I considered too but apparently as of January 2022 they will require proof of vaccination. This is why I feel trapped. 

Oh, I see. Well, that is unfortunate. I think in this case, if you do not and cannot get a vaccine, your only option is CR-1 visa. It is considered permanent residency upon endorsement so you could cross a land or sea border without a vaccine according to this:

 

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may enter via land ports of entry or via ferry regardless of vaccination status and are not required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

https://mx.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-for-u-s-citizens-in-mexico/

 

With a K-1, it seems your options are be vaccinated or don't enter. The only thing I'm not sure about: would CBP endorse your visa CR-1 without a vaccine? I'm not 100% sure. Regardless, it seems you need to abandon the K-1 and go the CR-1 route if you want to file for the I-601 waiver.