Vaccination requirements for K1 visa

[Jakek2525 6]

Hello 

I was just wondering is the covid-19 vaccine a requirement for a K1 visa to be issued? Or is it only a requirement once in the United States and applying for adjustment of status.   My fiance is a Ukrainian and we have fled Ukraine to Belgium and working with their embassy.

 

Thanks 

Jake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JoooonMoi 26]

Hello Jake, yes, a covid-19 vaccine is now required as part of the medical exam for visa.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/changes-to-vaccination-requirements-for-immigrant-visa-applicants.html

[Jakek2525 6]

Yes this is for a immigrant visa.  The K1 is a non immigrant visa.   I know none of the other vaccines are required to get to the US, but they are if you are going to adjust your status to US resident.   I was just wondering about COVID 19?

[powerpuff 5,918]

4 minutes ago, Jakek2525 said:

Yes this is for a immigrant visa.  The K1 is a non immigrant visa.   I know none of the other vaccines are required to get to the US, but they are if you are going to adjust your status to US resident.   I was just wondering about COVID 19?

It’s a requirement to enter the US. They won’t let her board the flight if she’s not vaccinated 

[Boiler 43,576]

She should be able to get all her vaccines in Belgium, if she does not have her records then she can have a tire test done, and will be much cheaper, I would imagine Ukrainians get free medical cover.

[Jakek2525 6]

Are you sure there's not a exception for that by the embassy?

[Jakek2525 6]

She's against any vaccines.   I was hoping we could get to the US, since it's a non immigrant visa.   And then try and get the vaccine exemption there.

[Boiler 43,576]

1 minute ago, Jakek2525 said:

She's against any vaccines.   I was hoping we could get to the US, since it's a non immigrant visa.   And then try and get the vaccine exemption there.

You must be fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the United States by plane if you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html#:~:text=You must be fully vaccinated,States on an immigrant visa).

[powerpuff 5,918]

CDC is the one establishing entry requirements, not the embassy. It has been established that K1 holders are non-citizens, non-immigrants so they must be vaccinated against COVID in order to enter the US; they won’t be allowed to board the flight.
 

[Jakek2525 6]

[Jakek2525 6]

[Jakek2525 6]

[Boiler 43,576]

Does not help the OP but interesting and somewhat illogical but nothing new there 

[Jakek2525 6]

It says it's also for non citizen, non immigrant who are traveling with a us citizen and have valid papers allowing them to travel to the US.   Wouldn't that be for a K1 visa holder?

[powerpuff 5,918]

12 minutes ago, Jakek2525 said:

It says it's also for non citizen, non immigrant who are traveling with a us citizen and have valid papers allowing them to travel to the US.   Wouldn't that be for a K1 visa holder?

I think so. From the DHS memo:

”I determined it is in the national interest to permit temporarily the entry of noncitizen nonimmigrants who (1) are traveling with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; (2) were physically present in Ukraine as of February 10, 2022; and (3) possess valid travel documents allowing them to travel to the United States (the "February 15th Exception"). Accordingly, and consistent with the terms of the February 15th Exception, these individuals are permitted to enter the United States without showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to traveling to the United States.”

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/22_0228_S1_national-interest-exemption-amended.pdf

 

It says it hey extended it until April 1st, 2022. It’s likely they’ll extend it again

Edited March 25, 2022 by powerpuff
Forgot to add the link