Jakek2525

We applied for tourist visa while waiting for K1 to get approved.  Went to the interview and were instantly denied due to the fact we had child and she has no work in Ukraine.   $160 out the window plus train tickets etc

The embassy said she could try for a medical or humanitarian exemption with the CDC.  But they rarely give these.    I think in our case it would be a waste of time.

I think they didn't extend the Covid exemption for Ukrainians because of the new Ukrainian refugee program.   It requires all vaccinations to be completed before entry.

Yep that's the sad part.  The Visa should have been issued on the 12th of April when our interview was.   

Update

Well I proved to the Embassy that K1 visas are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.   But it took a extra 15 days before they granted the visa. We picked it up May 3rd. We were hoping they were going to extend the airline exemption for COVID-19 as they did in the previous months but they did not and it expired May 1.   So now she is out of luck and has to have the Vaccine to board the plane to the US no matter what.   I contacted the Embassy and they won't do anything to help us for setting us behind 15 days. Two steps forward one step back.

Wrote the NVC after NOA2 was issued.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/fr-proof-negative-test.html

I contacted the CDC they sent me information stating the K1 is exempt from vaccines including Covid until adjustment of status in US.   I sent all of it along with Video to embassy.   They replied, thank you for the information but we are waiting on reply from department of state.

Yes I contacted my congressman, and tomorrow I will write the embassy in Belgium give them the information land see if they can see the light.

https://youtu.be/Be531hIU4o0

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

So the counselor officer sent off for a advisory opinion on if the covid requirements could be waived because of the fact that my fiancee is currently breastfeeding.   But it clearly says on the CDC website K visa applicants are not required to receive vaccination at medical exam.  I did not see this until we got home that evening.  You would think this would be common knowledge to the  councilor official?

Not sure what to do at this point.   I really need to get back to the US to get back to work to support my family.  He said it could take up to 3 weeks for this advisory opinion. I will try and ask a lawyer then write the embassy.  Hopefully they will issue this visa.

I was also looking on CDC website and saw this.   Can anyone explain?   It says K visa applicants are not required the vaccine. Was updated October 14

Well we had our interview on Tuesday.   The consular officer did not know about the exemption.   But after studying it he claimed it would not help because (3) must possess valid documents allowing travel to the US.   In order to get the documents she must get the vaccine he said 😫.    He wrote USCIS to see if they will grant a waiver for breastfeeding for the visa.  Then we can use the CDC exemption for the flight 🤞.   

Walking across the border is not a option with our 3 month old son.

We meet all the requirements for the exemption.  My only hope is they will extend it.  We pick up our medical exam papers on Wednesday in Luxembourg.   We have received NOA2 and are having NVC transfer our case to the  Belgium Embassy.   We also have our 3 month old son with us who fortunately got his CRBA and passport in Kyiv before things went south.

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?

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.

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

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?

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

My concern is getting my family back to the US as soon as possible.   We are willing to forgo the K1 all together and get married here so she can be considered my "spouse" to be eligible for emergency tourist visa.   But we don't want to do that if there's a chance the emergency tourist visa will be denied.