U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Wednesday that it was rescinding the policy requiring legal immigrants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to further the process.
On the agency’s official government website, an alert was issued detailing the policy change, dated January 22, 2025, and effective immediately.
“Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS waives any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination,” the announcement read.
“USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination,” it continued.
The policy change applies to immigrants who are in the United States legally and are attempting to change their immigration status.
