Are COVID-19 Boosters Required for Immigration?
Quick Answer
USCIS requires COVID-19 vaccination that meets current ACIP recommendations, which includes updated booster doses when recommended. Whether a booster is required depends on your age, the vaccines you have already received, and the current ACIP schedule at the time of your exam.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Immigration
USCIS added COVID-19 to the list of required vaccines for immigration in October 2021. The requirement is tied to current ACIP recommendations, which means it is updated as ACIP updates its guidance. As ACIP has revised its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations over time — including recommendations for updated booster doses — the immigration requirement has evolved accordingly.
What "Current ACIP Recommendations" Means for Boosters
USCIS requires that applicants receive COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with the current ACIP schedule. When ACIP recommends an updated COVID-19 booster dose for a particular age group, that booster becomes part of the immigration requirement for that age group. The civil surgeon will assess your vaccination history against the current ACIP schedule to determine whether you need an updated booster dose.
Which COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters Are Accepted
For immigration purposes, USCIS accepts COVID-19 vaccines that have received FDA approval or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and are listed on the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine schedule. Updated (bivalent or reformulated) mRNA booster doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are accepted. The civil surgeon will verify that the vaccines you received are on the accepted list. Vaccines received outside the United States may also be accepted if they are WHO-authorized and meet USCIS requirements.
What Happens If You Have Not Yet Received a Booster
If you have not received a required booster dose, you will need to receive it before Form I-693 can be completed. The booster can typically be administered at your immigration medical exam appointment if you are otherwise ready. There is generally no waiting period after a COVID-19 booster before the form can be finalized. If a booster is not yet available for your age group or if you have a medical contraindication, the civil surgeon will document this appropriately.
Medical Contraindications to COVID-19 Boosters
If you have a documented medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccine — such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a prior COVID-19 vaccine dose or a vaccine component — the civil surgeon will document this on Form I-693. A medical waiver may be appropriate. Bring documentation of any prior adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccine to your appointment.
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