Starting October 1, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will require all applicants applying for permanent residence or refugee status to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with some exceptions. All medical examinations performed by a Civil Surgeon on or after October 1, 2021 will require proof of vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccination will not be required if the medical examination was performed before October 1, 2021 and is still valid.

Applicants will be required to show the Civil Surgeon proof that they have received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Self-reporting without documentation will not be accepted as a form of proof.

Exceptions to the requirement will be given to those who are too young to receive the vaccine, have a medical condition which does not allow them to get vaccinated, or if an approved vaccine is not available in their country of origin. Applicants can also apply for a waiver based on religious or moral beliefs.

If you have any questions on how this requirement will affect your case, do not hesitate to give our office a call at (847) 763-8500, or to contact us through our website, http://www.immig-chicago.com/contact-us/