August 27, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations Required for Immigrant Visa Applicants Beginning October 1st, 2021

Beginning October 1, 2021, all immigrant visa applicants will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a medical clearance prerequisite. Medical evaluations, which are regulated by the United States Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), require immigrant visa applicants to meet certain health and vaccination standards before an immigrant visa can be issued. Under CDC regulations, applicants who refuse to accept vaccinations may be determined inadmissible to immigrate to the United States.

The new policy, which comes after the White House announced that foreign visitors would soon be mandated to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, will require immigrant visa applicants to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during their medical evaluation at overseas CDC approved clinics – called Panel Physicians – that perform examinations for immigrant visa applicants such as St. Luke’s Extension Clinic in Manila or the International Organization for Migration in Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, the CDC recognizes vaccines manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Jannsen Johnson & Johnson.

It is unclear how visa applicants will be considered if they demonstrate that they have already received approved vaccinations from other than Panel Physicians .

For more information on this new policy concerning how it will impact immigrant visa applicants in Asia, contact us today at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with a U.S. immigration attorney in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei.

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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Email: info@enterlinepartners.com

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Manila, Philippines Office

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Makati City, Philippines 1226

Tel: +632 5310 1491

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Copyright 2021. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.

Categories: COVID-19, Immigrant Visa

Tags: COVID-19, DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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