USCIS Changes Vaccination Requirements for I-485 Applications

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Office of Communications
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services

USCIS Update July 24, 2008

USCIS CHANGES VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS TO ADJUST
STATUS TO LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today a revised list of vaccines required for applicants seeking to adjust status to become legal permanent residents. This revision follows guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements require the following age-appropriate additional vaccinations to adjust status to legal permanent resident:

• Rotavirus
• Hepatitis A
• Meningococcal
• Human papillomavirus
• Zoster

The requirements for these new vaccines went into effect on July 1, 2008, however CDC approved a 30- day grace period for any medical exam conducted before August 1, 2008. At that time the new vaccinations, if appropriate, must be administered in order for USCIS to approve the applicant for adjustment of status.

USCIS has revised the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) to include these new vaccination requirements. The June 5, 2008 edition of Form I-693 must be used for any medical examination completed on or after August 1, 2008.

CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements are posted on-line at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil.htm. USCIS has posted a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” about the revised vaccination requirements at: http://www.uscis.gov. For additional help with the Form I- 693, call USCIS’ Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.