USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Policy effect

Rescinded the requirement that applicants seeking adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (Form I-485) present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination on Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). USCIS ceased issuing Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) for lack of COVID-19 vaccination records and barred denials on this sole basis. Phase scope: Immediate nationwide implementation for all pending and new adjustment of status adjudications.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Rescinded the requirement that applicants seeking adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (Form I-485) present documentation of COVID-19 vaccination on Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record).

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving 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. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny 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.

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other United States changes operative in 2025

• 2025-01-20Executive Order 14165—Securing Our Borders
• 2025-01-20President suspends physical entry at the southern border under invasion proclamation
• 2025-01-21DHS restores expedited removal to the full statutory scope
• 2025-01-27President suspends refugee admissions under USRAP
• 2025-02-03DHS vacates the January 2025 Venezuela TPS extension decision
• 2025-02-24DHS partially vacates the 2024 Haiti TPS extension and redesignation
• 2025-03-10Extension of the Designation of El Salvador for Temporary Protected Status
• 2025-03-25HHS updates unaccompanied children foundational rule to track statutory text
• 2025-04-11DHS designates a new alien registration form and evidence of registration
• 2025-04-20Extension of the Designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status
• 2025-04-24DHS terminates CHNV categorical parole processes
• 2025-05-04Extension of South Sudan Designation for Temporary Protected Status
• 2025-05-05ORR shortens refugee cash and medical assistance eligibility to four months
• 2025-05-09President establishes Project Homecoming voluntary departure incentives
• 2025-08-04Termination of the Designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status
• 2025-08-20State starts a temporary B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot
• 2025-09-08DHS begins assessing HR-1 fee for in-absentia removal followed by ICE arrest
• 2025-09-08DHS begins assessing HR-1 fee for inadmissible apprehension between ports
• 2025-09-08Termination of the Designation of Honduras for Temporary Protected Status
• 2025-09-21President restricts entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers
• 2025-09-30CBP begins assessing additional HR-1 I-94 fee at land-border ports
• 2025-09-30CBP begins assessing HR-1 EVUS enrollment fee
• 2025-09-30CBP begins assessing increased HR-1 ESTA authorization fee
• 2025-09-30President sets FY2026 refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500
• 2025-10-02DHS permits earlier electronic filing of certain H-2A petitions
• 2025-10-30DHS removes automatic extensions for most renewal EAD filings
• 2025-11-07DHS terminates the 2021 Venezuela TPS designation
• 2025-12-26DHS finalizes biometric entry and exit collection for aliens