Jul 29 2008

USCIS Changes and Updates Vaccination Requirements for Those Seeking to Adjust Status to Legal Permanent Resident

On July 24, USCIS announced a revised list of vaccines required for applicants seeking to adjust their status to legal permanent residents. The change in required vaccinations comes from guidance received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to CDC, as stated in its revised Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements, the following age-appropriate vaccinations have been added to the list of vaccinations required to adjust status to legal permanent resident: rotavirus; hepatitis A; meningococcal; human papillomavirus; and zoster.

This new requirement went into effect on July 1, 2008; however, CDC has approved a thirty-day grace period for medical exams conducted prior to August 1, 2008. On that date, though, these new vaccinations must be administered prior to an individual being granted adjustment of status.

USCIS has updated Form I-693, the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to include these new vaccines. The revised edition is dated June 5, 2008, and must be used on and after August 1, 2008 for all applicants seeking an adjustment of status to legal permanent resident.