K-1 vaccinations health hazard concern

[waitman 0]

Hello, all,

I made a related post in the Colombia Club thread but it's huge and I'm afraid few people read that thread much less browse through it. I do feel that the subject is extremely important, however. To summarize: there is a wide-spread opinion that in Bogota in order to pass the medical exam for a K-1 visa it is necessary that all vaccinations be "fresh", no more than a week old.

Of course, medically speaking, this is complete nonsense-- each vaccination has a "lifespan" (often it's the person's lifespan) and that lifespan is NEVER one week! More importantly, pumping a person with about a dozen vaccines so quickly may be hazardous for one's health.

Be that as it may, US Regulations seem to say that K-visa applicants don't need ANY vaccinations to be issued a visa-- they're only needed for AOS.

From http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...tml#Vaccination

Vaccination Requirements

All applicants for immigrant visas are required to have the following vaccinations, if appropriate, for age, medical condition, or medical history:

Mumps

Measles

Rubella

Polio

Tetanus and diptheria toxoids

Pertussis

Influenza type B

Hepatitis B

Varicella

Pneumococcal

As a fiancé(e), you are not required to fulfill this requirement at the time of your medical examination for a fiancé(e) visa. However, you may want to do so. These vaccinations are required when you adjust status following your marriage.

So is it true that no matter what consulate one is dealing with, a K-visa applicant may not have any vaccinations at all without jeopordizing their visas? In which case, can my fiance "pass" the non-vaccination part of the medical exam and be given a packet with contents that affirm that?

I am extremely concerned about this. I'd appreciate some input from anyone.

Thank you.

[YuAndDan 153]

K-Visas are NON-Immigrant visas, NON-Immigrant visas do not require vaccinations. Only IMMIGRANTS require vaccinations, that is a requirement to get green-card.

K-Visa holders need the vaccinations taken care of before adjusting status, and the required vaccinations for most are:

• Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus and diptheria toxoids (TD)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1331.html (NOTE, Immigrant Visas)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...tml#Vaccination (Note IR CR Visa)

9 FAM 41.108 Notes (Foreign Affairs Manual)

9 FAM 41.108 N1.2 Applicants Not Meeting Vaccination Requirements

(CT:VISA-714; 03-08-2005)

K visa applicants who do not meet all the vaccination requirements should not be refused a fiance(e) visa on that basis. A decision on the waiver of INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) will be deferred pending the filing of the adjustment of status application and review by Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In cases where the vaccination requirement is not met by the alien prior to the issuance of a fiance(e) visa, posts should prepare a single page addendum to the DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87492.pdf

[waitman 0]

K-Visas are NON-Immigrant visas, NON-Immigrant visas do not require vaccinations. Only IMMIGRANTS require vaccinations, that is a requirement to get green-card.

K-Visa holders need the vaccinations taken care of before adjusting status, and the required vaccinations for most are:

• Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus and diptheria toxoids (TD)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1331.html (NOTE, Immigrant Visas)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...tml#Vaccination (Note IR CR Visa)

9 FAM 41.108 Notes (Foreign Affairs Manual)

9 FAM 41.108 N1.2 Applicants Not Meeting Vaccination Requirements

(CT:VISA-714; 03-08-2005)

K visa applicants who do not meet all the vaccination requirements should not be refused a fiance(e) visa on that basis. A decision on the waiver of INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) will be deferred pending the filing of the adjustment of status application and review by Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In cases where the vaccination requirement is not met by the alien prior to the issuance of a fiance(e) visa, posts should prepare a single page addendum to the DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87492.pdf

Thanks, YuAndDon!

Yes, the law seems to say that K-visa applicants don't need ANY vaccinations. However, according to what's been posted in the Colombia Club thread, the doctors approved by the Bogota embassy seem to insist on vaccinations being administered no more than a week prior to the medical exam.

Indeed, that seems to be unlawful. What I want to know, though, is how should my fiance deal with such a doctor and how to explain the lack of vaccinations to the consulate. I mean even if they're wrong and we're right, we still need that visa...

Anyone with related experiences, please help!

Best regards.

Edited February 26, 2008 by waitman

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

My older son joined the airforce years ago and had NO shots going in. They gave him a full series all at once because they didn't allow for the personal beliefs opt out.

[YuAndDan 153]

K-Visas are NON-Immigrant visas, NON-Immigrant visas do not require vaccinations. Only IMMIGRANTS require vaccinations, that is a requirement to get green-card.

K-Visa holders need the vaccinations taken care of before adjusting status, and the required vaccinations for most are:

• Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus and diptheria toxoids (TD)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1331.html (NOTE, Immigrant Visas)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...tml#Vaccination (Note IR CR Visa)

9 FAM 41.108 Notes (Foreign Affairs Manual)

9 FAM 41.108 N1.2 Applicants Not Meeting Vaccination Requirements

(CT:VISA-714; 03-08-2005)

K visa applicants who do not meet all the vaccination requirements should not be refused a fiance(e) visa on that basis. A decision on the waiver of INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) will be deferred pending the filing of the adjustment of status application and review by Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In cases where the vaccination requirement is not met by the alien prior to the issuance of a fiance(e) visa, posts should prepare a single page addendum to the DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87492.pdf

Thanks, YuAndDon!

Yes, the law seems to say that K-visa applicants don't need ANY vaccinations. However, according to what's been posted in the Colombia Club thread, the doctors approved by the Bogota embassy seem to insist on vaccinations being administered no more than a week prior to the medical exam.

Indeed, that seems to be unlawful. What I want to know, though, is how should my fiance deal with such a doctor and how to explain the lack of vaccinations to the consulate. I mean even if they're wrong and we're right, we still need that visa...

Anyone with related experiences, please help!

Best regards.

However in order for you to get green-card you will need to be vaccinated for at least the ones I listed, If you had those diseases when young, they can be tested for immunity. But a US Civil Surgeon will still need to sign off on a vaccination supplement in order at file to adjust status in the USA, to get green-card.