K1 Visa COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, KayDeeCee said:

I'm still unclear on whether or not they will be required to have it in Nov to get on a plane to the US.

It'll probably take them awhile to clarify that one: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/20/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-september-20-2021/

Q. Yeah, just a technical thing on the international travel policy. You talk about unvaccinated Americans; what about like green card holders, visa holders? Would they — people who — you know, who under the current travel policy can get into the country, would they have to be vaccinated or would they have to do the testing protocol like Americans?

 

MS. PSAKI: That’s a really good question. I’ll have to ask what the specification is there for them.

Edited September 24, 2021 by HRQX

[KayDeeCee 4,895]

3 hours ago, HRQX said:

It'll probably take them awhile to clarify that one: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/09/20/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-september-20-2021/

Q. Yeah, just a technical thing on the international travel policy. You talk about unvaccinated Americans; what about like green card holders, visa holders? Would they — people who — you know, who under the current travel policy can get into the country, would they have to be vaccinated or would they have to do the testing protocol like Americans?

 

MS. PSAKI: That’s a really good question. I’ll have to ask what the specification is there for them.

Agreed. I read through that briefing a couple days ago, and nothing was clear. Yay government 😒

[jft 12]

On 9/22/2021 at 7:40 AM, Lyndaa said:

However, I've been checking everyday and it has not said anything about having to take any vaccinations if you do not want to right now. It does state that you would have to though when applying for AOS, Which I'm fine with because that buys me some time. However, reading everything online makes it seem like there aren't ways, which is not true. No one should be forced to put anything into their body if they do not want it, we have rights. 

The US Supreme Court ruled in 1905 that the US Government can require people to get a vaccination. This has since been clarified to have exemptions for religious and medical reasons but besides those it is still the law of the land despite being challenged on multiple occasions. There are various cases working through the courts to challenge it but I would not expect any resolution soon.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/09/08/vaccine-mandate-strong-supreme-court-precedent-510280

 

It should also be noted that until you are inside the jurisdiction of the United States you really don't have any rights under US law. The extreme example of this are the prisoners at Guantanamo but there have been many, many other examples over the last 120 years since the subject was first adjudicated (The Insular Cases in 1901). my thoughts to you if you don't want to get vaccinated is to have your fiancé immigrate to the UK and for you to live there or for you to wait and try again in a few years once the pandemic has passed (assuming the UK doesn't force vaccinations which could happen), I think trying to carve out an exception to this new rule is going to be fruitless and expensive. However I am not a lawyer and haven't even played one on TV so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[TBoneTX 45,910]

Two posts featuring impermissible language have been removed.  That poster is welcome to repost the opinions minus the bad language.

[Ericgayle 6]

On 9/22/2021 at 12:42 AM, Limey said:

A lot of people dying here. Our local hospital is overflowing, many operations cancelled so its impacting people with other sicknesses too. It's good that they are adding covid vaccine to the list.

No one asked for opinions about the vaccine. 

[Ericgayle 6]

On 9/21/2021 at 3:31 PM, Lyndaa said:

Hi all,

 

Is COVID-19 an actual requirement for K1 visa applicants before arrival to the US? Has anyone actually been allowed through without getting the COVID-19 vaccination? Or has anyone been denied entry? I'm really curious to know the deal here since it’s not straightforward.

We're dealing with the same issue. Talking to a lawyer tomorrow. 

[Lyndaa 27]

2 minutes ago, Ericgayle said:

We're dealing with the same issue. Talking to a lawyer tomorrow. 

Coincidentally, so am I. I just want to hear from someone professional and actually knows what is up, since it’s their job. 

[Ericgayle 6]

1 minute ago, Lyndaa said:

Coincidentally, so am I. I just want to hear from someone professional and actually knows what is up, since it’s their job. 

I really do wish you all the best. 

[Lyndaa 27]

22 minutes ago, Ericgayle said:

I really do wish you all the best. 

Thank you & I wish you the best too. 

[umd96 0]

USA has Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson as approved covid vaccines. Do the person immigrating needs to get one of these or can get what is offered in the county? 

[Lyndaa 27]

1 hour ago, umd96 said:

USA has Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson as approved covid vaccines. Do the person immigrating needs to get one of these or can get what is offered in the county? 

I’m pretty sure it is the Moderna, Pfizer and J&J because they are the ones approved by the FDA and CDC. The country will only allow people who have gotten the approved and accepted vaccines. If I am not mistaken.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, umd96 said:

Do the person immigrating needs to get one of these or can get what is offered in the county?

Panel Physicians also accept the ones listed for emergency use by the WHO: https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/covid-19-technical-instructions.html

 

The exact details for boarding flights to the US starting early November are still not available, so I won't comment on that.

45 minutes ago, Lyndaa said:

The country will only allow people who have gotten the approved and accepted vaccines. If I am not mistaken.

See the above referenced link.

[Shandra 3]

Many countries do not yet have any access to COVID vaccines and may not get COVID vaccines until 2023. Would they be provided the vaccine by the embassy or would applicants be forced to wait until their country got access? My fiancée is in Ethiopia and they have no public access to the vaccine. 

[Shandra 3]

looks like they would only require it if it’s available in the country.

Not routinely available
If none of the approved COVID-19 vaccines are routinely available in the country where the panel physician practices, the “Not routinely available” reason should be documented.  If an approved COVID-19 vaccine is available to the applicant but limited supply would cause significant delay for the applicant to receive it, then this situation would also be considered “Not routinely available.”

[MysticFalls 21]

Does anyone know if there is a medical exemption you can apply for?