Is covid vaccine required to enter US with a K1 visa?

[Monica.44 4]

I finally got my visa and i wasn’t planning on taking the vaccine until i travel to the US

but now with the new updates i’m not sure if K1 visa considered an immigration visa and we can enter the US with negative PCR test 24 hrs before the flight time or are we required to take the vaccine as well?  

[Chancy 6,241]

18 minutes ago, Monica.44 said:

but now with the new updates i’m not sure if K1 visa considered an immigration visa and we can enter the US with negative PCR test 24 hrs before the flight time or are we required to take the vaccine as well?  

 

Unfortunately, there's still no clarity on whether K1 visa holders will be considered immigrants or non-immigrants.  At the moment, there's no explicit exemption for K1 in the CDC rules for the COVID vaccination requirement.

 

[Monica.44 4]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

 

Unfortunately, there's still no clarity on whether K1 visa holders will be considered immigrants or non-immigrants.  At the moment, there's no explicit exemption for K1 in the CDC rules for the COVID vaccination requirement.

 

Do you think there is any email we can contact to ask? Also is there any countries excluded from this rule?

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

2 hours ago, Monica.44 said:

I finally got my visa and i wasn’t planning on taking the vaccine until i travel to the US

but now with the new updates i’m not sure if K1 visa considered an immigration visa and we can enter the US with negative PCR test 24 hrs before the flight time or are we required to take the vaccine as well?  

K1 is classified as non immigrant 

[royryan 16]

27 minutes ago, igoyougoduke said:

K1 is classified as non immigrant 

except for when it isn't, ergo the need for explicit clarification.

 

[Terz 0]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html

 

The us embassy webpage lists k1 visa under the immigrant visa category, I am travelling on mine this month, k1 visas are used for immigration purposes so it is not classified as non immigrant even though technically it is.

 

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

1 hour ago, royryan said:

except for when it isn't, ergo the need for explicit clarification.

 

it is a non immigration visa but placed under immigrant visa section as it is used to immigrant. yeah its dog chase tail type of definition but it is what it is 

[Merica-n 65]

7 hours ago, Monica.44 said:

Also is there any countries excluded from this rule?

Egypt is currently on the exclusion list that you can find here:

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/order-safe-travel/technical-instructions.html#anchor_1635183102468

 

Please note that this list will be updated every 90 days, and Egypt is currently at 11% fully vaccination according to the WHO vaccine tracker, so it may not remain on the list when it is updated.

Edited November 10, 2021 by Merica-n

[Monica.44 4]

9 hours ago, Terz said:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html

 

The us embassy webpage lists k1 visa under the immigrant visa category, I am travelling on mine this month, k1 visas are used for immigration purposes so it is not classified as non immigrant even though technically it is.

 

Are you fully vaccinated? I’m traveling with mine this month too and i don’t want them to send me back from the airport with my baby lol

[Monica.44 4]

5 hours ago, Merica-n said:

Egypt is currently on the exclusion list that you can find here:

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/order-safe-travel/technical-instructions.html#anchor_1635183102468

 

Please note that this list will be updated every 90 days, and Egypt is currently at 11% fully vaccination according to the WHO vaccine tracker, so it may not remain on the list when it is updated.

I’ll be leaving in 15 days anyway hopefully before they update the list 

Does that means the vaccination rule doesn’t apply to Egypt until they update this list?

[Merica-n 65]

5 hours ago, Monica.44 said:

I’ll be leaving in 15 days anyway hopefully before they update the list 

Does that means the vaccination rule doesn’t apply to Egypt until they update this list?

That's great.  Yes, as long as Egypt remains on the list, the air travel vaccination rule doesn't apply, but I think you will need to get be COMPLETELY vaccinated within 60 days of arrival to the United States.  Which will be easy, just go to Walgreens, CVS or Walmart within the first few week or two of arrival, because it takes 5 or 6 weeks to complete vaccination.  I think you need it to complete AOS anyways, so best to get it done early.  USA has plenty of vaccine.  Walmart or CVS will give you a secure QR code you can store on your iPhone or Android wallet to prove vaccination, which makes them a plus over Walgreens.

 

The list says as of 10/25/2021, and they say they will update every 90 days, so I don't think they will update the list in 15 days.  You're good.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Edited November 10, 2021 by Merica-n

[Daisy.Chain 317]

There is a religious/moral exemption if that applies to you. (.https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements) I haven't heard about it being used, but it is on the USCIS page.

[Merica-n 65]

1 hour ago, Daisy.Chain said:

There is a religious/moral exemption if that applies to you. (.https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements) I haven't heard about it being used, but it is on the USCIS page.

 

The above link is talking about the covid vaccine requirement for Medical exams for immigrants.  For the air travel vaccination requirement this is not correct according to the FAQ:

Quote

Can I qualify for an exception to the proof of vaccinatino requirement under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC's Order for religious reasons or other moral convictions?

No, there are no exceptions under the Presidential Proclamation and CDC's Order for religious reasons or other moral convictions.

 

[Daisy.Chain 317]

On 11/10/2021 at 8:43 AM, Merica-n said:

 

The above link is talking about the covid vaccine requirement for Medical exams for immigrants.  For the air travel vaccination requirement this is not correct according to the FAQ:

 

OP was talking about immigration requirements, not boarding the plane. 

 I haven't heard anything specific about boarding the plane requirements, but I am curious to see if a person with an immigrant visa could enter with a  religious exemption to a covid vaccine. I would think they could (US citizens can with the covid test), but haven't seen it proven one way or the other by a vj person.

[Merica-n 65]

20 hours ago, Daisy.Chain said:

OP was talking about immigration requirements, not boarding the plane.

1.  K1 visa is not an immigrant visa.  The vaccine requirements are not applicable or required for the medical exam for K1 visa applicants. Currently, the only covid vaccine requirements for K1 visa holders/applicants are upon entry.  Anyways, I think if you reread the OP, you'll find they were in fact referring to entry/travel.

 

 

20 hours ago, Daisy.Chain said:

 I haven't heard anything specific about boarding the plane requirements, but I am curious to see if a person with an immigrant visa could enter with a  religious exemption to a covid vaccine. I would think they could (US citizens can with the covid test), but haven't seen it proven one way or the other by a vj person.

2.  The travel requirements aren't applicable to immigrant visa categories.  Immigrant visa applicants with religious exemptions are invited to use form I-601 to apply for a religious exemption to vaccination.