Vaccination requirements for K1 visa

[Jakek2525 6]

Update

 

Well I proved to the Embassy that K1 visas are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.   But it took a extra 15 days before they granted the visa. We picked it up May 3rd. We were hoping they were going to extend the airline exemption for COVID-19 as they did in the previous months but they did not and it expired May 1.   So now she is out of luck and has to have the Vaccine to board the plane to the US no matter what.   I contacted the Embassy and they won't do anything to help us for setting us behind 15 days. Two steps forward one step back.

[Boiler 45,928]

Not sure what the Consulate could do now. 

[Lemonslice 4,947]

3 hours ago, Jakek2525 said:

Update

 

Well I proved to the Embassy that K1 visas are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.   But it took a extra 15 days before they granted the visa. We picked it up May 3rd. We were hoping they were going to extend the airline exemption for COVID-19 as they did in the previous months but they did not and it expired May 1.   So now she is out of luck and has to have the Vaccine to board the plane to the US no matter what.   I contacted the Embassy and they won't do anything to help us for setting us behind 15 days. Two steps forward one step back.

I can see vaccines becoming a requirement for commercial carriers for the foreseeable future.

[Natafaith 3]

5 hours ago, Jakek2525 said:

Update

 

Well I proved to the Embassy that K1 visas are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine requirements.   But it took a extra 15 days before they granted the visa. We picked it up May 3rd. We were hoping they were going to extend the airline exemption for COVID-19 as they did in the previous months but they did not and it expired May 1.   So now she is out of luck and has to have the Vaccine to board the plane to the US no matter what.   I contacted the Embassy and they won't do anything to help us for setting us behind 15 days. Two steps forward one step back.

Thanks for updates!

so , what you’re saying is embassy did admit that Covid vaccine is not needed for K1 applicants to get visa .. So why would there be a problem to board a plane ? If vaccine is not required , shouldn’t they let her board the plane, or at least with PCR test ?

[Boiler 45,928]

6 minutes ago, Natafaith said:

Thanks for updates!

so , what you’re saying is embassy did admit that Covid vaccine is not needed for K1 applicants to get visa .. So why would there be a problem to board a plane ? If vaccine is not required , shouldn’t they let her board the plane, or at least with PCR test ?

 A visa is not required to issue a. K1 visa

 

Is required to fly

[powerpuff 6,747]

8 minutes ago, Natafaith said:

So why would there be a problem to board a plane ? I

Because a vaccine is required for K1s to enter the US per the CDC guidelines. 

 

9 minutes ago, Natafaith said:

If vaccine is not required , shouldn’t they let her board the plane

It is required to enter the US regardless of fact that it isn’t required for K1 medical. Entry requirements and medicals/visa issuance are completely separate matters.

 

Ukrainians were exempt from this entry requirement until May 1st. It was not extended. That’s what the OP is talking about. 

[powerpuff 6,747]

6 hours ago, Jakek2525 said:

So now she is out of luck and has to have the Vaccine to board the plane to the US no matter what.   I contacted the Embassy and they won't do anything to help us for setting us behind 15 days. Two steps forward one step back.

Looks like she’ll just have to get vaccinated if she wants to come to the US. I don’t see any other way out of this, the consulate cannot amend or change entry requirements set by the CDC.

[Natafaith 3]

5 hours ago, powerpuff said:

Because a vaccine is required for K1s to enter the US per the CDC guidelines. 

 

It is required to enter the US regardless of fact that it isn’t required for K1 medical. Entry requirements and medicals/visa issuance are completely separate matters.

 

Ukrainians were exempt from this entry requirement until May 1st. It was not extended. That’s what the OP is talking about. 

Yea I understand.. the difference 

but still , this is odd , that they do give you visa without vaccine, but yet , you can’t come to USA 😒

 

[Redro 4,611]

6 minutes ago, Natafaith said:

Yea I understand.. the difference 

but still , this is odd , that they do give you visa without vaccine, but yet , you can’t come to USA 😒

 

If they had received the visa before May 1 they would've been allowed to fly as Ukrainians did not need the vaccine. 

Edited May 6, 2022 by ROK2USA

[Jakek2525 6]

Yep that's the sad part.  The Visa should have been issued on the 12th of April when our interview was.   

[Jakek2525 6]

I think they didn't extend the Covid exemption for Ukrainians because of the new Ukrainian refugee program.   It requires all vaccinations to be completed before entry.

[Jakek2525 6]

The embassy said she could try for a medical or humanitarian exemption with the CDC.  But they rarely give these.    I think in our case it would be a waste of time.

[Natafaith 3]

7 hours ago, Jakek2525 said:

The embassy said she could try for a medical or humanitarian exemption with the CDC.  But they rarely give these.    I think in our case it would be a waste of time.

I know that a lot of Ukrainians  who flew war applied for B2 visa and they were able to come to USA without vaccine recently.

Some airlines just asked them for the test.

Maybe it’s worth trying, just to purchase ticket, and do PCR test ..

[Jakek2525 6]

We applied for tourist visa while waiting for K1 to get approved.  Went to the interview and were instantly denied due to the fact we had child and she has no work in Ukraine.   $160 out the window plus train tickets etc

[Redro 4,611]

11 minutes ago, Jakek2525 said:

We applied for tourist visa while waiting for K1 to get approved.  Went to the interview and were instantly denied due to the fact we had child and she has no work in Ukraine.   $160 out the window plus train tickets etc

Your option to cross the border might be over, too... 

Don't know if you would want to try it with a child. But, look at this topic for an alternative (if your partner is able to fly to Mexico with no vaccine). 

I personally think the vaccine is fine and not a big deal so my first suggestion would be to get vaccinated so you can start your new life in the US... but 🤷‍♀️

 

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by ROK2USA