K1 vaccinations

[Volk0428 6]

Hey all, 

 

sorry if this is something that has already been answered but as always i find conflicting information. Are vaccinations mandatory prior to the issuance of a K1 Visa or are they something that can be done before AOS and once in the US?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Fe.Ta 874]

8 minutes ago, Volk0428 said:

Hey all, 

 

sorry if this is something that has already been answered but as always i find conflicting information. Are vaccinations mandatory prior to the issuance of a K1 Visa or are they something that can be done before AOS and once in the US?

 

Thanks in advance!

Please see this:

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements

The USCIS approved civil surgeon in your country can also let you know which ones are required as part of the K1 before it is issued versus the ones you can complete in USA prior to AOS.

[Volk0428 6]

17 minutes ago, Fe.Ta said:

Please see this:

https://www.uscis.gov/tools/designated-civil-surgeons/vaccination-requirements

The USCIS approved civil surgeon in your country can also let you know which ones are required as part of the K1 before it is issued versus the ones you can complete in USA prior to AOS.

thank you, ive seen this before but this is part of the conflicting info i have seen. on the state department website it says vaccines are not mandatory prior to k1 visa issuance, only before AOS. and the above link doesnt specify what vaccines are required between the different visas.

[Fe.Ta 874]

2 minutes ago, Volk0428 said:

thank you, ive seen this before but this is part of the conflicting info i have seen. on the state department website it says vaccines are not mandatory prior to k1 visa issuance, only before AOS. and the above link doesnt specify what vaccines are required between the different visas.

Things might have changed since then, but back in 2019 when my husband went for his medical for the K1, he brought the vaccinations he had up to that point.  Then, the USCIS-approved civil surgeon listed what he needed and proceeded to ask him whether he wanted them as part of the medical or when he got to USA.  He decided to get them here.  They made him sign the medical forms indicating that he was choosing not to do them in Argentina but that he was aware they were a requirement for the AOS.  So, he got the medical to be able to get the K1 and enter USA.  However, we then had to re-do the medical here to get the vaccinations, etc.  So, just FYI.

[igoyougoduke 1,662]

20 minutes ago, Volk0428 said:

thank you, ive seen this before but this is part of the conflicting info i have seen. on the state department website it says vaccines are not mandatory prior to k1 visa issuance, only before AOS. and the above link doesnt specify what vaccines are required between the different visas.

if its cheaper get the vaccinations in home country before coming to US. it resolves the conflict of you should get it or not. either ways AOS needs vaccination records 

[Chancy 6,242]

*** Moved from K1 Progress Reports to K1 Process & Procedures ***

 

7 hours ago, Volk0428 said:

Are vaccinations mandatory prior to the issuance of a K1 Visa or are they something that can be done before AOS and once in the US?

 

DOS policy allows K1 applicants to not be completely vaccinated at the time of the visa medical.  If the applicant opts for such, the DS-3025 worksheet will be marked as "K visa applicant electing not to be vaccinated at medical examination".  Here's the relevant section from the DOS manual -- https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html

 

Medical Examination for K Applicants:

(1)  (U) Vaccinations:  Since applicants for K visas are essentially intending immigrants, a complete medical examination is required in every case.  See 9 FAM 502.7-3(C)(3).  As NIV applicants, K applicants are not subject to the INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) vaccination requirement.  However, we and DHS have agreed that medical exams for K visa applicants should include the vaccination assessment as a matter of expediency.  Therefore, you should make every effort to encourage K visa applicants to meet the vaccination requirements before admission to the United States.  Nevertheless, you may not refuse K visa applicants for refusing to meet the vaccination requirements.

(2)  (U) After the applicant is admitted to the United States in K status and applies for adjustment of status based on the relationship to the U.S. citizen named in the approved Form I-129-F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), DHS will use the panel physician's findings set forth on the Form DS-3025 to determine the applicant's admissibility on medical grounds.  Where the applicant has fully met the vaccination's requirements of INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii), as indicated on the Form DS-3025, no further action is required.  Applicants who have not fully satisfied the vaccination requirements, however, will have to do so before they may finalize their adjustment of status in the United States (unless otherwise entitled to an individual or blanket waiver from DHS).

 

[Neonred 3,579]

9 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

Things might have changed since then, but back in 2019 when my husband went for his medical for the K1, he brought the vaccinations he had up to that point.  Then, the USCIS-approved civil surgeon listed what he needed and proceeded to ask him whether he wanted them as part of the medical or when he got to USA.  He decided to get them here.  They made him sign the medical forms indicating that he was choosing not to do them in Argentina but that he was aware they were a requirement for the AOS.  So, he got the medical to be able to get the K1 and enter USA.  However, we then had to re-do the medical here to get the vaccinations, etc.  So, just FYI.

We did just the opposite.  I had my fiancee get all required vaccinations she didn't already have at her medical, and also made sure she got a copy of the DS-3025 showing vaccinations were complete.

It was a lot cheaper to get the vaccinations there, and we were able to skip the need and expense of the civil surgeon's exam here in the US.

[Chancy 6,242]

13 minutes ago, Neonred said:

It was a lot cheaper to get the vaccinations there, and we were able to skip the need and expense of the civil surgeon's exam here in the US.

 

In the Philippines, the cost of vaccinations is already included in the visa medical fee, whether you get vaccinated at the medical or not.  So there's not much point to skipping the vaccinations.

 

Also, there's only one accredited visa medical clinic, and they take that bit about making "every effort to encourage K visa applicants to meet the vaccination requirements before admission to the US" very seriously.  I read an account from a VJ member where they had to argue persistently with the clinic staff before they were allowed to clear the K1 medical without completing the vaccinations.

 

[Fe.Ta 874]

On 5/12/2023 at 11:31 AM, igoyougoduke said:

if its cheaper get the vaccinations in home country before coming to US. it resolves the conflict of you should get it or not. either ways AOS needs vaccination records 

 

19 hours ago, Chancy said:

*** Moved from K1 Progress Reports to K1 Process & Procedures ***

 

 

DOS policy allows K1 applicants to not be completely vaccinated at the time of the visa medical.  If the applicant opts for such, the DS-3025 worksheet will be marked as "K visa applicant electing not to be vaccinated at medical examination".  Here's the relevant section from the DOS manual -- https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html

 

Medical Examination for K Applicants:

(1)  (U) Vaccinations:  Since applicants for K visas are essentially intending immigrants, a complete medical examination is required in every case.  See 9 FAM 502.7-3(C)(3).  As NIV applicants, K applicants are not subject to the INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) vaccination requirement.  However, we and DHS have agreed that medical exams for K visa applicants should include the vaccination assessment as a matter of expediency.  Therefore, you should make every effort to encourage K visa applicants to meet the vaccination requirements before admission to the United States.  Nevertheless, you may not refuse K visa applicants for refusing to meet the vaccination requirements.

(2)  (U) After the applicant is admitted to the United States in K status and applies for adjustment of status based on the relationship to the U.S. citizen named in the approved Form I-129-F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), DHS will use the panel physician's findings set forth on the Form DS-3025 to determine the applicant's admissibility on medical grounds.  Where the applicant has fully met the vaccination's requirements of INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii), as indicated on the Form DS-3025, no further action is required.  Applicants who have not fully satisfied the vaccination requirements, however, will have to do so before they may finalize their adjustment of status in the United States (unless otherwise entitled to an individual or blanket waiver from DHS).

 

 

16 hours ago, Neonred said:

We did just the opposite.  I had my fiancee get all required vaccinations she didn't already have at her medical, and also made sure she got a copy of the DS-3025 showing vaccinations were complete.

It was a lot cheaper to get the vaccinations there, and we were able to skip the need and expense of the civil surgeon's exam here in the US.

 

15 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

In the Philippines, the cost of vaccinations is already included in the visa medical fee, whether you get vaccinated at the medical or not.  So there's not much point to skipping the vaccinations.

 

Also, there's only one accredited visa medical clinic, and they take that bit about making "every effort to encourage K visa applicants to meet the vaccination requirements before admission to the US" very seriously.  I read an account from a VJ member where they had to argue persistently with the clinic staff before they were allowed to clear the K1 medical without completing the vaccinations.

 

Yes, I was not suggesting the OP to do what we did.  I was just answering the question as to whether or not it was a requirement for the K1 versus the AOS.  Hence, why I also mentioned we had to re-do the medical.

[Chancy 6,242]

21 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

I was just answering the question as to whether or not it was a requirement for the K1 versus the AOS.

 

You are correct -- K1 applicants do have the option to skip vaccinations at the visa medical (but not AOS).  Whether they should take that option or not depends on the individual's circumstances.  For applicants from the Philippines, it just doesn't make much sense to skip them as they are already included in the medical fee.

 

[Ontarkie 14,307]

You don't list what Country. So I will add if your country is Canada they will not complete the medical without the vaccines. 

[Dragonsarereal 14]

Also, the CDC has just made a slight change to the Covid19 vaccination. One dose is now accepted so that the candidate is not delayed, and he can get the second dose later. Source