USCIS Changes Vaccination Requirements For Adjustment Applicants

On June 24, 2008, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a revised list of vaccines required for applicants seeking to adjust status to become legal permanent residents. This revision follows guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements require the following age-appropriate additional vaccinations to adjust status to legal permanent resident: 

• Rotavirus
• Hepatitis A
• Meningococcal 
• Human papillomavirus 
• Zoster

The requirements for these new vaccines went into effect on July 1, 2008, however CDC approved a 30-day grace period for any medical exam conducted before August 1, 2008. At that time the new vaccinations, if appropriate, must be administered in order for USCIS to approve the applicant for adjustment of status. CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements are posted on-line at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil.htm. USCIS has posted a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” about the revised vaccination requirements at: http://www.uscis.gov. For additional help with the Form I-693, call USCIS’ Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.