What Vaccines Are Required for a Green Card?
Green card applicants generally must show they have received certain required vaccinations as part of the immigration medical exam, though waivers exist for some situations. The vaccination requirement means that, as part of the medical exam documented on Form I-693, applicants must demonstrate they have had the vaccines required under immigration rules, which cover a range of vaccine-preventable diseases. The specific list can be updated over time, and waivers may be available on medical or other grounds. A civil surgeon evaluates your vaccination records.
This guide explains the vaccination requirement, waivers, and how it fits the medical exam. It connects to our guides on the medical exam و immigration inadmissibility.
Questions about the green card vaccine requirement? Atlas Legal can help. Contact our team to get started.
نکات کلیدی
- Green card applicants generally must show required vaccinations.
- Vaccinations are documented as part of the medical exam on Form I-693.
- The required list covers several vaccine-preventable diseases.
- The specific list can be updated over time.
- Waivers may be available in some situations.
What This Guide Covers
- The vaccination requirement
- Part of the medical exam
- The required vaccines
- معافیتها
- Bringing your records
- Frequently asked questions
The Vaccination Requirement
As part of qualifying for a green card, applicants generally must show that they have received certain vaccinations required under immigration rules. This is meant to protect public health by ensuring immigrants are vaccinated against specified diseases.
Not meeting the vaccination requirement can be an obstacle to the green card, unless it is addressed through catching up on vaccines or a waiver. This is why the requirement is an important part of the process.
Part of the Medical Exam
The vaccination requirement is handled as part of the immigration medical exam, which is documented on Form I-693. The civil surgeon who performs the exam reviews your vaccination history and records the required vaccines.
Because the vaccinations are assessed during the medical exam, coming prepared with your records helps the process. The civil surgeon can also administer needed vaccines in many cases.
The Required Vaccines
The vaccination requirement covers a range of vaccine-preventable diseases specified under immigration rules. The list includes vaccines commonly required for public health purposes:
| Aspect of the list | What to know |
|---|---|
| Covered diseases | A range of vaccine-preventable diseases specified by the rules |
| Updates | The specific list can be updated over time |
| Assessment | The civil surgeon determines what you need based on records and age |
Because the specific vaccines required can be updated, checking the current list is important. The civil surgeon applies the current requirements to your situation.
معافیتها
Waivers of the vaccination requirement may be available in some situations. For example, waivers can exist on medical grounds, such as when a vaccine is not medically appropriate, or on certain other grounds recognized under the rules.
A waiver can allow an applicant to proceed despite not meeting the standard vaccination requirement, when the conditions are met. Whether a waiver applies depends on the specific circumstances, so advice can help.
Think you may need a vaccination waiver for your green card? Ask Atlas Legal to review your options.
Bringing Your Records
Bringing your vaccination records to the medical exam is very helpful. Documentation of vaccines you have already received can prevent unnecessary repeat vaccinations and help the civil surgeon complete the form accurately.
If you do not have records, the civil surgeon can assess what you need. Being prepared with whatever documentation you have makes the vaccination part of the exam smoother and can save time and cost.
When to Work With an Immigration Attorney
While the vaccination requirement is routine for many, complications can arise. Legal help is valuable when you may need a waiver, when vaccines are medically inappropriate for you, when you have concerns about the requirement, or when it interacts with other parts of your case. An attorney can help you address the requirement or pursue a waiver. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
سوالات متداول
What vaccines are required for a green card?
Green card applicants generally must show they have received certain vaccinations required under immigration rules, covering a range of vaccine-preventable diseases. These are documented as part of the immigration medical exam on Form I-693, and a civil surgeon reviews your records and determines what you need based on the current list and your age. Because the specific list can be updated over time, checking the current requirements is important, and waivers may be available in some situations.
How are vaccinations handled for a green card?
The vaccination requirement is handled as part of the immigration medical exam, documented on Form I-693. The civil surgeon who performs the exam reviews your vaccination history, records the required vaccines, and can often administer any you still need. Because the vaccinations are assessed during the medical exam, coming prepared with your records helps the process go smoothly and can prevent unnecessary repeat vaccinations that cost time and money.
Can the required vaccine list change?
Yes. The specific vaccines required under the immigration rules can be updated over time as public health guidance evolves. Because of this, older information may not reflect the current list. Checking the current requirements is important, and the civil surgeon applies the up-to-date rules to your situation based on your records and age. If you are unsure what is currently required, confirming the present list or getting advice helps you prepare.
Are there waivers for the vaccination requirement?
Yes, waivers may be available in some situations. For example, waivers can exist on medical grounds, such as when a vaccine is not medically appropriate, or on certain other grounds recognized under the rules. A waiver can allow an applicant to proceed despite not meeting the standard vaccination requirement, when the conditions are met. Whether a waiver applies depends on the specific circumstances, so getting advice can help you understand your options.
Should I bring my vaccination records to the exam?
Yes. Bringing your vaccination records to the medical exam is very helpful, because documentation of vaccines you have already received can prevent unnecessary repeat vaccinations and help the civil surgeon complete the form accurately. If you do not have records, the civil surgeon can assess what you need. Being prepared with whatever documentation you have makes the vaccination part of the exam smoother and can save you time and cost.
What if a vaccine is not safe for me?
If a vaccine is not medically appropriate for you, a waiver may be available on medical grounds, allowing you to proceed without that vaccine when the conditions are met. The civil surgeon and the rules account for situations where a vaccine cannot be safely given. Because this involves both medical and immigration considerations, it is important to raise the issue during the exam and, if needed, get legal advice on pursuing a waiver.
Who decides which vaccines I need?
The designated civil surgeon who performs your immigration medical exam determines which vaccines you need, based on the current required list, your vaccination records, and factors like your age. They apply the up-to-date immigration rules to your specific situation. This is why using an authorized civil surgeon and bringing your records is important, since they make the assessment and document it on Form I-693 for your green card application.
What happens if I do not meet the vaccine requirement?
If you do not meet the vaccination requirement, it can be an obstacle to the green card unless addressed. Often this is resolved by receiving the needed vaccines, which the civil surgeon can frequently administer during the exam. In other cases, a waiver may be available. Because not meeting the requirement can affect your case, it is important to address it through catching up on vaccines or pursuing a waiver where appropriate.
Bottom Line
Green card applicants generally must show they have received certain required vaccinations, documented as part of the medical exam on Form I-693. The required list covers several diseases and can be updated over time, and waivers may be available in some situations. Bring your records to the exam. Each case depends on its own facts.
If you have questions about the green card vaccine requirement, Atlas Legal Immigration Law can help. Reach us at 1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173, call (+1) 872 382 2762, or email info@theatlaslegal.com. Learn more on our services page.
Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on July 28, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Policy Manual: Vaccination Requirement
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Immigration Requirements: Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.
