What Vaccines Are Required for the I-485 Green Card Application?

The immigration medical exam might be one of the most time-consuming and complicated parts of your I-485 application. There are some long, long lists on USCIS’s website and CDC’s website regarding the vaccinations and tests you need for the I-693 report. However, many of them are subject to your age group. If you are between 18 and 64 years old, generally, you only need 4 vaccines and 3 blood tests.

Also note that now the valid period of I-693 report has been updated to 2 years.

*Update: August 12th, 2021: USCIS temporarily extends I-693 validity period from 2 years to 4 years! Click here to learn more.

What Vaccines and Tests Are Required for the I-693 Medical Exam? 

• ***Oct 1st, 2021, COVID-19 Vaccine is required!
• Td/ T-Dap: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (expire every 10 years) 
• MMR Varicella - If you had chickenpox before, you don’t need it 
• Influenza (Flu Shot) - You only need this during flu season, from October 1st to March 31st 
• Syphilis Test* - Please read important update below 
• Gonorrhea Test 
• Tuberculosis Test** - This needs to be tested every 1 year. Please read the important update below 

Download my ebook to learn more details including a chart of vaccine requirements based on an applicant's Age. 

Varicella can be avoided if you or your family remember you had chickenpox before. Just tell your doctor you had it before then you should be able to skip that.

* According to CDC’s website, starting from 2013, “syphilis tests must be performed at the time of the screening medical examination and at the laboratory designated as the testing laboratory for the panel physician or civil surgeon. Syphilis tests performed at other laboratories or before the panel physician or civil surgeon examines the applicant are not acceptable.”

**According to CDC’s website, starting from September 2018, “Tuberculin skin testing (TST) cannot be used as a substitute for IGRA testing.”

For more information, visit CDC’s website here.

What if you are pregnant? In the next post, I will share my experience with you regarding getting your immigration exam done during pregnancy!

Click here to see a step-by-step guide for filing your I-485 application>>

Disclaimer: This article is for sharing personal experience only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.