Visas
Immigrant Visas
Vaccination Requirements for Immigrant Visa Applicants
Effective July 1, 1997, all applicants for immigrant visas must fulfill the vaccination requirements of Section 212(a)(l)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act before an immigrant visa can be issued. An applicant must show proof of having received vaccination against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. In some limited cases, to be determined by the panel physician who conducts the medical examination, the Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and/or the Immigration and Naturalization Service, a waiver of the requirements may be authorized.
This new vaccination requirement applies to all immigrant visa applicants, including adopted children, and will be incorporated into the medical examination process. Each applicant should bring with him or her to the panel physician all medical records which list vaccinations received. Episodes of vaccine-preventable illnesses suffered by the applicant, or medical conditions, which would affect the administration of vaccines. Without appropriate documentary evidence to substantiate an applicant's claims of vaccinations, illnesses or allergies, the panel physician will not consider the vaccination requirements to be fulfilled.
If, at the time of the medical examination, the panel physician finds that the applicant is not in compliance with the vaccination requirements, the applicant may either have the necessary vaccinations administered by the panel physician, or by a private physician of his or her choice. If the applicant chooses to have a non-panel physician administer the vaccinations, he or she will have to provide the panel physician with documentary evidence that the vaccinations were administered.
The vaccination requirements are as follows. Some vaccinations require a series of doses. If the applicant has begun the series, and is not due for the next inoculation at the time of the medical examination, he or she will be considered to have met the requirement for that vaccination.
Vaccines (all available in Russia) |
Age Group for Which Vaccination is Required |
| diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis | ages 2 months to 6 years |
| tetanus-diphtheria | ages 7 years and older |
| polio | ages 2 months to 17 years |
| measles, mumps, rubella | ages 12 months to 64 years (if born after 1956) |
| hepatitis B | ages birth to 17 years |
| influenza | ages 65 years and older |
Please see the table detailing the schedule of doses required for each vaccination.
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