The U.S. Green Card Application and its Immigration Requirements are a fundamental part of the citizenship process. The Green Card provides proof of residence in the U.S., as well as a process for gaining access to U.S. citizenship and the rights, privileges, and obligations that go along with it. Immigrants must meet many different forms of requirements, however, most of which are common among all countries requiring immigrants to apply for the green card.
There are several different vaccinations required by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ office of immigration, but not all vaccinations are required. When a child is born in America, their mother should have received all of her recommended vaccines before they give birth. If a mother does not have all of their recommended childhood vaccinations, they can fill out the appropriate forms and provide documentation proving that they received these vaccinations. This documentation can include a prescription for a vaccine or they can simply provide a link to one of the websites where they can find the vaccination they require.
Some children do not receive any vaccinations while they are in their first year of life in the United States. These children must wait until they are five years old to enroll in school and learn how to protect themselves and their families. This vaccination requirement was put in place so children are not automatically excluded from the green card process if they receive fewer than two doses of vaccines within the first year of life. For children who receive less than two doses, they must fill out a separate application and provide proof of their receipt of the required vaccines. They must also go back to their country of origin to obtain their booster shots.
There are a few types of childhood vaccinations that are required regardless of whether you are an immigrant or not. Those childhood vaccines required to be given to children overseas are Hepatitis B and Pertussonium vaccines. Pertussonium is also required as part of the routine flu shots. If you do not currently have these vaccinations but fear being abroad during an epidemic, you can learn more about the vaccines your child may need by visiting the Immunization Information Line.
Those who are on green card applications must also submit copies of their immunizations. Some immigrants do not meet this requirement, so they will likely not have received the required doses of pneumococcal vaccines. However, immigrants who qualify for refugee status will be allowed to stay. The government evaluates the qualification of the applicant based on whether they can provide proof of having received appropriate vaccinations. If you are applying as an immigrant with a genuine disability, you may not be eligible to use the green card application as a way of proving your disability.
Immigrants must meet the immunization requirements before they are allowed to live permanently in the United States. If immigrants cannot meet the vaccination requirements, they must obtain an exception. To do so, they must fill out an application that explains why they cannot meet the requirement. After reviewing the application, the United States government will determine if the applicant can wait to receive the vaccine.
Those immigrants who have one of several diseases that are considered high risk will have to wait until their child is old enough to receive the vaccine. Two diseases, measles and rubella, are considered endemic. These diseases are not part of the outbreaks that occur often in most countries. Anyone not born in the United States that has had either of these diseases will not be allowed to come to the country.
Each year, a few vaccines for travelers are made available to immigrants. In the past few years, the United States has had outbreaks of flu, measles, and chickenpox. Because of these outbreaks, many immigrants who could not meet the vaccine immigration requirement now must meet it. There is no vaccine currently available to prevent shih tzu disease, but the government is working on developing one. Other diseases that immigrants may not be able to receive a vaccine against are hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, po vaccines, and rotavirus.