On September 14, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, effective October 1, 2021, applicants subject to the immigration medical examination must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before a civil surgeon can complete an immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693). Generally, individuals applying to be lawful permanent residents, and other applicants, must undergo a civil surgeon immigration medical examination to show they are free from any conditions that would render them inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds. USCIS has issued a new version of Form I-693, which now includes the COVID-19 vaccine among the required vaccinations of the immigration medical examination. USCIS confirmed it may grant blanket waivers to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement in certain cases and individuals may also apply for individual waivers based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.