Key Points
- DHS has updated its COVID-19 vaccination mandates for individuals granted parole through Uniting for Ukraine
- All individuals aged six months and older must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccinations
- Individuals must receive COVID-19 vaccinations before arriving in the US and become fully vaccinated within 90 days of arrival in the US
- COVID-19 vaccinations must be approved or authorized by the FDA or the WHO
Overview
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for individuals who were granted parole into the United States in the Uniting for Ukraine program.
What are the Changes?
Now, beneficiaries aged six months and above must provide an attestation proving that they received at least one COVID-19 vaccination before traveling to the US unless they are eligible for an exception. Previously, the COVID-19 vaccination requirements only applied to beneficiaries aged five years and older.
Before traveling to the US, beneficiaries aged six months and older must attest that they received at least one COVID-19 vaccination approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use unless they qualify for an exception. After receiving parole into the US, beneficiaries must attest that they have completed, or will complete, the rest of their COVID-19 vaccination series and be fully vaccinated within 90 days of arrival in the US or within 90 days of reaching the eligible age for vaccination, unless they qualify for an exception. The attestation is required for parole, and it must be completed in the beneficiary’s online USCIS account. Beneficiaries must arrange their own vaccinations.
Looking Ahead
Updates to the Uniting for Ukraine program will be provided as available.
Written by: Lucy Halse, Content Marketing Associate, Envoy Global
Edited by: Frank Fogelbach, Supervising Attorney, Corporate Immigration Partners
Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
