I have a religious objection to vaccines. Will the I-485 require me to get vaccinated?

As a rule, yes. Adjustment of status through the I-485 includes a medical examination that reviews your vaccination history, in accordance with applicable health guidelines. This is a standard procedure for most cases, including those in the EB-1 category.

During this exam, the applicant must demonstrate vaccination or immunity against certain diseases. The requirement typically applies even to those with a religious objection, because these rules are grounded in public health protection.

That said, exemptions are possible in specific circumstances. They depend on careful documentation and an individual evaluation conducted within the official medical exam process, and are not granted automatically or routinely.

Because this is a sensitive matter reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the most prudent approach is to check the latest guidelines on the USCIS website and assess your situation with an immigration professional before starting the adjustment of status process.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.