Effective August 10, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for Uniting for Ukraine beneficiaries. The COVID-19 vaccination requirement is now applicable to all beneficiaries aged six months or older unless they qualify for an exception.
Previously, beneficiaries under five years of age were exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement as the vaccination was not yet approved and available for the age group.
What to Expect
- To receive travel authorization, all beneficiaries six months and older must attest that they have received at least one dose of a Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- After being paroled into the United States, all beneficiaries six months and older must attest that they completed or will complete their COVID-19 vaccination series within 90 days of arrival or 90 days of eligibility.
- The attestations must be completed in the beneficiary’s USCIS online account.
- Beneficiaries are responsible for scheduling their vaccinations.
Erickson Insights
In July, DHS announced that beneficiaries paroled into the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine program will have 90 days to attest to their compliance with the medical screening and vaccination requirements. Previously, Uniting for Ukraine beneficiaries had 14 days to complete the medical screening and attestation upon arrival in the United States.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.