Based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those who are fully vaccinated will now be able to visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices without a mask.
On March 18, 2020, USCIS suspended field office, asylum office, and Application Support Center (ASC) in-person services due to COVID-19. During this time, USCIS provided only limited emergency services. Field offices cancelled all scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies. Based on guidance released May 27, 2021, USCIS is now allowing qualifying individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter its facilities without a mask.
What is meant by full vaccination?
To qualify for entry without a mask, it must be at least two weeks after you have received your second dose in a two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccinations, or at least two weeks after you have received one dose of a single-dose vaccine.
USCIS visitor policy updated on May 27, 2021:
Visitors who can enter USCIS facilities without a mask:
- Must be fully vaccinated, and have not come into close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
- Must not exhibit any COVID-19 Symptoms.
- Fully vaccinated healthcare workers who consistently wear an N95 respirator and proper PPE or equivalent when in contact with COVID-19-positive individuals
- Fully vaccinated individuals who have returned from domestic, international air, or cruise ship travel in the past 10 days.
Visitors who must still wear a face mask to enter USCIS facilities:
- Applicants, petitioners, and visitors two years of age or older who are not fully vaccinated.
Who is still not allowed to USCIS offices:
Note: If you are sick or feeling sick, please do not enter the office. You may reschedule your Appointments with no penalty.
- Those you have been asked to self-isolate or self-quarantine in the past 14 days.
- Those with any symptoms of COVID-19, including a recently developed cough, fever, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell or taste, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, congestion, sore throat, or vomiting.
- Those who refuse to wear a facemask (unless fully vaccinated)
- Naturalization ceremony guests (with the exception of individuals assisting disabled persons)
- Individuals accompanying applicants with scheduled appointments, with the exception of: attorney, interpreter, parent, legal guardian, or trusted adults or immediate family members who can assist minor applicants, or an individual assisting a disabled person
