Varicella (Chickenpox)

Required for Form I-693 (USCIS medical exam) for adjustment of status, refugee/asylee status, and certain other immigration benefits.

What it protects against

Varicella zoster (chickenpox).

Who must receive it

Ages 12 months and older without evidence of immunity.

Dose schedule

2 doses, given 4–12 weeks apart (ages 12 months–12 years can be 3 months apart).

Cost

$0 with insurance. Without insurance: $130–$200/dose at private offices; lower at county health departments.

See Where to get immigration vaccinations for free and low-cost options.

Side effects

Sore arm, mild rash near injection site 1–2 weeks after. Fever uncommon.

Blood test alternative (titer)

Yes — varicella titer accepted as proof of immunity. Significantly cheaper than 2 doses.

Important notes

If you had chickenpox as a child (very common in Latin America), you have NATURAL immunity. A blood test (varicella titer) costing $50–$150 can prove immunity instead of vaccinating. Many adult immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador have natural immunity from childhood infection.

Bring to your civil surgeon

  • Yellow international vaccination card (cartilla de vacunacion) if vaccinated abroad
  • Pediatrician/clinic records from any US doctor visits
  • State immunization registry printout if available
  • Translation NOT required for vaccine cards — doses and dates are universal

Civil surgeons can administer missing doses during your I-693 exam, but pricing is typically HIGHER than going to a county health department or pharmacy beforehand.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General health and procedural information from CDC Civil Surgeon Technical Instructions and USCIS Policy Manual. Not medical or legal advice. Consult your physician for medical guidance and a licensed immigration attorney for case-specific questions.

USCIS Form I-693 medical exam context (2025-2026)

The USCIS Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) is required for adjustment-of-status applicants (Form I-485) and certain refugee/asylee categories. Civil Surgeons designated by USCIS conduct the exam. Find a Civil Surgeon at uscis.gov/tools/find-a-civil-surgeon. Costs range from $100-$500 (with average $200-$350) depending on region — NOT covered by USCIS or any government program.

CDC’s Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons (most recent major update 2023) specify required vaccinations: tetanus-diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap/DTaP), MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza (seasonal), pneumococcal (age-dependent), Hib (children), Hepatitis A + B, rotavirus + meningococcal (children), HPV (age 9-26 catch-up). Adults typically need 4-8 vaccines; full pediatric schedule for children. Form I-693 results are valid for 2 years from signature date.

H.R.1 / OBBBA changes (2026-05-29) did NOT affect I-693 procedures, but USCIS Form Fee changes effective 2026-05-29 may affect related adjustment-of-status processing — verify USCIS Fee Schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing I-485. Tuberculosis (TB) screening required for all I-693 applicants 2+ years old; chest X-ray for positive skin/blood tests.

For Civil Surgeon designation questions or vaccination requirement disputes: USCIS Contact Center 1-800-375-5283 Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time. For sealed I-693 transport (DO NOT OPEN — Civil Surgeon places in sealed envelope; USCIS rejects opened envelopes): submit with I-485 or in response to RFE within 60 days. Lost or expired I-693 requires fresh examination ($$$$ again).

For low-cost / free vaccination sources: community health centers (FQHCs at /benefits/community-health-centers-by-state/) provide vaccines on sliding-fee scale; many counties offer free immunization clinics. CDC Vaccines for Children (VFC) program: 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) for children whose parents/guardians cannot afford vaccines.