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Case Stories
❌ EB-3 Adjustment of Status Denied - I-601 Vaccine Waiver Rejection
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❌ **Case Status: Denied**
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An applicant's I-485 was denied due to an insufficient I-601 vaccine waiver based on religious/moral convictions. The applicant filed pro se and did not provide adequate documentation to support the waiver claim. They now face a 30-day window to file a motion to reopen.
This case involves an I-485 denial stemming from a failed I-601 vaccine waiver (Form I-601, Inadmissibility Waiver). The applicant cited religious and moral convictions as grounds for exemption from the vaccination requirement. The initial filing was done without legal representation, and the supporting documentation for the moral/religious conviction claim was deemed insufficient by the adjudicating officer. The applicant now has 30 days to file a Motion to Reopen (Form I-290B) with additional evidence, or alternatively refile the application. An immigration attorney consulted post-denial indicated that vaccine waivers based on religious/moral grounds are rarely approved under current USCIS adjudication practices.
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**[📎 View Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1to7kjg/i485_denied_due_to_i601/)**
*Source: Reddit I-485 EB*
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*This post was automatically curated from online sources to share real case experiences with the community.*
Vaccine waiver denials under I-601 have become increasingly difficult to overcome under current USCIS policy. Religious and moral conviction waivers require extensive, well-documented evidence — including detailed personal statements, supporting letters from religious leaders, and a demonstrated lifelong consistent practice. Pro se filers frequently face denial due to insufficient documentation rather than ineligibility. A Motion to Reopen (I-290B) within the 30-day window preserves the case without requiring a new filing fee, but success depends heavily on submitting substantially stronger evidence than the original filing. Cases like this are highly officer-dependent and policy-sensitive; consulting an experienced immigration attorney before filing the motion is critical, as the evidentiary bar has risen significantly in recent adjudication cycles.