Novak Djokovic, a Serbian tennis player, who is ranked No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), was deported from Australia by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, for refusing vaccination against COVID-19.

It is Djokovic’s second time having his visa revoked in the past month after much controversy including his attendance at a PR event with the Tennis Association of Belgrade, where he posed with dozens of children one day after testing positive for COVID-19.

Djokovic refuses to get vaccinated

Djokovic’s resistance to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for a combination of religious and “personal reasons” has raised concerns over his ability to play in the French Open on May 20, 2022, as stricter rules are in place for COVID-19 vaccinations.

France’s parliament passed a law that prohibits unvaccinated people from entering public spaces such as cafes, cinemas, and restaurants.

Vaccination rules and requirements are rapidly changing and have become increasingly rigorous around the world, especially in Australia and France where it reported that more than 75% of the population has been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are planning to travel, it is critical that you confirm the vaccination rules and requirements of your destination.

U.S. changed vaccination rules

Much like in other countries, the rules in the US in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination have changed. As of October 1, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is requiring that travelers present their COVID-19 vaccination records before entering the United States.

If you do not present proof of vaccination, you will be considered inadmissible under health-related grounds and may have your visa or travel document canceled or revoked. Additionally, proof of vaccination is now a requirement for green card cases.