Hi All,

Had my medical yesterday. All went pretty smoothly, though I am £300 poorer after paying for a train ticket to London, the medical (£160) and £60 for a couple of vaccinations. I does seem crazy that this is the only place on the country authorised to do it. A tip for all those still to go through it, if you can get vaccinations through your local doctor in advance, or proof that you have had these, then it'll save you some cash. My doctor didn't have any record of my previous vaccinations and, in the end, I just figured I'd get them done on the day to make sure I get the right ones.

In terms of the medical itself, it is all pretty painless and inobtrusive - they check your vaccinations and, if you want, give you any extra you need. Then a chest x-ray, and then a 10-15 minute examination with a doctor - they weigh you, ask you a few questions about medical history, drug or alcohol abuse, mental health etc. Then they ask you to strip to underwear and socks and give you a once over, checking your back, chest etc. They do take a quick glance at your nether-regions, but no painful insertions of anything cold, so I was pleased with that. ;-) Staff were friendly and efficient, though at the price you pay you would certainly hope they were!

One final tip, I spent most of Wednesday running around trying to get US size photos, as the guidelines sent to me by the embassy said I needed a photo for the medical, and two for the visa appointment, and that these had to be specifically US-sized photos. I went to the only place in Bristol that I knew of to do them, and they were closed, then wandered around the other stores who all said they couldn't do it. Finally found a place that would, but they were unable to have them with me the same day. Eventually I phoned the doctors to tell them that I couldn't get an appropriate photo (my appointment was 1st thing in the morning), and asked whether I could either go get it done afterwards in London, or if I could reschedule for later. They said "don't worry, a normal UK sized photo is fine." Apparently you only need the US-sized ones for the embassy. I did go and get some done though immediately afterwards, so now I should be ready for the big day. Passport Photo Service on Oxford St, near the embassy, were very fast and efficient, their details are in packet 3 that was sent to me by the embassy, though I did wander if I had the right place as their offices look a bit dingy.

So now, barring any nasty surprises from the blood test, x-ray etc, all I need to do is await packet 3 from the embassy. Here's hoping they don't take too long. I'm missing my lady.

Cheers,
Sami



Sorry, that should read packet 4.

Glad all finally worked out for you, one other thing to add though, if you have a digi camera and some photo paper, you can have someone take your picture and size it correctly, that is what we did and just made sure our heads were where they should be and then we cut them to the 2" and the embassy accepted them,no problem, so saved ourselves a bit of dosh there

Hi,

I will be going for my medical next Wednesday. I am unable to have any shots as I am pregnant and fortunatly I live in London so it won't take long to get to Knightsbridge!

300 pounds for a train ticket? JESUS that's expensive. That's over $550USD. We can get round trip economy plane tickets from NYC to London for less at times. The UK is SO expensive!

I just had mine done in Snappy Snaps. The have a special type of photo they take for visas and passports. There is a Snappy Snaps in most towns in the UK.

In packet 3 it specifys where to get them done; it gives you a list of places that are approved by the Consulate. I actually can't help but think you made things a little difficult for yourself...

Actually it was £100 for the train ticket - I meant £300 poorer overall, including the medical. Still rip-off for an hour-and-a-half journey. Don't get me started on British train prices...



The only Snappy Snaps in town was closed for refurbishment. Still, you are right, if I'd have done it a day earlier I could have used another shop around the corner.