I got my packet 3 last week, and inside were the instructions for booking my medical exam.

I've just called up to book it, and my medical is 8:50am on 26th July.

I asked about afternoon appointments, but the girl said that I would be looking until the 2nd week of August at the earliest to get an afternoon one, all the had were 8:50/9am appointments starting on 26th July.

She gave me a list of things I need to bring to the appointment with me:

• Passport
• Passport photo (didn't matter if it was US or UK size
• Completed medical questionnaire that was included in Packet 3
• Vaccination records, if I have them

I thought it was going to be a bit of a trek to get to the doctors at that time of the morning from way up here in Newcastle, but by a stroke of luck I have to go to a meeting at 2pm in Slough on the same day, so work will already be paying for me to stay in a hotel on the night of the 25th and providing me with a hire car. All I need to do is make sure I get up early enough, and get a train from Slough to Paddington (30 mins) and then get a tube from Paddington to Great Portland Street (closest station with no stops and on multiple lines to ensure the trains are frequent) and then walk 10 mins to the doctors, then get back again for 2pm to have my meeting!

That's the plan anyway

Sounds like a plan! Hopefully you'll be in and out of there fast, given that your appointment is so early. Also, interesting they're telling you now that they'll accept US or UK passport photos -- our experience was that when Bruce presented his US photo as instructed in Packet 3, they asked if he had a UK-size one instead (they ended up cutting his down). Now, why doesn't the Embassy bother to update this?

I had started to wonder if I heard the receptionist wrong, but I've just called up again and asked "What kind of passport photo do I need?" and was told "Any, American or English, it doesn't matter".

There is a photography studio next to me that does 4 US sized pictures for £8 or something like that, so I will get a batch of 4 done, and that will cover the medical and the ones needed for the interview (2 isn't it?)

Hmmm...you'd think it was 2 for the interview, wouldn't you? They only asked my husband for one on the day (3 weeks ago), again contrary to the instructions. I seem to recall others only being asked for one recently as well. However, just to be on the safe side I would get 2 for the day, so you might as well go for the 4-pack for £8, which sounds like a bargain to me.

When did you ring up for the medical? I booked mine last week and was told the earliest date they had was 30th July, so i had to book it for then and delay a trip I had planned, and now I see you've managed to sneak a medical in before me!

I guess they must of had some cancellations, so you've had some good luck on the timing of it with yur work trip, well done! This visa process is so frustrating its always good to hear when something works out well for someone.

About 9:05am this morning.

I know what you mean about it being frustrating, I'll take any small victory that I can.

However, how lucky I get with an interview date is anyone's guess!

I was only asked for one last October. When I got to the POE the immigration officer opened the MBE and asked me where the second photograph was. When I said I had only been asked for one, and of course I didn't have one of the unused ones physically with me, he said it might delay my green card and I might receive a letter asking me to provide a further photograph. In fact it didn't cause any problem and my green card arrived in about 3 weeks without me hearing anymore about the "missing" photograph.

Having said all that take the number the instructions tell you too to the interview and if they only take one might be worthwhile putting a spare in your wallet in case it is asked for at the POE.

Hi there, I too received my packet 3 last week, but they forgot to include the medical leaflet and info. After many mins on the phone to the embassy at £1.50 a minute i was given a second number which put me through to a human being who gave me an email address to contact, which i did. Then they sent an automated reply saying they have deleted my emal without reading it! Please if u could send me any info contained in the leaflet so i can book my medical id appreciate it!! Thanks David

That's the typical email -- did the live person give you a special code for the email?

I don't know if this has much to do with scheduling, but you know there are 2 docs that do the medicals. Apparently, they are with the same practice, and even ring to the same phone number. They are, however, in different locations. Dan found this out the day of his medical by going to the wrong one! Perhaps one is scheduling sooner than the other.

Most of the info you need to book the medical can be found on this website: http://www.visamedicals.info/

All the info they're supposed to send in the packet 3 can be found here, except for the medical questionnaire - and they told me I can fill in one of those on the day.

When you phone up and book, you don't choose which one you go to, they just assign you to one with the soonest appointment I assume (unless you ask for a later one, or one on a specific date etc)

I know I was never given a choice. I was hoping to go to the one next to Harrods, because it was just a short walk to Buckingham palace so I could get some photos for the OH, but I am going to the one near Bond Street station, so it'll be a case of in and out and then back to Slough for a work meeting.

Maybe I can stroll a bit after my interview, when ever that is going to be.



I was told I had to take a completed one with me...

Yeah I think you are supposed to take one with you, but i didn't receive one in my packet 3 and was told I can fill one in when i get there - and having seen a scan of the questionnaire I know its going to take me 10 seconds to tick no in all the boxes.

I would suggest, however, that if anyone doesn't receive the questionnaire in their packet 3 but has a complicated medical history, that they contact the embassy and get the form sent out beforehand, otherwise it could be difficult to do on the day of the medical.

When I booked Bruce's medical, I was told that although there are two offices, only the Bentinck Mansions office deals with US immigration medicals at the moment. They repeatedly told me to make sure he did not go to the Knightsbridge office (they told me so many times I suspected they thought I was slow...).

I had my medical last week and gave them the US passport size photo. Again I was asked if I had a UK one as they will have to cut it down otherwise, which she ended up doing. Fortunately they were able to do this and keep the bits on the picture they wanted.

Also as an extra take your P3 cover letter that tells you to book the medical, despite not asking for it when you book they do need it before they will release your paperwork to the embassy.