Do we need packet 3/4 from the embassy before we can schedule the medical in Moscow? Is there an authorization or anything in the packet we would need? Also typically how long before the embassy interview is the medical? The reason I ask is I am trying to buy plane tickets but cant until i know the medical exam date.


thanks folks

You need the case number issued to the embassy for the medical exam. The results are placed in a sealed envelope and the embassy case number must be on the report. Remember to keep the envelope sealed.

The visa is not issued immediately after the interview so plan just over a week after the interview for her passport to arrive and make your travel plans accordingly.

We tried scheduling an exam with MOM about 2.5 months before the interview. They laughed and said to call back when the interview date is a few weeks away or closer.

same here. called the clinic last week and they shoo'ed us away

Sergey had his exam at MOM last Friday, and I got an sms that said he "passed" but we haven't had times to get details yet, since his laptop is out of service right now...He lives in Moscow, so he just called a few days ahead...

Which makes sense 'cause this particular place offers the results in a couple of hours. Now why would they need to deal with a load of unnecessary info about appointments so far in advance? Correct me if this logic is wrong.
To the topic starter:
don't worry. It is (by my experience at least) one of the easiest steps - fast, painless, relatively reliable. A week window is more than enough. Good luck!

My wife called AO Medicina, which is where we'll do the medical this time (MOM was rude bordering on the abusive) last week. She was also shooed away and told to call no more than a month in advance. We got a good laugh out of that.

Especially if the beneficiary wants to avoid unnecessary vaccinations, get a good vaccination history with dates from a doctor where the beneficiary lives. Get it in Russian with a bunch of stamps. If looks cool and might even be useful. Be careful about translation, because translation of diseases seems to be tricky. (My wife has a degree in English, is certified to translate documents, and we are going back and forth over exactly what the various vaccinations were for.)

Let's assume the beneficiary is over 18. Pay special attention to MMR (in Russia rubella vaccines were not given -- at least not in the '50s and '60s), tetanus/diphtheria, and chicken pox. If the beneficiary was born after 1956, he/she will need MMR even if he/she got measles and mumps as a kid because of the rubella requirement. If the beneficiary had chicken pox as a kid, get that into her vaccination certificate. And be sure to get a copy of the resultant vaccination certificate from the doc at the medical.

If the beneficiary is over 18, the hepatitus vaccine is optional although a lot of docs here in the USA will push it hard. You might want to read up on it carefully, especially if you are concerned about getting lots of vaccines.

If the beneficiary is over 50, a flu vaccine will be necessary unless AOS is done in late spring or summer -- when flyu vaccine is not available.

I thought I read that the vaccinations can be done after traveling to the US but before AOS. Is this wrong?

You are correct, but we decided to do the vaccinations in Russia because it was cheaper and once it was done we did not have to deal with the problems of going to the civil surgeon here. We simply turned in a copy of the DS-3025 with our AOS application and because all vaccines were up to date no other medical exams or reports were needed. A lot easier.

Also, that form is good for only one year. If your AOS is a year after (entirely possible, depending on the backlog) - you will need a new one.

Regarding vaccinations. My wife needed to get one so we went to the public health office of our county. It was cheap, less than $15 and didn't take long at all. Give your county health department a call about costs.

If you are stuck doing vaccinations in the US, don't forget about public health. We only paid $10 per vaccine.

We couldnt get the vaccinations because my wife was and still is pregnant and I thought they would hold up the green card because of it, but they didnt ask any questions about vaccinations or make us wait until they were done.