Search the Community

I had my medical exam at Knightsbridge earlier this week so thought I would give a little explanation as to how it went...and hopefully this can help some other people who are anxiously anticipating their appointment! These are the documents I took with me; Valid Passport 4x Passport Photos, UK or US size GP Summary - 5 pages detailing medications, problems & issues, diagnoses, allergies, treatments etc x2 Letters from GP x1 Letter from Psychologist (I opted to pay for a mental health assessment prior to the medical just to ease my anxiety) Vaccination Records ACRO Police Certificate US Questionnaire NVC Welcome Letter Appointment Details My appointment was booked for 10:30am. I had arrived at Kings Cross at 9:15am so I was exceptionally early...since it was a lovely day, I decided to walk. This is about a 40 minute walk give or take and isn't difficult to find whatsoever. I am also aware that Bond Street Station makes it easier to get to the medical if you're crunched on time. It's down a little side street and is covered in scaffolding, it isn't hard to miss at all. Checking In & Chest X-Ray I entered at around 10:15am and was instructed to wait in the waiting room until my appointment time. 10:30 came and I was called to check in. I was given a sheet of paper with a couple of questions mainly asking if I've ever had chicken-pox amongst other minor things. I was not, at any point, given a more detailed questionnaire to fill in. I waited for around 10-15 minutes until I was called by a lovely lady to do my chest x-ray. She was full of joy, was willing to make conversation and made the whole experience very comfortable. She instructed me to remove any clothing and jewellery on my top half and change into a gown. It was over in about 5 minutes. I had a quick peek at the screen and she instructed that everything looked fine but I am aware that it would be reviewed. After this, I was led back to the waiting room with the blue gown and waited another 15-20 minutes to be called up. Doctor Next, I was called up by a lovely doctor. I can't quite remember her name. She sat me down and had all of my documents laid out in front of her, mainly my GP Summary. The first 10 minutes or so was just a basic chat about my medical history. I don't have much of a history and I only take medications for a minor condition (PCOS) but figured I would still supply them with a brief report from my GP. I do also have a mental health history that spanned across 3 years. She asked me to explain to her the treatments I had and the medications I took, how I was feeling right now etc...at this point, I supplied her with another GP letter and a letter from a psychologist stating my current mental state. She read carefully through this and made notes on another piece of paper...I assume this is for the Consular Officer to skim through at the interview? I asked her in her opinion if she thought it would be enough, to which she nodded. She then proceeded to go through a form and asked me some questions, have I ever smoked, have I ever taken recreational drugs, TB etc...she never asked me about alcohol consumption and didn't press anymore after I had answered. Next up was the actual physical. She took my height & weight and did an eye-test. I was expecting her to mention something about my weight but she didn't. She just made a note of it on her documents & moved on. She instructed me to remove my clothing, change into the blue gown, lay on the bed and to call her when I was ready. She checked my lymph nodes, my temp, my collarbones (?) I'm not a doctor so medically speaking, I have no idea what could be there haha. She then laid me down, opened up my gown, checked my arms & legs for any scarring, felt my ankles, pushed around a little bit on my stomach...I assume checking for any abnormalities. She then sat me up, checked my lungs & heart, had a little feel around my boobs and checked my spine. I'd like to add, she was letting me know the entire time what she was doing and I never once felt uncomfortable with her. She was so kind & professional. She then checked my blood pressure, took some blood and that was that. She told me to get dressed again, wished me luck in life and that was that. I then went back to the waiting room for another 10 minutes. Vaccinations I was called up by another really nice lady to go through my vaccination history with me. She mentioned I was up to date with everything apart from a COVID booster. Now, I had no idea that a COVID booster was required in the last 12 months, so please be aware of that when you're getting ready for your medical. She explained to me that they don't offer COVID vaccines there so I would need to get it done outside and provide them the proof via email. She said a picture would suffice. This part was literally over in about 2 minutes. I then had to wait to be checked out by the reception staff. I was called up after about 10 minutes, was given a receipt to say I did my medical, my passport and another piece of paper with information on about the vaccination I needed. I was not given the form required for AOS, I did ask the receptionist about this and she said it would be sent to me via email once I had sent them proof of my COVID vaccination. I left £385 lighter (that hurt) and was very satisfied with the appointment from start to finish. Everyone was super lovely, the exam was not invasive in any way and if you're currently awaiting an appointment, please don't nervous. You will be absolutely fine. I did leave with a few questions though which I'm hoping can be answered on here. Just how long does it take for the file to be sent from the office to the embassy? I'm in bit of an anxiety period right now. Also, does the ENTIRE file get sent to the embassy? GP Summary, Letters etc..

I have my medical on Thursday and I've been reading this forum religiously to prepare for it but haven't been seeing anything recent regarding people's experiences, specifically with MH, other conditions and their letters. I knew the topic of MH would pop up at the medical so I decided to be pro-active and obtain a letter from my GP ahead of time in February. Now, I wasn't sure if a letter would be needed or not because I only have one mention of mental health on my medical summary 6 years ago and it was never an official diagnosis but I did receive a course of therapy. The letter reads; " [retropeach12] and I spoke today to discuss her general overall health. The focus of the consultation was her code of [MH issue] [DATE]. She feels absolutely fantastic right now and has had no issues with mental health over the past 3 years since completing her course of therapy. [retropeach12] had private therapy and NHS counselling between [DATE]. She had a course of Citalopram in [DATE] but discontinued after a month due to the intolerable side effects and a further trial of Mirtazapine in [DATE] but also felt like this was not beneficial. She has never attempted suicide, engaged in self-harming behaviour or had a history of violence towards others. She has never been diagnosed with a mental health condition. After a lengthy course of therapy, that she responded really well to, her symptoms have utterly resolved. We have not consulted her on any aspect of her mood since [DATE] when she finished our course of treatment with our Health and Wellbeing coach, reporting that she was the "happiest she has felt in a very long time" (this was not mental health related). It is of my opinion that her mental health has no bearing on her current health and symptoms and she certainly is no risk to herself or others." My question is, how does this read? I did provide him with the helpful template I've been seeing around this forum. I did also choose to pay for a mental health assessment and I have another A4 report to take in from a clinical psychologist. I'm aware this probably wasn't needed since I don't have a long history or a mental health condition but I wanted to make sure I covered all of my bases. I don't have anything from the previous therapist I saw and when I called up, they were unwilling to compose a letter based on my treatment or current mental health because of the time passed. The only other official diagnosis I have for any "serious" medical condition is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which I do currently take medicine for. I do have a report for this but it's VERY brief. It mentions how I was diagnosed and how I'm managing now, plus the medications I'm taking but doesn't specify the role of the medication so I'm not sure if I'll be questioned on that. I want to make sure that I have all my bases covered before Thursday because I don't want to have to go back to my GP since it was like pulling teeth to obtain a letter in the first place. I can't wait for all of this to be over with. Your advice & help is much appreciated.

Ok, I searched for this particular question and could not find it here. I scheduled the medical examination for my spouse and the civil surgeon's office says that they do NOT provide an interpreter. I know this is in violation of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, and Title II of American for Disabilities Act. Before I call them out on this and create an unfriendly environment pre-visit, I need to ask the group the following: 1. Even if the civil surgeon provides an interpreter, it would be a remote over-the-phone session BUT form I-693 instructions state that the interpreter must sign and date the form. How can a remote interpreter sign the form? I did get two quotes for $260/hour and another for $100/hr. but if they cannot sign the form and USCIS will reject it, why bother? 2. If i were to find an interpreter to come in person, would he/she need to be inside the room? I have read that some doctors check breast, genitals, etc. Sounds a little uncomfortable. 3. Assuming my spouse can't produce vaccination records, which vaccines will she be required to get? I was told TDAP/MMR/VARICELLA/HEP B/FLU/COVID, but want to confirm. 4. How long did you all wait for lab /x ray results before picking up the sealed copy? Thanks so much for your help.

Hi all, I've received the interview letter, and my interview at the Dublin US Consulate is scheduled for the 19th of October 2023. In preparation for the interview, I've been trying to schedule the required medical test at Mater Hospital. Unfortunately, after reaching out via email, I was informed that the earliest available date for the medical test is the 23rd of October. This timing has left me a bit concerned considering the proximity to my interview date. I kindly request your advice and assistance on this matter. Is there any possibility of expediting the medical test process? I find myself in a bit of a dilemma and would greatly appreciate your insights and suggestions on how best to approach and resolve this situation.

Good day. My mil spouse is pcs'ing to Japan this December. We just got married and enrolled to deers. Now they required the dependent to complete the EFMP vector online which includes 2 pages for medical, and 1 page for dental form. He was advised that any local clinic provider will do. Based on filipina spouse I talked to who are already in Japan, they all give information that only St. Luke's is the only accredited provided for US related medical screening. Anyone going through the same process here in the PH ?

Hi. My husband got his interview letter today for November 2023. We went to schedule the medical at Andrews hospital (Kingston, Jamaica) online and the only date available was a week before the interview. We're not sure if that will give us enough time to have the medical ready. Can anyone say what the turnaround time has been recently? Someone who has had theirs done recently, that is.

Hello! I'm wondering if there's any K1 beneficiary here from Brazil that instead of going through the medical exam in Rio, chose to do it in São Paulo? What was your experience? Can all the exams and the medical appointment be made in a single day contrary to Rio that asks for the exams beforehand? And how long does the doctor take to send the results to the embassy in Rio? Do we need to go back to the doctor's office and retrieve anything to take with us for the interview? I ask because I'm closer to São Paulo so it would save me time and money to go through it there instead of Rio. I searched VJ and only found one person that did that, but it was for EB-2 visa. I wonder if it's the same for São Paulo. I also already emailed the SP doctor to ask, just waiting on a reply. Thank you!

My initial email was sent on June 2, 2022 and answered the same day by the doctor himself. We exchanged several emails and set the appointment for June 27th. He inspected my wife and daughter's vaccine records via email and recommended certain vaccines that require time between doses. He gave the remaining vaccines at the appointment. He suggested I plan to have them remain in Vilnius until July 1 in the event of a reaction to the vaccines. Medical was submitted electronically to Frankfurt on June 29th. The appointment times for a Frankfurt medical were several months out at this time so Vilnius was a great option. He also did not require a translator at the exam and only needed legible vaccine records.

Looking for comments. So my spouse interview at the Jakarta Embassy was scheduled by National Visa Center for July 18th, 2023. Yesterday, my spouse attended the medical exam and because of prior TB infection they always make him do a sputum test which takes three months in Indonesia for the results. Rather than canceling the interview and then reschedule, I am leaning towards having him go to the interview and just have the embassy hold the decision until the Medical results are delivered and then if all is well they can send him the passport to the pick up location after. Thoughts? Thanks

(Please let me know if this should be posted elsewhere.) Had my medical exam today in Montreal, here is my recap. In short, I was missing vaccine boosters despite having reviewed the list over and over again, and a few details could be interesting to pregnant women or women trying to conceive (especially as concerns X-rays and vaccines); otherwise it was pretty straightforward! My appointment was at 7:45am. I arrived about 5 minutes in advance and had to wear a mask. There was only one other person before me. The lady at reception took my 5 photos, passport (she gave it back straight away), vaccination documents (she kept them), and consulate letter. She took a passport-style photo and gave me a few forms to fill out (personal information, medical history and consents to vaccination). At around 8, I gave her back the forms and sat back in the waiting room. I got called for the X-rays at around 8:25, at the same time as another lady. We got into cabins and put on a paper gown. I got done first and came out, leaving my things in the cabin. The technician asked if I might be pregnant, and when I said it was a possibility, I had to sign consent forms. She explained that she would protect my abdomen and that while there was indeed a very small risk of harm, I would actually receive 10x more radiation from the sun in an airplane than from an X-ray picture. She took two pictures, and 10 minutes later I was dressed and back in the waiting room. At about 9:00, I got called by the nurse. She inquired about one prescription that I have, likely because it seems to be an “off-label” use, and then went over my vaccines. I thought I had them all covered (I read the US list many times!), I had got a few at a pharmacy in January and February to get up to date, but she told me that I was missing three boosters: Hep B, MMR, and varicella. (I did know about the varicella, as I got the first shot less than a month ago.) I think one of the shots I got as a child was the “wrong” one for the US. She also said that as I'm trying to get pregnant, I should *not* have gotten a live varicella vaccine at the pharmacy. I got a bit confused about the rest. If I remember correctly, she also said that had I not gotten that dose a few weeks ago, she would have been able to give me MMR and (my first dose of) varicella together today, in a safe form. Also because of the possibility that I'm in the very early days of a pregnancy (or perhaps because I got the live varicella shot less than a month ago), she said she couldn't give me the MMR and varicella shots now. So she gave me the HB shot, but wrote a note that it was not advisable to give me the other two today. She said that I can get them later (I still have time before the interview), but that it wouldn’t change much, since my current vaccine status doesn't prevent me from entering the US. I asked her to confirm this about 32 times! It's really bothering me, but she said I would have one year to get up to date, and even then, the authorities might not even follow up. She printed the updated Quebec vaccine records and gave me a copy, along with my original records that she had kept. Then she noted my height and weight, did an eye test (she didn’t check my glasses but asked me to read a line with my glasses on, one eye at a time), and took a blood test. That part was done at 9:30. At about 9:50, the doctor called me. She went over the form (I verbally added two details about my “ancient” medical history that I had remembered, just to be transparent, but she didn’t worry about them or write them down). She temporarily left the room to allow me to put on a gown (I kept my underwear on), and she checked my eyes, ears, knee reflexes, listened to my heart and lungs, and she lifted the gown to palpate my abdomen a couple of times. We were done at 10. At 10:15, another lady at reception called me to settle the bill. I paid about $440, this includes one HepB shot ($51). She said it would take about 10 working days for the results to get to the consulate, and I would get an email when that would be done, but the consulate already has received notice that my examination was done today. After I left, I was unsure because I remembered reading on this forum that at least one person had a urine sample collected in 2021. So I called and asked if that was an issue, but the man on the phone said that none needed to be collected. So that's it! All in all, it took 2.5 hours, the people were very nice, and the waiting wasn't too bad. Let me know if you have any questions!

We have been in AP since last December. Received this message on the CEAC website today although haven't received any emails. Has this happened to anyone else? "Please be advised that you are requested to Re-Undertake Medical evaluations."

This is for the nervous folk like me! I recently had my medical examination in London at Visa Medicals. And it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be. For context, gathering the necessary paperwork for this from my GP was a real pain. As I’m sure most of you have experienced. Despite having no ongoing or previous conditions, any history of mental illness, drug/alcohol issues or criminal past. My brain defaulted to the potential that I would be subject to extra scrutiny due to lack of medical history. If this sounds like it could be you then let me tell you, that’s not the case. I arrived in the afternoon. The lady behind the counter took all my medical summary, passport and police certificate to photocopy. She then gave me a more detailed questionnaire to fill out whilst I waited. First up was my vaccinations, I had everything up to date aside from my hep b jab. A tip for those who haven’t their hep b jab, you only need one to pass the medical. This one jab costs £50. If you were to do the full course at say your GP or pharmacy, you’re looking at around £120-£150. Do with this information as you may! I was then called in for my chest x-ray. All I had to do was remove my t shirt, stand up against the screen and then I was good to go. Lastly I was called in to discuss my medical questionnaire with the practitioner. The lady I spoke with was really pleasant. She asked me about any previous medical issues and a few lifestyle questions. I then had a quick vision test before removing my top again to sit on the bed to be given the full MOT which included blood pressure, lymph node checks, heart beat checks and then a glance for any scaring. To which I had scares from an operation I had as a child which I’d disclosed. She then took my blood whilst I laid on the bed. After that she explained that my results will be sent to the embassy after 5 working days once they do all their checks. She explained that no news is good news. If anything needed to be followed up I’d be contacted in the next couple of days. But she said that glancing at my x-ray results that everything looked to be all good. I then went back to the front desk to collect my passport and settle the tab. My total came to £430 (£380 for the medical + £50 for the hep b vaccination) To anyone who was nervous about their upcoming medical, I can assure you that if you’re a cut and dry case like me then you have absolutely nothing to worry about! I hope this puts your minds at ease! Feel free to shoot me any questions!

Hello again! This may sound dumb since there's so much information to help here, but still I feel better asking directly. So we just received an RFE for my wife's I-693, but we already have the medical exam paperwork from the Philippines, her D-3025. There's an option to upload her record to her USCIS account, would that fulfill the RFE? She took her medical exam on 7/5/2022 and she arrived here on 8/29/2022, we turned in her I-485 on 11/28/22.

Hi everyone, I just received a DQ from NVC and am currently waiting on my interview date. I went ahead and scheduled my medical check with Dr. Raphaël Nardone in Brussels (the earliest date was Aug 9th which I think is absurd as it is probably going to get very close to the interview date). If I'm correct, the information on the doctors on Visajourney is a bit outdated. The embassy website only qualifies four doctors for medical checks: two in Brussels and two in Luxembourg (Antwerp has been removed recently). That is why I am also confused about additional vaccine shots: I thought I was going to get them all during the check-up, but the email I received from Dr. Nardone says "your vaccination must be in order; please refer to the information given by the embassy of the country concerned." This is quite annoying because I know I need to get the Varicella shot, but thought I would get it here. So, what did you guys do? Where and how did you get any additional shots? Thanks in advance.

Hi all. I just received my interview date today for May 3 2023. I was wondering what’s the earliest I can have the exam done? I searched but didn’t really see any specific time frames. Hope you guys can help me out.

Hi! I was trying to book an appointment for my medical and the medical physician says that they'll send it directly to the Montreal Consulate. The packet 3 and 4 confirmations state that I need to bring the sealed medical report to the Consulate. Which is it? Does the doctor send it to the Consulate directly and I take nothing? Or Do I pickup the results myself and take the envelope to the interview? Any help is appreciated!

Hello. My GP has been more helpful than some of them I've read about on this forum! I've been provided with my medical records summary. However, it only goes back to 2007. It appears my records prior to that (of which there would be a further 22 years!) were never digitised. My GP have been in touch with PCSE (Primary Care Support England) who are meant to be the holders of non-digital records. However, apparently there is no trace of them. I know that there was nothing of concern in those records - I think I dislocated my thumb as a teenager and that's about it! But obviously that's just my word. I've looked through the forum but couldn't find anyone else who'd had this specific issue. I've gone ahead and had my childhood vaccinations again so that covers off that. I've also emailed the Visa Medicals place to apprise them of the situation and see if they have any advice. And the best option I can think of so far is to ask my GP to get a letter from PCSE confirming that my records do not exist - although I'm slightly suspicious of my GP's as they told me two different things. But we'll see. So, I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience? Or even if you haven't, if you have any thoughts? I started this process back in February when we were USCIS approved. My medical is on 27th April and my interview is on 15th May. Thanks Gareth

We were emailed that my moms case was expedited and NVC sent our application to the US Embassy and they will contact us to schedule an interview. Im quite confused as I know we still need to do some medical. Hope you can help us out for the next steps. Here are my questions for clarifications. Our CEAC Status is : READY A. Do we need to wait for an email/letter for the schedule? B. When do we schedule for the medical? C. How do we schedule for the medical? D. If we are to schedule for the interview how and what site? E. We have our MNL Case ID and Invoice No. Is there anything else we need to know? Tia Penny

Hi everyone, Recently discovered this forum and I’m hoping someone can ease my mind a little. I am a Canadian and my American wife and I are currently awaiting a response on our I130 petition. Back in 2018, I was going through some personal challenges during a period of change. One night after making some comments about ending my life, my friends called emergency services out of concern for my health and the police took me to the hospital. I spent the night there for monitoring and was released the next day. Since then my mental health has improved and no issues since. My doctor and I document this regularly too to be safe. Do these sorts of non-criminal police contacts show up on the RCMP record that is pulled? Do these sorts of older items get pulled apart at medicals? I have no other issues or any criminal charges/convictions or health issues. I know this is a bit of a personal topic so thank you for any insight anybody can provide!

My husband had a K-1 visa interview in January 2020 and was denied for a year because his drug test was positive but he hadn’t smoked in months when we started the visa process. He was supposed to get randomly tested but didn’t know because he was so disappointed that I was pregnant and he was denied that he didn’t go through the papers and understand that he had to contact St. Andrews for them to know to contact him to do the random test (which I think is stupid I think the embassy should contact them or they should know the test is positive when they send it over and make a list of the people interview dates so they know to contact them after for the year) so I lost the baby the next month and decided that July I wanted to get married in case we got pregnant again I would share my baby last name. I started the process for the spousal visa in September that year. We got our case sent over to the embassy January 29, 2021 and his interview was August 19, 2022. When he went to get do his medical that’s when we found out about the random testing he should have been doing. They said he couldn’t do it but then changed their minds and let him. When he went to his interview they said they needed his medical and a court document about a case he had in 2011. He has been back 4 or 5 times but we have not heard anything back. He went for his last test last week Friday and next month will make it 6 months since his interview. I don’t know what to expect but this is going on year five of us together but apart and I need some type of hope

Hi everyone, We just got our interview date today for 6/2/23. I immediately called the Visa Medical place and was told the examination needed to be done 2 weeks before the interview. They booked me in on the 19/1/23 - that’s only a week away! I have a chronic illness that requires immunosuppressants and so I immediately emailed my consultant's secretary asking for a medical report but she replied saying she 'cannot guarantee' they will be able to get it for me in time. Does anybody have any ideas on what is best to do in this situation? I will be getting a report from my gp, I have had all the vaccinations that I am allowed (can't have live vaccines) and I will have everything else - there's just the possibility this report won't be done. Is it best to rearrange the medical until I have the report? The NVC won't have my medical when I go to interview in that case. Or perhaps I should get as much info from my GP as possible and hope that's sufficient for the medical? I feel like this is a very limited amount of time to prep and with how things usually are, I assumed we would have more time. Any help at all would be really great! Thanks, Laura

Hello again! My now wife has been suffering from chronic vertigo and pain in her right ear, often accompanied with slight hearing loss, for a few weeks now. I want to make her an appointment with a doctor to check her out, as she's now on my workplace medical insurance as my dependent. The potential issue is, we still don't have her Green Card. We're waiting on her Adjustment of Status, but so far we only have a receipt that they've gotten it. I don't want her to get in any trouble, but I need to make sure she's okay. What do I do?

A friend of mine is beginning cancer treatment here in AZ. He'd like to have his wife from the Philippines to come and be with him through the treatment process. Would a B-2 medical visa be the correct visa to appy for?

Hi all, First time poster — not sure if it is in the right place or not! My husband has his medical tomorrow in London. He has not been to the GP in years (lived out of country for a while), and has never had antibiotics / prescriptions from his GP. He has his vaccination records, but does not have a copy of his patient care summary from his GP (there isn’t much to summarize). He does, however, have a printed copy of his NHS health record. According to the US Embassy’s website, he only needs a referral from the GP if there is an ongoing medical issue.Has anyone found success at their medical without the patient care summary? Thank you, Alexa

My wife has received her primary series of Pfizer. Since then she has had covid twice. Is there a requirement for immigrants (waiting for interview now; have not done medical) to receive more than the 2-dose series?