Civil surgeon said I need to undergo another medical exam?!?

[hon08 13]

Highly agree..

[Mountain Climber 186]

Do you need an I-693 immunization sheet? Is my DS-3025 filled out properly?

Look at your DS-3025. If it has the ALL of the following items, you don't need an I-693 (Adults 19-49 yrs old).

1. Shots marked with a date (at least one of a series)

MMR (two are required but if you have "insufficient time interval" checked, then you get a waiver)
Td or Tdap or DT or DTP or DtaP (One no longer than 10 years ago, ie.have a booster)
Varicella or VH written by it if you had chickenpox (you need this vaccination if you never received it or have never had chickenpox)
Influenza (during flu season)** see note below because you are most likely okay without it.

2. Everything else marked not age appropriate, insufficient time interval, not flu season...things that allow a waiver.

3. RESULTS section filled in with "incomplete" and "may be eligible for blanket waiver" ticked or "complete" (but complete is rare).

4. Signed and dated by the doctor

If it's not completed EXACTLY like that then see a civil surgeon for the I-693. If it is complete, send a photocopy of your DS-3025. Almost isn't good enough. It needs to be filled out properly.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Mountain Climber

[raven52 233]

This is out right fraudulent, these doctors, KNOW what is going on and who really needs another exam and who doesn't, it plainly says, if you have had a medical within the past year, "YOU do not need another" just have the paperwork done by a civil surgeon, we were lucky, and none was required by us, not sure when they send you and when they do not!

[G Walters 136]

We we did ours we contacted the local civil surgeon and they said the did not need to do it. My wife needed one shot that she could not get in London. We had the shot done at Walgreens. and had copies of the prescription and copies of the drug packaging. We sent that along with the shot records and we sailed through the AOS process.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

On my DS-3025, the Varicella vaccine was labeled as D (not routinely available), so I guess I need to submit I-693 Form along with my I-485. Am i right?!! I'm so confused.

Yes, you need to get the varicella and have the vaccinations transcribed onto an I-693 by a civil surgeon. Skipping the civil surgeon is only an option if you had all the required vaccinations and they were marked off properly on your DS-3025. 'Not routinely available' means you did not receive the required varicella, and it is required for AOS. http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

You need to call around to find someone that will do just the vaccinations for a K-1. Try telling the civil surgeon you have the instructions printed out and can bring them to show you are not required to get another medical exam. Page 5, #4 > http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-693instr.pdf

There is a long time, ongoing thread here on VJ about civil surgeons that won't rip you off. They can charge whatever they want, and so many refuse to charge less for a K-1 and force them into an unnecessary medical exam. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/231026-civil-surgeons-who-dont-rip-you-off/page-13

[VOL 425]

This is out right fraudulent, these doctors, KNOW what is going on and who really needs another exam and who doesn't, it plainly says, if you have had a medical within the past year, "YOU do not need another" just have the paperwork done by a civil surgeon, we were lucky, and none was required by us, not sure when they send you and when they do not!

It up to the petitioner/beneficiary to read the instruction and know the rules.

I am sure the receptionist does not have time to pre screen all K1, Can't really blame the doctor.

If you set the appointment and show up then you should pay..

[Dan&Yvette 15]

Hi..got my vaccines transcribe by Dr. Jhin Lin in fremont also for $50.. at first when I called for an appointment, the secretary said they will charge $120 for skin test and etc..when I get there I just explained that my medicals in the Phils.are still valid and all I want is for them to transcribe my vaccines in I-693 form..they gave me additional flu shot to complete my record for another $20 and handed me a sealed envelope..that's it and we're done..I did it with my K2 also..

Thanks hon08!

Ok I will try to contact Dr. Jhin Lin today. Can I also get the varicella vaccine with them?

[hon08 13]

Yes you can request it from them..they have vaccines at reasonable rate, just got my flu shot from them since it's flu season here and they just added it to my form I-693..you can bargain them when you get there, on the phone when you make an appointment they will tell you that they will charge for skin test and etc.. but when you get there you just bargain the doctor's assistant to charge you half because all you need is for them to transcribe your ds3025 record of vaccines to I-693 as long as your ds3025 is still valid then no need for another medicals ..at least that way you will save and have some of your funds be allocated to your varicella needed vac..it's a lot of savings..Good luck to us..as I am also in process of my Aos..I will be sending ours(w/my k2) this friday..

[Dan&Yvette 15]

Yes you can request it from them..they have vaccines at reasonable rate, just got my flu shot from them since it's flu season here and they just added it to my form I-693..you can bargain them when you get there, on the phone when you make an appointment they will tell you that they will charge for skin test and etc.. but when you get there you just bargain the doctor's assistant to charge you half because all you need is for them to transcribe your ds3025 record of vaccines to I-693 as long as your ds3025 is still valid then no need for another medicals ..at least that way you will save and have some of your funds be allocated to your varicella needed vac..it's a lot of savings..Good luck to us..as I am also in process of my Aos..I will be sending ours(w/my k2) this friday..

I called Dr. Lin's clinic. I spoke with Annie (the receptionist - she's a nice lady), she explained to me that it will cost me $100 (whole package - meaning skin test, syphilis and they will transcribe my vaccinations etc). I told her that I just had my full medical on November 2014 in the Philippines. She then said that its been 4 months (what???!!)) ... She also told me that they don't give varicella vaccine in their clinic...

Well, I should bring all the copies that I got here (the links you provided guys as a proof that I don't need to repeat medical exam).

By the way what is the skin test and syphilis? do I need it?

[Al422 221]

This is a huge area of dishonesty and in some cases, incompetence.

The rules state clearly that the K-1 done overseas is good for one year. You DO NOT need a new exam. The CS I hired for my wife said the same thing (his receptionist, actually). I asked how she knew. She said she called. Called who, I asked. Answer: Immigration. Who in immigration? Answer: Immigration. What office, I asked. Answer, getting testy with me now: IMMIGRATION. What number did you dial? She just looked at me.

Obviously she was lying, either on the doctor's instruction or on her own volition. So I told her to just do the vaccination report and let me worry about immigration. She rolled her eyes and said "You will be denied". I replied that I will take that chance. Just do what I want.

Don't let them push you around.

[Dan&Yvette 15]

I will bring all written documents that I have just to prove them that I don't need to repeat any exam, that i ONLY need someone who could transcribe my vaccination.

Last one question, can I open my CD? (from st lukes)....

Thanks VJ'ers for all your inputs.!!!

[hon08 13]

As I have said no need for new medical exams...just bring your DS3025 and your passport..have your varicella vaccine done with other clinics who offers it..then bring the copy that you have been vaccinated with varicella to Dr. Jin and he will be the one to transfer everything to your I-693 he will add it along with your DS3025 ..He did consolidate all the vaccines done to my daughter too with other clinic here in California because some vaccines were not given at St.Luke's last July 2014...my husband looked for a clinic to comply all her needed vaccines for her school..I brought all the new list of vaccines she got from other clinic and the CS just transferred it to her I-693 in addition with her DS3025 vaccines.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

You can get vaccinated through your county health clinic at a very reduced rate, or through your family Doctor using your health insurance or you can go to an
"Doc in the Box" (CVS, Walgreens, Target or Rite Aid). Get the paperwork that specifically states what shots where given. Call around to other CS as many will not charge you much for the transposing. We did our after contacting 6-8 and it cost us $40 to have it transcribed to I-693. Stand your ground and don't pay such high rates.

[Dan&Yvette 15]

I printed all the links you gave me Greenbaum. Thanks!... And yes, I will not pay $100.00 to transcribe my vaccination. Like what hon08 said, I can bargain them when I get there, ..

I went to my health provider yesterday and I got two shots, varicella and flu for free. They also gave me written documentation that I could present to the civil surgeon. My husband will go with me on Tuesday (appointment with Dr. Lin).

Thanks VJ'ers for all your help.!!

Maybe I could mail my AOS application before end of next week.

Goodluck to all of us!

Edited March 6, 2015 by Dan&Yvette

[tommybear 12]

You can get vaccinated through your county health clinic at a very reduced rate, or through your family Doctor using your health insurance or you can go to an

"Doc in the Box" (CVS, Walgreens, Target or Rite Aid). Get the paperwork that specifically states what shots where given. Call around to other CS as many will not charge you much for the transposing. We did our after contacting 6-8 and it cost us $40 to have it transcribed to I-693. Stand your ground and don't pay such high rates.

I am working the same thing about medical to get shot (tetanus) as I didn't had it in PH. I had my medical last December 1, 2014 and I didn't had vaccine for the flu. Was it flu season that time? Do I need shot for the flu here? Thank you!

I am working the same thing about medical to get shot (tetanus) as I didn't had it in PH. I had my medical last December 1, 2014 and I didn't had vaccine for the flu. Was it flu season that time? Do I need shot for the flu here? Thank you!

I am here in Ohio US now.