AOS Process - Medical Exam?

[Shilps.Vik 0]

Hi again Friends,

Finally we're together after I arrived on a K-1 and we're married but the one part of the AOS process that is really confusing us is whether we need a Civil Surgeon to approve our 1-693 form or not?

We've read the I-693 instructions and also searched the forums on VJ, but why is not clear whether I need a doctor's approal for my AOS submission.

I had my full UK medical only 3 months back, and I have my DS-3025 signed by the US Embassy approved physicians. So do I need this countersigned? Do I have to go through another medical?

We're in Charlotte, North Carolina - anyone been through this yet in this state/area that can offer guidance?

Thanks for all your help guys.

V

[Otto 83]

** Topic is "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas' related; moving thread there.

[Guitarlo 2]

Hi again Friends,

Finally we're together after I arrived on a K-1 and we're married but the one part of the AOS process that is really confusing us is whether we need a Civil Surgeon to approve our 1-693 form or not?

We've read the I-693 instructions and also searched the forums on VJ, but why is not clear whether I need a doctor's approal for my AOS submission.

I had my full UK medical only 3 months back, and I have my DS-3025 signed by the US Embassy approved physicians. So do I need this countersigned? Do I have to go through another medical?

We're in Charlotte, North Carolina - anyone been through this yet in this state/area that can offer guidance?

Thanks for all your help guys.

V

Some Vaccinations are adminstered in stages. The Civil Surgeon will add what's called a supplement to your Vaccine record. The CS will determine if you need additional (e.g. stage 2 or 3) vaccines. I paid $90 each for my wife and her son just for the CS to examine the records and tell you what you need. The CS may try and sell you their vaccines but I suggest to ask a county clinic that will give you the vaccines for free or a donation. I saved $600.00 in vaccines by using the county clinic. Shop around for a CS too. After you get any additional vaccines the CS will fill out your medical supplement and seal it to go with the rest of your AOS papers. (see I-693)

Happy New Year from Minnesota

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hi again Friends,

Finally we're together after I arrived on a K-1 and we're married but the one part of the AOS process that is really confusing us is whether we need a Civil Surgeon to approve our 1-693 form or not?

We've read the I-693 instructions and also searched the forums on VJ, but why is not clear whether I need a doctor's approal for my AOS submission.

I had my full UK medical only 3 months back, and I have my DS-3025 signed by the US Embassy approved physicians. So do I need this countersigned? Do I have to go through another medical?

We're in Charlotte, North Carolina - anyone been through this yet in this state/area that can offer guidance?

Thanks for all your help guys.

V

This thread will help you: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry3591420

This form: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-693instr.pdf page 4, Qn 2 states that as I've already done my medical overseas, and my vaccinations were completed overseas I don't need to worry about filling in form I-693. HOWEVER, if I needed to have further shots AFTER my medical (the supplement) then I do need to have a civil surgeon transcribe it.

Someone on the thread I posted stated that they had had all their shots and received an RFE because they didn't do the I-693, so if I have to spend $20 or so to get it transcribed just to be safe I might just do that to save time...

Edited December 29, 2009 by Vanessa&Tony

[NatPatBen 3]

Someone on the thread I posted stated that they had had all their shots and received an RFE because they didn't do the I-693, so if I have to spend $20 or so to get it transcribed just to be safe I might just do that to save time...

Good luck finding someone to do it for $20 or so. You may have a LOT of calling around to do. Yesterday, I received 2 quotes: one for $100 and one for $250. I said "250 for filling out a form!!!! I'll call around."

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Hi again Friends,

Finally we're together after I arrived on a K-1 and we're married but the one part of the AOS process that is really confusing us is whether we need a Civil Surgeon to approve our 1-693 form or not?

We've read the I-693 instructions and also searched the forums on VJ, but why is not clear whether I need a doctor's approal for my AOS submission.

I had my full UK medical only 3 months back, and I have my DS-3025 signed by the US Embassy approved physicians. So do I need this countersigned? Do I have to go through another medical?

First, you don't need another full medical. You do need to make sure that you have all your vaccines up to date and you need a Civil Surgeon to complete form I-693 (part 1, 2-vaccinations, and sign part 5 ONLY). The medical exam section doesn't have to be completed, see the instructions.

Most CS's will lie to scare you and to try to convince you that you need another exam so they can charge you a high fee. Don't agree to it. They only need to transcribe the vaccination history from the DS-3025 onto an I-693. And if you are missing vaccines, they can tell you which (and you can get them from them or elsewhere).

[TheCockyLockies 2]

I-693 causes so much mayhem. it did for me

[NatPatBen 3]

Most CS's will lie to scare you and to try to convince you that you need another exam so they can charge you a high fee. Don't agree to it. They only need to transcribe the vaccination history from the DS-3025 onto an I-693. And if you are missing vaccines, they can tell you which (and you can get them from them or elsewhere).

Because of this (whether it's a lie or ignorance), I suggest printing the I-693 instructions and highlighting the part stating that K-visa holders don't need another medical.

[Nik+Heather 121]

NC civil surgeon in post 19 (and probably others) $25 for transcriptions. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=3547828

Some find that if they send in the vaccine sheet completed for the overseas medical (all vaccines must have been completed), then they don't need to do the civil surgeon thing..

However, I think that flu shots are required for this time of year, and you probably didn't get any in the UK, so if your vaccines aren't complete, then you need to complete them and then go visit the Civil surgeon.

Edit: Forgot to paste the link. (duh)

Edited December 29, 2009 by Nik+Heather

[NatPatBen 3]

Some find that if they send in the vaccine sheet completed for the overseas medical (all vaccines must have been completed), then they don't need to do the civil surgeon thing..

I did this. Still got RFE. Though it may be because not all shots in a series were completed (even though the instructions explicitly state that not all shots in a series are required for approval).

[Nik+Heather 121]

I did this. Still got RFE. Though it may be because not all shots in a series were completed (even though the instructions explicitly state that not all shots in a series are required for approval).

I just wonder some times if people got the overseas vaccines done but then fall/winter came around and the flu was necessary. Then the vaccines aren't complete. Could that have been it?

[Lisa and Ian 7]

I did this. Still got RFE. Though it may be because not all shots in a series were completed (even though the instructions explicitly state that not all shots in a series are required for approval).

I would be interested to know what your RFE was for, when you receive it.

[NatPatBen 3]

I just wonder some times if people got the overseas vaccines done but then fall/winter came around and the flu was necessary. Then the vaccines aren't complete. Could that have been it?

Isn't the flu vaccine only required for people over 50?

Checking here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil_ti_vacc-2009.htm

Yes. It states this:

Influenza vaccine is required for applicants 6 months through 18 years of age during the influenza (flu) season. Influenza vaccine continues to be required for adults 50 years of age or older.

[Shilps.Vik 0]

I-693 causes so much mayhem. it did for me

Hi All,

I thought I would share my experience regarding the I-693 paperwork we needed to get done last week.

After searching the forums and arming myself with plenty of knowledge (God bless VJ!), I called a Civil Surgeons clinic in downtown Charlotte. They said that they could do my vaccination worksheet and transcribe my I-693 for me with no appointment for $45. Great!

We headed down there the next day, and presented one of the nurses who worked there with all my information. I needed an MMR jab to complete my vaccinations following my medical in London, and this was done in London - so I just needed the Clinic to note this and for the Civil Surgeon to sign it off on the I-693.

Now, the nurse was very nice but really tried to get me to do a full medical exam at the cost of around $375 or else she wouldn't complete my I-693! I stood my ground and told that her that I didn't need a full exam, and thank god I took a printout of the USCIS I-693 instructions with me, as it clearly states that I only need to fill in Part 1 (Info about me), Part 2 (Vaccination Chart) and have the Civil Surgeon complete Part 5.

After some discussion, the nurse agreed that a full medical wasn't required - but a couple of minutes later she came over and told me that I didn't have a record of the 2nd MMR shot I needed.. I said 'what do you mean?', and she explained that since July 2009, US Immigration requires an applicant to have TWO MMR JABS, the 2nd booster jab taking place 30 days after the 1st one.

I did not know this at all, and was especially cheesed off when the clinic said that to get the jab with them then would cost a further $85!

I conceded and got the jab (better to get it sorted there and then), and all my paperwork was signed and completed by the Civil Surgeon - but after the event both I and my wife were pretty shocked and frustrated. At no point did Knightsbridge Doctors in London (the US Embassy's official physician) tell me 2 x MMR jabs were needed, in fact my paperwork/letter from them states clealy in black and white that simply 1 dose of the MMR vaccination was required. And this was in September 09, 2 months after this supposed new requirement came out!

If I needed 2 shots, I would have arranged for my doctor in London to have administered the vaccines rather than paying here in the USA. But my point is that why is this information not freely available to applicants, and why does the USCIS make things so hard? If they are going to change the process, surely their own doctors should be made aware so they can inform applicants well in advance? Why is this type of information so hard to come by on the USCIS websites too?

I spoke to another nurse whilst waiting, and she told me that many applicants who had their I-693's signed off by this same clinic between July and December 09, had already come back after recieving RFE's from the USCIS saying that their vaccination records weren't up to date - and that the clinic wasn't aware of this at the time and only realised the change in regulations 'around October, when people kept coming back'. I felt so sorry for those poor people who had wasted their time.

I guess it's just my frustration at being made to jump through so many hoops by US Immigration just in order to be with my wife and to stay with her - and I'm not the first to question why this process is so unneccessarily difficult. But sometimes, it seems that no matter how conscientious or well informed you are, left hand does not seem to know what right hand is doing when it comes to Civil Surgeons and the USCIS!

Hope this post helps someone else avoid a frustrating morning in future. Peace out.

V

[justucia 0]

since July 2009, US Immigration requires an applicant to have TWO MMR JABS, the 2nd booster jab taking place 30 days after the 1st one.

I did not know this at all, and was especially cheesed off when the clinic said that to get the jab with them then would cost a further $85!

I conceded and got the jab (better to get it sorted there and then),

my husband was required to get another mmr shot

the CS office wanted to charge 65$, we went to the health department and received the mmr shot for 10$, and brought record back to CS office