When is too soon for Medical Exam

[James and Cynthia 70]

Would it be alright for my fiancee to go to her medical exam now instead of waiting? I have a letter from the NVC with our case number, but the case has not arrived at the USEM. When it does arrive, we have to get a request from the USEM for police clearance from Brunei. Then we have to wait 1 to 2 months for the police clearance, hopefully not more. If we wait to schedule the interview until after the police clearance arrives, it could be another 3 months or more before the interview. Is there a chance the medical exam will have to be retaken because too much time has gone by? What if there is a problem and the police clearance takes even longer? How long will the medical exam be valid for?

Normally I think it would be better to just wait until after the interview is scheduled before taking the medical exam, however, in our case I am worried about issues with TB exposure for my fiancee and her daughter. I've read that ex-rays for TB can add a lot of time to the medical approval. I don't want anything to delay us further. I'm hoping they won't ex-ray my fiancee's daughter, but I really don't know what to expect. Because of this, I think my fiancee and her daughter should take the medical exam now. What do you think?

Thanks for any advice.

-James

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Medical is valid for 6 months in the PI. My wife did hers after we got the NOA2. That is when I had her go apply for all the police clearances she needed too. If you think you will be getting an interview within the next couple of months, I would have her do it now. In our case we got NOA2 in January....I was there in the PI in February and my wife did the medical then. We got the interview in April. When my wife got her visa it was only valid for 4 months....(6 months from the medical). My wife passed the medical with no issues too. It's better to get the medical done a little early than wait to the last minute.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

OOooppps, I just asked the doctor this morning about the medical validity, it's only valid for THREE months. So, she clearly told me that I have to fly before the said date stamped in my result

Just weigh things out. Everything will work well for you both! God bless!

[moonandsun 16]

What do you need to get the early medical? Paperwork?

[Tahoma 2,298]

OOooppps, I just asked the doctor this morning about the medical validity, it's only valid for THREE months.

According to the U.S. Embassy Manila, the medical is valid for six months: click here to see for yourself.

What do you need to get the early medical? Paperwork?

Because you are a CR-1, I don't know what you need. It seems that Scott and Mhay used their NOA2. They are CR-1ers.

K-1ers can use their NOA2 from the USCIS and their MNL case number from the NVC. Some K-1ers reported using only their NOA2.

[James and Cynthia 70]

OOooppps, I just asked the doctor this morning about the medical validity, it's only valid for THREE months. So, she clearly told me that I have to fly before the said date stamped in my result

Just weigh things out. Everything will work well for you both! God bless!

Wow. Are you sure the doctor was correct? Does the date from the stamp of your results only show 3 months from your medical date? Why does that disagree with what the person below says? Three months does not seem long enough considering the visa is suppose to be valid for 6 months. Thanks for your response. Any follow up would be appreciated though.

According to the U.S. Embassy Manila, the medical is valid for six months: click here to see for yourself.

Because you are a CR-1, I don't know what you need. It seems that Scott and Mhay used their NOA2. They are CR-1ers.

K-1ers can use their NOA2 from the USCIS and their MNL case number from the NVC. Some K-1ers reported using only their NOA2.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

If the medical is valid for 6 months, then I'm pretty sure we should have police clearance, interview, and visa by that time. I think it would be best for her to go to her medical exam on Monday since she is already in Alabang with her daughter now. Unless someone can confirm this will be a mistake, I think it is best to get it over with now instead of waiting.

-James

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Yea, that was the doctor told me. She counted my result to April since I will have my result by that time then she stamped a July date and that I should fly before that date. Maybe it's case to case basis since I was put on sputum tests.

[James and Cynthia 70]

Yea, that was the doctor told me. She counted my result to April since I will have my result by that time then she stamped a July date and that I should fly before that date. Maybe it's case to case basis since I was put on sputum tests.

Hmmm. So she told you three months, but then gave you four? Did you have to pay her extra for that?

I'm pretty sure, or at least hope very much, she'll be here before July? Wow, after 6 months of already waiting, I can't imagine waiting another 4 months. We were really hoping to get married in July. I figure she will be here at the latest in late May or early June. I guess this means we're good to go having her take the medical exam on Monday.

-James

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Matt and Evieve had to do the sputnum test...so that is why their medical was only good for 3 months. The medical is good for 6 months with no complications. All we used at St. Lukes to do the advanced medical was took a copy of the NOA2 and I printed out the AOS bill from the NVC with the MNL case number on it. They let my wife do her medical.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Hmmm. So she told you three months, but then gave you four? Did you have to pay her extra for that?

I'm pretty sure, or at least hope very much, she'll be here before July? Wow, after 6 months of already waiting, I can't imagine waiting another 4 months. We were really hoping to get married in July. I figure she will be here at the latest in late May or early June. I guess this means we're good to go having her take the medical exam on Monday.

-James

LOL! April-July is THREE months. Hehe.

[James and Cynthia 70]

LOL! April-July is THREE months. Hehe.

Ya. But taking the medical exam now in early March, and having it valid until July, that's four months. Even if the results come in April, the test was still done in March. Having the doctor post-date to April and then add 3 months is pretty lucky. I was only kidding about paying extra. I wonder if my fiancee could pay extra at the Brunei embassy so we can get a quick return on her police clearance? From what I hear, it never hurts to ask in the Philippines.

-James

[Tahoma 2,298]

LOL! April-July is THREE months. Hehe.

According to your signature, you had your medical exam on February 23. If the doctor at St. Lukes told you that your medical is valid until July 23, that's five months of validity.

It's a good thing that St. Lukes aren't the ones who issue visas.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

I can't believe St. Luke's can also delay everything. Matt had TB test the other day also, just to know how soon the result will be known, and after 2days, the result is available already! How come St. Luke's can't do the same thing? They've got tons of money every single day from applicants going to US, Canada, etc. for medical and they cannot purchase whatever machine or instrument is it like the US use. Why can't they make a statistics from their result who did the sputum but finally were able to pass after two months. I heard that 100% who do the sputum tests will eventually pass after two months. Why can't they make a statistics out of it. It doesn't make sense. I talked to someone else there and they've been waiting 10years and here's the delay. It's just 2months as they put it but for us applying, it is still long! Sorry for the rant. And yea, I'm glad St. Luke's is not the one who will issue the visa.

[Otto 83]

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[maximus 0]

Just to add my 0.2 cents. My fiancee had to re-do her sputnum twice cuz the x-ray showed a abnormal spot which took a extra 2 months to get the results, it's a rare case but do the medical as early as possible, your fiancee will also need to bring her passport to give to St. lukes. Also on the old system 2010 we were able to call and schedule a interview appointment, but I believe now you must pay the BPI interview $350 fee in advance to schedule a interview and they will ask for the receipt number in order to schedule.

I agree I saw on the news that there is a machine available that will give you the results of a TB test in a few hours...NOT months like ST. Lukes uses.

Edited March 5, 2011 by maximus