2010 Decemberite K-1 AOSers

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Been here in the US for 2 weeks. Wedding is in a month. Sigh... Just thinking about the AOS papers and that paycheck! My gosh, I looked for civil surgeons and they are so expensive. Must site more doctors. Hope everyone is doing well on their journey! Other Decemberites who have started their AOS, hope you can give some tips here.

Hope everyone is doing great!

Oh, I know. I'm dreading it myself...but not too badly. I think we are pretty well prepared. Have you guys got your SSN yet? I'll be working on Mr. Loxy's in about a week. Dreading the civil surgeon. ugh.

[bobbyA 20]

Dreading the civil surgeon. ugh.

I'm actually considering skipping the Civil Surgeon after reading http://www.visajourn...93-and-ds-3025/

My fiancee received these 4 items for her vaccination in China:

1. International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (A Yellow Book)
2. DS-3025 form with check marks for the 3 shots she received, and a check mark for "Vaccination History Incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)" referring to booster shots not yet administered.
3. A sealed envelop addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)"
4. A sheet titled "Appendix C. Vaccines To Complete for Adults".

The above are in addition to the sealed medical report she had to turn in during her interview.

I'm thinking item 3, the mysterious sealed envelop is as good as the Civil Surgeon's sign off. I also read somewhere at VJ (I don't remember where), that quite a few beneficiaries actually got their AOS approved without an I-693 form. They simply sent in what they received at their medical abroad.

Since booster shots are not necessary for AOS, then item 4 is just for our beneficiaries' health benefit.

I'm planning on sending color copies of the Yellow Book pages, a copy of the signed DS-3025, and the seal envelop addressed to USCIS.

Anyone else care to share what their beneficiaries got with regards to medical and vaccination documents?

[hope.andsun 7]

I'm actually considering skipping the Civil Surgeon after reading http://www.visajourn...93-and-ds-3025/

My fiancee received these 4 items for her vaccination in China:

1. International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (A Yellow Book)
2. DS-3025 form with check marks for the 3 shots she received, and a check mark for "Vaccination History Incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)" referring to booster shots not yet administered.
3. A sealed envelop addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)"
4. A sheet titled "Appendix C. Vaccines To Complete for Adults".

The above are in addition to the sealed medical report she had to turn in during her interview.

I'm thinking item 3, the mysterious sealed envelop is as good as the Civil Surgeon's sign off. I also read somewhere at VJ (I don't remember where), that quite a few beneficiaries actually got their AOS approved without an I-693 form. They simply sent in what they received at their medical abroad.

Since booster shots are not necessary for AOS, then item 4 is just for our beneficiaries' health benefit.

I'm planning on sending color copies of the Yellow Book pages, a copy of the signed DS-3025, and the seal envelop addressed to USCIS.

Anyone else care to share what their beneficiaries got with regards to medical and vaccination documents?

I read somewhere also that going to a civil surgeon is not necessary. On the other hand, I am so adamant about not getting delayed. I'm so particular about wasted time. Grr! It's making me confused.

Oh, I know. I'm dreading it myself...but not too badly. I think we are pretty well prepared. Have you guys got your SSN yet? I'll be working on Mr. Loxy's in about a week. Dreading the civil surgeon. ugh.

Hi Dizzy, yeah I got my SSN yesterday, exactly 2 weeks after my arrival. Went by smoothly Just bring your passport, 1-94 (the small white paper immigration attached to the visa, and birth certificate.

[bobbyA 20]

I read somewhere also that going to a civil surgeon is not necessary. On the other hand, I am so adamant about not getting delayed. I'm so particular about wasted time. Grr! It's making me confused.

Thank you for sharing.

Have you been to a CG yet? Can you share what you have in terms of medical and vaccination records please. Do you have a DS-3025 and other documents? Hope you don't mind my asking these questions Like you, I try not to waste time during the process.

My fiancee won't be here until September, but I want to be as prepared as I can

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I'm hoping to skip the Civil Surgeon too, but I don't think my FI answered the chicken pox question the way that would have avoided us having to do the 693. I haven't seen it yet, but we shall see...

[kristen_maroc 126]

My fiance has heard from people that he can get a work permit as soon as he has a SSN. My understanding is that you have to apply for an EAD when you AOS or wait for a GC. Can anyone clarify?

[missicy 87]

My fiance has heard from people that he can get a work permit as soon as he has a SSN. My understanding is that you have to apply for an EAD when you AOS or wait for a GC. Can anyone clarify?

SSN is NOT work authorization. You need EAD or GC (and SSN) to be able to legally work.

[Shawn-n-Sonoko 9]

OK.. well back to business!

First off, congrats Dizzy on your approval!!!

Sonoko and I have officially (legally) tied the knot and are working on our AOS package and well it has been a challenge!!

I have seen the chatter already about the I-693 and that is where we are running into a roadblock. The nearest civil surgeon for us in about 1 1/2 hours away. The past couple of months have been spent running around the country going to other friend's weddings and in one place (Colorado Springs, CO) we tried to get the vaccination supplement completed. Unfortunately the places we called could not accommodate us or the doctor was not in. One in particular was helpful saying it was easy to complete and they only charge $20, and then warned that some offices may want to charge $200+ and to beware because it should not cost that much.

Well, now back to California and so far about 12 civil surgeons we have called are charging $250-$400, stating that she will require a medical examination. When I cite the I-485 and I-693 instructions (and the calls to USCIS that I made verifying that I understood the instructions) that another medical exam is not required within one year, they usually state "It's our policy that we do a medical exam." I did get one saying that they can do the vaccination supplement and that they will have to re-administer the vaccinations, even if she has them already, only $160 plus fees for the vaccinations.

The only thing she needs (that we can determine) is a current TB test which is being done as we speak. Having to drive 1 1/2 hours and then return in 3 days just isn't feasible right now for us to do so we are trying to get it done ahead of time since they are normally good for 6 months.

So is anyone else having these issues?? I guess the only thing to do is to keep calling around but being so far away and not having the time off work lately this has been a very difficult challenge!

[DiZZyLoX 114]

You are not alone. Everyone runs into this issue unless you get everything complete at your Medical Exam for the K1. Those good Civil Surgeons exist that will do it for $20, but they are VERY hard to find.

We are just about to get our SSN and marriage license. I'm already starting the hunt for Civil Surgeons in case my FI needs varicella vaccine. ugh.

[bobbyA 20]

You are not alone. Everyone runs into this issue unless you get everything complete at your Medical Exam for the K1. Those good Civil Surgeons exist that will do it for $20, but they are VERY hard to find.

We are just about to get our SSN and marriage license. I'm already starting the hunt for Civil Surgeons in case my FI needs varicella vaccine. ugh.

DiZZyLox,

By "unless you get everything complete at your Medical Exam for the K1" did you mean medical exam with blood work and vaccination?

I'd like to take a survey here, hopefully we'll get a handful of answers for everyone's benefit:

If your fiancee/fiance had their vaccination done abroad, was she/he given the following or is it just unique to China (in the case of my fiancee)?

1. International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (A Yellow Book)
2. DS-3025 form with check marks for the 3 shots she received, and a check mark for "Vaccination History Incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)" referring to booster shots not yet administered.
3. A sealed envelop addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)"
4. A sheet titled "Appendix C. Vaccines To Complete for Adults"

I'm really hoping the sealed envelop addressed to the USCIS is an I-693 so I can skip the dreaded Civil Surgeon

Please let us know what documents you received if you (the k-1 visa beneficiary) had shots at the medical abroad before entering the USA. Thanks!!!

[Shawn-n-Sonoko 9]

DiZZyLox,

By "unless you get everything complete at your Medical Exam for the K1" did you mean medical exam with blood work and vaccination?

I'd like to take a survey here, hopefully we'll get a handful of answers for everyone's benefit:

If your fiancee/fiance had their vaccination done abroad, was she/he given the following or is it just unique to China (in the case of my fiancee)?

1. International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (A Yellow Book)
2. DS-3025 form with check marks for the 3 shots she received, and a check mark for "Vaccination History Incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccinations not medically appropriate (as indicated above)" referring to booster shots not yet administered.
3. A sealed envelop addressed to "USCIS (Vaccination Form)"
4. A sheet titled "Appendix C. Vaccines To Complete for Adults"

I'm really hoping the sealed envelop addressed to the USCIS is an I-693 so I can skip the dreaded Civil Surgeon

Please let us know what documents you received if you (the k-1 visa beneficiary) had shots at the medical abroad before entering the USA. Thanks!!!

Sonoko has immigrated from Japan and here is what she got:

1. She has her original vaccination record book (all in Japanese)

2. Her DS-3025 is marked the same (Incomplete, may be eligible for a blanket waiver). She was administered a few shots (Tetanus, Measles Mumps & Rubella) during her medical overseas medical, most others are marked "age inappropriate."

3. No sealed envelope that has made it past the POE.

4. Another one I have not seen.

I'm debating on sending in her DS-2305 and her TB screening she just had and hoping everything will be good. In the meantime I will continue searching for a civil surgeon who isn't greedy and knows how to read instructions on government forms! I figure if we get an RFE, hopefully by then we will be able to find a legitimate CS!

-Shawn & Sonoko

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Guys, take a look at this:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/315533-i-693-or-ds-3025/page__p__4732435#entry4732435

that is well laid out for what would be considered complete and/or incomplete. I still have to look at my FI DS-3025 to find out if it is truly complete or not. I'm not sure how the doctor marked his Varicella so that is the difference between us having to go civil or stick with DS-3025. I'm praying it's filled out, but I have this nagging feeling it isn't. UGggggggggggggh.

[bobbyA 20]

Sonoko has immigrated from Japan and here is what she got:

1. She has her original vaccination record book (all in Japanese)

2. Her DS-3025 is marked the same (Incomplete, may be eligible for a blanket waiver). She was administered a few shots (Tetanus, Measles Mumps & Rubella) during her medical overseas medical, most others are marked "age inappropriate."

3. No sealed envelope that has made it past the POE.

4. Another one I have not seen.

I'm debating on sending in her DS-2305 and her TB screening she just had and hoping everything will be good. In the meantime I will continue searching for a civil surgeon who isn't greedy and knows how to read instructions on government forms! I figure if we get an RFE, hopefully by then we will be able to find a legitimate CS!

-Shawn & Sonoko

Shawn,

Thank you for sharing your list!!

1. My fiancee's vaccination record book is in both Chinese and English. English text is either below or to the right of Chinese text.
2. The 3 shots administered in China were Td, Varicella, and MMR. Boxes under "Blanket Waiver(s)", like Sonoko's, were marked "Not Age Appropriate" or "Insufficient Time Interval". Influenza was marked "Not Routinely Available"
3. Before her interview, my fiancee had her medical exam at one clinic that doesn't administer shots. After she passed her interview, she went to another clinic for vaccination. After reading DiZZy's post above, I'm beginning to think the sealed white envelop the vaccination center gave us was an official DS-3025 signed and seal by the vaccination administrator for the purpose of AOS. Her medical report went with her to the interview, so it's in the sealed brown envelop to be turned in at the POE. I'm thinking we will turn in her "large sealed brown visa envelop" at POE, and mail in the "small sealed white vaccination envelop" with her AOS package.

I finally called a CS yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that he charges $150 for full medical and $50 for I-693 transcription. So I think I have a few options here: (1) skip the CS by sending in the seal white envelop for AOS, or (2) pay $50 for peace of mind. Either way, I have to wait till my fiancee gets here in September. Like you, we'll just deal with RFE if it happens.

Thanks again for replying!!

Bobby

[bobbyA 20]

Guys, take a look at this:

http://www.visajourn...35#entry4732435

that is well laid out for what would be considered complete and/or incomplete. I still have to look at my FI DS-3025 to find out if it is truly complete or not. I'm not sure how the doctor marked his Varicella so that is the difference between us having to go civil or stick with DS-3025. I'm praying it's filled out, but I have this nagging feeling it isn't. UGggggggggggggh.

DiZZy,

That was a great find!!

I hope your FI's DS-3025 is good enough for him to skip the CS!!

[Shawn-n-Sonoko 9]

Guys, take a look at this:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/315533-i-693-or-ds-3025/page__p__4732435#entry4732435

that is well laid out for what would be considered complete and/or incomplete. I still have to look at my FI DS-3025 to find out if it is truly complete or not. I'm not sure how the doctor marked his Varicella so that is the difference between us having to go civil or stick with DS-3025. I'm praying it's filled out, but I have this nagging feeling it isn't. UGggggggggggggh.

Great find Dizzy! I'm guessing that is how they did their AOS and if so then Sonoko and I shouldn't have an issue!! I hope yours is the same way and I'll be anxious to hear about it.

Well this should complete our package and it will be off early next week! I'm glad to see activity starting to pick up. Once I get the package together I'll post how it looked and see where it goes from there!

-Shawn