DCF London - When to book Medicals?

[LauraDP 10]

Hi, everyone

I have been very absent from this forum recently as life has been hectic so I am sorry for just flitting in and out.

I apologise in advance for the long-winded question. I find it difficult to be succinct while also providing all the necessary information. Sorry.

Just to explain our situation in brief, my husband is the USC but has been resident in the UK since he was 16. We have been married for 17 years and have four kids together (none of whom are entitled to be USCs - believe me, we've checked). Our I130s were approved in November so we have been treading water for a good few months now. The kids and I have now had all of our required vaccinations and my police certificate came a couple of weeks ago. My husband is putting together his evidence of intent to establish domicile in the US. He is also, however, still pursuing a job though he has gotten really quite far in the process with one particular company which has given us renewed hope that we might actually just make this immigration plan work. If he does get this particular job then things will likely move really quickly as far as his relocation is concerned. On the other hand, if this employment prospect fails, it could take a very long time to get this far in the recruitment process again so it could be a long time before we are in a position to move to the US or we may even have to abandon the plan.

So obviously the next stage in the process is to book the medicals for the four kids and I. Obviously there is a lot of expense involved in going through medicals for one adult and four kids - we would have travel and accommodation costs on top of the medical costs - and also a lot of hassle since we live in the Scottish Highlands so we would lose quite a couple of days of work and school to travel up and down.

I am, therefore, trying to figure out when it is best to book the medicals given all of this context. On the one hand, we don't want to be too premature and lose all of that money when we are not in a position to move to the US (the scenario if my husband does not get this particular job) but on the other hand we don't want to leave it so late that the kids and I are left behind in the UK for ages waiting on the medical and visa process being finalised while my husband moves to the US (the scenario if he does get this job) not even so much for emotional and relationship reasons but because of economic and practical reasons (we have been hoping to only be apart for about 4 months max).

So what is the timescale involved for booking medicals in London? If I contacted Knightsbridge now, would I have to take an appointment that is fairly soon or can I book in advance for appointments a month or so from now?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Best wishes

Laura

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I personally wouldn't schedule a medical until you know the visa is what you want. If you called Knightsbridge tomorrow, you could get in next week. There isn't a long wait. Stall your application form a month or two if needed. Don't send the readiness for interview or book the medical until you are positive all systems are GO. Then Bam! Put it all in motion.

[diath 6]

I agree with Nich-Nick.

Sorry for the OT, but why aren't your kids entitled to be USC? They were born abroad.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Sorry for the OT, but why aren't your kids entitled to be USC? They were born abroad.

This requirement:

The parents are married at the time of birth and the U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the U.S. or its territories for a period of at least five years at some time in his or her life prior to the birth,

of which at least two years were after his or her 14th birthday

. 

If I remember correctly, the USC Dad was mostly raised in the UK and doesn't meet the residency requirement to pass on citizenship.

[diath 6]

Oh okay. Thanks for explaining

[mindthegap 2,590]

IR-1 Visas issued in the UK are valid for 6 months from the date of the medical (NOT from the date of visa issue), so factor that in to your calculations as well.

In your case there is little point in doing the medical before it is really needed or you know what you are doing, and then either having a very short visa validity, or worse still having the visa expire..

I got my medical booked on ten days notice when I asked for the earliest available appointment, and you can request a shorter notice cancellation appointment if you like.

I cant see any reason why they wouldn't be happy to book an appointment for several months time either- and that can always be pushed back if not needed or if plans are still up in the air.

An approved I-130 is valid for one year IIRC, so you still have plenty of time.

Just have absolutely everything filled in, checked and ready to go, so when the time is right book the medical, and send the DS-2001/DS-230 right away, and hopefully minimise any delays or time apart - I say hopefully, as the interview date and how long it takes them to assign it is unfortunately the part you have the least control over.

[LauraDP 10]

Thank you for all your replies. I really appreciate it.

That is good to know that there is not a long waiting list with the Knightsbridge Doctors which means I can safely put off booking them until such time as we know all systems are go. Phew!

Yes, Nich-Nick is quite correct about the status of my children when it comes to citizenship. As my husband was not resident in the for enough time after his 14th birthday (annoyingly he misses it by just a few months) he cannot transfer his USC status to our children. Believe me, we have researched this and tried to find a way around it but they are pretty strict about it (understandably) so will not ignore the few months he is short.

@Nich-Nick - You have an amazing memory being able to remember all the details of various VJer's circumstances. I'm impressed.

Thanks again for reassuring me about the medicals. I just never feel confident in assuming anything with this process so hope no one minds me asking what are probably quite silly questions just to double-check. I definitely appreciate it.

Best wishes

Laura

[Hypnos 6,576]

Something not immediately relevant but worth keeping in mind for the future is that your children, assuming they are under 18 on the day they enter the US, will become US citizens immediately on entry under the Child Citizenship Act (2000).

[LauraDP 10]

Something not immediately relevant but worth keeping in mind for the future is that your children, assuming they are under 18 on the day they enter the US, will become US citizens immediately on entry under the Child Citizenship Act (2000).

Really, Hypnos. I was not aware of that so thank you for bringing it to my attention. My oldest has just turned 10 so certainly they are all of the qualifying age.

Thanks

Laura

[Hypnos 6,576]

http://travel.state....pes_1312.html#2 shows the necessary requirements, and once all four are met (in any order) they automatically become US citizens.

You don't even need to apply for (an expensive) certificate of citizenship, you can just jump right to a US passport.

Hopefully you'll be able to make use of this.

Edited April 20, 2013 by Hypnos

[LauraDP 10]

http://travel.state....pes_1312.html#2 shows the necessary requirements, and once all four are met (in any order) they automatically become US citizens.

You don't even need to apply for (an expensive) certificate of citizenship, you can just jump right to a US passport.

Hopefully you'll be able to make use of this.

Thank you for that information and for the link. When we investigated the whole citizenship thing before, nobody we spoke to ever suggested that there would be this route for the kids. I guess that led me to assume (daft, I know) that they would be just LPRs like me. You have saved me trying to track the relevant fact page myself so I really appreciate your input.

Many thanks!

Laura