TURKEY~Why cant we get his medical done in Istanbul anymore?

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

Hey guyys!

Im 100 percent positive they used to have a doctor listed saying u could get your medical done at the american hospital in Istanbul..but now you can only get it done in Ankara?? Im upset cuz thats a little harder to plan, Hed have to stay in ankara for several days to make sure its enough time to get it done. I dont find it fair that in such a big country, they only have 2 doctors that are both in Ankara to get a medical.

Anyone have any input? Its impossible to get ahold of the embassy in Ankara!

[jdba 22]

Hey guyys!

Im 100 percent positive they used to have a doctor listed saying u could get your medical done at the american hospital in Istanbul..but now you can only get it done in Ankara?? Im upset cuz thats a little harder to plan, Hed have to stay in ankara for several days to make sure its enough time to get it done. I dont find it fair that in such a big country, they only have 2 doctors that are both in Ankara to get a medical.

Anyone have any input? Its impossible to get ahold of the embassy in Ankara!

It changed this year. They have to go to Ankara. The embassy always answers my emails in a day or two (4 emails so far all answered) I use the form on the website.

This was the reply I got from the embassy

In Turkey the only authorized panel facility to conduct medical examinations for U.S. immigrant visas is in Ankara. We have requested travel.state.gov web site to be updated with the current information.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

[Clynn 0]

It is much harder to plan for those who live far from Ankara.

Also, note that they will have to pick up their medical results from there, as usually they are not given the same day.

So, my husband got a bus ticket in Kadikoy for about 38 Lira to Ankara about 1 week before his interview and then we will arrive 1 day before his interview to stay in a hotel and pick up his results that day before the interview.

The medical office barely picks up the phone, but when they did they told my husband they are only holding the medical results for about a few weeks and that they are unable to mail them to the embassy or to your home.

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

It changed this year. They have to go to Ankara. The embassy always answers my emails in a day or two (4 emails so far all answered) I use the form on the website.

This was the reply I got from the embassy

In Turkey the only authorized panel facility to conduct medical examinations for U.S. immigrant visas is in Ankara. We have requested travel.state.gov web site to be updated with the current information.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

Thank u so much for that info!! Grr. Sucks but what can i do!

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

It is much harder to plan for those who live far from Ankara.

Also, note that they will have to pick up their medical results from there, as usually they are not given the same day.

So, my husband got a bus ticket in Kadikoy for about 38 Lira to Ankara about 1 week before his interview and then we will arrive 1 day before his interview to stay in a hotel and pick up his results that day before the interview.

The medical office barely picks up the phone, but when they did they told my husband they are only holding the medical results for about a few weeks and that they are unable to mail them to the embassy or to your home.

Thanks! this is good to know! but I know really, this changes quite a bit from the plans we had in mind. But ya i might have Ismail jump on the bus feom kadikoy too, or the big otogar. At least its not too expensive! But how did he do his medical already? Did he go before and get his medical done then go back? Cuz i really wonder how many days he needs to wait from when he gets it done, to when he can pick it up, its a waste of money to have him stay in the hotel for a week there :/

Any good hotels near the embassy?

Edited June 12, 2013 by Ismail+Cassie

[jdba 22]

Thanks! this is good to know! but I know really, this changes quite a bit from the plans we had in mind. But ya i might have Ismail jump on the bus feom kadikoy too, or the big otogar. At least its not too expensive! But how did he do his medical already? Did he go before and get his medical done then go back? Cuz i really wonder how many days he needs to wait from when he gets it done, to when he can pick it up, its a waste of money to have him stay in the hotel for a week there :/

Any good hotels near the embassy?

My husband going the 18th to do his medical. We did an early appointment because the email I got from the medical center said that if you go early you can pick the report up that day around 6 pm just before close. If not he will go back that Saturday before noon and get it. Our interview is the 24th.

The medical center lets you schedule the exam up to 30 days before the interview.

[Baklava 5]

The American Hospital Istanbul ceased performing medicals Jan 2013! I called them to check 3 weeks ago to check . So yes another burdensome expensive trip to Ankara for Physical.

[Clynn 0]

Thanks! this is good to know! but I know really, this changes quite a bit from the plans we had in mind. But ya i might have Ismail jump on the bus feom kadikoy too, or the big otogar. At least its not too expensive! But how did he do his medical already? Did he go before and get his medical done then go back? Cuz i really wonder how many days he needs to wait from when he gets it done, to when he can pick it up, its a waste of money to have him stay in the hotel for a week there :/

Any good hotels near the embassy?

He didn't do his medical just yet. His medical appointment is June 18 and his interview is June 25. So after he finishes his medical appointment on the 18th, he will just come home. We both will stay 1 night in Best Western (really close to the embassy & I only paid $78 USD) on June 24 and pick up his results that day. His interview is at 7:40 AM, it would be hard to arrive to Ankara that early in the morning, so we decided to stay the night before.

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

He didn't do his medical just yet. His medical appointment is June 18 and his interview is June 25. So after he finishes his medical appointment on the 18th, he will just come home. We both will stay 1 night in Best Western (really close to the embassy & I only paid $78 USD) on June 24 and pick up his results that day. His interview is at 7:40 AM, it would be hard to arrive to Ankara that early in the morning, so we decided to stay the night before.

Oh wow, that may be hard for my fiance to take the bus there, do the medical and come right back the same day! But you seem to be working it out just fine! thanks Ill look into it more!

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

My husband going the 18th to do his medical. We did an early appointment because the email I got from the medical center said that if you go early you can pick the report up that day around 6 pm just before close. If not he will go back that Saturday before noon and get it. Our interview is the 24th.

The medical center lets you schedule the exam up to 30 days before the interview.

Oh so if you get there really early, you can pick it up the same day or day after? Cuz if its ready that fast, I may have him go there 2 nights before his interview, and the first morning he arrives, get his medical, then try to get it that evening picked up or the next day, then the day after that hell go to his interview. But Im terrified if something goes wrong!

The American Hospital Istanbul ceased performing medicals Jan 2013! I called them to check 3 weeks ago to check . So yes another burdensome expensive trip to Ankara for Physical.

I know..I was like whyyyy noww!

[jdba 22]

Oh so if you get there really early, you can pick it up the same day or day after? Cuz if its ready that fast, I may have him go there 2 nights before his interview, and the first morning he arrives, get his medical, then try to get it that evening picked up or the next day, then the day after that hell go to his interview. But Im terrified if something goes wrong!

I know..I was like whyyyy noww!

Yeah I wouldn't cut it that close. My husband is going from Istanbul. Its something like a 6 hour bus ride. It leaves at midnight and get to Ankara about 6 am. His medical is at 9:10AM. (they open at 9) Then he plans to take a bus back to Istanbul about 7 pm.. Or earlier if he needs to go back and get it.

[sarah86 8]

I didnt read all the replies but I had scheduled my fiance's exam i believe it was for 10 45 am, he was there just around that time maybe couple minutes early, and he was able to get the results the same day, after 5pm, so he just hung out in Ankara for a few hours. I dont know if he talked them into giving him the results same day as he was traveling from another state, or if we just got lucky or if everyone who schedules early can get the same done but this is what happened with us. So if you havent already, try scheduling for early morning, and increase your chances of getting the results same day.

good luck, and pray for us that we get out of this AP bs and get our visa please

[Ismail+Cassie 36]

Ya my fiance talked to them, they said they want him to come in 2 days before his interview, get the medical (WHICH IS SUCH A SCAM FOR MONEY, Sorry) and pick it up that evening or if not the next day, then he can go to his interview. I hope they are right!

I didnt read all the replies but I had scheduled my fiance's exam i believe it was for 10 45 am, he was there just around that time maybe couple minutes early, and he was able to get the results the same day, after 5pm, so he just hung out in Ankara for a few hours. I dont know if he talked them into giving him the results same day as he was traveling from another state, or if we just got lucky or if everyone who schedules early can get the same done but this is what happened with us. So if you havent already, try scheduling for early morning, and increase your chances of getting the results same day.

good luck, and pray for us that we get out of this AP bs and get our visa please

Im praying for you!!