i-693 when full medical exam is unnecessary.

[TAB2TAB 52]

Hi VJ'ers,

My husband and I are together and married at long last (hooray!) and now working through AOS filing (K1 fiance visa).

His vaccination document DS-3025 is incomplete (he's from the UK and the Varicella vaccine is not available to UK citizens); he was NOT asked by the Knightsbridge medical exam doctor in London whether he had Chicken Pox and therefore, like some others, he did not get "VH" (Varicella History) on his DS-3025 Immunization Record. Likewise, he did not get a MMR "complete" status on his DS-3025 because he's "unable to receive MMR due to government restriction on vaccine", per the form. I mention all this to see if any of you know whether there's any possibility of following up with Knightsbridge to get the DS-3025 updated, and avoid having to see a civil surgeon.(???) I suspect this is unlikely, but thought I'd ask.

So, my PRIMARY question is this: Assuming he only needs the Civil Surgeon to transcribe the DS-3025 records and administer 1-2 injections, how do we ensure/prove that 1) the Civil Surgeon only needs to do the Immunization portion of the I-693, and not the full blown medical exam, and 2) how do we ensure we are only being quoted prices for the transcription and not the full medical by the Civil Surgeon/staff? We have been making calls to C.S's in the Atlanta area and are being quoted $150+ presumably just to transcribe the DS-3025 data on to the I-693 (not including shots) and sign it... is that for real? We've seen lots of posts on VJ of people paying only $25-50, so we're beginning to think that these C.S.'s are assuming he needs a full medical... or we're being over-charged by the C.S.

Any ideas or similar experiences? We greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thank you!

Rob and Adrian

Edited June 3, 2014 by TAB2TAB

[notusinganymore 31]

I quote from http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-through-family/green-card-through-special-categories-family/k-nonimmigrant

"If you received a medical examination prior to admission as a K nonimmigrant, then you are not required to have another medical examination at time of adjustment as long as:

Your Form I-485 is filed within 1 year of your overseas medical examination

The medical examination did not reveal a Class A medical condition

If you did have a Class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility and you have complied with the terms and conditions of the waiver."

I assume that at the very bottom of the DS3025 it says vaccination history incomplete and is eligible for blanket waiver? The I693 is asked "if applicable" only. If you fall in the categories above then a copy of your DS3025 should be enough. Just put in the table of contents that you are making that you have sent the I693 as per USCIS Form I485 instruction (specifically under Initial evidence 7-C).

Edited June 3, 2014 by emmandenn

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

You won't qualify on your DS-3025 as you described it. Knightsbridge can not update. That ship sailed.

You can check prices at drug stores, a health department, or anywhere offering immunizations. Go with the best price and get documentation. Then take everything you have...DS-3025, records fromUK GP, drug store shots...to a civil surgeon.

Finding a CS is a nightmare. I have always read the problems people have, but didn't use one for AOS. Well recently a person PMed me asking questions. She was being treated unfairly and overcharged...TWICE. Her English was limited and she didn't know how to do anything. She was going to go back and pay again. So out of curiosity, I started calling Civil Surgeons in California just to see what they said. So infuriating!!!

They are clueless. Quote you the full medical price. Will not listen to the particulars of a K1s needs. Will not consider anything but the full price. I called down the list until I was so angry I quit. I ended each call with "please inform the doctor that I am reporting him to the US government for not studying his material and knowing what a K1 visa holder is and that they do not need anything but the immunization portion filled out. I will also report he is price gouging immigrants with limited English. I hope his Civil Surgeon designation is revoked."

So I got to quit. You unfortunately have to find one. Keep trying or cast a wider net.

I will say there was one lady named Sheila who was interested and wanted to know where to find the form instructions so she could learn more about it. She wrote down everything, saying it was the first time she had ever had anybody explain it to her. The rest wouldn't even listen. I hope you find a Sheila.

[EndlessStory 53]

I got mine done for $150 on the same doctor mentioned by VJ-er and they got it done for $30. They price might have increase? Who knows

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Forgot to say. The instructions for the I-693 tell the K1 medical information. The USCIS link you were given is out of date. The form changed. The CS does not certify on Part 5, the last page. He certifies the vaccination part on page 1.

If you had chickenpox, he is supposed to take your word for it. Their instructions tell them Varicella is the only self reported thing they can accept. Not that they read their instructions and updates.

Here's a good memo to show the doctor http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Notes%20from%20Previous%20Engagements/2012/May%202012/civil-surgeonQA-11-13-12.pdf. Read question 57.

[rshree 16]

I went to Dr. Jiin T.Lin, 39271 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539. Phone (510) 792-7875 .

One of the senior Staffs was excellent & knowledgeable about K-1/DS-3025. She filled out my I-693 vaccination part without full medicals for a fee of $60/- (cash only). It was 2 weeks before thou.

[TAB2TAB 52]

Nick Nich (and others),

Thank you so much for your very useful information. We have found a C.S. after many phone calls who will charge $50 for the transcription. Bingo.

We have two more questions, and have searched everywhere for answers:

1) per Question 57 on your link; we will go to the C.S. requesting only the vaccination portion of the medical exam be given and we only would get back page 1 and page 5 of the i-697. In the I-697 instructions, however, there is no explanation as to how the C.S. is to fill out the paperwork if only the vaccination portion is to be given. In light of this, how does the C.S. fill out Part 2 on page 1 of the I-697... leave it blank?

2) Does the C.S. still follow the regular I-697 instructions as if he were doing a full medical exam, i.e. making 2 copies of the I-693 for submission to USCIS, and providing the (us) with a sealed "Do Not Open, USCIS use-only" of the I-693?

Thank you very much for everyone's help!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Nick Nich (and others),

Thank you so much for your very useful information. We have found a C.S. after many phone calls who will charge $50 for the transcription. Bingo.

We have two more questions, and have searched everywhere for answers:

1) per Question 57 on your link; we will go to the C.S. requesting only the vaccination portion of the medical exam be given and we only would get back page 1 and page 5 of the i-697. In the I-697 instructions, however, there is no explanation as to how the C.S. is to fill out the paperwork if only the vaccination portion is to be given. In light of this, how does the C.S. fill out Part 2 on page 1 of the I-697... leave it blank?

2) Does the C.S. still follow the regular I-697 instructions as if he were doing a full medical exam, i.e. making 2 copies of the I-693 for submission to USCIS, and providing the (us) with a sealed "Do Not Open, USCIS use-only" of the I-693?

Thank you very much for everyone's help!

1) he could leave it blank or draw a big X over the section if he wants to make it clear he did not certify any medical summary. Either would be fine for your needs. Page 1 and 5 only.

2) the instructions say make two photocopies...one for his office file and one for you the patient. Seal/mark the original as described and give it to you to mail with AOS.

Glad you found somebody.