Confused on DS-3025 & I-639...

[CowBoE 429]

DualityOneness, which of the 4 medical clinics did your fiancée use? I know Chinese and took at look bobbyA’s image at http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastupby&uid=94211. I found that His finacee’s medical exam was in “Health Care Center of Guangdong International Travel”. Did your fiancée use this clinic too?

My fiancee lives in Shanghai, so she went to a designated facility there.

Also, now that link is working...it wasn't earlier...

may be it needed time to sync-up to the web page...

Edited August 15, 2014 by DualityOneness

[googolplex 7]

Do you think the Shanghai clinic handles things differently from the Guangzhou one? It is possible that the Guangzhou clinic offers a more complete package in documentations to your fiancée.

My fiancee lives in Shanghai, so she went to a designated facility there.

Also, now that link is working...it wasn't earlier...

may be it needed time to sync-up to the web page...

[googolplex 7]

My fiancee will take the medical exam in the Guangzhou Clinic, the same one bobbyA's fiancee took. I think it is very unlikely that my fiancee will receive less documentations from the clinic than bobbyA's fiancee did. Maybe all my worrying is just a paranoia developed from reading too many posts in VJ.

[CowBoE 429]

Do you think the Shanghai clinic handles things differently from the Guangzhou one? It is possible that the Guangzhou clinic offers a more complete package in documentations to your fiancée.

That could be since embassy is in Guangzhou as well...

But Shanghai has 14+ million people, so I'm sure there are plenty of

people that are going through these medical checks for US visa.

Where is your fiancee located at?

Now that I am much clear on this, I will check with her on everything again...

[googolplex 7]

That could be since embassy is in Guangzhou as well...

But Shanghai has 14+ million people, so I'm sure there are plenty of

people that are going through these medical checks for US visa.

Where is your fiancee located at?

Now that I am much clear on this, I will check with her on everything again...

My fiancee lives right next to Guangzhou and will take the medical exam at the Guangzhou Clinic, the same one bobbyA's fiancee took. I think it is very unlikely that my fiancee will receive less documentations from the clinic than bobbyA's fiancee did. Maybe all my worrying is just a paranoia developed from reading too many posts in VJ.

[CowBoE 429]

My fiancee will take the medical exam in the Guangzhou Clinic, the same one bobbyA's fiancee took. I think it is very unlikely that my fiancee will receive less documentations from the clinic than bobbyA's fiancee did. Maybe all my worrying is just a paranoia developed from reading too many posts in VJ.

I wish these things are clearly laid out, instead of us having to dig through this.

I mean in theory, you and I are researching ahead.

If we didn't take time to do this, we could be surprised later with missing documents

that would either delay or confuse the future processing.

I'm so thankful for the VJ site and it's members.

Everyone explained various parts and Bobby helped to put those puzzle pieces together,

particularly for Chinese fiancee. if Bobby is near Houston, I will take him and hie wife out to a

nice dinner!!!

So now I'm clear on what's needed...I just have to make sure

if my fiancee has them...and if not, how we go about getting them.

[CowBoE 429]

My fiancee lives right next to Guangzhou and will take the medical exam at the Guangzhou Clinic, the same one bobbyA's fiancee took. I think it is very unlikely that my fiancee will receive less documentations from the clinic than bobbyA's fiancee did. Maybe all my worrying is just a paranoia developed from reading too many posts in VJ.

I think our paranoia comes from the fact that, its not clearly stated as to who's giving what color/size envelopes

with what contents to who and when, and we have to resort to VJ site members to piece that puzzle together.

So far, it appears that my fiancee is lacking that "small white envelope",

that supposedly contain the DS-2035 that we will need to file for AOS.

I know we can probably take the shot records in the "yellow book" to the civil surgeon,

but that is extra headache, time, and cost.

I now know the final puzzle...I just have to see if we can get all the pieces...

[googolplex 7]

I wish these things are clearly laid out, instead of us having to dig through this.

I mean in theory, you and I are researching ahead.

If we didn't take time to do this, we could be surprised later with missing documents

that would either delay or confuse the future processing.

I'm so thankful for the VJ site and it's members.

Everyone explained various parts and Bobby helped to put those puzzle pieces together,

particularly for Chinese fiancee. if Bobby is near Houston, I will take him and hie wife out to a

nice dinner!!!

So now I'm clear on what's needed...I just have to make sure

if my fiancee has them...and if not, how we go about getting them.

I completely agree with you. The US government should make a detailed list of every step required. I techinically went through lots of similar processes 13 years ago for my F4 visa. But back then I was little and my parents handled everything. I wish I had paid more attention about the processes 13 years ago.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I haven't read your whole thread but have some comments to your questions.

1) Here is the background...

07/25/2014 - Fiancee has medical exam and receives 2 shots

08/14/2014 - Fiancee has interview (approved) and turned in the sealed medical results

2) We are pondering whether to finish her 2 more shots in China or in USA

09/04/2014 - First day she can complete remaining 2 shots

3) Based explanations from (KayDeeCee, Nich-Nick, and others), if DS-3025 is completely filled out

then we can bypass I-693 (civil surgeon's transcribe) and just submit DS-3025 when we file AOS.

My earlier post on insurance coverage of vaccine shots

Nich-Nick's post on I-693

Captain Ewok's posting on I-693 and DS-3025

The Capt Ewok thread is ancient. Since that post the forms have changed, the shots have changed, etc.

if we knew what shots she got before her medical, it might help. And if we knew what she had already had and got credit for it would help. So unless you see a copy of the DS-3025, you won't be sure. But we can guess that since they gave her shots at the medical. They gave her all that was due at the time.

4) But, as of now, fiancee hasn't seen a copy of DS-3025, how did you get your's?.

Is this what's inside the sealed envelope that she turned into embassy during the interview?

Should she have gotten a copy of it after medical exam?

A photocopy is supposed to be given. It says so on the form. But as different places seem to do their own thing, I can't speak for what happens in China.

5) When embassy sends the passport & K1 visa, do they also include another sealed envelope

that contains DS-3025? Right now, she only has a CD in a sealed envelope.

Normally that would be handed out at the medical place, not returned with the visa, but can't really comment on China.

6) If (5) is true, then how does she get 2 more remaining shots in China on 09/04/2014, and get the

DS-3025 in the sealed envelop updated (since she has passed the interview already)?

You can't. Once you leave the medical, the DS-3025 is done. Final. If you get more shots, you have to pay a civil surgeon in the US to do a new immunization form (part of the I-693.)

7) Also, if she turns in the only sealed envelope with DS-3025 at POE,

what copy do we have remaining to submit with AOS packet?

The embassy sends her entire original immigration file plus entire original medical results (including the immunization sheet) in a sealed envelope for her to take to the US. Saves lots of postage. The packet will be matched up when she applies for AOS (unless they lose it). Her original signed DS-3025 is with the USCIS along with all her other things. It has remained in a chain of custody so she couldn't alter it. It is good enough for AOS. People seem to,think their photocopy of the DS-3025 is the golden ticket. No, it is a photocopy of the golden ticket. The original in her file is sufficient, original, and not tampered with.

8) Ideally, we wanted her to finish shots in China to avoid I-693 in USA,

but after passing the interview, I'm not sure if it's possible now.

I know I'm splitting hair here, but these minor details make a big difference in determining

whether she will wait couple more weeks to finish her shots and China, or just come to

USA asap and finish the remaining shots and do I-693.

By now you have figured out it doesn't matter because her opportunity to change her DS-3025 is passed.

So let's talk about those 2 shots. I am going to assume they were shots that were part of a series. Like MMR requirement is two doses, but a waiting period of at least 4 weeks between the two doses. Sounds like it because you have specifi dates you are waiting for. Her DS-3025 would have a reason why she didn't get Dose 2. Look at the columns on the sample DS-3025 somebody posted. See one called "insufficient time interval"? That would have been ticked and gets her out of Dose 2 forever. She is given a blanket waiver. AOS goes by the date of her medical exam. If she was as complete as medically possible on that date, she is done. It was not medically appropriate for her to get another two shots on the day of her medical. She gets a waiver. Pass. Excused. Get it?

So what do you do?

Get her on a plane ASAP

File your AOS without worrying about a DS-3025. Cross your fingers that her POE envelope doesn't get mis-filed and makes it to her AOS file. It usually does, but if lost it's a RFE and new full medical in the US. Nothing you can do but cross fingers and pray.

There is a chance her Immunizations sheet might not be perfectly complete. But it's a good guess that it was. So carry on until you hear differently from the USCIS after filing. An RFE is no big deal because your wife is here with you. Spend your money on shots and a civil surgeon only if you have to. There is a statement I wrote for somebody that could be included in you application if you like it. I will find it and post. It was just an idea I had and nothing USCIS says to do. It's a Nich-Nick suggestion.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[CowBoE 429]

I haven't read your whole thread but have some comments to your questions.

The Capt Ewok thread is ancient. Since that post the forms have changed, the shots have changed, etc.

if we knew what shots she got before her medical, it might help. And if we knew what she had already had and got credit for it would help. So unless you see a copy of the DS-3025, you won't be sure. But we can guess that since they gave her shots at the medical. They gave her all that was due at the time.

A photocopy is supposed to be given. It says so on the form. But as different places seem to do their own thing, I can't speak for what happens in China.

Normally that would be handed out at the medical place, not returned with the visa, but can't really comment on China.

You can't. Once you leave the medical, the DS-3025 is done. Final. If you get more shots, you have to pay a civil surgeon in the US to do a new immunization form (part of the I-693.)

The embassy sends her entire original immigration file plus entire original medical results (including the immunization sheet) in a sealed envelope for her to take to the US. Saves lots of postage. The packet will be matched up when she applies for AOS (unless they lose it). Her original signed DS-3025 is with the USCIS along with all her other things. It has remained in a chain of custody so she couldn't alter it. It is good enough for AOS. People seem to,think their photocopy of the DS-3025 is the golden ticket. No, it is a photocopy of the golden ticket. The original in her file is sufficient, original, and not tampered with.

By now you have figured out it doesn't matter because her opportunity to change her DS-3025 is passed.

So let's talk about those 2 shots. I am going to assume they were shots that were part of a series. Like MMR requirement is two doses, but a waiting period of at least 4 weeks between the two doses. Sounds like it because you have specifi dates you are waiting for. Her DS-3025 would have a reason why she didn't get Dose 2. Look at the columns on the sample DS-3025 somebody posted. See one called "insufficient time interval"? That would have been ticked and gets her out of Dose 2 forever. She is given a blanket waiver. AOS goes by the date of her medical exam. If she was as complete as medically possible on that date, she is done. It was not medically appropriate for her to get another two shots on the day of her medical. She gets a waiver. Pass. Excused. Get it?

So what do you do?

Get her on a plane ASAP

File your AOS without worrying about a DS-3025. Cross your fingers that her POE envelope doesn't get mis-filed and makes it to her AOS file. It usually does, but if lost it's a RFE and new full medical in the US. Nothing you can do but cross fingers and pray.

There is a chance her Immunizations sheet might not be perfectly complete. But it's a good guess that it was. So carry on until you hear differently from the USCIS after filing. An RFE is no big deal because your wife is here with you. Spend your money on shots and a civil surgeon only if you have to. There is a statement I wrote for somebody that could be included in you application if you like it. I will find it and post. It was just an idea I had and nothing USCIS says to do. It's a Nich-Nick suggestion.

So, following your advice (which reaffirms Bobby's earlier suggestion),

I will keep it simple (and let go my headache),

and get her over here ASAP, which is ultimately what we wanted to do anyway

even it wasn't for this DS-3025/I-639 confusion.

BTW, there are number of key valuable contributors on VJ site,

and I must say, you are definitely one of the top quality posters here.

(With no sugar coating)...simply you are awesome on this stuff.

Thanks a ton!

[CowBoE 429]

So let's talk about those 2 shots. I am going to assume they were shots that were part of a series. Like MMR requirement is two doses, but a waiting period of at least 4 weeks between the two doses. Sounds like it because you have specifi dates you are waiting for. Her DS-3025 would have a reason why she didn't get Dose 2. Look at the columns on the sample DS-3025 somebody posted. See one called "insufficient time interval"? That would have been ticked and gets her out of Dose 2 forever. She is given a blanket waiver. AOS goes by the date of her medical exam. If she was as complete as medically possible on that date, she is done. It was not medically appropriate for her to get another two shots on the day of her medical. She gets a waiver. Pass. Excused. Get it?

Nich-Nick, so I talked to the fiancee moments ago.

So she did receive a copy of Vaccination Document Worksheet...to my (and her) surprised,

but that's another story on its own...because I had been asking about it without success...

Back to her shots records...

1. For "Td" shot, "Not Routinely Available" is checked.

2. For "MMR" shot, they entered the date for the first shot, and also check "Insufficient Time Interval" column

3. For "Varicella" shot, they entered the date for the first shot, and also check "Insufficient Time Interval" column

4. For "Influenza", "Not Fall (Flu) Season" is checked.

5. All other shots have "Not Age Appropriate" column checked.

Checking this site, it seems "TD or Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids" is required,

but "Not Routinely Available" seems they just didn't have the supply at the time.

http://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

So it looks like she will need to get at least the first does of TD shot.

Does it make any sense in just submitting the I-485 with missing TD?

Or we should definitely get "TD" shot transcribed to I-693 with a civil surgeon

first before submitting I-485?

[nobbie 105]

Looks like you will need the TD shot. I only had one MMR and that was fine. if you get the TD then you will need to see a civil surgeon and do the 693, hopefully they will not insist on getting second MMR and varicella.

I have not heard of everyone having varicella before, I thought everyone just got chickenpox as a kid, mind you I had measles and mumps as a kid but they still made me have MMR.

You could just submit the 485 and if you get an RFE deal with it then.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Td is a booster for adolescents and adults of the DTP baby shot leaving off the Pertussis.

Diptheria, Tenanus, Pertussis are the 3 diseases. Adults get Tdap formulation, but any version of DTP is acceptable. Wondering if she has any childhood shot listed with the pertussis part? Then a Td would cover the booster required every 10 years.

I agree that Td (especially the tetanus component) is due. The question is will your particular AOS adjudicator accept "not routinely available" as enough to grant her the blanket waiver? If it was a CR1 or true immigrant visa, then yes because they have to be complete by the visa interview because the greencard is built into the visa. If they can't get it because of short supply, then they waive it.

With a K1, there is opportunity to get the shot in America before applying for the greencard. Also, the insufficient time would have passed for a civil surgeon to say she needs the MMR and varicella second doses. Some do and some don't. Some adjudicators accept "not routinely available" and some don't. There's too many Civil Surgeons and USCIS people to know what any given one will require.

You could still try going with the DS-3025 and see if she gets the waiver. If not granted, don't post on VJ that DS-3025 does not work. It works if it is complete. We know she is incomplete on Td, but there is a chance with a waiver column checked that it could still be waived depending on the adjudicator and how much he actually knows and remembers about this topic.

You could start down the list of Houston area civil surgeons and ask prices for transcribing her shot record only onto an I-693. Some will insist that she needs a full medical and TB skin test. They don't even know K1 exceptions. I called the LA list once for somebody and got so angry and frustrated with being quoted around $250 and full medical w/ shots costing extra. I must have called a dozen offices and even argued with them with my knowledge of the process. They had no idea about doing only the immunization part and wouldn't consider it. Therein lies the problem with having to get an I-693. You could spend an entire day on the phone while your blood pressure builds, knowing that many calling have limited English skills and are less equipped to deal with it and don't even know how to explain what they need or challenge what they are told. If you get an office that says, "sure we know about that and do that for $35", then you are fortunate and might choose that route. Then what happens if you are one of the unlucky whose foreign medical file didn't get matched up with AOS? You still get an RFE and you go back and pay the Civil Surgeon again. Might have been better to see how it went with USCIS in the first instance where there was a chance the waiver would be granted. Your choice of how to go forward.

[CowBoE 429]

Td is a booster for adolescents and adults of the DTP baby shot leaving off the Pertussis.

Diptheria, Tenanus, Pertussis are the 3 diseases. Adults get Tdap formulation, but any version of DTP is acceptable. Wondering if she has any childhood shot listed with the pertussis part? Then a Td would cover the booster required every 10 years.

I agree that Td (especially the tetanus component) is due. The question is will your particular AOS adjudicator accept "not routinely available" as enough to grant her the blanket waiver? If it was a CR1 or true immigrant visa, then yes because they have to be complete by the visa interview because the greencard is built into the visa. If they can't get it because of short supply, then they waive it.

With a K1, there is opportunity to get the shot in America before applying for the greencard. Also, the insufficient time would have passed for a civil surgeon to say she needs the MMR and varicella second doses. Some do and some don't. Some adjudicators accept "not routinely available" and some don't. There's too many Civil Surgeons and USCIS people to know what any given one will require.

You could still try going with the DS-3025 and see if she gets the waiver. If not granted, don't post on VJ that DS-3025 does not work. It works if it is complete. We know she is incomplete on Td, but there is a chance with a waiver column checked that it could still be waived depending on the adjudicator and how much he actually knows and remembers about this topic.

You could start down the list of Houston area civil surgeons and ask prices for transcribing her shot record only onto an I-693. Some will insist that she needs a full medical and TB skin test. They don't even know K1 exceptions. I called the LA list once for somebody and got so angry and frustrated with being quoted around $250 and full medical w/ shots costing extra. I must have called a dozen offices and even argued with them with my knowledge of the process. They had no idea about doing only the immunization part and wouldn't consider it. Therein lies the problem with having to get an I-693. You could spend an entire day on the phone while your blood pressure builds, knowing that many calling have limited English skills and are less equipped to deal with it and don't even know how to explain what they need or challenge what they are told. If you get an office that says, "sure we know about that and do that for $35", then you are fortunate and might choose that route. Then what happens if you are one of the unlucky whose foreign medical file didn't get matched up with AOS? You still get an RFE and you go back and pay the Civil Surgeon again. Might have been better to see how it went with USCIS in the first instance where there was a chance the waiver would be granted. Your choice of how to go forward.

Thanks for the thoughtful post again.

It seems this may be kind of common for certain medical exam facilities in China.

Here is a very fresh thread on Chinese fiancee not getting the Tdap (our's was TD),

and they received RFE, and looks like they were able to get the shot

and I-693 without doing full medical...in HOUSTON...so I will see if I can

go through the same CS. So it may not be too bad...we will see.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/508786-vaccine-rfe/

Thanks again!!

[CowBoE 429]

Looks like you will need the TD shot. I only had one MMR and that was fine. if you get the TD then you will need to see a civil surgeon and do the 693, hopefully they will not insist on getting second MMR and varicella.

I have not heard of everyone having varicella before, I thought everyone just got chickenpox as a kid, mind you I had measles and mumps as a kid but they still made me have MMR.

You could just submit the 485 and if you get an RFE deal with it then.

Yup, hopefully I can find a CS that can just do simple transcribing...after we get the missing shot.

Thanks