Medical Exam done BEFORE interview date. Will this be a problem at the interview?

[thewogans 1]

Hi all,
We are in the final stages of our CR-1 application and expect to secure an embassy interview date in the next 2 weeks(hope hope hope)

We have all our documentation in good shape but there is one matter of 'mild concern' to us regarding the medical examination. We did not anticipate the process would take this much time and in an effort to speed things up my husband completed his medical examination back in May 2014. We recently reviewed the official guidelines and it states that the medical should not be done until an interview date is set. Even though, the results do not expire until May 2015.....

When it comes to the interview is the fact that the medical was done 7 months in advance of the interview going to be a problem for us? We know that the results are valid for 1 year and my husband will be travelling to the U.S. as soon as the visa comes through so there is no concern about exceeding the expiry date on entry. e

We are wondering how to address the matter if it is questioned during the interview? Alternatively, we are wondering would it be better to avoid the risk (if it is a risk!) and just redo the medical exam?

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

[dwheels76 5,459]

Hi all,

We are in the final stages of our CR-1 application and expect to secure an embassy interview date in the next 2 weeks(hope hope hope)

We have all our documentation in good shape but there is one matter of 'mild concern' to us regarding the medical examination. We did not anticipate the process would take this much time and in an effort to speed things up my husband completed his medical examination back in May 2014. We recently reviewed the official guidelines and it states that the medical should not be done until an interview date is set. Even though, the results do not expire until May 2015.....

When it comes to the interview is the fact that the medical was done 7 months in advance of the interview going to be a problem for us? We know that the results are valid for 1 year and my husband will be travelling to the U.S. as soon as the visa comes through so there is no concern about exceeding the expiry date on entry. e

We are wondering how to address the matter if it is questioned during the interview? Alternatively, we are wondering would it be better to avoid the risk (if it is a risk!) and just redo the medical exam?

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

You will have to redo the medical. Although the medical for medical reasons (if that makes since ) is good for a year. For entry into the US is only good for 6 months. That's why you should never have medical until an interview has been scheduled.

Do you even have case complete at NVC yet? If so what is your date?

Edited December 2, 2014 by dwheels76

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Dwheels is right. In addition the medical report will be sent to the embassy after the medical. If they haven't received your case or even heard of you at the time the medical is done there is a fair chance of the medical stuff getting lost (no file to match it to).

Edited December 2, 2014 by Hotter Otter

[thewogans 1]

I don't have case complete at NVC... the 60days should be up on December 8th.

The Dr. was aware of the fact the medical hadn't been 'requested' yet and was keeping the info on file until my husband contacted them with the info from the Embassy.

[MktMaven 1]

You are so close to having your immigration completed; the best thing to do is to follow the rules and have a new, current, medical exam once your interview date has been determined. Chalk up the cost of the earlier medical exam as a learning experience Why play around on the firnge of the rules?

Just so you don't set unrealistic expectations, we have had a CC since November 14 and still do not have an interview date. You can visit the December Interviews worksheet and see this is true for all people who have shared their times in all but one instance. We are reasonably expecting to have an interview in the Middle of January, 2015, based on current processing times and also recent experience for the Jakarta embassy. It would be very unusual for you to CC and have an interview date within the next two weeks. I would expect that if you do not get a Checklist and do CC around or shortly after December 8, 2014 that a reasonable expectation might be for an interview in the middle of February, 2015 and hope for something earlier, but don't make plans or set your heart to get crushed if it doesn't happen.

Edited December 2, 2014 by MktMaven

[dwheels76 5,459]

I don't have case complete at NVC... the 60days should be up on December 8th.

The Dr. was aware of the fact the medical hadn't been 'requested' yet and was keeping the info on file until my husband contacted them with the info from the Embassy.

Once you get case complete and than get an interview assigned. You could possible be in the queue for a January interview. Then if assigned then go back and get a new medical. Remember the entry to the US clock starts with the medical that's why a new medical is needed.

At least your husband is good to go for the shots. Shouldn't be too much he has to do just a followup and new lab work probably.

[thewogans 1]

I know.... chancing it seems silly, but it's been SO EXPENSIVE. The cost of the medical is 300euro. yikes!!

I just found this on the CDC website from July 2014. It seems that one year is ok?

How long is the overseas medical examination of aliens valid?

For applicants examined in countries using the 1991 TB Technical Instructions, the medical exam is valid for:

• 1 year if the applicant does not have a Class A condition or a Class B tuberculosis (TB) condition;
• or 6 months if any of these conditions exist.

For applicants examined in countries using the 2007 TB Technical Instructions (now referred to as the Culture and Directly Observed Therapy [DOT] Technical Instructions), the medical exam is valid for:

• 6 months if the applicant does not have a Class A TB, Class B1 TB, or HIV condition;
• or 3 months if any of these conditions exist.

But, no. I know you are right. A follow up and new labs are a good idea. I'll have him talk to the Dr's office as soon as we get that interview packet. SIGH!

[tripswitch 7]

I know.... chancing it seems silly, but it's been SO EXPENSIVE. The cost of the medical is 300euro. yikes!!

I just found this on the CDC website from July 2014. It seems that one year is ok?

How long is the overseas medical examination of aliens valid?

For applicants examined in countries using the 1991 TB Technical Instructions, the medical exam is valid for:

• 1 year if the applicant does not have a Class A condition or a Class B tuberculosis (TB) condition;
• or 6 months if any of these conditions exist.

For applicants examined in countries using the 2007 TB Technical Instructions (now referred to as the Culture and Directly Observed Therapy [DOT] Technical Instructions), the medical exam is valid for:

• 6 months if the applicant does not have a Class A TB, Class B1 TB, or HIV condition;
• or 3 months if any of these conditions exist.

But, no. I know you are right. A follow up and new labs are a good idea. I'll have him talk to the Dr's office as soon as we get that interview packet. SIGH!

The medical is listed on the Dublin embassy site as being €350. Unfortunately it's recently gone up and I was charged €395 for mine last week.

[tripswitch 7]

Dwheels is right. In addition the medical report will be sent to the embassy after the medical. If they haven't received your case or even heard of you at the time the medical is done there is a fair chance of the medical stuff getting lost (no file to match it to).

It's done slightly differently in Ireland. Here you collect the medical results from the Doctor's office yourself, and bring them with you to the interview.

It's totally possible they also send them to the Embassy separately; I'm just not aware of that being the case.

[NikLR 13,220]

Many consulates and embassies give you the medical results to take to interview. Montreal does it as well.