K1 visa medical mental health advice

[RedditAndDeddit 3]

Hey guys, 

 

I have my K1 visa medical in Knightsbridge on Wednesday and I am starting to feel really anxious and under prepared!

 

I have a history of depression and was diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 in 2016. That was probably my lowest point and since then I have got my life back on track through a mix of medication, counselling and taking responsibility for managing my symptoms. 

 

Ideally I would have more paperwork to prove this though. I moved city and GP in October 2019 and it has taken until now for my new GP practice to receive my medical records. I have my patient summary which has a decent amount of info but ideally I would have a letter from a GP that knows me well and also the psychiatrist who I was meeting regularly with for around 2 years up until the end of last year. 

 

I am going to prepare a timeline of my mental health, periods of counselling I have undertaken, groups I have attended etc to communicate the responsibility I have taken to manage my condition. 

 

I have read a lot on here about the benefit of having a letter from a medical professional attesting that you are “no longer a threat to yourself or others, now will be in the future”. How concerned should I be that I don’t have this?

 

Also, If I am referred for a psychological assessment how long does that take to organise and would it need to be in London?

 

Any help with this would be much appreciated!

 

Cheers

 

Stuart

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I'm not sure about the UK medical exam but I do know that at the medical exam for those in the Philippines you are referred to a psychologist and upon their assessment you either get to move ahead or your given some options. Most have gone through this phase with little problem and have been cleared to continue to their interview where they have gotten an approved visa.

 

I would ask this question over in the UK thread as there are more experienced individuals their that can help you. I'll ask a mod to move your post to that thread. Good luck.

 

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/99-united-kingdom/ 

[RedditAndDeddit 3]

Ah! I didn't realise I had posted it in the Phillipines section! 

 

Thanks Greenbaum, I'll post it in the UK section

[Greenbaum 12,259]

23 minutes ago, RedditAndDeddit said:

Ah! I didn't realise I had posted it in the Phillipines section! 

 

Thanks Greenbaum, I'll post it in the UK section

No you have not made a mistake as you posted your question in the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports. I was just using the Philippines experience as a point of order.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, RedditAndDeddit said:

 

I have read a lot on here about the benefit of having a letter from a medical professional attesting that you are “no longer a threat to yourself or others, now will be in the future”. How concerned should I be that I don’t have this?

You should be concerned because that letter or statement  is what would clear you on the day of the medical exam. Usually they will write out what they need from your doctor and have you get it and return it to them before they finalize the medical report and send to the embassy. The clinic GP just wants a back up from another medical doctor and not take your word for it. 

 

I have know one or two that could not obtain such a statement from a medical professional who were asked to return to Knightsbridge to be evaluated by their staff psychiatrist. Those went smoothly and the psych exam cleared them.  I don’t even know if they still have an arrangement with a psychiatrist to work at their location periodically. Ask your options on the day you are there if you don’t think you can get your doctor to write a report.

Edited February 29, 2020 by Wuozopo

[RedditAndDeddit 3]

Thanks for your input Wuozopo. Do you think it would affect their decision that I have never been hospitalised and don't have a history of self harming? I've read accounts from people with these issues in their history and that seems to have made the process much more complicated and placed a higher burden of proof on them

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, RedditAndDeddit said:

Thanks for your input Wuozopo. Do you think it would affect their decision that I have never been hospitalised and don't have a history of self harming? I've read accounts from people with these issues in their history and that seems to have made the process much more complicated and placed a higher burden of proof on them

It might. They look at each person individually and since you won’t have a short write up by exam day you’ll either be fine or be told they want something from your doctor. It may just delay your report getting to the embassy. 

[Tesco 71]

I would absolutely and definitely get a letter from your GP before you attend the medical. They can then clear you that day, rather then you needing to get the letter (with delays-especially if the GP is up to his/her eye with Covid-19 patients) after the medical.

 

ANY psychiatric/Mental Health, they'll be looking at a class A or B medical condition. Preempt and get the letter...

[CharliePrice 0]

Hi there. I have my medical on Wednesday and wondered how it went? I have one or two similar issues and wondered how thorough it was and what it entailed? I really don't want to be going back to london anytime soon!

[RedditAndDeddit 3]

3 hours ago, CharliePrice said:

Hi there. I have my medical on Wednesday and wondered how it went? I have one or two similar issues and wondered how thorough it was and what it entailed? I really don't want to be going back to london anytime soon!

Hi, it was really straightforward in the end. The doctor just asked me a bit of background about my problems with mental health. He reassured me that there were no red flags and he wouldn’t be making any recommendations for further tests. He asked me to confirm I had never attempted suicide etc. I guess it depends what doctor you get as the young guy I had doesn’t work there all the time. Hope it all goes well for you