Will I be rejected/be required to get a medical waiver because of my self-harm scars?

[chickennuggs 0]

My fiance and I are currently filing for a K1 visa and I'm very nervous about the medical exam. I suffered from mental illness about 11 years ago and have self-harm scars on my wrist and thigh. I went to a psychiatrist for it at that time and she basically said it was due to excessive amounts of pressure from my school and parents (she did not give a formal diagnosis but gave me meds I cannot recall). Neither my mom nor I kept any records nor do we remember the name of the doctor. Due to data privacy and patient rights I doubt this information would be available to anyone except to my psychiatrist anyway. I haven't done anything to harm myself in over 11 years, so as far as I'm concerned I have no record of this happening.

 

The scars on my wrist are relatively small but the ones on my thigh are bigger. My mom said I should just keep it a secret but if they will do a full body exam these will be seen, and I don't think lying will help my case. I plan on seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist prior to my med exam just to get myself tested and prove that I'm doing fine now but I'm not sure how sufficient that will be. I'm also Filipino, and mental illness is still taboo here.

 

Will this affect my application? Does this fall under class B, and will I have to get a waiver for this?

 

Thank you!

[MarJhi 963]

12 minutes ago, chickennuggs said:

My fiance and I are currently filing for a K1 visa and I'm very nervous about the medical exam. I suffered from mental illness about 11 years ago and have self-harm scars on my wrist and thigh. I went to a psychiatrist for it at that time and she basically said it was due to excessive amounts of pressure from my school and parents (she did not give a formal diagnosis but gave me meds I cannot recall). Neither my mom nor I kept any records nor do we remember the name of the doctor. Due to data privacy and patient rights I doubt this information would be available to anyone except to my psychiatrist anyway. I haven't done anything to harm myself in over 11 years, so as far as I'm concerned I have no record of this happening.

 

The scars on my wrist are relatively small but the ones on my thigh are bigger. My mom said I should just keep it a secret but if they will do a full body exam these will be seen, and I don't think lying will help my case. I plan on seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist prior to my med exam just to get myself tested and prove that I'm doing fine now but I'm not sure how sufficient that will be. I'm also Filipino, and mental illness is still taboo here.

 

Will this affect my application? Does this fall under class B, and will I have to get a waiver for this?

 

Thank you!

If you are asked a question, answer it truthfully. If you are not asked a question, don't volunteer the information. 

[chickennuggs 0]

I don't plan to, but I do wanna prepare for what happens if they do ask about it. Like the stuff I should prepare for. Based on your experience, how thorough was the medical exam?

[SalishSea 17,928]

2 hours ago, chickennuggs said:

My mom said I should just keep it a secret but if they will do a full body exam these will be seen, and I don't think lying will help my case.

Do not lie or try to conceal anything.  It's just not worth it.

 

Many people with previous self-harm in their personal medical history have successfully received visas.  As long as you are of no risk to self or others, you are not considered inadmissible.

 

 

[chickennuggs 0]

5 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Do not lie or try to conceal anything.  It's just not worth it.

 

Many people with previous self-harm in their personal medical history have successfully received visas.  As long as you are of no risk to self or others, you are not considered inadmissible.

 

 

Thank you. It's reassuring to know that. I am feeling better know so the most I can do is get checked in advance and let them do a referral to if needed. I really hope that's enough.

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.