Zoe_Doodah

I booked a return flight because it was approximately $1000 cheaper than a single. I didn't cancel the return as there was no way of doing it online (codeshare) so I just didn't show up for the flight. POE neither know nor care about whether you have a single or return if you're entering on an immigration visa. They can ask you, of course, but they'd have to confirm it with the airline (if they were really bothered), they don't have this information to hand or anything (source: previous interaction in Secondary once upon a time). They didn't ask me anything in Secondary, I just waited for a few minutes and then they handed my passport back and said I was all done. 

Just get the cheapest flight. And if you have to have a connection within the US, give yourself plenty of time between flights. You probably won't need it but it would be nice not to worry about missing your next flight. 

Good of luck and enjoy the journey. It's a little nervewracking but at the same time very exciting 

That's brilliant, really pleased for you. I had an absolute nightmare trying to reschedule mine (doesn't matter now, I have the visa in hand) so I am glad it isn't as traumatic for everyone! Best of luck with the interview (sure you won't need it)! Xx

There should be option to cancel the interview online and reschedule. Not sure why you can't do that. Please be aware that if you're going to do this, the next available appointment will probably be about a month after your original one at the earliest. You can't see when the alternative dates would be without cancelling your original date, there might not even be a Monday available at all, so please think about this very carefully before you do anything.

You can also rearrange via the call centre but they have limited ability in what they can do for you- they will really only be able to reschedule on the dates you would be able to online. They have no access to special appointments, nor do they have the ability to slot you in if there's a cancelled spot, only someone inside the Embassy can do that (the call centre is external) and the only way you can get in contact with anyone inside is to fill out the expedited interview request which I don't recommend you do at all unless you either meet the criteria for an expedited appointment OR the  call centre has specifically told you to do this. 

My sincere advice is just to turn up to the appointment you already have. I do realise that it may be inconvenient and I am

sure you have good reasons fot wanting to cancel but if you possibly can, go to what you have. 

Like Yuna said, it would be nice to have your fiancé there for moral support but it really isn't necessary and you wouldn't be at a disadvantage if you didn't. I'd save the time and money your fiancé would spend on doing this on a nice holiday for the two of you when you're together forever  

Agree with the above. Passport and courier confirmation enough to get you in. 

Just for gonhorrea. If you admit to any drug use in the past then they may do an additional drugs test but as standard it's just gonhorrea 

But there is actually something called a medical records summary which you can either print off yourself if you have a Patient Access account or ask your GP to print off for you. I didn't know it existed either until this process, I had to ask on here, and a kind member pointed me towards what I needed to ask for at my GP. Unless you have opted out by letter, everyone has one of these, regardless of whether you have any past or ongoing health conditions. If you have nothing then it will say so. It will also state what medication you are on and if you're not on any, it will state that also. I thought this is what Benticks were referring to in their e mail. 

Just as an aside, do they also take your word for it regarding mental health issues? As this is something that could potentially prevent you from getting a visa, I just wondered. I thought the GP summary would be more for that, really, rather than physical

issues. 

Sorry, I don't want to alarm or mislead anyone so am happy to defer to someone who knows better. I assumed the summary of medical history asked for by Benticks was for everyone, and the reports part was for those with medical conditions etc. Many apologies if I have got this wrong. 

7. Summary of medical history from GP (NOT full medical records) and reports covering any medical conditions, disabilities, and prior serious illnesses you have been treated for or anything ongoing

It's great that you have no medical conditions but the embassy doctor (for want of a better term) isn't just going to take your word for it. If you don't have any medical conditions then you will need something from your GP that says that. Get as much information as you can. 

They may ask for none of it, if so you've been slightly inconvenienced gathering it all together. But then they may ask for all of it, and if you don't have it on you, you'll have to get it to them before they will release your medical notes to the embassy. I should imagine that is far more inconvenient and stressful. 

Two main things to remember are to be prepared and don't worry about the medical. It isn't as scary as you may think, in fact it's all rather painless and efficient. 

Thank you, Kastrs. Literally looked at every piece of information I had in my possession this morning and no mention of payment was ever made. Just me working myself up into a state about it all, as per usual 

I have my interview for a CR-1 visa at the US consulate in London next week and am just checking I have everything in order before I go. 

I have seen references to pre-payments and receipts on this forum from when applicants booked the interview. I didn't book mine- I received notification from the Embassy when it was and that was that. Does anyone know if I have missed out the payment bit by accident or do I pay when I get there? Thanks. 

Just wanted to add my experience to this too. I was extremely worried about this stage of the process as I have a couple of chronic conditions and I had read some real horror stories on forums but it was actually fine and nothing to be overly concerned about. 

I had my medical on Tuesday, the first day back after the holidays, so there were a few delays as they started up again and I was probably in there for far longer than I would have been on a usual day. Also, the X Ray machine wasn't working so after I had had my full medical at Bentick Street, I was sent round the corner to Harley Street for this part of the process, so that added to the overall time, the vast majority of which was spent in waiting rooms, which was fine, I was just happy everything was going well and it wasn't a scary experience. 

After I had handed all the necessary paperwork in at the front desk, I filled in a more comprehensive medical form and handed that in too, along with my urine sample that they'd provided a cup for, and waited to see the medical professionals. First up was the immunisation nurse, who was absolutely lovely and gave me the two injections I was missing. 

After another stint in the waiting room,  I was called in by the doctor. I think I would describe her as professional and focused on the job at hand. No small talk or anything. I'll go through the process a stage at a time as I know I would have appreciated this information beforehand. 

First up was a height and weight check followed by sight test. Then we sat at her desk and went through my forms and my GP summary. I had brought along a lot of information and I am very glad I did as I would only have had to get it from my GP afterwards if I hadn't. I have Type 2 diabetes and had had the barrage of tests associated with that two weeks beforehand, and she looked over all that information carefully and made notes on my forms. She even asked for the letter you get following your annual retinal scan. If you do have a chronic condition like this, make sure you have anything you might possible need with you on the day, otherwise you are looking at a delay. Trust me in this, you can't have too much information on you. 

I was asked about any mental health problems, past drug use or arrests involving alcohol, and she checked my police certificate too. 

I was then asked to sit on the bed and she throughly checked my eyes and ears then asked my to undress to my underwear, put on a gown and lay on the bed. She checked-

Lymph glands in neck and upper chest

Stomach and lower abdomen

Heart and lungs (from lots of different points)

Pulse point in ankles and feet

Arms thoroughly (for track marks)

Blood pressure

Blood sample taken  

There was no genital check as we all know now and nor was there any breast exam. The gown was fastened all the time. 

I dressed and the doctor then told me that everything was fine as far as her part of it was concerned and that my papers would be sent on the embassy when they had the results of the urine, blood and X Ray tests. 

Back to the waiting room to wait to be called to pay. They returned my documents, apologies for all the waiting I had done and sent me to get my X Ray done round the corner. I paid up and set off, using the map they had provided and found the clinic easily. 

For the X Ray, I had to strip to the waist, put a gown on and stand in front of the machine with my chest thrust out and my arms like a duck. The technician had to take an image a second time as I hadn't breathed in deeply enough the first. Then it was dressed and all done. 

I'm still waiting to hear if there are any problems with the tests but hopefully there aren't and I am all done. I had been utterly dreading this for months (years) but it wasn't bad at all. I think the main advice I could give anyone is be prepared- have more than you need with you in terms of health information. Several people in the waiting room with me were told they needed follow-ups.  Most of all, don't worry about it. 

Hope this helps someone 

I specifically asked this at my medical and was told there were no issues on the day that they needed further information and pending results of the blood, urine and X-Ray, everything was good to go to the Embassy. Anyone who needs further referrals for anything else gets told on the day.  

Tell your fiancé to relax. I was really worried about my blood pressure as I have terrible white coat syndrome but actually it was fine on the day, in part due to the relaxed atmosphere at the clinic. The doctor did have some questions about my Diabetes but I came armed with information (print outs of recent test results etc) and she was happy with all that. I do feel as if I hadn't had that info, I would have had to get it before she would be satisfied. Had I needed any referrals or more information from my own GP, she would have told me there and then. If your fiancé does have an ongoing health condition or has ever had a serious illness or condition then I would advice he takes along as much information on it as he can. He may not be asked about it but if he is and can produce more details there and then, it will save time and worry. 

There's a lot of misinformation going around about the medical and some real horror stories at times but it is really absolutely fine. The staff are lovely and efficient and explain everything to you at every stage. 

Thanks so much. I have a letter from my GP which seems in order. I am, however, having real trouble getting the TDaP and MMR. My GP's surgery said they won't provide them and even though the pharmacy travel clinic said they would, they have now said that they don't do those two. I've had the other immunisations I need so I guess I will be getting those two done at the medical.

Funnily enough, you can get both in the Walgreens near where I was until Friday in the US for 2.5 months ?

Brilliant, thank you so much for that, extremely helpful indeed JFH. The medical seems to cause a lot of worry, I know there is nothing they haven't seen before. I don't worry about my diabetes or any other health aspect too much in my real life, I just deal with it, but so much rides on this, doesn't it? But thanks once again for your comprehensive answer, it has put my mind at rest.

By the way, by "refer", I meant refer you back to your own GP to get more info. So if I have high BP on the day, even though I am under GP care for it, are they likely to want more info from my GP?

I've got my medical for CR-1 visa on Jan 4th and I just have a couple of questions I was hoping you lovely people could help me with...

-Can I get my vaccinations done at the pharmacy instead of the GP? I only ask because the pharmacy has said they can do them but the GP hasn't yet (need to ask after the weekend, apparently) so the pharmacy would be a back-up

-If I go to my GP and ask for a "summary of medical history from GP" (as requested) will they know what I am talking about and what kind of information will it contain?

-I have diabetes type 2 and suffer from high BP, both of which I am under treatment for. Will I need additional information from my GP on these conditions to take to Knightsbridge? I'm assuming they will be mentioned in the summary?

-Also. it is highly likely I will have white coat syndrome on the day of the medical and therefore my BP may not be in the realms of what's deemed acceptable during the medical itself. As I am already being treated for high BP by my GP, is it likely I will be referred back to my GP about it by Knightsbridge?

Very grateful for any help on any of this. As you can tell, I am anxious about the medical and want to get everything I possibly can in order beforehand.