Melodica256

Visa in hand and ready to fly out tomorrow!
One question about customs forms... do I just need to fill out the customs declaration they give me on the plane, or additional paperwork in advance?

Happy Valentine's Day everyone - if you've had POE, hold your loved one close. If not, think towards the future <3

UK Visa Medical - Knightsbridge Review

Overall, my experience with Knightsbridge was pleasant, but with a little more waiting than I'd have liked!

My appointment was at 10:10, so I arrived at 09:50 - the location is quite tucked away, and it took me about 5 mins to figure out where I was going, even with the help of Google Maps! The streets on Google maps aren't connected, as the surrounding area has a lot of shops, so it can be hard to see where you are going but use the landmarks as best as you can! The building itself looks like a residential building, but has a plaque reading "Knightsbridge" on the door. Inside the building, you need to take the first door on your left.

Reception was busy, so I had to wait 15 minutes to be seen. Then, the receptionist took my paperwork from me (including passport and passport pictures) and scanned it all in, before giving me the original copies back (minus the passport and passport picture). She then gave me a urine cup and a clipboard with a couple more forms to sign. I went to the toilet and completed the urine sample, which I returned to reception, and then sat in the waiting room and filled out my forms before returning them.

15 minutes after returning my forms (10:35 appx), a friendly gentleman called my name. He took me to the back room and explained that he would be taking my chest x-ray. He gave me a gown and directed me to the corner of the room, which had a medical curtain to pull across. He asked me to remove all items on my upper body (t-shirt, jacket, bra and necklace) and put my hair up on top of my head (in a bun) - there was a mirror with a shelf on it to keep my necklace and a hair clamp (the kind that you squeeze to open) for my hair. Luckily I had a hairband to use. Then, he asked me to stand in front of the x-ray machine with my chest pressed against it, chin resting on top and moved my arms into a strange position (like your hands ar on your hips, but not quite). He asked me to hold my breathe, then it was over and I could change back into my clothes as he developed the x-ray. He showed me my x-ray on his computer and told me it looked okay and that I could go to the waiting room again. He was really friendly and pleasant, and the experience took around 5-10 minutes.

I was in the waiting room until 11:20, when I enquired at reception as I had been waiting for a while. I was told that the doctor was looking at my file and that I was next. I believe I saw Doctor Fong, and she was very pleasant. She apologised for the delay, and explained that she was having problems drawing blood samples due to the cold weather. She went through my paperwork with me and enquired in more detail about my history of mental illness (depression, anxiety and self harm) which I explained to her. She told me I'd need a letter from my GP but said I'd get more info after my test. We moved to the bed where I stood as she asked me to cover one eye and perform an eye test (simple, reading letters off the wall). Before sitting on the bed. She looked in my ears and mouth, and then asked me to change into my gown. Then, she then tested my blood pressure and my heartbeat (front of my chest and back). Then she asked me to stand up and she checked the back of my legs (unsure why), and said we'd be moving to the blood test. She asked how I was with needles and I told her that I wasn't very good with them. I was offered the opportunity to lay down or sit up on the bed (I chose to lay). She tried to draw from my left arm, but was unable to. She asked if she could try in the other arm with me sitting, which I agreed to. She drew the blood and went to write a label. When she came back, I was feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and she said I looked pale. She then moved the pillow to the bottom of the bed (so my feet were elevated above my head) and asked me to lay down for a bit. After a few minutes, she said I looked better and could slowly sit up and get dressed in my own time. Then it was explained that I would see the vaccination nurse next, and that they cannot send off the papers to the embassy until they get my letter from the GP.

I returned to the waiting room for another 10 minutes, and was called by the vaccination nurse (12:00). She was very friendly and went through my papers with me. She explained that I'd need 1x MMR booster and 1x influenza vaccines and said that I can get these done at my GP or when I arrive, OR at Knightsbridge for a fee (MMR booster - £50, Influenza - £12). I asked for the vaccinations there, to get it out of the way, and again was asked how I was with needles. She was very helpful in preparing me, and explained the symptoms (achiness and tenderness, feeling hot, headaches) and how to deal with them (lots of fluid, paracetamol if needed) before performing one injection in each arm. She told me when she was going to do something ("I'm just going to touch your arm here now") and told me to take a deep breathe before the injections. Overall, she was very gentle and I had no problems.

I returned to the waiting room for another 5 minutes and was called to reception at 12:25. I was given back my passport, and vaccination details and asked for a payment (£365 total). She gave me a letter to give to my GP for the mental illness check, which basically explains that I am seeking to immigrate and that the surgery need information on my general well-being, any treatments and a final ruling with regards to my mental health. She said I need to get the letter from my GP emailed or faxed over, and only after they receive that can they send my papers to the Embassy. She also explained that my blood, urine and x-ray results would come back in around 48 hours, and if there were any issues, they'd get in contact with me.

Sorry for long post! If anyone has any questions, I'd be glad to answer. Hope this helps someone xx

Overall, my experience with Knightsbridge was pleasant, but with a little more waiting than I'd have liked!

My appointment was at 10:10, so I arrived at 09:50 - the location is quite tucked away, and it took me about 5 mins to figure out where I was going, even with the help of Google Maps! The streets on Google maps aren't connected, as the surrounding area has a lot of shops, so it can be hard to see where you are going but use the landmarks as best as you can! The building itself looks like a residential building, but has a plaque reading "Knightsbridge" on the door. Inside the building, you need to take the first door on your left.

Reception was busy, so I had to wait 15 minutes to be seen. Then, the receptionist took my paperwork from me (including passport and passport pictures) and scanned it all in, before giving me the original copies back (minus the passport and passport picture). She then gave me a urine cup and a clipboard with a couple more forms to sign. I went to the toilet and completed the urine sample, which I returned to reception, and then sat in the waiting room and filled out my forms before returning them.

15 minutes after returning my forms (10:35 appx), a friendly gentleman called my name. He took me to the back room and explained that he would be taking my chest x-ray. He gave me a gown and directed me to the corner of the room, which had a medical curtain to pull across. He asked me to remove all items on my upper body (t-shirt, jacket, bra and necklace) and put my hair up on top of my head (in a bun) - there was a mirror with a shelf on it to keep my necklace and a hair clamp (the kind that you squeeze to open) for my hair. Luckily I had a hairband to use. Then, he asked me to stand in front of the x-ray machine with my chest pressed against it, chin resting on top and moved my arms into a strange position (like your hands ar on your hips, but not quite). He asked me to hold my breathe, then it was over and I could change back into my clothes as he developed the x-ray. He showed me my x-ray on his computer and told me it looked okay and that I could go to the waiting room again. He was really friendly and pleasant, and the experience took around 5-10 minutes.

I was in the waiting room until 11:20, when I enquired at reception as I had been waiting for a while. I was told that the doctor was looking at my file and that I was next. I believe I saw Doctor Fong, and she was very pleasant. She apologised for the delay, and explained that she was having problems drawing blood samples due to the cold weather. She went through my paperwork with me and enquired in more detail about my history of mental illness (depression, anxiety and self harm) which I explained to her. She told me I'd need a letter from my GP but said I'd get more info after my test. We moved to the bed where I stood as she asked me to cover one eye and perform an eye test (simple, reading letters off the wall). Before sitting on the bed. She looked in my ears and mouth, and then asked me to change into my gown. Then, she then tested my blood pressure and my heartbeat (front of my chest and back). Then she asked me to stand up and she checked the back of my legs (unsure why), and said we'd be moving to the blood test. She asked how I was with needles and I told her that I wasn't very good with them. I was offered the opportunity to lay down or sit up on the bed (I chose to lay). She tried to draw from my left arm, but was unable to. She asked if she could try in the other arm with me sitting, which I agreed to. She drew the blood and went to write a label. When she came back, I was feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and she said I looked pale. She then moved the pillow to the bottom of the bed (so my feet were elevated above my head) and asked me to lay down for a bit. After a few minutes, she said I looked better and could slowly sit up and get dressed in my own time. Then it was explained that I would see the vaccination nurse next, and that they cannot send off the papers to the embassy until they get my letter from the GP.

I returned to the waiting room for another 10 minutes, and was called by the vaccination nurse (12:00). She was very friendly and went through my papers with me. She explained that I'd need 1x MMR booster and 1x influenza vaccines and said that I can get these done at my GP or when I arrive, OR at Knightsbridge for a fee (MMR booster - £50, Influenza - £12). I asked for the vaccinations there, to get it out of the way, and again was asked how I was with needles. She was very helpful in preparing me, and explained the symptoms (achiness and tenderness, feeling hot, headaches) and how to deal with them (lots of fluid, paracetamol if needed) before performing one injection in each arm. She told me when she was going to do something ("I'm just going to touch your arm here now") and told me to take a deep breathe before the injections. Overall, she was very gentle and I had no problems.

I returned to the waiting room for another 5 minutes and was called to reception at 12:25. I was given back my passport, and vaccination details and asked for a payment (£365 total). She gave me a letter to give to my GP for the mental illness check, which basically explains that I am seeking to immigrate and that the surgery need information on my general well-being, any treatments and a final ruling with regards to my mental health. She said I need to get the letter from my GP emailed or faxed over, and only after they receive that can they send my papers to the Embassy. She also explained that my blood, urine and x-ray results would come back in around 48 hours, and if there were any issues, they'd get in contact with me/

And that was it! Let me know if you have any questions and I'd be glad to answer

Melodie (UK K1 filer)