SallySaidHi

hi there...sorry I have not been too active in VJ for a while. if i remember correctly (it's been a awhile!) i did not have a record of all my previous vaccinations either and they still just gave me the two (TD and MMR). don't worry too much about it, when your husband is doing the medical exam, they will let him know what vaccines he needs right then and there. 

This is a review / rundown of the visa medical process that I went through as a K1 visa filer in USEM Abu Dhabi. Very long post so please bear with me! I hope this is helpful to somebody else who will undergo the same process soon. BUT please be aware that while this may be applicable to you, it is still best practice to check with the USEM Abu Dhabi and the medical center to ensure you follow the most recent procedure. 
 
Medical Center: NMC Medical Centre (NMC), located in Abu Hail area, Deira, Dubai. Abu Hail metro station is just in front of NMC and there is ample public parking available as well if you decide to drive there.
Date of medical: 22 July 2017
Length of medical: 3-4 hours
Release of medical report: 2 days after
Cost: AED 975, plus AED 230 if you need to be given the mandatory vaccinations
General impression of facilities: Not luxurious but the premises are clean and looks well equipped
General impression of staff: GP time was a bit of a rush but the GP, nurses and other staff were friendly and accommodating
General impression of procedure: Slow / could be faster, lots of waiting around which contributed to the length of the medical
 
Scheduling the medical:
It was fairly easy to schedule the medical. I emailed them at appointmentdeiradxb@nmc.ae to schedule it and I was told to come at 8AM and given a list of documents to bring and instructions. If you do not want to pre-book, NMC said you can come in as a walk in customer but in doing so, your waiting time will increase and you will need to be prepared to wait longer than 4 hours. Walk-in applicants must arrive before 9AM. They are open all days of the week except Fridays.
 
You will need to bring and/or provide:
Original Passports plus three copies 6 passport size photographs (35 mm x 45 mm) with white background Vaccination Record in English (if any) // Note: I did not have my vaccination record with me and that was ok, I was just asked to pay the additional AED 230 and given the mandatory vaccinations. Embassy Appointment Letter //Note: I took the interview appointment confirmation that I printed off the appointment scheduling website Eyeglasses (if any) You will need to provide your complete address here (with postal code if any), your intended address in the US (compete with city, state and postal code), your email address and your mobile number  
On the day of the medical:
I arrived at NMC at 10 minutes to 8AM and went straight to the reception desk with the documents / info mentioned above. There were already several people who arrived ahead of me so if you can, come early. The earlier you arrive, the earlier you will be out of there. The reception staff took my documents and gave me a form to fill out, then asked me to wait for my name to be called. After an hour and a half, a nurse came by and called my name.
 
The nurse took me to an examination room but only to verify my name and other pertinent info and then explained the medical process to me. The nurse then told me to go to the cashier to pay for the medical (AED 975) first and then once that is done, that I should go to the laboratory area next for blood and urine sample submission. I paid and then went to the lab area as instructed. There were about 4 people already waiting at the lab area when I got there so I sat down to wait. After about 30 minutes or so, the lab technician called my name and asked me to come inside the room where she verified my name and other details again. Then, the technical took a vial full of blood and then afterwards she gave me a urine sample bottle and told me to collect my urine sample and drop it at the sample collection window next door.
 
After the blood and urine sample submission, I went back to the original examination room to wait. After a little while, the reception staff paged me and asked me to wait for my turn to see the GP. The GP gave me an impression that they were in a rush (I guess because they were seeing a lot of patients that day). The GP asked me about my general health history and also asked specific questions focusing on mental health and about contagious diseases. GP then did a physical examination which as far as I can remember, included taking my weight, height, temperature and breathing. She also prodded my stomach and lower stomach. The GP also asked if I had my vaccination record with me. I said no and she then wrote a prescription for two vaccinations (TD and MMR).
 
After the GP examinations, her nurse took me to the vaccination room. In there, the vaccination nurse explained to me that I was supposed to get the two vaccines prescribed by the GP but I have to pay for them first. So I off to the cashier I went, paid and then went back to the vaccination room. The nurse then administered the vaccines, one on each arm. One vaccine (I don't know which one) was quiet painful and I suffered pain and soreness on one arm for at least two days after the medical.
 
After the GP and vaccinations, I was told to report back to the original examination room. Once there, there was some more waiting. After a little while, I was called and the nurse then checked my information against some form they were filling out, took my blood pressure reading and then did an eye test, first with the eyeglasses (or contacts) on and then without. If you normally wear contacts, I suggest don't wear them on the day of the medical and wear eyeglasses instead. It was a bit of a hassle to find contacts lens solution so I could remove and store my contacts in between the eye tests.
 
After the eye tests came the x-ray. I was instructed to report to the radiology section. More waiting there. When it was my turn, I was fetched by the radiology technician from the waiting area and brought to the x-ray room. Once inside I was told to change into a lab gown and remove my jewelry and then she took the x-ray. I was told to report back to the original examination room. I did and there, the nurse checked with me and made sure that I had completed all the tests I was supposed to complete and when she was satisfied that I had, she sent me home.
 
Collection of medical report:
During my time with the GP, she made me sign a medical results release form and told me that barring any issues with the tests results then the medical report will be ready for collection after 2 days, after 8pm. She gave me a copy of the form - do not lose this paper as this is the paper you need to submit when you collect your report. The GP said that if there are any issues with the test results, then they will contact me with next steps. They will not issue the medical report if they find any issues so no contact from them while waiting for report collection date is good!
 
When I arrived to collect the report on the date and time as instructed in the paper, the report was waiting for me. I was given two sealed envelopes plus a copy of my vaccination record. Do not open nor fold these two envelopes! These two sealed envelopes will need to be given to the USEM Abu Dhabi during your interview. Keep the vaccination copy with you for safekeeping as you will need this during your AOS process later on.
 
Additional info:
For those who will be prescribed the two vaccines TD and MMR like I did, you will need to get boosters shots for those later - one dose each for both a month after the first dose and then another dose just for TD six months after the second dose.

Hello-  I would call them and here’s why. They never sent us a letter in the mail of our interview date.  It had taken so long that i finally called and they said our interview had been scheduled. They were supposed to send us an email but we had not received that either.  So they then sent the email with instructions and the date and time.  So you are supposed to be notified 4 weeks In advance but we only knew 2 weeks ahead of time and it takes 2 weeks to get a Doctor appointment.  Luckily it all worked out for us.   But once your case is with Abu Dhabi everything is done via email.  You also have to stay on top of them.  There were 2 more times after that when emails were not sent and should have been.  Always call or email if things are taking longer than usual.  

Guys! There is free app “textnow” to call US and Canada. Its all free. It will give you to choose one new US number.. and you can enjoy unlimited talk and text.
 

If you open your passport to the page that has your CR1 visa, you should notice a blue stamp with a date, just above the visa, on the adjoining page. If it is not there, contact the Customs and Border Patrol office at the international airport nearest you, to have that error corrected.
If you entered the USA before paying your $165 fee, it will be 4 to 8 weeks after fee payment. If you paid before entry, then 4 to 8 weeks after entry is when to expect the green card and social security card.

Hey all - thought I'd update re my experience. Currently in Cali after traveling via Abu Dhabi and going through preclearance. The primary check went smooth, just a few questions were asked by the polite gentleman regarding my intent for visiting and how long I would stay. I was expecting a secondary screening given my origin and nationality but I think the only reason I got asked to wait in the secondary room was because my checked in luggage hadn't come through. Anyway, I had to wait about 8-10 minutes only when I was called by a really nice lady who asked me the same questions, then spent time just chatting and giving me immigration and travel advice (?) LoL! She was very kind, funny and polite and laughed out loud when I cracked a couple of jokes. Then she said you're all done and that's it. Whole thing from getting to US preclearance area to proceeding to the premium lounge before boarding took about 20-25 minutes. So, contrary to my initial expectations, a really positive experience at Abu Dhabi. Landed at LAX and got through baggage claim in a few minutes.

I consider it based on how much proof some one is able to send in or maybe the country where the partner is coming from. 

I think folks just try to come with ideas of why some folks get approved faster than others, but honestly all the little differences between our lives, and where our spouse live, and details that we don’t even know are important...all affect processing time. 

It doesn’t work like that...they must process in order of receipt date. It’s not like they have time to skim through a file and say “oh that one looks difficult I don’t want to do it” common sense they will process the next file in order of date. Of course each file is unique, so some files take longer than others. Example: my husband and I have no children and no divorces. So no having to check the validity of those items. He also has never been to the USA or filled out applications to visit etc. so yes these things all take additional checking. 

Congratulations 

This is the continuation thread for the Part 3 thread
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/654318-all-nebraska-i-130-filers-part-3/
which has been closed because of its large size.

February filer stuck in NSC here... I totally understand where you are coming from. My husband and I have been going back and forth the same way, and while I feel like the most ungrateful person in the world complaining when I’m so lucky to have a job that allows so much flexibility, I’m also just really overwhelmed and frustrated by this broken system. It’s a hard way to spend the first couple years of your life together. If it weren’t for you all in this forum going through it at the same time, I’d be a wreck. Hugs!

I totally understand you. We are, for most of us here, exactly in the same case. The stress of being apart is hard. I guess they also use that waiting time to test us in a way. What I meant in my previous message is: don't torture yourself for now, just accept the fact that you have to wait, because there is really nothing you can do about it. So don't waste your energy on that. Keep it for December or January when we are closer to the estimated date 🤯🤯🤯
Take good care - have a sweet day. Alix

Four years ago, I were same as you. Hang in there. You all will be ok.

Thank you for your response! Best of luck on your journey! Take care  

You are using cash, not income, "to qualify".  There are no questions about how you got the cash, but only where it is now and how much.
 

As you move forward, carefully read full sentences, then interpret literally.  Current income YOU ARE USING TO QUALIFY.... is ZERO, because you canno use it to qualify.  English requires full sentences.
 

If you were going to use your current income (which you can't since it isn't continuing), it would be a good idea.  But I really don't think it is needed.......you are correct in that your tax forms will show that it is foreign income.....

Thanks guys for your kind answers!
I had my interview yesterday, and the worries I had with the affidavit of support documents were just unnecessary!!
My visa has been approved, and the consular did not have any concerns about my husband's income amount.
Woot woot!!!!!! I am now just waiting for my passport to be delivered with my visa page!

Just an update... I had gotten the first email  on June 11th stating that our case was being sent to the embassy to schedule an interview, and I just now (June 13th) received an email saying the interview is scheduled for July 24th :)

Hi everyone,
 
My husband had his IR1 visa interview in ABU DHABI on April/18/2018. This was our Visa journey:
 
Oct/20/2016 - I130 Filed
May/3/2017 -I130 Approved
June/5/2017- NVC letter received
August/25/2017- Sent all Documents to NVC
November/9/2017 - Sent Correction to NVC
December/15/2017 - Case Complete
March/2/2018 -Interview Scheduled
April/18/2018 - INTERVIEW
April/18/2018- Sent additional documents
April/23/2018 - Visa Issued on CEAC
 
I have been living in UAE for the past 2 years with my husband and the consular officer wanted proof that we will re-establish domicile in the USA. We sent in my USA Bank statements, health insurance card and Job Applications. Visa was issued 5 days after the interview!! FINALLY! 😊
 
If anyone has any question, feel free to ask. sohailayubbutt@gmail.com

For the NVC stage you should be file.    The trick is to find out whether the Embassy will accept a Joint Sponsor.   There are some that don't such as Manila.  Also what is most important is the current income not necessarily the past 3 years.   The past three years does figure into it but if the income has been increasing that helps.   
 
I'd click on the report post and asked this to be moved to the MENA countries forum.
 
https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/97-middle-east-and-north-africa/
 
 
 

Thanks a bunch!

It isn't required for you to stay there.  Most people file from the US and don't file overseas like us.

You don't really need anything.   It is just where you are going to get your mail.   Make sure you spouse knows the physical address.   Mine was asked where we were going to live.