anoras87

Hi everyone, 

I just thought to give you guys an update on my husband's Immigrant Visa Application. Today, we got his passport back with his Immigrant Visa on it. From the interview, it took 2 weeks of Administrative processing before they issued the visa. Thank you all.

I suspect ( i might be wrong) that it has something to do with the new public charge rule that will take effect tomorrow. 

20 hours ago, JohnPhilip1271 said:

Hi, I wish everyone a good day. My question is about change the interview location. Originally in Abu Dhabi; it needs to be changed to Egypt. My lawyers dropped the ball and forgot to make a request immediately after submitting the Visa Application and only did it after reminding them! It was a month after! Now, our NVC case is being readied to be sent out and scheduled for a date and I'm worried that because NVC still hasn't confirmed that they received the Embassy change inquiry it will cause a huge delay! Anybody going through this or has gone through it? Thanks for your help! -John 

I had mine change from abu dhabi to london. I went to travel.state.gov and send an inquiry, i also included a copy of my resident permit in uk as proof of valid residence, it took a while for them to response but they did. I think it was after 6 weeks, i knew it has been changed because my case number has been changed from ABDXxx to LND which is the code for Us embassy london. 

On 10/7/2019 at 7:46 PM, Marcos89 said:

What do u think. Should i disclose my status or no. Because the law said hiv is not a barrier. So why should i mentioned it??

Advice

Hello, my husband is HIV positive and is currently processing his visa at UK embassy. we disclosed it during his medical. The only thing is, you may need to undergo sputum exam for 2 months then have your interview. DO not worry about having HIV as it has been lifted already so you can enter the US even if you have HIV. make sure to answer truthfully when asked during your medical. Although they do not asked you directly if you are HIV positive but the question they asked is too vague, example: are you currently taking any  medication, if yes, list all you medications. That would lead them to a conclusion that you are HIV positive as it will reflect on your medication that the medication you're taking are ARV. 

My husband's visa has been approved, we are just waiting for it and he just need to repeat his finger print. 

Hello guys, 

So I am an eb3 applicant and my visa has been issued already,  my husband who is my dependent had his interview and consul said visa is approved. yesterday, we got a phone call from the embassy and told us that my husband has to repeat his finger print as they just received his medical few days ago. Has anyone experienced this? Should I be worried? 

On 8/18/2019 at 12:17 AM, Jorgedig said:

Thank you for updating us.  Best wishes and let us know how the interview goes.

Hi Guys, 

I just want to give you an update. So yesterday was our US visa interview. and our visa is approved. His HIV status was never an issue. We were never asked anything related to his diagnosis. The questions where mostly about when do we plan to move to the States and if our company will provide a temporary housing. It was a quick 5 minutes interview and we were out of the embassy in less than 20 minutes. 

Just an Update: my husband is done with the sputum exam and we are now waiting for the result. We were told that it could take up to 6 weeks for that. the doctors spoke to us and said, the chest xray was negative and that the blood test were also negtive for syphilis and gonorrhea which is a good news. His immunizations are up to date. We are expecting his result to be out by 26th of Sept. His embassy interview was reschedule for 27th of September. 

6 hours ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

Keep us updated, it is should be an interesting case to find out the outcome of.

Today, he went for his medical, and tomorrow he starts his sputum exam, the doctors where not concerned about his hiv status at all. they did not even ask for any medical summary or treatment list other than a one paragraph letter from the GP stating he has HIV and is taking anti retroviral medication. 

we decided to reschedule his embassy interview on the 27th of September because that is a day after the 6 weeks waiting time for the sputum test to come out, althought we are aware that it could take up to 8 weeks. nevertheless, we hypothesize that if the sputum test comes out on the 26th of september, then having the interview the following day would allow the consul to have all the document he needs to decides. 

Interestingly,as I kept looking for people online having the same situation of my husband, I stumbled another person who's husband was hiv positive. we have been in contact for 2 days now and we met on facetime with his family. According to her, they didn't have any issues with the medical apart from the 3 day sputum test and the 6-8 weeks long wait. but after that, the only thing that was asked during the interveiw was when do they plan to fly. I hope we would have the same scenario although I am well aware that its a caseto case basis. 

5 hours ago, Love To Teach said:

I take back what I said. You're not nice, you're very rude.

Im sorry if you think I have offended you in any way by stating my own personal opinion. I didn't mean that youre silly or stupid but the question was. let me point out to you why I think trying to compare the medication and the cost of medication between HIV and diabetes as well as hypertension is a complete and utter none sense. 

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic condition that affects the production of insulin in the pancreas, or for most people they develop a resistance to insulin that in the long run, the body does respond properly ( physiologically) to a rise in the blood sugar level. these type of people would need a medication that cost antidiabetic medication or even insulin administration.  there is no known cure for diabetes as of this writing. these medications are taken for life. 

Hypertension is a chronic condition whereby there is a sustain elevation of a person's blood pressure in a given time frame. it could be a primary hypertension meaning, there is no secondary reason why the person is developing an elevated blood pressure or it could be secondary where in another organ is possibly causing the hypertension, example are those people who have kidney problems as kidney regulates the blood pressure in the body along with the lungs. these people needs antihypertensive medication and there are tons of variety of medication in the market.  there is no known cure for hypertension ( specifically the primary hypertension) . these medications are taken for life. 

HIV is a type of retrovirus that attacks the bodies immune system and destroys it and eventually lead to death if there are no interventions . People with HIV are taking Antiretroviral medication to control the virus in the blood to the point that it is no longer detectable with the current testing available, that condition is called Undectable Status. these medications also helps to increase the immune system ( cd4 tcell ). there is no known cure for HIV and these medications are taken for life. 

Now the mere fact I compared HIV to Diabetes and Hypertension is because those disorders ( hypertension and diabetes) have no known cure and people afflicted with it are taking medications for life. 

If stating the obvious to you is being rude, maybe next time you open your mouth and give a so called comparison between my husband's HIV status and your brother's Muscular disorder , you Start reading how the two disorders are comparable if you can . Albeit, you would realize that the two a have no pathophysiological ( disease process) , cellular(physiology) , microbiological(microogranism) and symptom connection at all.  The only hint of connection between muscular dystrophy and HIV is the fact the both are chronic conditions. You can't even labelled both of them as a disability because, HIV can only become a disability if the person is unable to work which is the case of your brother. 

I didn't take offense on your opinion, as a medical practitioner, I am open to criticisms, what I took offense is the moment you open your mouth and comparing my husband to your brother's condition.  Not only it was insulting and rude, but it shows how unreliable, baselss and an utter none sense your point of argument is. 

So next time you comment on my post saying I am rude, THINK FIRST BEFORE YOU TALK!

13 minutes ago, designguy said:

Not sure if the new policy (going into effect in october) on determining if someone is likely to become a public charge (ie now apparently defined as using any public assistance) could have any impact on your case. They are heading more and more into a policy of trying to find reasons to deny cases rather than approve. You may want to check in with a lawyer to see if there is anything else you can do to prepare yourself

I heard of that as well, hopefully we wont be affected as his interview will be this month. 

Just now, Love To Teach said:

Are the medicine and medical costs similar? I have no idea.

That is a silly question albeit stupid in my honest opinion. In that case, how did you intent to correlate my husband's HIV status and your brother's Muscular dystrophy if you're only concern is the cost of the medicine. what I was trying to say was the mere fact that both diseases are long term ( chronic), they both endure taking medicines for life.  I bet you don't have a medical background to begin with. 

1 minute ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

A huge percentage of the population qualifies. Most births are covered by the government. Everyone in my house is covered by our state or the federal government at the moment.  When I'm working, that will all go out the window, despite health costs eating up most of my income. 

 

One of the primary disqualifying factors is an employer who offers insurance that is under a certain percentage of your income, so obviously not pertaining to you all. I'm sure it will be taken into account that you don't qualify for these services. 

 

 

Thanks for your reply. Its bit daunting dealing with health insurance as we do not deal with those stuff here in the UK. im still digesting all bits and pieces about how the healthcare system in America works if im honest

3 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

It will likely factor somewhat into their decision, but your employer will be providing healthcare that you are obligated to buy into, so it is less so a factor.

 

Just a correction: the US does in fact have government healthcare, in medicaid, medicare, and premium subsidies (ACA) as well as other state plans. You can see here that it accounts for 26% (15+11) of our national budget, not including additional state spending on it.

 

 

what I meant by national health service is a healthcare service free for all. From my undestanding, but i might be wrong, that you have to qualify first before you can avail of the services

26 minutes ago, Love To Teach said:

Not to be insulting, BUT wouldn't they look carefully at someone who is bringing over a guaranteed high-cost medical condition for the rest of his life? One way or the other, unless something changes, other insured people end up paying for a person's high cost illness, whether it be premiums or drug costs. Or is this not true? If this nurse loses her job or becomes unable to work (and that happens a lot) he would become an expensive public charge, as would anyone with a high-cost condition. Just wondering if that plays into the decision. For an example, maybe not just like this, but an example of what can happen. My brother gets about 1400 a month in disability because he has muscular dystrophy to the point he sits in bed all day because moving exhausts him. He is to the point where he can walk with his walker maybe 10 feet. He makes 66 too much a month to get Medicaid. He cannot get home health care because he can manage to get in his wheelchair from his bed (where he stays all day) and can wipe his butt (sorry, but being blunt). So he does not  qualify for any home health care. He must pay over 1000 a month for his medicine. Thank God he can live with his son, but everyone in the family works, so he is alone during the day. If he wasn't able to live with his son (he can't get into my house because of the steps and can't get in my bathtub), a person like him who had no family would be on the streets. I tell you this just as an example of what can happen so easily. When he lived in Florida with his girlfriend, who is also disabled, he could get 30 hours of home health care and had small medicine copays. Both of their disability checks went to pay living expenses. His gf had to go live with her daughter because of health issues, so in just a few weeks time, he had to make a major life change. I am telling this because it shows how quickly life circumstances can change, especially when you have a chronic disease. Health care costs can quickly overwhelm a family or person. Sorry to go on so long.

If I may, the best comparison would be someone living with HIV and someone living with Diabetes Type 2 or someone with Hypertension, these diseases are incurable but treatable, 

6 minutes ago, Love To Teach said:

Not to be insulting, BUT wouldn't they look carefully at someone who is bringing over a guaranteed high-cost medical condition for the rest of his life? One way or the other, unless something changes, other insured people end up paying for a person's high cost illness, whether it be premiums or drug costs. Or is this not true? If this nurse loses her job or becomes unable to work (and that happens a lot) he would become an expensive public charge, as would anyone with a high-cost condition. Just wondering if that plays into the decision. For an example, maybe not just like this, but an example of what can happen. My brother gets about 1400 a month in disability because he has muscular dystrophy to the point he sits in bed all day because moving exhausts him. He is to the point where he can walk with his walker maybe 10 feet. He makes 66 too much a month to get Medicaid. He cannot get home health care because he can manage to get in his wheelchair from his bed (where he stays all day) and can wipe his butt (sorry, but being blunt). So he does not  qualify for any home health care. He must pay over 1000 a month for his medicine. Thank God he can live with his son, but everyone in the family works, so he is alone during the day. If he wasn't able to live with his son (he can't get into my house because of the steps and can't get in my bathtub), a person like him who had no family would be on the streets. I tell you this just as an example of what can happen so easily. When he lived in Florida with his girlfriend, who is also disabled, he could get 30 hours of home health care and had small medicine copays. Both of their disability checks went to pay living expenses. His gf had to go live with her daughter because of health issues, so in just a few weeks time, he had to make a major life change. I am telling this because it shows how quickly life circumstances can change, especially when you have a chronic disease. Health care costs can quickly overwhelm a family or person. Sorry to go on so long.

Thank you for your response. I respect your opinion. but let me point out some interesting facts that you raised by quoting you with your statements, 

wouldn't they look carefully at someone who is bringing over a guaranteed high-cost medical condition for the rest of his life?

- No, because, unlike the UK and other EU countries where healthcare is free for its residents and citizen, US does not have a national health service much like here in the UK so government cannot dictate who to bring other than those sited on the Immigration and Nationality act,  He is my husband,  so he qualifies as my dependent  

One way or the other, unless something changes, other insured people end up paying for a person's high cost illness, whether it be premiums or drug costs.- It's true, there is a huge possibility that I might be paying my husband's high cost of illness thru premiums, but that is my own money, so I do not see why the government would intervene. 

If this nurse loses her job or becomes unable to work (and that happens a lot) he would become an expensive public charge, as would anyone with a high-cost condition. Just wondering if that plays into the decision. accordign to USCIS, they look at the persons totality of circumstances before deciding whether or not he becomes a public charge, as per definition, an alien can become a public charge if he is PRIMARILY dependent on government funds, factors such as age, health, financial status, family, skills, experience are what the Consul are consdering before he decides whether an alien becomes a public charge. 

For an example, maybe not just like this, but an example of what can happen. My brother gets about 1400 a month in disability because he has muscular dystrophy to the point he sits in bed all day because moving exhausts him. He is to the point where he can walk with his walker maybe 10 feet. He makes 66 too much a month to get Medicaid. He cannot get home health care because he can manage to get in his wheelchair from his bed (where he stays all day) and can wipe his butt (sorry, but being blunt). So he does not  qualify for any home health care. He must pay over 1000 a month for his medicine. Thank God he can live with his son, but everyone in the family works, so he is alone during the day. If he wasn't able to live with his son (he can't get into my house because of the steps and can't get in my bathtub), a person like him who had no family would be on the streets. I tell you this just as an example of what can happen so easily. When he lived in Florida with his girlfriend, who is also disabled, he could get 30 hours of home health care and had small medicine copays. Both of their disability checks went to pay living expenses. His gf had to go live with her daughter because of health issues, so in just a few weeks time, he had to make a major life change. I am telling this because it shows how quickly life circumstances can change, especially when you have a chronic disease. Health care costs can quickly overwhelm a family or person. Sorry to go on so long.-

your brother's disability is complete different from my husband, to start with, my husband although diagnosed with HIV but has been undetectable since 2014, and his cd4 count although not at its best but as per the Infectious Disease Specialist, should be stable when relating to its viral load. My husband has been employed since his diagnosis and has never had any hospitalization related to hiv. your brother on the other has a muscular disorder the results in increasing weakness and eventually inability to walk, his disorder unfortunately affects his productivity whereas for someone with HIV, so long as they keep up to date with their medication and continues to be undetectable, they can live a normal life just like anyone else.  so your case comparison between your brother and my husband has a wide disproportionate common ground and although both of them can be considered as disability, but the circumstances are completely different let alone the prognosis and etiology. 

10 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Your brother is probably talking about the drug company itself. I have asthma and no drug coverage so I can get a coupon form their website. It helps but not by much. 

Now my oldest boy gets injections for his psoriasis and because going to school and working he didn't make enough to cover even one injection he qualified for their program and he got his injections for free. This only works though if you're low income. You would not be considered that at what they will be paying you and as you are married that is also his income. He may qualify for some help in the form of coupons but they don't pay for it all. 

I clarified it with my brother, he said, the medication for hiv is always covered most of the time by insurance as the law was enacted to prevent insurance company from denying coverage for a pre existing condition such as hiv, i am aware that there is a copay and im more than willing to pay for it if thats the case. I know some

companies offers coupon etc, and it saves a few bucks from having it. 

4 hours ago, jlc201 said:

You have nothing  to worry about. As long as you have your nursing job (and nurses are in high demand in the US), your husband is not at risk of becoming a public charge. Since you will have insurance through your employer,  your husband can also be covered by your insurance. Any commercial health insurance policy will be required to cover HIV meds, and even if you have a high copay, most drug companies offer copay assistance for HIV meds (for pts with commercial insurance) so that they will pick up the tab for up to $8,000/year in copays. (The drug companies are willing to eat the cost of your $20-100 copay if it means your insurance pays the rest of the $2,000/month they are charging.) Expect to wait 8 weeks for final results of his sputum cultures.

Thanks for replying, does the consul knows that my employer has a private insurance in place? Or do i have to submit proof? Apparently, i am still in the UK at the moment and im guessing my insurance wouldnt start to kick in 2 months from when i arrive and start workin. 

4 hours ago, Nitas_man said:

He doesn’t mean subsidized he means covered by insurance.

 

Check on your health / prescription coverage but health insurance coverage usually overcomes a medical public charge concern.

 

Im pretty sure his meds is covered by my health insurance but my question is how will i show it to the consul if asked since im not yet in the states ? Will the email from my HR stating that he can be under my insurance suffice? Or does the consul knows thAt my employer will have a private insurance place? Thanks

Just now, Jorgedig said:

Copays are set by individual health insurance plans.  You should contact the plan directly to find out what percentage you will be expected to pay out of pocket.

I will take note of that and will find a way to contact the health insurance company directly. Thank you

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

Copays are set by individual health insurance plans.  You should contact the plan directly to find out what percentage you will be expected to pay out of pocket.

9 years ago????

I know it seem odd but because I am from the Philippines and the visa for US immigration for my country was backlogged for almost a decade, I had to wait that long. 

Just now, Boiler said:

That depends on the plan, different plans different co pays.

Thanks, I will try to ask my employer if they can provide me some mode details about my insurance coverage.

14 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Subsidized?  I have never heard of that.  I'm an RN.

 

If you have the insurance plan info, you can research their coverage for the specific drugs.

 

He won't be eligible for any public assistance for mediations, if that is what you mean.

my bad, i meant by, that the drug has a low copay as per my brother. i cannot vouched whether he was looking on the right figure though

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

That was what I was thinking, and North Dakota does not have a reputation for diversity, why there? seems an odd place to move to. Most people I know go for the money but that is obviously not the case here.

well, I know exactly it isnt the best place to live in the states, but at the time, it was the only employer who was willing to sponsor me wayback 9 years ago. and I was sort of tied up by the contract because if I drop the contract after signing in, i would have to pay in excess of 15,000 USD. 

11 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Another thing for you to consider is the cost for the HIV drug cocktail.  Rx drugs in the US are not cheap, and insurance companies/plans will cover them to varying degrees.  You may want to investigate what type of coverage your employer plan has for his specific meds.

 

Btw, that nursing salary is well below industry standards.  Where is the job located?

I have not asked about insurance coverage for the drugs he is currently taking but my brother who is currently working as a doctor in the states told me it is highly subsidized but as for figures, i have no idea as for now. 

I will be working in North Dakota, 

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I know there are some people on here who work in the Medical sphere, I am not one of them, sputum seems mainly to come up in PI and I thought it took a lot longer than 6 weeks, not sure why it would be so different in the UK.

Techinical Instruction from CDC states that sputum test is required for anyone self declaring HIV status and would need a 3 consecutive sputum test and test result would be available from 4- 6 weeks although there were instances that it took 8 weeks but nothing I have heard of to exceed 8 weeks. 

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

You are essentially asking us to judge what the Medical will produce and how the CO will interpret them, and nobody can or would do that.

I have seen it happen.

What I was hoping for was, if anyone can brainstorm with me some possibilities that i may have overlooked, or an alternative possibilities perhaps another options or ways to either a. prove that he wont become a public charge  b. what factors would weigh on the negative side given his status etc