It looks like we FINALLY might get our interview date soon (we submitted my AOS application on June 30th and as of March 25th they were processing June 3rd applications...).
I haven't had a medical exam yet - do I wait for the interview letter or should I just get on with it now to prevent a rush later?
Because I was already here on a visa I didn't need to have the medical in England like you would if you were applying for a fiancee visa....
Sorry - it's late and I can't find the answer online..
Stel.
dunno.
D
....but when we had to get our medicals (also applied for AOS, though work rather than marriage-related) we were given a short list of approved doctors to choose from. So you may need to find out who those are. But it was one of the first things we did. It maybe that our lawyers knew the "official list" and sent us before a request was made.... we can't remember. Just bear in mind that not all doctors are acceptable to USCIS.
dunno.
:D
....but when we had to get our medicals (also applied for AOS, though work rather than marriage-related) we were given a short list of approved doctors to choose from. So you may need to find out who those are. But it was one of the first things we did. It maybe that our lawyers knew the "official list" and sent us before a request was made.... we can't remember. Just bear in mind that not all doctors are acceptable to USCIS.
Yes. When I got my medical in the UK, I had to go to an 'INS approved' doctor. Guy had a good gig since as I remember it was 100 quid for a two minute checkup.
Stel....
here's a list of Civil Surgeons in New Jersey
Surgeons
When we had our medicals they suggested switching our PCP to them so the insurance co. would treat it as an annual physical and pay for it! So we did! Switched back later on.
Debs x :)
We went to a doctor that was on the list immigration gave us in Newark - dodgy area...... wink
I had mine at an INS approved doctor in Little Rock years ago and it was actually a pretty comprehensive medical (lasted a good 15 to 20 minutes, with additional follow-up blood/urinalysis work). And, if recollection serves, it was actually really cheap.
I had my medical at a Trade Union Worker's Clinic in Portland, OR 16 years ago. Started with the HIV blood test, the chest X-rays, then they sent me to a room to await the Doctor. He came bustling in, pulling on rubber gloves & lubing them up, with his back to me, talking a mile a minute about exams etc.. When he finally turned to look at me, he stopped dead in his tracks. "You're white!" he exclaimed. "yes, I think I am" I replied. "English!" he said. "This will be easy". He took off his gloves, sat down & proceeded to talk for about 15 minutes about how there was good money to be made in asbestos removal, if I was looking to make some good money fast. Then he talked about beer & soccer, then sent me on my way. Not quite sure why being a white English guy saved me from the anal intrusion he seemed to be prepping for, but I wasn't about to argue.
I had my exam at a migrant workers clinic outside Salem!
The doctor was a young, Hispanic woman and seemed quite suprised to get to do an examination on someone of my ethnic background.
Hi Stel,
I'd advise you to do it now and, because you have some time yet until your AOS Interview, if you haven't already got a copy of your vaccination records you'd be well advised to obtain a copy; either from your PCM here, or your GP back in the UK. The medical can be costly and having a copy of your immunisations will prevent you having to pay for vaccinations you've already had. The Civil Surgeon will copy your record onto the I-693 (Medical Examination) Form.
BTW, just in case you don't already know, the Civil Surgeon will give you your medical results in a sealed envelope; it's very important that you do not open it. Take the sealed envelope with you to your Interview and give it to the Adjudicating Officer who is conducting the interview.
Hope you don't have too much longer to wait for your AOS Interview appointment. :)
if you haven't already got a copy of your vaccination records
:o :o
Gulp.... what do I need to be vaccinated for?... I know I got a tetanus when I was 16 (bitten by a dog at work so went to A&E) but apart from that the only thing I have somewhere is a little grey card from 1980 that has my rubella, etc. info on it... Don't think my doctors in the UK have records of the things they did at school and have had nothing else since the Tetanus....
God, hate this long-winded process. :evil:
Everything. Are you still registered at your UK GP? If so. get your mom or someone to get a vaccinatin card for you. It's free that way. Costs 50 quid to get your records otherwise -cheaper to be revaccinated. Tetanus at 16? How old are you now?
When I went to the GP in the UK to ask about my vaccinations they didn't have a clue or records as all those things were done in the schools. roll
I don't remember but I assume I must have been re vaccinated before being allowed over here.
I'm 26 now...
Have emailed my Mum asking her to call them (pretending to be me or she'll get nowhere roll ) but I don't hold out much hope. The doctors surgery moved and then merged with another one, and like Wendy said, most of the stuff was done through the school (or A&E) so they won't have a record.
Great. More money for the green card... roll
Was going to just email my attorney the question, but since he charges $200 per nano-second of thought I'm glad I asked here first! lol
If you know you have had chickenpox then ask for an immunity test to be done. It will show up antibodies and you won't need to have the test. Mine cost nearly $100 and stung like buggery! o
We had to have the Heaf test for tuberculosis, bloods taken for HIV and syphillis, although interestingly no counselling was offered like would happen in the UK.
Took about half an hour for all three of us and we had to go back two days later to have the Heaf test read.
Cost about $300 each for Mike and I but we only paid the Co-Pay.
Debs x )
When we had ours done the doctors required different information for the children to us adults. Our PCP was on the INS list of doctors D so we only had the co-pay to pay for Phil and I like Debs. They do a lot of these medicals so knew exactly what they needed. It could be worth you calling one or two up and telling them you need this medical doing. Ask them what documents they need from you and what immunization records they need. then check with your mum to see what you have had if you don't know. If, like Debs mentioned, you have had chicken pox (or anything else they mention), then go and get your immunization checked out with a blood test. Sometimes your insurance company will pay for this, sometimes they won't, but it will be worth it. Having the shots as you get older can be horrible and I was told by one of the older nurses after my experience that if you are going to have a reaction, as an adult it can be pretty bad. I was advised to have the MMR done because it would be cheaper than having the blood test. I should have just listened to what my head was telling me and just paid for the blood test (it turned out my insurance company paid for these anyway) because I had a really bad reaction (spotty, blotchy all over and swollen neck like you wouldn't believe and felt ill for a week!). and because of my bad reaction, I couldn't have the second lot and had to go for the blood test anyway! roll
Your medicals are valid for one year so it is definitely worth getting them done as soon as you can so you are ready for your interview, because from what you have said so far you won't have that long to wait.
)