No longer doing medical exams in Calgary?

[Amy and Adrian 0]

I just called the Dr in Calgary who was doing medical exams.... but I was informed- or maybe misinformed- by some airheaded bitchy receptionist that they are no longer doing them there? Has anyone come across this yet? If this is true- what are the options? Can the medical be done at the same time of the interview in Montreal? According to the ditz on the phone they are only done in Vancouver and Montreal now? #######--- The trip to MTL for my husband and two stepchildren will be enough of an expense but adding in another trip just for the medical???? I sure hope someone has some info or advice.....

[Flames9_RN 358]

Why is she a ditz??? As the info she provided is correct!! There are a few posts on here about it.

[Amy and Adrian 0]

I'm starting to see the posts now . The receptionist was not so nice and frankly pretty rude. She seemed totally put out to answer a few brief questions..... I think she was too worried about whether or not she needed more botox injections and whether or not she had any roots showing in her bleached blonde hair. Just aggrevated is all...... and her attitude on the phone didn't help.....

[Amy and Adrian 0]

I'm just totally frustrated with this whole process. I would do anything to be with my family but this process is a complete joke and a half. Every time I think we are getting ahead- there is another obstacle in the way. It has been this way from day ONE. I am sick of having to pull money out of our butts everytime we turn around to play this game. We are simple working people- trying to maintain two households with only one parent in each. To just drop everything and pay for a simple medical exam- and having to fly all the way across the country to do it now... is ridiculous. It's bad enough that their interview is all the way across the country. I know I can't be the only one who feels this way.

[jedinite 0]

Unfortunately a lot of us missed the change to the medical exam. If you go to the www.immigrantvisas.state.gov you'll be able to find the PDF of the list of certified medical examiners for the visa.

I too have to fly east to get the medical exam done. I am going to do my medical exam in Toronto a few days before my interview. Toronto/Montreal flights are relatively cheap on WestJet so it's not that big of a deal. I can see how you may be frustrated with the additional costs since you have 2 children that also need the medical done. I recommend making a trip out of it. Call Toronto to get a medical scheduled for the beginning of the week, then fly to Montreal. If you go to Montreal it takes them 4-5 days to complete the medical and since most interviews are scheduled on Wednesdays it makes timing it a real hassle.

Another alternative is Vancouver, but the doctor there seems like a rip off. When I called they said they charge $350 for the exam, nearly double the cost of the exams in Toronto or Montreal ($185). So really if you're flying out east anyways you mine as well make the trip as efficient as possible and the savings on the exams in Toronto or Montreal pays for at least part of the price of the airfare if not the whole flight. Flights between Toronto and Montreal are only $79-89 on WestJet (20% sale) or $59 if you are lucky to catch a 50% off sale.

If you need recommendation for doctors check out http://www.panelphysicians.com/

Good luck!

[trailmix 77]

Hi there,

I can understand your frustration (however how do we know she has roots and requires more botox?)

Anyway, you can find the link to the new panel physician's listing on the Canada VJ wiki page:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Edited November 11, 2008 by trailmix

[Amy and Adrian 0]

Thanks everyone. I apologize for being so grouchy--- I just didn't find her to be professional or very polite. I'm a registered nurse and would never dream of talking to a patient or their families the way she did to me on the phone today. Totally unprofessional..... of course, my comments about her were not so nice either.

[trailmix 77]

We came from Calgary too - and I was pretty put out when I discovered that my Husband would have to travel all the way to Montreal for his interview.

As you already know we have a consulate in Calgary - 20 mins from most people's doorsteps, yet we are unable to utilize it for a 10 minute interview.

Instead people are expected to fly all the way across that great country of ours, pay for flights and accomodation.

Plus the fact that you have 2 children involved as well - and now they no longer do the medicals in Calgary.

Also, I know that it is not feasible for everyone to 'make a holiday' of going to have the medical and interview, there are some people who don't go on vacation and even for those who do, making a holiday of a stressful interview isn't exactly club med.

I don't even know why I rambled on here - I just want you to know that I really do understand that this is a huge hassle for you.

Edited November 11, 2008 by trailmix

[Amy and Adrian 0]

Thanks--- I know we are not the only ones facing these issues... I'm sure there are others who are in even more difficult situations than ours.... I just hate this process for all of us. I'm thankful though for everyone here who has been so supportive and helpful.... it helps to know we aren't alone.

[TheATeam 0]

The reason the medical costs so much money in Vancouver is because you get the results the same day. I realize that you're going to have to travel either way, which really sucks. You might want to check with the doctors in Montreal and see how long it takes to get the results. Sometimes they take two weeks, other times a month. It might be sooner, but you want to check that out so that the results are ready when you need to be in MTL for your interview. In some ways, going to Vancouver and spending 350 for the medical might be cheaper than going all the way to MTL a week or two before the interview and then going back.

Anyhow, I hope you find a reasonable solution to this! It really sucks that there aren't more doctors doing these exams. We found out the hard way too and had to scramble to find a place to have it done when the doctor in Edmonton cancelled on us.

[Marilyn. 340]

isn't it possible to send in the medical results after the interview?? I thought I heard of people doing something similar..

[TheATeam 0]

We brought our results in the day after our interview, so I know it's possible in Vancouver. I'm not sure about Montreal though. That would be something to check into. I know myself, I would hate to wait for a few weeks after a successful interview to see if my medical results were alright. That's just me though!

[carslo 0]

I believe I read that Montreal results are available in 48 hours. So that would be at least two additional nights stay in Montreal in a hotel. I guess one could make a holiday out of the interview, if the weather is good, but Montreal in the winter yuck. Snow, ice and cold. Come to Vancouver we hardly ever get snow just buckets of rain.

Good luck on your journey!

Janet

As a side note, back in '89 when my sister immigrated back to the USA with my fatehr as the sponser - everything was completed in Calgary (family green card, medical, etc). So slowly over the years they have been downsizing what the consulates do.

[jedinite 0]

We brought our results in the day after our interview, so I know it's possible in Vancouver. I'm not sure about Montreal though. That would be something to check into. I know myself, I would hate to wait for a few weeks after a successful interview to see if my medical results were alright. That's just me though!

The earliest they were able to get result back at Montreal was 48 hours AFTER, meaning you'd really need to get your exam done on a Friday and pick it up Tuesday. I don't know why they don't just get it to you sooner in Montreal.

My rationale for going to Toronto instead of Vancouver for the exam was the price for flights to Vancouver from Calgary were about the same as flying to Toronto. I've never been to Toronto and I have friends and family out there I can visit. And the price difference between an exam in Toronto vs an exam in Vancouver more than pays for my flight between Toronto and Montreal. Vancouver would be more convenient to fly out to if I wanted to take more time off of work, Vancouver only does exams on Wednesdays and occasionally Thursdays, thereby forcing me to take a few mid-week days off.

[TheATeam 0]

It's cool that they can get them done in 48 hours. I was just saying you should check and see just in case! I'm glad you have.