When can I book my medical?

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone!

I am struggling to get a clear answer on this one. I have been advised by quite a few people on VJ to go ahead and book my medical with Knightsbridge Doctors in London once the NVC have recieved my case and I am issued with my new case number. Well, we now have that information and we are waiting (and it should be any day now) for the London Embassy to recieve our case. So, the other day I tried to ring and schedule my medical and was met by a very rude receptionist on the phone who asked me 'why I was bothering calling', 'where did we get their phone number from' and 'who instructed us to make the appointment'. When I told her I want to schedule it for when my fiance is here over christmas and in advance so we can be organised she told me 'thats not how the embasy works and you can't make your appointment until you have been istructed by the embassy' (!!??)

I have talked to a few other VJers and they have conflicting stories, all having been able to book their medical with only their new case number and having not yet recieved packets 3 and 4.

Can anyone advise what I am supposed to do and what is the correct phone number to ring and when are you supposed to book the appointment? Do I really have to wait until packets 3 and 4?

Thanks in advance!

[Lioncub4 4]

I booked my medical once I had the NVC case number and before I had actually received packet 3. The receptionist was very polite and only asked for my case number. Luckily I had since then received the hard copy of packet 3 before going down to the actual medical but didn't need it after all. I would suggest you call again and if they ask if you have packet 3 - say yes. All that is on the letter (pertaining to the medical) is a link to the website - http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/medexam.html

The number I called was:- 020 7584 9458

Good luck

[Gemmie 142]

You probably had the rude b1tch that a lot of us have encountered.

I called while waiting for my packet 3 because I was under the impression that there was going to be a long wait for medicals. A woman answered the phone in an abrupt way, and when I said I wanted to book a medical, she asked when I wanted it. I asked if I could book it for in a few weeks, and she told me "we don't do it that far ahead" and promptly ended the conversation.

I know you feel you should be booking it now to be organised but I've never known for there to be a big wait for appointments, so maybe just wait until you have P3.

[Lisa and Ian 7]

You probably had the rude b1tch that a lot of us have encountered.

I called while waiting for my packet 3 because I was under the impression that there was going to be a long wait for medicals. A woman answered the phone in an abrupt way, and when I said I wanted to book a medical, she asked when I wanted it. I asked if I could book it for in a few weeks, and she told me "we don't do it that far ahead" and promptly ended the conversation.

I know you feel you should be booking it now to be organised but I've never known for there to be a big wait for appointments, so maybe just wait until you have P3.

I agree with Gemmie. Before you send the P3 paperwork back, call and schedule it. Maybe you'll get a nicer person that day anyway. Good luck!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. I actually got the first one from Lioncub4 and made the call right after that. I got through to a really nice lady (I guess a different one) and she took my details down and booked me in for December 21st! Yay! So now me and Russ can go together and have a day out in London together too. She did ask me if I had the 'checklist' and I was just like yeah... hehe. But I downloaded all of the medical info from the London Embassy website including the questionnaire and I'm good to go.

Ahhh... thats another thing sorted, but, £190 though?! Jeez... But I suppose its all worth it in the end