Anyone else in the same boat as I am ?

[CATHYlovesRICK 2]

what is the closest amount of time between a medical and a interview ? does anyone know ?

On some other timelines i saw here within a week(7 dys)...closest time!That is to hope not to have any problem with medical of course!

[Jimfibi 2]

I see that you will have her do her CFO after her interview, will she not need to have her passport with her at the CFO ?

nope no frieds at all in the area.......

she can attend CFO seminar even without her passport... just bring valid ids... its good to have ur divorce papers (if you are a divorcee). There is an interview after the seminar. I was asked of it, but I did not have it, and also some pics together. My friend, who did not have passport and visa then, was able to attend CFO seminar.

maybe you can give her two days for her medical, a day for her CFO seminar, a day for her interview, that's 4 days stay in Manila and then she can stay a day in Manila before her flight to the US for the CFO sticker.

Goodluck on her interview...

[Glynn & Jean 5]

Seems like the Fiancee has alot of travelling to do before we are in each others arms, she is from Hilongos, Leyte and her travels are as follows:

1st trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for Medical

2nd trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for Interview at the Embassy

3rd trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for CFO

4th trip, fly from Leyte to Las Vegas (One way) to be united forever.

The first three trips will of course include her staying at the BOCOBO HOTEL, Pocket Money and her sister accompanying her since I dont want her to travel alone....

Alot of expenses but well worth it, anyone else on the same boat as I am as far as travelling to Manila for the requirements ? any suggestions to make this more efficient?

When I called and set the interview I was told it was best to make the interview atleast one week after medicals to enusre that St lukes had time to get everything sent to the embassy. Others have done it sooner. My Finacee lives in Cagayan De Oro so I knew that it would be alot of traveling for her. She flew into Manila the 1st week of Jan 2010. She did the CFO class the 1st day of arrival then the next day she went to St Lukes for the 2 day medicals and had interview at emabssy the following week on Jan 14th. Unfortuanetly she had problems with the chest x-ray and she had to do the Sputum test. March 15th she was told the results were ready and to come back in for vacinations. She arrived in Manila on March 17th for vacinations and St lukes expedited her embassy interview for Friday March 19th.

She received her passport with K-1 Visa 10 days later and I flew her back to CFO to get her sticker. Now all we are waiting for his her departure to the states on May 3rd. Expect the expense of travel if they do not live near Manila.She could have obtained the CFO sticker on the day she is due to fly stateside but I chose to fly her sooner to CFO so when her May 3rd flight comes all she has to worry about is flying stateside. My Fiancee had no relatives in Manila so we had the expense of Hotel also. Just try to have her attend all that she can in the trip she makes for the medicals.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Do you know if I can have my fiancee take her medical 5 or 6 days before the interview ?

Yes, she can have her medical all the way up to two or three days before her interview. However, if she does so, she will need to make it clear to St. Lukes what her plan is. Then, St. Lukes will return her passport to her and she will be responsible for bringing it to her interview.

[Tahoma 2,292]

what is the closest amount of time between a medical and a interview ? does anyone know ?

I read where someone had their medical two days before their interview.

[Fudpukker 18]

Ok I guess I am going to have to sit down and think things over, this has got my head spinning......

[sunsetwishes 1]

Seems like the Fiancee has alot of travelling to do before we are in each others arms, she is from Hilongos, Leyte and her travels are as follows:

1st trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for Medical

2nd trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for Interview at the Embassy

3rd trip, fly from Leyte to Manila(Round trip)for CFO

4th trip, fly from Leyte to Las Vegas (One way) to be united forever.

The first three trips will of course include her staying at the BOCOBO HOTEL, Pocket Money and her sister accompanying her since I dont want her to travel alone....

Alot of expenses but well worth it, anyone else on the same boat as I am as far as travelling to Manila for the requirements ? any suggestions to make this more efficient?

Hi, I just had my medical at St. Luke's. I and two other VJ members stayed at Hotel Soriente, just a few steps away from St. Luke's. It's a nice, clean and safe hotel with big room and two beds, hot and cold shower, A/C and TV. Room rate is only P1,499.00 good for two. The medical usually lasts for two days. However, the second day would be for the results and immunizations (if passed). Your fiancee can attend the CFO seminar even without visa yet, which only lasts for 2 hours. She should bring an ID and birth certificate and their photocopies. Seminar fee is P250.00. Make sure she knows the maiden name of your mother and the reason of your divorce (if you are divorced). This might be news, but yes, we were asked these (so we called our respective fiances' at wee hours). Otherwise, she will not be given a certificate. Then if she has a visa, she can get the CFO sticker, even a day before her departure for US.

Another thing, Hotel Soriente is a walking distance from USEM. Just sharing...

Edited April 16, 2010 by sunsetwishes

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah cherry blossoms is too...robinson's mall is really close also to St. Lukes. There are quite a few hotels close to St Lukes...Hotel Soriente sounds to be a good deal though. I havent heard of that one or found it while searching online. We stayed at Pearl Garden when Mhay did her medical. A bit more expensive, but I wanted a decent hotel to stay in when we went. The earlier you can do the medical from the interview the better...just in case something comes up. You dont get any surprizes or delays.....it really does suck for the people that dont live close enough to manila to commute.

[sunsetwishes 1]

Hi, i'd like to inquire what tests they conduct or perform during the medical? would it take longer than a day? How soon can the results be released granting the medical is clear?

There would be urine and blood tests, eye exam, vital signs (such as BP, pulse rate), height, weight, immunization interview (where you will be asked of your first and last day of period, chicken pox, last sexual contact, etc.). The most "dreaded" part is the physical exam of the doctor where you will be asked to disrobe everything, and check your breasts for possible lumps, your wrists, #######, etc. Then the "interrogation". You will be asked about drug addiction, sickness, hospitalization, etc. including annulment of marriage (on which you will be recommended for Psyche evaluation). The medical lasts 1 1/2 to two days. On the second day, and if everything is okay, you will be given the vaccination record and CD of Xrays...

[Jimfibi 2]

Ok I guess I am going to have to sit down and think things over, this has got my head spinning......

There are some who had their interview two days after the results were issued. St. Luke's will ask your fiancee's interview date. Just hope and pray that her medical results will be fine. In case its not fine, you can always call for rescheduling anyway.

[sunsetwishes 1]

Yeah cherry blossoms is too...robinson's mall is really close also to St. Lukes. There are quite a few hotels close to St Lukes...Hotel Soriente sounds to be a good deal though. I havent heard of that one or found it while searching online. We stayed at Pearl Garden when Mhay did her medical. A bit more expensive, but I wanted a decent hotel to stay in when we went. The earlier you can do the medical from the interview the better...just in case something comes up. You dont get any surprizes or delays.....it really does suck for the people that dont live close enough to manila to commute.

Yes, I was surprised myself why Hotel Soriente is not mentioned, when in fact it is just a few steps away from St. Luke's (only 10 meters or less away). CherryBlossoms is a walking distance away from St Luke's. Meaning, it is several meters away from St. Luke's and there's a not so well-lighted part of the road going to St. Luke's which for me is scary specially if I have to walk alone at dawn. But yes, CherryBlossoms is a few steps away from Robinson's. Another hotel that's just a few steps away from St. Luke's is the Paragon Tower Hotel, just next door to Hotel Soriente, but more expensive due to free breakfast for two (P1,900.00). Both hotels are decent.

[sunsetwishes 1]

I forgot to add: Hotel Soriente has an elevator and wifi... ( I wish I can have discounts for this promotion, hehehehe)...

But I actually just want to share my experience, so fellow VJ members will know and can have "informed decision"...

[Fudpukker 18]

I forgot to add: Hotel Soriente has an elevator and wifi... ( I wish I can have discounts for this promotion, hehehehe)...

But I actually just want to share my experience, so fellow VJ members will know and can have "informed decision"...

how about the BOCOBO hotel ? its on the same street and for every 3 days you stay, you get the 4th day free......

[Kevin- 13]

I was with my fiancee during the medical and interview process. The medical ended up being a big hassle. They found a tiny scar on her wrist, which results in an automatic referral to a psychiatric exam, and also meant she couldn't get the vaccinations yet. The earliest appointment was about two weeks later. So we flew back to Mindanao, then back to Manila for that exam. We expected that would be the end, and I booked a few days so we'd have enough time to get the results and vaccinations. Turns out the results couldn't be obtained, since that particular week had 3 holidays! So we had to go back to Mindanao again for another week.

We finally confirmed the results were ready and went back to Manila. This turned out to be another big hassle, but God helped us get it done in just one day. They had to repeat all the original exams! Fortunately a very kind doctor had taken personal charge to ensure she got everything done that day, all the repeated exams and the vaccines, so we didn't have to return again. She was the very last non-employee to leave the building that day, rather, late at night. I was so worried, I was preparing to take a cab over to SLEC from where we were staying when she finally got back.

Anyways, you can see by this story that even with nothing wrong, the medical can take multiple trips to Manila to complete.

Also, if possible, try to be there for the interview. It's easier on her, easier on the consul, easier to pass, and easier to celebrate passing , if you're there with her.

Edited April 16, 2010 by Kevin-

[proud_bisaya 3]

I was with my fiancee during the medical and interview process.  The medical ended up being a big hassle.  They found a tiny scar on her wrist, which results in an automatic referral to a psychiatric exam, and also meant she couldn't get the vaccinations yet.  The earliest appointment was about two weeks later.  So we flew back to Mindanao, then back to Manila for that exam.  We expected that would be the end, and I booked a few days so we'd have enough time to get the results and vaccinations.  Turns out the results couldn't be obtained, since that particular week had 3 holidays!  So we had to go back to Mindanao again for another week.

We finally confirmed the results were ready and went back to Manila.  This turned out to be another big hassle, but God helped us get it done in just one day.  They had to repeat all the original exams!  Fortunately a very kind doctor had taken personal charge to ensure she got everything done that day, all the repeated exams and the vaccines, so we didn't have to return again.  She was the very last non-employee to leave the building that day, rather, late at night.  I was so worried, I was preparing to take a cab over to SLEC from where we were staying when she finally got back.

Anyways, you can see by this story that even with nothing wrong, the medical can take multiple trips to Manila to complete.

Also, if possible, try to be there for the interview.  It's easier on her, easier on the consul, easier to pass, and easier to celebrate passing , if you're there with her.

Hello Kevin,,, i just read your reply here but mann this  really made me so worried because as you've mentioned here your fiancee had a tiny scars in her wrest.... Mannnn i also have scar in my wrest and its really very visible this was happened when i was 5 years old playing a bottle..broke and hit in my wrest. 

Do i need to undergo psychiatric exam also? how many days does psychiatric exam last?  

Please help me..I plan to be at manila for only 2 days I wish doctors at st, lukes will believe that i am not doing any suical issue but scar in my wrest was just an accident way back during my younger years.....

GOD BLESS!!!!!!!11