My experience with a Civil Surgeon in Chicago

[Elbereth 0]

I am applying to AOS from a K-3 visa.

I looked online and saw that there is a Civil Surgeon that would be easily accessible to me.

I called their office and asked what the procedure would be, and told them that because of my visa status, I had been informed (by VJ) that I would not need all the examinations done again. The girl talking to me disagreed with me and said I needed a TB test and a blood test and that the total would be over $200. I told her I would go research and hung up.

I downloaded the instructions to Form I-693 and saw there in the FAQ that I really only needed the information part, the vaccination part of section 2, and section 5. So armed with this official information I called the office again, and heard the same story. I told them to look up the instructions to the form and told them exactly where to look. They said they'd get back to me. They didn't.

I kept calling every week, then after 3 weeks I started calling everyday. Every time I called, I had to explain everything again and it seemed like I was talking to a new person every time. I kept leaving messages to the same girl who told me she would look it up, who never seemed to be there.

Today I got sick of the phone marathon and got all my paperwork and went there. This office doesn't require an appointment.

I told them what I was there for, and showed the instructions to the form and explained to them that my medical exam and tests were all still valid and I just needed my vaccinations part done. They complied very very easily, which was lovely, as I went there ready to shout and throw a fit and threaten to report them to USCIS for not complying with the instructions on the form. I am glad that I didn't have to lose my temper.

IMPORTANT: I had all the results of the test I had done in Brazil with me (the chest X-ray, the blood test results, the vaccinations record). I showed my exams to them.

They made a copy of all my original medical reports and a copy of everything they made for me. They put my originals in a sealed envelope and that is the one that I am submitting. I am keeping all the copies.

Total cost was $25. I thought it was fair.

Cliffs: Getting through over the phone is basically impossible. Go in person.

[felb 0]

isn't the tb skin test a new requirement for everyone, even those who had chest x-ray done?

[ailene and larry 0]

I am applying to AOS from a K-3 visa.

I looked online and saw that there is a Civil Surgeon that would be easily accessible to me.

I called their office and asked what the procedure would be, and told them that because of my visa status, I had been informed (by VJ) that I would not need all the examinations done again. The girl talking to me disagreed with me and said I needed a TB test and a blood test and that the total would be over $200. I told her I would go research and hung up.

I downloaded the instructions to Form I-693 and saw there in the FAQ that I really only needed the information part, the vaccination part of section 2, and section 5. So armed with this official information I called the office again, and heard the same story. I told them to look up the instructions to the form and told them exactly where to look. They said they'd get back to me. They didn't.

I kept calling every week, then after 3 weeks I started calling everyday. Every time I called, I had to explain everything again and it seemed like I was talking to a new person every time. I kept leaving messages to the same girl who told me she would look it up, who never seemed to be there.

Today I got sick of the phone marathon and got all my paperwork and went there. This office doesn't require an appointment.

I told them what I was there for, and showed the instructions to the form and explained to them that my medical exam and tests were all still valid and I just needed my vaccinations part done. They complied very very easily, which was lovely, as I went there ready to shout and throw a fit and threaten to report them to USCIS for not complying with the instructions on the form. I am glad that I didn't have to lose my temper.

IMPORTANT: I had all the results of the test I had done in Brazil with me (the chest X-ray, the blood test results, the vaccinations record). I showed my exams to them.

They made a copy of all my original medical reports and a copy of everything they made for me. They put my originals in a sealed envelope and that is the one that I am submitting. I am keeping all the copies.

Total cost was $25. I thought it was fair.

Cliffs: Getting through over the phone is basically impossible. Go in person.

hello,im also in chicago looking 4 a vaccination shot for my aos,what vaccination u need and what is the address can i get it and the telephone number ,we have the same case everytime i go to get my medical they want me to get my medical exam i only need is my vaccination,,could u please tell me what is the address and telephone number..and i really apprieciate ur help

I am applying to AOS from a K-3 visa.

I looked online and saw that there is a Civil Surgeon that would be easily accessible to me.

I called their office and asked what the procedure would be, and told them that because of my visa status, I had been informed (by VJ) that I would not need all the examinations done again. The girl talking to me disagreed with me and said I needed a TB test and a blood test and that the total would be over $200. I told her I would go research and hung up.

I downloaded the instructions to Form I-693 and saw there in the FAQ that I really only needed the information part, the vaccination part of section 2, and section 5. So armed with this official information I called the office again, and heard the same story. I told them to look up the instructions to the form and told them exactly where to look. They said they'd get back to me. They didn't.

I kept calling every week, then after 3 weeks I started calling everyday. Every time I called, I had to explain everything again and it seemed like I was talking to a new person every time. I kept leaving messages to the same girl who told me she would look it up, who never seemed to be there.

Today I got sick of the phone marathon and got all my paperwork and went there. This office doesn't require an appointment.

I told them what I was there for, and showed the instructions to the form and explained to them that my medical exam and tests were all still valid and I just needed my vaccinations part done. They complied very very easily, which was lovely, as I went there ready to shout and throw a fit and threaten to report them to USCIS for not complying with the instructions on the form. I am glad that I didn't have to lose my temper.

IMPORTANT: I had all the results of the test I had done in Brazil with me (the chest X-ray, the blood test results, the vaccinations record). I showed my exams to them.

They made a copy of all my original medical reports and a copy of everything they made for me. They put my originals in a sealed envelope and that is the one that I am submitting. I am keeping all the copies.

Total cost was $25. I thought it was fair.

Cliffs: Getting through over the phone is basically impossible. Go in person.

[Elbereth 0]

isn't the tb skin test a new requirement for everyone, even those who had chest x-ray done?

I think that they skin test is the standard test, and if it turns out positive, they get ask the x-ray for confirmation.

I am not sure of this, but I believe that the reason why the skin test is the standard is because it is less expensive. It can give false positives, though.

The x-ray rules out TB, so having the skin test on top of that would be redundant.