Medical Exams in Canada - Civil Surgeons?

[sierratango 0]

Hello Everyone,

First of all, I have read information that many of you have provided throughout the site over the last few months. While I have not actively participated, the information has been extremely helpful. Thank you!

I am actually trying to figure out what the situation is related to civil surgeons in Canada. I've read various threads elsewhere that indicate that they have reduced the number of civil surgeons in Canada. My wife resides in Calgary, and I was trying to find out who could conduct the exam there. There was one doctor listed in the past that I've read very bad things about. I'm almost hesitant to ask my wife to go there.

Any ideas about this? Also, we have yet to receive an NOA2. I'm trying to figure out if there are things that we can take care of in advance to avoid delays. One of the things I thought of was the medical exam. Is it true that it is valid for 12 months, and that one can have it done before receiving an interview date or NVC case number?

[payxibka 10,045]

Civil Surgeons are US based only.. as they are designated by the USCIS

Panel Physicians are located abroad..... and are designated by the Department of State/Consulates

[TimandJoyce 1]

I don't know if there are any USCIS approved doctors in Calgary. I do know that there is one in Vancouver, possibly for all of BC. The others that I've heard about are in Toronto and Montreal. However, things may have changed with that.

You're best to wait until the NOA2, packet 3, that your wife will receive, as it will give full instructions on what doctor to make the appointment with.

[sierratango 0]

Civil Surgeons are US based only.. as they are designated by the USCIS

Panel Physicians are located abroad..... and are designated by the Department of State/Consulates

Sorry - I guess I'm trying to find out about panel physicians then....

[AnaGRicky 0]

Definition:

A doctor, selected by USCIS to conduct medical examinations of aliens in the United States who are applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence or who are required by USCIS to have a medical examination.

Source: USCIS

Also Known As: Civil surgeons are not synonymous with panel physicians. Civil surgeons provide medical exams within the U.S. while panel physicians perform exams outside the U.S.

In Canada there are only three medical panel physicians, Toronto, Montreal , and Vancouver.

There is a short time and I say a very short time between the time when you receive your appointment letter at the consolate , after you have been approved at USCIS and your medical examination.

Hope that clarifies your question.

[trailmix 77]

Hi and welcome to VJ,

There was a panel physician in Calgary, up until last year, my Husband did his immigration medical there.

Around September/October of last year they then reduced the number of panel physicians in Canada to 4. One in Vancouver, two in Montreal and one in Toronto. That information can be found at this link, just scroll to the bottom page:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MTL-ME...L-0001-0810.pdf

There are things you can do in advance, if you wife doesn't want to travel all the way to Vancouver for the medical, she may want to wait and have it done the week she will be in Montreal for the interview.

You will need a police clearance for Canada for her - and any other country (except the U.S.) where she has lived for 6 months or more since the age of 16, you can get that now as it is good for a year.

All of the documents listed here http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html - will need to be sent to the National Visa Center. Also, you should call the IRS and get tax transcripts for 06, 07 and 08.

So that is just a brief overview of some of the stuff you need to take care of now.

You may want to visit the Canada VJ forum here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

You may also want to have a look at the VJ Wiki Canada page: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Edited July 9, 2009 by trailmix

[Krikit 1,164]

Trailmix has good information.

Welcome to VJ, SierraTango!

[sierratango 0]

trailmix,

Thank you for the information you've provided. The explanation is much appreciated.

The small number of panel physicians in Canada does pose a bit of a challenge. However, we'll do whatever it takes! My wife has already gotten in touch with the Calgary Police to obtain a police clearance. However, she has lived in another city before moving to Calgary a few years ago. I have to make sure that the clearance provided by Calgary Police is adequate.

On a happy note, I just received an e-mail to indicate that our approval notice (NOA2) was sent! We were about a month beyond the timeline for the Vermont Service Center. After reading information on this board, I decided to send a letter to the Congressman for my district here in Massachusetts. The Congressional Aide for Immigration matters responded promptly, and made an inquiry. That was last Thursday, and our application was approved today!

I'm very thankful for all of these resources. I hope I can be of help to others here.

[OBX 51]

trailmix,

Thank you for the information you've provided. The explanation is much appreciated.

The small number of panel physicians in Canada does pose a bit of a challenge. However, we'll do whatever it takes! My wife has already gotten in touch with the Calgary Police to obtain a police clearance. However, she has lived in another city before moving to Calgary a few years ago. I have to make sure that the clearance provided by Calgary Police is adequate.

On a happy note, I just received an e-mail to indicate that our approval notice (NOA2) was sent! We were about a month beyond the timeline for the Vermont Service Center. After reading information on this board, I decided to send a letter to the Congressman for my district here in Massachusetts. The Congressional Aide for Immigration matters responded promptly, and made an inquiry. That was last Thursday, and our application was approved today!

I'm very thankful for all of these resources. I hope I can be of help to others here.

Congratulations on your NOA2 Things will move along much more quickly now!

As long as the police certificate she obtains notes that Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or the national criminal records repository was searched using the applicant’s name and date of birth it will cover all of Canada. See this link for more info.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc..._3531.html#docs

Good luck

[sierratango 0]

OBX, thank you!

Wow, it does take quite a bit of time between receipt of NOA2 to the date of the actual interview. It seems to take at least 2 months or more to get an interview in Montreal.

In terms of the NVC process, my understanding is that the I-864 portion (that I'm supposed to complete) would be included in the packet to my wife. Can she complete her portion, and then mail the whole thing to me? After which, I would send it back together myself? Or, does it have to go directly from her residence to the NVC?

[OBX 51]

OBX, thank you!

Wow, it does take quite a bit of time between receipt of NOA2 to the date of the actual interview. It seems to take at least 2 months or more to get an interview in Montreal.

In terms of the NVC process, my understanding is that the I-864 portion (that I'm supposed to complete) would be included in the packet to my wife. Can she complete her portion, and then mail the whole thing to me? After which, I would send it back together myself? Or, does it have to go directly from her residence to the NVC?

Montreal interviews were averaging about 2 1/2 to 3 months when I went through in the spring. Check out this thread in the Canada forum.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry3115461

The DS-230 and I-864 can be sent separately or together. Generally if sent together it avoids a false RFE and your case cannot be completed without both so it doesn't slow things down at all. Many have sent them together but in separate envelopes placed in a larger envelope. Both packages can be sent from any address. I completed both the DS-230 and the I-864, mailed all forms and documents to my husband in the US. He signed the I-864 and mailed both together from there. We used USPS overnight and it was received by NVC the next day! Good luck.

Edited July 14, 2009 by OBX

[eklondon 0]

This concerns me, I never received my NOA2 (Approved but did not physically receive the NOA2 package). I was under the impression that the medical would come after case complete from NVC, is this correct?

[eklondon 0]

never mind. I have my answer.