AOS'rs...

[Michael+Tracie 0]

So, I guess I'm one of the unlucky ones...

I've received an RFE on my I485 packet and need some advice. I'll also phone their help number, but of course I got the letter in the mail at 5pm on a Friday!

The RFE concerns my medical. What I sent in is the single sheet of paper (the photocopy provided by Woking Medical in Vancouver) with my vaccination information. This is "Part 2, subsection 5" of form I693. Since I had seen that some others here had received RFEs for not having the full form, I also sent in a cover letter gently reminding them that this is all that I'm required to submit since my medical was less than one year ago.

Well, that didn't work.

I guess I technically have 2 RFEs (2 sheets of paper): one for "Part 1 of form I693" (My information and signature) and one for "Part 5 of form I693" which is the Civil Surgeon's information and signature.

As I read it, they are forcing me to go back to an authorized doctor and have them redo my vaccination history. Is that how it seems to everyone here?

If so, I guess I'll have to phone around locally. I had considered Dr. Arnold, but it appears that s/he has recently retired, so that path is closed to me now. Luckily there are about three or four doctors on their accepted list within driving distance, but what a pain! It also means more money out of my pocket, which I can barely afford.

It's just so aggravating, knowing that I've met their 'requirements' but they still want more!

Am I right in my interpretation? Has anyone else here gone through this? It's not like I can just call up Woking Medical in Vancouver and ask for photocopies of the original, right?

Just looking for some reassurance. Thanks!!!

[Inky 1,110]

Dr Arnold is retired so dont bother considering that. As well people get RFEd for sending ones from Dr Arnold. You will have to find a CS in your area to do it.

Basically if you are missing any shots or your shots arent up to date they usually RFE for the CS completed vaccination sheet. They will also ask for it if they have lost your sheet or your entire medical. The 693 is required if you do not have a complete vaccination history.

[maplestar 2]

I am so glad that I found you guys before I started the whole process, otherwise today's mail would have me tearing out my hair.

Today, my wife received the notice that her I-130 petition for me was approved. And the first paragraph includes the sentence: The person for whom you are petitioning "should contact the local USCIS office to obtain Form I-485, Application for Permanent Residence. A copy of this notice should be submitted with the application." Um, I filed that together with the I-130 back in June. Of course, today I received the welcome notice that my I-485 was approved. So good thing I know to ignore the bad instruction in the notice they sent my wife. *shakes head*

[Michael+Tracie 0]

Dr Arnold is retired so dont bother considering that. As well people get RFEd for sending ones from Dr Arnold. You will have to find a CS in your area to do it.

Basically if you are missing any shots or your shots arent up to date they usually RFE for the CS completed vaccination sheet. They will also ask for it if they have lost your sheet or your entire medical. The 693 is required if you do not have a complete vaccination history.

That's the thing...I'm not missing any shots and everything is up to date. I suppose that they could have lost the original medical report, but the form I sent in is supposed to meet their minimum requirements.

Oh well...

[darkchilde794 5]

Dr Arnold is retired so dont bother considering that. As well people get RFEd for sending ones from Dr Arnold. You will have to find a CS in your area to do it.

Basically if you are missing any shots or your shots arent up to date they usually RFE for the CS completed vaccination sheet. They will also ask for it if they have lost your sheet or your entire medical. The 693 is required if you do not have a complete vaccination history.

That's the thing...I'm not missing any shots and everything is up to date. I suppose that they could have lost the original medical report, but the form I sent in is supposed to meet their minimum requirements.

Oh well...

I dont think you got an RFE bec you need to do another medical -- I think its cause whether youve done a complete medical or not, you still need to get a CS to go through your vaccination record and make sure all your vaccines are up to date, and that CS has to sign the paperwork, etc.

I have read that some embassies do not require applicants to complete their vaccination requirements. But they are required for AOS. So even if your wife has been given all the shots, they wont look at the medical as they prolly believe its the CS's job (he/she looks at it and signs to say that you have all your shots complete etc.)

I was one of the last applicants that had Dr. Arnold so I will see if I get an RFE because of that. I think Ill be fine and Ill let you guys know.

On that note, some K1s who applied for AOS within weeks of getting in the US did not submit any of the medical forms (I693) and got approved!

[Inky 1,110]

hope you dont get rfe for that dark!! keep my fingers crossed for ya.

i entered august married august sent AOS oct 1st no 693 but i had all shots " up to date " and was approved dec 8th.

@Michael+Tracie

Fair amount of people seem to be getting RFE for the flu shot since it is now " flu season ". If you are in the age range for gardasil and applied before dec 14th and did not have the first shot then that could be the reason too. To aos before dec 14th the first gardasil shot - was - required but now it is not. If that could be the issue maybe get the 693 transcribed and stick in a letter stating gardasil isnt required as of dec 14th.

- its quite possible they just lost your paper and need a new one cus someone took it out to look at it and forgot to put it back in ur file.

*

I put a letter stating my medical is still valid and the CS's here were way over charging just for transcription and a copy of my bill from k1 medical with the date highlighted to prove my medical is still very well within the years validity period. Also put in the copy of the vaccination sheet I was given from the k1 medical.

[minnew 4]

Dr Arnold is retired so dont bother considering that. As well people get RFEd for sending ones from Dr Arnold. You will have to find a CS in your area to do it.

Basically if you are missing any shots or your shots arent up to date they usually RFE for the CS completed vaccination sheet. They will also ask for it if they have lost your sheet or your entire medical. The 693 is required if you do not have a complete vaccination history.

That's the thing...I'm not missing any shots and everything is up to date. I suppose that they could have lost the original medical report, but the form I sent in is supposed to meet their minimum requirements.

Oh well...

It's really ridiculous, they have the vaccination report from woking but all they want is signatures from you and the CS! All about the $$$ isn't it!

The CS better be signing with a gold pen! LoL!

In all seriousness though I hope you are able to find a local CS who is able to do it for you for a decent price.

Good luck!

Edited December 19, 2009 by minnew

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hi Michael and Tracie! Just a couple things to add. The worksheet you have from your working medical in Vancouver is not Part 2, subsection 5 of the I-693. Although it looks rather similar and has the same information, it is actually a different form, which is the grounds for the RFE. Although many have been approved without the I-693 in the past, it seems as though USCIS has been cracking down on this issue as of late. So technically you did not fulfill the "requirements" as the I-693 is a technically a required form to submit with your AOS application. In browsing the AOS forum you are definitely not the only person in this position. In fact, even if you did not receive an RFE now you would have needed to get the I-693 transcription prepared for your interview if you don't get transferred to CSC. So, really, its better to have it done sooner rather then later!

The good news is that based on the wording of the RFE it seems as though they don't need you to do a new medical and a simple transcription will suffice. It can be fairly pricey but it shouldn't be! Try calling around to find the best price. Some will likely demand you need a new medical but you don't, so just be firm in your position and don't let any crooked CS's take advantage of you. There have been many people here on VJ who have been successful in finding someone to do the transcription for $25 and under.

And Minniew- Congrats on the AP and EAD being approved!!

[darkchilde794 5]

Well girls and boys, my NAO's for the I-485, I-765 and I-131 all came in the mail last Friday! On the letter, USCIS stated that they received the documents on Dec 09 and sent the the NAO's on Dec 14... which is bizzare to why the letters did not arrive until the 18th.

Inky: Thanks girl -- I hope I dont get any RFEs from Dr. Arnold too. I just cant bear paying a CS approximately 200 for signature... its just unethical I have thought about what you said regarding getting the flu shot as well... I dont remember it being part of the immunization requirements -- and while I know its recommended for everyone during flu season, I hope they dont send me an RFE stating I needed to get the flu shot or the H1N1 for that matter...

[Inky 1,110]

As far as i know H1N1 is not mandatory.. unless you are military lol they are doing it for certain age groups only still. well in nebraska anyways! they also stopped treating it and are telling people to just stay home, stay warm and take some motrin/advil..

[minnew 4]

Merry Christmas to me!!

Got the txt/email update this afternoon! I thought it was going to be another EAD production email....guess NOT!! I guess EAD/AP will be souveniers!!!

So So So happy to be done waiting on USCIS for 2 years!! This is the best christmas present ever!!!

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSC.....

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 21, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check My Case Status and Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Edited December 21, 2009 by minnew

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Congrats on getting your green card!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Congrats Minnie!! That was pretty quick after all!

[Michael+Tracie 0]

Congrats Minnew!!

So after phoning the three civil surgeons in my area, I found two who were unhelpful (wanting to do the full medical only for between $250-300 each), and one who was willing to just do the vaccination paperwork for $30!

Guess which one I'm going to! lol

Even better, the one willing to just do the paperwork will see me tomorrow...the other two had 'their earliest appointments' on January 7th and January 15th.

At this rate, I'll have the RFE returned to them by the end of the week!

Whew.

[darkchilde794 5]

Congratulations Minnew!!!

Woohoo Michael+Tracie on finding a considerate civil surgeon! Hope you guys dont get too delayed with the RFE and the folks at the USCIS will get going with your paperwork. Goodluck guys!