Using Dr. Arnold for medical - legal or not?

[Nik+Heather 121]

we've recently used dr.Arnold's services and sent AOS package to USCIS. we thought we made a good deal and now after reading JB's hardships with 693 signed by dr.Arnold we are confused-what should we do now? wait till they send RFE and then redo I693 (for more money)? or redo it now in case an IO finds out "fraudulent" I693at the interview?

Wait and see. They have been very clear that JB hasn't done anything wrong, so the worst that will happen is an RFE. Also, many people are still getting approvals with Arnold, so I wouldn't worry if I were you.

However, for people just filing, perhaps more effort to find a local CS is prudent (that's what we are doing).

[SunDrop 59]

(note) The examining CS, whether he is giving a medical or just signing off on the vaccinations part, must VERIFY the identity of the applicant

In this regard, you must take reasonable steps to ensure

that the person appearing for the medical exam is the same

person applying for the requested immigration benefit. All

applicants must present a valid government-issued photo

identification. The law imposes severe penalties for

knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a

material fact or using any false documents in connection

with this medical exam.

Attend your medical exam appointment and all

follow-up exams, as may be required. Sign Form

I-693 in front of the civil surgeon.

I appreciate fully that this is arguing semantics, but the whole point of the vaccination transcription is that they are not required to appear for a medical exam, as it has already taken place!

What strikes me is that it is obvious that a change in protocol/ process is necessary here. Obviously, you can't issue visas without undertaking a medical examination. However, considering the complication of just getting your vaccinations transcribed, even if you don't need any courses completed or boosters indicates that the vaccination requirement must be complete at the time of the medical examination or between the examination and the interview. Therefore, that incomplete vaccinations will delay issuance of a visa.... We all know that we're going to need them eventually. NOA1 should specify the need to begin updating vaccinations, as some require several months to complete.

This would avoid CSes overcharging for a simple transcription service or refusing to not repeat, at cost, the entire medical again.

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

[taisia 0]

Wait and see. They have been very clear that JB hasn't done anything wrong, so the worst that will happen is an RFE. Also, many people are still getting approvals with Arnold, so I wouldn't worry if I were you.

However, for people just filing, perhaps more effort to find a local CS is prudent (that's what we are doing).

yeah I suppose we only have to wait. God thats gonna be frustrating

[TBoneTX 45,267]

The only possible hole in Dr. Arnold's procedures (that I can tell) is verification of the identity of the person whose records are being transcribed. This could perhaps be solved by including copies of identification documents with everything else that is sent to Dr. Arnold. Otherwise (operating from memory, here), I don't see how Dr. Arnold's office is violating the procedures that are set forth in the document that Nich-Nick provided (see post #55).

JB, have you notified Dr. Arnold's office of your troubles? What exactly was the response?

[SunDrop 59]

I feel for people who use Dr. Arnold as their 'in person' CS. They risk ending up being 'investigated' and therefore delayed while the IO makes sure that the criteria of verifying ID was satisfied.

The whole situation is completely ridiculous. The person's ID was verified in person when the medical was undertaken in the beneficiary's country. Their vaccination form from the medical was completed by a CS (or whatever they're called abroad!) I could understand the ####### attitude if the USCIS is making money from the transcription/ medicals, which they're not or where AOS is from another visa, so no medical/interview took place prior to the beneficiary being in the US but c'mon... this is bureaucracy gone mad! It's transcription, that's all....

[rebeccajo 14]

(note) The examining CS, whether he is giving a medical or just signing off on the vaccinations part, must VERIFY the identity of the applicant

In this regard, you must take reasonable steps to ensure

that the person appearing for the medical exam is the same

person applying for the requested immigration benefit. All

applicants must present a valid government-issued photo

identification. The law imposes severe penalties for

knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a

material fact or using any false documents in connection

with this medical exam.

Attend your medical exam appointment and all

follow-up exams, as may be required. Sign Form

I-693 in front of the civil surgeon.

I appreciate fully that this is arguing semantics, but the whole point of the vaccination transcription is that they are not required to appear for a medical exam, as it has already taken place!

What strikes me is that it is obvious that a change in protocol/ process is necessary here. Obviously, you can't issue visas without undertaking a medical examination. However, considering the complication of just getting your vaccinations transcribed, even if you don't need any courses completed or boosters indicates that the vaccination requirement must be complete at the time of the medical examination or between the examination and the interview. Therefore, that incomplete vaccinations will delay issuance of a visa.... We all know that we're going to need them eventually. NOA1 should specify the need to begin updating vaccinations, as some require several months to complete.

This would avoid CSes overcharging for a simple transcription service or refusing to not repeat, at cost, the entire medical again.

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

K1's aren't required to be vaccinated for visa issuance. Some panel physicians abroad appear to require vaccination for the K1 (perhaps at the insistence of the consulate), but the INA does not require it. K1 is non-immigrant and there is no stipulation that a non-immigrant visa holder be vaccinated.

[Krikit 1,164]

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

The Consulates in Canada require the vaccinations to be completed prior to issuance of the visa. I think it's a requirement for some others as well. So glad I didn't have to go through this mess. Immigrating is stressful enough.

(They're Panel Physicians outside the US. )

[rockhouse 1]

(note) The examining CS, whether he is giving a medical or just signing off on the vaccinations part, must VERIFY the identity of the applicant

In this regard, you must take reasonable steps to ensure

that the person appearing for the medical exam is the same

person applying for the requested immigration benefit. All

applicants must present a valid government-issued photo

identification. The law imposes severe penalties for

knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a

material fact or using any false documents in connection

with this medical exam.

Attend your medical exam appointment and all

follow-up exams, as may be required. Sign Form

I-693 in front of the civil surgeon.

I appreciate fully that this is arguing semantics, but the whole point of the vaccination transcription is that they are not required to appear for a medical exam, as it has already taken place!

What strikes me is that it is obvious that a change in protocol/ process is necessary here. Obviously, you can't issue visas without undertaking a medical examination. However, considering the complication of just getting your vaccinations transcribed, even if you don't need any courses completed or boosters indicates that the vaccination requirement must be complete at the time of the medical examination or between the examination and the interview. Therefore, that incomplete vaccinations will delay issuance of a visa.... We all know that we're going to need them eventually. NOA1 should specify the need to begin updating vaccinations, as some require several months to complete.

This would avoid CSes overcharging for a simple transcription service or refusing to not repeat, at cost, the entire medical again.

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

K1's aren't required to be vaccinated for visa issuance. Some panel physicians abroad appear to require vaccination for the K1 (perhaps at the insistence of the consulate), but the INA does not require it. K1 is non-immigrant and there is no stipulation that a non-immigrant visa holder be vaccinated.

Is there a link or a source for this? I would like to read more about what a K1 visa filer actually needs regarding vaccines and the AOS.... Thanks.

[payxibka 10,045]

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

The don't fill out the I-693 because the I-693 is a USCIS form. Foreign panel physicians work on behalf of the Department of State and do fill out the DS-2053 medical report and should prepare the DS-3025 Vaccination history report, which theoretically is the "equavalent"....

Is there a link or a source for this? I would like to read more about what a K1 visa filer actually needs regarding vaccines and the AOS.... Thanks.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...tml#Vaccination

[SunDrop 59]

(note) The examining CS, whether he is giving a medical or just signing off on the vaccinations part, must VERIFY the identity of the applicant

In this regard, you must take reasonable steps to ensure

that the person appearing for the medical exam is the same

person applying for the requested immigration benefit. All

applicants must present a valid government-issued photo

identification. The law imposes severe penalties for

knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a

material fact or using any false documents in connection

with this medical exam.

Attend your medical exam appointment and all

follow-up exams, as may be required. Sign Form

I-693 in front of the civil surgeon.

I appreciate fully that this is arguing semantics, but the whole point of the vaccination transcription is that they are not required to appear for a medical exam, as it has already taken place!

What strikes me is that it is obvious that a change in protocol/ process is necessary here. Obviously, you can't issue visas without undertaking a medical examination. However, considering the complication of just getting your vaccinations transcribed, even if you don't need any courses completed or boosters indicates that the vaccination requirement must be complete at the time of the medical examination or between the examination and the interview. Therefore, that incomplete vaccinations will delay issuance of a visa.... We all know that we're going to need them eventually. NOA1 should specify the need to begin updating vaccinations, as some require several months to complete.

This would avoid CSes overcharging for a simple transcription service or refusing to not repeat, at cost, the entire medical again.

What totally baffles me is why CSes overseas aren't completing the I693 at the time of the medical?

K1's aren't required to be vaccinated for visa issuance. Some panel physicians abroad appear to require vaccination for the K1 (perhaps at the insistence of the consulate), but the INA does not require it. K1 is non-immigrant and there is no stipulation that a non-immigrant visa holder be vaccinated.

Is there a link or a source for this? I would like to read more about what a K1 visa filer actually needs regarding vaccines and the AOS.... Thanks.

What is required for the K1 and what is required for AOS are 2 different things. Because the K1 is technically a non-immigrant visa, they theoretically don't make you get your vaccinations done prior to issuing the K1. You do, however, need them for AOS because you're stating that you have got married and so are now ready to qualify as a Legal Permanent Resident.

Whether you do need it (as in Canada according to a PP) or you don't (as in the UK) you have the flexibility to decide when and where. Some GPs here charge, some don't. But if you have a complete panel at the time of your medical, the Panel Physican can transcribe them onto the form the consulate use. Some people have successfully submitted only this (without the I-693) where others have relinquished to getting them transcribed onto the I-693 as they don't feel able to afford a possible RFE. Others choose to start their vaccination updates and complete them once in the US, so you would need to get the I-693 completed in the US, in this instance.

RJ, that was my point. It's just daft that they don't require you to have updated, complete vaccinations at the time of medical/ interview. Yup, I realise it is because the K1 is technically non-immigrant but it insisting would avoid all this whoo-haaa. Or at least accept make the I-693 the medical/ interview form as evidence for anyone who has got updated and complete vaccinations at the time of seeing the Panel Physician, thus avoiding the hell that transcription in the US is becoming. The bit I've bolded above was what 'should be' and not the status quo. Sorry for the confusion!

[TracyTN 237]

All Dr. Arnold did in our case (and likely many others) was transcribe the vaccination information from the form we were given at hubby's K medical in London (form DS 3025, I believe) to the I 693 supplement. I don't see how or why we would need to stand in front of him to do that.

Seems to me like USCIS is trying to close the gate after the horse has bolted - for whatever reason.

[rebeccajo 14]

What is required for the K1 and what is required for AOS are 2 different things. Because the K1 is technically a non-immigrant visa, they theoretically don't make you get your vaccinations done prior to issuing the K1. You do, however, need them for AOS because you're stating that you have got married and so are now ready to qualify as a Legal Permanent Resident.

Whether you do need it (as in Canada according to a PP) or you don't (as in the UK) you have the flexibility to decide when and where. Some GPs here charge, some don't. But if you have a complete panel at the time of your medical, the Panel Physican can transcribe them onto the form the consulate use. Some people have successfully submitted only this (without the I-693) where others have relinquished to getting them transcribed onto the I-693 as they don't feel able to afford a possible RFE. Others choose to start their vaccination updates and complete them once in the US, so you would need to get the I-693 completed in the US, in this instance.

RJ, that was my point. It's just daft that they don't require you to have updated, complete vaccinations at the time of medical/ interview. Yup, I realise it is because the K1 is technically non-immigrant but it insisting would avoid all this whoo-haaa. Or at least accept make the I-693 the medical/ interview form as evidence for anyone who has got updated and complete vaccinations at the time of seeing the Panel Physician, thus avoiding the hell that transcription in the US is becoming. The bit I've bolded above was what 'should be' and not the status quo. Sorry for the confusion!

Oh yeah, I got what you saying. Wasn't sure though if you knew technically a K1 does not need to be vaccinated to receive their visa.

It's always been a cluster-you-know-what to get the vaccine info transcribed to whatever form the Service is wanting at the moment. It was a pain in the keyster 4 years ago for us. The trick is finding a civil surgeon who understands the rules - and of course knowing the rules yourself so you don't get robbed.

I think it's really silly the consulates require these vaccines - not only because they aren't supposed to, but because the consulate can't see far enough into the future to know when the alien may file for their adjustment. A K1 has 6 months to use their visa and another three to marry the petitioner. If they ####### around after that with their adjustment filing, it's conceivable their entire medical exam might be expired. Not to mention the fact that many people don't bother filing for their adjustment immediately, even if they've entered the US right away and married right away. Those folks will need new medical exams also.

[MissusM09 1]

i rang dr arnolds number today. it doesnt work. you get that signal thingy.

if you want a physical, cheap come to detroit, or even michigan i got quotes from two civil surgeons today, for $150 and $175. they seem quite accomodating, its worth paying a little extra to save all the headache.

[TracyTN 237]

If the number didn't work, you wouldn't get a busy signal. Is that the 'signal thingy' you mean?

[rsn 135]

i rang dr arnolds number today. it doesnt work. you get that signal thingy.

if you want a physical, cheap come to detroit, or even michigan i got quotes from two civil surgeons today, for $150 and $175. they seem quite accomodating, its worth paying a little extra to save all the headache.

You must have an old number. It works for me - just tried it. 512-444-3131