A little confused about the interview letter re:medical

[inhopeofglory 0]

Hi,

I just received my interview letter today, and my interview's scheduled for the 1st December - less than two weeks away. Unfortunately, not thinking London would be this fast to give me an interview date, or that the date would be so soon, I haven't yet had my medical.

On the interview letter itself it says "You must undergo the medical examination or make a booking prior to the interview. If you fail to do so, the interview will be cancelled and you will be required to reschedule for a later date." However, I've seen a couple of threads on VJ which say that the medical HAS to be done before the interview - the Embassy website appears to say the same!

From the website: "The medical examination must take place before the visa interview. If you attend the Embassy without having attended the medical examination, the interview will be cancelled and you will be required to reschedule for a later date."

Which do I believe? The letter or the website?

[amykathleen2005 441]

The new policy I believe is that you need the actual medical before the interview.

[inhopeofglory 0]

I got the letter today... when did they change the policy? It's rather misleading to tell the interviewee one thing on the letter and another online - what if people don't have access to the Internet, or don't think to look at the website? If I hadn't come on here, I'd never have thought about it... [/panic]

Edited November 18, 2009 by inhopeofglory

[Lansbury 19]

As said its changed you must have the medical before the interview. The policy changed this month.

Ring the doctors asap they usually are able to fit urgent cases in quickly

Edited November 18, 2009 by Lansbury

[inhopeofglory 0]

I hope so! I'm going to ring them first thing tomorrow...

Any more thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

Edited November 18, 2009 by inhopeofglory

[amykathleen2005 441]

Well you have to have access to the internet to go to the Packet 3 link and that link states to go to the medical page for more information. I agree that they could make it clearer.

[Lansbury 19]

what if people don't have access to the Internet, or don't think to look at the website? If I hadn't come on here, I'd never have thought about it... [/panic]

then they arrive unprepared for their interview and get sent home. What makes you think the Embassy is that concerned. They are getting fed up with people arriving missing documents and no medical which creates extra work for them and delays others from getting an interview. Seems like they are cracking down to stop it.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Well, I think you should do the best you can to have your medical before the interview. If they don't have any openings, then you need to make the appointment for ASAP and bring that date with you to the interview. Having that letter which says having the booking is also acceptable is good for your side of the argument that they shouldn't turn you away because of that.

Maybe some people who are having their interviews coming up could quiz a little about this new policy - if bookings are acceptable, etc. That's if you remember - maybe too nervous to remember to ask for your VJ friends.

[inhopeofglory 0]

Oh, believe me, I'll be asking for the first medical date I possibly can! I'm not sure about going to the interview without the medical if I can't get a suitable date, though - seems a bit risky to me! I think I'd rather reschedule if it comes to that...

[Nik+Heather 121]

I would assume that they have some sort of phase-in process, and you'll fall under that. They can't make a change to the requirements like this all in one step. There has to be some grace period, and I think you fall into that.

If it were me, I'd go to the interview even if all I had was a scheduled appointment (as indicated on the appointment letter - good for waving in people's faces)....but, do as you like.

[inhopeofglory 0]

Yeah, it didn't occur to me that there might be a "grace period" - it looks like they've updated the website before updating the letters they send out. If it comes to it, I'll call them (which I'll have to do anyway to reschedule) and see what they say...

[Jay&Jo 4]

Im so sorry you're going through this :-( i can only imagine how stressed out you must have felt when you realised this!!! if i was you, i'd schedule a medical. as you said in your opening post, your hi-lited the fact that the appointment letter says you only need a booking for your medical.

if it was me, i really wouldnt want to reschedule my interview when im so close...!! but i know you'll be fine. whatever happens you'll be ok, its really not an easy process to go through on your own without a lawyer!!! VJ is a godsend!! haha

Jo

[Nik+Heather 121]

Yeah, I realized later that you are planning on traveling in March, so an intentional interview reschedule (rather than a forced one due to missing medical) might be better for you and save you a trip. I was thinking you were in gear with everyone else hoping for visas before the winter holidays, sorry.

[inhopeofglory 0]

Hey, no worries. Praise God, I was able to get a medical for next Monday.

[Lansbury 19]

Hey, no worries. Praise God, I was able to get a medical for next Monday.

said they could fit you in quickly.