Medical interview questions

[sassafrass417 0]

My fiance had his medical interview in London last week, where I attended as well. Nick has two minor past crimes on his record, one involving simple assault. The medical interviewer was questioning him heavily on if this was an alcohol-related offence of not. He answered truthfully that it was not. His court records do not have toxicology reports on them, but he wasn't drunk at the time and the court records do not mention anything regarding that. The interviewer asked about how often he drinks now and he answered about 5 beers a week, which is truthful. He has never had an alcohol-related problem. 5 beers a week is clearly not a drinking problem, but he wanted to be honest instead of saying he never drinks, which would have been a lie. My question is if anyone has had experience with this? The interviewer seemed satisfied that he had answered all questions in the positive. We aren't expecting any problems, but I wanted to see what everyone thought. Thank you!

[* Kristin * 49]

My friend's fiance had something similar happen.. he did have a criminal record (1 assult, alcohol-related.. it was in a pub). He wasn't asked anything at the medical about it. He did give up drinking for a month before the interview, based on his lawyer's recommendation (not sure the full story there...) But all went fine for him in the end - he's got his visa in hand and will be in the US in 2 weeks!

My fiance had his medical interview in London last week, where I attended as well. Nick has two minor past crimes on his record, one involving simple assault. The medical interviewer was questioning him heavily on if this was an alcohol-related offence of not. He answered truthfully that it was not. His court records do not have toxicology reports on them, but he wasn't drunk at the time and the court records do not mention anything regarding that. The interviewer asked about how often he drinks now and he answered about 5 beers a week, which is truthful. He has never had an alcohol-related problem. 5 beers a week is clearly not a drinking problem, but he wanted to be honest instead of saying he never drinks, which would have been a lie. My question is if anyone has had experience with this? The interviewer seemed satisfied that he had answered all questions in the positive. We aren't expecting any problems, but I wanted to see what everyone thought. Thank you!

[sassafrass417 0]

Thanks for the reply! That makes me feel better, although not sure how it could be listed on his police report as "alcohol-related" and he wasn't questioned on it?? Lucky I guess! Nick's truly wasn't alcohol-related and we don't supposed he will have any issues at the interview, just wanted to check around I guess. 5 beers in a week to a Englishman is nothing, but the same can't always be said for Americans!

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

My fiance had his medical interview in London last week, where I attended as well. Nick has two minor past crimes on his record, one involving simple assault. The medical interviewer was questioning him heavily on if this was an alcohol-related offence of not. He answered truthfully that it was not. His court records do not have toxicology reports on them, but he wasn't drunk at the time and the court records do not mention anything regarding that. The interviewer asked about how often he drinks now and he answered about 5 beers a week, which is truthful. He has never had an alcohol-related problem. 5 beers a week is clearly not a drinking problem, but he wanted to be honest instead of saying he never drinks, which would have been a lie. My question is if anyone has had experience with this? The interviewer seemed satisfied that he had answered all questions in the positive. We aren't expecting any problems, but I wanted to see what everyone thought. Thank you!

The intention of the medical is to determine if there are any health related inadmissibility issues. They don't care about the criminal history - that's up to the consular officer to evaluate. Having a drinking or drug problem would be a health related inadmissibility, and having a criminal history that included alcohol or drug related crimes would be a pretty solid indicator that the applicant has a problem. This is why the medical examiner focused on this. It sounds like your fiance's answers were fine. I wouldn't worry about it.

[sassafrass417 0]

The intention of the medical is to determine if there are any health related inadmissibility issues. They don't care about the criminal history - that's up to the consular officer to evaluate. Having a drinking or drug problem would be a health related inadmissibility, and having a criminal history that included alcohol or drug related crimes would be a pretty solid indicator that the applicant has a problem. This is why the medical examiner focused on this. It sounds like your fiance's answers were fine. I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks very much for your response!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

People were often asked about drinking ...even before police reports were taken to the medical. I remember a woman who reported her fiance was being flippant (she said) and told the doctor he would drink 10 pints on an average night out...maybe he even said more. That didn't set well with the doc who requested documentation from a psych exam, his GP etc to determine if he had a substance abuse problem. It got very complicated with an agency in the US having to evaluate his medical documentation while months dragged on. I'm not sure if he ever got the visa.

I think the fact that the doctor seemed satisfied with 5 pints/week and didn't ask for medical follow up means you're good to go.