Medical examination - Sydney/ACT

[ArranNZ 0]

Hello all - while this is my first post here, I just wanted to say for starters that this website has been a great resource for my fiancee and I as we go through this process. I'm a New Zealander living in Australia, and Jane is in Chicago. We're actually quite far along with the K1 process; the initial petition was filed around May and was approved barely two months later (!!). However, even this far along, a couple of concerns have cropped up.

While we didn't receive Pkt 3 until near the end of August, the "priority date" listed is July 30. I was actually in Chicago visiting Jane when this arrived, so it was a couple of weeks before I could get on to gathering some of the things I need (a bit difficult to organise police certificates etc from another country). I needed my mum to send over my baby book (for vaccination records) and birth certificate from NZ before I could see about organising my medical examination, and only received that yesterday. So I ring the doctor listed in Canberra (where I live currently) to organise the examination, only to find that Dr Lee doesn't do that any more. I have no big problem going to Sydney for it, but I've also found out that Dr Millar has retired, leaving me only Dr Waks. So I called up that clinic today only to find...Dr Waks is on leave for several weeks. They said they'd call me back if they found there were any alternatives, but that was many hours ago now and I'm assuming I'll just have to bite the bullet and get an appointment with Dr Waks whenever I can.

I don't REALLY mind waiting a bit to get the examination done in theory, but isn't there a four-month clock on getting everything together? Did this clock start ticking on July 30, even though we didn't receive Pkt 3 until weeks after? My concern is that I won't be able to get an appointment with Dr Waks for some time, there's no alternatives to him, and given that nearly two months have passed since the priority date, that there's at least a slight possibility that time could run out.

I'm probably just worrying too much, but it seems a bit rough that there's only ONE doctor in the ACT and Sydney areas that can do the examination, and he's on leave. I feel like the clock is ticking and I've screwed up a bit by not organising the medical earlier.

[Touch of Treble 39]

Hello all - while this is my first post here, I just wanted to say for starters that this website has been a great resource for my fiancee and I as we go through this process. I'm a New Zealander living in Australia, and Jane is in Chicago. We're actually quite far along with the K1 process; the initial petition was filed around May and was approved barely two months later (!!). However, even this far along, a couple of concerns have cropped up.

While we didn't receive Pkt 3 until near the end of August, the "priority date" listed is July 30. I was actually in Chicago visiting Jane when this arrived, so it was a couple of weeks before I could get on to gathering some of the things I need (a bit difficult to organise police certificates etc from another country). I needed my mum to send over my baby book (for vaccination records) and birth certificate from NZ before I could see about organising my medical examination, and only received that yesterday. So I ring the doctor listed in Canberra (where I live currently) to organise the examination, only to find that Dr Lee doesn't do that any more. I have no big problem going to Sydney for it, but I've also found out that Dr Millar has retired, leaving me only Dr Waks. So I called up that clinic today only to find...Dr Waks is on leave for several weeks. They said they'd call me back if they found there were any alternatives, but that was many hours ago now and I'm assuming I'll just have to bite the bullet and get an appointment with Dr Waks whenever I can.

I don't REALLY mind waiting a bit to get the examination done in theory, but isn't there a four-month clock on getting everything together? Did this clock start ticking on July 30, even though we didn't receive Pkt 3 until weeks after? My concern is that I won't be able to get an appointment with Dr Waks for some time, there's no alternatives to him, and given that nearly two months have passed since the priority date, that there's at least a slight possibility that time could run out.

I can understand how frustrating this would be for you. There is only one Dr down here in Hobart too, and there is a 2-3 week delay in making an appointment even when he is not on leave. You could consider making at appointment with a Dr In Melb, it's not that much further away than Canberra. There is a post on here, not sure but a hunt will find it, giving quite a detailed post on the Med report done in Melb.

Hope that helps...

[ArranNZ 0]

Thanks for your reply. Melbourne seems a little bit far, but I guess that could probably be an option if it turns out I can't see Dr Waks for ages. Having to wait a few weeks is no big deal, I'm just crossing my fingers it's not much longer than that.

It bugs me a little that I can't just get everything done at any old doctor, but the process is what the process is. I'm just a worrier.

[Lainie B 465]

I agree, try the Melbourne doctor. I was able to get an appointment with the Melbourne doctor within a couple of days

[Barbara J 115]

I agree, try the Melbourne doctor. I was able to get an appointment with the Melbourne doctor within a couple of days

Melbourne is way to far to travel from Canberra when Sydney is only 2 and 1/2 hours away/

[ArranNZ 0]

Well, five to six hours of driving to Melbourne might still be preferable to waiting for weeks to get in to the place in Sydney. I'm happy to keep it as an option just in case - I have family in Melbourne anyway.

[Barbara J 115]

Hello all - while this is my first post here, I just wanted to say for starters that this website has been a great resource for my fiancee and I as we go through this process. I'm a New Zealander living in Australia, and Jane is in Chicago. We're actually quite far along with the K1 process; the initial petition was filed around May and was approved barely two months later (!!). However, even this far along, a couple of concerns have cropped up.

While we didn't receive Pkt 3 until near the end of August, the "priority date" listed is July 30. I was actually in Chicago visiting Jane when this arrived, so it was a couple of weeks before I could get on to gathering some of the things I need (a bit difficult to organise police certificates etc from another country). I needed my mum to send over my baby book (for vaccination records) and birth certificate from NZ before I could see about organising my medical examination, and only received that yesterday. So I ring the doctor listed in Canberra (where I live currently) to organise the examination, only to find that Dr Lee doesn't do that any more. I have no big problem going to Sydney for it, but I've also found out that Dr Millar has retired, leaving me only Dr Waks. So I called up that clinic today only to find...Dr Waks is on leave for several weeks. They said they'd call me back if they found there were any alternatives, but that was many hours ago now and I'm assuming I'll just have to bite the bullet and get an appointment with Dr Waks whenever I can.

I don't REALLY mind waiting a bit to get the examination done in theory, but isn't there a four-month clock on getting everything together? Did this clock start ticking on July 30, even though we didn't receive Pkt 3 until weeks after? My concern is that I won't be able to get an appointment with Dr Waks for some time, there's no alternatives to him, and given that nearly two months have passed since the priority date, that there's at least a slight possibility that time could run out.

I'm probably just worrying too much, but it seems a bit rough that there's only ONE doctor in the ACT and Sydney areas that can do the examination, and he's on leave. I feel like the clock is ticking and I've screwed up a bit by not organising the medical earlier.

Ok well Dr Millar must have just retired as some have used him a few months ago and yes darl you could have avoided all this if you had all this organised earlier but hey too late to worry about that now. Dr Waks is great so ring again Monday and see when you can get his 1st available appointment on his return. Have you got your police report done yet? You need to get that done ASAP as it takes a few weeks to get back to you or I think now they send it straight to the consulate. Gather all your paper work copies of all you need and not sure what you mean by a priority date but the consulate will extend your time automatically as they know these things take time to collect and I would say your 4 months is from August when you got packet 3.

Well, five to six hours of driving to Melbourne might still be preferable to waiting for weeks to get in to the place in Sydney. I'm happy to keep it as an option just in case - I have family in Melbourne anyway.

Totally up to you and hey yeah wait till Monday and if he is gone for 6 weeks then road trip to Melbourne it will be for you. Good luck

[ArranNZ 0]

Form for police report from New Zealand was sent to the consulate a week ago (for an NZ report you give the consulate authority to get it rather than getting it yourself). Appointment for fingerprint check for Australian police report is on Monday - I organised that a while ago, and couldn't get an appointment for two weeks. Lot of people getting reports done in Canberra, I guess.

And yup, Dr Millar is definitely gone. A bit of Googling found this:

http://panelphysicians.org/default.aspx?tabid=10000050

Thanks Barbara, I'm probably just worrying too much, but a few reassuring words from people who have been through the process are a big help!

[Lainie B 465]

I guess it just depends on how much of a hurry you're in to get the visa. The Melbourne doc says it will take 10 working days after the appointment to receive the results (though I got mine back in 7 working days). If you do choose to go to Melbourne for the medical, just think of everyone who is NOT from the Sydney area who must travel to Sydney for their interview

If you're just worried about the 4-month period, I believe that this can be extended by the consulate. You could try contacting them through the email address they used to send you the package 3.

[ArranNZ 0]

Well, I called Sydney and my appointment isn't until November 2. Long time to wait, but even if I'm to assume the clock runs out at the end of November (given that July 30 date listed in Pkt 3), that should still give it enough time. I gather results don't take TOO long to go out, and worse comes to worse I guess I could see about getting an extension given the circumstances.

Sucks having to sit around drumming my fingers for that long, mind you.

[lynJer 7]

Get in the car and drive to Brissy....

There were a couple of doctors at the Central Station clinic, just under the sheraton, who were qualified to do visa medicals.

I too was really pissed off when I was told only a couple of doctors were allowed to give me a medical...but I was more p'd off when they told me the price and how it wasnt claimable thru medicare or private health....incidently if you were applying over here the medical can only be done by certain doctors here, and its 700 bucks - estimate given for my son who was going to get his green card....- cheaper to send him back to australia...

The Doctor is basicllay filling out USA medical forms and conducting the examination under USA guidleines....for those wanting to come to Australia we too have only certain doctors they can use and similiar requirments...Go get all your shots if you can...saves having to pay and get them done at the visa doctor....

[Pamala Bull 4]

i was lucky i got Dr waks on his last day before his holidays . which was 2 weeks before i called.. there was no medical or dr in Adeilade he has retired aswell. Was Ridiculous! i explained this to Sydney embassy and they were fine with me sending packet 3 without the medical results and getting the medical before the interview date, IN the end i sent packet 3 with medical results because the police certificate had delayed the original was done incorrect by SA police. Now i am waiting on my interveiw date my proirity date is may 11th im already passed the 4 month mark.. so if so does that mean i would get a priority for a interveiw?

[Pamala Bull 4]

Novemeber 2nd is far away!! i hope i dont have to wait that long i havent seen my hubby since December 9th 2010!!!

Im now staying in sydney till the interveiw , my family lives here ..and the tickets from sydney to USA are cheapper too!

also i got my medical done in sydney and it only took 2 working days to get back so sydney is the best place , it costed $420 cause i never had vaccination records but they give the needles u are required by your age.

[ArranNZ 0]

Novemeber 2nd is far away!! i hope i dont have to wait that long i havent seen my hubby since December 9th 2010!!!

Im now staying in sydney till the interveiw , my family lives here ..and the tickets from sydney to USA are cheapper too!

also i got my medical done in sydney and it only took 2 working days to get back so sydney is the best place , it costed $420 cause i never had vaccination records but they give the needles u are required by your age.

Good luck! Good to know that the medical results don't take long. I did get confirmation from the consulate that since there was no doctor in my immediate area that I could send Pkt 3 without the results and still get an interview date. I only just had my fingerprints done so I'll have to wait on that before I can send anything anyway.

They also told me that interviews are only done on Tuesday mornings, so I'll just be scheduled for the first available slot once I send the other stuff in. Did not know that.

In regards to getting priority due to your expiry date, I have recently found from clicking around here and other sites that it's apparently not a big deal for them to extend the four-month thing. As long as you got everything in on time, you should be fine. I think!