Medical conditions that effect the K1 visa

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Hi everyone! I was hoping some of you could relate any information or personal experiences that might be helpful for our visa process for the K1.

Since I left my fiancee in January - I had been staying with her in our own place, and with family, for the entire month - a heart condition she had been unknowingly developing over the years was aggravated and worsened once I left her. Ever since I knew her she was feeling well, with the exception of her anemic condition she was born with, and there were no symptoms she was having to be worried about. Not long after I left her though, she started having chest pain and numbness in her left arm - so we obviously were scared and worried about what was going on. So she got tested and went to the Cardiologist, and her condition was revealed. It seems that due to years of severe stress and emotional pain she was under, her ended up taking the brunt of the stress and now she is paying for it. Long story short, she has a form of heart disease, but it seems to be treatable with exercise, proper diet, getting the right intake of vitamins and supplements, and she also going to the acupuncturist every week; so far everything has been having a positive effect on her condition, but it will take more time.

I don't know if any of this information I'm providing to you is relevant, but we're hoping this isn't a condition that will disqualify her from us having a life together here in the US. From my understanding, only diseases which are communicable to others are typically reasons for immigration to refuse a Visa to someone - is that right? Due to her condition, is this a valid reason to file for a expedite due to a health problem? Living in Manila and being separated is undoubtedly contributing to her condition getting worse. If she could leave the city's pollution, escape the daily stress for the safety and well-being of her life, and for us to be united again, I know she would be fine again and I could help her the way she needs - not to mention having access to better quality healthcare and living conditions.

I'd also like to mention that we're both fairly young (both 27 years old), and I used to have a condition similar to her. I corrected my heart condition with similar treatment to what she is doing now as well. Due to the stress and daily worry I'm going through though, I feel some of my old symptoms returning again, and the emotional stress is undoubtedly taking it's toll on my health as well. So I might be going to a doctor for my own health soon enough if this visa isn't finished in a reasonable amount of time.

There's plenty of other questions I have, but I guess this is the most immediate concern we have right now. So can anyone offer any helpful advice as to what we should do? I've been told by most people that we shouldn't say anything to immigration about her condition, and I'm thinking that is what we will do most likely if her condition continues to improve; although, if we are separated for a lot longer, I know the stress is going to be too much for her to manage right now. So I guess we're just stuck in limbo right now waiting for our NOA2....

PS we were granted our NOA1 in early February.

Edited April 30, 2012 by SteelFaithU2

[Inky 1,111]

Mental health issues can also stop a visa from being issued. Not just communicable diseases.

You can try to request an expedite but its not likely.

Call USCIS and request the expedite then provide them with the doctors notes and proof that this is urgent and she needs to have the case expedited.

If they say no it wont do anything negative to the case.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hi everyone! I was hoping some of you could relate any information or personal experiences that might be helpful for our visa process for the K1.

Since I left my fiancee in January - I had been staying with her in our own place, and with family, for the entire month - a heart condition she had been unknowingly developing over the years was aggravated and worsened once I left her. Ever since I knew her she was feeling well, with the exception of her anemic condition she was born with, and there were no symptoms she was having to be worried about. Not long after I left her though, she started having chest pain and numbness in her left arm - so we obviously were scared and worried about what was going on. So she got tested and went to the Cardiologist, and her condition was revealed. It seems that due to years of severe stress and emotional pain she was under, her ended up taking the brunt of the stress and now she is paying for it. Long story short, she has a form of heart disease, but it seems to be treatable with exercise, proper diet, getting the right intake of vitamins and supplements, and she also going to the acupuncturist every week; so far everything has been having a positive effect on her condition, but it will take more time.

I don't know if any of this information I'm providing to you is relevant, but we're hoping this isn't a condition that will disqualify her from us having a life together here in the US. From my understanding, only diseases which are communicable to others are typically reasons for immigration to refuse a Visa to someone - is that right? Due to her condition, is this a valid reason to file for a expedite due to a health problem? Living in Manila and being separated is undoubtedly contributing to her condition getting worse. If she could leave the city's pollution, escape the daily stress for the safety and well-being of her life, and for us to be united again, I know she would be fine again and I could help her the way she needs - not to mention having access to better quality healthcare and living conditions.

I'd also like to mention that we're both fairly young (both 27 years old), and I used to have a condition similar to her. I corrected my heart condition with similar treatment to what she is doing now as well. Due to the stress and daily worry I'm going through though, I feel some of my old symptoms returning again, and the emotional stress is undoubtedly taking it's toll on my health as well. So I might be going to a doctor for my own health soon enough if this visa isn't finished in a reasonable amount of time.

There's plenty of other questions I have, but I guess this is the most immediate concern we have right now. So can anyone offer any helpful advice as to what we should do? I've been told by most people that we shouldn't say anything to immigration about her condition, and I'm thinking that is what we will do most likely if her condition continues to improve; although, if we are separated for a lot longer, I know the stress is going to be too much for her to manage right now. So I guess we're just stuck in limbo right now waiting for our NOA2....

PS we were granted our NOA1 in early February.

As hard is it is going to be, you need to be strong. Her condition might be uncovered at the medical exam, however it is not a contagious/transmittable disease, thus, it would not matter from the medical point of view; where it could have an effect is (in the eyes of the VO at embassy -and this is only my personal opinion, but is best to cover all angles-) on potential burden to the health care system here; so, I would prepare documentation related to your health care coverage to demonstrate if needed that you have the means to cover that. No questions might come up, but is always best to be ready. Now, given what you say that is well treatable and that a change for the best is already on going, I'd say that you should not worry unnecessarily and it is imperative that you calm her down as it might be revealed at the medical exam. I'd (and others here will too) advice against trying to cover it. If anything, this might be reason for expediting your petition based on medical reasons.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Sorry to hear of both your health trouble.

Her heart problem won't cause a denial of the visa, but it may make the "public charge" issue more prominent- ie rather than just having to prove you make 125% of the poverty line for your household, the CO may require that you also prove she (including her pre-existing condition) can go under your employer's medical insurance, or you can afford and have looked into private insurance.

Her heart issues will not grant an expedite, as she is the foreigner. Yours might, if you can prove (via doctor's letter) that it is life threatening and having her here would substantially help you.

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Thanks for the replies thus far!

We've both afraid of her being denied due to her condition and it's really aggravating her condition, so that's why we needed to find out if it would really be a reason for a possible denial. Currently I don't even have health coverage myself, but I'm an actively working CNA in private home healthcare; I earn enough income myself to qualify to sponsor her, but my job doesn't provide me health insurance unfortunately, so I've been considering getting a 2nd job for benefits - if need be.

Our plan was for me to come back to stay in the Philippines once we received the NOA2 and the US Embassy of Manilla contacts her; from there I would stay with her and I know we both would feel so much better and she most likely would be able to go to the medical testing and have no problems - God willing. We also thought it would be much better for us both to be together through the process and I can attend any and all interviews she would have with immigration. I'd love for her to come here to visit for a month while we're waiting for the NOA2, but it seems the majority of Filipinos can't travel to the US unless they're wealthy.

If she was ever denied, we're both prepared to make a life for ourselves in the Philippines together - no matter how hard that would be - because all that really matters to us is we are together. We only hoped we could make a life here in the US due to the better quality living conditions and better opportunity for our future kids one day.

[rigstars55 14]

I decided to have my blood test done (CBC) prior to doing the medical for the K1 visa. The result showed low hemoglobin and hematocrit. This suggests that I might have anemia. Also, I frequently have UTI. Should I go for the medical and consult my doctor first and have my anemia corrected? Or it's fine to do the medical and mine isn't communicable one?