Vaccines in Colombia: K1-visa

[Alex-y-Carla 0]

Hello. I have been lurking the forums for a while now and now have a question which my lurking has not provided with an answer. Our K1-visa left the NVC yesterday and is on its way to Bogota.

My fiancee and I are wondering what the vaccination process is and how to make it as inexpensive as possible. From the doctors listed on the packet 3/4, Roa, Dennis, and Caicedo, which is the most trustworthy and least likely to scam. From what I have gathered on the forums, it seems Dr. Roa is the most likely to scam, forcing the beneficiary's to have MMR, Varicella, HPV, and Tdap taken at the exam regardless of if the beneficiary had the vaccine already. The one post I found pertaining to Dr. Dennis just referred to one vaccine. I have not seen anything on Dr. Caicedo.

So my question is, to those in similar situations, which doctor did your fiance(e) have their medical with and what was their experience overall with the doctor? Would it be a waste of time (and money) if we go to the Red Cross and have the vaccines listed above taken there? Another dilemma we face is that her vaccine records are lost. As we are in Bogota, her mother will attempt to recover her vaccine records in Barranquilla on Monday, given that tomorrow is a holiday in Colombia. Any other advice on similar matters is welcomed.

-Edit:

Another issue: Today I called the NVC and they gave me the BGT# and told me the petition was sent yesterday. However, they had my email incorrect and did not have my fiancee's email on record, although I had listed both when I sent the I-129F. Should I contact the U.S. Consulate and verify the details on Monday? Or will the NVC take care of this issue?

Also, the visa fee, is it $240 or $404? On this website I have seen that the fee is $240 for the K visas, however the package 3/4 on the consulate's webpage says $404.

Thank you for the help !

-Alex

Edited July 20, 2012 by Alex-y-Carla

[aws&ndd 103]

The visa fee is $240. Make sure you are viewing the appropriate package on the consulate's webpage. You need the one for K visas (not the first one which is for immigrant visas).

[andrea y arturo 14]

Hello Alex,

The most inexpensive way to meet the vaccination requirement is to have the required shots before the medical appointment. our fiancee can get them at a health department and she has to make sure she takes her Carnet de Vacunas when she goes to her medical appointment. Try to find the vaccine record. Dr. Dennis is by far the best doctor...very ethical and professional. But don't take my word for it search the forum. I accompanied my fiancee to the medical and he was an excellent doctor. As far as the email situation call the NVC and send an email to the embassy. The embassy responds within 48 hours. Also, as I have advised to others before if you don't foresee any probs with NVC go ahead and schedule your interview if you want a relatively fast interview. The interview fee dropped (yes, dropped) right after we had our interview so the $240 fee is correct.

Good Luck!

Art

Hello. I have been lurking the forums for a while now and now have a question which my lurking has not provided with an answer. Our K1-visa left the NVC yesterday and is on its way to Bogota.

My fiancee and I are wondering what the vaccination process is and how to make it as inexpensive as possible. From the doctors listed on the packet 3/4, Roa, Dennis, and Caicedo, which is the most trustworthy and least likely to scam. From what I have gathered on the forums, it seems Dr. Roa is the most likely to scam, forcing the beneficiary's to have MMR, Varicella, HPV, and Tdap taken at the exam regardless of if the beneficiary had the vaccine already. The one post I found pertaining to Dr. Dennis just referred to one vaccine. I have not seen anything on Dr. Caicedo.

So my question is, to those in similar situations, which doctor did your fiance(e) have their medical with and what was their experience overall with the doctor? Would it be a waste of time (and money) if we go to the Red Cross and have the vaccines listed above taken there? Another dilemma we face is that her vaccine records are lost. As we are in Bogota, her mother will attempt to recover her vaccine records in Barranquilla on Monday, given that tomorrow is a holiday in Colombia. Any other advice on similar matters is welcomed.

-Edit:

Another issue: Today I called the NVC and they gave me the BGT# and told me the petition was sent yesterday. However, they had my email incorrect and did not have my fiancee's email on record, although I had listed both when I sent the I-129F. Should I contact the U.S. Consulate and verify the details on Monday? Or will the NVC take care of this issue?

Also, the visa fee, is it $240 or $404? On this website I have seen that the fee is $240 for the K visas, however the package 3/4 on the consulate's webpage says $404.

Thank you for the help !

-Alex

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

This forum has seen some Bogota filers get the vaccines ahead of time and still get forced to have them done again by the panel physician for immigration. Dr. Roa was involved in those cases, so definitely try to use someone else.

This happens all the time at the US consulates in Latin America. But I've seen some of the most brazen medical-clinic related aggravations happen at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Bogota. I personally would NOT do vaccines ahead of time unless you're willing to risk wasting the extra money and get shot up with the stuff twice!

[D N Medellin COL 75]

........So my question is, to those in similar situations, which doctor did your fiance(e) have their medical with and what was their experience overall with the doctor?

-Alex

Read the experiences in the embassy review section. You can read the comment about my fiancee's experience with Dr. Dennis, the short of it is that he was very respectful, professional and a gentleman even though she was required to completely disrobe for a quick total body exam. Not a problem.

Good luck!

[Julie y Pat 67]

DO NOT go to DR. Roa, the man is a liar. He will tell you shots you got elsewhere are invalid, and he will tell you they are invalid even if he gave them to you. I hope he catches one of the diseases that he sells vaccinations for.

[kmarion1968 5]

see the email i received from the embassy regarding dr roa.

Thank you for your inquiry. I apologize for the delayed response.

I have spoken with Dr. Roa about the vaccination requirements and I am satisfied that he is properly applying Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) regulations. Our panel physicians are responsible for reviewing visa applicants’ shot records and determining what vaccinations are required. If a panel physician is not satisfied that a particular vaccination was properly administered or recorded, s/he has the responsibility to oversee the correct administration of those vaccines. Proper vaccinations play an important role in ensuring the overall health of our society and CDC has instructed panel physicians to pay careful attention to this issue during the immigrant visa process.

Immigrant Visa Chief

U.S. Embassy Bogota

they obviously dont think he is a problem and wont do anything so, all we can do is follow what we are told and jump through hoops. once we have the visa it wont matter it sucks but it is what it is

[kmarion1968 5]

This forum has seen some Bogota filers get the vaccines ahead of time and still get forced to have them done again by the panel physician for immigration. Dr. Roa was involved in those cases, so definitely try to use someone else.

This happens all the time at the US consulates in Latin America. But I've seen some of the most brazen medical-clinic related aggravations happen at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Bogota. I personally would NOT do vaccines ahead of time unless you're willing to risk wasting the extra money and get shot up with the stuff twice!

I agree, in hindsight if it wasnt for the need of my wife due to school requirements, we would have waited as well

[Mononoke28 137]

My husband went to see Dr. Roa as well and he forced him to get new vaccines because the ones he had gotten three months prior were "too old". He also has said people need the influenza vaccine but after doing some research I found out that it is only needed during flu season which runs from 10/01 - 03/31.

In either case, don't be surprised if you're told you need new vaccines, even with the "respectable" doctors. I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Roa and how he approved vaccines for people who got them when they were babies but we all know that it doesn't happen very often. He's a well know thief.

I say that if you can get them for less or even for free somewhere else it doesn't hurt to get them one week, two weeks at the latest, before the exam and hope for the best.

Diana

[Alex-y-Carla 0]

Thank you for the prompt replies!

From the replies, it seems clear that Dr. Roa should be avoided at all cost. So Dr. Dennis it is. I emailed the embassy and awaiting an email to confirm that they updated the information. I called the Department of State this morning and gave them the case number and they told me that the petition has arrived in Bogota.

Art, even though we have not received packet 3/4, we could schedule our interview now?

One more thing, how long do the medical exams remain valid. I am in Bogota with my fiancee until August 1st, but plan to return for the interview. However, I would like to schedule the medical examination prior to leaving. If, in the case the earliest interview possibility is in September, will the medical exams remain valid if they were taken say July 31st? One more thing, the packet 3/4 mentions that the medical exam only accepts cash, is this true? Or do they accept credit cards now? Just in case we do have to cover vaccination fees, I would rather be able to pay with my credit card as an alternative to having to carry a large sum of cash to the medical examination.

One last thing, since it seems Roa is the scammer, if we were to go to the red cross and get the main vaccinations, will Dr. Dennis honor this, or has he been known to also play the "vaccinations are invalid" card?

Thank you again!

[Mononoke28 137]

Thank you for the prompt replies!

From the replies, it seems clear that Dr. Roa should be avoided at all cost. So Dr. Dennis it is. I emailed the embassy and awaiting an email to confirm that they updated the information. I called the Department of State this morning and gave them the case number and they told me that the petition has arrived in Bogota.

Art, even though we have not received packet 3/4, we could schedule our interview now?

One more thing, how long do the medical exams remain valid. I am in Bogota with my fiancee until August 1st, but plan to return for the interview. However, I would like to schedule the medical examination prior to leaving. If, in the case the earliest interview possibility is in September, will the medical exams remain valid if they were taken say July 31st? One more thing, the packet 3/4 mentions that the medical exam only accepts cash, is this true? Or do they accept credit cards now? Just in case we do have to cover vaccination fees, I would rather be able to pay with my credit card as an alternative to having to carry a large sum of cash to the medical examination.

One last thing, since it seems Roa is the scammer, if we were to go to the red cross and get the main vaccinations, will Dr. Dennis honor this, or has he been known to also play the "vaccinations are invalid" card?

Thank you again!

As soon as you know for sure that the embassy has your case you can register at the link given in the instructions package to choose your DHL location, pay for the visa and schedule the interview. So if you're sure they have it you can schedule it now if you want.

The medical exam is valid for 12 months, this is also important information for when your file for AOS. If you file your I-485 12 months after the medical exam, you will need to get a new exam from a USCIS approved civil surgeon.

Most people pay cash (if not all), but call the doctor's office to see if they accept credit cards.

As for Dr. Dennis accepting vaccines that were given by the Red Cross, he should but don't be surprised if he doesn't. These are Colombian doctors we're talking about, so anything is possible.

Diana

[Alex-y-Carla 0]

As soon as you know for sure that the embassy has your case you can register at the link given in the instructions package to choose your DHL location, pay for the visa and schedule the interview. So if you're sure they have it you can schedule it now if you want.

The medical exam is valid for 12 months, this is also important information for when your file for AOS. If you file your I-485 12 months after the medical exam, you will need to get a new exam from a USCIS approved civil surgeon.

Most people pay cash (if not all), but call the doctor's office to see if they accept credit cards.

As for Dr. Dennis accepting vaccines that were given by the Red Cross, he should but don't be surprised if he doesn't. These are Colombian doctors we're talking about, so anything is possible.

Diana

Thanks! I am in the process of scheduling the interview. It asks the following option after I mention the K1 visa:

Immigrant Starting the Process - Fiance of US Citizen

Immigrant Consulate Has Asked You to Schedule - Fiance of US Citizen

The latter option is the one I am choosing. When we call Dennis we'll ask if they accept credit cards, or only cash. Thank you again!

[Alex-y-Carla 0]

Well we went ahead and paid the visa application fee. Interview scheduled for Aug. 17! and medical with Dr. Dennis this Friday =)!

[Mononoke28 137]

Well we went ahead and paid the visa application fee. Interview scheduled for Aug. 17! and medical with Dr. Dennis this Friday =)!

Diana

[Alex-y-Carla 0]

So an update. We went have the laboratory examination on Wednesday. We got there around 6:30 am and there were about 7 people in front of us. They opened the doors at 7:01 and Carla went inside. She mentioned that the staff was for the most part rude but did their job and were fast at it. We were out the door at 7:40.

On Friday, we took the bus at 1pm from Chapinero and headed over to the Fundacion Cardioinfantil for our appointment with Dr. Dennis. We got there around 2:20 and checked-in. At 2:45 they called us in. We had the surprise that the assistant to Dr. Dennis' secretary had gone to college with Carla. He did the eye exam, height, and weight and then we waited outside for Dr. Dennis. When Dr. Dennis called her, she went in and I waited outside. Dr. Dennis was courteous and told her to drop by at 5 to receive the green envelope for travel. He also remarked that the blood work at the laboratory only checks if the applicant has Syphilis and nothing else. Carla did have to get some vaccines, just three, namely S.... The total for the three was 224,000 pesos, and they did accept credit cards. We then waited outside and ate at the cafeterria as we watched the opening ceremony of the Olmypics. At 4:40 we went back to the waiting area. At 4:50 they called us and gave her the green envelope and the x-ray to present at the POE in the U.S. Then we headed home. Now the only remaining obstacle is the interview!

Now a final question:

I leave on Wednesday back to the states, but return on Aug. 11 so that I could also be present at the interview. I have not bought a return flight yet as our plan is to fly back immediately after the receipt of the visa. So the question: Is there a particular DHL pick up (in Bogota) center that is faster in receiving the visa from the consulate. As of now we have chosen the one closest to us, Counter Sta Barbara. It has Saturday hours, so that is good! From your experiences with the process, is there a DHL branch that receives the visa faster than others (say, the branch closest to the embassy?). Given that our interview is on Friday Aug. 17 and Monday Aug. 20 is a holiday in Colombia, what is the most likely date that we can pick up the visa?

Once again, thank you so much for your help and expertise on the visa process =)! This forum has definately made our process much simpler and less stressful, thank you.

-Alex and Carla