MEDICAL EXAM

[scioverel 0]

Hola! I'm planning to do my medical exam on the 17th and 18th since my interview's on Dec 26.. Any tips for my medical? Can I bring any gadgets? What should I bring for my medical? Thanks in advance..

[TatTot 7]

We have the same medical exam date but my interview will be on the 27th:) Here's the link for the requirements: http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs and yes, I believe you can bring gadgets, Good luck!

[CJ8611 6]

Cool! Planning on having my medical on the same dates! Bringing gadgets I think is highly encouraged coz there will be a lot of waiting and you need to keep yourself "entertained" while waiting.

[KrystelKyle 16]

Goodluck and good idea to bring gadget since the waiting time is really boring and expect that there will be too many people?

[scioverel 0]

We have the same medical exam date but my interview will be on the 27th:) Here's the link for the requirements: http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs and yes, I believe you can bring gadgets, Good luck!

Thank you for the link!! oh really? Hope to see you there hehe.. Good luck to us..

Cool! Planning on having my medical on the same dates! Bringing gadgets I think is highly encouraged coz there will be a lot of waiting and you need to keep yourself "entertained" while waiting.

Wee thats great! Hope to see you there.

[scioverel 0]

Goodluck and good idea to bring gadget since the waiting time is really boring and expect that there will be too many people?

Thank you so much!! Hope we won't wait that long lol

[TatTot 7]

Cool! Planning on having my medical on the same dates! Bringing gadgets I think is highly encouraged coz there will be a lot of waiting and you need to keep yourself "entertained" while waiting.

Thank you for the link!! oh really? Hope to see you there hehe.. Good luck to us..

Great! Hope to see you both!!! God bless!

[Bron Chase 1]

Cool! Planning on having my medical on the same dates! Bringing gadgets I think is highly encouraged coz there will be a lot of waiting and you need to keep yourself "entertained" while waiting.

CJ8611, my wife was there this morning and since her previous chest x-ray was in her maiden name (not her married name) they made her get it notarized before they would accept it. Not a big deal, but not something we had thought of; may save you some hassle if this applies to you. Also, if you park along the street there the barangay dude will hit you up for P45 for parking.

- Bron (Makati/Utah)

[Bron Chase 1]

Bron Chase, I wanna know why your wife brought her X-ray film for medical exam. Was she a TB patient before? Did they acknowledge her previous film from other clinic? As I was reading some previous post, other pinays who was treated already years ago brought their old films but SLEC disregard it..pls share your thoughts with us, thank you.

It's my understanding that SLEC uses past x-ray records to compare with the current x-ray to help them see if there has been any change over time in lung appearance. This can help them to make a final determination of whether or not one must undergo the sputum testing. A current x-ray will be taken. My wife has a visible scar from pneumonia so we were hoping that providing proof that the scar hasn't changed in appearance over a long period of time would help them rule in our favor. When you register online for the medical they will ask you to provide the date of your last chest x-ray and request that you bring it to your medical. Good luck

- Bron (Makati/Utah)

[CJ8611 6]

CJ8611, my wife was there this morning and since her previous chest x-ray was in her maiden name (not her married name) they made her get it notarized before they would accept it. Not a big deal, but not something we had thought of; may save you some hassle if this applies to you. Also, if you park along the street there the barangay dude will hit you up for P45 for parking.

- Bron (Makati/Utah)

Thanks Bron! I immediately checked my chest x-ray and it's in my married name already. It was taken last April 2012. When was your wife's x-ray taken? I read that she had pneumonia? The reason which I had to take a chest x-ray was I had rashes on my legs (erythema nodosum) wherein TB is usually the cause. I tested clear for all the TB tests, clear lungs and even for the skin test. Anyhow, I plan on bringing both x-ray and skin test result just for comparison. Preparing P45 for that parking! >.<

Did she have it notarized still or just went with the x-ray at SLEC? Hope all's good with the rest of her medical.

Thanks again!

Edited December 10, 2012 by CJ8611

[Bron Chase 1]

Thanks Bron! I immediately checked my chest x-ray and it's in my married name already. It was taken last April 2012. When was your wife's x-ray taken? I read that she had pneumonia? The reason which I had to take a chest x-ray was I had rashes on my legs (erythema nodosum) wherein TB is usually the cause. I tested clear for all the TB tests, clear lungs and even for the skin test. Anyhow, I plan on bringing both x-ray and skin test result just for comparison. Preparing P45 for that parking! >.<

Did she have it notarized still or just went with the x-ray at SLEC? Hope all's good with the rest of her medical.

Thanks again!

During her first day of the medical they had her go across the street to one of the notaries and then come back. Tomorrow is day 3 of her sputum collection; then we wait. She received a chest x-ray at work every year so she had one from last April. I'm working here in the Philippines right now anyway so we're not in a big hurry. Hope all goes well

- Bron (Makati/Utah)

[raf.luv.leah 5]

Hi, I took my medical exam today and here are my tips. Hope they are able to help you.

1. PRE-REGISTER ONLINE AND ARRIVE EARLY. I got there around 6:30 a.m., was #16 for the "online applicant" line, and finished around 12:30 p.m. I can't imagine being there longer because I didn't pre-register! Here is the link: http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

2. SHORT BOND PAPER. There was a nice lady and her cute daughter in front of me and I overheard the personal data encoder telling her that she needed to have her documents on letter size ("short") bond paper (hers was in legal size). I was like ####### in my mind. I'm not sure if this will happen to other people and her papers were still accepted what the heck, it was something I noted.

3. NVC LETTER CONFIRMING MNL CASE NUMBER. Both our personal data encoders asked us for a letter from the NVC confirming our MNL number. We both didn't have this since we got our MNL numbers over the phone. Despite this, they still let us proceed, so don't worry if you don't have it but try to get it for peace of mind. Serendipitously, I received my "letter" maybe 10 minutes after he asked me for it. I e-mailed NVCInquiry@state.gov on 12/4 and got my reply 12/12. I showed it to him from my phone afterward and he said that it was fine, just try to print it and bring it on Day 2.

4. BLACK BALLPEN. I brought a sign pen haha and the ink smudged all over the back of my 2 x 2 visa photo. They sell black ballpens right outside the building, but it would save time to label your photos with your full name beforehand.

(Remember to bring ALL the requirements! I brought my passport, photocopy of passport, 2 copies of the completed SLEC online pre-registration form, printout of SLEC Online Registration Confirmation e-mail, printout of visa interview Appointment Confirmation e-mail, 2 2 x 2 photo with white background - had to write full name on the back. Bring a black ballpen because you will fill out a few forms and a jacket because it's cold in some floors. Also a bottle of water and snacks if you're the hungry type. Fully charge your phone because there will be a LOT of waiting. Skip the iPod/headphones because most queues will have your name called out and you don't want to miss that.)

5. BE CONFIDENT AND MAKE FRIENDS. On a positive note, constantly borrowing random people's pens made me gain new friends. Looking back, the medical exam was not difficult, just extremely time consuming. It helped to have someone to talk to during waiting. The lady with the cute daughter and I are now friends on Facebook. :-)

PROCESS FLOW:

1. Personal data encoding (1st floor)

2. Payment (5th floor - cash only - P9366 for adult)

3. Vital signs

4. X-ray

5. Blood sample (Yes, they will use a needle but it was quick and painless!)

6. Urine sample

7. Eye exam, height/weight

7.b. If you have a K-2, there's an additional part here for the child's tests/vaccines

8. Physical (Yes, they will ask you to get naked but again, quick and painlesss! Also, a female doctor will examine you.)

9. Immunization interview (No actual shots yet, just a briefing of what vaccines you can expect to get.)

THINGS THEY WILL ASK YOU:

1. 1st and last day of last menstruation

2. Previous instances of hospitalization (I said I had no recent ones and that I didn't remember any as a kid.)

3. Vaccination history (I said I didn't remember but showed her my vaccine scar on my right arm/shoulder.)

4. Illness history (Cancer, diabetes, asthma, convulsions, dog/cat bites, etc. - I said no to all of those. The only one I said yes to was chickenpox hehe)

5. Sexual contact (I WISH!! LOL JK) (SRSLY DON'T HAVE SEX!) (UNTIL MARRIAGE) (JK AGAIN HEHEHE)

That's it. I hope we all get good results tomorrow!

[CJ8611 6]

Wow, 6 hours in the making! Bottled water and snacks are definitely a must! I am the hungry type!

About the physical exam, is it extensive or it's just the regular physical exam? I just have bruises right now on my calves because of play bites from my puppy (I easily bruise), just worried about being "questioned" or being accused of hurting myself, lol!

Thanks for sharing!

That info about documents in short bond paper is new! Really huh, must be in short bond size.

Hi, I took my medical exam today and here are my tips. Hope they are able to help you.

1. PRE-REGISTER ONLINE AND ARRIVE EARLY. I got there around 6:30 a.m., was #16 for the "online applicant" line, and finished around 12:30 p.m. I can't imagine being there longer because I didn't pre-register! Here is the link: http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

2. SHORT BOND PAPER. There was a nice lady and her cute daughter in front of me and I overheard the personal data encoder telling her that she needed to have her documents on letter size ("short") bond paper (hers was in legal size). I was like ####### in my mind. I'm not sure if this will happen to other people and her papers were still accepted what the heck, it was something I noted.

3. NVC LETTER CONFIRMING MNL CASE NUMBER. Both our personal data encoders asked us for a letter from the NVC confirming our MNL number. We both didn't have this since we got our MNL numbers over the phone. Despite this, they still let us proceed, so don't worry if you don't have it but try to get it for peace of mind. Serendipitously, I received my "letter" maybe 10 minutes after he asked me for it. I e-mailed NVCInquiry@state.gov on 12/4 and got my reply 12/12. I showed it to him from my phone afterward and he said that it was fine, just try to print it and bring it on Day 2.

4. BLACK BALLPEN. I brought a sign pen haha and the ink smudged all over the back of my 2 x 2 visa photo. They sell black ballpens right outside the building, but it would save time to label your photos with your full name beforehand.

(Remember to bring ALL the requirements! I brought my passport, photocopy of passport, 2 copies of the completed SLEC online pre-registration form, printout of SLEC Online Registration Confirmation e-mail, printout of visa interview Appointment Confirmation e-mail, 2 2 x 2 photo with white background - had to write full name on the back. Bring a black ballpen because you will fill out a few forms and a jacket because it's cold in some floors. Also a bottle of water and snacks if you're the hungry type. Fully charge your phone because there will be a LOT of waiting. Skip the iPod/headphones because most queues will have your name called out and you don't want to miss that.)

5. BE CONFIDENT AND MAKE FRIENDS. On a positive note, constantly borrowing random people's pens made me gain new friends. Looking back, the medical exam was not difficult, just extremely time consuming. It helped to have someone to talk to during waiting. The lady with the cute daughter and I are now friends on Facebook. :-)

PROCESS FLOW:

1. Personal data encoding (1st floor)

2. Payment (5th floor - cash only - P9366 for adult)

3. Vital signs

4. X-ray

5. Blood sample (Yes, they will use a needle but it was quick and painless!)

6. Urine sample

7. Eye exam, height/weight

7.b. If you have a K-2, there's an additional part here for the child's tests/vaccines

8. Physical (Yes, they will ask you to get naked but again, quick and painlesss! Also, a female doctor will examine you.)

9. Immunization interview (No actual shots yet, just a briefing of what vaccines you can expect to get.)

THINGS THEY WILL ASK YOU:

1. 1st and last day of last menstruation

2. Previous instances of hospitalization (I said I had no recent ones and that I didn't remember any as a kid.)

3. Vaccination history (I said I didn't remember but showed her my vaccine scar on my right arm/shoulder.)

4. Illness history (Cancer, diabetes, asthma, convulsions, dog/cat bites, etc. - I said no to all of those. The only one I said yes to was chickenpox hehe)

5. Sexual contact (I WISH!! LOL JK) (SRSLY DON'T HAVE SEX!) (UNTIL MARRIAGE) (JK AGAIN HEHEHE)

That's it. I hope we all get good results tomorrow!

[raf.luv.leah 5]

Wow, 6 hours in the making! Bottled water and snacks are definitely a must! I am the hungry type!

I mostly saw people with a small bottle of mineral water and biscuits in their purse. No big bags of chips or anything, try to be inconspicuous.

About the physical exam, is it extensive or it's just the regular physical exam? I just have bruises right now on my calves because of play bites from my puppy (I easily bruise), just worried about being "questioned" or being accused of hurting myself, lol!

I think you will be fine with the bruises thing! I have a small bluish spot on my shoulder and the doctor asked what it was and I explained that it was a birthmark and she just nodded. I think they just make you get naked to put notes on your record about tattoos and other distinguishing features. As for the exam, mine was just the regular one - it took maybe 10 minutes. She made me lie on the bed in my birthday suit, pressed my breasts for lumps, took a quick look between my legs (no touching), and that was it.

Thanks for sharing!

That info about documents in short bond paper is new! Really huh, must be in short bond size.

They still accepted my friend's papers in the end. The whole situation was a rattling, though. It was the first step of the long day ahead and to have the personnel already telling you that your documents are "wrong" that early - it was quite stressful (and that's just to me, a bystander! Thank heavens my friend was able to exhibit grace under pressure). I don't think it's really necessary - the SLEC receptionist was probably just OC and didn't want to file a non-standard paper size. They should have absolutely NO grounds to refuse requirements because of that. If they do, throw a tantrum! Haha

[Hank_ 9,174]

The NVC letter isn't required, SLEC website states they want the appointment letter from the embassy OR the instructions letter from NVC, IF available. SLEC always asks for the NVC letter but as long as you have your appointment letter from the embassy (or confirmation page from scheduling online) all is good.

SLEC website

The NVC instruction letter may be more common with those doing the IR/CR-1 visa process.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Hank_