Doing the medical in advance?

[CharlieTanger 76]

I do understand that the medical exam must be within 6 months prior to the interview.

However, are you aloud to do the medical before you recieve the NOA2? Would that help the hassle after and lessen delay?

[TheAndies 50]

No, unfortunately you cannot do that. You will need your case number from the NVC to book the medical exam and you can't get that number until after your NOA2 has been received by them.

It's a waiting game until NOA2, good luck!

[CharlieTanger 76]

No, unfortunately you cannot do that. You will need your case number from the NVC to book the medical exam and you can't get that number until after your NOA2 has been received by them.

It's a waiting game until NOA2, good luck!

Ah ok, thanks for the info. So I assume then as soon as we are assigned a case number from the NVC we can complete the medical? If even before London receives the packets?

I just want to try and have the least amount of delays as possible by preparing everything (or all of what I can) in advance.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You should spend your time reading up this K1 guide specifically for London.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

[TheAndies 50]

Ah ok, thanks for the info. So I assume then as soon as we are assigned a case number from the NVC we can complete the medical? If even before London receives the packets?

I just want to try and have the least amount of delays as possible by preparing everything (or all of what I can) in advance.

Totally understand where you're coming from. I called NVC and got our case number, then had my fiance book his medical. You really want to make sure that you allow enough time for your file to get from NVC to London before you have your medical exam though. If you book your medical BEFORE your file actually arrives and is processed at London, that could be a disaster - they will forward your exam results to the embassy without a file to go in and it would end up delaying the process even further. That's why when you have the medical, they want you to bring packet 3, which says the embassy has received your file. It would all be wasted if you had your medical and then it had nowhere to go.

So moral of this: yes, you can book your medical once you have your case number, but try and book it for a few weeks ahead so that your case has enough time to make it to the embassy and be processed. You'll be able to see on the CEAC website if it's in transit, been received, etc.

[CharlieTanger 76]

You should spend your time reading up this K1 guide specifically for London.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

Yup! I have been. Thanks!

[TheAndies 50]

You should spend your time reading up this K1 guide specifically for London.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/474161-london-k1-a-complete-guide/

Yes, this guide is amazing and will be your best friend throughout this part of the process!

[CharlieTanger 76]

Totally understand where you're coming from. I called NVC and got our case number, then had my fiance book his medical. You really want to make sure that you allow enough time for your file to get from NVC to London before you have your medical exam though. If you book your medical BEFORE your file actually arrives and is processed at London, that could be a disaster - they will forward your exam results to the embassy without a file to go in and it would end up delaying the process even further. That's why when you have the medical, they want you to bring packet 3, which says the embassy has received your file. It would all be wasted if you had your medical and then it had nowhere to go.

So moral of this: yes, you can book your medical once you have your case number, but try and book it for a few weeks ahead so that your case has enough time to make it to the embassy and be processed. You'll be able to see on the CEAC website if it's in transit, been received, etc.

Great!! Thank you for the information!

Also, about how long does it take to schedule a London medical exam appointment? Is there a long wait?

[TheAndies 50]

Great!! Thank you for the information!

Also, about how long does it take to schedule a London medical exam appointment? Is there a long wait?

Typically just a couple of weeks. Which is why you need to be mindful of when your case physically arrives in London

[CharlieTanger 76]

Typically just a couple of weeks. Which is why you need to be mindful of when your case physically arrives in London

Ok

And you stated that you "called NVC and got our case number, then had my fiance book his medical."

How did you know that your case arrived in London so quickly that you wanted him to book his medical?

[TheAndies 50]

Ok

And you stated that you "called NVC and got our case number, then had my fiance book his medical."

How did you know that your case arrived in London so quickly that you wanted him to book his medical?

After you get your NOA2, you see your USCIS case status update once they send it to the NVC (it says something like "your approved case was sent to the department of state"). The general rule of thumb is to wait two weeks after your NOA2, then you can call the NVC to get your case number. The NVC will also send a letter to the petitioner saying they've received the case and assigned it a number. Calling NVC can be a pain: long hold times, busy signals when trying to get through, etc.

When you have your case number, you are able to call (or email) Knightsbridge - the doctors who are authorized to perform the medical - to book an appointment. You check your status on the CEAC website once you get your case number from the NVC - it will let you know where your case is/what the status is. Again, you want to book your medical a few weeks out to allow for your case file to be received by London.

I checked your timeline, since your NOA1 was in January, you still have several months to wait until you get to this post-NOA2 stage. So you have ample time - read the London specific K1 guide that was posted above and follow some of the tips (like make sure the beneficiary's vaccinations are in order!) . All the info is there and is really, really helpful.