Getting so frustrated

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Oh and in case anyone hasn't said it, vaccinations are required before you go to the US, because in Australia, the K-1 visa is considered an immigrant visa.

No, they are not. As I said above already.

A K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. The interviews are conducted by the Immigrant Visa Unit(IVU) for ALL consulates, not just Australia. This is because even though the K-1 is non-immigrant, it is a special type and has immigrant intent. It is still non-immigrant though, no matter that it has immigrant intent, and you will enter the US as a non-immigrant visa K-1 holder.

9 FAM 41.108 N1.2 Medical Examination for Fiancé(e)s > http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87492.pdf

a. Since applicants for K visas are essentially intending immigrants, a complete medical examination is required in every case. (See 9 FAM 41.81 N4 (a)(1)). As nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants, fiancé(e) visa applicants technically are not subject to the INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)(ii)) vaccination requirement. However, we (the Department of State) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have agreed that medical exams for fiancé(e) visa applicants should include the vaccination assessment as a matter of expediency. Therefore, you should make every effort to encourage fiancé(e) visa applicants to meet the vaccination requirements before admission to the United States. Nevertheless, you may not refuse K-visa applicants for refusing to meet the vaccination requirements.

It is better to get them and have them marked off on the DS-3025 at the time of the K-1 though. See the link I already posted above.

[MickAmy 26]

In our case, we even knew about the MRV fee because I did that much research. I have done research daily since first talking about getting the visa and still research daily. I tend to over research, if that is possible so I literally knew of all of the fees prior to doing any filing at all. We could have gotten married, as that was one of the options we weighed out, and then filed the spousal visa but again, I researched that as well. Basically this is a learning experience for many and not an easy process. One of the things we first heard is that this will be the biggest stress your relationship will likely go through and it has been. But at the end of the day love brings you together and no amount of stress or time apart is going to change that if you are truly supposed to be together. We were apart just under 7 months this time around before I made a visit to him. Basically our thoughts are no amount of money is too much, even for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck, if you want to be together. Good luck O.P. I really hope you guys the best.

[Lemonslice 4,859]

Vaccinations for the K-1 are NOT required for entry to the US. They are required for the AOS after entry.

They are NOT required for entry into the US for a K-1 visa holder. I posted the link above to cite my source.

They are certainly required in Canada for K-1; so maybe in Australia too. This seems to be country specific (in Canada, they won't release a "completed" medical without all vaccines...)

[Neopol 0]

They are certainly required in Canada for K-1; so maybe in Australia too. This seems to be country specific (in Canada, they won't release a "completed" medical without all vaccines...)

That's what I was saying. I'm pretty sure I've read medical reviews where people said if they didn't have any or all of the vaccinations required, they were given them then and there. While it might not say that the vaccinations are required for the K-1, they are required for the medical. I'll ask tomorrow, since I'll be going with my fiance to get his medical done, and I'll let everyone know.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Neopol

[Amhara 460]

That's what I was saying. I'm pretty sure I've read medical reviews where people said if they didn't have any or all of the vaccinations required, they were given them then and there. While it might not say that the vaccinations are required for the K-1, they are required for the medical. I'll ask tomorrow, since I'll be going with my fiance to get his medical done, and I'll let everyone know.

That's a good idea because that will be good to know for the OP. And I don't like giving bad advice; I don't like the taste of my foot in my mouth! Lol!!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

They are certainly required in Canada for K-1; so maybe in Australia too. This seems to be country specific (in Canada, they won't release a "completed" medical without all vaccines...)

I wonder what happens when someone refuses to get vaccinations, since a K-1 visa cannot be denied for lack of vaccinations. They are not a requirement for a K-1 visa because it is a non-immigrant visa. They are not actually required until filing for AOS.

All that said, I think it is good for people to get all the required vaccinations before, or at the time of the K-1 medical. It cuts out the hassle of dealing with that and civil surgeons once in the US and needing to file for AOS. I think it would make it better if they required the vaccinations for K-1 visas too, and then all countries would have to give them at the medicals so it is the same for all across the boards.

[Lemonslice 4,859]

I wonder what happens when someone refuses to get vaccinations, since a K-1 visa cannot be denied for lack of vaccinations. They are not a requirement for a K-1 visa because it is a non-immigrant visa. They are not actually required until filing for AOS.

All that said, I think it is good for people to get all the required vaccinations before, or at the time of the K-1 medical. It cuts out the hassle of dealing with that and civil surgeons once in the US and needing to file for AOS. I think it would make it better if they required the vaccinations for K-1 visas too, and then all countries would have to give them at the medicals so it is the same for all across the boards.

I think I remember stories in the Canada forum where they were in AP until they could bring in a completed medical. If I'm not mistaken, the doctors will not release the medical without the vaccines, so it can't be brought to the interview.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I find it strange that certain countries force the vaccinations for K-1 applicants. Besides the Foreign Affairs Manual, even the CDC's technical instructions for panel physicians state that they are not required for a K visa > http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/vaccination-panel-technical-instructions.html#status

Vaccination Documentation for Refugees and Non-Immigrant Applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has determined that vaccination requirements do not apply to refugees and non-immigrants, such as V or K visa applicants, at the time of their initial admission to the United States. However, V and K visa holders in addition to refugees must meet the vaccination requirements when applying for adjustment of status or permanent resident status in the United States (one year or more after arrival). Therefore, for refugee applicants, panel physicians must complete a U.S. Department of State Vaccination Documentation Worksheet (DS-3025) if reliable documents are available.

[Ausa 66]

I'll ask tomorrow, since I'll be going with my fiance to get his medical done, and I'll let everyone know.

Hope the medical went well...did you get an answer?!

[Neopol 0]

Hey, it's the Aussie Fiance here.. sorry for slack reply, had quite a busy week so far. We actually got our interview date today! 6th of Oct! Such a relief..and surprisingly soon!

I wonder what happens when someone refuses to get vaccinations

Hope the medical went well...did you get an answer?!

So at my Medical on Monday, I did have to get 2 vaccinations. The doctor was super nice and helpful, we asked a couple of questions, and he explained if there is vaccinations/ boosters that are required and I didn't have them there, the medical doesn't move forward. He said you could submit a compassionate refusal form or something like that, I can't recall exactly what the name of the form was, but that would put the whole case on a different pile and probably extend your wait until your interview. So yeah, it would seem as far as the medical is concerned (in Brisbane anyway) vaccinations are necessary.

It's probably worth mentioning that it ended up costing us $505 in total for the medical and the 2 additional vaccines, which was kind of surprising as we were originally told that it would cost $485 for the medical, and those vaccinations aren't exactly cheap, we'll post the receipt in our pictures sometime soon if anyone is interested. I did ask if the vaccinations would be cheaper if I had of just gone to a normal GP first, and he said they're the same price everywhere, and it's likely that Medicare (our free health care) wouldn't have covered any costs as this is all a 'lifestyle choice'

Anyway, that was long winded, but I hope it helps =D

Justin.

[elephanzo 4]

Hey, it's the Aussie Fiance here.. sorry for slack reply, had quite a busy week so far. We actually got our interview date today! 6th of Oct! Such a relief..and surprisingly soon!

So at my Medical on Monday, I did have to get 2 vaccinations. The doctor was super nice and helpful, we asked a couple of questions, and he explained if there is vaccinations/ boosters that are required and I didn't have them there, the medical doesn't move forward. He said you could submit a compassionate refusal form or something like that, I can't recall exactly what the name of the form was, but that would put the whole case on a different pile and probably extend your wait until your interview. So yeah, it would seem as far as the medical is concerned (in Brisbane anyway) vaccinations are necessary.

It's probably worth mentioning that it ended up costing us $505 in total for the medical and the 2 additional vaccines, which was kind of surprising as we were originally told that it would cost $485 for the medical, and those vaccinations aren't exactly cheap, we'll post the receipt in our pictures sometime soon if anyone is interested. I did ask if the vaccinations would be cheaper if I had of just gone to a normal GP first, and he said they're the same price everywhere, and it's likely that Medicare (our free health care) wouldn't have covered any costs as this is all a 'lifestyle choice'

Anyway, that was long winded, but I hope it helps =D

Justin.

Thank you for keeping us updated Justin! My fiancé has his medical tomorrow in Brisbane as well so hopefully the cost will be about the same.

[Neopol 0]

Thank you for keeping us updated Justin! My fiancé has his medical tomorrow in Brisbane as well so hopefully the cost will be about the same.

Yeah no worries. That's awesome news! It's a slightly uncomfortable process, but nothing to worry about. Hopefully he gets Dr Kable, he was a lovely guy. Got a call today saying my results were ready to be collected, and it was done on Monday, so it would seem they get it all sorted nice a quick.

Good luck to your fiancé! I'm sure it'll all go smoothly =)

[MADDEN 40]

I noticed at the medical it says you need an x-ray, is the x-ray compulsory ? And what exactly is the x-ray screening for?

[Lemonslice 4,859]

I noticed at the medical it says you need an x-ray, is the x-ray compulsory ? And what exactly is the x-ray screening for?

compulsory - tuberculosis lungs screening.