Medical Exam Day 1 at SLEC (K1 Visa) | Update

[marryingparis 3]

This is a long one, people!

After a few months of obsessive researching and stressing out, I finally went in for my medical exam today. I'm not planning on doing my visa interview until late March (slots haven't opened yet)*, when the fiancé would be here, but I decided to have my medical exam done at least a month earlier because I knew that there was a high probability that I was going to be asked to come back to see their in-house psychiatrist for a Personality Evaluation Test for my MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). From what I've read on a few threads, this is usually scheduled 2-4 weeks after Day 1, hence the month-long allowance I was giving between the medical exam and visa interview.

I came prepared with 5 sets of copies of the medical certificate from my psychiatrist, my latest prescriptions, and a letter from the fiancé's dad, who's a clinical psychologist, that basically just says that he's willing and able to refer me to a mental health professional when I get to the US (Thank you to VJ member, kris&me, who suggested this!). They only took one set of this. As expected, I was told by the GP that I had to come back to do the PET with their in-house psychiatrist.

Backtracking about the visa interview scheduling, another VJ member suggested that I schedule an earlier interview date anyway, since the guard at SLEC will ask you for your interview confirmation letter and will not let you in without it (more on this later). I could then just reschedule this interview for a later date. So that's what I did. I managed to snag the last available slot for February, which was on the 22nd. (I've canceled this appointment today so as not to take away from someone who might actually need it.)

At Room N on the 1st floor of SLEC, where you're given the next step in your medical exam process after Day 1, the very nice lady again explained to me that I had to do the test, which has to be scheduled on a different day, to which I just replied a chirpy, "Okay!" She asked me to come back at 1:30 for my x-ray results, after which, she could determine what the next step was for me. This was around 11am. I came back at exactly 1:30, and was called in a little before 2:00. First thing she said was that there were no irregular findings on my x-ray. (Whoop!) Then she said that I've been scheduled to see the psychiatrist tomorrow at 8am. I did not expect that at all. I was expecting at least a 2-week wait. She then added that test results usually come back in 2-3 days, and if they do, I am to get immunized on the same day, which means I would probably make my February 22 interview appointment (which, again, I wasn't going to keep. But she didn't need to know that.) She was really nice about it all. Actually, she was the nicest out of all the people I dealt with today. Should have gotten her name!

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A quick recap of today:

- I arrived at 2:30 am and was #6.

- Went in a 4:30 am.

- Process started at 5:30 am.

- All procedures done by 11:00 am.

- Had lunch.

- Came back for the x-ray results and further instructions at 1:30 pm.

- Out by 2:00 pm.

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An observation:

- The information on the medical exam requirements from different sources vary. When I called SLEC last Friday to ask about the required confirmed interview appointment, I was told that it wasn't necessary as long as I had my NVC Letter with my MNL Case Number on it. (I think I spoke with the same lady that was in Room N, mentioned above). On SLEC's website, it states that you should bring your Visa Interview Appointment Confirmation if available. On the Philippine US Embassy's website, it is not listed as a requirement at all. On the SLEC security guard's podium, you are asked to present your passport, SLEC appointment letter, and 2x2" ID photos. Different threads on this forum state varied sets of requirements, too.

- In short, these requirements that should be simple, straightforward, and standardized, are a heck of a headache.

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What the Guard on Duty actually asked us to present today:

- Passport.

- One (1) photocopy of passport's biographic data page.

- Two (2) copies of the SLEC online registration form. (SLEC's website only asks for one copy. The guard ended up giving me the other one back.)

- One (1) copy of the NVC letter/email with your case number. (Funny thing was, he didn't actually take the page that had my case number on it. He only took the first page and gave the other 2 back to me. Again, you'll see on SLEC's website that they actually ask you to bring 2 copies of this.)

- Four (4) pieces 2x2" ID photos with your name written on the back.

- Two (2) copies of your Visa Interview Appointment Confirmation. (He referred to this as the "Information Letter". When I asked him what that was, he presented me with a laminated sample of the confirmation page.)

*I wasn't asked for my DS-160.

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So, questions:

- Why on earth is it that all the information about these requirements seem to change/vary?

- Do different guards on duty have their own different sets of requirements as well?

- Why is it that when everything else states, even the SLEC office itself, that you do not need a confirmed visa interview date in order to do the medical exam, the guard still refuses you entry?

- Why do the guards have all the power??

- How hard is it to standardize a simple set of requirements? Like, really.

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And finally, tips:

- Get there as early as humanely possible. The first ones there today got there at 12 am (I know, insane). I was there at 2:30 am, and by 3:30 the line started to grow pretty quickly. By this time, too, it'll be difficult to determine where your place in the queue really is. Meaning, someone could have arrived half an hour after you did, but end up queuing ahead of you anyway. In short, it'll be easier for people to jump the line.

- Bring at least one extra photocopy on top of what they ask you to bring. (You know, in case the guard makes up his own set of requirements again.)

- Bring a pen.

- And a jacket. Everybody says so, and for good reason. It's cold in there, people!

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*Regarding the March interview dates, I'm starting to think that they're not going to open the month at all. Do any of you know if they block off a certain month to cater to a specific type of visa application? I'll call them up to check anyway.

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If you actually read through this entire thing, I applaud you! ?

[cristina16 81]

Read it though.. I need an applause!

WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES, INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RULES ARE HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE.

So, questions:

- Why on earth is it that all the information about these requirements seem to change/vary?

- Do different guards on duty have their own different sets of requirements as well? - I believe that all they asked are in the list of requirements. Maybe less but not any docs not required.

- Why is it that when everything else states, even the SLEC office itself, that you do not need a confirmed visa interview date in order to do the medical exam, the guard still refuses you entry?

- Why do the guards have all the power?? - BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THE DOOR THAT YOU NEED TO GET IN, They guard it like the doors of heaven. they are the person of authority obey or walk away.

- How hard is it to standardize a simple set of requirements? Like, really. - apparently very difficult wherever you go, including govt offices.

[marryingparis 3]

Haha awesome. You've successfully managed to go through the purges of a sleep-deprived brain.

My questions were really just rhetorical, but thanks for answering them anyway. ?

Read it though.. I need an applause!

WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES, INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RULES ARE HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE.

So, questions:

- Why on earth is it that all the information about these requirements seem to change/vary?

- Do different guards on duty have their own different sets of requirements as well? - I believe that all they asked are in the list of requirements. Maybe less but not any docs not required.

- Why is it that when everything else states, even the SLEC office itself, that you do not need a confirmed visa interview date in order to do the medical exam, the guard still refuses you entry?

- Why do the guards have all the power?? - BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THE DOOR THAT YOU NEED TO GET IN, They guard it like the doors of heaven. they are the person of authority obey or walk away.

- How hard is it to standardize a simple set of requirements? Like, really. - apparently very difficult wherever you go, including govt offices.

Edited February 15, 2016 by marryingparis

[marryingparis 3]

Another tip: Be kind and polite to all the SLEC staff members that you will come across. Smile at them. Say hi/good morning/how are you and thank you. Always say thank you.