Medical exam in Ethiopia

[mlouiser 0]

Hello Maggie,

So does it mean that without this "Embassy confirmation and instruction letter", one can not attend the interview after scheduling for it even when one has the "Visa Application and Interview Confirmation"? Just wondering if the email is in lieu of the so called "packet 3." Good luck to you and also to Will on Aug 29.

Not too sure on that... It wasn't made clear, but the wording of the letter makes it sound like the embassy should give you the go-ahead before the interview date, or it could cause delays?

"This office is ready to begin your approved I­129 petition filed your behalf. "

Definitely not certain on that answer though, but if I hear anything more on that I will keep this thread updated.

[willnmahi 2]

Thanks for the information. So just to be clear, the email didn't contain anything new or specialized for your case, it was just them acknowledging that they are ready for the interview and just a list of documents to bring?

[Habesha Love 7]

Not too sure on that... It wasn't made clear, but the wording of the letter makes it sound like the embassy should give you the go-ahead before the interview date, or it could cause delays?

"This office is ready to begin your approved I­129 petition filed your behalf. "

Definitely not certain on that answer though, but if I hear anything more on that I will keep this thread updated.

Ok thanks Maggie.

[krschweit 0]

Hi all! I appreciate this thread immensely; we just received our NOA 2 over a week ago and we are already discussing what he needs to prepare for for his interview and we have also been wondering if he can move forward with these preparation steps even though I've told him he needs to wait for official confirmation from the embassy that they're ready to process his visa. I will be watching for updates on this thread too! Best of luck to you all.

[willnmahi 2]

Hi all! I appreciate this thread immensely; we just received our NOA 2 over a week ago and we are already discussing what he needs to prepare for for his interview and we have also been wondering if he can move forward with these preparation steps even though I've told him he needs to wait for official confirmation from the embassy that they're ready to process his visa. I will be watching for updates on this thread too! Best of luck to you all.

Our interview date is rapidly approaching but I'll let you know if I find out any new information. I still haven't received an email back from the embassy but we have completed all the other steps in the process (medical, fees, police etc....).

[Habesha Love 7]

Our interview date is rapidly approaching but I'll let you know if I find out any new information. I still haven't received an email back from the embassy but we have completed all the other steps in the process (medical, fees, police etc....).

How long did it take to get the medical back? And do you think that's standard procedure or it just depends on which physician you end up visiting? What about the police clearance? How long. Thanks.

[willnmahi 2]

How long did it take to get the medical back? And do you think that's standard procedure or it just depends on which physician you end up visiting? What about the police clearance? How long. Thanks.

Her Medical lasted 2 days and she was able to get the results in 9 days. I think it depends on your overall health and which shots are needed since some people will need to go for 3 days. As far as the police paper, she was able to get it completed in less than 2 days. She also mentioned having to get both documents stamped by the foreign minister's office. Some else at the doctor's office said that was an requirement. Maybe that info is on packet 3 (which we still haven't received by the way).

[Habesha Love 7]

Her Medical lasted 2 days and she was able to get the results in 9 days. I think it depends on your overall health and which shots are needed since some people will need to go for 3 days. As far as the police paper, she was able to get it completed in less than 2 days. She also mentioned having to get both documents stamped by the foreign minister's office. Some else at the doctor's office said that was an requirement. Maybe that info is on packet 3 (which we still haven't received by the way).

Ok great! Thanks Will. Please keep us posted here. You and Maggie, as y'all are closer to the interview and will have some info to share. Welcome Krista, I suppose you will be next. Good luck to y'all.

[willnmahi 2]

Hey guys. I just wanted to check back in and say that I received packet 3 through my email this morning. I think we have everything covered as far as documents and evidence so now we wait until the 29th.

[krschweit 0]

Hey guys. I just wanted to check back in and say that I received packet 3 through my email this morning. I think we have everything covered as far as documents and evidence so now we wait until the 29th.

That's terrific - and coming up sooo soon!! Glad you finally got it. I am wondering - was there anything in the packet that stipulated timeframes of when police reports/medical are supposed to be obtained? I'm still waiting on my notice from NVC that our petition was mailed.... fiance really wants to start getting the medical/police together ASAP. Do you think there's any risk of getting these things do too soon, which would make them not qualify for proper interview protocol? For example: Like how our passport pics had to be taken within a month of filing the petition.

[willnmahi 2]

That's terrific - and coming up sooo soon!! Glad you finally got it. I am wondering - was there anything in the packet that stipulated timeframes of when police reports/medical are supposed to be obtained? I'm still waiting on my notice from NVC that our petition was mailed.... fiance really wants to start getting the medical/police together ASAP. Do you think there's any risk of getting these things do too soon, which would make them not qualify for proper interview protocol? For example: Like how our passport pics had to be taken within a month of filing the petition.

I'd say don't hesitate to start collecting the documents now. According to the packet, the police certificate is valid for one year after issuance. It also says the medical exam is valid for 6 months but sometimes up to only 3 months. You can't get either of those done without first completing the DS-160 online, paying the fee, and then scheduling the interview. I don't think there is any risk since we finished everything before even getting the packet from the embassy. Now we are just using this extra time to go over potential interview questions.

On a related note, she spoke to a woman today that just had her marriage visa approved. She said they barely looked at the pictures and didn't even ask to see the I-134, financial documents, or any of the other evidence. I hope our interview goes as smooth because we have been stressed out after reading some of the horror stories on here.

[Habesha Love 7]

I'd say don't hesitate to start collecting the documents now. According to the packet, the police certificate is valid for one year after issuance. It also says the medical exam is valid for 6 months but sometimes up to only 3 months. You can't get either of those done without first completing the DS-160 online, paying the fee, and then scheduling the interview. I don't think there is any risk since we finished everything before even getting the packet from the embassy. Now we are just using this extra time to go over potential interview questions.

On a related note, she spoke to a woman today that just had her marriage visa approved. She said they barely looked at the pictures and didn't even ask to see the I-134, financial documents, or any of the other evidence. I hope our interview goes as smooth because we have been stressed out after reading some of the horror stories on here.

Hello Will, good to know you got the "packet 3" email from them! I've always wondered what would happen if an applicant's interview date came up and the applicant hadn't received the packet 3 prior to the interview. Could that potentially pose a problem or ineligibility for the interview? Also, as you said we can't complete the medical and police certificate without first completing the DS-160. So I am assuming, and correct me if I'm wrong, that we will need the no. from the NVC (probably an ADD no. judging from other country's prefix code) before being able to fill out the DS-160 application to completion. Thanks.

[willnmahi 2]

Hello Will, good to know you got the "packet 3" email from them! I've always wondered what would happen if an applicant's interview date came up and the applicant hadn't received the packet 3 prior to the interview. Could that potentially pose a problem or ineligibility for the interview? Also, as you said we can't complete the medical and police certificate without first completing the DS-160. So I am assuming, and correct me if I'm wrong, that we will need the no. from the NVC (probably an ADD no. judging from other country's prefix code) before being able to fill out the DS-160 application to completion. Thanks.

Hey,

I'm not sure what would happen if we didn't get packet 3 before the interview and I was starting to sweat a little since we didn't receive it before. I'm only guessing about this but since packet 3 really didn't include any new information about us or our case, I don't see why it would be any problem at the interview as long as the person had all of the required documents. As I mentioned before, I had her go to the embassy and ask about the packet and they turned her away and said there was no packet and to just follow the instructions on the website. Surely if they required the packet to be sent before the interview, they would have mentioned it (again, just guessing).

You can call the NVC and get your ADD number. We got ours even before they forwarded it to the embassy. Once you have that, you can get the ball rolling on the DS-160, police paper, and medical. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Habesha Love 7]

Hey,

I'm not sure what would happen if we didn't get packet 3 before the interview and I was starting to sweat a little since we didn't receive it before. I'm only guessing about this but since packet 3 really didn't include any new information about us or our case, I don't see why it would be any problem at the interview as long as the person had all of the required documents. As I mentioned before, I had her go to the embassy and ask about the packet and they turned her away and said there was no packet and to just follow the instructions on the website. Surely if they required the packet to be sent before the interview, they would have mentioned it (again, just guessing).

You can call the NVC and get your ADD number. We got ours even before they forwarded it to the embassy. Once you have that, you can get the ball rolling on the DS-160, police paper, and medical. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks a bunch, Will. Will let you know if I have any other questions. I really appreciate all the info. Good luck to all of you with upcoming interviews.

[mlouiser 0]

Happy Friday everyone!

Can't believe the 29th is only 3 short days away ? Getting sooooo excited!

Just wanted to update that I also received the information that the embassy emailed me (including the checklist and official letter saying they are ready to begin our approved petition) PLUS our approved I-129 form with stamp from USCIS, in the mail. I scanned these 6 pages of the I-129F with the stamps and markings by USCIS so that he could print them and have them on hand when he goes to his interview Monday. Not sure that this is necessary (as it wasn't included in the checklist they sent), but I just wanted to be extra vigilant that he has ALL if not more documentation.

Also, this is probably a totally silly question, but the interview appointment time reads 12:30 EAT - meaning 12:30 PM - I'm only wanting to double check on this because Ethiopia utilizes a different time system than us, which was ALWAYS confusing when I lived there. But because this is coming from the US Embassy I'm sure they're utilizing our time reference, yes?

Will, if I can ask, what time does your fiancé plan on arriving Monday?