Booking London DCF Interview before attending medical?

[Dom10 1]

Applying for CR-1/IR-1 via DCF in London. I see many people saying they've booked their interviews before they've attended their medical, how does this work? On the website where I am directed for instructions it states:

 

""after you have attended your medical examination, you should then schedule your visa interview""

 

It seems like you have to attend your medical before you should schedule the interview, however this would add a lot of time! 

 

Can anyone advise?

 

Thank you.

[Ryan H 3,818]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to DCF Discussion.

[Paulonto 29]

Either can be done...however...

It is best, easiest and quickest to have the medical before the interview.

 

If you do the interview before the medical, it won't be as smooth, as they will hold decision ONLY after seeing your medical report, and who's to say that your medical will be 100% smooth, potentially creating more delays, more chasing up and more stress.

 

The administration industry far prefers an orderly process with things done in their proper order. 

 

Do the right thing, that is as instructed on the website. Book your medical as soon as you can and then go book your interview leaving a gap of around 2 weeks between the bookings.

[Dom10 1]

2 hours ago, Paulonto said:

Either can be done...however...

It is best, easiest and quickest to have the medical before the interview.

 

If you do the interview before the medical, it won't be as smooth, as they will hold decision ONLY after seeing your medical report, and who's to say that your medical will be 100% smooth, potentially creating more delays, more chasing up and more stress.

 

The administration industry far prefers an orderly process with things done in their proper order. 

 

Do the right thing, that is as instructed on the website. Book your medical as soon as you can and then go book your interview leaving a gap of around 2 weeks between the bookings.

I am fine doing as you said to do, however that's not what the website says. They say to not book interview at all until you have already attended the medical. E.g. medical september 1st, waiting until september 1st to book interview date which will probably be in October+ by that time.

 

"after you have attended your medical examination, you should then schedule your visa interview""

[Paulonto 29]

17 minutes ago, Dom10 said:

I am fine doing as you said to do, however that's not what the website says. They say to not book interview at all until you have already attended the medical. E.g. medical september 1st, waiting until september 1st to book interview date which will probably be in October+ by that time.

 

"after you have attended your medical examination, you should then schedule your visa interview""

You're absolutely correct Dom.

[Dom10 1]

So we're not allowed to schedule them both before attending medical? How come a lot of people seem to do this though? Or is it a recent change?

 

E.g. I would see people saying they have medical on July 2 then Interview July 12 or something, but they set both of these dates together long before July 2. Sorry confusing as booking can mean the act of booking or the actual date that I am booking.

Edited July 21, 2018 by Dom10

[geowrian 22,337]

I'm not sure how it is in London specifically, but some embassies/consulates will not let you interview without having completed the medical.

 

@Wuozopo?

[Paulonto 29]

12 hours ago, Dom10 said:

So we're not allowed to schedule them both before attending medical?

I have booked both medical in Knightsbidge AND my Embassy in London on the same day, giving them a gap of 3 weeks between visits.

First, I called Knightsbridge to have a date, and within a few minutes, I went and booked the interview (now that I knew the date for the medical).

 

5 hours ago, geowrian said:

I'm not sure how it is in London specifically, but some embassies/consulates will not let you interview without having completed the medical.

 

@Wuozopo?

London let me do it (as above).

The medical appointment is done over the phone, but booking the interview is online and doesn't ask for the medical date.

Edited July 21, 2018 by Paulonto
Spelling

[Dom10 1]

I was more worried about getting in trouble if I did it - it won't get us in trouble and cause a problem for our application right? As yes when I go through the interview online thing it seems I would be able to book it, it just says not to on the embassy website (not interview website). Sorry just paranoid and don't want to get in trouble, thank you.

[Paulonto 29]

"My feeling" is that they advise to do it that way to prevent potential REbookings, in case there might be a case of delay because if the medical.

 

In my case, I'm so healthy, my GP and I would not know each other if asked so I was pretty confident about the bookings, but some people who may have some known issue, be they physical or otherwise may want to prefer to proceed cautiously and follow the advise of the website.

[Dom10 1]

Thank you, no medical problems really so I guess we will just book it now. Thank you.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

12 hours ago, Dom10 said:

So we're not allowed to schedule them both before attending medical? How come a lot of people seem to do this though? Or is it a recent change?

 

E.g. I would see people saying they have medical on July 2 then Interview July 12 or something, but they set both of these dates together long before July 2. Sorry confusing as booking can mean the act of booking or the actual date that I am booking.

Dom, the website changes subtle instruction things all the time. That "after attending the medical" statement, I estimate to be maybe within the last 6-7 months. So to answer what is puzzling you:

• Nothing will prevent you from going online and making your interview appointment with regards to the medical. 
• All you need to ring up Knightsbridge and choose a medical appointment is your LND********* case number. They will ask you for that number and expect you to bring it verified on paper to the appointment. Typically an instruction letter from the embassy visa unit will have that LND number on it. 
• Do things in order for the most flawless experience. Before rushing to call for a medical appointment, get EVERYTHING you need from your GP. I have read too many stories of how long it took Brits to get to get needed things. NHS may be free, but it is slow and often inefficient. You will need your shots, immunisation record, Health Summary print out (not full records),  and a short report written by your GP covering any health issues, ongoing meds, any surgeries, and previous bouts with depression. Knightsbridge want something from a medical professional explaining your (examples) asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, appendectomy, and scars from cutting your wrists. If you have had nothing much but a rash, sinus infection, and ingrown toenail, then you don't need any extra write-up by the GP. 
• Once you have things for the medical including police certificate, then call up and make an appointment for the medical exam.
• Then go online and pick an interview date AT LEAST two weeks after the medical. You will see website info say allow five days between medical and Interview. That is just not enough time. It used to be before mid January when the new embassy opened. Since then it is crazy how many people get to their interview and find their medical results have not arrived. Then you are in the dark about when to expect somebody to get back to your case because you got out of the proper flow, so to speak.  If your medical is at your interview, you can count on having the visa delivered in 7, maybe 8 days in most cases. 

Edited July 21, 2018 by Wuozopo

[Dom10 1]

Thanks so much! We have Acro (although they put the nationality not in english but in the foreign language as listed in passport so hopefully they will fix that, calling them first thing when they open) and getting the health summary, immunisation etc this week. So I guess once we solve this Acro problem we will do it. Thank you for your advice.