Medical & Interview Review

[ayestaci 121]

Hi! So, wildly, I had my interview and medical last week in London. I wanted to share my experience, if it can help anyone feel prepared, as I spent so long reading experiences on this forum and wanted to pay it back — and I also had an interesting stressful situation pop up at the medical that I found very little info on here about (and all I did find was needlessly extra concerning, lol). 

 

I did my stuff backwards. The interview was a day before the medical (it was expedited, see timeline in signature).

 

INTERVIEW (16th June):

 

Got there at 8.45am for a 9am interview, presented passport and DS-260 confirmation outside. Man was very chatty. Found out they're only doing interviews on Tuesday mornings right now because of COVID, fair enough. 

 

Went inside and through security. I was told they usually issue ticket numbers but I guess there was no point today, as I was told to go straight upstairs and straight to booth 20. I did (after briefly getting a little lost in the nonimmigrant visa section lol), and a man took all of my docs, copies of them I had already made, asked about my intended travel date, made me aware of the domestic abuse laws and protections. Asked me to sit back down right next to booth 23.

 

I did, and 10 minutes later, was called up by a really nice woman. Didn't get asked much.

 

1) How did you meet? (At a convention.)

2) Where was that? (I started to go into detail about which part of the convention, she was like, "no, what city?" LOL)

3) How long has it been since you've seen him?

4) What does he do? 

5) Do you have any questions about your rights and protections in the USA?

 

She told me she would keep my passport but we had to wait on the medical results, so gave me a 221G. She also made me a certified copy of my passport for Visa Medicals, since it was pointless to take my passport then have to courier it back to the embassy.

 

I also mentioned I had been unable to book a courier on the website, and she said I'd be able to after the interview, and I... still haven't and the embassy hasn't replied to my e-mail. So I'm hovering around with no courier still, LOL. 

 

All in all, super quick, everyone I encountered was friendly.

 

MEDICAL (17th June):

 

As someone who has a fear of doctors and hasn't had a blood test in 20 years, my anxiety was sky-rocketing. Got there at 9.45am for a 9.50 appointment (was told not to arrive any earlier, as they're operating on a one in, one out basis during COVID). The receptionist immediately checked my temperature before doing anything else.

 

Went to see the doctor first. She was really nice, asked me a bunch of questions (I have asthma, and no, she didn't need a letter thankfully since my last flare-up was a long time ago!). Eye test, height, weight. Then she had me strip down to socks and underwear (specifically told me I could keep my socks on for some reason LOL) and put a sheet over me. She checked my skin, asked about my tattoos (I have some pretty big ones), checked my joints, asked about some scars (all from old injuries and a particularly angry cat). She asked how I was with needles, I said, "...not sure since it's been so long, but I don't have a good feeling."

 

Turns out I was fine. She had to take multiple blood tests — the first one didn't get enough to fill the tube, yay tiny veins. It stings, but it's not unbearable pain.

 

I also didn't experience being pushed about drugs or anything. I've heard here that a lot of doctors almost try to trick you into saying you've taken them. She asked me once, I truthfully said no, never, and the subject was immediately dropped. 

 

Nurse was next. All I needed was a TDap. This was near painless.

 

The x-ray was where it wasn't very smooth. She took the x-ray and seemed to double-take at the right side of it. Zoomed in and out, glanced at me, asked to take one from the side. I didn't think much of this and obliged. She rushed me out of there pretty quick so I couldn't look at the second x-ray.

 

When I got outside, I searched for a lateral view chest x-ray on VJ to see if this was common. OH BOY I WISH I HAD NOT. Only one other person experienced this side view x-ray in London on this forum, and had to do 8 week sputum testing. A couple of others from the Philippines had had the same issue. I guess a lateral view in the UK means there was "diagnostic uncertainty" with the first one. Spent 5 days in the most anxiety of my life, contacting Visa Medicals every day to see if the x-ray had come back with no answer.

 

This morning, the very kind receptionist shot me an e-mail to tell me it was all fine, everything was normal, and the medical would get submitted to the embassy today.

 

Still don't have a courier so not sure how this is going to work (guess I need to e-mail the embassy again), but I think I can tentatively say I'm done?

 

This forum has been an invaluable resource so if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. 

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience! Be prepared for a lot of questions on your expedited request, your reason, your evidence... it’s the new hot topic around here.

[NMHayek 56]

Congrats and WOW! We are STILL waiting here in Egypt for the embassy to reopen or make any announcements. Im glad things are starting to move at least somewhere! Congrats!

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

Congrats ...that was a close one with the medicals,am glad it worked out good in the end

[Donegal Seamus 0]

I am in the EXACT same situation, this is super super helpful. My expedited interview is in London on Thursday this week at 9am, then my medical is at 12pm. 

 

- Is there a way I can try and book the courier  now? 

- When did you say you plan to move? We got an expedite appointment, but due to circumstances we may not be able to move until September, and hoped that wouldn't be an issue. 

- Can you provide a list of documents you provided? 

- For the DS confirmation, is that just the one page with the bar code? 

 

Thanks!! 

[ayestaci 121]

Just now, Donegal Seamus said:

I am in the EXACT same situation, this is super super helpful. My expedited interview is in London on Thursday this week at 9am, then my medical is at 12pm. 

 

- Is there a way I can try and book the courier  now? 

- When did you say you plan to move? We got an expedite appointment, but due to circumstances we may not be able to move until September, and hoped that wouldn't be an issue. 

- Can you provide a list of documents you provided? 

- For the DS confirmation, is that just the one page with the bar code? 

 

Thanks!! 

Hey, congrats!

 

— I was told to sign up for visa applicant services (here: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv/users/sign_in). I tried to book the courier but it tries to have you schedule an interview and didn't seem to register I already had one. So you can try! I've kinda been given the runaround, so getting my passport back will be interesting.

— If you're worried, just say you haven't booked a flight, but as soon as possible. That's what I said (though I do intend to go like mid-July — I never gave them a date though).

— Yes, sure! My passport, the DS confirmation, my birth certificate/marriage certificate/police certificate + copies (I'd include divorce certificate too if applicable, basically all civil docs), a copy of the e-mail confirming my interview (was never asked for it, but the other girl in it at the same time as me was), and a copy of the i-864 (which I WAS asked for, even though no one told me to bring it, I was just thinking ahead). 

— It is! It's just a confirmation page with your case number and a bar code, you find it by going into CEAC and going to the end of the DS-260 section. 

 

Since your interview is before the medical, make sure they give you a certified copy of your passport for the medical!! I'm not sure if other photo ID works, the woman at the embassy seemed to think I needed that copy certified by the embassy (and Visa Medicals did indeed take it as ID). 

[Donegal Seamus 0]

That's so crazy. I have a HUGEEE binder of files and papers of everything. I'll try that link and see!

 

Had you gotten DQ before your interview? Maybe that's why it was so easy. I had all my docs accepted, except one which needed rescanned, but I got the interview before being DQ'ed. I wonder if that'll ask for more evidence from me in the case, like tax documents etc. 

[ayestaci 121]

Just now, Donegal Seamus said:

That's so crazy. I have a HUGEEE binder of files and papers of everything. I'll try that link and see!

 

Had you gotten DQ before your interview? Maybe that's why it was so easy. I had all my docs accepted, except one which needed rescanned, but I got the interview before being DQ'ed. I wonder if that'll ask for more evidence from me in the case, like tax documents etc. 

Yeah, I was DQ'd before the expedite. Honestly, I can't say I wasn't shocked about how easy it was — they didn't take many docs from me at all, I can only assume they were fine with what was on CEAC. 

[Donegal Seamus 0]

Let me know when you get your visa and all is good, excited for you! I'll follow up with how mine goes!

I'm debating whether to purchase insurance for the public charge, or put down a plan just that I intend to get. Because it sounds like they aren't checking it anyway.

[ayestaci 121]

Just now, Donegal Seamus said:

Let me know when you get your visa and all is good, excited for you! I'll follow up with how mine goes!

I'm debating whether to purchase insurance for the public charge, or put down a plan just that I intend to get. Because it sounds like they aren't checking it anyway.

Will do!

 

Yeah tbh I had the form filled out but it wasn't even mentioned. I had my husband's insurance plan written on it (that he can add me to) but I don't think London care that much. 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

1 hour ago, ayestaci said:

Hi! So, wildly, I had my interview and medical last week in London. I wanted to share my experience, if it can help anyone feel prepared, as I spent so long reading experiences on this forum and wanted to pay it back — and I also had an interesting stressful situation pop up at the medical that I found very little info on here about (and all I did find was needlessly extra concerning, lol). 

 

I did my stuff backwards. The interview was a day before the medical (it was expedited, see timeline in signature).

 

INTERVIEW (16th June):

 

Got there at 8.45am for a 9am interview, presented passport and DS-260 confirmation outside. Man was very chatty. Found out they're only doing interviews on Tuesday mornings right now because of COVID, fair enough. 

 

Went inside and through security. I was told they usually issue ticket numbers but I guess there was no point today, as I was told to go straight upstairs and straight to booth 20. I did (after briefly getting a little lost in the nonimmigrant visa section lol), and a man took all of my docs, copies of them I had already made, asked about my intended travel date, made me aware of the domestic abuse laws and protections. Asked me to sit back down right next to booth 23.

 

I did, and 10 minutes later, was called up by a really nice woman. Didn't get asked much.

 

1) How did you meet? (At a convention.)

2) Where was that? (I started to go into detail about which part of the convention, she was like, "no, what city?" LOL)

3) How long has it been since you've seen him?

4) What does he do? 

5) Do you have any questions about your rights and protections in the USA?

 

She told me she would keep my passport but we had to wait on the medical results, so gave me a 221G. She also made me a certified copy of my passport for Visa Medicals, since it was pointless to take my passport then have to courier it back to the embassy.

 

I also mentioned I had been unable to book a courier on the website, and she said I'd be able to after the interview, and I... still haven't and the embassy hasn't replied to my e-mail. So I'm hovering around with no courier still, LOL. 

 

All in all, super quick, everyone I encountered was friendly.

 

MEDICAL (17th June):

 

As someone who has a fear of doctors and hasn't had a blood test in 20 years, my anxiety was sky-rocketing. Got there at 9.45am for a 9.50 appointment (was told not to arrive any earlier, as they're operating on a one in, one out basis during COVID). The receptionist immediately checked my temperature before doing anything else.

 

Went to see the doctor first. She was really nice, asked me a bunch of questions (I have asthma, and no, she didn't need a letter thankfully since my last flare-up was a long time ago!). Eye test, height, weight. Then she had me strip down to socks and underwear (specifically told me I could keep my socks on for some reason LOL) and put a sheet over me. She checked my skin, asked about my tattoos (I have some pretty big ones), checked my joints, asked about some scars (all from old injuries and a particularly angry cat). She asked how I was with needles, I said, "...not sure since it's been so long, but I don't have a good feeling."

 

Turns out I was fine. She had to take multiple blood tests — the first one didn't get enough to fill the tube, yay tiny veins. It stings, but it's not unbearable pain.

 

I also didn't experience being pushed about drugs or anything. I've heard here that a lot of doctors almost try to trick you into saying you've taken them. She asked me once, I truthfully said no, never, and the subject was immediately dropped. 

 

Nurse was next. All I needed was a TDap. This was near painless.

 

The x-ray was where it wasn't very smooth. She took the x-ray and seemed to double-take at the right side of it. Zoomed in and out, glanced at me, asked to take one from the side. I didn't think much of this and obliged. She rushed me out of there pretty quick so I couldn't look at the second x-ray.

 

When I got outside, I searched for a lateral view chest x-ray on VJ to see if this was common. OH BOY I WISH I HAD NOT. Only one other person experienced this side view x-ray in London on this forum, and had to do 8 week sputum testing. A couple of others from the Philippines had had the same issue. I guess a lateral view in the UK means there was "diagnostic uncertainty" with the first one. Spent 5 days in the most anxiety of my life, contacting Visa Medicals every day to see if the x-ray had come back with no answer.

 

This morning, the very kind receptionist shot me an e-mail to tell me it was all fine, everything was normal, and the medical would get submitted to the embassy today.

 

Still don't have a courier so not sure how this is going to work (guess I need to e-mail the embassy again), but I think I can tentatively say I'm done?

 

This forum has been an invaluable resource so if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. 

 

Thanks for sharing! Curious your medical was after your interview? Is that due to COVID? Mine has to be a week before. Did you sign up to the embassy site? That's where I booked the courier and my passport arrived within a week. I paid £20 for premium.

[Donegal Seamus 0]

Just now, jennywhite421 said:

Thanks for sharing! Curious your medical was after your interview? Is that due to COVID? Mine has to be a week before. Did you sign up to the embassy site? That's where I booked the courier and my passport arrived within a week. I paid £20 for premium.

Hey Jenny, 

 

What do you mean the embassy website? Have you got a link where you booked it? 

 

Thanks, 

 

James

[ayestaci 121]

1 minute ago, jennywhite421 said:

Thanks for sharing! Curious your medical was after your interview? Is that due to COVID? Mine has to be a week before. Did you sign up to the embassy site? That's where I booked the courier and my passport arrived within a week. I paid £20 for premium.

It was an expedited interview, there were no medical appointments available beforehand. 🙂

 

I did, but I can't book the courier, because it's asking me for an interview date and won't let me select one as soon as the one I had (or in the past now). Site doesn't work for expedites that go that quick, I guess. 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

2 minutes ago, Donegal Seamus said:

Hey Jenny, 

 

What do you mean the embassy website? Have you got a link where you booked it? 

 

Thanks, 

 

James

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas This is the one they sent to me when my interview was scheduled

1 minute ago, ayestaci said:

It was an expedited interview, there were no medical appointments available beforehand. 🙂

 

I did, but I can't book the courier, because it's asking me for an interview date and won't let me select one as soon as the one I had (or in the past now). Site doesn't work for expedites that go that quick, I guess. 

Ah I see.

[os306 103]

2 hours ago, ayestaci said:

Hi! So, wildly, I had my interview and medical last week in London. I wanted to share my experience, if it can help anyone feel prepared, as I spent so long reading experiences on this forum and wanted to pay it back — and I also had an interesting stressful situation pop up at the medical that I found very little info on here about (and all I did find was needlessly extra concerning, lol). 

 

I did my stuff backwards. The interview was a day before the medical (it was expedited, see timeline in signature).

 

INTERVIEW (16th June):

 

Got there at 8.45am for a 9am interview, presented passport and DS-260 confirmation outside. Man was very chatty. Found out they're only doing interviews on Tuesday mornings right now because of COVID, fair enough. 

 

Went inside and through security. I was told they usually issue ticket numbers but I guess there was no point today, as I was told to go straight upstairs and straight to booth 20. I did (after briefly getting a little lost in the nonimmigrant visa section lol), and a man took all of my docs, copies of them I had already made, asked about my intended travel date, made me aware of the domestic abuse laws and protections. Asked me to sit back down right next to booth 23.

 

I did, and 10 minutes later, was called up by a really nice woman. Didn't get asked much.

 

1) How did you meet? (At a convention.)

2) Where was that? (I started to go into detail about which part of the convention, she was like, "no, what city?" LOL)

3) How long has it been since you've seen him?

4) What does he do? 

5) Do you have any questions about your rights and protections in the USA?

 

She told me she would keep my passport but we had to wait on the medical results, so gave me a 221G. She also made me a certified copy of my passport for Visa Medicals, since it was pointless to take my passport then have to courier it back to the embassy.

 

I also mentioned I had been unable to book a courier on the website, and she said I'd be able to after the interview, and I... still haven't and the embassy hasn't replied to my e-mail. So I'm hovering around with no courier still, LOL. 

 

All in all, super quick, everyone I encountered was friendly.

 

MEDICAL (17th June):

 

As someone who has a fear of doctors and hasn't had a blood test in 20 years, my anxiety was sky-rocketing. Got there at 9.45am for a 9.50 appointment (was told not to arrive any earlier, as they're operating on a one in, one out basis during COVID). The receptionist immediately checked my temperature before doing anything else.

 

Went to see the doctor first. She was really nice, asked me a bunch of questions (I have asthma, and no, she didn't need a letter thankfully since my last flare-up was a long time ago!). Eye test, height, weight. Then she had me strip down to socks and underwear (specifically told me I could keep my socks on for some reason LOL) and put a sheet over me. She checked my skin, asked about my tattoos (I have some pretty big ones), checked my joints, asked about some scars (all from old injuries and a particularly angry cat). She asked how I was with needles, I said, "...not sure since it's been so long, but I don't have a good feeling."

 

Turns out I was fine. She had to take multiple blood tests — the first one didn't get enough to fill the tube, yay tiny veins. It stings, but it's not unbearable pain.

 

I also didn't experience being pushed about drugs or anything. I've heard here that a lot of doctors almost try to trick you into saying you've taken them. She asked me once, I truthfully said no, never, and the subject was immediately dropped. 

 

Nurse was next. All I needed was a TDap. This was near painless.

 

The x-ray was where it wasn't very smooth. She took the x-ray and seemed to double-take at the right side of it. Zoomed in and out, glanced at me, asked to take one from the side. I didn't think much of this and obliged. She rushed me out of there pretty quick so I couldn't look at the second x-ray.

 

When I got outside, I searched for a lateral view chest x-ray on VJ to see if this was common. OH BOY I WISH I HAD NOT. Only one other person experienced this side view x-ray in London on this forum, and had to do 8 week sputum testing. A couple of others from the Philippines had had the same issue. I guess a lateral view in the UK means there was "diagnostic uncertainty" with the first one. Spent 5 days in the most anxiety of my life, contacting Visa Medicals every day to see if the x-ray had come back with no answer.

 

This morning, the very kind receptionist shot me an e-mail to tell me it was all fine, everything was normal, and the medical would get submitted to the embassy today.

 

Still don't have a courier so not sure how this is going to work (guess I need to e-mail the embassy again), but I think I can tentatively say I'm done?

 

This forum has been an invaluable resource so if anyone has any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. 

 

 

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations on getting through it. I wish I had seen your other forum post asking about the lateral view chest X-ray as I would have tried to reassure you back then! I rarely request a lateral view, unless I've seen a slight anomaly (e.g., a small indeterminate nodule) on the regular view. The lateral view just allows you to 1) confirm that it isn't an imaging artifact and 2) if it is indeed present, to get a better idea of dimensions. I'm glad to hear it turned out to be nothing. 

 

Can I just confirm: you weren't asked to present a DS-5540?