Medical Exam Conducted in USA

[Jesserose24 62]

Hello,

 

While completely out of order, I had my USCIS medical exam today. We aren't at this step yet. We have filed an I-130 out of country. I'm Canadian, but because my husband is enlisted I have a family doctor in the US who is a Civil Surgeon (qualified to do American Immigration Exams). He told me to let him do it because it would save us the fees and hassle of doing so in Canada (the medical options are in Toronto, many hours from where I live). 

 

I called USCIS and they assured me it was ok to do this as long as I still understand the results are only valid for 2 years. 

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else who attended their interview in Montreal has had their medical completed in the US instead of Canada? I have the sealed envelope etc. Just want to know if anyone else has done this, and if thr Montreal consulate was difficult about it or understood? My US Dr actually out ranks to those available to do this within Canada.

 

I'm really only looking for information from anyone who has done this, not hypothetical or suggestions. Please and thank you.

 

 

 

[Lil bear 4,329]

1 minute ago, Jesserose24 said:

Hello,

 

While completely out of order, I had my USCIS medical exam today. We aren't at this step yet. We have filed an I-130 out of country. I'm Canadian, but because my husband is enlisted I have a family doctor in the US who is a Civil Surgeon (qualified to do American Immigration Exams). He told me to let him do it because it would save us the fees and hassle of doing so in Canada (the medical options are in Toronto, many hours from where I live). 

 

I called USCIS and they assured me it was ok to do this as long as I still understand the results are only valid for 2 years. 

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else who attended their interview in Montreal has had their medical completed in the US instead of Canada? I have the sealed envelope etc. Just want to know if anyone else has done this, and if thr Montreal consulate was difficult about it or understood? My US Dr actually out ranks to those available to do this within Canada.

 

I'm really only looking for information from anyone who has done this, not hypothetical or suggestions. Please and thank you.

 

 

 

Medical exams are only valid for 6 months. Unless both your interview snd your entry into the US using your issued visa happens before that 6 month finishes, you will need a new medical. I don’t see any issue with where it is done as long as it is done by a USCIS certified medical practitioner 

[Jesserose24 62]

2 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Medical exams are only valid for 6 months. Unless both your interview snd your entry into the US using your issued visa happens before that 6 month finishes, you will need a new medical. I don’t see any issue with where it is done as long as it is done by a USCIS certified medical practitioner 

Thank you for the quick response. I couldn't find a logical reason either, but hate that there no definitive info.

 

Where are you getting 6 months from though? I've been told 2 years, repeatedly. Over the phone and - forgive me, but somewhere on the USCIS site.

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

I'm Canadian, but because my husband is enlisted I have a family doctor in the US who is a Civil Surgeon (qualified to do American Immigration Exams).

He is a Civil Surgeon but not a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal.

5 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

I don’t see any issue with where it is done as long as it is done by a USCIS certified medical practitioner

That is incorrect. It must be done by a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal. https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html "An individual who resides in the United States or who is present in the United States at the time of application, but is applying for a visa at post must receive a medical examination from a panel physician designated by post. Such individuals may not submit a medical examination conducted by a civil surgeon in the United States."

2 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

Over the phone

The USCIS misinformation phone line strikes again.

[Lil bear 4,329]

Just now, HRQX said:

He is a Civil Surgeon but not a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal.

That is incorrect. It must be done by a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal. https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html "An individual who resides in the United States or who is present in the United States at the time of application, but is applying for a visa at post must receive a medical examination from a panel physician designated by post. Such individuals may not submit a medical examination conducted by a civil surgeon in the United States."

The USCIS misinformation phone line strikes again.

Thx for the correction re civil/panel surgeons. 
 

[Jesserose24 62]

2 minutes ago, HRQX said:

He is a Civil Surgeon but not a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal.

That is incorrect. It must be done by a Panel Physician selected by the IV unit in Montreal. https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html "An individual who resides in the United States or who is present in the United States at the time of application, but is applying for a visa at post must receive a medical examination from a panel physician designated by post. Such individuals may not submit a medical examination conducted by a civil surgeon in the United States."

The USCIS misinformation phone line strikes again.

That's right, Civil Surgeons out rank Panel Pbysicians (they're all Department.of Defense). Do you know anyone who has done this? And was either approved or denied? That's what I'm looking for - USCUS does imply some discretion is allowed from the immigration official during the interview. Just looking for anyone who's actually gone through this experience.

[Lil bear 4,329]

5 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

Thank you for the quick response. I couldn't find a logical reason either, but hate that there no definitive info.

 

Where are you getting 6 months from though? I've been told 2 years, repeatedly. Over the phone and - forgive me, but somewhere on the USCIS site.

The NVC handles consular processing documentation and the local consulate does the interview and assess the medical results as well as all submitted documentation. 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#med_exam_instructions

 

Thus states that the medical must have been conducted within 6 months if you entering the US. 
 

The USCIS info of 2 years is probably referring to an applicant applying for Adjustment of status within the US, when their medical, used for their initial visa such as a fiancé visa, can be used for the AOS within a 2 year period. 

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

That's right, Civil Surgeons out rank Panel Pbysicians (they're all Department.of Defense).

Nope.

7 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

USCUS does imply some discretion is allowed from the immigration official during the interview.

The IV unit in Montreal is part of DOS, not USCIS. Look at the link I shared. It's the DOS Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM).

 

Also, you could ask the IV unit in Montreal. The FAM is explicitly clear: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html

23 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

(the medical options are in Toronto, many hours from where I live).

There are also Panel Physicians in BC and Quebec: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html

Approved physicians

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Dr. Gulzar Cheema
7170 – 120th Street
Surrey, BC, V3W 3M8
Tel: 604-597-6887
Email: panelphysicianusa@drcheema.ca
Website: www.drcheema.ca
 

ONTARIO

Dr. Randall T. Lee
520 Ellesmere Road, Suite 603
Scarborough, ON, M1R 0B1
Tel: 416-266-4543 Fax: 416-267-4050
Website: www.immigrationphysician.ca

Dr. Lyndon Mascarenhas
Clairhurst Medical Centre
1466 Bathurst Street (at St Clair), Suite 305
Toronto, ON, M5R 3S3
Tel: 416-960-1014 Fax: 866-259-7220
Email: doctorlyndon@bellnet.ca
Website: www.visadoctor.ca

Dr. Ian Zatzman
955 Major MacKenzie Dr. West, Suite 208
Vaughan, ON, L6A 4P9
Tel: 289-553-7711
Fax: 289-553-7722
Website: www.health1stmedical.ca

 

QUEBEC

Medisys Corporate Health LP
500 Sherbrooke St. West,
11th Floor
Montreal, QC, H3A 3C6
Tel: 514-499-2777 ext. 3500
Tel: 1-800-499-1394 ext. 3500

Edited July 16, 2021 by HRQX

[Jesserose24 62]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

Nope.

The IV unit in Montreal is part of DOS, not USCIS. Look at the link I shared. It's the DOS Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM).

 

Also, you should ask the IV unit in Montreal. The FAM is explicitly clear: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html

There are also Panel Physicians in BC and Quebec: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html

Approved physicians

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Dr. Gulzar Cheema
7170 – 120th Street
Surrey, BC, V3W 3M8
Tel: 604-597-6887
Email: panelphysicianusa@drcheema.ca
Website: www.drcheema.ca
 

ONTARIO

Dr. Randall T. Lee
520 Ellesmere Road, Suite 603
Scarborough, ON, M1R 0B1
Tel: 416-266-4543 Fax: 416-267-4050
Website: www.immigrationphysician.ca

Dr. Lyndon Mascarenhas
Clairhurst Medical Centre
1466 Bathurst Street (at St Clair), Suite 305
Toronto, ON, M5R 3S3
Tel: 416-960-1014 Fax: 866-259-7220
Email: doctorlyndon@bellnet.ca
Website: www.visadoctor.ca

Dr. Ian Zatzman
955 Major MacKenzie Dr. West, Suite 208
Vaughan, ON, L6A 4P9
Tel: 289-553-7711
Fax: 289-553-7722
Website: www.health1stmedical.ca

 

QUEBEC

Medisys Corporate Health LP
500 Sherbrooke St. West,
11th Floor
Montreal, QC, H3A 3C6
Tel: 514-499-2777 ext. 3500
Tel: 1-800-499-1394 ext. 3500

Yes, they're all many hours away from where I live, the military doctor is actually closer. Have you been through this yourself or know someone in my exact situation?

 

I've read, everything says discretion applies.. I'm just looking to connect with someone who's experienced this situation. Have you?

[Lil bear 4,329]

7 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

That's right, Civil Surgeons out rank Panel Pbysicians (they're all Department.of Defense). Do you know anyone who has done this? And was either approved or denied? That's what I'm looking for - USCUS does imply some discretion is allowed from the immigration official during the interview. Just looking for anyone who's actually gone through this experience.

The link I gave also clearly addresses the necessity of using the consulate approved physician snd states that the exam cannot be done in the US. My error in not researching before I posted beforehand😓 

[Jesserose24 62]

2 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

The NVC handles consular processing documentation and the local consulate does the interview and assess the medical results as well as all submitted documentation. 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#med_exam_instructions

 

Thus states that the medical must have been conducted within 6 months if you entering the US. 
 

The USCIS info of 2 years is probably referring to an applicant applying for Adjustment of status within the US, when their medical, used for their initial visa such as a fiancé visa, can be used for the AOS within a 2 year period. 

I was specifically reading for the I130, and it did say 2 years. That's a recent change in the last 3 years though.

 

[payxibka 10,047]

26 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

Hello,

 

While completely out of order, I had my USCIS medical exam today. We aren't at this step yet. We have filed an I-130 out of country. I'm Canadian, but because my husband is enlisted I have a family doctor in the US who is a Civil Surgeon (qualified to do American Immigration Exams). He told me to let him do it because it would save us the fees and hassle of doing so in Canada (the medical options are in Toronto, many hours from where I live). 

 

I called USCIS and they assured me it was ok to do this as long as I still understand the results are only valid for 2 years. 

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else who attended their interview in Montreal has had their medical completed in the US instead of Canada? I have the sealed envelope etc. Just want to know if anyone else has done this, and if thr Montreal consulate was difficult about it or understood? My US Dr actually out ranks to those available to do this within Canada.

 

I'm really only looking for information from anyone who has done this, not hypothetical or suggestions. Please and thank you.

 

 

 

Unfortunately the civil surgeon is not an authorized panel physician by the Montreal consulate. 

[Lil bear 4,329]

5 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

I was specifically reading for the I130, and it did say 2 years. That's a recent change in the last 3 years though.

 

The medical that you are doing is not tied to your I 130. It is tied to the NVC process .. part of the Dept of State DOS not the USCIS.. and is part of your application for an immigrant visa based on the approval of your husbands submitted  I130

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/step-2-begin-nvc-processing.html

 

 

Some people , who arrived legally in the US using a valid non immigrant visa , will apply from inside the USA to adjust their status to a LPR on the basis of being an immediate relative of a USC.. this application involves an I130 and must be supported by an approved medical exam which may be up to 2 years old .. it used to be up to only 1 year old.  This is not the process you are undertaking 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2021 by Lil bear

[HRQX 4,145]

19 minutes ago, Jesserose24 said:

I've read, everything says discretion applies..

If you are referring to the USCIS Policy Manual, I-693 instructions, etc. then you are looking at the wrong place.

 

Again, you should contact the IV unit in Montreal, not the USCIS misinformation line. Also read the FAM: https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030202.html

Edited July 16, 2021 by HRQX

[payxibka 10,047]

Immigration medical examinations performed outside the United States and its territories must be done by a panel physician. Panel physicians are different from civil surgeons. Panel physicians are designated by the Department of State and provide immigration medical examinations required as part of visa processing at a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad