Liver disease as grounds for inadmissibility.

[WestHighlander 64]

I'm currently in the US at my fiancee's place in Washington State, and we're just about to mail the I-129F package later today to get the ball rolling. Looking ahead, though, I've been reading through the medical examination PDF issued by the Knightsbridge Doctors (which performs all K1 medicals for the London Embassy, which I will have to attend). The PDF includes a questionnaire which must be completed by all applicants, and one of the questions is "Have you ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease?". In my case, that's a big yes. In 2014, I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and was extremely ill for about six months. Luckily, I recovered and didn't need a liver transplant; my liver still functions well enough to keep me healthy and I've been stable for nearly 8 years so far. I gave up alcohol (and paracetamol) in horror the instant I got the diagnosis and have been tea-total ever since. Since all the questions in the questionnaire are specifically related to refusal on medical grounds, I'm starting to wonder if I will be automatically refused because of my liver condition. I've been trying to find a definitive "yes or no" online and found nothing. Just wondering if anyone could shed any light on this potential problem.

 

Edited January 7, 2022 by WestHighlander

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

You will feel at ease once you read the policies here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b

[SalishSea 18,078]

26 minutes ago, WestHighlander said:

I'm currently in the US at my fiancee's place in Washington State, and we're just about to mail the I-129F package later today to get the ball rolling. Looking ahead, though, I've been reading through the medical examination PDF issued by the Knightsbridge Doctors (which performs all K1 medicals for the London Embassy, which I will have to attend). The PDF includes a questionnaire which must be completed by all applicants, and one of the questions is "Have you ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease?". In my case, that's a big yes. In 2014, I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and was extremely ill for about six months. Luckily, I recovered and didn't need a liver transplant; my liver still functions well enough to keep me healthy and I've been stable for nearly 8 years so far. I gave up alcohol (and paracetamol) in horror the instant I got the diagnosis and have been tea-total ever since. Since all the questions in the questionnaire are specifically related to refusal on medical grounds, I'm starting to wonder if I will be automatically refused because of my liver condition. I've been trying to find a definitive "yes or no" online and found nothing. Just wondering if anyone could shed any light on this potential problem.

 

You will not have any issues.

 

The medical inadmissibilities are related to infectious diseases and mental health/substance abuse issues that could pose a danger to the public.

[iwannaplay54 985]

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b
 

There are very few health-related grounds for inadmissability

 

You cannot find anything because it is not there.

Edited January 7, 2022 by iwannaplay54

[iwannaplay54 985]

23 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

You will feel at ease once you read the policies here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-b

You beat me to it LOL

[WestHighlander 64]

Phew! That's a relief.. Thanks for replying promptly, folks.. That'll stop me fretting for the next 10 months or so until my fiancee gets her NOA2..

[mushroomspore 3,044]

24 minutes ago, WestHighlander said:

Phew! That's a relief.. Thanks for replying promptly, folks.. That'll stop me fretting for the next 10 months or so until my fiancee gets her NOA2..

No harm in asking. These kinds of details do matter so good on you for wanting to double-check and confirm.

[Rocio0010 5,612]

I know you didn’t ask about it, but please think hard if you want to do the K1 vs CR1

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, WestHighlander said:

I'm currently in the US at my fiancee's place in Washington State, and we're just about to mail the I-129F package later today to get the ball rolling. Looking ahead, though, I've been reading through the medical examination PDF issued by the Knightsbridge Doctors (which performs all K1 medicals for the London Embassy, which I will have to attend). The PDF includes a questionnaire which must be completed by all applicants, and one of the questions is "Have you ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease?". In my case, that's a big yes. In 2014, I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, and was extremely ill for about six months. Luckily, I recovered and didn't need a liver transplant; my liver still functions well enough to keep me healthy and I've been stable for nearly 8 years so far. I gave up alcohol (and paracetamol) in horror the instant I got the diagnosis and have been tea-total ever since. Since all the questions in the questionnaire are specifically related to refusal on medical grounds, I'm starting to wonder if I will be automatically refused because of my liver condition. I've been trying to find a definitive "yes or no" online and found nothing. Just wondering if anyone could shed any light on this potential problem.

 

I am familiar with the London medical and many discussions about it over the last dozen years. The questionnaire is to find out any major illnesses, past or ongoing. They will hand you another to fill out on the day of your exam. Because of your history, they will want a short write up from your GP telling when, description in medical terms, treatment, ongoing or cured, any meds your are still taking for it. When you go to your visa medical appointment you should take that in with you so you aren’t delayed by having to get one before they will finalize the medical report and send to the embassy. They just want to hear it from a medical professional who knows you instead of your telling of it. You of course can discuss it too.  

 

I would suggest you start working on medical things about the time your I-129F petitions gets approved. NHS can be slow to help you at times so put in your request early. It’s not copies of your actual records from the time, but just a short summary covering the things I said above. 
 

Also get vaccinated before you go to the visa medical and a printout of your vaccinations.That way you will be signed off for your adjustment of status without having to get signed off by another doctor visit in the US…most of which will want to make you pay for a new full exam. That won’t be needed if you get all needed shots before you go.  It’s probably only Tetanus/diphtheria you will need because that has to be renewed every 10 years. The MMR you probably already had as a baby.  Varicella is waived if you tell them you had chickenpox and most do in the UK because they don’t do the varicella vaccine there. If your medical happens during flu season (Oct-Mar) you will have to get a flu jab. Otherwise it’s waived. And the new requirement is fully vaccinated for Covid which I hope you have already taken care of. You can sort your jabs when you get home. They won’t expire.

 

 

 

 

 

[SalishSea 18,078]

5 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

I know you didn’t ask about it, but please think hard if you want to do the K1 vs CR1

Good point.

 

OP, any thought to marrying here during this visit, and filing for a CR-1?  The previous K-1 time processing advantage is no longer, but the wait for AP/EAD and GC has increased amid COVID.

[Mike E 11,742]

7 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

I know you didn’t ask about it, but please think hard if you want to do the K1 vs CR1

Or I-485

[WestHighlander 64]

2 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

OP, any thought to marrying here during this visit, and filing for a CR-1?  The previous K-1 time processing advantage is no longer, but the wait for AP/EAD and GC has increased amid COVID.

 

It's been suggested several times, but there are a number of reasons why that would complicate things for me significantly back in the UK while waiting for the CR-1 to be issued. I would have to fly home and explain to the local council and the DWP that I'm married, which would constitutes a change of status so significant that it would affect my rent and income significantly until such time as I could leave the country permanently. We've had to put everything on hold for two years due to Covid anyway (I didn't see her for 22 months because I was stuck in the UK due to the travel ban), so we've decided that we can cope with one more year (or thereabouts) until the K1 is issued. We mailed the I-129F earlier today, so judging by the most recent estimate I can find, we're guessing it'll be sometime around November that she gets the NOA2, and I'll be going for the medical and interview towards Christmas. Once I actually manage to get back here with the visa, we can wait however long it takes for the Adjustment Of Status / Green Card process, because her youngest kid still has a year to go before he graduates from high school, and we're planning to move to a different state once everything is finallised and I have a Green Card.

[SalishSea 18,078]

Just now, WestHighlander said:

 

It's been suggested several times, but there are a number of reasons why that would complicate things for me significantly back in the UK while waiting for the CR-1 to be issued. I would have to fly home and explain to the local council and the DWP that I'm married, which would constitutes a change of status so significant that it would affect my rent and income significantly until such time as I could leave the country permanently. We've had to put everything on hold for two years due to Covid anyway (I didn't see her for 22 months because I was stuck in the UK due to the travel ban), so we've decided that we can cope with one more year (or thereabouts) until the K1 is issued. We mailed the I-129F earlier today, so judging by the most recent estimate I can find, we're guessing it'll be sometime around November that she gets the NOA2, and I'll be going for the medical and interview towards Christmas. Once I actually manage to get back here with the visa, we can wait however long it takes for the Adjustment Of Status / Green Card process, because her youngest kid still has a year to go before he graduates from high school, and we're planning to move to a different state once everything is finallised and I have a Green Card.

Ah, that makes sense.  Not worth losing your housing benefit this close to moving over.  Btw, I think I remember you!  How are you coping with our winter weather here in Washington?  

[WestHighlander 64]

4 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

I am familiar with the London medical and many discussions about it over the last dozen years. The questionnaire is to find out any major illnesses, past or ongoing. They will hand you another to fill out on the day of your exam. Because of your history, they will want a short write up from your GP telling when, description in medical terms, treatment, ongoing or cured, any meds your are still taking for it. When you go to your visa medical appointment you should take that in with you so you aren’t delayed by having to get one before they will finalize the medical report and send to the embassy. They just want to hear it from a medical professional who knows you instead of your telling of it. You of course can discuss it too.  

 

I would suggest you start working on medical things about the time your I-129F petitions gets approved. NHS can be slow to help you at times so put in your request early. It’s not copies of your actual records from the time, but just a short summary covering the things I said above. 
 

Also get vaccinated before you go to the visa medical and a printout of your vaccinations.That way you will be signed off for your adjustment of status without having to get signed off by another doctor visit in the US…most of which will want to make you pay for a new full exam. That won’t be needed if you get all needed shots before you go.  It’s probably only Tetanus/diphtheria you will need because that has to be renewed every 10 years. The MMR you probably already had as a baby.  Varicella is waived if you tell them you had chickenpox and most do in the UK because they don’t do the varicella vaccine there. If your medical happens during flu season (Oct-Mar) you will have to get a flu jab. Otherwise it’s waived. And the new requirement is fully vaccinated for Covid which I hope you have already taken care of. You can sort your jabs when you get home. They won’t expire.

 

Thanks for that clarification, that's extremely useful. Regarding the letter from my GP, that probably won't be a lot of use because I live in a remote area of the Scottish Highlands, and the nearest GP practice has been operating with one part-time locum since the old GP retired two years ago.. I reckon my best bet would be a letter from the consultant who treated me at the hospital and runs the follow-up clinic I attend twice a year. As for the vaccinations, I've had all of the above except a recent tetanus, so I'll get that attended to before I go to the medical.

[WestHighlander 64]

2 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Ah, that makes sense.  Not worth losing your housing benefit this close to moving over.  Btw, I think I remember you!  How are you coping with our winter weather here in Washington?  

Yes, I remember you too! Lord-a-mercy, the weather has been pretty savage this last week, hasn't it? I'm guessing you're on the other side of the Cascades; my fiancee's place is way over in Kennewick, but we had a huge dump of snow earlier this week too. I heard that Snoqualmie Pass is closed completely until next week, and that's the worst I've known it since I've been visiting over here.. I have a friend in Bellingham, and she was posting photos of the snow there, too. Hope you managed to dig yourself out OK!