I-693A

[~Nini~ 2]

Okay, so today I call the nearest civil surgeon by our house so that I can get my vaccination supplement transferred for AOS.

I kid you not, this is the exact conversation I had with the lady:

"Hi, I understand that Dr. Stadlen is a civil surgeon for USCIS and I can transfer my vaccinations over for adjusting status?"

"Yes, you mean for the I-693A? Well, we can get you in on November 26th for an appointment. But you'll need to come back in for the tuberculosis test since the doctors aren't in on those days."

"...um, tuberculosis test?"

"Yes, it's part of the medical exam that you'll need to adjust status."

"Well, I'm exempt from a medical because I've already been asked to have one this year."

"By who?"

"USCIS asked me to have a medical exam before I immigrated here. They'll have records of it."

"Do you yourself have any records?"

"...um, excuse me?"

"Do you have any records of taking this medical?"

"No, but USCIS does."

"Well, we don't know that you've had this medical, so we'll need to give you one."

"...but I just need the vaccination supplement. I don't need another medical, I've already had one this year, it says on the instructions that I'm exempt from having another one. I have the x-ray from that medical exam..."

"Where did you have your medical done? Here?"

"No, overseas in Canada."

"Do you have records of taking this medical?"

"No, but USCIS knows I've taken the medical."

"Well, you have to prove that you've taken this medical before we can exempt you from it."

"...you know, I'll call you back."

ARGH. I am not shelling out a gazillion dollars for another exam.

I have the vaccination worksheet that the panel physician gave to me in Vancouver - but as far as I know, I need to have that copied over to an I-693A before I can mail in my AOS papers. I'm guessing that either I'm going to call every single civil surgeon in the general area, or I'm SOL and biting the bullet. I'm quite frustrated, to say the least.

[Emancipation 2]

No no.. don't go to all that work.. see this thread.. esp Krikit's reply near the end..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=93483

[~Nini~ 2]

Oooo, I must've missed that link while using the search feature.

Those suggestions that Krikit mention in her post are worth considering. I would definitely try submitting the vaccination worksheet (DS-3025) to see if I could slide under the RFE radar, but I'm too much of a pansy to risk it. Plus, I'd be fretting the entire time about getting an RFE and going to the back of the line again, which would make me rather antsy

If anything, I'll see whether I can twist some of those stubborn civil surgeons into reading the instructions on the I-485. It's ridiculous that we can't call USCIS to complain about some of the doctors who they certify as being competent enough to do AOS medical examinations.

Edited October 30, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[Krikit 1,164]

It's okay, Nini. I, and quite a few others, just included a copy of the DS-3025 in the submission and never received an RFE. As long as your medical is less than a year old you're good to go. But if you really need to have it transcribed, send it to the $10 doctor. It's not worth paying extra for it.

[Mephys 2]

I would call them one more time and give this try.

Read them the instruction where it says that K-1 visa are exempt from having a medical and explain to her that you have a K-1. Or better ask if she has a fax number and that you will send it to her.

And another thing, at my medical in Montreal they did give me a bill on a sheet saying they did a Medical for immigration Visa and I kept it. Any chance they gave you one ? That itself should be enough.

[Emancipation 2]

I would call them one more time and give this try.

Read them the instruction where it says that K-1 visa are exempt from having a medical and explain to her that you have a K-1. Or better ask if she has a fax number and that you will send it to her.

And another thing, at my medical in Montreal they did give me a bill on a sheet saying they did a Medical for immigration Visa and I kept it. Any chance they gave you one ? That itself should be enough.

OH that's a good idea Mephys!! In my case I gave the receipt to Blue Cross when I filed for reimbursement for my medical. they wanted the original, but keeping a copy of the bill is a GREAT idea

[Earmuffs 1]

I treid calling the $10 doctor but nobody answered all day.

what si this DS-3025 people are tlaking about.. Should I have one of these from some where?

[Dakine 26]

Print this out a scan or fax it to the DCS.

FEDERAL REGISTER INTERIM REGULATIONS at USCIS

"C. Medical Examinations

According to 8 CFR 245.5, aliens seeking to adjust status are required to undergo a medical examination performed by a designated civil surgeon to determine whether they are inadmissible under section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Act. To date, applicants for K nonimmigrant visas have been required to obtain a medical examination abroad pursuant to Department of State regulations at 22 CFR 41.81 prior to entry, and the medical examination is not repeated if they apply for adjustment of status within 1 year of the dat e the examination was performed. They are, however, required to submit with the adjustment of status application a vaccination assessment completed by a designated civil surgeon in order to establish their compliance with the vaccination requirements under section 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act.

The Service will continue this same policy for the K-3/K-4 nonimmigrants. K-3/K-4 nonimmigrants who file their adjustment of status application within 1 year from the date of the medical examination overseas will not have to submit an additional medical examination. However, the Service notes that applicants whose medical examinations overseas revealed a “Class A” or “Class B” condition (as defined by 42 CFR 34.2( B ) ) must establish upon application for adjustment of status that they complied with those cond itions imposed on the initial admission. Failure to comply with those conditions means that a new medical examination will be required.

Some DCSs give the TB skin test. I think it's still required by USCIS even tho you had a TB CXR at the immigration medical abroad.

[Cassie 8]

It's okay, Nini. I, and quite a few others, just included a copy of the DS-3025 in the submission and never received an RFE. As long as your medical is less than a year old you're good to go. But if you really need to have it transcribed, send it to the $10 doctor. It's not worth paying extra for it.

Yep, I just made a photocopy of my vaccination worksheet that was given to me at the medical (ask for it people, if they don't offer you a copy while you are there!!!!!) and sent it in, no RFE's.

[~Nini~ 2]

What a long day

One civil surgeon in Media wanted $250 for that damn sheet. Hell, no. Another place wanted to schedule me in for next month - and when they heard I just needed the form, the same damn argument of "oh well you need a medical". I told them to read their instructions

I finally found a doctor in nearby Norristown this Friday. I asked them about cost, and I think they quoted me for the actual vaccinations - so hopefully it'll be extremely cheap. If not, I'll suck up my pansy fear and send in a copy of the worksheet

Edited October 31, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[Earmuffs 1]

treid calling edmonton where i got my medical and they wont give me a copy of my work sheet unless i have an appointment date.... ####### is with that..

that texas doctor said to mail my info and my alberta immunization card..

hope that works..

[Earmuffs 1]

treid calling edmonton where i got my medical and they wont give me a copy of my work sheet unless i have an appointment date.... ####### is with that..

that texas doctor said to mail my info and my alberta immunization card..

hope that works..

[Jasman0717 9]

You should have received a document from the medical, can't remember, is it the DS-2035?

[Earmuffs 1]

i never recieved ######.

[~Nini~ 2]

Okay, so I went to the doctor's office today with Bee in nearby Norristown. All in all I got my I-693A, but it was a huge effin' hassle. Almost everyone there acted like I was being a great pain in the derriere because I told them the specifics of my situation. One of the other doctors that was there was being condescending behind my back and said, "Well, I can't see any sign of it in our manual." I wanted to shove my I-485 instructions in her face and tell her to find a pole to sit on and twirl.

I got to speak to the good ol' doc, who was a really friendly guy and was probably the only person in there who didn't treat me like an idiot. There was another female doctor/nurse there with us and we chatted about how I didn't need another medical because I'd already had one in order to get my K1. Luckily she sounded really knowledgeable about the whole situation so I'm glad I didn't sound like I was nucking futz to the whole office. After hearing about my chest x-ray the doc wanted to do a skin test for TB, and nicely explained the reasoning behind it. He suggested that I do it and come back on Monday to check the results, but said that I could always come back and do the test if USCIS requested it.

Anyway, I paid $40 at the front, and the mean receptionist was like, "Okay, have a great day." Um, where's my form? She was like "omg!!" and had to grab the female nurse, who looked confused. I had to explain to them that I needed a copy of the form for USCIS - after all, that's why I was there in the first place - and so she got me my sealed envelope ready, along with my copy for records.

I'm crossing my fingers that I don't have to go back, because if I have to see that stupid receptionist again, I might punch her in her huge schnozz.

Edited November 2, 2007 by Nini & Bee