RetroPeach12

I only went with one Hep B dose and I was signed off. When you see “issued” on your CEAC, that’s the only true sign of approval. They have to run you through their system after the visa interview to check you don’t come up on any databases. If you’re a clean citizen, it’ll be a fast check. They give you a guideline of 7-14 days to receive your passport. I assume if anything comes up whilst they’re reviewing your packet, they can place you into AP. I never experienced this so I don’t know how long it can last. I received my passport, along with my immigration file in a big brown envelope to surrender at POE a day after I saw the “issued” status. It took 4 working days for me to receive it back. 6 altogether because we had a weekend included.

Hi! Yes, you will need a booster. Don’t worry about the time. I had my medical on the 18th of April, I got the COVID jab on the 19th and sent off the proof on the Monday. I didn’t have any issues with the x-Ray or bloods so everything was sent on the 25th to the embassy. You will probably have to pay for the COVID booster though as the NHS refused to give me it. My interview was the 9th of May. My visa was issued on the 13th and I received it on the 14th! It’s all a very speedy process, warranted you have no problems. Good luck!

You're welcome! I had two boosters at Boots before I went to the medical because my 10 years were almost up. I think I had the MMR booster and then the TDAP one. I didn't actually save that much money by choosing to get them done at Boots. I think Knightsbridge charge a little more, if not the same. I had 3 COVID vaccinations altogether, my last booster was 2021. The nurse told me that you need to get a booster within 12 months to satisfy the US, so this would have been my 4th. I didn't have the influenza and wasn't told I needed one either. Knightsbridge do not do COVID vaccines and the NHS would not cover me for it. I had to go to a private pharmacy today and pay £95 for it...ouch. It's all done now though and I can fax the proof on Monday.

You can keep your phone! It's just like a regular doctors appointment, very informal. I don't think they give a toss, quite honestly haha!

Tell him not to worry at all! It's such an unstressful situation & you're met with smiling faces everywhere. It seems to me like they're just wanting to get through everyone as quickly and efficiently as possible. He will be absolutely fine and it'll be a breeze! Thank you for the clarification also. I hope they're efficient with their timing and can get it done in that time-frame. Good luck with everything!

I had my medical exam at Knightsbridge earlier this week so thought I would give a little explanation as to how it went...and hopefully this can help some other people who are anxiously anticipating their appointment! These are the documents I took with me; Valid Passport 4x Passport Photos, UK or US size GP Summary - 5 pages detailing medications, problems & issues, diagnoses, allergies, treatments etc x2 Letters from GP x1 Letter from Psychologist (I opted to pay for a mental health assessment prior to the medical just to ease my anxiety) Vaccination Records ACRO Police Certificate US Questionnaire NVC Welcome Letter Appointment Details My appointment was booked for 10:30am. I had arrived at Kings Cross at 9:15am so I was exceptionally early...since it was a lovely day, I decided to walk. This is about a 40 minute walk give or take and isn't difficult to find whatsoever. I am also aware that Bond Street Station makes it easier to get to the medical if you're crunched on time. It's down a little side street and is covered in scaffolding, it isn't hard to miss at all. Checking In & Chest X-Ray I entered at around 10:15am and was instructed to wait in the waiting room until my appointment time. 10:30 came and I was called to check in. I was given a sheet of paper with a couple of questions mainly asking if I've ever had chicken-pox amongst other minor things. I was not, at any point, given a more detailed questionnaire to fill in. I waited for around 10-15 minutes until I was called by a lovely lady to do my chest x-ray. She was full of joy, was willing to make conversation and made the whole experience very comfortable. She instructed me to remove any clothing and jewellery on my top half and change into a gown. It was over in about 5 minutes. I had a quick peek at the screen and she instructed that everything looked fine but I am aware that it would be reviewed. After this, I was led back to the waiting room with the blue gown and waited another 15-20 minutes to be called up. Doctor Next, I was called up by a lovely doctor. I can't quite remember her name. She sat me down and had all of my documents laid out in front of her, mainly my GP Summary. The first 10 minutes or so was just a basic chat about my medical history. I don't have much of a history and I only take medications for a minor condition (PCOS) but figured I would still supply them with a brief report from my GP. I do also have a mental health history that spanned across 3 years. She asked me to explain to her the treatments I had and the medications I took, how I was feeling right now etc...at this point, I supplied her with another GP letter and a letter from a psychologist stating my current mental state. She read carefully through this and made notes on another piece of paper...I assume this is for the Consular Officer to skim through at the interview? I asked her in her opinion if she thought it would be enough, to which she nodded. She then proceeded to go through a form and asked me some questions, have I ever smoked, have I ever taken recreational drugs, TB etc...she never asked me about alcohol consumption and didn't press anymore after I had answered. Next up was the actual physical. She took my height & weight and did an eye-test. I was expecting her to mention something about my weight but she didn't. She just made a note of it on her documents & moved on. She instructed me to remove my clothing, change into the blue gown, lay on the bed and to call her when I was ready. She checked my lymph nodes, my temp, my collarbones (?) I'm not a doctor so medically speaking, I have no idea what could be there haha. She then laid me down, opened up my gown, checked my arms & legs for any scarring, felt my ankles, pushed around a little bit on my stomach...I assume checking for any abnormalities. She then sat me up, checked my lungs & heart, had a little feel around my boobs and checked my spine. I'd like to add, she was letting me know the entire time what she was doing and I never once felt uncomfortable with her. She was so kind & professional. She then checked my blood pressure, took some blood and that was that. She told me to get dressed again, wished me luck in life and that was that. I then went back to the waiting room for another 10 minutes. Vaccinations I was called up by another really nice lady to go through my vaccination history with me. She mentioned I was up to date with everything apart from a COVID booster. Now, I had no idea that a COVID booster was required in the last 12 months, so please be aware of that when you're getting ready for your medical. She explained to me that they don't offer COVID vaccines there so I would need to get it done outside and provide them the proof via email. She said a picture would suffice. This part was literally over in about 2 minutes. I then had to wait to be checked out by the reception staff. I was called up after about 10 minutes, was given a receipt to say I did my medical, my passport and another piece of paper with information on about the vaccination I needed. I was not given the form required for AOS, I did ask the receptionist about this and she said it would be sent to me via email once I had sent them proof of my COVID vaccination. I left £385 lighter (that hurt) and was very satisfied with the appointment from start to finish. Everyone was super lovely, the exam was not invasive in any way and if you're currently awaiting an appointment, please don't nervous. You will be absolutely fine. I did leave with a few questions though which I'm hoping can be answered on here. Just how long does it take for the file to be sent from the office to the embassy? I'm in bit of an anxiety period right now. Also, does the ENTIRE file get sent to the embassy? GP Summary, Letters etc..

This is very reassuring to hear. It's glad to hear from somebody with a recent experience too! Did you have therapy or anything like that? Was the Visa Medicals doctor nice and did she question you a lot on your MH or was it a one & done situation and that was that. I'm sorry for all the questions, I am just so nervous lol

All I'm doing is overthinking. It's terrible. I'm driving my fiance crazy haha!! I'll update after Thursday to let you know how it's gone. Good luck to them too!

I have my medical on Thursday and I've been reading this forum religiously to prepare for it but haven't been seeing anything recent regarding people's experiences, specifically with MH, other conditions and their letters. I knew the topic of MH would pop up at the medical so I decided to be pro-active and obtain a letter from my GP ahead of time in February. Now, I wasn't sure if a letter would be needed or not because I only have one mention of mental health on my medical summary 6 years ago and it was never an official diagnosis but I did receive a course of therapy. The letter reads; " [retropeach12] and I spoke today to discuss her general overall health. The focus of the consultation was her code of [MH issue] [DATE]. She feels absolutely fantastic right now and has had no issues with mental health over the past 3 years since completing her course of therapy. [retropeach12] had private therapy and NHS counselling between [DATE]. She had a course of Citalopram in [DATE] but discontinued after a month due to the intolerable side effects and a further trial of Mirtazapine in [DATE] but also felt like this was not beneficial. She has never attempted suicide, engaged in self-harming behaviour or had a history of violence towards others. She has never been diagnosed with a mental health condition. After a lengthy course of therapy, that she responded really well to, her symptoms have utterly resolved. We have not consulted her on any aspect of her mood since [DATE] when she finished our course of treatment with our Health and Wellbeing coach, reporting that she was the "happiest she has felt in a very long time" (this was not mental health related). It is of my opinion that her mental health has no bearing on her current health and symptoms and she certainly is no risk to herself or others." My question is, how does this read? I did provide him with the helpful template I've been seeing around this forum. I did also choose to pay for a mental health assessment and I have another A4 report to take in from a clinical psychologist. I'm aware this probably wasn't needed since I don't have a long history or a mental health condition but I wanted to make sure I covered all of my bases. I don't have anything from the previous therapist I saw and when I called up, they were unwilling to compose a letter based on my treatment or current mental health because of the time passed. The only other official diagnosis I have for any "serious" medical condition is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which I do currently take medicine for. I do have a report for this but it's VERY brief. It mentions how I was diagnosed and how I'm managing now, plus the medications I'm taking but doesn't specify the role of the medication so I'm not sure if I'll be questioned on that. I want to make sure that I have all my bases covered before Thursday because I don't want to have to go back to my GP since it was like pulling teeth to obtain a letter in the first place. I can't wait for all of this to be over with. Your advice & help is much appreciated.

I'm going through the same thing at the minute. Brief history of visiting my GP for low mood in 2018. I did have a round of therapy and I was on anti-depressants for 2 months (also didn't finish the course). There is nothing on my Patient Summary at all in reference to it. I do want to disclose but I am worried that if I do, they're going to request more information that I just simply do not have. I do have a letter from my GP and I am also booked in to see a psychologist for an additional report on my MH. This has been eating me alive with stress! Have you had your medical yet? How did it go?

Thank you for your response. I feel a bit more relaxed about visiting now. I should be fine. We’ve received the receipt notice already so I’m going to bring along with me the NOA1 just incase.

Thank you for your response. Was this Nashville specifically or just a general experience?? I'm flying out on the 21st of December so hopefully I have no issues as it's so close to Christmas. I'm happy to hear your experience went well, hopefully I'm up against an IO as sweet as yours was haha.

You’ve really eased my mind. Thank you so much for your advice

Thank you for your advice. I’ll just take what I can and best case scenario, they don’t ask for it.

That’s what I gathered. Regarding medication, I moreso meant it would be an extreme hassle for me to contact a doctor there. I know how it looks to CBP and it’s a shame when I have no intentions of overstaying. You’re right though. Would they even be able to see our K1 application? We applied in May and I’m aware we still have a long time to go. Would it be something that would pop up on their screen after they’ve scanned my passport or would that only be after NOA2 stage. I can only hope I have another smooth entrance like last Christmas with minimal questions.