Vaccinations & Packet 3 Questions Before Medical

[TheAndies 50]

Hi there,

I really feel like I'm asking so many questions lately - so my apologies ahead of time, I know I'll have more throughout this process! Just trying to make sure everything is done correctly. Also, apologies if I might've overlooked these topics in other threads - it's a lot to go through! Especially that Knightsbridge thread - over a hundred pages!

I've read through the entire London K1 guide (I'm the USC, btw) several times and my fiance and I just had a long skype call trying to get everything in order for his medical, which is on January 12th. So far...he's really behind on getting things in order. And the holidays haven't helped. So, let me dive right into this:

He's going to order and expedite his Police Certificate tomorrow, so hopefully he'll have that ahead of his medical. He's also going to get his photos done by end of week. One of our main questions is about the vaccinations. He was told that he didn't need his vaccinations for this medical - but would need them for AOS once he's in the states. While that might be true, I said to him (weeks ago) to look into getting his vaccinations done at his GP before his medical so that the Knightsbridge doc can sign off on it and it'll be one less thing to worry about when we file for AOS once he's here. I know that you can get the vaccinations done at Knightsbridge, but honestly, they're a bit pricey especially when most are covered by his GP.

So just to confirm, his lack of vaccinations for the medical won't delay the K1 case, correct? However, when we go to file AOS, I'll have to drag him to a civil surgeon here to get his vaccinations done and possibly another full medical?

Secondly, we made the medical appointment once I called NVC and got our case number, which I know a lot of people do. As of today, he still hasn't received packet 3 in the mail. The CEAC site says it's still "in transit" (though checking the DHL shippers reference, I know it made it to the embassy yesterday...but again, holidays). I know he has to bring that letter with him to the medical. What happens if it doesn't get mailed to him in time? Should we cancel the medical if he doesn't get it by next week? Or can he go to the medical despite not having received it yet?

I just want to make sure everything is in order. Thank you so much in advance

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes he can get a K1 visa with zero shots. But I personally think it is dumb, dumb, dumb to do so.

Read these posts from people who did not get shots done in advance of their visa medical. Frustration and expensive.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/518446-civil-surgeons-what-a-joke/?p=7289206

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/462793-medical-again-in-usa-due-to-incomplete-vaccination-record/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/461012-medical-exam-for-aos-after-k1/

These are just examples of a gazillion from many countries that I have read and replied to.

Wouldn't it be easier to put a completed DS-3025 in you AOS packet and not have to go through theses experiences?

Knightsbridge asking to see the letter may be something very new. I haven't seen anybody report what happened if they did not have a letter. I saw some speculation on what some of their wording meant, but no hard facts about it.

So I gotta ask, what is the point of attending the medical so quickly if you have to pay £35 extra to expedite a police certificate, pay $$$ for a civil surgeon and delay your AOS (and working and driver license) while you go through that hassle, and taking the chance that getting out of order could actually delay the interview? If you really want to make sure everything is in order, then slow down and get it in order. If you want to cut corners, then it could turn out just fine...or not. It's really up to you to decide.

PS. And I'm not criticizing you in any way. I am just giving you things to think about as you make a decision. You may have a $50,000 wedding planned that he has to be there for so time is of the essence.

Edited December 31, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[TheAndies 50]

Yes he can get a K1 visa with zero shots. But it is dumb, dumb, dumb to do so.

Read these posts from people who did not get shots done in advance of their visa medical. Frustration and expensive.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/518446-civil-surgeons-what-a-joke/?p=7289206

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/462793-medical-again-in-usa-due-to-incomplete-vaccination-record/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/461012-medical-exam-for-aos-after-k1/

These are just examples of a gazillion from many countries that I have read and replied to.

Wouldn't it be easier to put a completed DS-3025 in you AOS packet and not have to go through theses experiences?

Knightsbridge asking to see the letter may be something very new. I haven't seen anybody report what happened if they did not have a letter. I saw some speculation on what some of their wording meant, but no hard facts about it.

So I gotta ask, what is the point of attending the medical so quickly if you have to pay £35 extra to expedite a police certificate, pay $$$ for a civil surgeon and delay your AOS (and working and driver license) while you go through that hassle, and taking the chance that getting out of order could actually delay the interview? If you really want to make sure everything is in order, then slow down and get it in order. If you want to cut corners, then it could turn out just fine...or not. It's really up to you to decide.

Thank you SO much for your reply. I think, to answer your question about getting the medical done so quickly, after waiting 6+ months for the NOA2 and literally not being together for months and months, we just wanted to get everything done ASAP, if that makes sense. You know how it is, being so far apart for such long expanses of time. But stepping away from that aspect and seeing all this, trying to get things done quickly might not be the best way to go.

Just to confirm, if he goes to his medical at Knightsbridge with his full list of vaccinations in order (or just says screw it and pays for them to be done there), he would get the DS-3025 at that medical for the AOS packet? Sorry for my ignorance, I haven't done much of my homework on the AOS stage just yet because, well, one thing at a time.

I really appreciate the time you took to respond to this!!!

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Sounds like your fiance needs a rocket up the backside! You can always call Knightsbridge up to 3 business days before the medical and cancel the appointment free of charge if you don't have the vaccinations and police certificate ready yet.

[G Walters 136]

My wife went thorough this recently and from our experience get everything done there. She had all done except for the second shot in a series and it cost us over 100 dollars to get it done at Walgreens. She did not get the second one done due to the short time till she flew and did not want to have a rash or anything that might delay her flight.. Civil surgeons in the US are expensive. It would have been 350 for the visit and the cost of the shot she needed here. Get them done by your GP under the UK health plan and save your self money.

[Gina&Pete14 9]

I have my medical on the 7th Jan, wasnt up to date with the vacs needed, went to my local health centre with all the shots I needed, they done it there and then x

[Leeds333 1]

I didn't have no proof of vaccin as I'm a french living in UK,the nurse there told me that it doesn't matter as it's a K1 visa but she gave me a list of vaccin to do once I will be in usa to get my green card, (she said I should do it in UK as it's free) I indeed had my appointement anyway, however when I was there I don't think they asked for my consulat letter but they did need my police certificate.. You can cancel without fee 3 day before maybe u should wait 3 days before to cancel if you didn't get your police certificate

(Email from knightbridge: please allow 3 working days notice to avoid the cancellation fee of £95.)

It's ok feel free to ask we are happy to help, you only go through what we have been through

[Leeds333 1]

Also in November it only took me 1 week to get a medical appointement, I wasn't as lucky for my visa interview I finally have it, and it's 2 month after my medical appointement. (Medical the 25/11, letter with appointement received from embassy the 30/12, interview the 28/01)

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Just to confirm, if he goes to his medical at Knightsbridge with his full list of vaccinations in order (or just says screw it and pays for them to be done there), he would get the DS-3025 at that medical for the AOS packet? Sorry for my ignorance, I haven't done much of my homework on the AOS stage just yet because, well, one thing at a time.

I really appreciate the time you took to respond to this!!!

DS-3025 (vaccinations) is one of the pages of the medical results that go to the embassy. Everybody is given a photocopy of that page for their records. If it has all the required shots documented on it, then USCIS accepts it as proof of meeting the vaccination requirements. USCIS gets all the pages of your medical results and accepts that you have passed the other medical requirements as well. But because a K1 can get a visa without shots, some need to have a civil surgeon certify their shots which they get later. If you miss the complete certification at Knightsbridge, then your only other option is pay a civil surgeon in the US. USCIS won't take a note from you British GP. You must be signed off by a panel physician abroad on a DS-3025 or a civil surgeon in the US on an I-693. Your Knightsbridge medical forms will look something like this http://photos.state.gov/libraries/vietnam/8621/pdf-forms/DS-2053.pdf

The following is something I wrote and post in the AOS forums. And links to it are often given by mods and other regulars to help those wondering if they need to see a civil surgeon or not.

Do I need a medical exam?

What if I am a K nonimmigrant visa holder and already had a medical exam overseas?

If you were admitted as a:

A. K-1 fiancé(e) or a K-2 child of a K-1 fiancé(e); or as a

B. K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen or a K-4 child of a K-3 spouse of a U.S. citizen; and

C. You received a medical examination prior to admission, then:

1. You are not required to have another medical examination as long as your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is filed within one year of your overseas medical examination, and the medical examination did not reveal a Class A medical condition, or if you did have a Class A medical condition, you received a waiver of inadmissibility and have complied with the terms and conditions on the waiver.

2. Even if a new medical examination is not required, you must still show proof that you complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS 3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original overseas medical examination report, you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you are required to submit the vaccination record and page 1 of Form I-693.

(From the I-693 instructions page 5.)

Do you need an I-693 immunization sheet? Is my DS-3025 filled out properly?

Look at your DS-3025. If it has the ALL of the following items, you don't need an I-693 (Adults 19-49 yrs old).

1. Shots marked with a date (at least one of a series)

MMR (two are required but if you have the column "insufficient time interval" checked, then you get a waiver. Having one shot is often okay but the waiver being marked is the surest thing. )

Td or Tdap or DT or DTP or DtaP (One dated no longer than 10 years ago, or have a booster)

Varicella or VH written by it if you had chickenpox

Influenza (during flu season)** see note below because you may be okay without it.

2. Everything else marked not age appropriate, insufficient time interval, not flu season...things that allow a waiver.

3. RESULTS section filled in with "incomplete" and "may be eligible for blanket waiver" ticked or "complete" (but complete is rare).

4. Signed and dated by the doctor

If it's not completed EXACTLY like that then see a civil surgeon for the I-693. If it is complete, send a photocopy of your DS-3025. Almost isn't good enough. It needs to be filled out properly.

The USCIS is supposed to have your K1 medical files, but sometimes lose them or fail to match them up with your AOS. Do not get another exam unless you get an RFE that says they do not have results of your medical. It means they lost them, but you are probably stuck with paying for a new exam. Those kinds of RFE's are not about the immunizations or the form I-693; they are because USCIS failed to match up your other medical exam results with your AOS application.

**Note on flu shot: Flu shots are required for adults of all ages (changed Nov 2010) if your visa exam was between (Oct 1 and March 31). But if the AOS adjudicator picks up your case when it is not flu season, you will be excused. And the reverse is true. The adjudicator picks up your case during flu season, but sees it was NOT flu season when you had your medical exam, you are also excused because the date they go by is the date of your exam to determine if you were current on that date. Keep in mind that if you go to a civil surgeon for an I-693, then you are resetting the medical exam date for immunizations and you may have to get second doses of shots or a flu shot to become current on your new immunization date of record.

What if I only had one dose of MMR and it's marked "insufficient time interval"? Do I need to another dose and must I see a civil surgeon before AOS?

NO you do not need to see a civil surgeon unless USCIS loses the whole medical file you turned in at POE. If you were up to date the day that DS-3025 was signed, then you're okay without getting 2nd or 3rd doses. You can get them for your health, or you can not get them ever. It was not medically appropriate for you to get dose 2 on top of dose 1. There's a time interval for doses. So you get a waiver for "insufficient time interval" if that is marked on your DS-3025.

If you are one of the unlucky ones with a lost medical, then you will have to get a full medical again. By then, enough time would have passed for dose 2 so expect the CS to say you need it. Hopefully it won't come to that.

If you just chose not to get a second dose that was due (because it was more than 4 weeks since dose 1) then you wouldn't have that "insufficient time interval" waiver marked on your DS-3025. It was medically fine to have the second dose and you didn't. You aren't complete and have no waiver excuse. You may be approved and may not. Depends on the adjudicator

What if I don't have a DS-3025?

If you are positive that you got the needed shots, then actually mailing in a DS-3025 photocopy is not necessary. The original form is with your other medical results and was turned over to USCIS at POE. That's actually the one that counts because it remained in the "chain of custody" so you didn't have an opportunity to alter it. The photocopy isn't really an official copy and is more for a reminder that you got complete at your visa exam. Of course without having a copy, you don't have the opportunity to see if the rest of the form was completed correctly.

---Bottom line is do it at Knightsbridge and avoid the form I-693 altogether.---

[TheAndies 50]

Thank you everyone so, so much for all the responses. I took all of this information and spoke with my fiance, and it was very much like putting a rocket up his backside, as Ketsuban said! haha! He's getting all his vaccinations done BEFORE the medical, mailed off the police certificate request (expedited) and now all we have to worry about is when packet 3 arrives.

You guys are the best, I don't think we would be able to do this process without all of your help and insight. Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year <3

[Leeds333 1]

Your welcome happy to help!

FYI my petition have been approved by the NVC the 28/10 (letter received in USA on the 03/11) and letter from the london US embassy arrived at my home on the 11/11.

Good luck to your fiancee for all those vaccin! Ouch

[TheAndies 50]

Awesome - so, generally it takes about a week for the embassy to respond, so maybe we'll get lucky! Thanks again so much, words can't even describe how much I appreciate all the help!

And congrats to you on your recent approval!

Ha! Better him than me for all those vaccinations...

[TheAndies 50]

Alright everyone, I'm back! My fiance had his medical today and got all of his vaccinations in order before going (hallelujah!). The only thing he was missing was the DTap so they gave it to him at his medical. I told him to let me know what the DS-3025 looked like that they gave him and he sent me a pic of the form, which I've attached. Does this look right to satisfy AOS requirements? The doctor didn't check the "complete" or "incomplete" box. Not really sure where this leaves us. Thanks so much!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It's a different form than I have seen before. Can you scan the whole thing or photograph more of the bottom with form number or revision date. Are those two checkboxes the only choices? Where is the legend showing what the ABCs stand for on the right column?

[TheAndies 50]

It's a different form than I have seen before. Can you scan the whole thing or photograph more of the bottom with form number or revision date. Are those two checkboxes the only choices? Where is the legend showing what the ABCs stand for on the right column?

Hi hi! I would ask him to send me a scan of the original but he's asleep now, lol.

This is the form he got though (so the key for what the letters stand for are listed):

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/591452/iv/ds3025.pdf

And none of the boxes are checked. Trying to decide if he should call tomorrow to follow up and see why it's like that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!