K1 Medical in Moscow - what does it consist of?

[Goombah]

My beloved is considering getting all types of exams just to make sure she knows (and treats) anything that might come up in her official exam.

Can anyone share exactly what the official medical exam checks?

She will be going to Moscow for her Interview, I'm suggesting she get her medical done while there in August when she returns from our vacation together.  She was planning on spending a few days with a female friend there anyhow.

Also, does her 10 year old daughter also need an exam?

Thanks!

Kevin and Evia

[jb]

The medical exam is primarily a TB screen, (chest x-ray), blood is tested for other communicable diseases, especially aids, other than that it's just an ordinary medical exam.  And, yes, the daughter will need an exam as well.  Shot records need to be up-to-date, any shots needed will be given at extra cost at the time of the exam.

I wouldn't advise getting the exam too soon, I believe it's supposed to be done no more that 2 - 4 weeks or so prior to the interview.  Also, there are only 2 or 3 approved clinics for the exam in Moscow, getting an exam by her doctor at his clinic or hospital won't do the job.  She has to go to their clinics.

There will be plenty of time to get the exam done after she gets the interview package, just call up and make an appointment a day or two before the interview, it's takes a morning and you pick up the results in the afternoon.

[wxman]

The medical exams are good for 1 year. But I agree, not to get them done too early. Simply because when you file AOS, the medical records can not be older than a year old. If they are, she would again have to go to doctor in US approved by government for the same exam. If possible, make sure all her vaccinations are up to date. They are not required for interview, but they will be required when you file AOS. The vaccinations are much cheaper over there, and she can get them at the exam, and then this will be noted on exam. Just a cheap insurance to avoid the headache when she comes over here.  

[jb]

It's true, the medical exams have a shelf life of 1 year, but it's also true they won't accept a 6 months old exam at the interview.  She could have contracted any number of diseases in 6 months.  The Embassy likes fresh medical exams at the time of the interview.  

Do your g/f a favor and let her get the exam just before the interview.

[wxman]

I agree to wait as long as you can for exam. It can never hurt to have up to date records. My fiancee did hers in mid April, and all we are waiting for is interview date. I figure by the time of interview, exam will be about 3 months old, which is ok as she contacted embassy prior to exam to make sure about it. I don't know how friendly the embassy is in Moscow, but my fiancee has called the one in Kiev a few times and they are always helpful to her. If she has concerns, I would reccommend that she call embassy too. Never hurts to get it straight from the source.

[Turboguy]

My gal just had her exam 12 days ago so things are pretty fresh in my mind.   Most of what everyone said is correct.   There are 3 centers in Moscow where you can get the exam.   The price ranges fro $ 70.00 to $ 100.00   Everyone says the one with Medico in the name is the best one.   I have not been in it, but was sitting in front of it as my gal picked up her report last Friday.  It looks like a nice facility.  It was modern, clean and busy.   The one I am talking about will not let you pick up the results till the next day.   The Medico one is the $ 100.00.   The $ 70.00 one will let you get the results that afternoon but the people are supposed to be much more rude.

If you are close to getting your date for your interview, I see no problem with getting the medical exam while she is there.  After all when you get the date and packet 3/4 you get a notice telling you to go to one of those three places and get your exam.  If it was not acceptable timing they would not tell you to do it.   If you are just preparing your forms for your inital filing to the regional center, I would wait.   I have a feeling that will not be the case.  When she gets her results it will be in a sealed envelope and she is not allowed to open it.   I think that is thier control so it does not get tampered with.   She will get the 5x8 white envelope and a rolled up x-ray in a brown wrapper.

[Goombah]

Thanks all.

I'm encouraging her to get it done when we return from Jamaica in mid-August.  That should be a month or two before her Interview.

Kevin

[Turboguy]

That should be perfect.   My gal had her exam on May 24th and her interview is July 26th.   Neither of us will have a problem with it.

[Bruce]

One thing you may want to consider is the AOS that will inevitably occur with a K1 visa.  In my State's region the AOS is running 2 1/2 years.  If your State will adjust status within 9 months of marriage after the K-1 it makes sense for you to schedule your medical exam as close as possible to the actual interview date.  You may avoid a needless medical exam if you heed my advice.  In my case it naturally makes no difference.  I am looking ahead to another medical exam and will wait until I see the whites of the AOS interview before I make it happen unless anyone has information that may make me change my plans.

[jb]

You are absolutely correct, Bruce, nationwide the AOS is running 18-24 months.  You can have all your paperwork perfect, yet the background checks for the AOS are taking forever.  Most likely the average K-1'er is going to have to have another medical before it's GC time.  But the embassies still like to see a fresh exam date at the time of the interview.  Getting the exam early serves no purpose.

[ConnerVT]

That's not true across the board, jb.  We had our interviews (wife and son) for AOS in about 140 days from NOA1.  It is so very dependent on the district sub-office you end up having to deal with.  The one in St. Albans, VT has been a pleasure to deal with.

A small reward for tolerating 13 months of winter each year! 

[jb]

We had our interviews (wife and son) for AOS in about 140 days from NOA1

The rest of the country aspires to live in Vermont at AOS time. Alas, we do not.  Nationally we wait a minimum of 18 months on average, usually it's 2.5 years.

[Vaughn]

Kevin,

  She might not be able to take the med exam early as she'll receive this directive in her interview appointment packet: "Please see the enclosed information about the medical examination required for all intending immigrants. Be sure to read all of the enclosed information and follow the instructions very carefully. Please provide your name and case number exactly as shown in this letter." This came from a recent interview appointment packet.

  I don't believe she can walk in empty-handed. Hope for a Wednesday (or Thursday) interview - that'll allow her to schedule a Monday (or Tuesday) medical exam, results are fresh and ready the next morning. The clinic Turbo mentioned takes appointments by phone if she has the MOS case number, the cheapest place will not - it's on a walk-in basis only and can be packed to the gills with patients, take a number.

   Our mutual friend in O'Fallon says the St Louis area is running about 12 months on AOS these days, not too bad at all. Enjoy Jamaica, stay in at night unless you're inside a Negril resort.

[Goombah]

All -

Still absorbing terms.  MOS?  From context, I'm guessing this is her Interview number, which is different from our case nubmer we received on the NOA1?

Fortunately, Evia has a friend in Moscow, so going a day or two early to her Interview to get her medical is not a hardship.

She will be in Moscow in August with some spare time.  Any suggestions on things she should check out while there to make her life more comfortable come Medical/Interview time?  I suspect she will check out the 4 clinics listed on the Moscow Embassy website.

BTW - Attached is the medical information document from the US Embassy in Moscow.  It indicates the medical results are usually valid for a year, 6-months with certain medical conditions.

Kevin

[Goombah]

All -

Still absorbing terms.  MOS?  From context, I'm guessing this is her Interview number, which is different from our case nubmer we received on the NOA1?

Fortunately, Evia has a friend in Moscow, so going a day or two early to her Interview to get her medical is not a hardship.

She will be in Moscow in August with some spare time.  Any suggestions on things she should check out while there to make her life more comfortable come Medical/Interview time?  I suspect she will check out the 4 clinics listed on the Moscow Embassy website.

BTW - Attached is the medical information document from the US Embassy in Moscow.  It indicates the medical results are usually valid for a year, 6-months with certain medical conditions.

Kevin

[Turboguy]

Yes, Kevin, You will be assigned a new case number by the NVC.   The first three letters of the case number will be the embassy you will be going through.  In your situation that will be MOS.   The next numbers will be the the year, 2005 then the day of the year plus 500.   In other words a visa approved on January 2nd would be 502 one on Febuary 1st would be 532   (the 31 days in January plus the first day of Feb.)   Mine for reference was 588.    The last numbers are how it was in the number of visas processed  worldwide that day   in onther words 024 would be the 24th they did that day.   That is where your case number comes from and how it works.  Interviews are online but long after you are notified.

[catzenmouse]

That's not true across the board, jb.  We had our interviews (wife and son) for AOS in about 140 days from NOA1.  It is so very dependent on the district sub-office you end up having to deal with.  The one in St. Albans, VT has been a pleasure to deal with.

A small reward for tolerating 13 months of winter each year! 

It is actually more true now. All AOS goes through the Chicago Service Center now. They are slow and we have had to send to them what they call "additional information" a couple of times now. This information was sent with the original package but to get them to even look for it I was told by USCIS that I would have to file a Freedom of Information Act Request for Information.

Nothing beats burocracy in action!

Ken

[ConnerVT]

That's not true across the board, jb.  We had our interviews (wife and son) for AOS in about 140 days from NOA1.  It is so very dependent on the district sub-office you end up having to deal with.  The one in St. Albans, VT has been a pleasure to deal with.

A small reward for tolerating 13 months of winter each year! 

It is actually more true now. All AOS goes through the Chicago Service Center now.
[/quote]
Since November 2004?  I know that my wife (and son's) EAD and AP were processed through Missouri.  I think, at least initially, the service center in Missouri also had a hand in there AOS applications, but it may have been handled in the VSC.  All of the paperwork was bubmitted around July 2004.

[Sivrug]

I was reading the timelines posted and I think things have changed in Texas. The 129 was sent in and less than 120 days had the interview in Kiev. Olga and I were married October 16, 2004 and applied for AOS and Advanced Parlole the first week of November. Within two weeks we had the Advanced Parole good for one year with multiple entries.

The AOS interview was scheduled for the later part of February. The interview was very easy and was approved on the spot. Olga received her temp green card the later part of April.

 

[Sivrug]

Another thing is have your fiancee bring her translated vaccination records with her. Olga had them translate these at the American Medical clinic in Kiev. Your lady will need this at the AOS interview.