My Fiancee Visa Road-map to become Mrs. Edmiston
Medical Examination Experience at St. Lukes Medical Center
(Specific for Philippines K1 / K2 visa applicants)
Hi! We had our Medical done on Dec. 21-22, 2015 (K1 and 2 K2s).
It was a long 2 days for us. I was thinking that due to the Holidays people will forego doing the medical and I was wrong. We spent 2 full days starting at 8:30 am to 7pm doing the process and OMG the wait is at least 2 hours for each step. My kids are all grown up so I don't have any problems on them having tantrums.
I already did the on-line registration so when we arrived at 8:30 am it was just the normal docs checking in the guard area then proceed directly to the US counter for the initial screening, finger printing and photo capture. The staff only asked us to review the details on our forms and sign it. Then we were given a routing slip and was asked to proceed to 5F to pay. Payment is P11,300.00 per person including kids ages 16 and above. The OR was attached on the routing slip, this will be presented with your passport in all the procedures.
Here are the documents that we brought:
- St. Luke's on-line registration form
- Passport
- Copy of Passport (Bio page)
- 4 pcs. 2x2 photos, white background, shirt with collar, identical.
- Letter from the Embassy with Case Number, if you have not received it yet. Track your case at CEAC using your MNL number, screen shot and print that.
- Interview confirmation letter (A MUST)
- My Annulment papers/ Divorce papers of applicant
- Old chest X-ray film
- Results of our Annual Physical Exam (dated April 2015)
- Vaccine Records, me and the kids (including baby book).
To know more details of each items, please click here.
The procedures are based on the order that we did the medical examination. Always present your passport and OR on each step.
1. Blood draw - 4F. Submit the form at the reception counter, they will give another form to fill-out and wait for your name to be called. This is the fastest on our waiting times (30 mins- done), just one vial of blood. NO URINE collection for K1 nd K2.
2. XRAY, 3F - we were then asked to proceed to 3F for the xray. Proceed to US Counter, submit passport and OR. They will give you another form, this is where we declared that we brought old Xray films (we have our Annual Physical exam last April 2015 and I brought all our medical records for reference). Wait for your name to be called, another staff assessed our forms and asked for the xray film. Then we were directed to Room 4 for Xray. Wait time here is 45 mins. to 1 hour.
Before 11 am we were done with both procedure, a good timing I thought. I am still thinking to go to the office after lunch.
3. 5F - Physical Examination. Proceed to US counter / Vital Signs and put your form face down on the US box. Then wait, wait and wait... and more waiting. I already sent my kids to eat lunch around 12:30 pm; we were waiting for almost 3 hours and I became impatient; I am hungry. So I approach the counter. A lot of people are already complaining of the veryyyy long wait. So our papers are like next to 20 more people; so I told the staff on the vital signs I will go out and eat. After an additional 1 hours, we were called for vitals signs. It was past 4 pm when we were done with vital signs including eye check. I asked the Nurse staff until what time they are open, he told me that they need to finish all the tests of all people in the Clinic! Even if that will take them until past midnight!
4. 5F - Physical Exam with a Doctor - wait again for your name to be called. We were called by around 6pm! I am assigned to Room 9 and next is my 16 year old daughter. I timed each applicant, they only spend 5-10 mins inside.
My 19 year old cannot proceed further since she have her period.
My 19 year old cannot proceed further since she have her period.
Basic questions were Name, birthday, any allergies, any animal bite, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, any regular medication, any severe illness like tuberculosis, or primary complex for kids, other history of illness/ hospitalization, date of last menstruation, hypertension, etc. for those of child bearing age - last sexual contact, number of pregnancies, any miscarriage, etc. They are asking so many questions really.. Then she asked me about me about my annulment case, what is the reason, if I was abused and asked me for a copy of my annulment papers.
The doctor then asked me to remove all clothing (including underwear) and you will be asked to lay on the bed face up. She will check heart rate, breast, abdomen, arms and wrist. Then the Doctor will ask you to turn on your side and she will tell you that she will check for hemorrhoids or ####### check. This is just a quick physical check, the questions take longer.
Never though of it at first but they are actually checking scars and any body marks. My daughter was asked due to some burn marks on her leg and forearm. Kids and carelessness I answered the doctor.
Then the doctor asked me to stay a little longer as she reads my annulment papers. Based on my previous readings here in VJ, all those with annulment case go through a psychological examination- no escape of it. Not only an additional waiting time for the Psychologist schedule and assessment but also an additional fee; 1-2 weeks additional waiting time. So I am ready for it and was expecting it, that's why I set our interview for Jan 14.
She asked me again if I was abused, I said no. My annulment was not based on any physical or emotional abuse, nor was I diagnosed with depression or any emotional breakdown. None of this is on my annulment papers. Then she gave me an OB referral- NOT A PSY EVAL. referral. HA!! what a pleasant surprise! So there you go- NOT ALL WITH ANNULMENT CASE HAVE TO GO THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION. Based on my experience, only those who experience physical and emotional abuse were referred to a Psyc eval.
My 16 year old daughter was asked the same basic questions. She was bitten by a monkey when she was 6 so it was a long conversation on that. Then she was hospitalized twice one for dengue fever, she was asked if she had blood transfusion, which she didn't. Beyond that, nothing else was asked.
We returned our forms to the US counter and the Staff gave me an OB referral for the next day in the morning. We were then asked to proceed to the 2F for immunization interview.
5. 2F Immunization Interview - submit forms and original immunization record at the counter then wait until your name is called. I still have my kids baby book of Immunization and presented it. Immunization is based on age, my 16 year old was advised for 3 shots (including Hep B booster, Tdap - tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), and MMR) most of her earlier immunizations were considered. She has Flu, Typhoid, Pneumo, Hep A/B vaccines - yet she still she needs 3 more. Me and my 19 year old daughter was only advised for 1 shot, MMR. this was just an immunization interview and consult, actual immunization will be the next day.
End of Day 1, 7:30pm.
Day 2:
We arrived at around 8:30 and it was not that crowded as the day before. I need to see the OB, my 16 year was asked to submit her forms to Window A 1F (releasing counter). We proceed to 5F and submit my form to the US counter, I was called for room 10 and done by around 9:30 am. Then I was asked to submit my form to Window A 1F releasing. My daughter was called again at 2F immunization interview due to her monkey bite. It was not recorded when it happened so the doctor asked about it again. We waited at the 2F for immunization. After less than an hour my daughter was called for immunization and her documents was released after 2 hours 1F window G. At the releasing window they will ask you to re-check the details of your forms, name, bday, passport number, address in the US, petitioner, etc, The staff nurse also ask my daughter of her relationship to the petitioner, he also explained the immunization record form and CD that was released to us - these are not required during the interview. The sealed brown envelop (results) marked DO NOT OPEN that we will take to the interview. She is done. As for me, back to waiting. That was 1pm, day 2; I asked the staff at the 2F to check my papers and advised him we will be out for lunch. I am still for a long wait. After eating lunch, I proceed to Counter A 1st floor to follow up my paper, he checked on the their system and he said it was done in encoding and will be sent to the 2F after that.
By 4pm - I am exhausted of waiting and asked again about my papers. The staff advised me that it was not in the 2F yet, so I was like what it took you 2 hours and it was not there yet. There were not so many people, that is excessively long! He said he will follow up with his supervisor, after 30 mins I was called and the supervisor explained to me the process, since I was advised for OB consult, my Doctor (original Doctor from day 1 needs to sign off my papers), I said Ok but my OB consult was done before 10 am, she said again she will follow. I said politely, Please (twice). I am so glad my fiance was not with me during this process. He will go crazy with the waiting!
I was finally called for immunization after 1 hour and my documents was released by 6pm. Don't forget to pick-up your xray film (if you submitted any) at the 3F US check-out counter.
Sure I was very glad to be out of there.
There you go guys, I hope this can help you. Good luck!
For more information: http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml
