Case: FTJ wife and 4 children (Petitioned under EB3 by RN husband in NY)
I know there are a lot of Filipinos reading this thread. This should serve as a guide especially to those with FTJ children below 15 years old and undergoing medical exam particularly in SLEC (US Embassy MNL).
Normally, we receive Packet 4 which contains Medical Exam date in St Luke's Extension Clinic (SLEC) and Appointment Date for Embassy Interview. Please note at this point that an applicant should complete the Medical Exam before he can be interviewed. If the medical exam requirements are completed and normally it takes 2 days, then the Interview Date as stated in Packet 4 pushes through. However, if more time is needed to complete the medical exam required by the embassy, your interview date is subject to change; in which case, the change in interview appointment date will be initiated by SLEC representative/doctor. Normally, it will be re-scheduled 2 working days after the completion of the medical exam requirement. As previously advised, it is good to have your Medical Exam a week or 2 weeks prior to the medical exam date given in packet 4.
Here is a complete account of our medical exam in SLEC ---
I together with 4 children went to SLEC on 12Mar08. Arrived there at 530am. (We woke up at 4AM.) The reception area was already open. The letter said it is good to arrive between 6AM-8AM but we arrived at 530am (great sacrifice for the kids aged 11, 10, 8 and 5) and we were given 5 consecutive numbers by the guard (21-25 because we were a family of 5 FTJs). At the guard, we were stamped signifying that we were applicants and he asked for our passports (5) and 5 photocopies of the Appointment Letter in Packet 4. Yes, you have to photocopy the Appointment Letter for each applicant and also show the Original. I only brought the Original and one photocopy so I had to cross the street (good thing they do have a photocopier at Php2 per page) and have it xeroxed 4 copies more. I thought that was just a little trouble and it was ok. But not till the guard handed me 5 sets of documents to fill up which is called the SLEC PATIENT'S RECORD; it had 7 pages per set which I had to fill up for myself and my 5 children. I was shocked. Deep inside, it meant that I should fill them up as fast as I can otherwise we wouldnt be able to start on the medical exam process. The guard told me I should have brought along a significant member of the family with me to help me..... he noticed I only brought a yaya who of course couldnt do much but watch the kids. Anyway, to share some details needed in filling up the forms/Patient's Record, I remember these much and it was a good thing I memorised everything (esp the US addresses) except for the passport nos.~~~
Name of Applicant/Address/Birthdate/Place of Birth/Case No.
Passport details such as Passport No./Date of Issuance/Expiration Date/Country Issued
Name of Petitioner/Address in USA including Zipcode/Contact No./How you are related
Name of Nearest Relative in USA/Address/Contact No/How you are related
Month/Year of desired travel to the US/State of Point of Entry
Plus applicant's signature on most of the pages ~ since they are minors and I was signing for them, you should indicate :
For (Name of Child)
By (My Name) - Mother (indicate relationship)
Signature and Date
Estimated burden on me for 5 of us was 45 minutes. I heard the Reception called out our numbers, I was still writing for the last kid. They waited for me.
Then we entered a room, gave our numbers and had each applicant's photo taken. This is different from the required 2 photgraphs they asked us to bring.
Then, we headed for the Assessment Counter. Here, the lady in pink at the counter examined the forms I filled up. She corrected my point of entry. I indicated JFK, it should be NY. Initially, she asked for 1 2x2 picture only. As she examined the passports and noticed that the picture in the passport is too young,, she would ask for another 2x2 picture. So guys, you should bring 2 copies of 2x2 pics to be sure. In this counter, the Medical Exam fees were posted as follows:
As of 01Mar08:
Adult = Php7,488.65
Child = Php6,340.65
Exchange rate used is Php41.00 which is reasonable. Prevailing rate fluctuates from Php40.30 to Php40.60. PLS NOTE THAT ONLY PESO PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED.
After the Assessment counter, we were advised to go to the Cashier (5th flr) to pay. They issued and attached the receipt per applicant.
Then we began the medical process at the 5th floor.
Vital signs counter : height, weight, eye examination (for kids and adult)
Blood pressure (for adults) - I was surprised the nurse kept on getting my BP over and over. He said my BP is too high he doesnt want to record it yet. He told me to relax. Uh-oh. He was getting 150/110. Told him I got stressed out filling up the forms. He told me to relax he'll take it again after 10 minutes.... and another 10 minutes.... and another 10 minutes. The lowest he got was 140/100. I couldnt do anything. It wont go down despite the pineapple juice I drank across the street. I just told the nurse my normal BP is 100/80. It never got this high before. Though it's not what it is, still he recorded 140/100 because we were already spending so much time in my BP. So lesson learned for adults --- have enough sleep prior to the medical exam and bring a companion who could help you fill up the forms if you have so many kids.
Na-stress ang beauty ko!!!
Then we were led to the Immunization Interview Section @ the 2nd floor. Got 5 numbers. We were on queue. It took time before our turn. Then the interview. Me first then the kids, one by one.
Guys, hear this and learn from my experience. I made a slight mistake which you should not copy. I overdid the preparation of my kids which caused me to double spend.
Here's what I did~ Prior to 12Mar08, I updated the vaccinations of my children as per embassy requirement contained in Packet 4. I brought my children to their Pediatrician who initially issued their shots since they were babies. For the past vaccinations already given based on each baby book (yes, you should keep them), I asked the Pedia to issue a certification for each kid. This part was alright, actually perfect. It was type-written showing the type of vaccine and date it was given and certified. This was actually enough, as is.
However, like I said, I showed the Pedia the letter from the embassy containing the required vaccinations and I allowed the pedia to update the vaccinations. It was very costly. I had them shot Pneumococcal vaccine, Hepa B boosters, MMR boosters, one kid, Varicella (known as Chicken Pox). The Pedia issued a separate certification for these additionals. The last vaccine given to them was MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) booster last 10Mar.
Guys, at the SLEC Immunization Interview, the doctor will ask for the baby book or better yet the vaccination record of all vaccines given the kid (certified by your pedia). The doctor will physically look at the scar caused by the BCG vaccine and chicken pox if the child already had it and indicate the location of the scar in the Patient's record. Depending on the age of the child, there are required vaccinations which should be given. Not all the vaccinations in the list in Packet 4 are required in all children. Again, it depends on their age. And in the event a certain vaccine is required of a child and he doesnt have it, they will give the vaccination for FREE in SLEC. Well, actually, not really free because it is part of the Medical Exam fees that we paid. So now, I am saying, I double spent.
Now, here's another cause and effect. Since the kids had their MMR booster last 10Mar08 only, a required test which is called Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) cannot be administered on them because of the live vaccine recently injected. There has to be a gap of 28 days after the MMR booster has been given before the kids can undergo Tuberculin Skin Test. So the kids will have to go back on April 8 for TST, then 2 days after for the release of the result then another 2 working days for the RE-SCHEDULED EMBASSY INTERVIEW (originally, our interview is on 26MAR). This means, our interview has been re-scheduled due to incomplete medical exam. This is just fine though according to the doctor. But still I double-spent and caused a slight delay.
Afterwards, kids and I continued with the rest of the exams..... Physical exam for the kids and me @ the 5th floor. Then we ate lunch in a nearby restaurant. Went back again for my Chest Xray and Laboratory (Blood test for HIV). Then I was advised to get the results tomorrow at the releasing counter at 9am. But of course, I may have completed my exam but still I have to wait for my kids' completed medical exam by next month so we can go ahead with the interview.
Hope you get the feel of the exam. Had I known the do's and dont's regarding the vaccinations, I could have saved more energy, time, and money. I'm sharing this so that the others may know and learn from my experience.
The people in this thread are very good people, one could only help another. Though some of the guys here are already done with their FTJ journey, it's very touching how willingly they still want to help. Keep this thread going.... it is very noble! No one and nothing can match the support this group has with one another.
<Judex, my friend..... i think this is somehow an answered prayer to me. I'm buying more time regarding my case requirements. >
