My Medical Examination Experience at St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (Visa Interview Requirement)

It’s been months since hubby and I have been working on my spousal visa going to the US. Yes, we finally decided that it is about time for us to live together — after being away from each other for 3 years (total of 6 years since we started our relationship). And now that we finally got my interview date, I started working on the additional requirements needed for my interview.

Medical exam, I believe, is one of the most important parts of the whole immigration process. The US is very careful when it comes to the health of the people going in and out of their country, which I believe is for the common good of everyone.

Before I start telling you my experience, I want to remind everyone that the US Embassy only accredits medical examination from St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic. NO, you cannot have your medical tests done elsewhere.

St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic is located at 1177, J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila 1000; it’s just walking distance from the US embassy.

THINGS I HAVE DONE AND PREPARED BEFORE MY MEDICAL TEST:

v  I have registered online (http://www.slec.ph/us/registration) and printed out a copy of the online registration confirmation. No, this registration is not an appointment confirmation. Setting up an appointment is actually not necessary as SLEC accommodates on a First Come, First Served Basis. The aim of this online registration is to help you avoid spending too much time filling up your form at SLEC. Your information will be ready, and you only need to have your biometrics captured upon arrival at the reception area.

v  I brought $213.25 (Php11, 300) for the fee. This is the amount you need to pay if you are 15 years and older. For less than 15 years old, the fee is $185.35

v  I brought with me the following important documents.

1.      Original and photocopy of my passport.

2.      4pcs. of 2x2 colored ID pictures. Make sure your photo has a white background and you are wearing decent attire with collar & sleeves. Also, write your complete name at the back of each photo.

3.      Interview letter from the National Visa Center (NVC) or Visa Interview Appointment Confirmation from the Embassy. In my case, I received my interview letter via email. I printed 2 copies of it.

Note: I went there with my Mom, but she wasn’t allowed inside. You are only allowed to bring a companion if you are 17 years old and below. Also, if you had previous marriages that were nullified through annulment or terminated through divorce, you are required to present the annulment or divorce papers (court decision) before your medical report can be completed.

MY DETAILED EXPERIENCE – DAY ONE:

I decided to get my medical examination done last January 19, 2016. My Mom and I went there at 9 am. I went straight to the guard, and gave him my online registration confirmation form. He checked it and asked for my Visa Interview Invitation letter, a copy of my passport (front page only), and 4 pcs of 2x2 pictures. He double checked everything, gave everything back to me, and put a stamp on my hand. He told me to go straight to the reception counter (ground floor) to get my biometrics.

My online registration saved me so much time. The lady asked for my passport, my 2x2 ID pictures, and the visa interview letter. She then asked me few questions about my personal information (sponsors name, our relationship status, my full name, and my birth date). She also took my right index fingerprint (4 swipes) and asked me to sign some printed documents. She then told me to pay at the cashiers.

I went up (5^th floor) for my payment. I handed out Php11, 300; the cashier counted it, confirmed it with me, and printed out the receipt. She signed the form that was given to me at the ground floor. She told me to go straight to 4^th floor for my blood sample test.

At 4^th floor, I handed out my receipt and that small form to the lady in the receiving counter. She told me to sit down and wait for my turn. The blood sample test was very quick, and slightly painful. I hate needles. Lol

After my blood test, they gave me back my receipt and form, and I was told to go down to 3^rd floor for my X-ray. At 3^rd floor, the nurse gave me a paper that states “Declaration on the non-submission of old chest X-ray film”, and told me to check one of the boxes and sign it. I signed it and handed it back to them, and waited to be called for my X-ray test. It was very quick.

After I finished the X-ray, the nurse gave me back my papers and told me to proceed to 5th floor. The nurse took my vitals, weight and height measurements. I also had an eye test at the Visual Exam Room, same floor. And finally the physical test which requires me to get naked, totally naked, but you get to wear a hospital gown. She had me sign a document and started giving me non-stop questions starting from my name to all my past operations/hospitalizations to inhaling mosquito coils to having contact with an alien from the outer space positive with HIV.

After my physical tests, they told me to go down to 2^nd floor for my immunization interview. That was a long wait, but the interview was quick. After all the medical tests, the clerk at the 2nd floor stamped my receipt and told me to come back the next day at 9am.

MY DETAILED EXPERIENCE – DAY TWO:

I was too nervous to actually go back. I have read too much stuff online, feeding my brain with scary stories about failing the medical exam and having to wait for another 2 months.

We got there at 9:20am. I went straight to the guard, handed him my receipt and he entered the control number on a computer database. He then stamped my receipt with “Immunization”, and that honestly almost made me cry.

I was told that if you get an “immunization” stamped, it means you passed the medical tests. But if you get the “sputum” stamp on your receipt, unfortunately, it means you need to have a sputum collection and you need to wait for freaking 2 months.

After the guard stamped my receipt with “immunization”, I headed to second floor to get my shots. Hey, it was a super long wait. After I got my shots, I was told to go down to ground floor to get my results.

Down to ground floor, and another waiting agony. I have waited 3 hours before I was called at the releasing counter.

The lady asked for my passport, had me review some documents, making sure my name and birth date are correct. She had me sign little piece of papers, and finally handed down a CD containing the X-ray details and a brown envelope containing my medical results. She returned my passport, and told me to bring the CD and the sealed envelope on my interview day.

That whole medical examination process was the most nerve breaking experience I ever had. I am just glad everything turned out well. It was a tiring but fruitful experience.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Ø  Eat heavy breakfast, and bring bottled water with you.

Ø  Bring a black ball pen. You will be filling up forms and signing documents when you get there.

Ø  You will be doing a lot of waiting, at least 30 minutes each time. I suggest you bring something you can play or read while waiting in between checkups and procedure.

Ø  Wear comfortable clothes, and a jacket. 

If you are about to do your medical examination, I am wishing you gigantic good luck. And, take note of the tips in this post. I hope it helps.

Cheers!

Honey