Medical Day Checklist
Your medical and document check both happen on the same day.
🚨 Critical: You must attend the US Embassy for document check on the same day as your medical examination. Do not book them on separate days. The embassy doc check window is 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM — go even if you are running late.
1. What to bring — medical day
| Category | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ✓ |
|
| Forms & Documents | ✓ |
|
| Medical Records | ✓ |
|
| Personal Items | * | Glasses or contact lenses if worn (required for exam). Debit/credit card for payment (preferred method). |
For a complete breakdown of all document requirements at each stage (I-130, NVC, Medical, Interview) with detailed notes on formats and translations, see Master Document Checklist.
2. Morning of medical
3. Community medical experiences
Based on 15+ real experiences at VisaMedicals London (Oct 2025 – Jul 2026). What to expect:
Real experience examples
Nikki (July 2026): Arrived 8:35am for 8:40am. "Everyone incredibly lovely and comforting." Process: vaccines → X-ray → physical exam → checkout. Pink slip given. Cost £530 with 2 vaccines. Total time: ~90 minutes.
Aqua (June 2026): Arrived 11:05am for 11:10am. "They like you on time—not 30 mins early." Brought baby with husband as companion (pre-arranged). X-ray → vaccines → bloodwork → GP screening. Cost £430 (over 40 = extra blood test fee). "Despite running late, staff kept on schedule."
Jeffnar (Sept 2025): Arrived early, asked if they could see sooner—they said yes! X-ray (5 min) → doctor → nurse → vaccines. Total 1 hour 10 minutes. Cost £435. "Staff lovely, nurse funny and kind even though I'm not good with needles."
Check-in & documents
- Arrive on time: They prefer you at your exact appointment time, not 30 mins early. They may ask you to wait if you're very early.
- Photo taken in-person: Against a white wall. Described as "horrid," "red eye," "shiny and sweaty"—quality doesn't matter. It's emailed to you with vaccination records after.
- Fill out medical questionnaire: Another form to fill (medical history, medications, etc.) at reception.
- Documents scanned, then held: They keep medical docs and passport until end. But they return all certificates/police certs after scanning.
- Can request copies: If you don't have medical records, ask them for copies before you leave.
Exam process & order
- Order varies: X-ray, vaccines, doctor, blood work can happen in any order depending on staff availability.
- Separate rooms: Each exam happens in a different room/with different staff.
- Back to waiting room between each: After each part (X-ray/vaccines/exam), you return to the waiting room and are called again.
- X-ray: Takes 5 minutes. Shirt off, chest against monitor, deep breath, done.
- Doctor exam: Eye test, ears, mouth, neck, chest, abdomen. Height, weight, blood pressure. Blood sample taken. May ask about medical history, drugs, TB, prior surgeries.
- Vaccines: Friendly nurse administers. Common: Hep B, Tetanus, Hep A. Cost £20–80 each. Can bring records from private clinics if documented.
- Blood/urine tests: Painless per community feedback. May or may not need urine sample (depends on age/health).
- Staff flexibility: If running late to embassy, staff will notify embassy and keep you on schedule. One person said staff swapped in a nurse for bloods to stay on time.
Costs & timing
Cost range: £400–530 (base £400 + vaccines £20–80 each + extra £30 if over 40)
Total time: 1–2 hours (most common: 1.5 hours with waits)
Results: 3–5 working days to process. If they don't call you, it's clear. No news is good news.
Special circumstances
- Bringing a companion: Can bring spouse/partner to watch children. Pre-arrange via email ~1 week in advance.
- Building accessibility: Not step-free. Has wooden double doors and stairs. If bringing pram, you'll need help.
- No medical records? Staff are flexible. They'll accept alternative evidence (SAR letters, CBT confirmation, etc.) if you can't get NHS records.
- Anxiety about needles? Nurses are very kind and understanding. "Painless," said multiple people with needle anxiety.
- Vaccines from private clinics: Can use private clinic vaccines if you bring documented records. VisaMedicals accepts them.
- Over 40? Expect extra blood test fee (~£30) for additional screening.
Checkout & next steps
- Pink slip: Called to reception, given back your passport and the pink medical checklist slip (with case number).
- Payment: Card preferred. Pay £400–530 depending on vaccines.
- Photo & records emailed: You'll receive your awful photo and vaccination records via email after.
- Staff notify embassy if late: If running behind for 11:45am doc check, staff will call the embassy to let them know you're coming.
What community says works
- Email VisaMedicals with any concerns before appointment (staff email support is good)
- Bring hand cream—helps with fingerprint scanning
- Have answers ready for medical history questions
- Expect staff to be friendly and helpful; some noted they're "gruffer in person than by email" but still lovely
- Take a coffee shop break between medical and embassy (closes 1pm doc check window)
- Total process medical → doc check = ~3 hours in London on medical day
4. At the medical clinic (VisaMedicals)
Location: Bentinck Mansions, London
Phone: 020 7486 7822 | Email: bookings@visamedicals.co.uk
5. Before leaving medical
6. Same day: Embassy document check
Window: 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM at US Embassy, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US
Bottom line: If you complete medical, receive pink slip, AND complete embassy document check on the same day, you are fully cleared for interview.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Verify all requirements against official sources before your appointment. If your case is complex, consult an immigration attorney.