QUICK QUESTIONS
What is the process for TB screening?
Part of the medical screening process for all immigrant visa applicants is the chest X-ray examination requirement. A chest X-ray is not required for children below 15 years old, unless symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) exist, there is a history of TB, or there has been possible exposure to TB with a known case such as a family or household member with TB.
Please note that for pregnant women, since the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) has determined that chest X-rays are not harmful if taken with the proper shielding, St. Luke’s has been authorized to perform chest X-ray examinations on pregnant women in connection with their visa applications.
In certain cases, based upon the X-ray exam, abnormality consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis is observed. In these instances applicants are required to have follow up 3-day sputum specimens for AFB smears and MTB cultures for TB, the results of which will be available after 2 months.
If I am undergoing a sputum smear exam, can I still come in for my interview at the Embassy?
In the interest of public safety, visa appointments of applicants who are required to complete a sputum smear exam at St. Luke’s are scheduled at a later date when the results of the sputum smear and culture are available. The applicant need not contact the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit to request rescheduling of the visa appointment. As soon as the sputum test and culture have been completed and our panel physicians have cleared the applicant for travel, St. Luke’s will advise the applicant regarding the interview scheduling.
We understand that the additional medical examinations for TB cause delays in the processing of an immigrant visa case. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is mandated by law to prevent the transmission and reduce the risk of spread of tuberculosis in the United States. As such, the strict medical screening of tuberculosis among our immigrant visa applicants is an essential component of the medical evaluation. This is a public health issue for which a Consular Officer has no discretion.
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My petition to my parents are all complete, but there is no available interview for the month of June 2012 for both of them. While waiting for the interview date, can they go ahead and have their medical done? Do you think they’ll be able to make it for the month of July 2012 interview?
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
All cases processing for Manila, including appointment scheduling, is generally done at the National Visa Center (NVC). Your place in the scheduling queue is determined by the date all the necessary fees and supporting documents are received at NVC and the case becomes documentarily qualified. NVC will send you and the petitioner appointment packets, and will subsequently forward the case to Embassy Manila once an interview slot becomes available for you. We will process the case once the visa petition is received from NVC.
To enable us to be more responsive to your inquiry, you may wish to send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name and case number.
Thank you.. I will send an e-mail to IVManila to give all my informations.
What if the applicant has a history of PTB, treated for 6 months and currently clear on CXR with other hospitals, will they still require the sputum smear? Comparative CXR films are available if needed.
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
In order for us to be more responsive to your inquiry, you may send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name and case number, clearly indicated.
Can I ask for 2nd opinion in regards to Tuberculin Skin Testing reading from other physician outside St Luke’s Medical extension because I think the one who interpreted the test of my child does not follow the correct US CDC Guidelines on interpreting tuberculin skin testing. Where can I file a complaint in regards to St Luke’s Medical extension clinic’s medical inaccuraccies? Where can I file a complaint, if for instances, St Luke’s Extension clinic management failed to solve the complaints, medical inaccuracies, dissatisfied clients? I understand that this hospital is only one accredited by US to perform medical examinations for US immigrant applicants. Please kindly discuss this matter on your blog, because it is very unfair to all the US immigrant applicants to received innaccurate medical exam results especially those who are truely medically fit but then visa interview moved at a later date due to innaccurate medical results. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. To enable us to be more responsive regarding your concerns, please send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name and case number clearly indicated.