Starting Monday, applicants for immigrant visas to the United States (US) will have to pay new rates for medical examinations, the US Embassy in Manila said. On its Twitter account, the embassy said the new examination fees are:
- $223.35 (P9,521.41) for adults, and
- $185 (P7,886.55) for children under 15.
"Beginning May 14, the new medical exam fee for Immigrant Visa applicants is US$223.35 for adults and US$185 for children," the embassy said. The US Embassy said all immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, need to complete a medical examination at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLMCEC) before the visa interview. The embassy advised applicants to have their medical examinations done at least one week before their interview appointment at the
U.S. Embassy in Manila. The SLMCEC is located at 1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila, and can be reached by telephone at (632) 521-0020 and (632) 521-8647. SLMCEC is open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. "It is best to arrive for your medical examination between 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Applicants are served on a first come first served basis, but the order of release of the medical reports will depend on the complexity of the results of the medical examination," the embassy advised. The embassy also said SLMCEC does not accept credit card or dollar payments. "The fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at the prevailing exchange rate," it said. Children younger than 15 years old will not need a chest X-ray or serological test unless required by the doctor, but will instead undergo a Tuberculin Skin Test. The embassy quoted the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) as saying chest X-rays for pregnant women are not dangerous if taken with the proper shielding. Applicants with previous X-rays were encouraged bring them along for a comparative study. For their exam, they may bring the appointment letter sent by the National Visa Center or an e-mail confirmation from the Visa Information and Appoinment Service. The other requirements include:
- Appropriate medical examination fee.
- Passport (valid for at least six months)
- Two colored pictures (2 inches x 2 inches) with a white background (two are for the visa and one is for the medical report).
"The medical examination usually takes two to three working days to process, but can extend up to a few months if there are required tests that need to be completed," the embassy said.
- VVP, GMA News 
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