jeffreyhy

See page 3 of the I-601 instructions.

Regards, JEff

janadeen

Listen - let me give you a solid, tried and true, sure bit of advice ... should you come to the point in the road where you need to file for a waiver, do NOT complete the application yourself.

Simply don't do it.

You need to get an immigration atty who is EXPERIENCED in filing waivers.

A short and quick Google on the matter and you will have a better understanding as to why.

Good luck with the rest of your journey.

Emma M

Hi,
I don't see anything in your original post that would be something harsh, in fact it all looks pretty good (but THAT'S strictly my opinion, and it's an uninformed one). It's not like anyone who has ever had a bout of depression and needed anti depressants or even a breakdown somewhere in their past is going to face a problem with inadmissability, is it? Most people would then have a problem, wouldn't they?
Good luck though!

Emma M

That's got me wondering if I need a psych report now, in 2005 I had a breakdown and had assessment by a pdoc, since then I've come off the mental health register, and other than very small bouts of depression and anxiety I've had no problems, but do you think I might need one done too? (Sorry to hijack your thread)

BibbyBear

Thanks Jeff - I had read the instructions but had become bogged down with information from the web in regards to all other instances of the waiver process. Reading these again, it is much simpler in my case, especially as I already have most of that to hand.

Jane - this is where I began to get bogged down... Googling it because most of the information out there is relevant to those already in the States, have overstayed their previous Visa or has a criminal record. There was very little information for people with mental health issues and as I wouldn't need to prove extreme hardship to my USC fiance, then filing it myself wouldn't be too complicated or would it?

On it's own, depression, anxiety etc isn't a problem and most likely would result in the doctors in London just making notes of the history of it including, if relevant, any previous or current medications. If current, they MAY request a psych evaluation just to confirm that you wouldn't pose a liability to the US in any way (financially or otherwise) however; if there has ever been any attempts at suicide, then this would almost certainly require the evaluation and again, if far enough back in time, the psychiatrist would no doubt state that it was unlikely that you would be a risk in the future.

In my case, the most recent incident is only 14 months ago, and given that it wasn't the first time, he/she may not wish to make that statement because there is a pattern (albeit sporadic and totally explainable with certain major life-events that took place each time)

In this instance, I would GUESS that you'd be OK, but not knowing how long you were on medication for and therefore how recent it was, it would be difficult to know if you needed one but my only piece of personal advice there would be this - I tried to prepare beforehand and got my GP to get me a referall to a psychiatrist and spent £400 on said report and (yet to be 100% confirmed) it looks like the report was a waste of time because it didn't state the definitive answer that they will be looking for in that I am unlikely to be a risk in the future etc. If I am referred to their own psychiatrist, it will cost me £350, which is cheaper ( alot!) than I thought it would be.

In your case, I would ask your own GP if he/she could simply write a letter stating the medical history including any medication, the time span, any other treatment you received (ie CBT etc) and then get him to state that you are unlikely to pose any risk to yourself in the future or that it is unlikely to recur (check the exact wording that they will require - I've only been researching that pertaining to suicide attempts)

I hope that this is all resolved for me in a phone call or email sometime this week and that I have been worrying unnecessarily, but maybe this thread might still be useful to others in a similar situation - as you said, there are many people who have and do suffer from mental health issues and suicidal tendancies, attempts, gestures, feelings are becoming more and more common given today's life stresses.

Thank you all for your help so far, I will keep you posted as to the outcome as I get it this week.

jeffreyhy

Information overload is something that you really have to be aware of, and particularly information that is not relevant to your own situation.

Also, many well intentioned people are quick to offer information and advice, but slow to look beyond the surface to know if what they have to say applies in the situation at hand.

Regards, JEff

Emma M

thanks for your advice, and best of luck to you!

Rete

The uncertainty of the process can play havoc with your mind and emotions. Your past sucidial attempts indicate that you have a difficult time dealing with adversity and I'm really worried that if things do not go the way you wish them to that you might once again resort to physical means to end it all.

Your last attempt was only 14 months ago and for this reason I pray that you are still under the care of your doctor and that you avail yourself of his/her care and treatment if you feel the slightest hint of depression.

Please take the advice of those who have offered the advice that you seek consultation with an experienced US Immigration attorney. There are such attorneys in London. They will be able to assist you in getting the correct type of letter from your psychiatrist.

I also hope that you have shared your history with you fiancee and that they are equipped emotionally and financially to assist you when you marry when depression rears its head. Not all medical insurance will cover mental health care but there are numerous agencies that are free or low cost that can provide help when you need it.

Wishing you only good things and a healthy, bright and happy future.

BibbyBear

Thank you all for the advice and guidance. It has helped to get things into perspective for me.

Rete, thank you sincerely for your concern and I appreciate what you are saying however; this potential upset has proved to me more than any other single event, just how strong and stable I feel mentally now. I have not once felt the urge to end it all, nor will I because I know, if they do decline my application, then we will either try the waiver or wait sufficiently long enough to file the application again. I have everything to live for and my fiance is firmly behind me with this as he is fully aware of my medical history and although it has concerned him, he believes in me, which in turn has allowed me to believe in myself.

But, God forbid, should our relationship end because of all of this in the long run (which it shouldn't!), I still have two wonderful children and my mum who I could never hurt again.

I have promised my fiance though, that should I feel in the slightest bit "down" when I do eventually move over there, suffering with seperation anxiety or whatever, I will have no hesitation in seeking medical help in the way of tablets or anything else that a professional deems necessary.

I can also update now - my psychiatrist returned a revised condition and prognosis report to me this morning and he has stated that:

"She has achieved and sustained stability in her mental health for a period of 14 months.

Her Adjustment issues have resolved themselves without any medication by virtue of the natural history of Adjustment disorders, which are invariably resolved within 6 months.

The recurrence of these problems is unlikely as the precipitating stressors have been dealt with."

I have forwarded this report to the Knightsbridge Doctors and they have replied to my email stating that it has been printed for allocation with my medical file and the doctor will contact me in 48-72 hours if she has any queries.

Now, it's sit back and wait time

Again, I thank you all for your help, encouragement and advice - I will keep you posted of the outcome.

Emma M

Another question for you - do they get hold of all your medical information then? The only thing I have found is that they need a copy of your vaccinations, not the whole back catalogue of your medical history.

BibbyBear

In all honesty Emma, I don't know what they can get access to without requesting it. But if you don't tick any of the boxes (as I did for previous depression etc), then there would be no reason for them to ask for it.

I've had many people tell me that I shouldn't have disclosed the information (not on this forum, I mean personal friends and family) but I would absolutely always advise anyone to tell the truth because if it ever came out further down the line, then you would be denied on fraudulent grounds - I imagine that would result in far more serious consequences.

For an accurate answer to your question though, you would need to ask the question in a seperate thread and hope that one of the many experienced members would be able to advise better.

Emma M

Will do hun, best of luck to you

BibbyBear

UPDATE:

I received a phone call earlier this afternoon from the doctor at London to say that she'd received my updated report from my own psychiatrist and the panel physicians are accepting that, so I don't need to go down to see their own specialist.

I can only assume that this means they are going to categorise me as Class B, which means I won't be deemed ineligible for a Visa, but I am not counting my chickens until my interview.

Now, all I need is the bl**dy German Certificate of Good Conduct to arrive so I can send off the notification of readiness form to the Embassy - it's been five weeks since I sent off for it, so am a little perplexed as to what's taken them so long? Suffice to say I've been calling them constantly for almost an hour and a half (their phone lines are only open for that long each afternoon) but it has been permanently engaged - perhaps they're just busy and that's why it's taking so long?

Never mind, it won't detract from my optimism right now