K-1 Visa Medical Exam at St. Luke’s Manila (SLEC)
What Every Filipina Applicant Must Know Before the Interview
If you are applying for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa in the Philippines, you must complete your medical exam at:
St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC), Ermita, Manila
This is not optional. This is not a regular hospital checkup.
Learn more about the location, cost, and K-1 requirements
for St. Luke’s Extension Clinic, Manila, Philippines
This is a U.S. Embassy–controlled immigration medical screening.
And many K-1 delays happen here because applicants don’t know what to expect.
When Should You Schedule the Medical?
Schedule your medical 7–14 days before your U.S. Embassy interview.
Why?
Because if SLEC finds an issue (very common with cough, scars on lungs, or TB suspicion), they can delay you for weeks.
Never do the medical 1–2 days before the interview.
What to Bring to St. Luke’s
- Passport (original)
- 4 visa photos (2×2)
- Interview appointment letter
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Vaccination records (if available)
- Eyeglasses (if you wear them)
How Long the Medical Takes
Most applicants: 2 days
Day 1:
- Registration
- X-ray
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Physical exam
- Vaccination review
Day 2:
- Results
- Vaccinations (if needed)
- Clearance
But if SLEC sees something concerning in your chest X-ray, this changes everything.
The #1 Reason K-1 Applicants Get Delayed: Tuberculosis (TB) Protocol
Even if you feel healthy…
If your X-ray shows any lung scar, shadow, or abnormality, SLEC will require:
3 consecutive days of sputum testing
Then you wait 8 weeks for culture results.
During this time:
- Your interview may need to be rescheduled
- SLEC will NOT clear you
- The Embassy cannot issue the visa
This is extremely common in the Philippines due to past TB exposure.
If You Have a Cough Before the Medical
Do NOT go to SLEC with an active cough.
They will send you home and tell you to return 4 weeks after the cough is gone.
Get treated first. Wait. Then schedule.
This alone saves many applicants from major delay.
Vaccinations at SLEC
You do not need to complete all vaccines beforehand.
SLEC will:
- Review your records
- Give only what is required for U.S. immigration
You will pay for missing vaccines there.
What They Check During the Physical Exam
- Height, weight, blood pressure
- Eyes, ears, nose, throat
- Medical history questions
- Pregnancy test for women
- Mental health questions
- Drug history questions
- Surgical scars (they will ask about these)
Be honest. They are trained to detect inconsistencies.
What Happens After You Pass
SLEC sends your medical results directly to the U.S. Embassy electronically.
You do not carry them.
You receive a vaccination worksheet to bring to the U.S. after marriage for Adjustment of Status.
Reasons SLEC Will Delay or Refuse Clearance
- Active cough
- Abnormal chest X-ray
- TB suspicion
- Incomplete sputum testing
- Untreated sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy complications
- Mental health red flags
- Drug admission
Most delays are medical, not embassy related.
How Long Is the Medical Valid?
6 months from the date of exam.
Your visa validity will be tied to this date.
Pro Tips Most Agencies Don’t Tell Applicants
- Sleep well before the X-ray day
- Do not schedule if you are sick
- Bring past X-rays if you had TB before
- Eat before going (long process)
- Arrive before 6:00 AM (lines are long)
- Dress simple, no jewelry
After the Medical, Can You Still Attend the Interview?
Only if SLEC has cleared you.
If they tell you to return after 4 weeks or for sputum testing, you must reschedule the interview.
The Embassy follows SLEC’s decision.