Local Guides · Updated May 2026
St. Luke’s SLEC Medical Exam for Philippine Immigrant Visa Applicants
Every immigrant visa applicant in the Philippines must complete their medical exam at St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC) in Ermita, Manila. No other clinic is accepted. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Quick answer
SLEC is the sole accepted clinic for Philippine immigrant visa medical exams. The current fee is PHP 29,995 for adults 15 and older (as of March 2026). Schedule 2 weeks before your Embassy interview. Arrive by 6:30 AM and pre-register at slec.ph the night before. Bring all vaccination records you have. Results are valid for 6 months.
St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC)
1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
At a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinic | St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic (SLEC) |
| Address | 1177 J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed weekends |
| Fee (adults 15 and older) | PHP 29,995 (as of March 2026; verify before booking) |
| Fee (children 14 and under) | PHP 13,910 |
| Duration | 1 to 2 days (2 to 3 days for children under 15) |
| Results valid | 6 months from the exam date |
Fee as of March 2026. Source: U.S. Embassy Manila fee change notice, March 2026. Verify directly with SLEC before booking.
Why SLEC is the only accepted clinic
Before the U.S. Embassy will issue an immigrant visa, every applicant must complete a medical exam performed by a physician the U.S. government has approved for this purpose. In the Philippines, that means SLEC. You cannot use your own doctor or any other clinic in the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy Manila’s immigrant visa supplement states explicitly that results from other physicians will not be accepted.
SLEC sends your results directly to the U.S. Embassy electronically. You do not carry the results yourself.
What the medical exam covers
The SLEC exam follows the CDC immigrant medical examination protocol. As of March 2026, polio vaccination is required for applicants 17 and older, which drove the most recent fee increase.
Physical examination
General health review including vision, hearing, and physical inspection.
Chest X-ray
Required for all applicants 15 years and older to screen for tuberculosis and other conditions.
Blood tests
Includes testing for syphilis and other conditions required by the CDC immigration medical exam protocol.
TB screening
TB skin test (Mantoux) for applicants under 15. Applicants 15 and older receive IGRA testing or chest X-ray per CDC guidelines.
Urinalysis
Standard urine screening as part of the physical exam.
Vaccination review and required vaccines
SLEC reviews your immunization records and administers any CDC-mandated vaccines you are missing. As of March 2026, polio vaccination is required for applicants 17 and older.
Current fees (2026)
The adult fee increased to PHP 29,995 effective March 13, 2026, driven by the new CDC polio vaccination requirement for applicants 17 and older. Payment is accepted online via slec.ph or in cash at the clinic cashier on exam day.
| Applicant | Fee (as of March 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adults (15 years and older) | PHP 29,995 |
| Children (14 years and under) | PHP 13,910 |
Fees are subject to change. Verify directly with SLEC before booking.
Scheduling and exam day
Book your appointment at slec.ph. SLEC recommends scheduling 2 weeks before your Embassy interview. Most applicants need 2 days at the clinic; children (14 and under) typically need 2 to 3 days due to the TB skin test reading window.
Day 1: Main exam
Check-in begins at 7:00 AM. The day includes check-in, document and vaccination record review, physical examination, chest X-ray, blood draw, and urinalysis. Arriving by 6:30 AM puts you earlier in the queue and reduces your wait time.
Day 2: Vaccinations and follow-up
Most adult applicants return on Day 2 for vaccines. Some with complete records and no flags finish in one day. Pre-register online at slec.ph the evening before to skip the intake form queue on exam day.
What to bring to SLEC
Missing documents add time. Missing vaccination records may require repeat vaccinations.
- 1Valid passport (bring all pages, not just the photo page)
- 22 passport-size photos (2 x 2 inches)
- 3All vaccination records and immunization booklets you have (childhood records included)
- 4Payment: online via slec.ph portal or cash at the clinic cashier on exam day
- 5If re-examination: bring your previous SLEC medical results
What happens if SLEC finds a health issue
If SLEC identifies a condition requiring follow-up (such as suspected TB, lung imaging abnormalities, or a reactive skin test in children), your results are held for additional evaluation. This can take 2 to 4 weeks or longer and may delay your Embassy interview. Plan a buffer of at least 2 to 4 weeks between your exam and your interview date if there is any possibility of a health flag.
When to consult an immigration attorney
If SLEC flags a condition that may affect your visa eligibility, speak with an immigration attorney before your Embassy interview. This page does not provide medical or legal advice on individual health findings.
What applicants report
Aggregated from Google reviews and community blogs, 2025 to 2026. Individual experiences vary. Use as context, not as instructions.
Tips from the community
Pre-register on slec.ph the night before your appointment
SLEC's online pre-registration completes your intake form before you arrive. Applicants who skip this step fill out the same form by hand at the clinic, adding 30 to 60 minutes to their wait. The form is straightforward; do it the evening before.
Source: Community blogs and slec.ph official guidance, 2025
Arrive by 6:30 AM, not at opening time
SLEC opens at 7:00 AM, but the queue forms before then. Applicants who arrive at 6:30 AM report being seen significantly earlier than those who arrive at 7:00 AM. An earlier position in the queue means faster throughput on a long exam day.
Source: Community blogs and Google review aggregation, 2025 to 2026
Bring every vaccination record you have, including childhood cards
Missing immunization records mean SLEC administers each required vaccine from scratch, which adds both time and cost. Even partial records help. Bring your childhood immunization booklet if you have it, as well as any records from doctor visits or travel vaccination clinics.
Source: Google reviews and community forums, 2025 to 2026
Do not go if you have an active cough
SLEC will turn you away if you present with an active cough. You must wait until 4 weeks after the cough resolves before returning. This is not discretionary. If you are sick in the days before your appointment, reschedule through the slec.ph portal.
Source: SLEC official guidance and community reports, 2025
In their own words
SLEC: 3.1 stars from 645 Google reviews. Visit slec.ph
“My family and I underwent our medical examination for our VISA here. The staff were professional, courteous, and efficient. The facilities were clean and well-organized.”
“Me and my husband recently had our medical exam here... The staff were professional... except the long wait on the second day.”
Sources
- SLEC official website (slec.ph) (verified May 2026)
- U.S. Embassy Philippines: Medical examination fee change notice (March 2026)
- U.S. Embassy Manila immigrant visa supplement (travel.state.gov)
- U.S. Embassy Manila: FAQ on immigrant visa application requirements
- Google Maps reviews for SLEC (3.1 stars, 645 reviews). Verified May 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is SLEC the only clinic accepted for Philippine immigrant visa medical exams?
Yes. The U.S. Embassy Manila requires all immigrant visa applicants in the Philippines to complete their medical exam at SLEC. Medical results from any other physician or clinic will not be accepted. This requirement applies to all immigrant visa categories, including marriage-based visas.
What is the current SLEC medical exam fee in 2026?
As of March 2026, the fee is PHP 29,995 for adults 15 years and older and PHP 13,910 for children 14 and under. The March 2026 increase was driven by the CDC requirement to add polio vaccination for applicants 17 and older. Fees are subject to change; verify directly with SLEC before booking.
How far in advance should I schedule my SLEC medical exam?
SLEC recommends scheduling your medical exam 2 weeks before your U.S. Embassy interview. This window allows time for results to be transmitted and for any unexpected delays, such as additional testing if a health issue is flagged. If you have a condition that might require follow-up testing, schedule even earlier.
What vaccinations are required for the immigrant visa medical exam?
SLEC follows the CDC's vaccination requirements for immigrant visas, which include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio. As of March 2026, polio vaccination is now required for applicants 17 and older. Bring all vaccination records you have; SLEC will identify which vaccines you are missing and administer them during the exam.
My SLEC medical results are about to expire. Can I use the same results?
No. SLEC medical results are valid for 6 months from the exam date. If your results expire before you enter the United States as an immigrant, you will need a new examination. If your visa timeline is long or uncertain, time your exam so that the results remain valid through your expected entry date. Contact SLEC or the U.S. Embassy Manila for guidance specific to your case.
What happens if SLEC finds a health issue during the exam?
If SLEC identifies a condition requiring follow-up (such as suspected TB, scarring on lung imaging, or a reactive TB skin test in children), your results will be held for additional testing. This process can take 2 to 4 weeks or longer and may delay your Embassy interview. Plan a buffer of at least 2 to 4 weeks between your medical exam and your interview date if there is any possibility of a health flag. If a finding affects your visa eligibility, consult an immigration attorney for guidance on your options.
Can I bring family members or a companion into SLEC with me?
SLEC generally limits access to applicants inside the exam area. Companions may wait in the waiting area, but are not permitted inside examination rooms. Children who are also applicants go through the exam separately. Confirm the current companion policy with SLEC when you schedule, as this can change.
What if I need to reschedule my SLEC appointment?
Rescheduling is handled through the slec.ph appointment portal. Log in to your account and request a new date before your existing appointment time. SLEC does not publicly guarantee same-day rescheduling, so change your appointment as early as possible if your plans shift. If you have an active illness (particularly a cough), you are required to reschedule; do not go to the clinic ill.
Key takeaways
- ✓
SLEC in Ermita, Manila is the only clinic the U.S. Embassy Manila accepts for Philippine immigrant visa medical exams; results from any other clinic are rejected.
- ✓
Current fee is PHP 29,995 for adults 15 and older (as of March 2026), driven by the new CDC polio vaccination requirement for applicants 17 and older.
- ✓
Schedule 2 weeks before your Embassy interview, plan for 1 to 2 days on-site, and arrive by 6:30 AM for an earlier position in the queue.
- ✓
Bring all vaccination records, including childhood immunization cards; missing records add time and may require repeat vaccinations.
- ✓
Results are valid for 6 months from the exam date; if your visa timeline extends, time your exam so the results remain valid through your entry date.
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