Summary:
This is the most costly and time-consuming part of the process. A number of emails and web portals will give you all the information you need to complete this step of the process. Passport and visa applications require photos and then have to be mailed in a manner where they will not be irradiated (UPS, FedEx, etc.); photos and mailing cost me approximately $40. You will be mailed fingerprinting cards to have completed, not digital prints. Completed fingerprinting cards then have to mailed so they will not be bent, folded, or irradiated. Another $11. Medical clearance involves a physical exam, dental exam, and vaccinations; all the required forms are available on the Medical Applicant Portal (MAP) and are then submitted online by the deadline set by your Peace Corps medical officer. I was able to use a dental program (link below) to find a dentist in my area who would complete the dental exam, including x-rays, for free. Vaccinations were the priciest component of medical clearance for me; polio, TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and yellow fever shots were approximately $225 and that is after shopping around for the best prices as travel shots were not covered by my health insurance. Luckily, Peace Corps has a cost share program for the physical exam, dental exam, and yellow fever vaccination so I was able to recoup $149.99 (the entire cost) for my yellow fever shot. If you have any questions during the medical process, you can always contact your medical officer who is usually quick to respond.
Final Thoughts:
I later found that Costco does passport and visa application photos for $5 or thereabouts so be sure to check around for the best prices as it is recommended to take several photos with you for in-country paperwork. Check with your local government for resident programs or perks; I was able to get my fingerprinting completed for free with such a program. Travel shots are often not covered by health insurance, mine were not, so you need to shop around for the best prices. If you are a college student try your student health center or local health department for completing the physical exam and getting vaccinations; local health departments often base prices on income, which makes it very cost effective.
During the time period for my medical clearance, the yellow fever vaccination was backordered in every clinic within 100+ miles. I reached out to my medical officer who reassured me about it not holding up my clearance if everything else was completed, which was nice. However, I took some time and then tried calling clinics again about a month later and the yellow fever vaccination was back in stock. If you run into a setback, take a breather and give it another go.
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