Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Nov 26 2008, 08:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> cdneh...congratulations!!!! you're next michelle. So nice to see you folks moving along! hehe thanks kim, i'm getting very excited, can't wait	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-26 02:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Nov 25 2008, 09:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Isn't it wonderful I would love to have gone mad and danced around like a nutter...but I was at work ..and Ambulance Control Seniors are usually not known for this ......................>>> So...I politely excused myself and went off to the ladies...and had my little happy dance there ... lol ....no audience...but it was great all the same pft i don't care what the inspector says, when it's my turn i'm going be yelling it out loud for the whole floor to hear congratulations Kate	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-25 06:13:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	ok i just looked at igors, and i feel ill, quite literally ill and like you Kate, my blood pressure is up too aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok that's out, think i feel a little better	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-19 02:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Nov 18 2008, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> OMG!! i just checked website and it says i was touched on 17th nov. I checked online status and it says i am approved!! it says a notice was sent out on 17th Nov!!! OMG! i can't believe this!!! i just can't think straight at all. I am just sooo happy, i am crying!!! cdneh, michelleS and others.. PLEASE check USCIS and see if you have any changes!!! they may have just updated the site as i had just checked!! I should be thinking about the next stage now but my mind is just still in shock that i have been approved!! and my police certificate from australia arrived today too!!! yay!!!!! Grats guys, I'm really happy for you maybe you can be together for new years!	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-19 02:47:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	thanks for that guys, i do want to be as prepared as possible, i just wasn't looking forward to writing out all those g325a's and i129f's again, they were a nightmare i'll get rob to send me originals	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-10 14:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hey guys wondering if i can get some help, thought i might start getting things ready for "that" interview. i've been reading the guides but i'm still a bit confused (easily done heh) i've copied the following from the guides What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2): 1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one). why do we need the entire package? do we actually need it for the interview, i was the one who prepared all the forms and sent them to my fiance (he's the usc) i didn't take copies of the package as there were things that my fiance had that needed to be added. 2. Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy. do they want him to send me his birth certificate? not a copy but the original? any help would be greatly appreciated smile.gif	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-08 15:09:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Nov 6 2008, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well it finally arrived today........ I have the much sought after K1 visa inside my passport and in my hand One huge sigh of relief on my part A relatively painless process (except on the pocket....lol).......it's just the waiting that's a killer November 28th .....here I come congratulations, you must be ecstatic	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-11-06 01:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hey guys I know they sell milo at walmart in statesville nc, saw it there when i was visiting Rob and..... we're 227 on Igor's list, hehe, i am excited, taking into account cdneh's calculations of duplicates and dormants that makes us 199 hehe silly how excited i am over that and how depressed i'll be if/when we head back the other way.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-25 23:21:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	External check on the genital area? wha?? really?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-18 04:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	wow dlopez and kimandchris, i had no idea you guys were so close to the home stretch, well done, i'm very envious but still happy for you kim and russ i hope you have a wonderful and magical day and that it's everything you dreamt of and hoped for kelzm thank you for all the info on your drivers test etc, such necessary stuff i hadn't even begun to think about still hanging in there, no touches, i'm hoping processing at vermont and california will speed up after the election	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-14 23:36:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2008, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Oct 11 2008, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> haha i was too quick, i'll keep looking too. it seems the main dmv site for NC (ncdot i think is what it is called) is down. Their links don't appear to be working. That is where the free handbook would be too. that sucks! Have they all left town for the weekend and can't fix their site? LOL! will have to keep trying their site over the coming week and see if they get it up and running again. thanks for trying, i'll try the main site in a day or two, see if they've fixed it.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-11 23:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	haha i was too quick, i'll keep looking too.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-11 23:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2008, 05:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Michelle try this link: http://www.welcometo...com/nc-dmv-.asp looks like there is a free download of the drivers handbook there. thanks for that, funny it's off a real estate website, smart of them tho.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-11 23:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2008, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> my apologises. i meant to say Kim and chris and lisa and tim at end of last post (got the names mixed up lol) i'm not surprised, there's quite a few of us now am hanging in there but going from stalking the forums and igor's list to not wanting to go near either cos it's all too depressing and omg i never even thought about parrallel parking on the wrong side of the road, eek something new to worry about i did go searching for the handbook for North Carolina but couldn't seem to find a free one, everyone wanted me to pay them so i decided to keep looking.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2008-10-11 22:52:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Kiwiana We were allowed 2 suitcases for the kids each as well, so even though we were over the weight limit, I managed to convince them that we didn't need to be charged anything extra. I was quite happy to pay the extra, so it was all good. I have spent a fair proportion of today talking to recruiting agents, according to them, there is plenty of work in the fields that I am looking, so it sounds promising. I have meetings with two of them next week, and should have another couple confirmed tomorrow. Cheers Grant	gshennen	Male	New Zealand	2008-10-28 21:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hello All Just wanting everyone to know that we made it. I have been without internet access for a few days, but have that sorted now. We had the flight from hell, our 21 month old refused to sleep on the plane, and cried and screamed the entire flight (we weren't very popular amongst the other passengers). But we made it eventually. Customs was a breeze (we flew to San Francisco). I was the only person in the New Immigrant line, and I told the guy that the screaming kids at the other end of the arrivals hall were mine, he took pity on me, and I was processed very quickly and welcomed to the USA. The fact that I also was covered in baby food from head to foot probably helped me get more pity as well. As we had so many bags (we had 8 large over sized and weight bags...which were all accepted by Air NZ), a SF airport official arranged a porter to take all of our bags for us - this was a lifesaver. We seemed to bypass everything and next thing we were through and on the road south. We stayed in a town called Gilroy for a night, and then travelled to Brook's parents the next day. We are currently in Coarsegold, CA, where Brook's parents retired to. It is in the foothills of the Yosemite Mountains, about 40 minutes NE of Fresno. It is quite remote, and their place has wild deer and quails wandering through the yard. The weather is magic, and after 5 days we are all pretty well aclimatised (it was hard to get the kids aclimatised and back onto schedule - however today went like clockwork). However tomorrow, I have to start the job hunting proper. We are still looking at either the Bay Area or Sacramento. Hope everyone else is doing well, and making progress. Cheers Grant	gshennen	Male	New Zealand	2008-10-27 22:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi All Been a while since I have posted, so I thought i'd catch everyone up with our progress. Firstly congratulations to Kim and Russ. I also hope that everyone else is making progress as well. Today we moved out of our house and into a hotel for the last few days. We have now sold all the bits and pieces that we wanted to sell on trademe (the remaining bits will be picked up in the next day or so). We have 80% packed anything we wanted to keep into storage, with the remainder to go in tomorrow and tuesday. I am also unemployed for the first time in my life (I finished up my last two projects on Friday) - although have a bit of freelance stuff I can carry on with for a couple of clients here, once I am in the US. It is hard to believe that we are only three days away from leaving. Brook's father has come over to give us a hand for the last few days and will head back with us, makes it easier with the two kids. It is has not been all that easy getting prepared. Last weekend the remaining car we kept hold of broke down in the middle of nowhere up the Coromandel with us all in, and in the end had to get back to Auckland on a tow truck (also with the auction on trade me closing for it last Tuesday). But got it fixed and sold without too much drame. Also Brook got hospitalised in the early hours of this morning with severe food poisoning. They kept her till about lunchtime pumped her with fluids and she seems to be on the mend. Made for an interesting and stressful morning, as the house was getting emptied (my mates were brilliant and took care of it all for me without me lifting a finger in the end, and left me to look after Ash and Clay). So again, very stressful all round, and the last thing we needed, but we have come through the other side. Anyway, it must be my bed time, again hope everyone is well, and making progress. I may not post again before we arrive in CA, but will update everyone then. Cheers Grant	gshennen	Male	New Zealand	2008-10-19 02:42:00
Australia and New Zealand	New 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi	I'm stunned. Look what Rob found in the mail box today. And for what it's worth, no change to my status on uscis, no email alert and no mobile alert. Now just the citizenship hurdle to go!! [attachment=15244:img304.jpg] I'm stunned. Look what Rob found in the mail box today. And for what it's worth, no change to my status on uscis, no email alert and no mobile alert. Now just the citizenship hurdle to go!! [attachment=15245:img304.jpg]	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-11 19:31:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi everyone, well everything seems to be moving along quite fast. Pkt 3 arrived and all sent off and we had our medicals this past week, so really just waiting for our interview. My fiancé has been here since June so his 3m is up on the 10 sept so flying home... I am really hoping it will only be a few weeks Until i have my visa in hand to join him, as ideally don't want to live on Skype for months... My house sold and I am out by the end of the month. Thanks goodness I have parents to move I. With for as long as it takes, but really I have 15 oct in mind to be leaving here, which since I am just wait ing on interview think that is reasonable. So yes... All feeling very real and starting to get the courage to say goodbye to my nz life for who k ows how long and ready for our next adventure. I felt the interview was so easy, esp after I had worked myself up into a panic. Good Luck, though you won't need it	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-09-02 06:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Congratulations !! At long last, I had mail today to say Congrats. 10 year card is in the post. As always dead last Congratulations, that's wonderful news	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-09-02 06:16:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thanks Kim, Good to know about the medical screening. I knew about them before even coming here, and I thought the only way for us to get back home would be for Rob to lose weight, good to know there might be a waiver possible. We're still both trying to lose weight and lord knows there's enough time but a waiver may still be necessary.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-31 07:54:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Will do, and thanks, and that's why I want to keep our options open, so we can live either there or here	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-12 13:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	They filed back on March 2nd, still no word. Fred's going over there in September, maybe, hopefully they'll have heard by then and he may even be there for her interview. Who knows, we can only hope	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-12 12:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Yes, there's certainly no rush now, esp as Kelly is expecting to be here soon (or not as Vermont is moving so slowly, I would have been happier to wait on mine and gotten hers first)	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-12 11:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I must admit the thought of paying another $680 and jumping through more hoops isn't appealing but I'd like to keep my long term options open about where we are going to live.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-12 09:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I'm stunned. Look what Rob found in the mail box today. And for what it's worth, no change to my status on uscis, no email alert and no mobile alert. Now just the citizenship hurdle to go!!  img304.jpg   577.62KB   15 downloads	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2012-08-11 19:35:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Woohoo!! I have my appointment for my biometrics. 12/28/2011 in Charlotte	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-12 18:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I've had mail. Not an RFE, but I have to go all the way back to TN for more fingerprints. They say the ones they took last week cannot be processed. :/ Why on earth do you have to go to TN?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-12 18:31:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Nope, not a word. I still can't stop smiling though	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-04 19:21:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thanks It almost feels too good to be true. It's very strange how things work out. Just last Sunday when we took her to the airport I was inconsolable because I didn't know when I'd see her again. If the little minx had told me then what was going on maybe I wouldn't have needed so many tissues.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-04 17:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thanks Guys I'm ridiculously excited. I thought that's how it might be so I'll go ahead and tell them to start the k1 process. As you say, we've already been through it so it will be a lot easier, less stressful anyway	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-04 12:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Ok let's see if this works Hey Guys, I have a very different type of question. My daughter came over for a 2 month visit from Auckland and met the guy next door, fell in love and now wants to come back as they want to get married (Trying not to smile like a cheshire cat ) So my question is this, would it be quicker for me to apply for her as an unmarried daughter over 21 or for her fiance to apply for her k1 visa? Or can we do both at once and see which one is quicker. It's just that I've been reading that the wait time for unmarried children over 21 can be over a year and sometimes a lot longer, while the k1 for me was quicker, about 7 months.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-12-03 19:47:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Well, you can apply early, like I did, but you'll be put under more scrutiny. If you're thinking about applying after 3 years make sure that you have things like joint utility bills or name on the renal/mortgage. Also make sure that you can show a bill for each year you are here. My name isn't on any of the bills and simply getting my name put on one wouldn't be enough, I had to show the three years worth. ok, thanks, my name's not on the utility bills simply because I was at work when Rob went to have them turned on, but both our names are on the apartment lease.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-09-22 04:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	If you're thinking of going for citizenship I highly recommend waiting till 5 years is up, rather than using the 3 year marriage rule. If it wasn't for my son I wouldn't have done this as early as I have. Why wait?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-09-21 16:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	It costs about $660 if I recall. I just got a case status update today of a request for evidence. I'm very frustrated right now. The rest of this process has been so simple. It seems kinda crazy to me to be questioning it all so much now, you'd think they'd ask they hard questions at the beginning of the process, not the end.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-09-15 19:25:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	And then if you decide to become a citizen - guess what? You have to get those biometrics done again! I applied for mine 90 days before my 3 year anniversary of being a permanent resident. Had to pay another fistful of dollars, get biometrics done again, submit proof of marriage AGAIN. I had my citizenship interview last week. I passed my civics test and english test no problem. The problems were that my interview was a week before my 3 years were up so he couldn't make a decision then. But the icing on the cake was that after flipping through my file and muttering things like 'Can't use that', 'Nope', 'Sigh', he told me that he did not have time to review my proof of marriage and he very likely would not approve my application and would ask for more evidence. He didn't know what he would need so I'd have to wait for a letter, which he wouldn't get around to till the end of this week, if he had time. Brilliant. Geez,that all sounds kinda stupid. How much does citizenship cost?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-09-15 04:35:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi Guys, Yes i'm back here for the same reason, ROC. I'm confused, I thought we couldn't send in our paperwork until 3 months before our green cards expired. And I'm sure I had my fingerprints taken when we did the AOS paperwork, do we have to have them taken again?. And, do they really want $590, I was so sure I had read somewhere that it was $185 but of course last time I looked was probably over a year ago Thanks for your help again, I know I can get the right answers here Michelle Kauffman (Saunders)	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2011-09-10 08:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jun 2 2009, 07:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Popping in to say hello...finally done with the home improvements hey stranger good to hear you're done with all that	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-06-01 16:49:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ May 27 2009, 05:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ed+Cindy @ May 25 2009, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Cindy was finally approved today for the K-1 in Auckland. She is quite pissed off at how mean the interviewing officer was to her. She thinks he was a middle-eastern guy. Anyone else interview with that man? I can't believe how much they like to bully people just for the hell of it. They didn't ask her for any evidence of our relationship, etc. They kept pounding on her about a 'denied' entry when she was turned away in Canada trying to visit me at the end of her round-the-world trip. The officer also harassed her about having two passports (she wasn't born in NZ, she moved there as a kid). He asked her why she wants to have so many passports, and why she will need three once she has a US one. I told her she should have told the man that she has no desire for a F'ing US passport, she just wants the immigration permit. Anyway, she should be here soon, though she is stressing POE in San Fran because every single time she encounters US officials, she is treated like a terrorist. congratulations on the approval!! sorry to hear that she had a bad time with the officer. When i had the interview i dealt with an older American woman first and then interviewed by a younger woman. They were both very friendly! Hope all goes well at POE! when will she leave NZ? Best wishes to the both of you!! yes congratulations I think i had the same two women Kiwiana had, my interview was very easy and friendly, so sorry to hear things weren't the same.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-05-26 13:16:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi All I have not been on the site for ages, but thought I'd have a read and catch up with how everyone is going. Sounds like on the whole everyone is making great progress. It is hard to believe that we have now been in the US for 8 months. We are well and truly settled into life in Sacramento. I'm working as a Project Management consultant for a consulting firm. I am on a huge long term project for the Californian Government. I am enjoying it a lot. It seemed to take forever to find a job, but the hardship of it all is starting to all seem worthwhile now. Brook and the kids are doing well. Brook is enjoying being a stay-at-home mother, but is keeping an eye out for the perfect job. The boys are doing well, our oldest is going a million miles an hour, and our youngest has now spent more of his life in the US than in NZ. I am enjoying the Californian lifestyle a lot, and loving the weather. I am also enjoying Sacramento, I think that, overall, it is a very nice city. Overall, the administrative parts of getting established here all went well, my SS card, and Green card arrived quickly, I got my drivers licence as soon as I could. We got my name added to Brooks existing bank accounts and credit card. We put all the bills that we could under my name. That has meant that in the 8 months we have been here, I have already got a good credit score (to go along with Brook's). Anyway, great to see how everyone is going. Take care and I hope progress continues to made by you all, Grant	gshennen	Male	New Zealand	2009-06-22 23:16:00