ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandPerth Medical + Interview

I am currently waiting on my NOA2, in Perth, Western Australia (5.5 months now) but I was wondering about medicals. I have read before that they perform vision and hearing tests as part of the exam... I'm wondering how they go about (or what they do) dealing with someone with a hearing loss?? It is something I have had from birth and while it is classed as severe, I wear hearing aids & do not at all rely on ASL. I function just fine within the 'normal' community (I have a job, etc). I suppose my question here is, can they simply fail my medical because they don't like the fact I am hard of hearing??

Another question I had was about the Interviews. I've noticed pretty much all Aussies have to head to Sydney, NSW for it... Is this the case for those in Perth, Western Australia, too?? Because that would really put a dent in our savings if I have to fly all the way across the whole country for just a few hours! Of course, I'll still do it, but it would be nice to hear from any other Western Australians who have been experienced/been through this, so that I can prepare myself!

Thanks so much, I appreciate any responses.



Sorry, Can't help you with the medical but yes, the interview for a K-1 visa is conducted in Sydney only and will always be on a Tuesday for a K1 Visa. They give you approximately a month notice (unless you're successful in requesting an earlier interview.
Adrian_TrischaFemaleAustralia2013-03-18 01:42:00
USCIS Service CentersImportant info for all waiting NOA2 FROM NVC!!!!

Tomas Oppus,southern leyte here.living in ormoc right now,waiting for noa2. Jijijiji

My family are originally from near Ormoc - Merida.
Adrian_TrischaFemaleAustralia2012-09-23 05:47:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Checks
for visa purposes, fingerprints. Cost you approx $170 ish
Adrian_TrischaFemaleAustralia2012-08-29 05:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview scheduled at Sydney Consulate

In a state of shock right now - sent off packet three to the embassy in Sydney Tuesday 18th September, it arrived Wednesday 19th, and they embassy emailed me today (21st) to say our interview will be next Tuesday 25th September! Crazy fast! Now we have a crazy dash this weekend to book flights from Melbourne, hotels and arrange everything with work! Wish us luck!!!!!! :)



lucky thing! congratulations and good luck!
Adrian_TrischaFemaleAustralia2012-09-21 05:45:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

NOA2 arrived this morning WOOOOOOOOOOHHHOOOOOO :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:


Congrats, Terri. Hope your son is doing well. :star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-11 21:46:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Here is the link from the online payment portal for CR1/IR1 ... wish I had known this before hand because it's easily accessible from the DOS website. We DIDN'T need to wait for payment to be processed and instructions, it was already there.

http://travel.state..../info_3190.html

At least I have all my vaccinations, glad I did that early even with the added cost for Qld's pathology.

And a Q for everyone - did you have to take a copy of the I-864 with you to the interview? Considering he submits it to the NVC, would the Consulate receive that and should I have a copy of it just in case?

Edited by Deb+Steve, 05 March 2010 - 05:53 AM.

Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-05 05:49:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I'm at work but I will post the link to the instructions from the portal so we can compare. Not as comprehensive as the instructions you received, kaffy. I know that much!

We've just completed our IV and AOS packets with no further instructions received. The next correspondence we will receive, fingers crossed, is my Packet 4 with an interview date. Expect that to be in about 4-6 weeks if we're lucky. Fingers crossed for me everyone!! I only just mailed my DS230 packet yesterday to NVC.

Edited by Deb+Steve, 04 March 2010 - 01:15 AM.

Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-04 01:12:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
For us, there was no email. I waited and finally rang NVC a week after our IV bill showed paid and was told there is no correspondence for the next step. The link to all the information is in the online payment portal.

And a ROC thread would be good, too.

Edited by Deb+Steve, 04 March 2010 - 01:11 AM.

Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-04 01:10:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi guys!
My husband, an Australian citizen, is finally on the NVC side of things. He has not yet received his package (package 3, I think?), but is attempting to prepare the required information (immunisation, police certificate, etc.) before this time. He's in Melbourne, and so will be filing his application form for a police record check with the Victoria Police Public Enquiry Service. The police record check can be done without a fingerprint record check for AUD30, or with a fingerprint check for AUD131. We were unsure as to which would be required or preferred by the US government to be filed by him; hopefully the former, though, obviously. Does anyone know whether the fingerprint check is necessary or if the standard police certificate is sufficient?

Thanks in advance.


Vanessa's thread is great for info on PCC and Medicals but if you're doing CR1/IR1 and not K1 you won't get a Packet 3. Once you've paid your AOS fee and your IV fee online, there is a link to instructions. That is what will tell you what you will need for your AOS and the IV link will tell your husband what he needs for his DS-230. You must send the PCC with the DS230 as well as original docs requested + a copy of each and 2 passport sized (American) photos.

The medical he can do when he receives his interview letter as the medical goes to the interview with him and does not get sent with his DS230 package. Also, one other difference (which just sucks for us) is the CR1/IR1 interviews are scheduled by the NVC with the Consulate so it's about 4-6 weeks from case complete when you actually get your interview.

Hope this helps!! Best of luck ... :star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-03 19:38:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

An update from me ...

Saw the Lawyer last Monday, which was a total waste of time. I waited 3 weeks for my appointment, for him to tell me that they will only give advice, as they have too many people coming through their office at the moment and aren't being funded enough. He told me that I should try everything in my power to find my ex ... all I've been able to find is an email address that *might* be his ... found it through pipl.com.

I told him that I was scared to contact him, in case he said NO ... anyways, the Lawyer said I had a very strong case and that it would look bad if he said No, if we ended up going to Court over it, so I should email him.

So I took the chance, emailed that email address I'd found and got a response that same day, it was HIM! After a few backwards and forwards emails, he has agreed to sign a Stat Dec giving me permission to take my boy to the US permanently! This is such a huge relief and weight off my shoulders ... I will be feeling even lighter when I am holding the Stat Dec in my hot little hand lol. He is getting it done asap and posting it to me from NZ, so it looks like we will be filing the K1 in June definitely!


Hey Jaime - great you have that sorted ... :star:

Terri - hope your son is doing better. I'm sure your approval will arrive shortly so it's one less thing to stress about.

We are tracking fine. My DS-230 is ready - could have sent it last week to the husband but he is moving this week so I'm holding off. We're not in that much of a rush coz he'll be here in April now ... yayay. I really wanted him to come down here first before I moved so he could meet all my peeps. I've met all of his so it only seems fair. Hope you're all well!!

Same doctor that I had my medical. He was real nice :thumbs: . They were quite accomodating. His receptionist is very nice and helpful too.


Where in Florida are you? We'll be in St Pete.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-02-25 01:52:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi everyone :)

Any news??? I hope you've all had a great weekend.

The latest on my son and the court order is that I took my application to the Federal Court, they said I did a great job filling it out etc and had all the ID and documents they require, but the order content and the information on the affidavit needed refining. I've found a free community legal place, ran by Legal Aid, so I have an appointment with them on the 22nd of this month. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling then :).

Hey I was wondering, how did you guys present your petitions? I read somewhere on here that people recommend acco (I think that's what it was called) fasteners?

Also, I know in Australia that money orders are not the same as cheques, is that the same in America? I'm assuming so but my boyfriend told me they were the same thing, but I think he's either pulling my leg or assumes that a money order would be ok to send (which I know it isn't lol).


Not sure if money orders are the same or not (they do look like cheques over there though), but if you're paying your petition fees you would be better paying by cheque as you'll be able to trace the payment. Money orders you can't do that.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-02-03 01:27:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi Terri - glad your son is doing well and so are you ... with all the packing as well!! Will say some Ohms for you and yours ... :star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-29 06:42:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

I filed DCF (for CR1 so I bypassed NVC) but from what I understand all "regular" CR1 interviews are scheduled the same way as DCFs- through the Consulate


Thanks, kaffy. I just ran into another CR1 filer from the Gold Coast who said that NVC schedules the interview. #######. We will have to plan submitting our paperwork a bit more structured now.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-27 03:31:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I have a Q for CR1 filers - did the Consulate schedule your interview or did NVC? (I hope there are CR1's still lurking about). Thanks!
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-25 03:58:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Oopsie. "DontWhateverMe" I meant :S Sorry! I just saw the reply to "thanks Kaffy".. oopsie. Sorry again :D


Yes, that was me. That is the list I am using as it is the one that is issued by the CDC. The HPV doesn't apply to me so not really concerned about that. My GP already knew that Zoster would not be needed.

One other thing: the panel physician in Brisbane would not give me a copy of the list for required vaccinations. Which I found odd because they will accept the titre testing as evidence.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-25 01:29:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hiya Don'twhateverme, is this the correct list of vaccs they request?

http://www.cdc.gov/m...mmunization.pdf

Do you think it's too early for me, considering we aren't filing the K1 until at least June, for me to get a blood test through my Doctor to see what ones I need?

Also once they're done, do you just need to take the blood/vacc records with you when it comes time for the actual medical for the Visa?


It changed in November. Here is the link for the 2010 schedule:-

http://www.cdc.gov/m...mmunization.pdf

It's not too early. I rang the panel physician in Brisbane before I had the blood test to make sure if they will accept it. They had no problem with it. Someone in Vic may be able to tell you if the panel physicians down there will accept it as well.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-24 05:51:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Does anyone know what the requirements are for the shot records? My guy doesn't have a copy of his vaccination records. Has anyone had that happen to them before and what happened?

Will he need to get all of the shots again? Also, I know that some of the shots are staged so will he need to take those each at separate times?


He can have a blood test done to check for antibodies for the required vaccinations. You will need to have him take the list to his GP. Once he has the results, the GP can do them. There are some vaccinations that cannot be done on the same day, so it helps if you have the blood testing done first.

Not sure where he is but in Qld, the pathology cost $177 as costs for medicals for immigration purposes are not covered by Medicare. I know someone else on here managed to have theirs covered by Medicare (Simon or Jason I think) but that was luck in my opinion and I know it was NSW.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-24 04:30:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

I got my NOA2!!!! Woohoo!!! :)

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Now I just need to kick my man's butt into gear on the police and medical stuff.


Congrats Bacon .... :star:

We're just waiting for our case # from NVC so I can do my medicals. Brisbane's wait for an appt is not bad so not stressing about trying to get in.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-23 07:26:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Jaime - he can submit while you're there but you'll have to be home for the interview.

Ditto to all of this and CONGRATS!! Finally!! :)


Thanks, Vanessa!! I know, right? Now I can stop stressing and at least start some measure of planning.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-22 19:59:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
SIMON, ASTRID, GIGGLES - Happy travels!!! You're all in the same week. I will miss everyone's font (but you still have AOS).

TERRI - i hope your son is better if you read this ...

AS FOR ME ... WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED. NOA2 ... YEA BABY!!! Was approved on 20/01/2010. :star: ... 125 days ... but we're all getting them now, my September CR1 buddies so we'll at least get to do NVC together.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-22 01:50:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Don'tWhateverMe, thanks. It's so exciting...I'm going next Monday :D 6 sleeps to go or maybe 5....I probably won't be able to sleep Monday night cause I'll be so excited. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep on the plane so I don't look like hell when I get there after a 22 hour journey. We're not having a big white wedding so we haven't even planned on having any wedding pictures taken. Though I am thinking maybe we should have some taken to mark the occasion.

You must be due to get your NOA2 soon don't you think? I'm sure everything will go quickly after that seeing as you can prepare the rest of packet 3 in the meantime.

Terri, That's so sad your son has to go through this. The poor little guy :( It must be especially stressful with this all happening at the same time as all your visa stuff.

Jamie, Yeah I thought they might need some other proof as well but how many men would say a baby is theirs if in fact it wasn't?


So exciting!! Well, we didn't do the big wedding or the planning. The only planning we had was, ... wanna fly to Vegas and get married?? I was like, hell yea ... anyway, we splurged and paid the extra $100 for the 'deluxe' package which came with 9 photos of us (and my fake Elvis). I wouldn't change it for anything. Best 3 days of my life!! Think about buying a couple of disposal cameras and giving them to whoever is there at the time to take some happy snaps of you.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-20 04:34:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Giggles - just wanted to say 'bon voyage'. You're leaving soon, right? So if I do not see your font before then ... safe travels and cannot wait for the wedding pics.

I'm sure I'll still be here waiting by the time you are filing for AOS. :star:

Hey all,

Thanks for the well wishes for my son. Things are not looking good at all. He was meant to have surgery today to fix his PD Catheter, but due to unforeseen emergencies his surgery was shuffled to tomorrow. We at least know now the course of action they are taking. They will remove his PD Catheter and insert a Vas Cath so he can begin Haemo Dialysis tomorrow afternoon. They will also insert a nasal gastric tube so he can have supplemental feeding as he has lost almost 2 kilos over the last couple of days. He is resting semi comfortably...he has his PCA button to give pain relief via the drip pump...so he is in pixie land most of the time which is the best thing for him at present. He will have to have the Haemo Dialysis over the next 6 weeks or so and that means hospital visits 3 days of the week for 6 hours a day...I am trying to keep a semi normal routine for my 12yo daughter but thats not happening. I have shielded my other kids from all his medical visits over the years but now they have been confronted with it ad Bek is shocked and wide eyed at all her brother has to endure.

Anyway, just wanted to update a little..nothing new on the USCIS front *#######* hope everyone is enjoying their weekends :)


You've had it rough, Terri. So sorry to hear about your son. Will say some ohms for you ... :star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-19 01:42:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOODBYE USCIS!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE EVERYONE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!


Congrats! :thumbs: (we'll standby for citizenship).
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-09 08:54:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

OMG! Rome NY is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live and we were down there on thursday shopping and then spent New Year at the Turningstone Resort in Verona NY. What a small world it is. May I ask why you happened to be in Rome? Do you or will u be living in New York state? Always lots of snow this time of year but they don't get nearly as much as we do......I still think it's pretty but after 5 winters of living with it it has plenty of downfalls too!
My bank account here is Key Bank and their fees are ridiculous so any info would be welcomed. XOOM only charge between $4.99 an $10.99 per transfer which is really good.


My husband's sister and her husband live in Rome. We were at Turningstone last Sunday (for Bingo). Those people love their Bingo and I have to say although I have never played before, some people were winning crazy amounts of money!?! Small world. We won't be living there. It will be either Tampa or Albany if the husband gets the transfer he wants. It is pretty but I would not be able to handle the winters. We went out to Lake Delta so I could take pics and I lasted 5 minutes. It was minus 28 Celcius. Forget that!

We will head up there often though to visit her so stay in touch!
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-04 17:01:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi eveyone.....hope you all had a great christmas and new year both here( and in Australia. Ours was very white and very, very cold!!!

I was wondering if anyone has used "XOOM" to transfer money from their us bank accounts to australian bank accounts and if so how reliable and safe is it? I have always used my bank to do wire transfers from the USA to my Australian bank account but they charge $40 a transfer and then Westpac charge another $10. I have to do one transfer a month, so am looking for other options.......any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Susan


Hey there - I just spent 5 days of my trip in Rome, NY. And yes, it was very, very cold. First time I've ever seen snow.

We've never used XOOM but we do internet transfers. I will check with the husband about how much he pays. I think it's about US$23. I know NAB does not charge me to receive. He is with USAA so his fees are lower than normal.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-01-04 15:51:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Warren and Cindy @ Nov 25 2009, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So I have finally made it to the US, I hope those traveling here it is less eventful than my trip.

Leaving Melbourne, Mother, Sister and her Kids saw me off at the airport, very hard as in the end there was no dry eyes between us.

Flight to Brisbane to catch connecting flight to LAX, though a bit stressing wasn't too bad.

13 hour flight from Australia to LAX was full so no chance of free seats to streach out on, plane makes good time, get to area ahead of schedule, thats where the fun starts

Fog in LA!!! yes thats right fog in LA, after circling LA for an hour we were diverted to Ontario, California About 45 miles east of LAX, there we sat a further 4 hours >< Missed my connecting flight, more on that later. stress level goes up.

POE, immigration.... so we finally get to custom/immigration, wait in queue and finally get to a immigration office, i hand over the "Mysterious Yellow Envelope" and I give him my passport/visa, he looks at it and then proceed open the envelope (inside eveything cindy and i have submitted so far) then he asks me what felony have i committed, at first i didn't understand what he was asking (i have never have had a fellony) i ask him what the question was agoing, i said i have not had any fellonies, he proceeds to ask me a list of things that i might have done like over staying visa, shoplifting, to which i say no to everything, then he tells me the visa says i have a minor fellony, i tell him its wrong, i do not, he porceeds to go over every docu,ent 3-4 times >< my stress level increasesto a high level. he finally can't find anything and lets me though.

Due to stress and lack of sleep i pick up a bag that looked 99% like mine (even had the same locks) get waved through custom and get the run around between Vaustralia and AA about rebooking my flight, realise the bag was not mine, got that sorted out and eventually AA gets on board and I get a flight to dallas where i stayed the night, then got the last leg of my journey and arrive in Charlette 20 hours late.

Not a very good trip here, my 6th to the US and worse by far, but was greeted by Cindy at the airport, that made up for everything.

At 9:15 am today Cindy and I married biggrin.gif best day of our lives biggrin.gif


Congrats Warren & Cindy ... what a great chapter to add to the love story! star_smile.gif
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2009-11-25 03:36:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Miss Natalie @ Oct 27 2009, 10:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had the interview today - APPROVED!

It was fairly painless and straightforward. It felt like I was there for ages but it was maybe an hour and a half (and that's because I got there 45 minutes early and waited)

They asked questions that were answered in the packet 4, so whether they were reiterating things or didn't look that closely at the evidence I don't know. And yes, I did take extra photos with me but they never asked for them kicking.gif still they made me feel more confident to have them just in case.

Thanks for all the advice guys! And goodluck!


Congrats ... good.gif Great to hear it was quick and painless!
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2009-10-28 04:45:00
Australia and New ZealandHECS
I left with about $300 owing on a HElP debt. I lodged a tax return this year and made the voluntary repayment but it was never an issue. I chose to lodge so I could repay the balance because it was so small otherwise I probably would have left it as well.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2011-10-05 14:19:00
Australia and New ZealandCan I schedual interview before I have Medical done?

Im about a week away from recieving Packet3 and I just want to know if I am able to schedual an interview with the consulate before I have my medical done? I cant do the Medical now because im not in Australia Im trying to minimize the time between medical and interview date. I read on here that some people are having their medicals done the same day as the interview, so this must be an option?


I'm not sure about having the medical the same day because I had to wait for my results. It was about 4 days before I could pick them up. That was in Brisbane and it was for a CR1.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2011-10-05 14:14:00
Australia and New ZealandProcessing days for Sydney
Fingers crossed for gc955. Mine took a week to arrive and I was in Brisbane. I've heard that all visas even when approved on the spot goes into some sort of AP. I wouldn't be booking tickets just yet even though I've never heard of anyone in Aus having issues until now.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2011-10-11 08:01:00
Australia and New ZealandIdeas & Loose Ends to clear up before you leave OZ
That's excellent advice. I did the same thing 2 months and rang St George to order a new card. After being assured they can do it, still no card. I checked online and they've changed my address to the US one. I still have a mailing address in Aus so now I'm waiting for my friends to check my mail and send me the card. They were also supposed to send me a pin generator for online funds transfers because they only send txt alerts to Australian mobiles and I'm still waiting on that too.

I shut my ING Direct account but they were the only ones to send me the pin generator and update my address with no hassles. Wish I'd known St George was going to be a pain I would have shut that one instead.

Edited by Deb+Steve, 11 October 2011 - 08:19 AM.

Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2011-10-11 08:19:00
Australia and New ZealandHaving a baby in Australia vs. America
I had my baby 6 months ago and I was scared $hitele$$. But I worried for nothing. I received excellent perinatal care (high risk pregnancy) and post-natal care. I understand about the insurance issue but I did consider flying home in my second trimester. The baby bonus is not worth it to me and like Vanessa said, there are residency requirements that still need to be met. They know the day you fly out etc.

The only thing that we are bummed about is having to file the citizenship by descent paperwork for him. Best of luck. :)
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2011-12-04 11:30:00
Australia and New Zealandstarting to freak out a little
I can only tell you at those ages, they will be extremely popular and not bored at all. Look at the summer activities for them, there is always something going on and it does not cost very much. My daughter is 11. She was 10 when we moved here. We also arrived in July so it was the middle of the school holidays but the school we enrolled her at set us up with 'parent mentors' who had a child going in to the same grade and they had a little 'welcome' summer BBQ for us so we did get to meet people.

Her social life is better than ours and she wants to play more sports than she did back in Aus. We've had to cut her off or I would spend all my time running her around. I am already wishing basketball season would just end already! She does still get homesick but the novelty and the fact that she's a novelty is fun for her. She even gave a presentation on Aus to the 3rd graders at her school because they were doing an art project on Aus, so she's loving the attention.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2012-01-24 16:47:00
Australia and New Zealandstarting to freak out a little
Not sure how old your kids are, but have him look at the day camps in the area. There is always ots of activities for the kids as well that are run by the towns etc. and so much cheaper than vacation care activities in Australia. Once your kids make friends, you will make friends. I have found there are lots of mothers groups around.

Congrats on the pregnancy! Things will fall into place when the time comes. Best of luck. :)
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2012-01-20 19:05:00
Australia and New ZealandWhere about is everyone moving to in the US? Just curious!

Brisbane/Gold Coast -> COOL-orado!


Bex! LTNS ... hope you're settling in. All these Bris people, I miss it! Can't wait to go back.
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2012-02-02 09:56:00
Australia and New ZealandWhere about is everyone moving to in the US? Just curious!
Buffalo, NY. Best thing about it is the proximity to Canada. Went from Brisbane to Tampa, FL and loved it now husband is posted up here. This winter's been mild. First snow only came on Friday which is 6 weeks later than last year when we were inundated from Thanksgiving!
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2012-01-18 12:47:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

I can't believe how fast it went, I had my interview this morning in Sydney and it's APPROVED :dance: . The process was so smooth thanks to everyone on this website for all your advice, guess we need to bring the wedding closer now :D
They didn't ask for any of the info I took and they were impressed with how much info I had.

Thank you to every one for all the help and support, and see you the next forum. :dance: :dance: :dance:


Congrats ... that's fantastic ... :star: (please post some of the Q's they asked - I'm freaking ... :crying: )

OR ... duh, Deb ... have you done a review yet??
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-05-25 01:46:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

Serious? Because when I filed my passport was (and still is) in my maiden name and they (the consulate) didn't have a problem processing my visa in my married name. They simply put an annotation "AKA: <maiden name>" on my visa which acted as a link back to my passport name

This was back in 2008 though so I guess the rules could have changed


I wish, kaffy. Petition lodged in married name with USCIS, gets to NVC and all correspondence is in my maiden name. PITA. Maybe it's because you DCF'd?
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-04-04 01:35:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
Hey Rosa - rest assured you are not alone. I am already married and this is supposed to be the happiest time for us but mailing that final packet to NVC was hard. I've already had to give up my home and it's not helped. He can tell with me too and he is tired of the negativity. I even broached the subject of him moving here but he is only 3 years off retirement from the military and that is the decision we made.

I loved it every time I've been there but that's because I always knew that I would be returning home. I used to think well everything is disposable except him and the rest is just stuff so I can live without it if we have each other. It's scary and it's overwhelming. I am glad I am not the only one who feels some measure of doubt. Not about him but the move and losing what I hold dear. I guess I have to think about what life is like without him and what it will be like with him to share it. That is what keeps me relatively sane at the moment.

:star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-23 07:17:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
Congrats to all the newly married ladies - good luck with the AOS. My package is no longer MIA and finally on its way to NVC. I am checking constantly to make sure it no longer gets lost. There goes my April interview. Best we can hope for is May now.

Terri - congrats ... hope your son is doing well.

I emailed the Consulate to ask about the maiden v married name thing. Our petition was filed in my married name but because my passport is in my maiden name, that is the name they have used. By the time my file reaches the Consulate I will have legally changed my name and a new passport issued. For anyone else who is wondering - as long as ALL your Police Clearances are done in both your maiden and married names, they will do all the changes at interview time because the visa will be issued in the name that is in the passport.

Hope you're all well ... :star:
Deb+SteveFemaleAustralia2010-03-23 01:28:00