ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandPassport biographic page
Yes, its the page with your photo and details on it.

you do not need it notarised/certified, just photocopy and send, same with birth certificate, send original plus photocopy, no need for the pharmacist. you will get your original birth cert back at the interview.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-11-28 02:35:00
Australia and New ZealandDoes USC ever get interviewed?
ha! my USC fiance thought the same too, I told him hes NOT allowed to use 'The Proposal' (Sandra Bullock) as his visa guide, he kept joking that we needed to get our story straight.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-12-02 15:49:00
Australia and New ZealandHow many passport photos do I need for packet 3?
What Kel and Matt said, also, you may notice when you get packet 4 that they tell you to bring 2 photos with you 'if you have not already supplied them/or the ones you already supplied were more than 6 months old at time of interview' I took another 2 anyway, but I didn't need them, I wanted to make sure I didn't have any kind of delay. :lol: I paid around $20 something for 4 also.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-12-02 15:47:00
Australia and New ZealandNew passport number - Any problems??
my 2 cents, I used my NZ passport right up until visa issuing stage, I then submitted my Canadian passport, there was no problem. I asked them if it was ok they said yes, passports are linked anyway, you submitted a copy of your passport to prove your identity, a new passport will also do that, and if you need to, you can explain what happened, its still you.

shame about losing it. make sure you didn't leave it at the medical centre, and check through your things before you apply for a new one. but no, I highly doubt there would be a problem
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-12-07 15:29:00
Australia and New ZealandChange interview date?
no, but I'm sure you can without any problems. just send them an email.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-12-13 15:34:00
Australia and New ZealandSydney consulate post -packet 3 processing
Congrats Edenjames!! Glad you persevered for an earlier date.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-01-30 18:42:00
Australia and New ZealandAOS - Vaccination supplement - missing
Yes I did, they sent a copy to my friends place in Sydney and she emailed it to me.

:)
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-07 02:46:00
Australia and New ZealandAOS - Vaccination supplement - missing

HI how is it going Sweetdelish?

you got your marriage certificate quite fast? i heard in Hawaii it takes 60-120 days after the wedding/register to receive it :oS



Hi, missed this. all is going ok, we live here in Hawaii but opted to get married in Vegas, so getting the cert was relatively quick in comparison. we could have got it faster, but 'Elvis' messed up a little. AOS packet is almost complete, just waiting on hubby's tax transcript to arrive in the mail, hopefully it will finally be sent next week!
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-06 15:56:00
Australia and New ZealandAOS - Vaccination supplement - missing

The embassy won't have a copy (if that's who you're referring to) because your entire file was in the envelope handed in at POE, they apparently don't keep copies (which sounds pretty dangerous if you ask me).

Try the doc first. If it doesn't work, just try the letter. The DS-3025 isn't technically a requirement, the I-693 is, but the I-693 isn't required if you already did your medical for K1 and it's less than a year old. So technically you should be fine without a letter even (but the drones that check all the paperwork is submitted - which is prior to a CO seeing your file - might not know about the medical being in your "A" file).

Good luck!


I meant the doctors in Sydney. I haven't tried, marriage certificate arrived yesterday, so its military paperwork today, then I'll try calling. Thanks again.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-01-11 10:51:00
Australia and New ZealandAOS - Vaccination supplement - missing
I read afterwards, someone elses review of Honolulu POE on VJ, that they require them, not sure if that one officer is making a consistent mistake or its a HI specific thing. I'm annoyed at myself though for not making copies of the vaccination form, didn't think i'd need to just yet!

might as well give Sydney a call this morning and see if i can get another copy.

Thanks Vanessa.

Edited by SweetDelish, 10 January 2013 - 03:10 PM.

SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-01-10 15:10:00
Australia and New ZealandAOS - Vaccination supplement - missing
Hi All,

I'm about to start pulling together my AOS package, and part of me has been lazy about starting as I am missing the vaccination form, my own fault, upon entry to Honolulu, they require the x-rays, I wasn't aware, so was escorted to the baggage claim area and had to fish out the films and go back up to immigration, this was after a 10 hour overnight flight, I completely forgot that I had put the copies of my vaccination form in the envelope with my x-ray films, so I'm without.

I've been pondering if it would be easier to get in touch with 'whomever' the x-rays went to, in the hopes I can retrieve them, or easier to call Sydney and request a new copy. This is probably a moot question, but anyone with any experience, or a suggestion in order to kick my butt into gear. both options seem really difficult.

I've also considered writing a note stating that the form was handed over at POE with my x-rays and hope that suffices. too lazy??

Marriage cert should be arriving either tomorrow or early next week. Other than that.. I've done nothing to get this moving.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-01-09 16:24:00
Australia and New ZealandNOA2 hardcopy, what happens next?
Email with packet 3 link info will go to petitioners email address, at least it did in our case, took around 3 weeks from noa2 I think.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-07 02:45:00
Australia and New ZealandWorking in the USA

I would have to say the most depressing thing about working in this country(U.S.A) is the extremely low wages. For a job that I was getting paid $90,000 per year +OT for, employers here want to pay about $40,000 flat per year. Its slightly heart breaking, has anyone got any suggestions on how to deal with this? I am completely happy with every other aspect of my life here except for that one thing. It is really getting me down which affects everyone around me, I neeed to find a way to deal with it.

thanks



I can relate to this, I'm in the phase of acceptance before I move and this is how I've wrapped my head around it. I know not to expect the wages I'm getting now.

1, I'm moving to Hawaii, not exactly the financial hub of the USA, so the job availability for my skill set and target sector will be limited.
2, cost of living is lower, so I'm not going to need as much $ to pay for the same things
3, The US economy is not as good as it used to be, but it is turning around, things will get better, the US will always get back to the top of the ladder
4, I am choosing to move there to be with my SO, because right now, thats the best place for us to be
5, money vs sacrifice - at the end of the day, I'll work in Walmart (no offence to those that do) if I have to, as long as I can contribute to the household in some way, I have no intention on being precious about it, if thats all I can get for awhile, then thats what I'll do until something better comes along. I could earn a huge salary in Australia or I could be with my SO. He has told me he doesn't care if thats all I do
6, I'll be a foreigner, it doesn't matter what country you go to, local knowledge has a trump card, earn the local knowledge card and you will do better. This will be the 3rd country I've lived in, both Australia and Canada was the same way with local knowledge, I needed to earn my reputation all over again. its just the way things go.

Thats just a few things, I'm setting expectations for myself before I go.

And don't forget, this is your experience, neither you nor anyone else can truly compare it to theirs, or anyone elses until they have walked the whole distance in your shoes.

Edited by SweetDelish, 31 August 2012 - 01:55 PM.

SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-08-31 13:54:00
Australia and New ZealandPolice check confusion today

OK yeah I got it sent to my home also. So did you send the original with packet 3 and then bring a copy to interview?

Thanks heaps!



I can't remember, I think they ask for original + copy - they give you a checklist that tells you what to include in packet 3, and yes, I took a copy of everything with me to the interview, I didn't need anything from my copies, but I was more comfortable being prepared.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-06 15:30:00
Australia and New ZealandPolice check confusion today

OK thanks, did you get the police check sent to your home or the embassy?


home, that way I could be sure of its progress, I took a copy of the cert too, and the embassy will give you back the original at interview.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-05 15:52:00
Australia and New ZealandPolice check confusion today
Yes, do it online and print the confirmation, check that they will send the request to the parramatta crim records before it gets sent to you at home, balmain police screwed mine up and sent the fingerprint sheet to me.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-02-04 16:18:00
Australia and New ZealandPet Relocation
I used a company called jetpets to relocate my cat from Sydney to Hawaii, it wasn't cheap, but he arrived safely.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-01-26 00:12:00
Australia and New ZealandSUPERANNUATION
I researched it too as I'm an NZ citizen, former Australian resident, and the same rules apply for us, they have recently started, (or discussions are continuing) about NZ'ers moving their super from Aust to a NZ fund, but the Australian rules for super still apply for that portion of earnings - Super is not compulsory in NZ and it can be withdrawn - I thought I found a loophole, but apparently not. I hate the idea of watching my super dwindle through fees, and hopefully I'll be able to make personal contributions eventually to avoid that happening, just make sure its all consolidated if you haven't done so already.

who knows, the rules could change someday, would be nice to have an arrangement like the NZ one at least.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-04-25 17:47:00
Australia and New ZealandSydney Consulate very slow with interview date
Congrats David!
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-04-09 20:18:00
Australia and New ZealandSydney Consulate very slow with interview date
Good to hear you got an interview date David, and so soon! best of luck and just keep calm. i look forward to seeing your approved message!
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-04-05 17:26:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thats on my to-do list when I get to the US, is start figuring out how to get a credit score. starting with a secured credit card, seems to be the way to go.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-10-13 20:44:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I'd say that sometimes I guess, "hand me a plate" the implied.. "for my cereal so clearly I mean a bowl" is there, though sometimes I'd say "bowl" too, depending on how lazy my mind was being, or if it wasn't obvious what kind of plate I wanted.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-07-30 20:38:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
The only way I find, that I can explain the acquired taste Aussies/Kiwis have for Vegemite, is by comparing it to Rootbeer. why oh why would you drink stuff that tastes like heatrub?! :lol:
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-07-04 19:33:00
Australia and New ZealandNZ to USA - sending large items by container

I've intentionally come in to note this down for others needing reference, I'm sending a part/shared container from Sydney to Tennessee via Grace removals, door to door is AU$1880 + 3.5% insurance, included is about 5 large boxes, 5 small, 2 paintings, a side table and a queen bed ensemble.  I was also quoted $3900 from Sydney to Honolulu earlier this year when we were living there.  


SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-07-30 11:08:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
Well I'm a bit of a go between at the moment, waiting on K1 approval, filed in May, I'm a Kiwi living in Sydney, been here for 12.5 years but I'm going to NZ for work on Tuesday for 5 months, which I'm really excited that I can do that before I move to the US. I'm confusing myself at the moment.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-07-08 00:28:00
Australia and New ZealandNSW Police Check - Which Form?
so.. I just did my fingerprint check in Balmain, I'm a little worried, I had to do the traditional ink fingerprinting, no computer involved, and I had to give them an express post envelope. did anyone else in the last 6-12 months do the traditional fingerprinting? :unsure:
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-09-27 23:17:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)K1 Under 221G

Yea we tried to get letter but they refused. For some reason his company seemed really strict. Our visa is here in kuwait, we tried to ask them if they accept cosponsor and they said yes. But well ofcourse for me, i was thinking if cosponsorship would help a lot. 3 of his family is willing to be our coaponsor and my fiances dad have a business. And im pretty sure we wont be a public charge. :( i really dont know what to do.



So you are going through Kuwait and not Manila? and Kuwait has told you they will allow co-sponsorship. then I would try to fulfill those requirements.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-10-16 15:52:00
United KingdomTransition Issues
I have just started the k1 process and have found this thread somewhat helpful. Things to expect, things to prepare for. Vicky and others thank you for your candid posts, it hasn't scared me. Its helped.

I recently spent a month in Hawaii with my fiance, hes based there for now (military), and he had to work every day, he was up at 4am and not home till 6pm at the earliest, one day he even worked a 24 hour shift. While we were both a little sad that he couldn't take any time off, I'm actually grateful, more so after reading this, as it gave me a taste of what life would be like. He had recently bought a new car so kept the old one for me to drive, it took me a few days but I learned to get around. By the end of my month I was driving to more than one destination in a trip. ha. Before that I would go where I needed to go, and then come back to the house so I wouldn't get lost.

My fiance has other buddies in his unit and previous unit with foreign wives, hes been talking to them about transition aswell.

Like you Vicky, I'll be moving in to the house that my fiance bought with his ex-wife. Hes been getting rid of the last bits of furniture they bought together that she left behind, so we can start buying our own. We've already bought 2 things together, and he wants to wait till I'm there to do the rest. Which is nice, and will help. We will be moving back to the mainland next year sometime, so we get to start again on a house to call ours.

Your husband sounds like hes working hard to figure out ways to support you. Hes learning about this as he goes, just as much as you are and sounds like a good man who loves you.

I look forward to continue reading both yours and others experiences, highs and lows.

Thank you.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-05-11 20:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat Embassy if nationality and residence are different?
It will be where you filed from, based on your residential address, you don't have to go to Italy for the interview.

I did the same, NZ citizen living in Australia with NZ passport, all my paperwork went through the embassy in Sydney in fact, I even used my Canadian passport to have my visa issued in.


SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2013-12-01 11:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravel to home country, which passport?

Thanks for the replies. S.D. I very nearly immigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago, I'm a big fan!
I'm sure she could complete the trip using only her U.S. passport. and as she'd get 30 days stay on arrival it wouldn't be an issue. No need for as visa. I'm going to advise that she has both in hand at each encounter. Should cover it. Thanks again and good luck in Aus S.D.



There are few that visit here that don't become fan. Easy pace, easy living, clean and green. :)

Thank you for the well wishes and best of luck to your wife on her visit too.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-10-15 22:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravel to home country, which passport?
From my understanding, the rules apply as if you were a non-national, if you are no longer a citizen/current passport holder of that country. I'm traveling back to NZ on my Canadian passport after I do my K1 visa interview in Australia, as I'll probably have to leave my NZ passport at the embassy. In order to re-enter NZ on my Canadian passport, I'm allowed to, however, even though I'm born and raised in NZ, i have to comply with the rules as if I were anyone else traveling to NZ on a Canadian passport, I need a return ticket and have to pass immigration through the slow 'alien' lane. I'm sure every country is different, but I've had immigration officers advise me that this is the general rule.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-10-15 21:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravel to home country, which passport?
Correct, however, she should carry both, one way to solve this issue is to hand the customs officers both passports, they will take the correct one, I only say this as I've had conflicting information every time I enter the US. I have 2 passports (Canadian and New Zealand) and I find this it the easiest solution to present the one I think I should and just hold the other one visibly. They usually will have them both linked on her account at immigration anyway.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-10-15 20:55:00
CanadaCanadian passport and K1
yep, I think I am going to postpone the interview, go over for Christmas, and make the decision while there, I'll get a return ticket to come back for the interview if we choose to proceed with K1, or cancel while there, if we decide not to continue and stay on for around 3-4 months anyway, then return to Australia for a few months and make plans to move to Sth Korea, we can always do the CR1 while we are in Sth Korea in a few years and I won't enter on my K1 without intending on using it.

obviously I wouldn't even consider not fulfilling the K1 requirements if we used the visa. and unfortunately our dilemma has come up only recently, just wasn't entirely sure how the rules would apply... all cleared up! thank you. :)
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-11-05 03:42:00
CanadaCanadian passport and K1
ok, thats all I needed to know. Thanks!
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-11-05 00:57:00
CanadaCanadian passport and K1
question for the Canadians that may know, if you enter the US on a K1 visa in your Canadian passport, but for whatever reason, you don't get married in the 90days, do you have to leave when the 90days is up? or can you stay up to 6 months and not be considered an overstayer?

Reason I'm asking, my fiance and I are considering our options at the moment, I have my interview in 3 weeks for my K1, he is being moved from Hawaii to South Korea in May, its going to cause us some issues if I don't get command sponsorship to move to Korea with him, which is likely and we were considering me going back to Australia for the time hes there, or for me to apply for my own visa into Korea.. I'd be abandoning my K1 visa anyway because its too difficult for him to support me in Hawaii, he has a mortgage that he was going to get some tenants in to rent his house out. We want to talk about it in person, and my biggest concern at the moment is if we cancel now, then they won't let me in for more than say a week because they think I'm going to immigrate. We have the intention at the moment of getting married.. but .. there is always the slight possibility that we don't just yet, we would probably wait and apply for a CR1 later when he comes back from his 2 years in Korea.

any thoughts?
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-11-05 00:37:00
CanadaKathryn I need your help.
my fiance just trapped a stray cat and her 4 kittens, he bought the trap from Lowes I think. but a cat shelter near him was going to lend one to him. He put the kittens in separate cat cages with food, water, cat litter, and a blanket, he was told by the cat sanctuary that the first few days it would help calm them and feel safe in that space. hes managed to tame the 4 kittens and the mother in a week. he doesn't have dogs near by so that made it easier, he had also been feeding the mother cat for about 2-3 months already, so gained her trust over time.

Best of luck, I hope you manage to rescue her.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-11-05 14:52:00
Philippinesprincess rose
Congratulations to you both.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-07-08 02:37:00
PhilippinesHeeeeeelp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fellow vjs,

so after heart warming visa approval for the k2, heres another confusing scenario.. :crying: i dont know what to do first. my kids still in p.i and my husband got his next assignment, we are going to germany.. i have my advance parole and conditional greencard, kids granted a visa but they are in p.i still .. planning to het them before xmas.. what is bothering me, i dont know what paper work should we fill up so i can go with him,cuz for sure i just cant leave the country even i have greencard... plus my kids, even they have visas they arent permanent residence yet. so please help me.. thank you in advance


have a look at the military immigration section of VJ, there are numerous discussions about this, or request this query be moved there.

You should be ok as you already have your AP and Greencard, being deployed to a US military base counts toward your time in the US. at the moment, thats all I know, I haven't figured it out yet, but I need to look at the same things for a deployment to S.Korea with my husband to be.

otherwise have your husband call the military helpline for assistance.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-08-28 19:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBaffling Phone Call
Thats my plan when I move in a couple of months. I don't see the point in notifying a change of address as the beneficiary before NOA2/packet 3, just put a mail redirection on your mail and change the address when you send your details to your embassy with packet 3.
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-05-21 18:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA1 just got the text!!!!!!
We got our NOA1 text/email today too Dirk. I'm just happy we are on the books. :)
SweetDelishFemaleAustralia2012-05-24 20:47:00