ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I think you should Bex - you know you want to for giggles sake.

Now question time - I got my Oz police certificate today (quite impressive as it only took 9 days) but am wondering if I was just supposed to get a one page police certificate. Were there supposed to be copies of my fingerprints with it? If not then what on earth did I pay $158 for??? lol Sorry just panicking the police may have cocked up.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-07-01 02:32:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I'm with you T&I :) Ted and I met with Mafia Wars and I continue to play it as a timewaster for now but once I move to the States I'm not really inclined to continue with it - I have a great new world to explore and an awesome partner (and his daughter) to explore it with - computers (except for keeping in touch with friends and family in Oz) are going to be the last thing on my mind :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-30 20:33:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Fingers crossed for you AustoUSA :) My K1 is with VSC and my NOA1 date was 13 April and no NOA2 yet (although I did get an RFE and that was answered 2 weeks ago). So I sit and wait and wait and wait lol. In fact I think I'm now going to ban myself from the April filers forum - another 2 got their NOA2 today *sigh*. I was really hoping to be back in Texas on 1 October but right now that aint looking so great. Oh well time to go yell at someone at work instead hehehehehehe :P Happy days to everyone.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-30 16:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
The police certificate is odd. Went to the police station, paid $158 for police check including fingerprints and had to wait 45 minutes to get fingerprinted. Nothing like watching your hands smeared with black ink to get a sense of surealness lol.

So cute you met playing WoW. I met Ted playing Mafia Wars on Facebook :) Lordy bless the internet :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-29 00:30:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Congrats Bextavaz you finally have that date in hand yay :)

Isolde my mum no longer had my childhood immunisation records. So I went to my local GP, she gave me a form to have a blood test and that confirm what vacinnations I had immunity for. She confirmed this in a letter ready for the medical side of things - easy fix :)

With regards to the police certificate they can take up to 28 days to come through. Im expecting my NOA2 in the next month so have ordered it this past week so I'll have it ready and waiting at packet 3 time. My NZ police check took 6 weeks to come through so ordered that one a little earlier :)

Good luck with everything :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-28 22:41:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I like the new photo of you and the family Jaime - its cute :) And I'm sorry your visit isnt going as well as hoped, big hopes that the next bit gets easier (((hugs))).
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-19 02:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi Everyone just checking in after a pretty long journey from Brisbane to Atlanta via Los Angeles, got a great deal on V Australian and Delta with flights, have been Stateside for a week today, already have a bank account in the process of buying a new car and applying for my Social Security Number [we were advised by Social Security to wait at least 10 days before applying to ensure my I-94 was definately in the pipeline as we were not aware we could apply when K-1 was being processed].

Suitcases are all unpacked and put away, and in the process of re-organizing the contents of the house and checking out wedding invitations, we have set our wedding date for Saturday July 31st..My future Mother In Law and I are preparing guest lists and looking at reception ideas.

Has taken us both a full week to get over our jet lag, i guess the older you get the longer it takes, but as weve traveled through close to 10 time zones no wonder our body clocks, plus the past 8 weeks has been hectic putting the house on the market, having garage sales to downsize, getting everything ready for the movers, then cleaning up the house as it sold pretty quickly with settlement at 3pm the afternoon before we were due to fly out.

Feels great to come back here during summer, makes it so much easier to get settled in and work on my tan at the same time, sending best wishes and calm water to those still going through the inital K-1 steps..

Cheers
Kaye and Leonard


That all sounds fantastic Kaye - glad its going well for you :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-17 22:57:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Forget that question above I've found someone who can do it right around the corner :) I do love it when a plan starts coming together lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-14 21:51:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Bextavaz - have you gotten your US sized passport photos ready for the medical & interview yet? If so where on the Gold Coast did you get them done please?
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-14 21:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
We got our RFE today and I'm very pleased to say it was something incredibly minor. It stated "You submitted 3 pages of a 46-page final decree of divorce for # and #. It is noted, however, this document does not show if it was ever submitted to the court for filing. Submit all of the pages of the legal termination of the marriage of # and #."

So all he has to do is photocopy all 46 pages and fedex it back to them tomorrow - which he is going to do on his lunchbreak :) Soooooo happy it was something really simple :) Thanks to all :D
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-14 19:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Awww that's so gorgeous :) Congratulations!!!!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-11 16:25:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thank you Vanessa I sure hope so :) I was convinced that we had it right the first time but apparently not lol. Oh well had a rant/rave/dummy fit when I saw the email this morning but now back to not so patiently waiting until we find out what it was for. Doh!!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-10 01:07:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Current Status: REQUEST FOR INITIAL EVIDENCE SENT, CASE PLACED ON HOLD On June 9, 2010, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the evidence requested. Meanwhile, processing of this case is on hold until we either receive the evidence or the opportunity to submit it expires. Once you submit the evidence requested and a decision is made, you will be notified by mail.

So this is what I got this morning - so not impressed with life right now lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-09 17:45:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Way to go and Congratulations Terri and Eric - may you have an eternity of love and happiness before you :D
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-06 17:22:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Yay ... visas approved!! 2 hour wait for a 2 minute interview and he didn't look at my 100kg of evidence ... but who cares!! We got it, baby!! :star:


Congratulations Deb that's awesome news :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-06-01 02:30:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Good grief Vanessa - the stuff you have to put up with!!!! Fingers crossed for you that the house you want falls into your laps - you deserve some peace and harmony!

And to Deb I know your interview is tomorrow so best of luck with that - let us all know how it goes :)

As for me - still waiting waiting for NOA2 lol - 6 weeks to go I think (based on current data lines).
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-05-30 17:53:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Astrid - hope your mum is doing okay. I remember when I was living in NZ and Mum was here in Oz, everytime she got ill or had a problem I felt so helpless - cant imagine what it's going to be like once I'm living in Texas. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

Horrible interviews out of Sydney? oh goodness I hope not - I know I'm still at least 2 months from NOA2 but the whole interview idea still scares the ####### out of me!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-05-19 20:13:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Hi There CareBear,

We wish you well with your application, ours took a lil extra time as my Dad got sick and we had to get an extension but the whole process should only take about six months, its not something that happens overnight... So am a little surprised that you have already started selling stuff off and moved out of your flat as this wont happen in just a few weeks.

I've waited until my visa was approved before i downsize and sell stuff off so next weekend we start the round of garage sales, will start going through the house and sorting stuff to sell, donate or just throw away, as i live in a tiny duplex it shouldnt take that long, we just booked our flights to the US today and we leave June 9th for Tennessee..
If i can help your process in anyway then please dont hesitate to ask, so many gave me help on here i would like to 'pass it forward'. all i can advise you to do is to read the application/forms thouroughly cross you i's and dot your t's...

I bought two Lever ARch files, a bunch of clear plastic sleeves to put in it and kept everything in that, also did one up for Leo as i was the one mainly doing all the paperwork [typical huh] as Ted must have a complete copy of the set of documents that u submit so when doing things make two copies one for each folder. When i arrived for my interview and was called up we saw one gal first who checked that i had bought everything on the interview request list, when i dumped my huge purple lever arch folder on the counter in front of the bullet proof window she said wow you are organised lol, retain copies of your telephone bill, any stubs or boarding passes of travels to visit each other all that evidence is needed and a must. So is any correspondence such as e-mails, letters or cards, photographs together etc..

Here are a few links to help you:

Step-by-Step Guide on How to File for a K-1 Visa for your Foreign Fiance(e):

http://www.visajourn...41&qpid=3902291

K-1 Process Flowchart:

http://www.visajourn.../content/k1flow

US Immigration Dictionary (FAQ Appendix)
Abbreviations and Immigration Terms:

http://www.visajourn...41&qpid=3902291

Feel free to add me as a friend so that you can message me if you need any help.. Cheers and all the best Kaye and Leo :)


Awww thanks so much Kaye for the info - this site has been a fantastic source of information so am pretty happy with the way things are going so far.

As for the processing time I knew it would be around the 5-6 months all up. The problem was that while I was with Ted in the US in March my flatmate had a fit and moved out (strange girl to start with). My lease was up end July and I ended up with a large $410 per week 4 beddy house and no motivation to get a stranger in for a short period of time. So it was easier just to sell up everything now and go live with my best friend and her family until the visa is approved and I can move on - saves me a tonne of money and I'm not rattling round the mansion by myself lol.

Love the idea of the lever arch file (and yes I appear to be doing most of the paperwork too). Have got a full copy of the initial petition and will add away to that.

Thanks again for your ideas - very excited for you about having your tickets booked :)
Regards
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-30 01:05:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Congratulations Breezie that's fantastic news I'm so happy for you (even though I'm a stranger) lol.

I'm on the Gold Coast too - been a week since NOA1 so waiting.....

So how long are you giving yourself to pack up the house? I've had to move out of my rental (the move is this weekend) so have spent the last 2 weeks giving stuff away, selling furniture, having garage sales etc - tis fun - invigorating even. Although if my visa doesnt get approved then ummm well I guess I'll buy new furniture!!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-28 06:35:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Awesome, another gold coaster, although your processing will be lightspeed compared to mine... Lol... Sent my ds3032 email off this morning whilst waiting for it to arrive in the mail... Hoping these 'shortcuts' actually work!


LOL 2 Gold Coasters joining this forum within days of each other.....what are the odds :) I hope my processing will be lightspeed but is still not going to be fast enough for me!!!! Holler if you ever need support :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-19 23:32:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Ted got our NOA1 today .... yay :) Now to sit patiently for a few months.....except patience was never my virtue lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-19 18:49:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thank you Vanessa - Astrid had already kindly pointed me in the direction of your link so had read a tonne of it over the weekend :)

The paperwork side of things doesnt concern me too much as I'm a paralegal so tend to deal with tonne of legal junk on a daily basis lol (although it is all mortgage law stuff so vastly different to this!!)

At the moment I know we probably have about 3 months (at the earliest) before we receive the NOA2 and things are sent to Sydney. But I'm trying to pre-empt things ... Ted is getting the affidavit of support with the accompanying docs together and he'll have them in the post in about 2 weeks, the police check forms I have on my desktop but thought I'd apply for those at the beginning of June so I dont have them too early. There's no sign of my vaccination records and Mum has no idea where in New Zealand they were done (we moved 28 times before I was 14) so I'm getting a blood test for immunity done this Friday. I was under specialist care 2 years ago for cervical cell removal but I was given the all clear a year ago - my specialist is sending the test results confirming that just in case they're needed. So is there anything that I'm forgetting? To aggrevate matters I'm moving house in 3 weeks so I'm spread between moving and visa - arrrrrrr lol.

Thanks again for your help
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-12 03:21:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi Everyone - just popping in to introduce myself :)

My name is Carey, Im 39 and living on the Gold Coast in Queensland. My fiancee is Ted and he lives in Texas and our K1 petition was sent to VSC by fedex today.....and so the journey begins......dang I'm excited :)

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2010-04-10 20:29:00
Australia and New ZealandBest place to visit in Australia
And if you're headed up the Auckland way (where I'm from) you have to add side trips out to the Coromandel (gorgeous beaches) and even further up north to 90 mile beach. Lovely driving and little out of the way spots to stop at :)

As for Oz I was from the Gold Coast in Queensland - great spot for a tourist, lots to see and do.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-03-04 08:54:00
Australia and New ZealandThe big move - is it really going to be worth it????
Thanks Deb and Lyn - its all a little better this week as I have found us a new rental to move into next month. Will solve a lot of my niggly issues. Don't talk to me about comfort eating Deb I'm spending $40 a month on the Simply Oz website buying Allen's lollies lol.

Thanks for the heads up about the Sara Lee bread Vanessa - I bought a loaf today and its much more palatable :)

Now if I could just get a little more sleep I may actually crack a smile lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-03-10 21:42:00
Australia and New ZealandThe big move - is it really going to be worth it????
I have to admit I struggle living here in the USA, especially since I had the baby. By the time I got my EAD and green card (arrived within a week of each other) I was 5 months pregnant. So that ruled out getting a job - no one seemed particularly keen on the foreign pregnant chick. Since she was born I have looked but with 2 children (my step daughter lives with us every 2nd week) and only one car it's just not worth the day care and 2nd car costs. So I work at home, doing some sub-contracting work but instead of my 60,000 Aussie paycheck I earn around $200 a week. I miss my family desperately and my baby is missing out on getting to know them.

Right now my life seems to be stuck in a vicious, depressing circle and it sucks. I agreed to come here as hubby didn't want to leave his daughter until she's 18. I respect that but some days are just too much. Then again I haven't slept in a couple of weeks due to the baby teething so perhaps that is why I feel like such a negative, grumpy person right now lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-03-04 09:40:00
Australia and New ZealandHow to get police certificate from New Zealand?
They would not accept the justice letter when I did my K1 through Australia. They said that only they can request it from the NZ Police and held up the issuing of my visa while they did. Luckily it only delayed things a few weeks.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-03-11 09:40:00
Australia and New ZealandPet Relocation
I used Jetpets as well. A$2500 to move a Jack Russell dog from Gold Coast to Texas but they were awesome! I even got photos when he arrived at his 12 hour boarding home in Los Angeles!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-02-01 10:36:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Thanks Vanessa. I'm not eligible for unemployment anyway as I've been doing some freelance self-employed since I got here. When I got my first green card I was 5 months pregnant so no-one really wanted to employ the preggers foreign chick lol. He can apply for unemployment next week - apparently there's a 3 business day stand down. The loss of the medical insurance is scary with 2 kids so he started the enrollment procedure with Medicaid yesterday for them. Already had one row with their office because they wanted to add me. He tried to explain about why they can't and the I-184 but they don't get it. Just grrrrrrr!

 

Even worse is the timing. My sister is getting married at the end of September on the Gold Coast and we have flights booked to go there. Still saving up for the rest of the costs. Getting a new job and then having to take vacay time - just ugh!

 

The company he worked for is huge but the division he was working in experienced a downturn in work. 29 of them lost their jobs yesterday. He gets his 2 weeks pay he'd just worked and a small severance. It will be enough to cover our rent for a month and that's it. Will just have to take it from there after that. It's scary and we kind of know what we're going to do but the loss of that stability is a worry.

 

Sorry for the long post - just have a swirling mind today :) Thanks for the thoughts.


CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-06-22 07:30:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Those are all very valid points. When my step-daughter is 18 we were considering going back down under for a while. If I got citizenship then that would solidify my status for coming back and forth. My youngest will have dual so I'm not too stressed there.

 

A bolt from the blue this morning though when my husband lost his job. 9 years and wow don't come Monday :( I'm scrambling a little emotionally right now. Will bounce back but just wow!


CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-06-21 14:22:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Oh yay good luck with that :) Won't it be nice once that is finished and know that you never have to deal with the paperwork ever again lol.

 

I'm still in 2 minds about citizenship. I'm actually leaning more towards no but I'll think about it later in the year when the window opens :)


CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-06-21 08:47:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

ROC congratulations letter arrived completely out of the blue today, 3 months before I was expecting it. No interview, no RFE just a congratulations your new green has been ordered!!!
 

I'm absolutely over the moon :)  Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much again Vanessa for all your help, it was your instructions that got me through this insanity!!


CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-06-19 18:30:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

The only negative is that you need to file tax on worldwide income for life as a USC. So on moving back you'll need to file taxes for the US every year (which you could do via turbotax AND you would need to look into the foreign income exemption). Your husband will have to do that anyway but it's something you should be aware of.


Yes I had heard previously about that worldwide income tax thing - what a total rort!! I would hope by that stage we'll be in a position where I don't have to work anyway but guess I'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I enjoy living in the US but I do love the more simpler existence of New Zealand/Australia. And ever since the Sandy Hook shooting I have such an adversion to the idea of Bella going to school here. I know it can happen anywhere but I just stress about the whole big country / violence / being away from home forever thing lol.


CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-01-22 10:46:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Thanks again Vanessa - both very valid points that I hadn't even thought about. I think I may need to give this a little bit more thought. We're planning to move back down to New Zealand once my step-daughter is 18, so that's 8 years away. It would probably make my life simpler too if I had become a USC and then I dont need to stress about the PR card renewals every 10 years from there. Will look into it further when the time is closer.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-01-21 08:47:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

You're welcome and congrats on starting the process!

I see you filed at VSC. The wait time is about 9 months so remember if you want to file USC and your window opens, you do NOT need to wait until the ROC is complete. File USC anyway and it will push your ROC to be processed.

Good luck!


Oh thank you - I didn't know that bit. I haven't decided whether to go the USC route yet or not. Baby has her US passport of course, and I travel on a NZ one which causes no issues coming in and out. Will have to think about it. Are you going to?

The only thing that worries me about the 9ish month wait is the possibility of being called for an interview. We're headed back to Australia late September for my sister's wedding so Murphy's law says they'll schedule it during the 2 weeks we're away lol But hey will deal with that bridge if it comes.

Edited by CareBear, 20 January 2013 - 05:06 PM.

CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-01-20 17:05:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Well our removal on conditions paperwork left on its journey yesterday, funnily this time round there was nowhere near as much stress as the last 2 times! Thank you so much Vanessa as always for such easy to follow advice. Sure does make life simple!
CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-01-20 15:13:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
*Waves hello to everyone*

And a happy new year to y'all :) Hope life is treating you well, I'm about to start the paperwork next week for my next round with USCIS - removal of conditions!

Blech - I hate dealing with USCIS lol.
CareBearFemaleAustralia2013-01-06 11:57:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Great news! I was back there for 2 weeks over Sept 13-27. It was so weird hearing Aussie accents. Glad to hear you had a good visit!


OMG seriously Vanessa? We were there 12-26 September lol - small world! When I heard all the Aussie accents when we were waiting for our connecting flight at LAX I burst into tears! Hope you had a good visit too :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-10-04 14:41:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Back in the States after a 2 week trip to Australia. Husband and baby's first visits and it was just wonderful. The weather, the beaches, the family - true bliss! Loved coming back and getting pulled to the front of all queues at LAX as US Citizens (hubs and bubs are), funny being the only one in the family being fingerprinted though lol.

Sigh - back to reality. Time to start saving for a wedding there next year. I do love Australia still :)
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-10-03 21:05:00
Australia and New ZealandNew 2011 LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hello everybody - long time no see! Just popping in to say hi and see how everyone is getting on. My life in a nutshell - baby girl is now 13 months old and a total ratbag! We're heading back to Australia for 2 weeks on the 12th of the month so I'm incredibly excited about that - taking her home to meet the family! I work from home as an independent contractor so that keeps me busy during the day - and we moved into a bigger rental home so we're all a lot more happy these days! I'll be applying for my removal of conditions at the end of this year - can't believe how fast that is coming around.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying their new lives here in the US.

Take care
Carey
CareBearFemaleAustralia2012-09-04 20:49:00