ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Rings @ Sep 18 2009, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow your story is amazing... what gives? I do not know much about Austalian immigration although I intend on learning it. You can try this forum though

http://www.australia...as-immigration/


The Aussie process is EASY peasy.. we did it through the embassy in Tokyo (we were living in Japan at that time) right after we got married. They processed our paperwork and my husband received his visa within 2 months (as quick as my DCF went). We did second stage processing (similar to Removal of Conditions) through the Washington DC embassy a couple months back and would you believe if I told you it took them ONE day to process & approve it?! laughing.gif

so yeah.. DIAC offices abroad are great.. but DIAC in Australia is another thing.. don't even get me started wacko.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-17 23:41:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Jayde @ Sep 17 2009, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It may seem a long way off if you are at the beginning of your journey, but thought Id drop in to let you know there is an end to it! Unless of course like us, you now have to turn around and get the Aussie spouse visa.[/color][/font]


Let me know if you have any questions.. we've been there and done that already good.gif

congrats on ur naturalization!!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-17 23:39:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
12 days for me last year from when i sent in packet 3 to when i received packet 4 / interview date
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-14 21:27:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I'm not sure about the ACT but in QLD I just went down to my local police station, completed a form and had the police officer take my finger prints for me. I paid a fee and they sent it off to the central office to be processed on my behalf


kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-13 10:01:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
If you have no records to show but are certain you have had the shots the doctor will do a blood (titre) test to test for immunity

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-10 22:45:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Simon & Janet is referring to airfares booked flying out of Australia I think.. whereas you are looking at airfares departing from the US so the specials she saw won't really apply to you

I think $1300 is a pretty good deal for Detroit to Brisbane round trip actually
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-09-10 21:39:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi ausdi welcome to the forum smile.gif

Yes, we did DCF last July through Sydney and it was a very easy and quick (7 weeks from the time we filed our I-130 to the time my visa was approved)

1. Good thing you have a joint sponsor lined up. You don't need the I-864 forms until after the I-130 is approved and you receive Packet 3 but it is good you are getting organized now because it means you can fast-track the process later on. Email your father in law the I-864 form, ask him to fill it out and send it back to you by mail, attaching copies of whatever is needed (copy of proof of citizenship, copies of W-2s, etc)

2. Your kids. Did you file a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for them yet? If not do it now and they wil be recognized as automatic US citizens and you won't have to go through the immigrant visa process for them. Information here: http://sydney.uscons...nship/crba.html. SInce it has to be filed in person I would ask to see if you can do it at the time as your I-130 appointment

Good luck with the I-130 appointment (not that you need it, it's very simple & straightforward). Let me know if you have any other questions smile.gif

Edited by kaffy, 30 July 2009 - 09:50 AM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-30 09:47:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (sharyna @ Jul 24 2009, 06:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i have to wait till i get the us citizenship otherwise all i've done will have been for nothing ........


good choice good.gif we are staying put until I get my citizenship too.. have plans to move back to Asia to live for a couple years afterwards though

I think the timeframe is 2 years (minus 90 days) for removing conditions, and 3 years for naturalization. In my situation I entered in August 2008 & received my green card then, I will apply to remove conditions in May 2010 and in August 2011 I will be eligible to naturalize.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-24 00:09:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
No problem! Let me know if you need anymore information.. I've been there and done that already laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-18 09:52:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (sharyna @ Jul 18 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey everyone
so hubby and i are thinking about returning to australia ....
can anyone tell me where to look to see about his visa and also our daughters? ... and all that stuff?


Hi, I answered in your original thread but it got bumped to the 2nd page so you probably did not see it. here it is again: http://www.visajourn...howtopic=207750
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-18 08:37:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Welcome home!

How are the wedding plans coming along?

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-14 23:20:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Pinto Pony @ Jul 6 2009, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone know what happens to my superannuation here in Oz? Can I claim it and get cash for it to take with me to the USA? I have a few grand sitting pretty in there and don't want to loose it.


Unfortunately you can't withdraw it until you hit retirement age, even if you are moving overseas headbonk.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-07-06 12:02:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Congratulations!! when do you fly over?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-29 23:47:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Good luck with your interview guys!

I don't think you need to take relationship evidence with you but if you feel more comfortable taking it then by all means take it with you smile.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-28 22:59:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Welcome to the forum!

We filed for a CR1 visa but did it via the DCF route since my husband (USC) was living with me in Australia at the time. We were very lucky that our process was really quick - roughly 7 weeks from submitting the I-130 to visa in hand. I know the traditional USCIS/NVC route is different but I hope it goes smoothly & quickly for you

The Sydney consulate is great.. It's up in the MLC building with a lovely view of the harbor. The consular officers are very friendly and there's absolutely nothing to be stressed or worried about. If you click on the 'My Timeline' link below my username that should take me to my review on the consulate

hope this helps
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-25 13:41:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (jldut80 @ Jun 15 2009, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Quick question. Does anyone have any tips on shipping a few items to the states from australia. I have a few boxes of things i want to ship over but the quotes i have received so far are ridiculous!

Thanks!!


We shipped about 7 boxes over via Australia Post sea mail (stuff like winter clothes that we didn't need urgently) and they arrived within the specified time frame and nothing went missing. They are the cheapest too out of all the shipping options
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-15 10:47:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hey Aussies, just had an a-ha moment.. saw an old Aussie worksafe ad replayed on TV here a couple minutes ago

the original: http://media.workcov..._commercial.mpg
the american version: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/worksafe/

they even flipped the car from right hand drive to left hand drive laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-09 22:05:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
We had apply to get his Temporary resident permit for when we lived there in 2007-08.. it was meant to be a permanent move for us but little did we know less than a year later we'd be hopping on a plane back to the States laughing.gif But since we paid all the fees the first time we figured we'd just follow through with the second stage of the processing so that we don't "waste" it. No plans on moving back but it's nice to have just in case something urgent comes up I guess

Congrats on the approval!! Any luck with booking tickets yet?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-08 21:42:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi guys, as you know we are doing second stage processing for my husband's Aussie PR (he was granted his TR 2 years ago) and after about a 2 month wild goose chase through DIAC in Canberra my case finally got transferred to Washington DC last month. We had 3 weeks to get everything together so we took out time getting everything together and finally sent it off last Thursday, they received it on Friday and by today (Monday) his approval notice has come through. How's that for efficiency! If it had stayed in Canberra their processing goal is 6-8 months jest.gif Anyway it looks like he has a year to go back & activate his PR visa. I don't know if I will go with him or not but we'll figure it out
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-08 10:44:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
When is your interview and why can't the clinic mail them to you?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-03 14:02:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (mingus_drake @ Jun 3 2009, 01:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The review process may take up to 30 working days.


They must be at a busy time of year again. Last July they gave me an estimate of 14 working days but lately I've been seeing about 3 weeks is standard

Congrats on getting your interview notice though!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-06-03 08:03:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Send DS-230 NOW

Send the readiness checklist & other documents (medical, police cert, etc) later once they are ready
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-30 21:28:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Oops I mean Vancouver, Washington.. the one next to Portland.. not BC in case that's what you thought I meant tongue.gif

It's so nice to see the sun out and to feel WARM! Reminds me of the nice weather we had in Brissy biggrin.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-29 16:12:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi I'm down in Vancouver right now and it's going to be 84 today (29 celcius) dancin5hr.gif bring on summer!!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-29 10:33:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Everyone I meet here says I have a Kiwi accent which is partly true since that's where I grew up but I swear it's very mild and I don't say things like "ded" and "sexty sex" anymore laughing.gif But yeah, the Americans think I have a Kiwi accent, the Aussies think I have an American accent and everyone else think I have a mild mixed up accent which is probably what's closest to the truth

It's good to hear from you Anne! How far are you from the big cities?

Edited by kaffy, 27 May 2009 - 01:08 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-27 13:05:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I had a connection there on my way out of the country a couple years back and it was just a yukky airport, probably the yukkiest I've ever transited through.

Transiting terminals was a nightmare since there was hardly any signage, people there were rude - especially the TSA "officials", the terminal was really dirty & run down with hardly any seating, flights were delayed, etc etc.

So yeah, I won't be flying through there by choice anymore laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-23 10:59:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Congrats! He can go through POE anywhere

But unfortunately there are no direct flights from anywhere in Australia direct to Seattle.. I wanted to avoid LAX (hate that airport so much) and the next best option I could find was a connection in Taipei, then a direct flight into SeaTac. This is through EVA Airlines (I flew with China Airlines back in August but they have since suspended flights into Seattle)

You can also look at transiting in Tokyo. It's a JAL/Qantas codeshare flight from Australia to Tokyo, then a direct Northwest Airlines flight into Seatac

If you don't want an international connection try getting him a direct flight into SFO, then a connection up to Spokane, that might work better with timing
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-22 18:18:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
here it is, page 15

http://www.cdc.gov/n...pdf/ti_vacc.pdf
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-19 07:57:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
^ You can request a blood test to test your immunity. If you want to get it done ahead if time at your GP just have a look at the vaccination list here to find out which one's you'll need (they are age and gender specific) and ask your GP to order a test for those.

lemme see if I can find you a link to the vaccination list
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-19 07:55:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
QUOTE (Jon Anderson @ May 15 2009, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, does anyone here know anything about Americans moving to Oz? We were told once married 2 years, I cannot be denied permanent residency, but we've only been married 6 weeks. If I have to make the move now, I would pursue citizenship, but unsure if I can stay long enough to meet that 2 year thing and if trying to move permanently prior to that might make it difficult or impossible?


Aussie spousal visas are similar to US spousal visas. If you have been with your partner for over 5 years at the time of application you will be granted Permanent Residency (similar to IR1 visa). If you have been together for less than this you will be granted Temporary Residency (similar to CR1 visa) and 2 years after this you will have to go through second stage processing to obtain your PR. My husband and I are at this stage right now. We applied thinking we were going to be settling there but less than 11 months later we came (back) in the US. However we are still pursing my husband's PR since the fee has already been paid during the initial processing and I figure it's good to have options.

You can read more about visas here: http://www.immi.gov....oklets/1127.pdf
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-14 23:54:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
such a PITA... had I known this when I married him..... nah, I would've still married him tongue.gif

it's just become such a chore, that's all. And I thought I'd be used to it by now being that it's the 3rd year in a row.. but no, it's still as frustrating as it was the first time

to everyone on here, after you immigrate to the US, stay there.. save yourself the trouble of doing it all over again laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-14 20:06:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
I need to whinge crying.gif

My husband's (Aussie spousal visa second stage processing, similar to removing conditions) paperwork finally arrived at Washington DC this week. That's right, it took them 5 whole weeks to transfer a file from Canberra to DC.. I bet they slow boated it laughing.gif . Anyhoo my poor weekend is going to be filled with stat decs, filling out forms and gathering evidence. And I am sooooo sick and tired of dealing with visas and immigration!!!! This is round 3 now!! first we got my husband's Aussie spousal visa, then we got my US spousal visa.. now we have to remove conditions on his. Then next year I'll have to file to remove conditions on mine.. then a year later it's citizenship. I am so fed up!! Why can't they just grant us automatic citizenship?! crying.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-14 18:31:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Yes, he can attend the interview with you smile.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-13 07:42:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
fee is dependent on the exchange rate smile.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-12 13:55:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
It's standard with non-immigrant visas and yes, the instructions should be on the Packet 4/Interview notification letter.

May 19 is not too far away, and you should get your results within a few days of completing the interview. And since you haven't received the police certificate back either, I'd just wait on sending in your notification of readiness
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-06 20:11:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
a US FBI check is not required as they can run their own background checks

QUOTE
Present and former residents of the United States should not obtain any police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.

http://canberra.usem.../iv/fiance.html

mingus_drake- When is your medical scheduled for and can you bring it forward? And do you have everything else you require on the checklist?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-05 07:43:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
It depends on how busy they are.. I would say it usually takes them between 2-3 weeks to review the materials and schedule appointments.

Packet 4 also comes via email and here's a copy & paste of what I received (other VJers can verify if this is the same as theirs)
QUOTE
Subject: Checklist for Day of Interview - Mail in apps.doc

Dear Ms. xxxx,

Your appointment has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 9:00am. Please bring this email as confirmation of your appointment and present it to our security guards on the day of your interview.

Please review attachment regarding additional required documents. Failure to provide documents on the day of your interview may cause a delay in the issuance of your visa.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney


The checklist was simply a Word document template that they used to check off anything additional you had to bring to the interview (i.e. birth certificate, police certificate, etc), basically anything that may have been missing from your Packet 3.

Hope this helps smile.gif

QUOTE
Hi Kaffy-- thanks for the quick reply. I think you're the first Aussie couple that I've seen on here from Seattle too. Bet you're hating this crummy weather after yesterday!


I slowly getting used to the 'sunny one day, crummy the next' kind of weather here tongue.gif And whenever I see a forecast for rain, I just tell myself to be thankful that at least it's not snow laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-04 17:13:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Welcome to the thread! I notice that you're in Seattle too smile.gif

Packet 3 for the K-1 visa should simply be in the form of an email with a link to this page: http://canberra.usem.../iv/fiance.html

Edited by kaffy, 04 May 2009 - 02:52 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-04 14:50:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
hi aussies

I found sliced beets at Safeway happy.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-05-02 21:01:00
Australia and New ZealandLAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
Hi Anne! Glad to hear you arrived safely & are settling in well. I can't believe it's still in the 30s there.. brrr. Spring's finally here in western Washington so we are having nice 60 degree-ish days. I was down in Portland/Vancouver a few times last month and it'####### 70 there already.. yay bring on summer biggrin.gif

Good luck with the wedding planning!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-04-24 18:41:00