ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
Snowing in Seattle? Was up there this weekend and there was no snow.. glad I missed it because it makes driving a mess laughing.gif

It's fricking freeezing right now though so stay warm!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-12-07 22:03:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
yeah, most doctors hire locums when they are away and he/she will be able to access the same records as 'your' doctor
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-20 23:50:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (alex and astrid @ Nov 18 2009, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Got my police check in the mail today! A bit disappointed in it to be honest, not with the outcome of course, because it says I have a clean record (YAY!), but it looks like someone just made it up while they had some free time at school! My mum actually laughed at it. It doesn't look very official at all. Oh well, at least I have it right? So, since I am picking up my medical tomorrow, I am going to mail in packet three! I have to send them my medical though, do I send my xrays too? Since I will get that back anyway, right? Has anyone not sent the xrays and just brought them with you to the interview? Any suggestions for my packet three are appreciated smile.gif


laughing.gif Did your police check come on the fancy blue paper too? rofl.gif

You don't need to send your x-rays. Only the results of the medical. And you don't need to take the x-ray to Sydney with you either. Just make sure you bring it with you when you move here
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-18 09:45:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (Don'tWhateverMe @ Nov 16 2009, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey Kaffy - I tried as well (a naturalised Australian) and there is no other way so I will do the Qld BDM legal name change while I am still living here. I sure would like an easier way too as it takes them at least 6 weeks to process (unless you pay extra of course). The whole proving residency is a PITA!


Good luck with the BDM.. they were really unhelpful to me in my emails when I contacted them a few yrs ago, hope they have improved since. Try and find out if you need to change your name on your citizenship cert too, better to do it while you are there and have all your documents handy.

edit to add-

actually i think u are ok with just one or the other
QUOTE
Passports are issued in your name at birth or citizenship. They may be issued in a different name if you have a name change document issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) or an amended citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

https://www.passport.../FAQ.aspx#faq10

Edited by kaffy, 16 November 2009 - 09:40 AM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-16 09:38:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
Hehe good luck with the AOS and name change! another thing you should add to your to do list - change the dates on your signature timeline to month/date format because you're American now and your dates confuse me laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-15 02:28:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
I did some googling and I think I found what Vanessa was talking about:

QUOTE
A gratis passport (i.e. free of charge) will only be issued if you apply for your new passport within 12 months of your marriage. The passport being replaced should have at least 2 years validity remaining otherwise you will be unable to replace the gratis document using the streamlined renewal process. In these circumstances, the new passport would only be issued up to the date of validity of the current passport. In all other circumstances, the full fee will have to be paid for a new passport.


Source: https://www.passport.../FAQ.aspx#faq10

Believe it's only the case if you're an Aussie citizen through birth.. if you are a citizen through naturalization you still have to change your citizenship certificate details first (as in my case)
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-14 20:58:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
It could make it easier to travel internationally since the name on your ticket must match your passport
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-14 20:34:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (alex and astrid @ Nov 14 2009, 09:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hmmm....so once we are married, we just contact our closest australian embassy and get our name changed there? Does that mean getting a new passport, or they just change something in our passport to note the change? I still have more than six years left on mine, would be a shame to have to get a new one!


There's no rule saying that you absolutely must change your name on your passport
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-14 12:06:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (Vanessa&Tony @ Nov 14 2009, 04:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Side note to the Aussie girls changing their names after marriage - if you do it within the first year of marriage it's FREE so.. saving of like $200. I don't know about my UK passport though. It's about to expire anyway.. ugh.. more money.


Hey Vanessa do you have more info on this? I've been married nearly 3 years and still havent changed my name in Australia yet (I use my married name as my legal name here though).

I tried doing it back in Aus (after we had married and before we moved to the US) but the QLD BDM registry gave me the run around saying that they couldnt accept my o/s marriage certificate and that I would have to file a legal name change... which I had to wait 12 months for since I had to re-establish residency.
We ended up moving over to the US one day before I reached that residency requirement so I emailed the Aussie Embassy here as to how to go about doing it. Come to find out they CAN accept o/s marriage certificates... but since I'm an Aussie citizen through naturalization I would have to change my name on that first, THEN submit a name change for my passport - such a PITA!

Since I have to present original documents I will probably do it in person when I am in DC next year. If there is a simpler way I would love to hear!!

thanks
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-14 02:00:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (alex and astrid @ Nov 1 2009, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
After we were done, he told me if I had not heard anything in a month to come in and ask them where it was.


If it's not convenient for you to pop by the police station there is a number you can call at Police HQ (who process the prints) and they can tell you exactly when it was completed and sent back. It should be on your receipt somewhere, otherwise if you can't find it let me know and I can get it for you
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-01 10:42:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
congrats on the approval and glad to hear you got your police check done!

have you made an appointment for your medical exam yet?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-11-01 10:36:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (alex and astrid @ Oct 31 2009, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, I thought the woman who spoke to giggles may have been wrong. what brought me to that conclusion was that on the second page of the form, it asks if you want your fingerprints kept on file, or have them destroyed after they have been used for the check. And, people from other states just have the police cert saying what convictions they do or do not have. It wouldn't make any sense for QLD to be different. I think I am going to chance it and have my police check done this week coming. As it is, I am down to less than three months til my planned return to the states, I don't want to muck around waiting for a police check and potentially hold up my interview.


It doesnt make sense to me either why QLD would be different. The consular officer will return your police certificate at your interview. I have mine in front of me and it is a two page document.. the first page is a letter which says "Dear Sir/Madam. Application has been made by the abovenamed to this service for a National Police certificate for visa purposes. As requested, the certificate is forward to you for your consideration. Yours faithfully,"

The second page is the actual certificate (printed on fancy blue paper, haha) and says you have no convictions and is signed.

I think you're fine to get it done now.. but if you want to wait that's fine too because it doesnt take them that long to process it - I was fingerprinted on July 3 2007 and the police check was finalized on July 11 2007.. so about a week for processing
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-10-31 12:05:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
QUOTE (Giggles @ Oct 28 2009, 01:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Today I decided to go down to the police station to do the police check and finger prints. I spoke with the lady at the counter about having the police check sent directly to me instead of the consulate (just thought I'd double check) and she said it was fine. I filled out the form, payed the fee of $158.45 and was about to do the finger prints when another lady told me that the finger prints are supposed to be sent directly to the consulate. So anyway, I decided not to take the risk and asked for my money back. Argh!! What a waste of time! This visa is taking long enough as it is and I'd be even more annoyed if the consulate wouldn't accept the police report and finger prints if they were sent to me. I'm just going to wait until the consulate has received our documents before doing the police check just to be on the safe side.


sorry but i think that lady (the second one) is wrong.

your fingerprints dont get sent to the consulate, only the report and as long as the envelope is still sealed there shouldnt be a problem with where it came from. In fact I hand delivered them my Japanese police report on the day of my interview and there wasnt any issue there
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-10-30 23:37:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
but yeah my advice is to get fingerprinted now.. it's valid for 6 months (or 1 year? I forget) and would certainly make the process go a lot quicker once you reach Packet 3 stage
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-10-30 23:28:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date
To all the QLD VJers you don't necessarily have to have your police report sent directly to the consulate. On the form you fill out when you get fingerprinted you can specify where you would like it sent - either your own address, the consulate's address or somewhere else even. There are no rules where you have it sent so technically you can have it done now, sent to your own address then you can forward it to the consulate with the rest of your packet 3 stuff.

Oh and although I had mine sent directly to the Consulate (my process went very quickly so I didn't have spare time sitting around waiting) they (the police) didn't notify me when it was processed.. I had to ring up the police HQ myself and only then was I told that it was completed and sent off on such and such a date
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-10-30 23:25:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Passport & Name Change process

You do realise, that, even after your are naturalised and have a US passport, you still need to use an Australian passport to enter Australia? You remain an Australian citizen, and can't use your US passport to enter aus. Your US passport will list Australia as your place of birth, so , there is no "I'll just use my US passport, and "they" won't know".


Can't she enter as a visitor on her US passport and then get her Aussie one updated while she is there?

Edited by kaffy, 24 April 2010 - 08:57 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2010-04-24 20:56:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Passport & Name Change process

You know I've looked and looked and looked and I can't find anything on it which makes me think not to worry about it. your birth certificate has your maiden name of course and there's the link. Your Aussie passport has been changed so I think that's enough honestly. If it really was a big deal I think the info would be easier to find :P (seriously.. i've googled and checked immi.gov.au and can't find anything requiring that to be name changed... maybe they treat it almost like your Australian birth cert?)


Who knows what the rule really is... everything I read on the internet contradicts itself..

https://www.passport.../FAQ.aspx#faq10

Q: My name has changed. Can I travel in my previous name, otherwise how do I change the name on my passport?

A: It is legal to travel in your previous name, but it is recommended in this case that your tickets are issued in the same name.

Passports are issued in your name at birth or citizenship. They may be issued in a different name if you have a name change document issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) or an amended citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).


But then http://www.usa.embas...ssportsFAQ.html says

Q: How do I change my name?
A: • If you were born overseas – a revised birth certificate or name change certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Australia OR an official name change document issued by the equivalent overseas authority. This includes official marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees or court orders for change of name.


:lol: :no: :yes:
kaffyFemaleAustralia2010-04-22 23:22:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Passport & Name Change process

It's all Australian passport holders who are affected by the legal name change - if you're not Australian by birth you still have to apply to the BDM in your state to legally change your name. You also have to show evidence of residing in that state for at least 12 months eg. electoral roll or letter from GP. (I am foreign born and still have to go through this process)


uh poor you... you're in the same boat as I am! I am overseas-born too and could not change my name before moving to the US due to those "restrictions" above (foreign-born, married overseas, returned to live in Australia with my spouse and did DCF there but could not do the name change through BDM because I left the country on day 364 of the 12 month residency requirement).

I did inquire with the authorities here about what I'd do in my situation now and they explained it would involve changing the name on my naturalization certificate (which is not mine to begin with, my name is listed on the back of dad's), then using that to change my passport name. I don't think I will bother though since I will naturalize in the US and receive my US passport before my Aussie one expires... and I probably won't renew it when it expires anyway

good luck to you!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2010-04-03 09:36:00
Australia and New ZealandAustralian Passport & Name Change process

if you Aussie passport says Jones, you book in Jones, but then on the way back to the US you will need to show your Aussie passport, US greencard and marriage licence to prove the name change from passport to greencard... confusing if you ask me but entirely possible :) (I could be over-thinking it but makes sense to me anyway :D)


Can confirm that there is absolutely no issue with entering the country on your green card and passport in different names. The CBP officer only looked at and scanned my green card and barely glanced at my passport biographic page, she asked no questions about the difference between the names and I wasn't asked to show a marriage license or anything

This was through Sea-tac yesterday
kaffyFemaleAustralia2010-04-03 09:28:00
Asia: East and PacificBrisbane Aus moving to California - anyone else?
Hi Stevie, you can apply for the Japanese Police Certificate through the Consulate here. It's free of charge but takes about 2 months for them to process it so it's probably a good idea if you apply for yours soon. The consulate is open Monday-Friday between 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:30. You should bring your valid passport and a registered post envelope (domestic, small sized one).

hope this helps!

ps- where abouts in Japan were you? we were in Sapporo
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-07-01 17:54:00
Asia: East and PacificBrisbane Aus moving to California - anyone else?
oops just noticed that you have been approved - congrats!!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-06-30 23:43:00
Asia: East and PacificBrisbane Aus moving to California - anyone else?
Hello I'm from Brisbane too. Are you guys doing DCF?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-06-30 23:37:00
Asia: East and PacificSydney Consulate Affadavit of Support Requirements + a couple of other things!
I don't think you need to rush the medical appointment or the police check. It's pretty easy to get an appointment with the panel doctor here - I got my Packet 3 on a Thursday, rang the doctor immediately and was able to make an appointment for the following Monday (and the results were ready 2 days after). And as for the police check, the QLD police department processed and sent my police certificate off to the Consulate within a week.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-08-10 04:25:00
Asia: East and PacificPacket 4 confusion - visa payment/police check and other anomalies
That's great! Glad they got back to you quickly and clarified everything.

good luck for the interview!!!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-09-16 20:30:00
Asia: East and PacificPacket 4 confusion - visa payment/police check and other anomalies
They are silly sometimes.. they kept addressing me (married woman applying for CR1) as Ms laughing.gif rolleyes.gif

Have you had your fingerprints done for the QLD police check yet? If so give them (the police) a call and they will be able to tell you when it was processed and mailed off to the Consulate. I think when I rang to enquire about mine they said it was finalised within a week of my fingerprinting and I emailed the Consulate too to confirm if they had received it.

Sorry I don't know about your UK police cert or your visa payment but hopefully someone else knows the answer!
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-09-16 12:29:00
Asia: East and PacificFlying and Baggage
QUOTE (luckytxn @ Sep 25 2008, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Most airlines are now charging for the second piece now.


Isnt that just with domestic flights?
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-09-24 23:14:00
Asia: East and PacificFlying and Baggage
Check with your airline but generally for flights originating to and from the United States (assuming that's where you are flying from) there is a 2 piece checked luggage limit, with each piece not exceeding 50lbs. You can check in more if you pay the excess baggage fee. But again, best to check with your airline.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-09-24 20:38:00
Asia: East and PacificMelbourne Consulate instead of Sydney?
No, he has to go to Sydney for his final interview. I believe the only visa processing step which the Melbourne consulate is involved in is accepting I-130 petitions (for CR/IR visas) for residents of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-10-03 12:09:00
Asia: East and PacificVisa Approved!
Congratulations!!

Wonder if you were at the Consulate the same time as Loz's husband.. I think he had his interview the same day as yours
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-09-30 18:38:00
Asia: East and PacificBringing Philippine family to AU for a visit?
http://www.immi.gov....isa-options.htm

As long as they meet the eligibilty requirements & fulfill the obligations, there shouldnt be too much trouble in obtaining Aussie tourist visas for your wife's family

I think the more important question here is how would you and your wife immigrate.. unless one of you is an Australian citizen/PR, or has work sponsorship lined up, you may have some difficulties

Edited by kaffy, 22 October 2008 - 06:49 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-10-22 18:47:00
Asia: East and PacificQuestion about financial proof for those who have had their interviews
We submitted 2007 1040 and 2006 and 2005 tax transcripts

no W-2s
kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-08 18:34:00
Asia: East and PacificPolice certificate Japan
QUOTE (Timmins @ Dec 24 2008, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
2) obtain a single police certificate in the prefectural police office in Kyoto that will serve as a national certificate as well?


This option


kaffyFemaleAustralia2008-12-23 19:18:00
Asia: East and PacificObtaining Visa after relinquishing Greencard
The VWP is still applicable to you but like I said earlier, I wouldn't give up your residency so easily like that. If your circumstances ever changed and you needed to move back to the US do you really want to go through the trouble & expense of re-obtaining your green card again? I know I wouldnt..
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-05 13:21:00
Asia: East and PacificObtaining Visa after relinquishing Greencard
Is this for yourself? Since you've come so far already I would try and wait it out another year, then file for naturalization. Once you obtain your citizenship you're free to come and go as you please.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-03 22:20:00
Asia: East and PacificAny Aussies have THIS issue???????
If it's not covered by Medicare then yes, he will have to pay for them out of pocket. Ask him to get a receipt and he could try submit a claim with his private health insurance but there's no guarantee he will be reimbursed.
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-11 21:27:00
Asia: East and PacificConfused on pkt 3 coming
I did DCF but all the correspondence with the Consulate (Packet 3, 4, etc) came through my email. The only thing I received in the post from them was my passport, visa & brown envelope after my visa was approved.

I'm not sure how similar/different Packet 3 for CR1 and K1 are but this is what mine looked like. Just a few words and a bunch of clickable links

QUOTE
SUBJECT: PACKET 3
Name: xxxxxxxxxxx

Case Number: SYD2008xxxxxxxxx

The National Visa Center (NVC) has returned the results of the Adam Walsh name check to the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney. The petition has been approved and the immigrant visa process may begin.

The initial set of instructions (“Packet 3”) may be downloaded from the following website:

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

Forms required

Form DS-230 Parts I&II — Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration

Form DS-2001 — Notification of Applicant Readiness

Form I-864 — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act

Form I-864A — Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member

Form I-864EZ — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act

Form I-864P — Poverty Guidelines

Form I-864W — Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption

Form I-865 — Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address

A medical examination is required, for further information; please refer to the following website: http://canberra.usem...iv/medical.html.

To obtain a list of the Panel Physicians, please refer to the following website http://canberra.usem...iv/doctors.html . Medical forms are only obtained from the Panel Physician.

If you need to obtain a police certificate for Australia, please refer to the following website: http://canberra.usem...ertificate.html. Please visit the State Department website on www.uscis.gov if you need to obtain a police certificate for another country.

Please send the completed DS230 Parts I & II forms immediately. Do not sign DS230 Part II. You should begin to collect all items applicable to your case that is listed on the following pages. Please do not fax forms DS-230 Parts I & II. The original forms must be mailed.

When you have gathered all documentation, complete & mail all applicable documentation with the DS-2001 form and checklist to the U.S. Consulate General, Sydney.

You are required to furnish the original of each document PLUS one photocopy. That office will contact you with your immigrant visa interview time. Your original documents will be returned to you at the time of your final visa interview.

Immigrant visa processing times vary. There may be unexpected ineligibilities that become apparent only at the time of your interview which require additional time and processing. For this reason, you should not make any irrevocable arrangements, such as purchasing non-refundable tickets, selling your home, or quitting your job, until after your immigrant visa is actually approved and issued to you.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney(TY)

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-01-13 19:48:00
Asia: East and PacificCan anyone recommened a florist to deliver to Hokkaido, Japan
Where abouts in Hokkaido is she?

Here are a few in Sapporo that deliver locally
http://878net.com/
http://www.hot-flower.com/top-n.html
http://www.8783.jp/

Edited by kaffy, 04 March 2009 - 07:41 PM.

kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-03-04 19:39:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER
QUOTE (AnnexoxShay @ Mar 6 2009, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Woohoo ... I just rang the post office and my pack 3 pack arrived at the embassy and was signed for on Monday 2nd... I wonder how long it will take before I get an interview? arrgh yesterday was to long laughing.gif


You could always pretend you don't know that it's been signed for and send the Consulate a polite email saying that you mailed it on a certain day and was wanting to make sure it got there safely.

That's what I did and they were very kind in & responded quickly to say they had received it and that it was currently taking them x number of days to process & review them

Sneaky but it works.. and it kept me from going crazy wondering when my interview notice would come whistling.gif laughing.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-03-05 19:14:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER
QUOTE (MzMo1102 @ Mar 5 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ive decided to have it here since it I have really good private health insurance..plus, our medical system here is fantastic and no mucking around like the US..


That's a smart decision star_smile.gif And baby bonus too! kicking.gif laughing.gif

Kat- I'm sure you passed. If there was anything wrong with the results they would probably want to test further, etc
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-03-04 19:17:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER
Let us know what they say good.gif
kaffyFemaleAustralia2009-03-04 00:45:00