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THANKS!!! Sharyna, Hampster, patriciaofoz, jltan100, Rings, meowgirl and of course thanks Kath. Thanks for your well wishes and all your support and helpful advice guys. It’s very much appreciated :)

My consulate review is up. It’s too long (and dare I say boring) to post here, so if you’re interested head over to the review page to check it out. I have to say my experience was a 5 out of 5 experience. It was pretty quick and all the people I met from the security guys on level 10 all the way through to my interviewee were very friendly and approachable and not intimidating at all.

After I posted up my review I remembered a few more questions that she asked me, including “When do we plan to get married?” which I think was the first question and a couple more questions about wedding plans and dates. I had to say that we planned to get married pretty much straight away after I get to the US but that no dates are set in stone yet since we were told not to make plans until after the interview. Also the fact that his family is really keen for us to do a ceremony in his hometown which wasn’t the initial plan, since we were going to come back to Australia for a reception at a later date. (I’m pretty sure I babbled all of this to the interviewer too.)

Thats really great Jess!! :) CONGRATULATIONS!! :)

I take it you didn't need the 2nd Affidavit of Support?

Where abouts in USA are you heading to?


Hi! I’m heading to Maryland I July, you can find our place in space on the Aussies map to see exactly where in Maryland home is.

As for your question about a second Affidavit of Support… nope, I only needed the one I-134 along with its supporting documentation. Maybe I confused you because a couple of weeks ago I was saying that I was waiting for Tony to send me his notorized tax print out as the last thing I needed for the interview. He had already sent me the I-134, employment record and tax print out but he only had the first two notorized so he had to send it again to me after getting it notorized.

whooo hooooo jess congrats to you on a succesful interview..dont forget to put in your interview review mate..
are you going back tomorrow for it or getting it posted ...did they ask you if you had a choice?
was expecting alot more details jess lol stir stir


Thanks Kath! I hope you enjoy my interview review :D Since it was on Friday I wouldn’t be able to go back for it till Monday anyway. For me, getting it posted to me is easier than trekking all the way back into the city (I live about an hour and a half+ by public transport outside the city centre). They told me it’d be sent on Monday or Tuesday so I guess I’m expecting it Tuesday or Wednesday. (I’m a little excited)
I did have a choice and could have picked it up if I wanted, but since I had my big yellow satchel there it was obvious that I wanted it posted. My interviewee handed me a slip of paper at the end called “Instructions for receiving your immigrant visa”. It says “You have two options for receiving your visa” and outlines the via mail option (including instructions on where to purchase a satchel and who to give it to when you return if you didn’t bring one with you). The second option was to come back the following business day between 3.30 and 4.00 to come in and pick it up in person. My interviewee had ticked the box next to via mail.

Oh, and expect A LOT of details in my interview review Kath! You will NOT be disappointed ;) stir. ;)

Good luck Paul! I’m so excited for you! Enjoy your reunion with your wife! You deserve it after all this time! Wishing you a safe journey and a smooth POE and adjustment to the great land Up Over!

Good luck to you guys too Rings and Loke. Have an awesome time together you guys and savour ever moment. I know you will! :) And if I didn’t know it already… Rings… thanks for posting and making it clear for us all ;) :D jk, it was awesome. Have a great time!

And best of luck to everyone else on their various stages of this crazy Visa Journey!!!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-06 02:25:00
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Hey guys! Just to let you know....

:dance: :dance: I passed my K-1 visa interview today!
 :dance: :dance:
USA here I come!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-03 22:44:00
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ok am confused...
on USCIS processing sheet it says that they're doing K1 - 129f petitions from october 2006.....
have they just not updated it?...

link is here - Processing Sheet USCIS


Yeah, completely ignore that...date on the website it makes no sense whatsoever :D


Hi Tamzo,
Having a SSN doesn't mean you can work, you just can't work without one. To work legally you must
1) Get a stamp to allow you to work at POE (aparently only available at JFK so don't count on it)
OR 2) Just wait for the greencard... which takes a while
OR 3) Apply at the same time as AOS on a separate for for a work permit. This is what I'm doing. It takes 2-3 months to process while the greencard CAN take a LOT longer.

Edited by jezz85, 03 May 2007 - 05:05 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-03 05:03:00
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Hee hee hee thats so cute :D Have a great time Rings and Loke!!!!

:dance:


On a side note... I take out travel insurance and I'm so glad I did... Last year in the US I had to use it and $350 health insurance saved me $3000 in medical bills for a short stay in the medical room! (Nothing serious luckily).

EDIT: And by "short stay" I'm talking hours, not days :blink:

Edited by jezz85, 02 May 2007 - 05:15 PM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-02 17:13:00
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Hi Everyone, just a quick question - i read somewhere in visajourney that the Sydney Consulate requires a 2nd Affidavit of Support form to be completed. Is this true? If so, where can i go to find it?

Thanks
Jo


Hi Jo!

You're doing the K-1 Visa like me :). The Sydney Consulate only asks you for one Affidavit of Support form to be completed by your American Citizen Fiancee. The form relevant to you as a K-1er is the I-134 form.

Your fiancee will also need to send you supporting documentation that proves they can support you monetarily. Attached to one of my recent earlier posts is the information sheet that details what documents are required to go along with the I-134 form.

Good luck! :thumbs:


EDIT: My post that I was referring to is Post #2136 on page 143. It also has the link to download the I-134 form if you need it.

Edited by jezz85, 02 May 2007 - 08:51 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-02 08:47:00
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Thats so great Paul! :thumbs: You're so close to being back with your dear wifey. I'm excited for you!

Your recipe looks so tasty, three cheers for the mighty beet! Word of caution... coriander is called cilantro in the US! :innocent:
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-01 05:20:00
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I know what you mean about getting itchy! :wacko: I'm trying really hard to enjoy my last months because I will sure miss Australia when I'm gone. Still, I'm trying to avoid the countdown because the countdown also means a countdown to my final exams... and exams stress me out! I'll enjoy the countdown much more when the exams are over (last exam is the 25th of June) AND I plan to leave on the 12th of July. YAY!

Whats the ATO form Kath? Is that the one to let them know that you're changing your status to non-resident for tax purposes?

Don't forget your form to let the know that you're going to be overseas. You can choose whether you want to be removed from the electoral role or (IN NSW AT LEAST) if you plan to come back to Australia within 6 years you can apply to vote overseas. If you're overseas longer you can extend it once a year.

These attachments might help, one is the form to notify them that you're leaving and want to be exempt from voting the other is applying for overseas postal voting. If you are overseas when theres an election and you haven't told them and you didn't vote they will send your australian address a letter asking you where you were. You won't get fined if you tell them you were overseas.

Attached Files


jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-05-01 00:28:00
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Hi Loke,

I reckon you'll be just fine, plenty of people travel into the US on visa waiver while they have pending visas, but as usual its up to the POE person to decide.

The letter from your employer and also the rent receipt will be good proof. Don't forget that your return airline tickets/itinerary also count as proof.

Logic suggests that if you're going through the visa process already, why wouldn't you want to go back to complete the legitimate process? Still, I think the pending visa thing might be one of those "tell them only if they ask" kinds of deals. I've read that people have actually said "I'm visiting my fiancee" and had no trouble, but plenty of other people elect to say "I'm visiting friends and/or relatives" instead.

Good luck! I'm sure it'll be just fine!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-30 23:32:00
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i have a weird question...

if i'm the one moving over to the US.... do i need or would i need to show them any tax returns? (because my filing is like all over the place with my tax returns).....


Lucky for you, the answer is No! :thumbs: All the financial stuff comes from the US Citizen. The reason for the financial stuff from the USC is so he/she can prove that they have the means to support you when you get out there to the US.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-30 23:26:00
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Hi Jodee :)

I don't think I have any specific questions, just a general curiosity of what its like to be an aussie over in the US with a deployed hubby. Its nice to hear of others who are doing it.

I read one of your previous threads from March, did you find an answer for your friend in Germany?

If you're in Germany for >1 year, are you going to take advantage of the chance to gain U.S. citizenship right away?

Cheers!

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-29 20:45:00
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Hey Paul....

When you gave them all your stuff at the interview, did you hand over photocopies of your passport and your affidavit of support and your other forms at the same time as the originals?

Did they give them back or keep them?

Did you include two photocopies of the DS-156 along with the two originals?

Thanks Paul!

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-29 05:38:00
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Hey All,

Thank you for your well wishes....I am seriously having the best time! Being reunited with your loved one is worth the visa journey wait.

Jezz, Jake is in the Army and the BBQ was with his platoon. was such a hot afternoon here after snow last week, was beautiful. The food was yummy and now I think I am addicted to cheese dip....No alpacas yet but maybe when we wbuy a house cause they wouldn't fit in the apartment! lol


Hey, I thought that he must be in the military. My fiancee is Navy so I'm interested to find another Aussie with a military man. Could Jake be deployed soon or is he on shore duty (or... the Army equivalent thereof). What are you going to do when he does go on det, anything particular? Tony is on shore duty for the next two years but will start long deployments again after that, short dets are business as usual however. Hopefully none too soon after I get there...I hope! I'm interested in hearing about your alpacas because they've been a favourite animal of mine since I was a little kid... weird I know. My first email address has the word "alpaca" in it. LOL

Anyway, great to hear from you. Congrats again :) I'm pretty sure that everyone on here is keen to see your wedding photos too, I love all wedding photos... oh, did he wear his uniform? Tony is going to wear his uniform for ours, We haven't decided between dress whites or dress blues yet.

Jess

Edited by jezz85, 29 April 2007 - 01:53 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-29 01:51:00
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Hi Lyndel,

Congratulations!

I'm curious, what kind of unit is your hubby in? Hows the hunt for alpacas going? :) Congratulations again.




Everyone,

I was informed by one of my American buddies that the 26th of April is "Hug an Australian Day". I googled it and it seems to be some kind of copywrited holiday. Weird huh? Anyone else heard of this and/or get a hug out of it?
Oh, I put myself on the map too :)

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-28 02:56:00
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Hi guys, good news... the notorized tax stuff arrived today... remember I was saying that I was expecting it from Tony? Anyway... another little discovery was made... regular mail and priority mail take the same amount of time to arrive, despite paying a small fortune (in my view) for the latter. Grrr...
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-27 04:42:00
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Sharyna: Don't stress too much, its not too hard, just takes a lot of work, it pays to be methodical :D
One small thing that you should note Sharyna, to make it a little MORE difficult, all the consulates in the world seem to like things a little differently, and have a slightly different list of requirements. For example, the Sydney consulate doesn't ask to see the NOA2. Nor does it ask you to bring a whole copy of the I-129f stuff (you'll need the evidence of relationship though). What I'm saying is, don't stress too much, once you receive Package 3 everything you need will become clear and you'll see what the Sydney consulate requires. :)

:D Good luck mate!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 18:39:00
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i was just going to ask about that... i thought that the other person - the one that wants you to go over to their country put that evidence in when they requested it and that you didnt need it?


Hi Sharyna :) Keep in mind that you're going for the K-1 interview not the CR1 interview like Paul. You don't have to deal with the I-864 form at all. Having said that, you do have to have an affidavit of support and supporting documentation from your American Citizen fiance, your form is called I-134. Download it here

http://www.uscis.gov.../form/I-134.pdf

I've also uploaded the two page instruction sheet that came in the package along with the I-134 for you to view *as a guide only*. The information pertaining to the K-1 Visa is on page 2 (the second download). As soon as I received the I-134 and instruction sheet I put it in the mail and sent it to my US fiance so that he could fill it out, collect the documents he needed, get things notorized and send it back to me ASAP.

Attached Files


Edited by jezz85, 26 April 2007 - 06:15 PM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 18:11:00
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I'd be cool if we had one of these... http://www.frappr.com/ I don't know how it'd work exactly, but it'd be cool.

Kath: I'm in favour of some kind of.... database type thing with basic information on dates, locations etc.... would http://www.frappr.com/ help?
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 07:15:00
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Hey Jo,

I had my medical on a Wednesday and I was called the following Thursday to say that they were ready. HOWEVER, there is no guarantee that it will be fast enough for you. I would do one or more of the following.

1) Change you consulate appointment ASAP. The sooner you do the sooner you'll relieve your stress and get a little breathing space. I shouldn't think that changing the appointment would be too hard, but the earlier you do it the earlier the new appointment will be.

2) Call the doctor and ask him/her for a good estimate of when your results will be ready. The only results that take some time are the blood test results. Tell him/her when your interview date is and ask the doctor frankly whether 10 days is or isn't long enough for the results to be returned to you.

3) Breathe

Good luck!

EDIT: The consulate is pretty good with the email in my limited experience, if you wanted to change interview date. I emailed the consulate on the evening of (public holiday) yesterday and received a reply midday today.

Edited by jezz85, 26 April 2007 - 06:59 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 06:56:00
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Oh, in case this helps anyone....

For the K-1 Visa the final checklist and order is slightly different to the one Paul (Hamster) provided for his CR1 interview.

Also for the SYDNEY people... Dr Waks and the x-ray and blood test people all take cash, cheque (presumably) or credit. I used my VISA card for all three with no problem.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 06:21:00
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Wow, things have been busy today LOL. Everyone is so excited *waves to everyone*

MEDICAL REPORT SENT DIRECTLY TO CONSULATE UPDATE (remember Kath how I said that the doctor sent my medical report directly to the consulate and you said you hadn't heard of this happening?) Well, I emailed the consulate to ask them if they had received the results and it was all in order. I also asked if I should also bring along the documents that I did pick up from Dr Waks that he didn't send to the consulate...

Their reply was "Your medical report has been received. You should bring in the copies of the documents you have that you collected from Dr. Waks office." :thumbs:

I can only guess that this is a new procedure to make it impossible for applicants to change/forge their medical results. *shrug*

Sharyna- I'm from Sydney too, it only took around 10 days for me to get my police certificate back after I got my prints done, so rest assured you won't be waiting for it as long as you will for your NOA2 :)

Also, I went to Dr Waks, I don't know about the other doctor in Sydney (obviously) but Dr Waks was really nice and made things really easy. If you go to him wear walking shoes cos he sends you out the door, up a hill about 4 or 5 blocks for the x-ray and blood test ;) Dr Waks is right across from Wynyard Station too.

Mistake confession for the groups amusement....

I didn't take anything with my case number written on it to my medical, so when the good doctor asked for it, I went all shades of pink, freaked out and had to confess that I didn't have it! Its okay, says the doc, just call me later and give it to me... only trouble was, I organised the medical on the same day that I was travelling up the coast for a week! I wasn't going back home for 8 days. Fortunately, I am visa-obsessed and knew *exactly* where the number was and how to get it. I gave my trusty little sister a call as I walked back from the x-ray and blood test.
"Please go upstairs, go to my desk, under my desk is my filing cabinet, open the bottom draw, find the yellow file marked VISA, inside you will find a blue folder with plastic sleeves, open it to the very last page. At the bottom of the page there is my name and case number, please read me the case number." Easy as that. I enjoyed reading it back to her over the phone too... "Sierra, Yankee, Delta, # # # # # # # #, over and out sis."

Moral of the story? Take your case number with you to your medical appointment ;) :D
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-26 05:16:00
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Hi Kath!

The interview is next Friday! Friday the 4th of May to be exact, at 8am. Just realised I'm going to have to leave home at the crack of dawn for some early morning public transport action. LOL. Thanks Kath, the countdown HAS begun. :D
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 17:50:00
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Thanks paul!

Did you give them photocopies of your passport and your forms as well?

As for stapling things together... I won't staple my photocopies to my originals but... you don't mean don't staple your three page forms together do you?
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 05:46:00
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Hi Tamzo!

I'm embarassed cos I didn't make myself clear... I meant photocopies in addition to all my originals :D So tamzo, did you have photocopies along with the originals of everything or just only photocopies of birth cert, divorce/death cert, police cert, court and military records? (where applicable)?

And I think I can help you out on that question of yours... The answer is, you can't leave the country until your AOS is fully processed and you've got your 'green card' in your hand. UNLESS you apply for AP (Advance Parole) and of course pay the $$$. By all accounts getting AP is pretty straight forward.

Edited by jezz85, 25 April 2007 - 04:57 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 04:56:00
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I have another question for you guys regarding the interview...

My instructions letter in packet 3 seems to state that I'd need photocopies of ALL documents except for photos. The follow-up letter with my interview letter makes mention of only photocopies of birth cert, divorce/death cert, police cert, court and military records.

Did you take along photocopies of everything else for example passports, medical records, forms etc? If so, did you include it in the bundle or did you keep it in your bag for just in case?

I'm assuming that you keep your evidence of relationship until interviewed at the next window.

I'm also assuming that the silly x-ray has served its purpose and doesn't need to accompany you to the interview.

I'm also assuming that you attached your two passport photographs to the DS-156's prior to the interview.

I know these questions are stupid, but I'm hopeless and if I don't ask them I will stupidly worry :unsure: :blush:
Thank you thank you thank you.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 01:46:00
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Hi Elle!

Thank you so much for following up this info for me! However, I just realised that we're "singing from different song sheets" on this one :)

You went through the K-3 Process with the I-864 and I'm going through the K-1 Process with the I-134. Different forms, different rules it seems. I doubled checked it when I realised that. On page 2 of the Information Sheet DS-2000 (enclosed with my I-134 in package 3) it says...

To substantiate the information regarding income and resources the sponsor should attach two or more of the following items to the affidavit:
1. Notarized copies of his or her latest federal income tax return;
2. A statement from his or her employer showing salary and the length and permanency of employment;
3. ....
4. ....

I'm too lazy to write out 3 and 4... but I've got 1 and 2... #1 is still on its way in the mail...

I really appreciate the help anyway Elle :) Just goes to show that this visa process is a tricky process indeed!

Cheers,

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 01:34:00
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A word on the digital DS-156 form and leaving spaces blank as opposed to writing NONE.

You should DEFINATELY write NONE. I went back and did the form online again as suggested by Kath and this is what happened...
On the last page I now have the following written...

"FILTERED NAMES
When 'NONE' or 'NA' are entered into any of the following fields: 'Other Surnames Used', 'Other First and Middle Names Used', and 'National Identification Number', the text will be removed by the EVAF software from the data in the 2D barcode. If the applicant's name actually is None or NA the post must enter the name manually into the NIV or RDS. The following fields have been removed:

-'NONE' was removed from the 2D barcode for Item 8 (Other Surnames Used)
-'NONE' was removed from the 2D barcode for Item 9 (Other First and Middle Names Used)
-'NONE' was removed from the 2D barcode for Item 14 (National Identification Number)"

Interesting huh? Glad I went back and redid it!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-25 00:35:00
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Thanks everybody!!!

Moonie, I hope your SO's interview isn't as soon as mine too, it was a HUGE shock to get it processed so soon since other timelines have shown weeks between sending the letter and a response. I wonder whether the fact that I live in Sydney had anything to do with it being so quick? I guess when you guys get your interview date we'll find out. Don't worry too much about it, you can always change your date if you have to (my letter has an ACTUAL PHONE NUMBER on it... I'm too chicken to call it though)

Elle, Yup, the Affidavit of support, I'm pretty sure it still needs to be notorized along with the supporting documentation. Can anyone else shed light on this though? I've got everything here already only thing is, the tax stuff he sent isn't notorized. He has since got another copy of that notorized and it should get here in the mail any day now. If worst comes to worst and it somehow gets lost in the mail and doesn't get here in time, I'll just take the un-notorized version of the tax and if they want the notorized version they can pause the process until I can send it to them. Still, I have no doubt that it'll get here in time. I'm not worried.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 23:31:00
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ANZAC day is here again everyone...

I invite you to join me in remembering and honouring the ANZACs by taking some time today to think about the toll of war past and present and to hope (or pray if you so choose) that we might one day live on an earth where there doesn't need to be any war at all. :innocent:

"Ode of Remembrance"

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 20:09:00
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Thanks to you too CarolineM :)

I see you're from Jacksonville Florida, I spent a few weeks there visiting my darling fiancee at the beginning of last year. I loved it :) Tony was at the NAS for 6 months of school.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 08:21:00
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Thanks Kath! Thanks Paul!

I SMS'd Tony and he's so excited :D It doesn't change the time I'm leaving Australia but it does mean a whole lot of stress will be over and I can book my flight with total confidence etc etc. *fingers crossed* Only 10 more sleeps.

Having to come to Sydney is such an added hurdle for you non-Sydney people, it really sucks and I can't believe you have to do it! :( I live an hour (2 hours by public transport) north of the city... I promise I won't complain about the commute into the city guys :D Still, I guess they figure if you're willing to move to the other side of the planet, then whats the big deal about travelling interstate? :D Oh well, I'll be cheeky and say to you guys that Sydney is the greatest city in Australia and I hope you guys make/made time to enjoy it :P hahaha sorry, I know, I can't resist thought ;)

Hi Winterr, nice to see ya :) I hope you figure out your NOA2 troubles soon.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 08:18:00
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A little joke...

Is it just me, or is the US consulate kind of like the soup nazi from seinfeld... think about it... You have to have everything prepared in exactly the correct order, laid out correctly, no folders or plastic sleeves... you approach when called on, you hand it over and wait for further instructions...

If its done wrong, or you follow the procedure incorrectly.... NO VISA FOR YOU!

;) I know its not really like that, but it kind of amuses me anyway to think of it like that. ;)
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 02:04:00
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whooo hoo jess fantastic
ohh wake him up its important lol im sure he wont mind lol

so ya ready for it jess...

ok you lot who else is waiting for their interview notices

seren have you heard anything yet...

moonie...rings where you at in the journey...

so rapt for you jess ...
good luck
kath


Thanks Kath! I'm still so excited!

I'm dying to wake him up but I won't cos I only said goodnight on the phone to him less than 3 hours ago, and he's a tough Navy man who has to wake up long before the sun rises. My baby needs his beauty sleep LOL. I will SMS him later so he can find out before he goes to work though :D :dance:

I reckon I'm ready for it Kath, almost. I've still got to make final touches and I have to receive his notorized tax still, but that was put in the mail last week and I'm expecting it any day now.

I had a card to post this afternoon so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and pay the $130 and get my 3kg express post sachel at the same time so... thats done!

Yipeee!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 01:50:00
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:dance: :dance: :dance: K-1 VISA INTERVIEW DATE ISSUED!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

Guys, this was lightning fast!

-I sent off my letter on Thursday 19th of April
-They sent my letter Friday 20th of April
-I received the letter today, 24th of April
-Interview date 4th of MAY! I can't believe it, my interview is next Friday!

I'm just a little excited... excited and afraid. It was a lot quicker than expected, I thought I'd receive notification after a month or so, and then the interview a few weeks after that. Nope, visa process always surprising. :D

Yippeee!

EDIT: I have to say, my baby is ASLEEP! I want so badly to call him up so we can jump up and down in excitement together. LOL, I'm a silly person. :whistle:

Edited by jezz85, 24 April 2007 - 01:07 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-24 01:04:00
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Hi Paul :)

my POE will be LAX in July, it'll be good times I'm sure. LAX is ALWAYS busy so expect long lines... (you might be pleasantly surprised though ;) )

This link has an interactive terminal that may help you figure out your route from point A to point B.

http://www.iflylax.com/lax_map0.html

Oh, I tried to pull up the 'original' interactive map but for some reason it wouldn't come up... you might have more luck, so heres the link...

http://www.lawa.org/...terminalMap.cfm
http://www.lawa.org/

Some people I know say that LAX is the "worst airport ever" but I don't share that view. Its a little tricky to navigate but just follow the signs. When I was there I asked a friendly attendant for directions and he pointed me in the right direction, which was lucky since my connecting flight had a last minute terminal change! But it was all fine and I had good experiences. I saw some guy get a lift on one of those airport buggies... maybe you could try flagging one of those down if you find yourself strapped for time? ;)

I can't comment on the immigration side of things since I've only gone through on a Visa Waiver and I came in through SFO but I left via LAX and had internal flights in and out of LAX (Delta).

EDIT: Oh, one last thing that I remembered... advice from my aunt. Don't accidently leave the terminal (walk outside) and expect to be allowed to come back in again between connecting flights. My Aunt got herself into a pickle in LAX because she went out the wrong door by accident. Maybe this is what fueled her "worst airport ever" comment? ;) So be careful when you're looking for that smoking location :D

Edited by jezz85, 22 April 2007 - 09:58 PM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-22 21:53:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER

Police checks and medical are BOTH valid for a year, so if you got them both now, they'd still be valid by the end of the year.


I can't find the edit button so I'm gonna tell you my mistake LOL. You'll have to wait for the package to get the forms you need for the medical...

BUT you CAN get your complete vaccination history ahead of time so you're prepared. I'd reccommend it. It took me a while and a couple of appointments with my doctor to decide to get a blood test, which ended up the easiest option if you don't have your full history already at your finger tips. I went along to the consulate doctor with two bits of paper 1)The ORIGINAL report from pathology with my immunity levels on it (I got my doctor to test for all the required vaccinations needed for a person my age). 2) I had a signed ORIGINAL print-out of the vaccinations my personal doctor had given me to "fill in the blanks".

Also..

http://www.sapolice....certificate.jsp

This website has the application form for the national police certificate for SA. According to my information sheet (in package 3) for SA it will take 5-15 working days to process. You must get a national police certificate AND Fingerprint Check. It costs $140 in SA (quoted 22nd Feb, may have changed). You call up your local police station and either ask for a walk in or book an appointment. (In Sydney, I tried for a walk in three times before I gave up and booked an appointment, at my local station they only do booked appointments on sundays, all other days are walk in but they can't do it if someone is in lock up... and there always seems to be! LOL.)

If you don't have a Birth Certificate (a full one showing info like parents names) now is also the time that you can send for one or more copies of that. I only have one copy but others have several and recommend it for later in the process when you get to the US and do AOS.


Anyway, these are just some long winded suggestions that I hope are of some use to you. I'm sure the others will have some really good advice too, since I'm still doing the process.

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-22 06:00:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER
Hi Patricia! Nice to see another K-1er!

Where abouts in Australia are you based and where will you be living you get to the US?
I'm at the 'waiting for my interview in Sydney' stage of the process.

Any fellow K-1ers got any further advice they'd like to share to me?


Your prospective timeline sounds pretty realistic, according to my experience and that of others, I'd be tentitively optimisitic about a late December date. Although, as you know is so unpredictable that it could take longer of course :) but I hope it doesn't!

Okay, advice from me would be...

1) In your I-129F be exhaustive. (This is what your fiance is filing now, to start the process). We got a request for more evidence (RFE) for something that was technically beyond what we needed. We sent in a copy of my USC Fiance's birth certificate and they sent a RFE for a copy of his passport as well despite having said one OR the other. I don't want to scare you, but thats what they did to us... so my advice is to send MORE than what they say to be on the safe side... heres what is said about this bit...

"Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship. "




2) Once the application is approved in the US, things really start happening. The US consulate in Sydney will send you a package. This is called package 3, in it is a complete list of things you need. The biggies are A) Affidavit of Support stuff you'll need from you SO B) Police Certificate with with finger printing C)Medical exam (with blood test and chest X-ray)

So my #2 bit of advice is, if you're really keen, use this website to get well aquainted ahead of time with whats on that list and start following it up. Police checks and medical are BOTH valid for a year, so if you got them both now, they'd still be valid by the end of the year. I had to go to my own personal doctor first to get my complete vaccination history (which, as it turns out, my doctor didn't have). I ended up getting a blood test for immunity to show my vaccination history from my own personal doctor. I then took the original lab report with me to the doctor the consulate wanted me to go to for the physical. I'd start following up vaccination history now. If you're missing some vaccinations, get your personal doctor to give them to you, it'll be cheaper. Then, you won't have to get any from the consulates doctor.

Okay, I hope all that made sense. Thats what I would do if I had to do it all again. IF you have everything that you have to collect already organised by the time package 3 gets sent to you, you will be able to send back the form that states that you're ready for the interview straight away, thus securing your appointment time faster.

Best of luck!

Jess
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-22 04:16:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER

Hi guys kath told me about this page. Im an aussie from tassie but in melbourne for the last 4 years. Meet my beautiful wife nearly 6 years ago in launceston and got married in december 06. We have just handed in our i-130 in melbourne on monday. We were going to do it on the 23 of january and found out about adam walsh on that day #######! So just like to say gday and I hope your visas are going along nice and FAST! I shall let you know how we progress. David Melbourne


Hi David :) *waves* I take it your lovely wife is in Australia with you too? And you'll be moving to the US together when the visa comes through? I'm a newbie so maybe I'm wrong, I'm doing K-1. Good luck!
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-21 05:54:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER

hi jess
they use one of them yes...mine looks horrid lol..and yeah do it again just to be on the safe side they can be sticklers for empty spaces lol...


Thanks for the advice Kath, I will do it again... although, I don't want to, since pulling the photos off and reattaching them to a new sheet is going to look like ... :whistle: Wish I could just write it in there but no, I'll print it all off again.Soon. :wacko: With plenty of "none"s in there.
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-21 05:51:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER

jess...i remember that form i stuck it in just in case my stapler didnt work for me..lol..


I stapled them down... maybe I have to do the forms again though since I didn't type in NONE for the ones that don't apply, i just left them blank. Do you think they'll care? Do you think they'll hit me with a ruler? I really want the Americans to like me. :D Are they the photos they use for your visa, or do you have to bring them two more?

Edit for typo... for great honour.

Edited by jezz85, 21 April 2007 - 02:52 AM.

jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-21 02:50:00
Asia: East and PacificLAND DOWNUNDER

hi jess
you wont get into trouble at your POE if you put a different date than you arrived...
just put july 2007 .. its only an estimate to when you think you will be leaving australia

as for the photo's put them on the front of the form what does your intstructions say to do..i cant remember if i cut them up or not...maybe tamzo knows or hammy they were the current interviwee's


I wanted to put just JULY 2007 but it wouldn't let me! It made me put a day as well, so I put the 31st ... now I'm thinking I might be leaving closer to the 11-16th (Did you know Kath that they're getting you to fill that form out online and print it off now? I think it might be new since you did yours)

It says "stick or staple photos here" in the big box on the form... but I haven't heard anyone else mention that they actually did. I'll see if anyone else has an answer for me on that one.

you do know that they are suppose to be U.S. sizes for the passport photo's..just checking...


I sure do :D
jezz85FemaleAustralia2007-04-21 01:14:00