Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	i also found this for kiwis in the san fran/bay area: sfkiwis	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-19 01:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hey did anyone getting married in the US (from nz) have to get this thing: certificate of no impediment	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-19 01:06:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	i have a question about marriage: if we decide to get married here, before my visa expires, i don't want to have any kind of ceremony - i want to wait for a year, until my family can afford to come over. is it going to look bad if we don't have evidence of a proper ceremony? i feel like in between having an engagement ring, evidence of our relationship, and the explanation above, it should be fine... just looking for reassurance, really oh, while browsing the forums today i came across this website: www.justanswers.com it doesn't look super professional or anything, and obviously there are no guarantees provided with the answers, but i figured for $15 it was worth a try. i basically outlined our situation and the response i got was: Given that the two of you are living together and intend to marry, the only concern of the immigration service will be the good faith nature of the relationship - it will not be "suspicious" that you have known each other and lived together. Plenty of people work on temporary visas and have a dating relationship that may or may not lead to marriage. The only issue will be the good faith nature of the marriage, and it sounds as though the two of you truly love one another. Given that, it will be significantly cheaper and easier to apply from within the US, assuming you do not have a two year home residency requirement attached to yourJ visa. jordan is still skeptical and feeling very cautious but i'm getting more and more confident that marriage and AOS is totally the way to go for us.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-15 14:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Jan 13 2009, 05:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You hadn't even met him or been to the U.S. before you came here. You came with good intention and not with the idea that you would marry him and want to stay forever. I would never advise this to you if I thought you were breaking the law. You really just couldn't know, or even have filed, before having met him in person. I still say go for it. so, soooo tempted... but need to do some more research. i'm waiting to hear back on the J-1 thread for info regarding the interviews. looking at the averages on here, it's likely i'd be back in nz for upwards of six months if we did the K-1 thing. that just seems agonising. we would have our costs, plus save on airfares... in fact, because i have an open-ended ticket, we could use the money we would have spent on my return airfare to the US for a ticket for jordan to nz... and CDNEH!! so happy for you!!! maybe i'm your lucky charm?? i popped up here and suddenly it all starts moving for you...	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-13 00:43:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Jan 13 2009, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I know you've made the choice to return home but in all honesty, I believe you would be just fine marrying and adjusting status while here in the States. i am seriously considering this again. i just found a thread last night for J-1 visa holders going the AOS route, so i've posted some questions there. my biggest concern is proving that i came with no intention to marry. as i said on that thread: on the one hand, the 18 mths of friendship before i came here go towards proving a long term relationship, but on the other, it could go towards suggesting i came with the intention to marry - or at the very least, the idea that we 'might' marry. but we would save so much money doing the AOS, and then we could afford to go back to nz for a holiday together. i just don't know what to do!!	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-12 12:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	you're both 'contributors'! this should mean you can post whenever/whatever you like. try to keep posts to single topics where possible: it doesn't matter if they're super short or just bullet-pointed lists or anything. i think it will make searching and reading easier this way - when you click on 'medicals', for example, you'll only get a list of posts relating to just that topic, and not have to skim through other subject matter. if you feel like a topic needs multiple categories, then go right ahead and list it under as many relevant categories as possible. if other people post stuff that you think needs to be listed under extra categories to make searching easier, please let me know. this may be one of the best ideas i've had	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-11 12:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	rubyred, knowing that there is a small NZ community in SF makes me happy! I will definitely be signing up once I am over there Hey guys, just letting ya know that I emailed the consulate last night requesting that my interview be scheduled when my fiance is on holiday here in March. They replied first thing this morning and said they would try their very best to do that	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-20 03:43:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jan 18 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> in packet 3 did you have a form to sign to say that you have everything ready for an interview? once you send back packet 3 (with that form included) they will then send out a letter to you (you can't miss the letter it is bright PINK) with the date of your interview on it. My interview was 3 and a half weeks after i received packet 4 (interview letter). so yes, by the time your interview is due you will need to have been for a medical and have the 1-134 form filled out by SO and the necessary documents needed etc... Thank you so much for your help! I think I may have muddled up the process a bit (wish they had made it clearer!). I sent in my packet 3 today, but I have not yet had my medical! I emailed the consulate and hope it is all okay. I also mentioned that my fiance is due here for a 2 week holiday in March, so it would be great if I could have my interview then. I am crossing my fingers! QUOTE (rubyred @ Jan 19 2009, 04:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i also found this for kiwis in the san fran/bay area: sfkiwis Thanks for the link! If we end up living in the bay area I will definitely keep that site in mind. The picnic looks fun Edited by Kelvan, 19 January 2009 - 02:09 AM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-19 02:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi kelzm!!! Glad you are enjoying it over there in SF, we are thinking of living there too, maybe we could meet up one day Guys, another question (sorry if I sound like such a newbie) >_< I'm sending off my packet 3 forms tomorrow. What happens after that? Do they call me back in a couple of days to schedule an interview if the forms are a-ok? Then I get started on collecting all the other stuff for the interview, and have my medical, right?	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-18 03:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jan 18 2009, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kelvan @ Jan 18 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi guys, I am filling out my forms to send to the Consulate and I have a question regarding the form DS-156K... On my letter it states: FIRST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORMS AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY: - The enclosed application for NZ Police Certificate - Form DS-156 - Form DS-156K - etc So while I am filling out my Form DS-156K, near the bottom after Q5, it states "The following documents must be attached in order to apply for a fiance nonimmigrant visa: Birth Certificate, evidence of engagement for your fiance, police certificates". Do I just send the DS-156K without said attachments, and just bring the attachments to the interview? I.E you bring the police certificates, birth certificate, evidence etc to the interview, and the consulate attaches all of the above things to that form with you there. I don't see how it is possible to send the police certificate WITH the police certificate application. *confused* That's in case you have police certificate's for more than on country, like i have. And you bring those things, like the brith certificate with you. Okay thanks! So when I submit my DS-156K, do I need to submit that with the attachments? Or just bring the attachments to the interview?	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-17 20:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi guys, I am filling out my forms to send to the Consulate and I have a question regarding the form DS-156K... On my letter it states: FIRST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORMS AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY: - The enclosed application for NZ Police Certificate - Form DS-156 - Form DS-156K - etc So while I am filling out my Form DS-156K, near the bottom after Q5, it states "The following documents must be attached in order to apply for a fiance nonimmigrant visa: Birth Certificate, evidence of engagement for your fiance, police certificates". Do I just send the DS-156K without said attachments, and just bring the attachments to the interview? I.E you bring the police certificates, birth certificate, evidence etc to the interview, and the consulate attaches all of the above things to that form with you there. I don't see how it is possible to send the police certificate WITH the police certificate application. *confused* Edited by Kelvan, 17 January 2009 - 07:19 PM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-17 19:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi guys, I'm busy filling out all my forms for the NZ Embassy now from Packet 3. For the party on the DS-230, for the 'list all educational institutions', do I have to include normal schools as well as universities? I.E, college, intermediate etc. Also, for the employment section, do you have to leave no gaps as in the g-325a and state 'unemployed' if you were for a short time? Thanks in advance	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-16 14:47:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Monday is Martin Luther King Day. Public holiday but I still get to work :-( Kiwiana- Glad the interview went so well. I didn't doubt it they are so nice. My hubby and I had a gentlemen do the second part and he had a hardcore NY City accent. It was awesome. It was an accent I hadn't heard in a long time. Also enjoy the warm weather it was -21 degrees this morning and my car wouldn't atrt because of the cold. Yucko! Hope this cold snap ends soon.	amaciar	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-16 12:42:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Any advice on phone cards in America? I have never been able to find a decent one and now my husband needs one to call home. Anyone have a good one they use? Or an idea of where to get one? I used to go to the Mobile in my old town but no such luck in this town	amaciar	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-12 11:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I thought of that counting backwards idea too! I was going to start at 50 though :-)	amaciar	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-12 09:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hi everyone, does anyone know when you get your visa does it have to be a round trip ticket or a one way..like on the vwp it has to be round trip...we were just wondering..	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-15 23:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	oh...we've been laughing about the big xray...what the heck does he do with it? and the doctor never looked at it..soo? lol whats it for? it's really big..dont think we can find a frame big enough! hahaha anyone know?	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-15 01:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hi everyone, just wanted you to know he went for his medical. he seen dr stone..nothing really said about vacinations. the doctor asked if he had chickenpox, mumps, measles or hmm something else..he hadn't so they gave him an ejection for that ... i think MMR..and a tentus.. so the doctor was $125, MMR $ 80, tetnus $50, xray $80, blood test $31 total..$371..cant say much more ...i wasnt there.. and he cant post becasue his computer broke..which is upseting soooo..NO SKYPE	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-14 23:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	yes kim.. it does make me feel better... and compared to your story..lol..and money spent , i'll be quiet...thank you for that...ohh an btw i'm 45 and he's 36...hehe and your right... we are just getting better.... QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Jan 12 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE in other news: we formally announced our engagement on new year's day, my parents were pretty much in the dark about our relationship/history (or so i thought - turns out they had a pretty good idea, which i think kim had already advised me of... I'll tell you what I tell my kids... always listen to the mama! We just know things. It's great to see you back Justine!!! Hard to believe it's been sooooo long since you even began to contemplate what you were going to do. I know you've made the choice to return home but in all honesty, I believe you would be just fine marrying and adjusting status while here in the States. cdneh... and that's all I have to say about that! Congratulations Lisa and Tim! QUOTE know that around February/ March every year the two major airlines Qantas and Air New Zealand have specials on their air fares don't forget to check air tahiti nui ivanna, they don't care about his income...they care about his ability and desire to work once he's here. Have him bring a resume/CV to the interview. Also, let me just share this with you...perhaps it would make you feel better. Russell left his job in AUS (a job where he made well over 6 figures) in 2006 to come to the U.S. just so we could be together. I was separated, but still legally married. My ex, who i'm still friendly with, gave me a difficult time in getting the divorce papers signed. Anyway, we (Russell and I) spent our entire savings (we're talking in the tens and tens of thousands of dollars) travelling around the world and leaving the U.S. every 3 months for a weekend abroad just so that we could be together. We were also blind to the process and just assumed we could be together then marry when I was 'eligible'. Ummm Duh! My ex continued to hold off and ...on one fateful journey to Dublin to meet the VWP guidelines... my love was denied entry and returned to NZ. Me... still married! Grrrrrrrrr. Needless to say, after spending more than a couple of years living together and travelling the world, we were forced to wait apart for one year... we had to wait for my divorce to become final (which in the end I had to hire a lawyer for) and then the months it took for this process. Now, I consider myself a relatively intelligent person but you certainly wouldn't be able to tell after the mess we found ourselves in. Russell (this man w ho worked so hard for his master's degree and left a great job) has now not worked in his field in almost 3 years. Savings depleted and debt rising to more than it was when I was in my early 20's. So when you add up the 75,000 or so in travel, that times 6 or so in lost wages and all the misery and stress it has caused ....yeah ..... feel better? Nice to see so many posts here this weekend! Oh, and i'm 39...Russell is 30... but i'm not getting older... i'm just getting 'better'.	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-14 02:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	i have verizion, my fiance has a vodafone, he also has a verizion phone he took to nz...i text the verizion , then i dont pay for the sent message..but do for him to recieve it..he textes back on his vodafone...but when i call the verizion number.. it comes up with a 027 number..telicom number..the verizion phone does work there.	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-14 02:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I know here in MA many of the self-employed consultants I work for go through the Chamber of Commerce for their insurance. Might want to give them a call to see what they offer.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-28 11:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	ivanna, sorry you couldn't get the interview moved up but i'm sure the time will fly! As stated, the Embassy handles the NZ police certificate but if you've lived anywhere else for more than 6 months you will need to obtain pc's from those Countries as well...and how you go about getting it is different for each Country. Ana, how exciting to have your visa in hand! I know how you feel about wanting to go now. You may remember, Russell actually booked his flight for the wrong day because we wanted him here asap... ended up paying for two tickets. Wont be long now! Car insurance will vary by State so you'll have to check around where you'll be living. Also, car laws vary by State as well. In Massachusetts you can drive with your international license for up to a year. After that he will need to get a MA license and insurance. After checking with my car insurance company, he brought along a paper stating his clean driving record to help with costs when we do add him. He also brought paperwork stating his good credit to help when adding him to the mortgage..etc. You can get temporary medical insurance from many different places. There are several different plans to choose from but most will cost about $30 a month or so ...just until you can either be added to your spouse's or obtain some through a job. Lisa, NVC doesn't handle K1's the way they do other petitions. Hopefully it will be sent soon, if it hasn't already. yankiwi, travel safe! Michelle, what's going on in your world?? We're just finishing up a total remodel of one of our rental units. Lots of work! And.... the extra income certainly helps. Speaking of income.... we're finally re-focusing our attention on AOS this week. Better late than never? I have to admit that i'm really enjoying all the time we've had to spend together and i'm not looking forward to him going back to work in his field full time. I suppose the time has come though. Boy, we've all come such a long way since this thread started. You are a great bunch of people and i'm so happy to see everyone finally moving along.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-27 11:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	justine, I can certainly understand Jordan's fears but in all honesty, very few people actually have those kinds of issues at adjustment....even the people that do enter knowing they are staying. It's not fair, no. But it's true and this is why lawyers still advise people to do this. A simple ceremony, a ring, big celebration isn't going to matter to US Immigration. What matters is that you can prove you are a true couple and not just trying to circumvent immigration laws to gain citizenship. You can do that easy.... joint bank account, put your name on the lease, utilities...etc. ivanna, one way is fine. Some people get better deals when buying round trip is all. kiwiana, congratulations. I bet you are relieved! The vaccination record alone is 'ok' for some people going through AOS. Some get RFE'd for the I-693 (top section only)....some do not. The TB thing is still so new that we still don't have a lot of feedback on it. The xray can go in your luggage, they will not ask for it at POE although you do risk it being lost with your bag if you pack it away. Russell's has been in our closet collecting dust for months. I suppose it's good to have a baseline if anything ever happens medically. Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. day (some people get this off and some do not) and today is the presidential inauguration. Michelle, you will be just fine. Kim... yes, it's cold here right now! Russell loves his 'sheepy' and I have merino wool sweaters/blankets/mittens from NZ all over. Boy does that keep you warm! cdneh, that day is creeping up awfully fast!	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-20 12:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 2 2009, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Approved ! Goodness ..the relief when you walk out of there I did get a good night’s sleep, to my surprise, I think working nights Friday and Saturday, and sleeping a bit on Sunday meant I was tired enough last night. I was up at 0500..but I’m used to that. I got in early...traffic being what it is in Auckland, and parking can be hard to find once the office workers start going in. Down Queen to Customs, and from there the first right at the corner by the Post Shop onto Commerce St. Right ahead there is a parking lot, which is actually on Fort St. Parked up by 0700. Course my appointment was ages away, but I hiked up Queen to Starbucks and sat in the window there for a bit watching people going to work, droves of them. Man the sights you see when you haven’t got a camera…I couldn’t work out whether some of them were on their way to work or to a party…one woman in a black dress so tight you could see what she’d had for breakfast, and the most shocking pink highest heels I’ve ever seen. I dunno how she gets around in those. Back down the street to the Queens Arcade, which was open by then, and straight upstairs to the ladies…right by the water feature as described I realize I did that out of the usual order…heh…but then I had a bit more time and so had room for more coffee. I found a very nice little place right on the right side of the Arcade, and sat in the window and did a little more people watching. It got to be 0900 quite soon, and so I headed back to the Citibank. I did take a pic of the flag, and sent it off to my SO…he knew that when I sent that I was on my way in. He said afterwards he saw that flag and went..wow…she’s there. You’d think you were boarding a plane once you step out of the lifts…what with the bag screening and the walk-through scanner. He asked me if my cell was off, and put my bag in a locker, and gave me the ticket. All I took in was my paperwork files and my glasses …(middle-aged-eyes) He sent me to window 3, and said to buzz, but there was a lady sitting there already and she told me to take a seat and said she’d let them know I was there. I only waited for 10 minutes or so. Hard to tell though, I’d left my watch home, and was using my cellphone clock, but of course you can’t take that inside… I think I had the same two ladies that Kiwiana had, first the older lady, who did NOT tell me I was approved, but did say she would recommend they keep my passport, and then the younger blond lady. The first lady, the older one was very nice and quite chatty. She didn’t ask for much, our previous divorce paperwork, my long form birth certificate, my Canadian police certificate, his I-134 and my proof of funds. She had a checklist with boxes highlighted in yellow she ticked off. She did manage to misplace the receipt for the visa fee though…she took it off the front of my passport and never found it again. She said not to worry, she’d SEEN it…and so we went through everything I’d given her and she’d given back. As it happened I had the customer copy in my file, so she copied that and was happy. The second lady, quite a lot younger was very nice. She had me swear the oath that everything in there was true, and I signed that bit of paper you do when you are there. She went through our petition, and said…’oh…I see you were stuck at NVC in RANDOM checks for quite a while..!” Good grief….random! She had about half an inch of paper there she was looking at with little boxes all checked..I was desperate to ask if I could see it, but decided not to tempt fate. She redid a single fingerprint and that was all. I showed her some pics I’d taken from the webcam when she asked, as we hadn’t sent any of us together with the petition. We didn’t have any. Who knew? She laughed out loud at some that showed the grandchildren mugging in front of the laptop…not realizing I was watching them , and one where the youngest was showing me his pet snake, I think in an attempt to startle me. Didn’t work. Monty Python doesn’t worry me. She said it was all in order, and that I should have my passport back at the end of this week. Perhaps 15 minutes with her all up. I went back out through security, got my bag back and went back outside. I was half way back to the car when I actually realized what had just happened…good thing the car knows where I live because I think I was on auto-pilot. I must have looked quite mad…grinning all the way home. I called the boss and handed in my resignation, and we are looking at flights for the end of the month. It’s all go! I am so happy for you, it's been a long time coming, haha now just a few weeks to finish everything up and you'll be away. Ooh you must tell me the flatmates reaction heh...she was out when I got back...but she says she is quite pleased. Man I have a few loose ends yet to tidy up .. QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> and the boss's reaction, hehe Shock...horror..utter dismay....man it was lovely	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 22:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 03:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 1 2009, 05:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well it's the 3 forms you have to take with you to the medical, if that helps. sorry no, doesn't help at all, i need to be looking at the papers, i'm a bit of an airhead that way, sorry It's no problem. He figured it out, well that one anyways lol. But if anyone can answer these, it'd be wonderful. Sorry so many, he wants me to ask and all the forms are so confusing for us. =( - With the form DS-156(K): Do I need to send in Evidence of financial support as well, and what qualifies as evidence or is it another form to fill out and attach? You take those things with you from under the heading "THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A FIANCE(E) NONIMMIGRANT VISA" Even though it says attach, you take them to interview - With the form DS-156 Question 26. "How long do you intend to stay in the US?" What should I put here if I intend to marry and adjust status to live there permanently? I put Permanently -With the form DS-156 Question 32. "Do you intend to work in the US?" What should I put here if I intend to work after I'm adjusted and legally allowed to work? That is what I answered. - I'm asked to obtain a "Photo copy of all valid passports biographic data pages". Is this just the front page with my picture and details of the passport, or does this include any pages with stamps on it too? I sent them all the pages with the picture and details and any pages that had stamps - I'm also asked to obtain "Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support from your US citizen sponsor)". Is this really required, my fiance'e is in USA and I'm here in New Zealand, this would take some time to get? It certainly is required. It's a must have. He sent me mine my DHL, but you can send it any way that you can track. - Once receiving the package in my own country it asks me to send forms back, do I need to wait for any confirmation from that, or can I go ahead and schedule medical exam and then do interview to obtain visa? From the letter with packet three...there is a heading FIRST you can complete and return those things at once. Where it reads SECOND once you have all the things on that list, you sign the second letter that you get with the packet and retunr that to them. Then you can get an interview scheduled.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 21:58:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Approved ! Goodness ..the relief when you walk out of there I did get a good night’s sleep, to my surprise, I think working nights Friday and Saturday, and sleeping a bit on Sunday meant I was tired enough last night. I was up at 0500..but I’m used to that. I got in early...traffic being what it is in Auckland, and parking can be hard to find once the office workers start going in. Down Queen to Customs, and from there the first right at the corner by the Post Shop onto Commerce St. Right ahead there is a parking lot, which is actually on Fort St. Parked up by 0700. Course my appointment was ages away, but I hiked up Queen to Starbucks and sat in the window there for a bit watching people going to work, droves of them. Man the sights you see when you haven’t got a camera…I couldn’t work out whether some of them were on their way to work or to a party…one woman in a black dress so tight you could see what she’d had for breakfast, and the most shocking pink highest heels I’ve ever seen. I dunno how she gets around in those. Back down the street to the Queens Arcade, which was open by then, and straight upstairs to the ladies…right by the water feature as described I realize I did that out of the usual order…heh…but then I had a bit more time and so had room for more coffee. I found a very nice little place right on the right side of the Arcade, and sat in the window and did a little more people watching. It got to be 0900 quite soon, and so I headed back to the Citibank. I did take a pic of the flag, and sent it off to my SO…he knew that when I sent that I was on my way in. He said afterwards he saw that flag and went..wow…she’s there. You’d think you were boarding a plane once you step out of the lifts…what with the bag screening and the walk-through scanner. He asked me if my cell was off, and put my bag in a locker, and gave me the ticket. All I took in was my paperwork files and my glasses …(middle-aged-eyes) He sent me to window 3, and said to buzz, but there was a lady sitting there already and she told me to take a seat and said she’d let them know I was there. I only waited for 10 minutes or so. Hard to tell though, I’d left my watch home, and was using my cellphone clock, but of course you can’t take that inside… I think I had the same two ladies that Kiwiana had, first the older lady, who did NOT tell me I was approved, but did say she would recommend they keep my passport, and then the younger blond lady. The first lady, the older one was very nice and quite chatty. She didn’t ask for much, our previous divorce paperwork, my long form birth certificate, my Canadian police certificate, his I-134 and my proof of funds. She had a checklist with boxes highlighted in yellow she ticked off. She did manage to misplace the receipt for the visa fee though…she took it off the front of my passport and never found it again. She said not to worry, she’d SEEN it…and so we went through everything I’d given her and she’d given back. As it happened I had the customer copy in my file, so she copied that and was happy. The second lady, quite a lot younger was very nice. She had me swear the oath that everything in there was true, and I signed that bit of paper you do when you are there. She went through our petition, and said…’oh…I see you were stuck at NVC in RANDOM checks for quite a while..!” Good grief….random! She had about half an inch of paper there she was looking at with little boxes all checked..I was desperate to ask if I could see it, but decided not to tempt fate. She redid a single fingerprint and that was all. I showed her some pics I’d taken from the webcam when she asked, as we hadn’t sent any of us together with the petition. We didn’t have any. Who knew? She laughed out loud at some that showed the grandchildren mugging in front of the laptop…not realizing I was watching them , and one where the youngest was showing me his pet snake, I think in an attempt to startle me. Didn’t work. Monty Python doesn’t worry me. She said it was all in order, and that I should have my passport back at the end of this week. Perhaps 15 minutes with her all up. I went back out through security, got my bag back and went back outside. I was half way back to the car when I actually realized what had just happened…good thing the car knows where I live because I think I was on auto-pilot. I must have looked quite mad…grinning all the way home. I called the boss and handed in my resignation, and we are looking at flights for the end of the month. It’s all go!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 21:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 02:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 2 2009, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 12:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll let you know ! waiting...waiting...waiting...hehe It went well, and I'll have it in hand the end of the week. More directly! woohoo, omg that's so great, tho i knew you wouldn't have a problem, so when do you hand in your notice at work? Been there done that	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 21:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 12:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll let you know ! waiting...waiting...waiting...hehe It went well, and I'll have it in hand the end of the week. More directly!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 20:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I'll let you know !	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 02:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	It is tomorrow.. funny we've been waiting for the day for 18 months and now it's like...tomorrow?!? Already??? OMG! We've just gone over all the paperwork, it's all there, and I am hoping it is in an order so I can get at the bits they want, whatever they ask I think I have one of I am going to have to leave here for there well in advance of the appointment at 0930..traffic here sucks the big one in the morning. Miserable. I'd rather get there, and get one of Auckland's infamously difficult to find parking spots and get it over with. I can find somewhere to sit and drink coffee until the hour, and I won't be worried I am late. The flatmate thought she might drive me down at a decent hour, but her elderly mum...102 she is..has chosen this particular auspicious day to become most unwell at her resthome, and the Doctor was there in the middle of the night. As a result she didn't get much sleep overnight, and we are presently waiting for the phone to ring at any time to say it's over. Stressful although not unexpected, so I am making my own way in the morning. I will certainly be here tomorrow, either way it goes, to let you know the details. It will be a relief to have it over with. Either way.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 02:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I'll need both...and I'm looking too I copied this from a while back...I seem to remember Kim posting this... I think it was supposed to help with regard to auto insurance.. Transport Registry Centre Private Bag 11777 Manawatu Mail Centre 4442 NEW ZEALAND The list of traffic offences includes offences up to seven years old, including Demerit Suspensions records. It also includes information on traffic convictions and sentencing from court appearances. All Requests must include the following information: driver licence number (if known) full name (as shown on your licence) date of birth postal address (to have the information sent) OR email address (to receive the information electronically) contact phone number Please allow 10 working days after the request is received. There is no fee for this service. Edited by cdneh, 27 January 2009 - 01:30 AM.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-27 01:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jan 27 2009, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> well the e-mail to the embassy was a flop...they said..were booked untill the 26th, but if anything comes availible we'll let know...LOL LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!! oh well, just have to hang in there, made it this far..stillll bummer!!!! Well..it's a while, so you may strike it lucky! You've made it this far, and that's no small thing...chin up!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-27 01:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I have to give two weeks notice at work, and I'm not breathing a word of anything there until I know I've passed at interview. But ..I've been getting rid of things I can't take or don't want for nearly a year...made a few bob of trademe. I haven't got a houseful so I am lucky in that. My car goes to the flatmate, I have two boxes to ship, I've found a home for the rest of it. I am hoping, all going well, to be on my way by the end of February. All going well. Honestly, with all the hiccups and problems we have had I'm not counting on anything.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-24 14:56:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Give it a go..I had several emails back and forth with them...trying to work out a day they had an opening and I wans't going to be at work...they really did try and help. Have you everything else ready to go?	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-24 00:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Jan 24 2009, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Got my pink letter today As I requested, the consulate has made my interview during my fiance's holiday so that he will be here to attend. Yay! Pink ..ain't it	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-23 11:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jan 23 2009, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi everyone, still waiting for an interview date, but i have a question..he recieved a letter ( we thought it was the pink paper..lol...wasn't) it was from the xray and another from dept of labor but the letter came from new zealand imagration...is this a normal thing to get? never heard anyone getting this ..and the consulate called telling him he needed to do the ds156 on-line..and she was saying something about police certifiate but his phone was playing up and couldnt hear her properly..sooo? maybe someone could fill in the blanks...thanks The Dr sent me a copy of the xray report, but I didn't get anything else. Perhaps as I am a Canadian living here I wouldn't have... As far as the consulate calling about the ds156...he needs to do that online, which prints out a form with a bar code on it. The address to go to online to print out the form should be on the letter he got with packet three. He needs to send the paper he got with packet three back that allows them to get his police certificate. They do the NZ one for you . You can email them at: AucklandIV@state.gov They are very good at getting back with any answers you might need..	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-23 01:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Jan 22 2009, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I had my medical today with Dr Stone. Only had to get one shot Thank you cdneh for all your help and advice!!! No worries...glad it all went well	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-22 03:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Oh dear..consulate dreams It is not long...and I am trying very hard not to think about it until I get my night shifts this week over with. Then on my four days off, I plan to take this 40 kilos of assorted sorts of paper, and put it all into some sort of reasonable order...I have some pictures to print and that sort of thing. Then I am putting in all away and not looking at it again until the day before. I am acting team manager for the four days right before the interview. I wasn't dead keen on it, I'd rather dispatch, but needs must I suppose, and there aren't any others who can step up. It might be the last time though that I have to spend the entire four days on wearing rank and on my feet 12 hours at a pop. Consoling myself with thinking it will hopefully be the last time, and also that it will keep me so busy I won't have the time to stress. What am I thinking...lol..course I will. So much is riding on the outcome of a few hours the morning of the 2nd February...	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-21 15:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	*ack* ...heh..it is...and Kim I bet you can hear my knees knocking from there...	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-20 14:33:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 02:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is tomorrow.. funny we've been waiting for the day for 18 months and now it's like...tomorrow?!? Already??? OMG! We've just gone over all the paperwork, it's all there, and I am hoping it is in an order so I can get at the bits they want, whatever they ask I think I have one of I am going to have to leave here for there well in advance of the appointment at 0930..traffic here sucks the big one in the morning. Miserable. I'd rather get there, and get one of Auckland's infamously difficult to find parking spots and get it over with. I can find somewhere to sit and drink coffee until the hour, and I won't be worried I am late. The flatmate thought she might drive me down at a decent hour, but her elderly mum...102 she is..has chosen this particular auspicious day to become most unwell at her resthome, and the Doctor was there in the middle of the night. As a result she didn't get much sleep overnight, and we are presently waiting for the phone to ring at any time to say it's over. Stressful although not unexpected, so I am making my own way in the morning. I will certainly be here tomorrow, either way it goes, to let you know the details. It will be a relief to have it over with. Either way. yes the traffic definitely sucks in the morning!! I will be thinking of you tomorrow and am looking forward to reading all about it!! (when i get home from work) All the very best!!!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 02:26:00