Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
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
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jan 31 2009, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think I worded that poorly. What I meant was can I call the doc and make an appointment for the next day, or does it take like a few weeks to get in to see the Doc? yes it depends on the doctor you are seeing. He may be booked up or he may make allowances for immigration related medicals. so the sooner you phone and get an appointment the better, i would say!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jan 31 2009, 09:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe someone can just answer for me if the medical is something that needs to be made a day or two ahead of time, or is it something that takes weeks to set up? As michelle said, the doc needs time to send everything to the consulate, so the sooner one can get the medical done the better, (if not just for peace of mind ) My packet 3 arrived on a tuesday, that afternoon when i got home from work, i phoned the docs up and was able to get an appointment on the thurs (so only had to wait two days). It depends on where you go and the docs policy there. But as i said, maybe for peace of mind, get it out of the way as soon as possible.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:34:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	ok just looked at cdnehs signature.. it IS tomorrow!! i tell ya, i'm going stir crazy with this process!! All the best for tomorrow cdneh!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 18:23:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	cdneh: OH BOY! See! this process is definitely messing with my mind.. It is NEXT monday you go to the interview isn't it?? DUH!! what colour is red kiwiana????? (very red faced!) ok time to crawl under my rock	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 18:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Jan 31 2009, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> eeek, it never occurred to me to send packet 3 back in a courier envelope, dang i wish i had now i was waiting for my house to sell before sending in packet 3, but got too impatient and decided to send it back anyway, we have a conditional contract on the house which hopefully (*please dear lord) will go unconditional on the 10th feb. i still need to see the doctor and now waiting for the next letter from the consulate advising of my interview date feels like i'm in a constant state of stress and i'll be jolly glad when it's all over, well this part anyway, and back in the states with rob. congratulations on the conditional contract!! hoping it all goes well for the 10th!! you are nearly there!! yay!!! It is a very stressful time indeed. I think i have added a few hundred more grey hairs on my head through this process!! and bags so heavy under my eyes that they could accomodate a jumbo jet through lack of sleep!! By the time i get to usa my SO will be saying 'who are you? i don't recognise you?' when do you think you will go for a medical? let us know how everything goes!!! Dave_N_Genna: wish i could help you with the docs in wellington but i went to one in Auckland. hope someone can answer your question for you cdneh: where are you???? Tomorrow is the BIG day!! woo hooooo!!!! I am thinking of you!! All the best for tomorrow, though i know everything is going to be A OK!!!!! please let us all know how it goes.. we want EVERY minute detail!!!!!!!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 18:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jan 30 2009, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can someone tell me to which address my fiancee is supposed to send her Packet 3 return packet (checklist, Police Certificate form, 2 passport photos, passport photocopy, DS-230, DS-156, DS-156K) I have the following addresses, with no indication of which one to use: Consulate General of the United States of America Private Bag 92022, Auckland 1142 New Zealand OR U.S. Consulate General Level 3 Citibank Building 23 Customs St East Auckland New Zealand 92022 ALSO, to make things still more confusing... the letters my Fiancee got from the consulate list the building as the CitiGROUP Building... and everything else I have ever seen lists the building as the CitiBANK Building... does anyone know which one it really is??? Thx for any help! i was in the same dilemma before i mailed back my packet 3. I had written the p.o box address on the front of a large white envelope and then sealed it.. Took it into post office and said i wanted it to go in a courier bag (track and trace). After i wrote the address on the courier bag, the lady at post office looked at it and said.. oh the courier only delivers to 'actual' addresses. I said, well i don't have the other address on me.. so anyway, i sent it off with the p.o. box addy on it and the embassy signed for it, so the courier delivered it ok. The different addresses they list do make it very confusing but I don't think it really matters what address it is sent to. The consulate is on the third floor of the citibank building (i think its BANK?) ( i hadn't noticed that they call it citigroup aswell, now that IS confusing) But i would like to think that anyone in the postal service would know where the American Consulate in Auckland city was.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-30 23:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (yankiwi @ Jan 27 2009, 02:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey all!! Wow, everyone sure has been busy! I may not get the chance to post much, but I try to catch up on reading this thread about once a week. I've been keeping you all in my thoughts as you've waited out the paperwork process, and done happy dances as the approvals have come in!! Plus more than a bit of grumbling at the universe on behalf of cdneh ;-) We've got less than 3 weeks left in NZ! I'm not as excited about it as I thought I would be, but that's probably mostly me dreading getting everything done, and the flight to the US. The movers come and we hand over the keys to our flat on Feb. 5th...and I haven't gotten the cleaners scheduled yet, nor is the packing done. I swear every time I thin out our possessions they breed while we sleep. Feb. 12 we fly out of Auckland, our POE is San Francisco. After much debating back and forth we decided that choosing between North Carolina and California was too hard without actually visiting the areas, pricing apartments, and checking out the local scene. So, Chris' boss has been gracious enough to agree to the following plan: 2 weeks in the Bay area. Chris will work on-site there and get a feel for the work environment and in the evenings and weekends we'll drive around and try to picture ourselves living there! 2 weeks in Alabama to visit my family and friends in the area, and get all my belongings sorted out there, so they are ready to ship to wherever we settle. 2 weeks in North Carolina to check out the Raleigh/Durham area, price housing, and figure out if living there is worth having Chris continue to do contracting work remotely for the company instead of moving to Cali and working at the office....plus we'll go up to Virginia for a weekend to visit my grandmother and aunt. During all our travels Chris will continue to work remotely so there will be no loss of productivity for the company, as well as get as many hours in while we're moving as is possible. By the first of April we'll know where we're going to live for the next few years! A little unconventional, yes, but at least we won't be committing to a place sight unseen, and we'll get in a good portion of our visiting before settling down for a bit! We all know how much smaller the vacation time is in the US. I checked NZ Post site for their biggest "Weigh-To-Go" box (510 x 405 x 280mm). At a final weight of 20 kg it'll cost $233 to send it International Economy (which takes a few weeks). 10 kg is $138.50 So we bought some and those boxes are bigger than I thought they were! They'll definitely get our documents, some books, clothes, and keepsake stuff there (with a good taping). I think 2-3 would sort out anything you'd need to ship. I'll be mailing off some boxes to the US later on this week! If you're gonna ship big boxes to the US make sure to get the big red customs label, not the little green one. Wow! less than 3 weeks to go!! the time has flown! It sounds like a great idea to check out the places first. pricing apartments etc before deciding where to live. The cost of shipping the boxes are reasonable considering the weight. QUOTE I swear everytime i thin out our possessions they breed while asleep I thought it was just me that noticed this!! cdneh: i will send away for this tomorrow	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-27 03:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	kelvan: yes the police report goes to the embassy, like the medical exam results ivannaloveskiwi: sorry that you couldn't get the date changed but at least you gave it a try. I know it's not much of a consolation, but it will give you guys time to double and triple check that you have all the documentation etc ready for the interview. cdneh: did you sort out any medical or car insurance for usa? my fiance doesn't think i can be added to his car insurance. I will go stir crazy if i can't drive over there!!! Anyone got any suggestions of any car insurance companies over there that i could look into? The same with medical insurance?. I looked at a few medical insurance sites a little while ago but got totally confused with what would be the best policy to take.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-27 01:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Jan 25 2009, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi everyone! I have another question regarding the things I need to take in for my interview... "Police certificate from all places lived for one year since age 16". How do I go about getting one of these? Does this certificate have anything to do with the 'enclosed application for NZ police certificate' that I filled out and returned in packet 3? Also, do I have to get my birth certificate copy signed by a JP? yes the application form you signed and sent back to embassy is giving permission for them to do a police check on you. That is all that is needed, unless you lived overseas for 6 months or more since the age of 16 and need one from there. Is the birth certificate the certified copy and not a photo copy? As far as i know you don't need it signed by a JP if it's the one that you got from births, deaths, marriages place.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-25 21:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jan 24 2009, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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. That's good that you made an early start of getting rid of stuff I did start sorting out my cd collection a few months ago and had narrowed it down a bit but still had lots to sort through. I didn't think that i owned a lot of things, but it is soo time consuming going through stuff and after a few hours, kinda get bored with it and go off on a different trail. It will be a sharp contrast to when i am over there. My worldly belongings will fit into TWO suitcases!! yikes! Is it expensive to ship two boxes over there? The interview is going to be just fine! I was glad that there was the Queens arcade nearby, so i could sit down after the interview and take in all that had just happened! And thank goodness for the bathroom at the arcade too!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-24 19:12:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (ivannnaloveskiwi @ Jan 24 2009, 03:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yes, everything is in order...except for some funds on his part..i told him to sell his car! put it in the bank..lol at least it would be something..everything else is done and payed for.. i just need him..NOW!!! it's just that interview date is like 5 wks away.. we planned on 3.. then waiting for the visa..and getting a flight...throws off the plans we have made with family, a wedding, our life..i hope he hears something..maybe by tues.. i think mon is another holiday for nz, they really make out on that.. yes monday is Auckland anniversary day and then on 6th feb is another public holiday (waitangi day) Once the interview is over, it doesn't take long for the visa to arrive It just happened to be a public holiday (yep another one ) the week i was waiting for the visa to come. So i had the interview on a friday and the visa arrived the following Friday.(i was getting impatient waiting and emailed the embassy to ask if they had sent it out, but a week isn't bad really with the public holiday and weekend included as well.) The embassy are usually very fast at replying to emails so if your SO sends one to them this weekend, they will surely reply Tuesday morning! Kelvan: yes i hope it will be sooner than later. I have been sorting through all my cds. And i have 5 boxes piled up ready to take to Real Groovy (as i can't take them with me) The sorting out process is rather long and tedious. And then i stop to do something else, have a milo etc and then find it hard to get back into it again. When i gave the guard at the consulate the pink letter, he had to hold it away from him to read it. I think it blinded him!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-24 04:44:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jan 23 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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 yay! the pink letter!!! it will be wonderful that your fiance will be there with you The package arrived for me yesterday from the consulate. With my visa in the passport and the 'infamous, mysterious, intriguing' yellow envelope.. That you are not allowed to open! There was a three page instruction letter on what to do when get to usa airport and the forms you have to fill in once in usa etc. It says not to pack the yellow envelope but to hand carry it.. not sure i can hold on to that baby for 12 hours straight!! Now that i have the visa in hand, I just want to go asap!!! and said to my SO last night that if i could i would jump on the next available plane!! but there are still loose ends that need to be tied up here and getting rid of household stuff etc.. you know the drill! but i am hoping it won't be later than March that i go!! Oh how i hope it will be sooner!! I miss him soo much!! ivannaloveskiwi: I'm not 100% sure but i think your fiance maybe able to ask the embassy for an earlier appointment. I would think they would try and accommodate as best as they can. They are really soo helpful and kind. He should email them at the addy cdneh gave to you with a request. Good luck!! cdneh: 9 days to go!! yippee!!!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-23 18:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I have been waiting impatiently all week for my k-1 package to arrive. Looking on the track and trace site like a zillion times and nothing. So last night i emailed the embassy and asked them when/if the package be sent out. I have been starting to have all these worst case scenarios in my head of why it hasn't arrived. Then last night i had this wacky dream about it. I had phoned the embassy to see where the package was and they told me that they had looked over my file again and had found a lot of spelling mistakes and so now couldn't issue me a visa until i had redone all the paperwork again from scratch, this time with no spelling mistakes.. i was gutted!! Anyway, all my crazy thoughts and dream was put to rest when i received an email reply from embassy early this morning. They said it was completed wednesday and put in the courier pile. It will go out today!!! whew!! Can't praise enough about the embassy staff! they are fantastic!! kelvan: that's wonderful that the consulate will try and get the interview slotted for when your fiance is here!! kim&russ: I wanted to post a consulate review but every time i try it comes up with this: >> you must be registered to post a review please register first! << well i am registered aren't i? I emailed capt ewok but no reply yet. I realise he is a very busy person so wondered if you might know what the problem is and how i can fix it? cdneh: I'm counting down the days for your interview. only 11 days to go!!! yay!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-21 15:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I've been looking to see if there are any other Kiwis living near me, since sometimes I just wish I could hear that familiar accent. Thought I'd post the link to a small but growing group of Kiwis in the San Jose area. I'm just organising to have coffee with one of the members who comes through my town for work. Yippee. http://expatnewzeala....meetup.com/30/	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-29 02:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Wow, things are really humming around here! For those of you looking at Auto Insurance and planning to live in California here's what I discovered: - It's mandatory to have Auto Insurance in California. You have to carry proof of it in your vehicle at all times. - Once you're a resident for more than 10 days you need to get a California drivers license. You can drive on your NZ license for a year, however technically once you've got a physical address and/or get any of those things like bank accounts that mean you've settled, you've become a resident. It's likely something you can get away with if pulled over, but for me I thought it was easiest to just get the license. - Nearly every job I look at has as a requirement possession of a California's drivers license. - I got added to my husbands insurance no problem. We use esurance, it was all done online, premiums went up $5 a month to cover me and the additional car we now have. I also got approved by Geico and reasonable prices. So my advice is to go and sit your California drivers license, you need your social security number to do this. It's pretty simple, I went in and took the test on the same day, the DMV site has all the guides and sample tests online. I sat my practical test a couple of days later. Once you have that California drivers license check out Geico, esurance and progressive. All of them give you online quotes, none charged me extra for being 'foreign'.	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-28 21:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	You don't need to get the copy of your birth certificate signed. As long as you have the original so that they can sight that and verify that the copy is from a valid original that's all they need, so just remember to take your original and copy in with you and it'll be fine	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-25 23:16:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	and the boss's reaction, hehe	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 21:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 21:54:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 20:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 20:23:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok question.. We got the packet 3 stuff. And out of the 3 forms you take to the doctor, does it have to be the parent's medical information? Or is that something totally different? sorry i'm at work and don't have packet 3 with me, can let you know that i just rang dr stone's surgery for an appointment and they could give me one this week but i chose next monday as i still have to go see my doctor for my hep b shot i must admit i'm getting rather excited, getting closer and closer to my honey	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 18:25:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll let you know ! waiting...waiting...waiting...hehe	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 18:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 1 2009, 03:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Jan 31 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 1 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe someone can just answer for me if the medical is something that needs to be made a day or two ahead of time, or is it something that takes weeks to set up? i think it probably depends on where you go, but i would try and get it done a week or two before the interview as the doctor will need time to send all the paperwork on to the consulate. I think I worded that poorly. What I meant was can I call the doc and make an appointment for the next day, or does it take like a few weeks to get in to see the Doc? i think that would depend on the doctor you're going to see and how busy they are, i would ring them and ask.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:35:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 1 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe someone can just answer for me if the medical is something that needs to be made a day or two ahead of time, or is it something that takes weeks to set up? i think it probably depends on where you go, but i would try and get it done a week or two before the interview as the doctor will need time to send all the paperwork on to the consulate.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:24:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Feb 1 2009, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is a very stressful time indeed. I think i have added a few hundred more grey hairs on my head through this process!! and bags so heavy under my eyes that they could accomodate a jumbo jet through lack of sleep!! i wish grey hair was my only problem, i seem to be inhaling everything edible that comes near me, i'm the size of a house and i can't seem to stop myself, and i know it's cos of the stress oh and i also have the grey hairs but at least i can cover that with hair dye	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 19:32:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jan 31 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i was in the same dilemma before i mailed back my packet 3. I had written the p.o box address on the front of a large white envelope and then sealed it.. Took it into post office and said i wanted it to go in a courier bag (track and trace). After i wrote the address on the courier bag, the lady at post office looked at it and said.. oh the courier only delivers to 'actual' addresses. I said, well i don't have the other address on me.. so anyway, i sent it off with the p.o. box addy on it and the embassy signed for it, so the courier delivered it ok. The different addresses they list do make it very confusing but I don't think it really matters what address it is sent to. The consulate is on the third floor of the citibank building (i think its BANK?) ( i hadn't noticed that they call it citigroup aswell, now that IS confusing) But i would like to think that anyone in the postal service would know where the American Consulate in Auckland city was. eeek, it never occurred to me to send packet 3 back in a courier envelope, dang i wish i had now i was waiting for my house to sell before sending in packet 3, but got too impatient and decided to send it back anyway, we have a conditional contract on the house which hopefully (*please dear lord) will go unconditional on the 10th feb. i still need to see the doctor and now waiting for the next letter from the consulate advising of my interview date feels like i'm in a constant state of stress and i'll be jolly glad when it's all over, well this part anyway, and back in the states with rob.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-01-31 17:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hmmm i just tried signing up but it keep telling me to enter my zip code... yet there was nowhere to enter it?? i don't understand! we're about an hour away from san jose, but i'm sure we could make a day trip out of visiting at some stage. we're off to LA this weekend on a bit of spur-of-the-moment trip.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-29 02:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hi guys! still no decision here on what to do... but we're reading vj all the time, and leaning towards staying here instead of doing k-1. one thing i'm concerned about: medical/dental insurance. my travel insurance runs out when my visa expires, and being put on j's work insurance is gonna cost over $350 p/month... and i don't work in a job that provides health insurance, nor am i likely to anytime in the future. i'm getting pretty stressed about this. if any of you find good insurance plans, please post them here!	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-01-28 01:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I asked to send packet 3 off in the fastest way possible and this is what happened... I went to Victoria St NZ Post Shop (near my work) and the guy was like "The post box is actually right here, but it's $2.00 service fee for me to put it into the box"! cdneh: Good luck for your interview tomorrow!!! Edited by Kelvan, 31 January 2009 - 06:11 PM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-31 18:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thanks for your help kelzm and kiwana! What on earth would I do without all your help guys cdneh: Not long to go now til your interview! Hope it goes well, I'm sure it will. yankiwi: I can see myself in the exact same situation as you. We are looking at living in SF, but it's hard to say without going there and BEING there and experiencing what it's like beforehand.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-27 04:22:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Yay! Do the police report files get sent directly to the consulate? I'm assuming my medical exam results get sent straight there as well. I have my original birth certificate (it has my name and addy, and both my parents names on it, it's very old!) And I have taken a photocopy because it says on the instructions from the consulate "Birth certificate for you, and one photocopy for our files". I was just wondering if they wanted me to get the photocopy one signed	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-25 21:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi everyone! I have another question regarding the things I need to take in for my interview... "Police certificate from all places lived for one year since age 16". How do I go about getting one of these? Does this certificate have anything to do with the 'enclosed application for NZ police certificate' that I filled out and returned in packet 3? Also, do I have to get my birth certificate copy signed by a JP? Edited by Kelvan, 25 January 2009 - 09:02 PM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-25 21:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Jan 24 2009, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yay! Pink ..ain't it I know! As soon as I opened the envelope I saw something pink inside and was like "YAAAAAAAY". You were right cdneh, I couldn't miss it, it's VERY pink Kiwiana: I hope you manage to get everything sorted quickly and then you are off to the USA	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-24 03:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-23 06:42:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I had my medical today with Dr Stone. Only had to get one shot Thank you cdneh for all your help and advice!!!	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-22 02:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Jan 31 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 1 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe someone can just answer for me if the medical is something that needs to be made a day or two ahead of time, or is it something that takes weeks to set up? i think it probably depends on where you go, but i would try and get it done a week or two before the interview as the doctor will need time to send all the paperwork on to the consulate. I think I worded that poorly. What I meant was can I call the doc and make an appointment for the next day, or does it take like a few weeks to get in to see the Doc?	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:30:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Maybe someone can just answer for me if the medical is something that needs to be made a day or two ahead of time, or is it something that takes weeks to set up?	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-31 21:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Did anyone here use the Wellington Terrace Medical Clinic for the K1 pre-interview exam? How quickly were they able to get you in for an appointment? Edited by Dave_n_Genna, 31 January 2009 - 05:16 PM.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-31 17:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Jan 30 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Jan 30 2009, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can someone tell me to which address my fiancee is supposed to send her Packet 3 return packet (checklist, Police Certificate form, 2 passport photos, passport photocopy, DS-230, DS-156, DS-156K) I have the following addresses, with no indication of which one to use: Consulate General of the United States of America Private Bag 92022, Auckland 1142 New Zealand OR U.S. Consulate General Level 3 Citibank Building 23 Customs St East Auckland New Zealand 92022 ALSO, to make things still more confusing... the letters my Fiancee got from the consulate list the building as the CitiGROUP Building... and everything else I have ever seen lists the building as the CitiBANK Building... does anyone know which one it really is??? Thx for any help! i was in the same dilemma before i mailed back my packet 3. I had written the p.o box address on the front of a large white envelope and then sealed it.. Took it into post office and said i wanted it to go in a courier bag (track and trace). After i wrote the address on the courier bag, the lady at post office looked at it and said.. oh the courier only delivers to 'actual' addresses. I said, well i don't have the other address on me.. so anyway, i sent it off with the p.o. box addy on it and the embassy signed for it, so the courier delivered it ok. The different addresses they list do make it very confusing but I don't think it really matters what address it is sent to. The consulate is on the third floor of the citibank building (i think its BANK?) ( i hadn't noticed that they call it citigroup aswell, now that IS confusing) But i would like to think that anyone in the postal service would know where the American Consulate in Auckland city was. haha, yeah, one would certainly hope they would know what you meant. Okay, I guess I will use the same one you used. Thx loads for the help =)	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-01-30 23:46:00