Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	If they have the sense the good lord gave a fencepost they will be dismayed ..plenty	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 23:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 5 2009, 02:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i was nervous as heck, i'd just about convinced myself that they wouldn't let me in cos i'm too fat but the doctor said that wouldn't happen. he was amazing, made me feel very comfortable, was a good laugh in fact, i read and reread your post on your visit to the doctor and it all went really smoothly i found the doctor, the xray place and the place to have the blood tests. i think you were very game walking that road, i drove and google maps with street view made finding everything so much easier now i'm just hanging out for tuesday and my interview yay!! it's good that part is now all over!! The doctor really puts you at ease. And it's great that all the other places aren't so far away from the docs! (but do recommend for anyone over 40 (or who isn't fit) to drive and not walk from the docs to xray place everything is now just speeding along for you!! just a couple more days and then the interview! just magic!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-05 04:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 4 2009, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My SO has a student loan to pay off but he's doing it before he leaves to come over here because he's afraid that they will arrest him if he tries coming back or something idk. Not sure how all that works over there =) I had a question about the I-134.. what did you all use as the evidence of income part, where it asks for a 'statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account: 1. Date account opened 2. Total amount deposited for the past year, and 3. Present balance." I got a letter from my bank stating the average monthly balance (was best they could do apparently =/). But my sponsor is having trouble coming up with statements from every month and such. She had to purchase copies of her statements because her bank only goes back 6 months. >.< Glad I'm with my bank for once lol. Also, for the interview, they said he should bring proof of funds and ability to support himself in the US and a resume. I get the resume part but what are good things of the other to bring? Bank statements, pay stubs, list of college classes taken? Thanks so much for all the help through this, you all have been wonderful. I know I'd be lost and stressed more than I am now without your help. Nice to see so many of you progressing through this! And good luck to those still in the process. Hope you get yours soon. For the 1-134 my SO supplied 6 pay stubs and a letter from his employer stating how long he had worked there and his hourly rate of pay etc. The tax transcript never arrived in time, so that is basically all i had to show them. Although his income was below the poverty guidelines, we decided not to get a co-sponsor at that stage (but will have to at AOS) I took my resume and bank statements showing my funds. They never looked at the resume and the bank statements they looked at but didn't say anything.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-05 03:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 3 2009, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yes they certainly are, had to move up my doctors appointment to tomorrow as my interview at the consulate in on tuesday 10th feb How'd it go at the medical today?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-05 01:24:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	so much has been happening today! It's all systems go here!! great stuff!!! cdneh: The package arrived soo fast!! Is your yellow/brown mysterious envelope all cellotaped up at the back?? Mine is sealed up like fort knox!! and has an official stamp over the cellotaped part. I have put it away in my back pack (that i usually take on the plane with me). That way i know it won't get misplaced. i wondered if you may be able to tell me what medical insurance you will use, when the time comes to get it please?. As all the plans i have looked at for new immigrants are like $600US for 6 months. Not sure if that is reasonable price to pay. I went and changed up some money yesterday into US dollars. It was like 49cents US for every NZ dollar!! just shocking! last year it was almost 80cents. It's almost criminal to see how less one gets now for the dollar. michelle: Congratulations on the contract of your house going unconditional!! yay!!! And WOW! every thing is full steam ahead now with the medical tomorrow and then the interview only days away!! Just wonderful!!! Dave_N_Genna: The embassy are just fantastic!! They put in 110% effort to help everyone as quickly as possible. If there was a competition to see who the best USA embassy worldwide was, i think they would win it hands down!! That's just terrific that you have a March 6th interview!!! Hope you will keep us posted on how everything goes!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-03 22:33:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 1 2009, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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 that's great about the medical! They are pretty fast with the appointment bookings!! Don't have to wait long at all.. amaciar: sounds like the doc your husband saw wasn't the best. Maybe Dave_N_Genna may be able to find another doctor in their area.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-02 01:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 09:40 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! woo hoo!!! I'm soo happy for you!!! Did you have to wait long for the younger woman to interview you? It definitely sounds like they were the same two women that I saw. They are both lovely!! The security part is weird, as you certainly don't expect it once the lift doors open! was there many other people in there waiting to be seen? I know how you felt once you left the building!! I walked to the queens arcade and just sat down trying to take in all what had happened! It all seemed so surreal. That's wonderful that you have given notice at work!! will you give your self a week or two before you leave to tie up any loose ends or will you work right up? Around the 16th Feb, air new zealand and qantas usually have their 'one world' on sale (every year), so am hoping they will do the same this year. ooooh this is soo exciting!!! After all this waiting, it is finally over!! congratulations!! footnote: The bathroom at the Queens Arcade is a godsend!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-02 01:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Congratulations, Cdneh, Michelle, Lisa&Tim......you're all moving along nicely, just about there the lot of you Kiwiana...... The countdown is on, not long to go till you're jetting off to the norhtern hemisphere...lol.......have you booked your ticket etc yet? We tied the knot on Tuesday just gone. With having no family or friends here it was just a simple ceremony with only Chris and I there. We'll have a few days away next week. I'm hoping to convince him to have another ceremony when I manage to drag him downunder, nothing extravagant, but with family and friends and a few more frills...... We had the ceremony, then shot down the road to the county clerks office and finished the registration and collected the marriage certificate, then off to SSN to change my name on my card, then down to North Little Rock for a slap up lunch of lobster, scallops and shrimp....the scallops were devine........being in the mid/south west, i've been missing my seafood fix Now to the next step........the dreaded AOS paperwork trail	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-05 13:12:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Feb 5 2009, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 3 2009, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yes they certainly are, had to move up my doctors appointment to tomorrow as my interview at the consulate in on tuesday 10th feb How'd it go at the medical today? i was nervous as heck, i'd just about convinced myself that they wouldn't let me in cos i'm too fat but the doctor said that wouldn't happen. he was amazing, made me feel very comfortable, was a good laugh in fact, i read and reread your post on your visit to the doctor and it all went really smoothly i found the doctor, the xray place and the place to have the blood tests. i think you were very game walking that road, i drove and google maps with street view made finding everything so much easier now i'm just hanging out for tuesday and my interview	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-05 02:13:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 4 2009, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> they upside is that if you have nz debt to pay off (i have a student loan), it's much easier when you're over here earning US dollars. hmm i don't have one, but my son does, hopefully i'll be able to help him out with it Edited by Michelle.S, 04 February 2009 - 09:04 AM.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-04 09:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 4 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> if you can manage, i would recommend holding out on exchanging your nz dollars. the exchange is completely ####### for you right now, but will pick up in the next few months, probably. yes we had thought of that too, i'll just take a little bit with me and leave the rest for when the exchange rates improve	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-04 01:04:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 4 2009, 12:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> YAY! I already got an Email back form the consulate. They cleared up the case # fiasco, received her paperwork, mailed us a reply, and scheduled her Interview for 9:15am on March 6th! They are so freaking efficient! yes they certainly are, had to move up my doctors appointment to tomorrow as my interview at the consulate in on tuesday 10th feb	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-03 21:12:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	hehe i will, as soon as i get home, at my ex's at the moment and YAY for you too on getting your passport/visa back so quickly this is all so very exciting	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-03 16:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	contract on house is now unconditional, all i need now is my appointment with dr stone on monday and my interview at the consulate oh and i sent packet 3 back last tuesday, am i being too impatient? Edited by Michelle.S, 03 February 2009 - 04:09 PM.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-03 16:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 3 2009, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Michelle...you are looking for this:  Michelle.jpg   288.83KB   11 downloads you're a godsend Kate, i'm 99.999% sure i sent that back	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-03 01:06:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 3 2009, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Have you sent back the letter to sign, that says you have everything in part 2? eeek what? i sent back everything except the doctors forms, i think	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-02 19:25:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 3 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Feb 2 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, most likely a different Consulate. You can contact the Embassy via email and ask them what they will require of you. They are extremely helpful and will tell you what you need. Michelle's SO is also on disability so she may be able to offer some insight. My thougths are that you will just need a co-sponsor. Hopefully you will be ok and be working by the time AOS comes. Thanks! One more question, sorry if I am a pest. . . On question 7 on the I-134, it says, I am employed as or engaged in the business of ___. . . Thing is, social security disability isn't a job so do I say none, or none see attached sheet and say where I derive my income from? i don't recall what Rob put on his form, again i'm at work, usually look at the forums when i'm at work, one of the few sites they let us into. i'll try and remember to look tonight or tomorrow and let you know. In regards to Rob's income, he's just given me what he gets from disability, a letter from them saying what he gets now, and what he got last year, he won't be working any time soon as his doctor thinks he needs a lung transplant, and if he eventually does go back to work it would only be part time, we have his parents as joint sponsors as we will be living with them for a while and we have his friend who will be a co-sponsor if needed and we'll have the money from the sale of my house here, i think we now have sufficient financial support/assets that it shouldn't be a problem, at least that's what i'm telling myself, doesn't mean i'm not going to be nervous about it all when it comes to my interview tho. ** Now a question from me, does anyone recall how long after they sent packet 3 back they got the letter with the interview date on it? i'm still anxiously waiting.	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-02 18:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 2 2009, 04:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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 haha you are so wicked, i can't wait for my turn, tho this lot here know all about it so there will be no shock or horror but i am hoping for some dismay lol	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-01 23:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	lisa - tell your SO that he doesn't need to pay off his loan before he leaves: he just needs to contact IRD and tell them. he will have a 3 year repayment holiday for the first 3 yrs he's overseas (meaning he doesn't have to make any payments for 3 yrs, although it's a good idea to still make payments to avoid so much interest building up), then he will have to make twice yearly payments. not sure how they work out the amount, but he definitely shouldn't feel pressured to pay it before he moves to the US.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-04 21:51:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	they upside is that if you have nz debt to pay off (i have a student loan), it's much easier when you're over here earning US dollars.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-04 01:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	if you can manage, i would recommend holding out on exchanging your nz dollars. the exchange is completely ####### for you right now, but will pick up in the next few months, probably. Edited by rubyred, 03 February 2009 - 10:52 PM.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-03 22:52:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	CONGRATZ CDNEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so happy for you we just spent a weekend in LA, got to meet the guy who runs the website j and i met on - totally awesome guy, had a fantastic time hanging out with him and his girlfriend. and i fell in love with LA!	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-02 21:36:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 3 2009, 05:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hehe didn't think I'd be the only one. We were saying they should add a page of what needs to be done in better writing or just a page that goes 1. do this, 2. then this, which they kind of do already but it's confusing. And some of the questions are just worded strangely, even for me, an ex-english major lol. But maybe I had difficulty cuz of the ex-major part lol. I tried looking for examples on google but no luck =( Hey no worries! I had the same conversation with my fiance about how they should make it clearer what to do exactly. Would have saved me a lot of time and stressing out, but oh well! Glad we have a place like this to come to and ask questions When you have your medical, make sure to take your case number, it starts with an ACK... Hey guys a question... it says to bring 'evidence of a fiance relationship' to the interview. I thought they had received the first package we sent over in the US with all my evidence. Do I have to redo it all again? Also, what other forms do you recommend (besides plane tickets, itineraries, photos)? Edited by Kelvan, 03 February 2009 - 04:03 AM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-03 04:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 12:27 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? I too was very confused at this! It tells you to attach everything, but you just send the form in on its own and take the attachments to the 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 'Indefinitely' -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? "I will apply for a job once I am legally allowed to" - 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 think it just means the pages with your picture/details. But I sent my stamps pages too just in case - 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? Yes, ask him to send it to you and then take it to the interview. - 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? Send ALL initial forms back (the ones listed in the first section of the instructions). I think you're supposed to have your medical first, but I had mine after I sent those forms back and I don't think it makes a difference. The doctor will forward all your medical reports to the embassy so you don't need to worry about it And also, the police report (assuming you filled in the application and sent it back) gets forwarded to them too so don't worry about that! You had the exact same questions I had a week ago! cdneh: Congratulations on your visa approved!!! I' so happy for you, how exciting! Do they keep the evidence that you bring to the interview? (photos etc) Edited by Kelvan, 02 February 2009 - 03:00 AM.	Kelvan	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 02:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	YAY! I already got an Email back form the consulate. They cleared up the case # fiasco, received her paperwork, mailed us a reply, and scheduled her Interview for 9:15am on March 6th! They are so freaking efficient! Edited by Dave_n_Genna, 03 February 2009 - 06:08 PM.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-03 18:06:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thank you. I have sent off and Email. I am so stressed right now... not only worried that perhaps they are going to attach those forms to someone else case, but also that they may not even receive the forms.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-03 16:04:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Has anyone successfully called the consulate from the US? I have been trying for the last hour and only getting the keypad selection runaround and then disconnects. I really need to ask them about the 2 Case #'s. Also, I dont believe Genna marked the package she sent for Dept., as there were no instructions to do so on the mailing address. This part is soooo frustrating... I thought it would be sooooo easy after the 3 month California processing wait.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-03 15:32:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Speaking of Case #'s and Medicals... The NVC gave us a Case # on their letter to me... and then the Consulate gave Genna a DIFFERENT case #,hand written on the top of that checklist form in Packet 3. Which one do we put on the Medical paperwork???	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-03 05:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 4 2009, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Feb 5 2009, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 3 2009, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yes they certainly are, had to move up my doctors appointment to tomorrow as my interview at the consulate in on tuesday 10th feb How'd it go at the medical today? i was nervous as heck, i'd just about convinced myself that they wouldn't let me in cos i'm too fat but the doctor said that wouldn't happen. he was amazing, made me feel very comfortable, was a good laugh in fact, i read and reread your post on your visit to the doctor and it all went really smoothly i found the doctor, the xray place and the place to have the blood tests. i think you were very game walking that road, i drove and google maps with street view made finding everything so much easier now i'm just hanging out for tuesday and my interview Hope the interview goes well for you! My SO also had his medical yesterday, hehe. He said that Dr. Stone was googling stuff during it lol and something about how he got someone's food idk. Was right after lunch. Then at the X-ray place none of the ladies had done one for immigration supposedly so they didn't know how to fill out the form, took 4 people lol. And yes, the x-rays are huge!	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-05 10:02:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 3 2009, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> they upside is that if you have nz debt to pay off (i have a student loan), it's much easier when you're over here earning US dollars. My SO has a student loan to pay off but he's doing it before he leaves to come over here because he's afraid that they will arrest him if he tries coming back or something idk. Not sure how all that works over there =) I had a question about the I-134.. what did you all use as the evidence of income part, where it asks for a 'statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions where you have deposits, identifying the following details regarding your account: 1. Date account opened 2. Total amount deposited for the past year, and 3. Present balance." I got a letter from my bank stating the average monthly balance (was best they could do apparently =/). But my sponsor is having trouble coming up with statements from every month and such. She had to purchase copies of her statements because her bank only goes back 6 months. >.< Glad I'm with my bank for once lol. Also, for the interview, they said he should bring proof of funds and ability to support himself in the US and a resume. I get the resume part but what are good things of the other to bring? Bank statements, pay stubs, list of college classes taken? Thanks so much for all the help through this, you all have been wonderful. I know I'd be lost and stressed more than I am now without your help. Nice to see so many of you progressing through this! And good luck to those still in the process. Hope you get yours soon.	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-04 21:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 2 2009, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 3 2009, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Feb 2 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, most likely a different Consulate. You can contact the Embassy via email and ask them what they will require of you. They are extremely helpful and will tell you what you need. Michelle's SO is also on disability so she may be able to offer some insight. My thougths are that you will just need a co-sponsor. Hopefully you will be ok and be working by the time AOS comes. Thanks! One more question, sorry if I am a pest. . . On question 7 on the I-134, it says, I am employed as or engaged in the business of ___. . . Thing is, social security disability isn't a job so do I say none, or none see attached sheet and say where I derive my income from? i don't recall what Rob put on his form, again i'm at work, usually look at the forums when i'm at work, one of the few sites they let us into. i'll try and remember to look tonight or tomorrow and let you know. In regards to Rob's income, he's just given me what he gets from disability, a letter from them saying what he gets now, and what he got last year, he won't be working any time soon as his doctor thinks he needs a lung transplant, and if he eventually does go back to work it would only be part time, we have his parents as joint sponsors as we will be living with them for a while and we have his friend who will be a co-sponsor if needed and we'll have the money from the sale of my house here, i think we now have sufficient financial support/assets that it shouldn't be a problem, at least that's what i'm telling myself, doesn't mean i'm not going to be nervous about it all when it comes to my interview tho. ** Now a question from me, does anyone recall how long after they sent packet 3 back they got the letter with the interview date on it? i'm still anxiously waiting. So sorry to hear about that and thanks for looking into it. I also emailed the embassy, or so I think, hope it was the right addy. And to your question, there are 5 forms to send back I believe, then also like a checklist and from what ppl have told me through phone calls, it's the checklist you get your appointment from, but I may be wrong. Good luck, hope you get yours soon!	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 20:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Feb 2 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, most likely a different Consulate. You can contact the Embassy via email and ask them what they will require of you. They are extremely helpful and will tell you what you need. Michelle's SO is also on disability so she may be able to offer some insight. My thougths are that you will just need a co-sponsor. Hopefully you will be ok and be working by the time AOS comes. Thanks! One more question, sorry if I am a pest. . . On question 7 on the I-134, it says, I am employed as or engaged in the business of ___. . . Thing is, social security disability isn't a job so do I say none, or none see attached sheet and say where I derive my income from?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 18:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Feb 2 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, Lisa, you need to send an I-134 affidavit of support. This is not a legally binding agreement and NZ is more lax with the document than many other Embassies are but it still required. It's just there to help prove that your fiance will not become a public charge to the US once he's here. I-864 is the affidavit of support filled out for AOS, after you are married. This is a legally binding document. You are still the primary sponsor but whomever you use as a co-sponsor is bound by this document and must offer support if your fiance/husband should become a public charge once in the U.S. This might help. The DOS is like the mother ship for all foreign affairs. Yeah, cdneh... about dang time! Ty that link helped a bit! But I am worried after reading on there that someone was denied because they currently weren't working . I am on disability at the moment that I can't work at the moment, however, part of my goal/treatment, as documented by a doctor, is going through school (pharmacy technician program), which concludes in april minus the externship. I would be planning to work after I pass. But I'm afraid if they see me on disability for not being able to work I might get denied. =(. Maybe that person was in a stricter country? I suppose I could include a letter saying that I plan to work after I pass?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 16:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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.	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 16:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 1 2009, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 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.	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 14:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Feb 1 2009, 11:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 2 2009, 12:27 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? I too was very confused at this! It tells you to attach everything, but you just send the form in on its own and take the attachments to the 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 'Indefinitely' -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? "I will apply for a job once I am legally allowed to" - 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 think it just means the pages with your picture/details. But I sent my stamps pages too just in case - 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? Yes, ask him to send it to you and then take it to the interview. - 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? Send ALL initial forms back (the ones listed in the first section of the instructions). I think you're supposed to have your medical first, but I had mine after I sent those forms back and I don't think it makes a difference. The doctor will forward all your medical reports to the embassy so you don't need to worry about it And also, the police report (assuming you filled in the application and sent it back) gets forwarded to them too so don't worry about that! You had the exact same questions I had a week ago! cdneh: Congratulations on your visa approved!!! I' so happy for you, how exciting! Do they keep the evidence that you bring to the interview? (photos etc) Hehe didn't think I'd be the only one. We were saying they should add a page of what needs to be done in better writing or just a page that goes 1. do this, 2. then this, which they kind of do already but it's confusing. And some of the questions are just worded strangely, even for me, an ex-english major lol. But maybe I had difficulty cuz of the ex-major part lol. I tried looking for examples on google but no luck =(	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-02 14:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Kim, your A# is your Alien #. It is on your NOA2/I797 and should also be on your passport. It is not your I-94 or visa number. Everyone who deals with US Immigration is dealt an Alien #. Russell was 'lucky' enough to get his when he got 'das' boot! Congratulations on your marriage. No need to worry about AOS. Just more paperwork. Some people get through without having a CS sign off on the vacc. and some have gone through without the TB test. The problem is the Civil Surgeon will not sign off on the TB because it's not routinely done. The CDC just made it mandatory last summer. We just missed the cut off so Russell will most likely get an RFE for it but we're taking our chances. If anything is held up it will be the GC. If that's the case then he will just go to the health clinic here and have a free TB test done and we'll send the results in. Michelle, glad your medical went well.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-06 11:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Feb 20 2009, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 20 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 19 2009, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 20 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 18 2009, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh not to worry! Who here hasn't had a freak-out I've had mine for sure! Glad to hear it's on their end, and that they have heard from the Police. Yay! Just got news that he is picking up his visa today! Omg I'm so excited I don't know what to do first! Exciting !!! Ok he has a question: The cards they hand out on board an airplane for customs and all that, which color one would I get or what do I ask for, obviously not the visa waiver one this time? When they hand out the cards you ask for the white I-94 and make sure you fill it in correctly and fully as this will have to last you all the way through to filing for AOS and the details you fill in on the card need to match what you fill in on the AOS forms. The steward on the plane might ask you to confirm what type of visa you have. These damn things take so long to get (the k-1's)....it's a joy to be able to offer them up when asked for Thanks for that! I am willing to offer mine up	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-20 00:33:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 20 2009, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 19 2009, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 20 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 18 2009, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh not to worry! Who here hasn't had a freak-out I've had mine for sure! Glad to hear it's on their end, and that they have heard from the Police. Yay! Just got news that he is picking up his visa today! Omg I'm so excited I don't know what to do first! Exciting !!! Ok he has a question: The cards they hand out on board an airplane for customs and all that, which color one would I get or what do I ask for, obviously not the visa waiver one this time? They usually come around with those pretty early in the flight. I am asking at the airport, and plan on showing my passport to the flight attendant handing out the cards.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-19 23:21:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 20 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 18 2009, 09:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh not to worry! Who here hasn't had a freak-out I've had mine for sure! Glad to hear it's on their end, and that they have heard from the Police. Yay! Just got news that he is picking up his visa today! Omg I'm so excited I don't know what to do first! Exciting !!!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-19 19:59:00