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 16 2009, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just checking in. Everyone has gone very quiet! I've had my last day at work...Saturday. They were very good to me, did a big breakfast I didn't know they were organzing, and some of the roadstaff were able to come in for it. Got cards, and flowers, faxes, visits, and the other team members got together and bought me a lovely piece of greenstone. I had lots of calls from people who had no idea it was my last day...or why Funny how you never know they liked you so much, particularly the road staff, until they hear you are about to be history. Now it's about packing up, settling all the loose ends, and getting ready to go. 16 days...and yes... I am counting i'm not looking forward to my farewell, i think there may be tears, possibly, maybe.... it's exciting isn't it? i'm counting days now too, hoping to fly out 9th march, so 21 days for me	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-15 20:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 12 2009, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 10 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 10 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She'll be sitting outside in the coffee place waiting to go up the lifts now ...sending you calming vibes!!! thanks so much, amazingly i was quite ok once i was seated inside the consulate and waiting, still very nervous but a huge improvement on just trying to get there CONGRATZ! And yes, as Ruby asked, Tim and I are a young couple, which makes me worry. He's worked 3 jobs at a time before but now is just doing the mechanical assembly job as coming to the US a bit doesn't make you happy with the bosses lol. I am on disability for depression and wasn't able to get a dr note in time, so I attached a letter from myself explaining what I have, and how I am working on getting better, etc. Part of my plan to see if I can function is to pass a program (14 week pharmacy technician ) I am in at the moment, which I attached too. I hope that will show I hope to return to the workforce one day. He'd like to go to the program as well, should I mention that? Or will that look funny? My cousins could put a word in for him at dryer's ice cream if he knows his way around and has a licence lol. Any tips on what we should do? I have a cosponsor who is slightly above the poverty lines as well. Thanks APPROVED! Just waiting on police report now >< and i have to find a new cosponsor once we're married >< congratulations, wonderful news, was it as bad as he thought it would be?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-11 18:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She'll be sitting outside in the coffee place waiting to go up the lifts now ...sending you calming vibes!!! thanks so much, amazingly i was quite ok once i was seated inside the consulate and waiting, still very nervous but a huge improvement on just trying to get there	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-10 15:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	My visa was approved I've done a full review of the consulate but i thought i would add a few things here. Lisaandtim, I know exactly how you're feeling, everyone can tell us not to freak but until you actually go through it yourself you don't believe it. I was a complete and utter mess, as i said in the review i left home at 7.30 for my interview at 8.45, traffic was horrendous and when i got diverted on queen st because of an accident i actually started yelling and crying. I had convinced myself that if i wasn't there at or before 8.45 they would turn me away. As it was i got up there at approx 8.50 and there was already someone there before me at the window. I didn't actually get seen til approx 9.15, not that i'm recommending you come late for the interview When it came to proof of funds all i had was the contract to the sale of the house, i didn't take my bank statements as i have no money in the bank (keeping two households running will do that for you), i explained how much money i would have to take with me from the sale of the house and they were happy with that. The first woman did ask for my resume, however i'm not sure the second woman even looked at it, but again, i would recommend taking one, i totally understand about doing the resume, they're a pain in the you know whatsit but ruby's suggestion is a good one and i think that's the format of mine, i don't have an objective on mine either. Rob and my daughter had to tell me several times over the last 3 days before my interview to breath as i would quite literally forget to do that, i was stressing myself out so much over everything. Really after all the worry it was a breeze and i do think it is just a matter of them ticking off the boxes and making sure that we fit the requirements and have provided the evidence. Lisaandtim, good luck for your interview though i really don't think you need it	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-10 15:16:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Feb 9 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 9 2009, 02:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ok last minute freak out the pink letter from the consulate says to bring a large (foolscap/legal size) self addressed courier pack or registered envelope i bought an A4 courier pack, did i buy the wrong one? ok now don't freak out.. I got out the stuff the consulate sent to me and tried to put it in a plain A4 envelope (not a courier bag, so the courier bag may be a little bigger) and it wouldn't fit just trying to slide it in.. BUT maybe if they folded over the yellow/brown envelope a bit more it could fit! be a tight squeeze but they may be able to do it!! would you have time in the morning to get a foolscap size envelope at all? what time is your appointment? There is a post shop nearby the embassy i think!! my interview is at 0845, the post shop next door opens at 0830 the courier bag is maybe an inch larger all around then the standard A4 sheet, but i think i'll buy a bigger one anyway, just to be safe	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-09 03:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	ok last minute freak out the pink letter from the consulate says to bring a large (foolscap/legal size) self addressed courier pack or registered envelope i bought an A4 courier pack, did i buy the wrong one?	Michelle Kauffman	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-09 02:18:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	thanks for all the info! i guess we'll just ask the county clerk about the nationality of the witness. re: the ceremony - we won't be having anything till next year, when my family comes over. this will be strictly a walk in and sign papers kind of situation. i want to pretend we're NOT married until the ceremony next year, so that the day will feel 'completely' special, if that makes sense. i already have my wedding band (we got my engagement ring/wedding ring as a set) but i don't think i'll wear it till the ceremony!	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-18 01:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	marriage question: when you do the legal part - the certificate - are there requirements for the witnesses? e.g. do they have to have known you for a certain amount of time, or be US citizens, etc.? we're thinking of getting (legally) married when my best friend and her husband are here at the end of march (they're kiwis, living in switzerland, on their way to nz, 2 night stopover in san francisco). it would be nice for my bf to be here for the actual marriage, since she probably won't make the ceremony. i can't seem to find any info relating to witnesses (i'm assuming it's 2?) online.	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-17 23:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	thats mainly what they're looking for, though - proof that he is capable of working. so just list all his jobs. you guys are young couple right? and he's just finished studying? so they're not expecting you to have a set career path right now. just put something about how in the long term he would like to be doing so-and-so... just pick something he likes! they just want to see evidence he won't become a public charge. and i think when it comes to formatting, keep it very minimal, clean and simple: name list of each job starting from latest job title date worked there duties/responsibilities	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-10 11:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	from all the researching i've been doing, my understanding of AOS is that it's not bad if you're here on a K-1 - basically, you've already done a lot of work to prove your relationship etc. so i think most of the process is 'formality' from the time you get here. a lot of K-1s don't even have to interview for the AOS because they've already gone through the interview stage at the consulate in their home country. we're getting close to making a decision as to what path we'll take... guess which way we're leaning	rubyred	Male	New Zealand	2009-02-05 19:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	What would be a safe wait time to book a flight after the interview? I want to pre-book for the savings... but I dont want to book too far out, I'm so tired of the waiting game.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-07 16:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Haha, I understand being a king of worry, believe me! I think I may drive Genna crazy before all this is done! =)	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-05 18:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Kiwiana, thx for the reply =) Why are u freaking out about the AoS? Is there a large chance of being RFE and sent back to NZ or something? To be honest I have not researched it all terribly much, since the guides are a bit lacking once you are out of the K1 process. Right now, my only fear is of them frowning on the fact that Genna has not worked for about a year now. I have been supporting her through the past year, as we have been working on the Visa, and she has been over here for about 6 months of the past year, making employment difficult. I hope this doesnt affect the interview =( Otherwise, I just cant wait to get her over here.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-05 17:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Did anyone ever receive anything really important from the consulate AFTER their packet 4 (glowing pink paper) arrived? The reason I ask is, Genna completed her Medical (it only took 1 day to set up in Wellington) and received her Packet 4 yesterday. Our plans were for her to move to her Moms soon to await the interview, as the house she is living in has been vacated by her brother and is being sold soon. She has caught a bad cold now, and would like to move to her moms early, but we dont want her to miss anything important in the mail.	Dave_n_Genna	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-05 15:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-19 23:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	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!	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-19 18:58:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 18 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 19 2009, 11:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 17 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thanks for all the info! i guess we'll just ask the county clerk about the nationality of the witness. re: the ceremony - we won't be having anything till next year, when my family comes over. this will be strictly a walk in and sign papers kind of situation. i want to pretend we're NOT married until the ceremony next year, so that the day will feel 'completely' special, if that makes sense. i already have my wedding band (we got my engagement ring/wedding ring as a set) but i don't think i'll wear it till the ceremony! I'm going crazy here on this dumb police report thing. No one emails us back and the phone says 'not taking calls'. Can we just go get one ourselves and hand it to them? It's been over a week. Idk what's going on. Any advice? Is it the New Zealand police clearance you are waiting for? They won't accept one you get yourself, if that's it. Heh I am freaking out for nothing. Just after I wrote this my SO sneakingly got ahold of a person through the appointment line. They said the police report has been received however the computers are down. X.X So, now we're waiting on computers to come up, hopefully tomorrow she says, where they will call him if it does and can come pick up the visa and how ours and 1 other person is being affected by this ><. I am tired of waiting! But I guess it is good I learn patience. Just, I miss him so much and next week is our anniversary. And it seems like one thing after the next. Like it's always one more week =(. Well God willing we will have it in hand tomorrow. Sorry for freaking out earlier.	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-19 00:22:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 17 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thanks for all the info! i guess we'll just ask the county clerk about the nationality of the witness. re: the ceremony - we won't be having anything till next year, when my family comes over. this will be strictly a walk in and sign papers kind of situation. i want to pretend we're NOT married until the ceremony next year, so that the day will feel 'completely' special, if that makes sense. i already have my wedding band (we got my engagement ring/wedding ring as a set) but i don't think i'll wear it till the ceremony! I'm going crazy here on this dumb police report thing. No one emails us back and the phone says 'not taking calls'. Can we just go get one ourselves and hand it to them? It's been over a week. Idk what's going on. Any advice?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-18 17:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 11 2009, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 12 2009, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 10 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 10 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She'll be sitting outside in the coffee place waiting to go up the lifts now ...sending you calming vibes!!! thanks so much, amazingly i was quite ok once i was seated inside the consulate and waiting, still very nervous but a huge improvement on just trying to get there CONGRATZ! And yes, as Ruby asked, Tim and I are a young couple, which makes me worry. He's worked 3 jobs at a time before but now is just doing the mechanical assembly job as coming to the US a bit doesn't make you happy with the bosses lol. I am on disability for depression and wasn't able to get a dr note in time, so I attached a letter from myself explaining what I have, and how I am working on getting better, etc. Part of my plan to see if I can function is to pass a program (14 week pharmacy technician ) I am in at the moment, which I attached too. I hope that will show I hope to return to the workforce one day. He'd like to go to the program as well, should I mention that? Or will that look funny? My cousins could put a word in for him at dryer's ice cream if he knows his way around and has a licence lol. Any tips on what we should do? I have a cosponsor who is slightly above the poverty lines as well. Thanks APPROVED! Just waiting on police report now >< and i have to find a new cosponsor once we're married >< congratulations, wonderful news, was it as bad as he thought it would be? Well he got a question wrong. But wasn't a biggie. And they said I need a cosponsor with a job =(. That's going to be really hard. No family wants to be sued for being on food stamps, even tho theres no way we're going to do that. I wouldn't put them into trouble. But also waiting for police report =( says could take a week before they send the visa. I want to die! My bday is on the 17th. Would have been a nice present o well	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-13 02:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 10 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 10 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She'll be sitting outside in the coffee place waiting to go up the lifts now ...sending you calming vibes!!! thanks so much, amazingly i was quite ok once i was seated inside the consulate and waiting, still very nervous but a huge improvement on just trying to get there CONGRATZ! And yes, as Ruby asked, Tim and I are a young couple, which makes me worry. He's worked 3 jobs at a time before but now is just doing the mechanical assembly job as coming to the US a bit doesn't make you happy with the bosses lol. I am on disability for depression and wasn't able to get a dr note in time, so I attached a letter from myself explaining what I have, and how I am working on getting better, etc. Part of my plan to see if I can function is to pass a program (14 week pharmacy technician ) I am in at the moment, which I attached too. I hope that will show I hope to return to the workforce one day. He'd like to go to the program as well, should I mention that? Or will that look funny? My cousins could put a word in for him at dryer's ice cream if he knows his way around and has a licence lol. Any tips on what we should do? I have a cosponsor who is slightly above the poverty lines as well. Thanks APPROVED! Just waiting on police report now >< and i have to find a new cosponsor once we're married ><	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-11 16:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Michelle.S @ Feb 10 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She'll be sitting outside in the coffee place waiting to go up the lifts now ...sending you calming vibes!!! thanks so much, amazingly i was quite ok once i was seated inside the consulate and waiting, still very nervous but a huge improvement on just trying to get there CONGRATZ! And yes, as Ruby asked, Tim and I are a young couple, which makes me worry. He's worked 3 jobs at a time before but now is just doing the mechanical assembly job as coming to the US a bit doesn't make you happy with the bosses lol. I am on disability for depression and wasn't able to get a dr note in time, so I attached a letter from myself explaining what I have, and how I am working on getting better, etc. Part of my plan to see if I can function is to pass a program (14 week pharmacy technician ) I am in at the moment, which I attached too. I hope that will show I hope to return to the workforce one day. He'd like to go to the program as well, should I mention that? Or will that look funny? My cousins could put a word in for him at dryer's ice cream if he knows his way around and has a licence lol. Any tips on what we should do? I have a cosponsor who is slightly above the poverty lines as well. Thanks	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-10 18:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 9 2009, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 10 2009, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 9 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for that! I've moved back and forth a lot, but I've used movers, and I haven't got that much this time. It is still mostly all in storage in Vancouver. I'll go up this afternoon and get some boxes Ok I am freaking out. We have our interview on Feb 12 8:45am. Any advice? Take it easy...that's what I'd say....it's not as bad as we all worry about. Hard to believe ..but true. I was quite nervous as all get out, and I didn't need to be. Have a read of Kiwiana's thread on her interview, it tells you everything you need to know, and all about what happens. QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 10 2009, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 9 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for that! I've moved back and forth a lot, but I've used movers, and I haven't got that much this time. It is still mostly all in storage in Vancouver. I'll go up this afternoon and get some boxes Ok I am freaking out. We have our interview on Feb 12 8:45am. Any advice? Also for proof of funds, does he need statements for the whole year? Can they be online statements? He has some paystubs but not all. We had online statements. A lot of places have gone paperless now, and that's the usual. Bah, this resume thing is killing me. I'm trying to go with one that lists everything without an objective but i can't figure out what to put in the summary or really wat format. Basically, he'll take any job but that isnt really an objective lol. Any advice? We're not good with resumes. And theres like a billion types out there. Work history includes bakery assistant, paperboy, scorebench official, and light assembly (main one).	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-10 02:22:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Lisaandtim @ Feb 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 9 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for that! I've moved back and forth a lot, but I've used movers, and I haven't got that much this time. It is still mostly all in storage in Vancouver. I'll go up this afternoon and get some boxes Ok I am freaking out. We have our interview on Feb 12 8:45am. Any advice? Also for proof of funds, does he need statements for the whole year? Can they be online statements? He has some paystubs but not all.	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-09 23:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 9 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for that! I've moved back and forth a lot, but I've used movers, and I haven't got that much this time. It is still mostly all in storage in Vancouver. I'll go up this afternoon and get some boxes Ok I am freaking out. We have our interview on Feb 12 8:45am. Any advice?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-09 23:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Feb 5 2009, 03:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Dave_n_Genna @ Feb 5 2009, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Haha, I understand being a king of worry, believe me! I think I may drive Genna crazy before all this is done! =) Sorry, another question about I-134 - Do I need to send him 2 copies of it or just one?	Lisaandtim	Not Telling	New Zealand	2009-02-05 19:49:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	HI EVERYONE, 6 DAYS AND COUNTING TILL INTERVIEW DATE...2/26 9AM.. I CANT WAIT...BEEN SO LONG..CONGRATS ON ALL WHO MADE IT THROUGH ALREADY, HOPEFULL HE'LL HERE AROND THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH... THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP...LOL..I'M SURE I'LL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ... LISA/HENRY	ivannnaloveskiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-20 01:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hey all! Well, we're here in the Bay area! We flew Air New Zealand Premium Economy and are SO glad we spent the extra money on it. Check in is a breeze, no long lines since you get to use the premium check in that first class also uses and you go straight through customs right there, then up an escalator to a specific line in security! The whole process took far less time than we expected and was surprisingly stress-free. When we landed in San Francisco and got to immigration we asked one of the officers which line to go in and showed him Chris' envelope. He quickly said "Oh, we have a line special just for people like you, and you can go through it together!" and escorted us to the line where a guy was just finishing up. Then it was our turn. The officer was great! Such a good sense of humor, very chatty, asked a few questions, took Chris' fingerprints and a picture, and before we knew it we were done! I think it was even easier than the Consulate, and we all know how great the Auckland Consulate is, so that's saying a lot. We declared everything we could think of (better safe than sorry) and had to go through additional screening where they hand checked our baggage. It was no big deal though, the guy was really nice about everything, we didn't have to wait in any long lines. They did confiscate some seeds I had (that a guy at a shop swore would be fine taking in as long as we declared them), but we were fine with that since we half expected they wouldn't be allowed in. After that we were all done! I'm so glad we picked SFO for our POE, all in all our trip over here was a great experience and I hope everyone's travel goes just as smoothly! I have to admit I'm suffering from a bit of culture shock. I've been gone from the US for almost 3 years and now I can't understand the accents! All the stores are massive in comparison to NZ and Chris and I find ourselves wondering through them in awe....and then I forget what I went there for. *snort* Our boxes have started arriving at my parents house (the ones we shipped courier with extra insurance). They're pretty beaten up according to them, but still in one piece so hopefully everything inside is fine. I made sure to tape up all the edges so that probably helped. We'll arrive there March 1st so I guess we'll know for sure then! Good luck to Cdneh, Michelle, and Kiwiana as you get everything ready for travel!	yankiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-19 17:23:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 10 2009, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am starting to eye up Post Shop for sending now..but what do you put on the customs labels? Well, we mostly sent things like clothing, books, documents, pictures, CDs, etc... so that's what I put! As long as you make sure you aren't shipping any prohibited item a general idea of what's in the box has always seemed to work for those labels. You have to use the bigger international "consignment note" to ship the bigger boxes instead of the tiny green labels. I checked "other" and wrote "personal items" but the post shop guy scratched those out and checked "gift" instead, which is the same thing the post guy in the US did when I sent things here! LOL I think it's to indicate to customs that you are not going to be selling the items, which affects if they charge duty or not. Estimating the value of used items and such is a bit hard, but a ballpark figure should be fine, our labels usually looked like "clothing- $75, books- $50, CDs- $75, documents- $25" and I didn't even try to list the approx. weight of the items but the post guy didn't say anything about leaving them blank so I'm assuming that was fine. They just weighed it at the counter and wrote the total weight. If you're shipping a box thats value totals over $250 you'll have to buy additional insurance cover for it which covers up to $1,500 and only cost about $10, Alternately you can opt to send it International Economy Courier which doesn't cost too much more and is tracked (the regular international economy shipping isn't tracked) and covers for more than that. We sent 2 laptops that way, VERY well padded in their original boxes and blankets. Our really valued stuff (like love letters, gifts to each other and such) we also sent in a couriered box, since I knew that's what I'd be the most upset over losing if something went bad with the shipping. It's all a grand experiment I guess, and the ultimate test will be if everything gets there safe and sound. But if it does, well, we've just moved house for far less than most people do! I'll make sure to post back as the boxes start arriving at my mom's place. Oh, and one other thing. I taped all the open edges with packing tape, then numbered each box in the left hand corner of each side and wrote a corresponding list as to the contents as I packed, that way I knew what was in each one and it made writing the customs labels afterwards MUCH easier. Also, there is a little spot on the form for "sender reference" that we wrote each number in as we filled them out, so when we got to the post all the guy had to do was match each form the the numbered box! It streamlined things and he was quite pleased we were so organised about it. Can you tell I've moved a LOT?	yankiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-09 15:43:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hey all! We've survived moving out of our flat (and all the drama that came along with it) and are now just 2 days away from flying out to the US! It's still hard to believe. Living out of a suitcase divided into 2 different seasons is such a challenge! I hope the weather isn't too cold in San Francisco or we'll be doing shopping straight away! I love NZ Post right now. We shipped 15 boxes--6 of the H6 boxes (big ones) and 9 of the H4 boxes (about half the size). All the weights averaged between 8-12 kilos except one that was 15. 11 were shipped international economy and 4 were shipped international economy courier. In total it cost us just under $2,000 NZD to ship around 138 kilos! WAY cheaper than the quotes I was getting from international moving companies to ship far less. The guy in the post shop was shocked that it turned out being more affordable than going with a moving company. He thought for sure we were going to break the bank with those boxes! He said though that the way they've revised their shipping to be more dependent on weight than size has made it so basically you are paying to ship the weight no matter what boxes you pack it in. We could have moved without taking anything, but having lived here for 2 1/2 years with pretty much nothing more than what fit in a suitcase and 2 boxes, I couldn't ask Chris to move to the US and leave everything familiar behind for the next 6-10 years if there was any way to take some important things with us. There's just something about being able to have some familiar things around you when everything else is foreign. With current conversion rates we paid slightly over $1,000 USD, it would have cost several times that to replace the things we shipped! Now lets hope they all arrive safely! Congrats on having that packet in your hands finally cdneh!! We keep handling Chris' with kids gloves, I'll be SO glad to hand it over at the POE! Good luck with your interview tomorrow Michelle! I'm sure it will go well and then you'll be rushing around like crazy trying to tie up loose ends before joining your love in the US. Congrats to Chris & Kim on your wedding!	yankiwi	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-09 06:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE And just a question about when you hand the package over at POE. Is there anything that they are suppose to give back to you when they go through the package? I'm pretty sure there isn't but just want to double check. And also, we don't have to ask where they are sending the contents of the package to anymore as it all gets sent to chicago or somewhere? Is that right? They wont give you anything back at POE and i've heard from a lot of people who got the wrong answer when they asked where it would go so I wouldn't bet on that either. You just have to trust that it will go to the appropriate service center. See this link for more info. Another thing about POE... some people report using the US line and some report the OTHERS line... some have even reported SPECIAL lines so it's best to ask the customs/immigration officials once you enter the US. There are POE reviews in the links above.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 18:17:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (rubyred @ Feb 26 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> does the AP often arrive before the temp green card? Justine, AP and EAD is your temp work permit and permission to travel before you get your GC. They are free with the cost of AOS ($1010) because they often come before your GC. You must also take into consideration that once you apply for AOS your status changes from J1 to "pending adjustmet" and so does your 'legal' permission to work in the US and/or travel until you have those documents. See this link for more info...	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 16:21:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	cdneh... @ you! I know it seems like common sense but Russell and I usually have an over abundance of that and we still messed up. It's just such an emotional time. We just don't want to see anyone making the same costly mistake! Tuesday! Oh my goodness, you must be sooooo excited!!! On one of Russell's trips home there were four of us and we max'd out on all of our suitcases and carry-on's... we even had to throw a couple of bags away and paid a substantial amount for extras. We made such a spectacle of ourselves at the airports in AUS and NZ. When he was denied entry he was travelling with only a backpack so he didn't have too much when he finally got home for good. It's surely a much bigger deal moving so far. I don't envy those of you having to do that right now. ivanna... I know I got you in PM but I think I speak for all of us here when I say that we're all on your side and we'll be routing for you guys until he is home with you.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 16:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Awww Congratulations LisaandTim! Have a wonderful celebration! Ivanna, it does sound like the convictions could be the problem. You need to disclose any convictions...no matter how long ago they were. A certified copy of the divorce decree (or decree of absolute) can be ordered through the County in which the divorce was granted. Usually less than $20. Bangkok has juristiction over NZ for these matters so being sent there is normal. Here is a link explaining more. https://egov.uscis.g...r.statecode=abk Be glad it's NZ you are dealing with as i'm sure they will be as helpful as they can. Here is a VJ link describing the issues when you have an alien fiance with a criminal record. Also Immigrate2us.net is probably the best resource on the web with regards to the I-601 waiver. You will find by scrolling down that they are very common and, more importantly, very often overcome!!! The hardship letters are just to explain why you need to be together in the US. Just explain your relationship, how having him here in the US and being married will effect your lives. Do you have family here? A good job here? Things like that. There are some examples of it here but I think you'll find them pertaining to spousal visa's more than fiance visas. I'll see if I can't find some examples for you later today. Now, about you... if you can afford to go to NZ as you await this i'm sure it will be a lot easier for you emotionally. I know it would be for me...been there, done that! I know it's not easy but... it's life. Life's always going to dump on you.... what comes of it now is up to you! This is a bump... sure, it's a big and tragic one... but it's still just a bump. Some perspective, if I may..... Russell and I knew each other more than 10 years before we filed. We were a couple for over 3 before I was able to file. We were separated for a long, long time because of other issues ...because he was denied entry, he couldn't even visit....it was not easy. Did I make mistakes? Sure. Do I have regrets? Sure. He's been here almost 5 months now and it's as if we were never apart. It's made us stronger, it's made us happier. It's taught us to treasure every moment we have together. I know it's tough.... but fight back and you will get through this. You are suffering because you love this man THAT much! You have found the person you want to share your life with! Not everybody has that. Fill out the waiver and provide all the other documents they've asked for asap! Be proactive on your on behalf and fight for your man! Oh and about the flights over the US for you folks.... don't forget to triple check your departure dates and times!!!! You may remember my darling hubby had to buy another $2000+ one-way ticket because, in his delirium , he booked the wrong day and didn't know it until he got to the airport! D'OH!	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-27 11:58:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Ivanna, i'm so sorry but please stand strong... this is when you need to be! Firstly, what is the primary reason for the denial? Did you not send the divorce decree??? In MA we have a 120 wait after a divorce is finalized and before you can receive your decree of absolute. Is it something like this? Or, were the past convictions not mentioned on the initial forms so you're dealing with misrepresentation or IMBRA issues??? Is this checklist exactly what the slip of paper he got says??? Is there a specific reason for inadmissabiity??? Here is the link for the waiver. Give them everything they are asking for as soon as possible. Try not to let them send your case back to uscis... it will just get lost in a black hole if that happens! If you can afford to hire an attorney familiar with AUK then do so. Take a deep breath... you'll get through this! I-601's are actually very common and there is tons of information about them online. I'm just curious why you couldn't just supply them with the right divorce paperwork ...perhaps the convictions??? Please keep us posted. I'll be happy to help any way that I can. Justine, just do not leave the Country until you have AP (advanced parole) or your temp green card! They wont let you back in.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-26 14:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	why thank you kind lady.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-23 17:16:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Wow, i've been away far too long! Congratulations to those of you approved, those of you who have finally flown 'home' and those moving along with the process! Feels great, eh? We are doing well and still very much living in bliss. FWIW... It's important to check different flights if you plan to upgrade to Air New Zealand Premium Economy. The last flight I took home from NZ only cost me $40 more than coach to fly Premium Economy but all the flights around it were hundreds more for the upgrade.	KimandRuss	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-23 11:44:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Thanks Kim....I've read the SFO POE's reviews...and they mention a New Immigrant line...I'll ask on the day. And hope for the best re the package. I know I'll be glad to be shed of it...I keep checking I haven't misplaced it, or packed it, or that the dog hasn't eaten it	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 18:31:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Welll I haven't got a whole house, I flat, but I dropped a book in there last night and practically deafened myself I don't think they give you anything back, and I think I am going to ask where it goes, if they don't say. Someone who has done this will surely let us know!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 17:21:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Mar 1 2009, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> cdneh... @ you! I know it seems like common sense but Russell and I usually have an over abundance of that and we still messed up. It's just such an emotional time. We just don't want to see anyone making the same costly mistake! Tuesday! Oh my goodness, you must be sooooo excited!!! On one of Russell's trips home there were four of us and we max'd out on all of our suitcases and carry-on's... we even had to throw a couple of bags away and paid a substantial amount for extras. We made such a spectacle of ourselves at the airports in AUS and NZ. When he was denied entry he was travelling with only a backpack so he didn't have too much when he finally got home for good. It's surely a much bigger deal moving so far. I don't envy those of you having to do that right now. ivanna... I know I got you in PM but I think I speak for all of us here when I say that we're all on your side and we'll be routing for you guys until he is home with you. Never hurts to double check I'm getting excited, finally, but a bit tempered by still having stuff to do..not for me, but for the flatmate. She will be on her own here, and some things she has a hard time doing, so trying to get through a long list. And I agree...Ivannna you have us all behind you	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-28 16:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Feb 28 2009, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 27 2009, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Now Kim....you made me look...March 3rd..Tuesday coming....right? Depart TUE 03 MAR 2009 AUCKLAND Arrive TUE 03 MAR 2009 SAN FRANCISCO NZ8 DURATION: 12 hours 15 mins STATUS: Confirmed Not valid before 03MAR Not valid after 03MAR 2 pieces per person 7:30 PM 10:45 AM Depart TUE 03 MAR 2009 1:00pm SAN FRANCISCO Arrive TUE 03 MAR 2009 9:01pm WASHINGTON, DULLES NZ9566 Operated by UNITED AIRLINES (UA0873) STATUS: Confirmed Don't forget the carry on luggage....you can fit alot in that. I took onboard my handbag, and I made it a big one, my laptop, with as much crammed in the case as possible, and a small suitcase on wheels, filled with lighter things and anything fragile i had with me, but still keeping within the kg limit, not that anyone weighed it....lol Not long to go now....so exciting....... Oh my poor carry on ..lol... would you believe the flatmate has given me, and a wedding present, a set of cups and saucers and sideplates. They were her mothers, and a wedding present in her day. She is just about to turn 102, so they are very old and fragile. I am going to bubble wrap the heck out of them and put them in the carry on. It's a pretty set..called Pastella, all in pastel colours, and each one of the six matches itself an not the other. No pattern, just pale pink, and blue, and green...that will teach me to admire something. That and the mysterious brown envelope!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-02-27 20:49:00