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 (kiwiana @ Oct 17 2009, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 16 2009, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have NO idea what on earth is going on. We had an email, and I looked and there is a touch tonight. They transferred us in July and I don't know if they have sent it back to a local office, or if they are working on it at CSC. Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred. The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now being processed at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Hopefully the touch is a GOOD sign! i would think that it would still be at the CSC. Maybe they have finally picked the file up and are in the middle of processing it right now!! I have my fingers and toes crossed for you!! Man I hope so. I am over these people and their whacked out system	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-16 20:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I have NO idea what on earth is going on. We had an email, and I looked and there is a touch tonight. They transferred us in July and I don't know if they have sent it back to a local office, or if they are working on it at CSC. Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred. The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now being processed at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-16 18:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 14 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Oct 13 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Guys ...... remember me Well I made it back at the end of Sept (28th) and promptly came down with bronchitis or the flu or some such thing, major chest infection though and quick onset, lucky I brought some augmenten back with me. My Aunt hung on till I was back here for two days and then she passed away, but I was just glad that I got to spend alot of the 3 weeks with her. I went through most of the rest of my stuff back home and $875 later .......sent 4 of the largest NZ Post boxes back here I took em to the post office the day before I left and they arrived here today, pretty beat up and I have to replace a few CD cases, I think they musta been playing rugby with them at the airport or something Still looking for a job, have sent in a few applications, we'll just have to wait and see. How are you going with it Kiwiana? What has everyone done about medical insurance, I still haven't got that sorted and after being so sick in the last week or so, I really need to do something. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cdneh - What is it with your paperwork ...again.....must be a bad case of de ja vue for you, I'm sure it'll all be sorted out soon.....fingers crossed. Kim :0) It's wonderful to hear that you made it back ok!! . I have been wondering how you were! Did you have any problems leaving and re-entering on your passport in your old name? I'm so sorry to hear about your Aunt and that you got quite sick!! I'd love to hear suggestions for medical insurance too! Good to hear the packages arrived ok. Isn't that the way though that they arrive looking like they have been used as a football?! I'm wondering too how others here are getting on with the job hunt. I have had no luck so far. The ones i applied for online, i never hear back from them! Did you go back to SSA to get the conditions removed? Over three weeks ago, I went back there and was told that they have to get authorisation from USCIS first. Then last week, the man from SSA left a message on my voicemail to say that I have to go back into the office and fill out a form as they heard back from immigration. So i filled out a form and was told that it should take 10 days before i receive a card with the conditions removed in the mail!! I'm still waiting for my state ID (with the correct birthdate on it) to arrive in the mail. It's been 4 weeks so far! Tomorrow afternoon (14th) I go for my practical driving test. I'm as nervous as heck about it! Today for the first time in 7 months it actually rained here! (though it was only spitting of rain and for like 10 minutes) and they reckon it may rain tomorrow. So I may be taking the test in the rain!! Hope everyone is doing well! cdneh I really hope you hear something soon about your GC! You waited so long for your K-1 visa. You really deserve a break!! Welcome back Kim...sorry to hear about your Aunt, and that you have been so sick *hugs* Good luck with the driving test Kiwiana..I'm sure you'll be fine I dunno why the heck we always seem to strike a place where they are doing something new, or just when they start to slow down. We seem to be a bit of a magnet really. I think Chase is more upset than I am...he keeps wanting to know WHAT the heck they are doing with our application? I wish I had an answer for him	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-14 17:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 14 2009, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah nevermind, I just answered my own question and found the example forms on VJ Ask anything..if we can help we surely will !	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-13 18:09:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 13 2009, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 12 2009, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, one more question! I noticed you both filed for the I-131! Is this because you had plans to travel outside the US while the application was being processed? I plan to travel back to NZ sometime next year (June maybe) for about 2 weeks. Do you think I need to file the I-131 for this? I didn't have any plans to travel back to New Zealand but it was a peace of mind thing for me to do incase an emergency came up over there with family and I needed to get back there in a hurry before the GC was approved. It isn't compulsory to apply for I-131 with the AOS , but there aren't any additional fees for that form if you do include it with the AOS package. Same here again. It was a just in case sort of thing, as who knows when the GC will come through...we are still waiting on that. It's free with this application, but if you decide later you need it, after your application is in, the charge 300 + for it.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-13 10:10:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 12 2009, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 12 2009, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2009, 04:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 11 2009, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, we are planning on sending out our AOS package tomorrow! Just a quick question: For the I-765 (employment authorisation), do we need to submit with this 2 EXTRA passport style photos and copies of my passport? I have already included 2 x passport photos + 1 x copy of passport pages for the I-485. When i sent my AOS package in, i mailed in 2 photos for I-485, 2 photos for I-765 and 2 photos for I-131 (total of six pics). I also enclosed passport pages for all three of the forms too to be on the safe side Me too Awesome, thank you both for your help! I will do the same! Great place VJ	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-12 21:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2009, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 10 2009, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Still nothing here with me..nice to see you Hope they 'shake a leg' and get a move on with the GC. It took 4 months from the time i sent AOS in to the interview. I thought it would be quicker when cases are transferred to Cali. But it doesn't appear that way eh? Have you not had any touches either? Hopefully it will come VERY soon. *fingers crossed* Newp ..not a thing. In the June filers thread there are a few of us that were transferred and seem to have stalled. We are starting to wonder	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-11 19:00:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 12 2009, 04:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 11 2009, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, we are planning on sending out our AOS package tomorrow! Just a quick question: For the I-765 (employment authorisation), do we need to submit with this 2 EXTRA passport style photos and copies of my passport? I have already included 2 x passport photos + 1 x copy of passport pages for the I-485. When i sent my AOS package in, i mailed in 2 photos for I-485, 2 photos for I-765 and 2 photos for I-131 (total of six pics). I also enclosed passport pages for all three of the forms too to be on the safe side Me too	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-11 18:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Still nothing here with me..nice to see you	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-10 21:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	*sigh*	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-23 20:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Sep 15 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Sep 13 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Sep 13 2009, 03:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congrats Ana........Hope you had a nice break in Vegas after all your dmv and USCIS dramas. NIce one finding your GC in the mail when you got home......perfect end to your break away Cdneh you won't be far behind I'm sure Well I made it back home after dragging my backside across the country to LA and then the long flight home. Made a list of foods I was missing before I got here and am working my way through it one by one. Not everything is as good as I remember it I have to say....lol, however I'm eating a roast lamb dinner at the moment which is hitting the spot nicely My Aunt is still hanging on and is still coherent when she's not sleeping. It's been good to see her and spend some time with her. I'm going to make a start tomorrow on the box of things I stashed away before I left. Hopefully I can be ruthless and get rid of alot of it, fill up my case with some and send some via the post. It's been a frantic couple of weeks that's for sure It's great to hear that you made it there safe and sound What's it like to be back over there again? Is there anything that you really missed about nz (apart from obviously family and friends) Have you noticed anything different/changes or anything hard to adjust to over there, now that you have been away from the country for awhile? Hope you manage to get stuck into sorting out your things. Its amazing how time consuming it is! This week i am going to try and sit my written driving test at the dreaded DMV!! I tried to make an online appointment at the local office here but they don't accept appointments for it, so will have to try the good old fashioned walk in and wait and wait and wait trick!! Good luck at the DMV I'm sure you'll be fine Family and friends I def miss and maybe the odd thing to eat but that's about it. I seem to miss home when I'm away but when I came back I remember why I was over alot of things before I left. I'm sure I'll miss it all again when I'm back there. I've got piles of stuff everywhere and deciding what to get rid of is the really hard part. Got some boxes from the post office today and will start filling them in the morning. Will head back out south to Waiuku and the Aunts place on Thursday. I'm so glad i came when i did. Can't wait to get back to my sweetie though I'll be so glad when this is finally all sorted I'm sure you will be glad when it's all done and dusted...that packing and sorting thing...*ack*	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-15 15:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Good luck Kiwiana! Crossing my fingers for you! QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Sep 13 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Sep 12 2009, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi everyone! hope all is going well! My SO and I returned from vacation in vegas yesterday and found my GC waiting in the mail for me!! yay!! cdneh: have you heard any news from uscis yet? Congrats Ana........Hope you had a nice break in Vegas after all your dmv and USCIS dramas. NIce one finding your GC in the mail when you got home......perfect end to your break away Cdneh you won't be far behind I'm sure Well I made it back home after dragging my backside across the country to LA and then the long flight home. Made a list of foods I was missing before I got here and am working my way through it one by one. Not everything is as good as I remember it I have to say....lol, however I'm eating a roast lamb dinner at the moment which is hitting the spot nicely My Aunt is still hanging on and is still coherent when she's not sleeping. It's been good to see her and spend some time with her. I'm going to make a start tomorrow on the box of things I stashed away before I left. Hopefully I can be ruthless and get rid of alot of it, fill up my case with some and send some via the post. It's been a frantic couple of weeks that's for sure Roast lamb I am glad you have had a chance to see your Aunt..I'm sure it must be hard all the same. Good luck with that sorting thing...hard to make those choices I think we all know!	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-14 18:37:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Sep 13 2009, 06:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi everyone! hope all is going well! My SO and I returned from vacation in vegas yesterday and found my GC waiting in the mail for me!! yay!! cdneh: have you heard any news from uscis yet? Congratulations ! Not heard a peep, nore had a touch since the end of July	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-12 18:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Sep 4 2009, 05:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (kiwiana @ Sep 3 2009, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I received my 'welcome to United States of America' letter today in the mail Hopefully, the green card will arrive very soon. Kim: not sure if you have already headed to nz or not yet but just want to wish you a safe journey!! Oh congratulations..... your card will be there in a few days I'm sure. I leave on Saturday 2.28pm from Memphis with a connection in LA and Air NZ to Auckland. Haven't flown them long haul before, only to Aussie, but it was a good price $1980. NZD return including all taxes and both the connections between LA & Memphis. At the moment I have suitcases open and stuff all over the bedroom. Didn't think I'd be having to do this again so soon Sorry to hear about your Aunt Kim I did mail boxes from the post shop, and I sent 9 in the end..or was it 7..lol...most of those were under a hundred dollars. Also no paperwork this end, the post man just brought them. Have a safe trip! Edited by cdneh, 04 September 2009 - 08:50 PM.	cdneh	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-04 20:50:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Nov 3 2009, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not a peep. There are a few of us in the June AOS thread in the same boat, transfers to CSC, that haven't heard a thing. I laugh now to think we all were pretty happy about that, as it was meant to be so much quicker. A lot of people from the same time that had interviews have already got their cards. I will be so pleased to get this over with..for a while Good luck on the job front...lol..I have never heard of a group interview! It's has to be coming soon. It's been like 4 months now hasn't it? Fingers crossed that it comes through VERY soon and then you can put it all behind you for the next 21 months (come on CSC get a move on!!) Megger: Welcome to the thread! The folks here on VJ are just wonderful! Don't hesitate to ask any questions. We will all do our best to help if we can!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-11-04 00:56:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Zeddess @ Nov 3 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi guys, So we finally got the NOA2! YAY!!! I know it's not huge news but it means that the wait is over at last (it was a looooong 3 months) and now things will start to move quickly and become more real and scary. No doubt I'm going to have a lot of questions in the coming weeks about all the forms and the medical and the interview, eeeeek. Very sad to hear about your aunt, Kim. it was lovely that you were able to spend that time with her though. Yay!! Congratulations!! The rest of the process should go fairly fast now Congrats Kelvan on receiving the NOA's for the AOS! It shouldn't be long until you receive the appointment letter for the biometrics! Speaking of AOS.. cdneh any news on the GC?? I have been looking for jobs. Went for an interview for seasonal work in retail last week. I arrived at the appointment to find four other ladies also there for the same appointment time. It was a group interview!! (I have never attended one of those before) Of course all the ladies had usa work experience and then there was me! ( I'm not holding my breath on hearing back on that one) Kim have you had any luck with job hunting?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-11-03 16:24:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 29 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think somebody was lost ^ ^ ^	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-29 23:09:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kelzm @ Oct 24 2009, 12:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I finally found a job in September. One year after I first moved here. It's only 20 hours a week but the pay is good, and it's in my profession. I can also pick up extra hours which I'm doing as much as I can. Most employers I'm sure did not look closely at my resume for the many jobs I applied for. They had so many to choose from that they didn't have to take the 'risk' of hiring a foreigner. I applied for a low paying job at a local medical centre. I live in a town of 35,000 people, they had 200 applicants for a $10 an hour part time job. There's a lot of competition out there. I think what made the difference for me was getting some temporary jobs and getting the US experience on my resume. The best way to get the temp jobs I found was by knowing someone. People told me over and over... it's who you know, and I didn't believe them but I think that it's true. I recommend doing some volunteer work. See what your local county or city has going, at the least it gives you someone in the US to use as reference. When I got my job I got it because of all the experience that I had in NZ. But I believe that if I had not been able to put down that I'd been working temporarily in a library here in the US(first as a volunteer, then as the lowest paid temp), I would not have got my foot in the door for that interview. I know it's probably not the news you wanted to hear, and things may be different where you are, but I think if you can find a way to get some US experience or references then you'll have a better chance. Yes i am starting to think too that its not what you know but who you know as far as getting a foot in the door in the job market with no usa work experience. I think it is going to be a long slow process indeed. There are so many other people out there looking for work too, so it is only natural that an employer will look towards those who have got local work experience. It's just a little frustrating and disheartening not being able to find work. Thanks so much for your insight and suggestions.I'm so happy to hear that you found a job in September.That's great news!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-24 00:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 22 2009, 02:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah..it's just so maddening. Two touches and then nothing. People who filed long after we did are getting approvals and it is starting to get up my nose a bit. What are we..chopped liver???? Still no word yet? It's got to be close.. especially as you have had touches on it. They like to stretch it out don't they? Surely you will hear by next week! or maybe it will just turn up in the mail without any email notification That's wonderful Kim that you have finally got your cds on the storage unit I had to leave most of my cds behind when i left and I have a deep passion for music so it was very hard to part with them but i managed to bring about 50 with me (without jewel cases in suitcase but now have cases), so that was good. They have a home amongst my SO collection so we are all united as one! awww!!!! LOL! How hard are you guys finding it for a job? I'm even wondering if the employers look at my application form or whether as soon as they see NZ on it as past work history they just abandon the resume? I'm finding it extremely hard!! Some say they want experience but how can you get any kind of USA work experience if no one will hire you? *sigh*	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-22 14:48:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 20 2009, 05:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I went to the bank to put my name on Evan's account because we are married now. They said they needed a government form of ID. SO I went to get a Kansas state ID card today and they said they can't give me one until my status has been adjusted because my I-94 expires on November 5. They need it to be valid for 60 days at least to give me a state ID How did you guys all get a joint bank account? Like cdneh, we went to Bank of America and didn't have any trouble either. I showed my nz passport, ssn, marriage certificate and i think that was all and that was for a joint account (My SO never had a bank account either) Maybe try and go to a different bank? The ssn, passport and marriage certificate should be enough evidence. Good luck! Let us know how you get on.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-20 19:36:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 17 2009, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Kiwiana..how did the driving test go??? They had got my birth date wrong on my state ID and i was still waiting for the new one with the correct information to arrive in the mail. But when i arrived for my appointment for the driving test, i was informed that the birthdate was still wrong and that a new state ID was never issued or in the system!! So i had to get all that fixed first! so more photographs and thumb prints!! We then waited for almost two hours sitting in the car outside.( lined up with everyone else). Then finally it was my turn! By this time i had knots in my stomach but the guy that was testing me was very nice and put my mind at ease. I didn't have to do a three point turn or parallel park. I did have to park alongside the kerb and reverse in a straight line. I felt the rear tyre touch the kerb and thought ' Oh no!' I was surprised that my test was much shorter than the others that went before me ( i have a feeling they were running out of time as they still had lots of others to test before they closed for the day) and soon i was back at the DMV. He said to me: "Congratulations! you have passed!". I was ecstatic!!! He handed the form to me that he had to mark off and i had gotten 95% out of 100 (knocked -5 off) He wrote on the form ' Good Job!!!' So i am soo glad that is over! We got car insurance for me yesterday and today was the first time i went out on my own!! It feels good to finally have that little bit of independence back!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-17 13:56:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 16 2009, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have NO idea what on earth is going on. We had an email, and I looked and there is a touch tonight. They transferred us in July and I don't know if they have sent it back to a local office, or if they are working on it at CSC. Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred. The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now being processed at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283. Hopefully the touch is a GOOD sign! i would think that it would still be at the CSC. Maybe they have finally picked the file up and are in the middle of processing it right now!! I have my fingers and toes crossed for you!! Edited by kiwiana, 16 October 2009 - 07:29 PM.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-16 19:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Oct 13 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Guys ...... remember me Well I made it back at the end of Sept (28th) and promptly came down with bronchitis or the flu or some such thing, major chest infection though and quick onset, lucky I brought some augmenten back with me. My Aunt hung on till I was back here for two days and then she passed away, but I was just glad that I got to spend alot of the 3 weeks with her. I went through most of the rest of my stuff back home and $875 later .......sent 4 of the largest NZ Post boxes back here I took em to the post office the day before I left and they arrived here today, pretty beat up and I have to replace a few CD cases, I think they musta been playing rugby with them at the airport or something Still looking for a job, have sent in a few applications, we'll just have to wait and see. How are you going with it Kiwiana? What has everyone done about medical insurance, I still haven't got that sorted and after being so sick in the last week or so, I really need to do something. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cdneh - What is it with your paperwork ...again.....must be a bad case of de ja vue for you, I'm sure it'll all be sorted out soon.....fingers crossed. Kim :0) It's wonderful to hear that you made it back ok!! . I have been wondering how you were! Did you have any problems leaving and re-entering on your passport in your old name? I'm so sorry to hear about your Aunt and that you got quite sick!! I'd love to hear suggestions for medical insurance too! Good to hear the packages arrived ok. Isn't that the way though that they arrive looking like they have been used as a football?! I'm wondering too how others here are getting on with the job hunt. I have had no luck so far. The ones i applied for online, i never hear back from them! Did you go back to SSA to get the conditions removed? Over three weeks ago, I went back there and was told that they have to get authorisation from USCIS first. Then last week, the man from SSA left a message on my voicemail to say that I have to go back into the office and fill out a form as they heard back from immigration. So i filled out a form and was told that it should take 10 days before i receive a card with the conditions removed in the mail!! I'm still waiting for my state ID (with the correct birthdate on it) to arrive in the mail. It's been 4 weeks so far! Tomorrow afternoon (14th) I go for my practical driving test. I'm as nervous as heck about it! Today for the first time in 7 months it actually rained here! (though it was only spitting of rain and for like 10 minutes) and they reckon it may rain tomorrow. So I may be taking the test in the rain!! Hope everyone is doing well! cdneh I really hope you hear something soon about your GC! You waited so long for your K-1 visa. You really deserve a break!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-14 00:47:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 12 2009, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, one more question! I noticed you both filed for the I-131! Is this because you had plans to travel outside the US while the application was being processed? I plan to travel back to NZ sometime next year (June maybe) for about 2 weeks. Do you think I need to file the I-131 for this? I didn't have any plans to travel back to New Zealand but it was a peace of mind thing for me to do incase an emergency came up over there with family and I needed to get back there in a hurry before the GC was approved. It isn't compulsory to apply for I-131 with the AOS , but there aren't any additional fees for that form if you do include it with the AOS package.	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-12 21:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 10 2009, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Still nothing here with me..nice to see you Hope they 'shake a leg' and get a move on with the GC. It took 4 months from the time i sent AOS in to the interview. I thought it would be quicker when cases are transferred to Cali. But it doesn't appear that way eh? Have you not had any touches either? Hopefully it will come VERY soon. *fingers crossed*	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-11 18:40:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kelvan @ Oct 11 2009, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey guys, we are planning on sending out our AOS package tomorrow! Just a quick question: For the I-765 (employment authorisation), do we need to submit with this 2 EXTRA passport style photos and copies of my passport? I have already included 2 x passport photos + 1 x copy of passport pages for the I-485. When i sent my AOS package in, i mailed in 2 photos for I-485, 2 photos for I-765 and 2 photos for I-131 (total of six pics). I also enclosed passport pages for all three of the forms too to be on the safe side	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-11 11:32:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Its been rather quiet in here, thought i would pop my head in and say hi!! How is everyone getting on? cdneh have you heard any word on your GC yet? Kim & Chris: Are you still in nz or are you back home now? hope everyone is doing well	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-10 12:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	The dmv as usual was FUN!! (not! ) We were in there 2 and a half hours!!! Then when my number was called, the guy serving me was half asleep and was dithering around. I had to sort out the wrong birthdate they had put on my state ID first before i could proceed with anything else, which meant that I had to redo photo and thumb print for it. Then when he tried to verify my GC #, it came up on their computer in my old name and not my new married name even though it IS in my married name So i had to explain that to him. Then i had to have another photo and thumb print for the written driving test. $28 later i sat for the written. And was handed this very long sheet of paper. I had swotted up on all the road rules, signs etc so wasn't expecting q's such as an airbag one with..... how much distance should be between you and the steering wheel? 10 inches, 6 1/2 inches or your head is directly above the steering wheel? How old and the weight of a child in a child car restraint? 6 years & 60 pounds, 5 years & 60 pounds or 5 years & 55 pounds? A question about if it is legal to smoke in a car with a child under 18 years of age? question about if you are chased by police and seriously hurt someone, what is the punishment? a rail car question.. and so on.... where were the ones about turning left? turning right? giving way etc? I stumbled through the 20 questions and thought i had finished when i noticed there were more q's on the back. Another 16 to go!! oh yay!! When i went to the booth to start the form, all the booths were full.. i looked up and found one other person in the booth next to me!! had i really taken THAT long to do it? (Yep!! ) As i finally handed the form back to the guy to check, i was feeling very despondent, i knew it would be a miracle if by some strange luck i had passed. He quickly checked it and looked up and said. congrats! you passed! I was like OMG!! i was in shock!! I am soo glad that it's over. Today i tried to make an appointment for a behind the wheel test. I phoned up and after waiting 10 minutes got to a real human being. At least i think he was real as he only said like a dozen words. He simply said there were no appointments. I said.. 'what never ever'??? he said, 'not for at least a month. phone back monday and see if anything comes up'. so i went online and there was an appointment available in October so i booked that one. I went to print the information out and lost the whole page in the process.. arrrgh!! hope everyone is doing ok Kim how's it going over there? did you manage to sort out everything ok yet? cdneh: It must be awfully close for you to receive your GC! It's been three months now or there abouts?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-17 16:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Sep 13 2009, 03:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congrats Ana........Hope you had a nice break in Vegas after all your dmv and USCIS dramas. NIce one finding your GC in the mail when you got home......perfect end to your break away Cdneh you won't be far behind I'm sure Well I made it back home after dragging my backside across the country to LA and then the long flight home. Made a list of foods I was missing before I got here and am working my way through it one by one. Not everything is as good as I remember it I have to say....lol, however I'm eating a roast lamb dinner at the moment which is hitting the spot nicely My Aunt is still hanging on and is still coherent when she's not sleeping. It's been good to see her and spend some time with her. I'm going to make a start tomorrow on the box of things I stashed away before I left. Hopefully I can be ruthless and get rid of alot of it, fill up my case with some and send some via the post. It's been a frantic couple of weeks that's for sure It's great to hear that you made it there safe and sound What's it like to be back over there again? Is there anything that you really missed about nz (apart from obviously family and friends) Have you noticed anything different/changes or anything hard to adjust to over there, now that you have been away from the country for awhile? Hope you manage to get stuck into sorting out your things. Its amazing how time consuming it is! This week i am going to try and sit my written driving test at the dreaded DMV!! I tried to make an online appointment at the local office here but they don't accept appointments for it, so will have to try the good old fashioned walk in and wait and wait and wait trick!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-13 13:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi everyone! hope all is going well! My SO and I returned from vacation in vegas yesterday and found my GC waiting in the mail for me!! yay!! cdneh: have you heard any news from uscis yet?	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-12 12:56:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I received my 'welcome to United States of America' letter today in the mail Hopefully, the green card will arrive very soon. Kim: not sure if you have already headed to nz or not yet but just want to wish you a safe journey!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-03 16:34:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Aug 31 2009, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh wonderful news, that means your card should arrive sometime next week I would think. As you're planning on going for your license soon, you're probably right to not worry too much about the ID. They'll take that off you when they process your DL. Does anyone know how we go about changing the name on our passport and do you have to pay the full amount of a new one? Mine doesn't expire until 2012 so I really don't want to have to fork out the full hundred odd dollars when it's still got 3yrs on it. I'm in the process of booking a flight home, it'll be around this weekend or thereabouts. My Aunt (2nd Mum) is nearing her end they think and I have to go. I can't not. Not sure for how long yet but it will be at least 3 weeks. I will go with 2 mostly empty suitcases and carry on and bring back as much as my stuff as I can squeeze in. Am seriously missing my music and lots of my clothes that are virtually new. Will also bring back food I've been missing. Cdneh - how much was it to send stuff back via the post again and did you just get the boxes from the ordinary post office?? I know you've mentioned it before but I don't have the time to trawl back through all our pages right now......lol I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt I think that we have to pay the full price again for the passport when we change our name on it. Mine doesn't expire till 2012 either and it does seem a shame to have to pay all over again just for the name change. I think we have to send the nz passport application form back to nz. I don't think the nz consulate here in LA deals with issuing new passports. Here's the link to the nz consulate in LA: http://www.nzcgla.co...w/passports.php	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-09-01 00:54:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Kim & Chris @ Aug 31 2009, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> When they did my first state ID they had my zip code round the wrong way. I didn't realise till i got home and when I went back the next day they couldn't make a new one fast enough. I'm pretty sure it's importrant that all info on it is correct so I'd definately get it redone. Pain in the rear end I know I wish the departments where we live would be as efficient as the ones where you live!! I noticed that the ID is only valid till June next year. So i may just wait till then and correct the mistake.(the thought of waiting ages at DMV again is a very daunting one LOL!) Some good news though, about half an hour ago i got the email from cris saying that card production was ordered on 28th august.. yay!!!	kiwiana	Female	New Zealand	2009-08-31 13:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!		jeromebinh	Male	Vietnam	2009-10-25 03:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi everyone! I just filed our petition this morning. My fiance's only been back in NZ (Chch) for 3 weeks and it's already driving me mad! It's good to have other people in the same boat to keep my spirits up. Good luck to all of you!	that_girl	Female	New Zealand	2009-11-03 21:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I finally found a job in September. One year after I first moved here. It's only 20 hours a week but the pay is good, and it's in my profession. I can also pick up extra hours which I'm doing as much as I can. Most employers I'm sure did not look closely at my resume for the many jobs I applied for. They had so many to choose from that they didn't have to take the 'risk' of hiring a foreigner. I applied for a low paying job at a local medical centre. I live in a town of 35,000 people, they had 200 applicants for a $10 an hour part time job. There's a lot of competition out there. I think what made the difference for me was getting some temporary jobs and getting the US experience on my resume. The best way to get the temp jobs I found was by knowing someone. People told me over and over... it's who you know, and I didn't believe them but I think that it's true. I recommend doing some volunteer work. See what your local county or city has going, at the least it gives you someone in the US to use as reference. When I got my job I got it because of all the experience that I had in NZ. But I believe that if I had not been able to put down that I'd been working temporarily in a library here in the US(first as a volunteer, then as the lowest paid temp), I would not have got my foot in the door for that interview. I know it's probably not the news you wanted to hear, and things may be different where you are, but I think if you can find a way to get some US experience or references then you'll have a better chance.	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-23 23:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	I went to WellsFargo. They accept accounts from people who are not permanent residents etc. I did not have my SSN. They said that once I got it I should give it to them as it would allow me to collect interest. All I needed was my NZ passport and the money to open the account.	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-21 18:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Congrats Kiwiana!	kelzm	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-18 00:31:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (kiwiana @ Oct 17 2009, 01:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cdneh @ Oct 17 2009, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Kiwiana..how did the driving test go??? They had got my birth date wrong on my state ID and i was still waiting for the new one with the correct information to arrive in the mail. But when i arrived for my appointment for the driving test, i was informed that the birthdate was still wrong and that a new state ID was never issued or in the system!! So i had to get all that fixed first! so more photographs and thumb prints!! We then waited for almost two hours sitting in the car outside.( lined up with everyone else). Then finally it was my turn! By this time i had knots in my stomach but the guy that was testing me was very nice and put my mind at ease. I didn't have to do a three point turn or parallel park. I did have to park alongside the kerb and reverse in a straight line. I felt the rear tyre touch the kerb and thought ' Oh no!' I was surprised that my test was much shorter than the others that went before me ( i have a feeling they were running out of time as they still had lots of others to test before they closed for the day) and soon i was back at the DMV. He said to me: "Congratulations! you have passed!". I was ecstatic!!! He handed the form to me that he had to mark off and i had gotten 95% out of 100 (knocked -5 off) He wrote on the form ' Good Job!!!' So i am soo glad that is over! We got car insurance for me yesterday and today was the first time i went out on my own!! It feels good to finally have that little bit of independence back!! Well done Kiwiana!!!!! I had no doubt you would pass. God what a drama though. I suppose that's one thing about a smaller town, things like that happen a bit quicker. Harder to find a job though....believe me!! I'm with you on the parallel parking Cdneh. Walking a bit further or looking for a double space is my only option....lol. I got me fingers crossed for you on the GC though. If you've just had a touch then it shouldn't be too much longer. And i agree that it would still be at CSC. I've just been replacing all the broken CD cases that got cracked while my boxes were in transit, and now they're all set up on the storage unit. It feels good to have some more of my things around me	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-22 14:19:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hi Guys ...... remember me Well I made it back at the end of Sept (28th) and promptly came down with bronchitis or the flu or some such thing, major chest infection though and quick onset, lucky I brought some augmenten back with me. My Aunt hung on till I was back here for two days and then she passed away, but I was just glad that I got to spend alot of the 3 weeks with her. I went through most of the rest of my stuff back home and $875 later .......sent 4 of the largest NZ Post boxes back here I took em to the post office the day before I left and they arrived here today, pretty beat up and I have to replace a few CD cases, I think they musta been playing rugby with them at the airport or something Still looking for a job, have sent in a few applications, we'll just have to wait and see. How are you going with it Kiwiana? What has everyone done about medical insurance, I still haven't got that sorted and after being so sick in the last week or so, I really need to do something. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cdneh - What is it with your paperwork ...again.....must be a bad case of de ja vue for you, I'm sure it'll all be sorted out soon.....fingers crossed. Kim :0)	Kim & Chris	Female	New Zealand	2009-10-13 22:31:00