Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I got approved this morning!!! Oh yeah, time to book my flight Congrats !!!!!!! Very happy for you	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-19 20:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Yeah mine's sitting on the 18th Dec now too...hopefully not too long now Flowershoes got hers yesterday, I was really hoping you got yours today.. maybe we will both get packet 4 tomorrow.  Let us know how you go	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-19 06:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I got mine for the 24th! Luckily I'm visiting family in Caberra over the xmas holidays (I'm a Queenslander) so I'll be enduring a lovely 4hour bus ride on the 23rd....here's hoping I can find cheap accomodation! Yeah!!! so happy for you both.. Good luck and let us know how you go	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-18 00:14:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I sent my packet 3 on 2013-11-26 and my fiance and I both received the packet 4 e-mail on 2013-12-05. So 9 days all up. I'm sure yours aren't far away   My interview was scheduled for the 24th but I was just contacted and it's now on Friday 20th   Hopefully they can squeeze you guys in for an interview on Tuesday the 24th but the clock is ticking so it may be in the new year. Thats wonderful. Good Luck!!! I didn't know they did interviews on Fridays. Maybe there are trying to get rid of backlog before Christmas.  In a way, I'm hoping we get interviewed by the end of this year, but the prie to fly to Sydney Christmas eve are thru the roof. I'll be happy to go early Jan. With 4 of us flying from Victoria the cheaper the better.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-17 22:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Whats everyones CEAC status today? We have been touched 3 days in a row.. OH My that sounds dirty LOL   Case Creation Date: 16-Oct-2013 Status Updated Date: 18-Dec-2013   Edited by Ozgirl1981, 17 December 2013 - 05:09 PM.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-17 17:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Opps.. I may be wrong there... if you dont have your ID number page (or copy of application) then, you do need to submit another form. I hope you can retrieve it Edited by Ozgirl1981, 16 December 2013 - 05:07 AM.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-16 05:06:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Hmm I'm having a quick look around and getting the impression that they can deny the visa if the DS-160 application is incomplete, I'll try and contact the embassy tomorrow and get some info There is a way to retrieve your application to check over it.. .. This link will take you to the main page. On the right hand side, you'll see 3 red boxes. The last of the 3 say "RETRIEVE APPLICATION". If you have your access number it will be easy, but if you haven't got it, then I think you'll need your passport and maybe a few other info details to let you in. You should be able to go over it to double check that everything is completed. Good luck https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-16 05:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Haha no worries Ozgirl1981   Quick question for you guys, I saw on another thread here about the DS-160 that there is some sort of bug with the previous work experience/education section where it sometimes doesn't show up. I don't remember filling anything about previous employment out, and now I'm worried that I accidentally missed a section...although it said I had filled everything out and it confirmed fine.    Did you guys fill anything like this out, and do you think it will be a problem at the interview if I didn't? I don't want to rock the boat by filling in a new DS-160 haha.   Cheers I wouldn't worry about re-doing it.. If anything is missing, the people at the interview should be able to fill it out. But if it let you complete the form, then everything was filled out.  I dont think you have anything to worry about.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-16 02:57:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	If we all have the same interview date, we'll definitely have to grab a few drinks after to celebrate       I second that!! Such an exciting time I'll have 3 children with me and being 7hrs away from Sydney (East Gippsland, VIC) I wont be much fun ROFL.. I'll be doing a day trip there and back again, flying out from Mebourne. If I was by myself, I'd certainly be in for it thou	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-16 01:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	You are an absolute treasure!!! Thank you so much for your help  Glad to help.. Maybe You, chestnutt and myself will meet up at the interview	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 23:01:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	OH WHOOPS, NEVER MIND! I can't type to save my life! It says "ready" and that the case was updated 11 Dec. What happens now?! That means they have touched your case.. It shouldn't be long now till packet 4.  Be aware thou.. My fiance got packet 3 when it should have come to me, so get your fiance to check their emails too in case it as gone to your fiance.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:54:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Immigrant or NON immigrant visa? No love with either I guess I can start officially freaking out now?! I've always used the IMMIGRANT option.. the other doesn't work for me and thats the one that asked for case number	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:49:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Can I ask what number you use for the CEAC ID? My case number doesn't work -- though my application ID does it shows up as No Status, with no update   To check updates: https://ceac.state.g...AKjMWCuebHqOw==   In the drop down box, select - IMMIGRANT VISA Then enter: SYD????????? < Your case number goes here LOL   Edited by Ozgirl1981, 15 December 2013 - 10:41 PM.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:39:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Mine got there on Monday the 9th FINGERS CROSSED! Has your CEAC been updated? Mine changed today.  Case Creation Date: 16-Oct-2013 Status Updated Date: 16-Dec-2013	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:08:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I'm waiting for mine too! My packet 3 got to the embassy on Tuesday 10th, hope it's not too long of a wait until the packet 4 email I'm waiting here too... Our packet 3 got delivered to Embassy on the 11th. It shouldn't be too much longer for you Flowershoes.. Keep us updated hun Edited by Ozgirl1981, 14 December 2013 - 05:05 AM.	Ozgirl1981	Female	Australia	2013-12-14 05:05:00
Australia and New Zealand	Name check vs. fingerprint police certificates (split topic)	I had to get a fingerprint certificate for London - major PITA when living in London at the time as I had to get fingerprints done and mailed down to Australia with the application forms.	Kiwinyc	Female	United Kingdom	2014-01-19 21:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	My i-134 / Co Sponsor situation -	Hi, thanks for the response.    So if all we have is the deed from 2 years ago, am I facing a definite denial?     I have my own tax return, I have a small business which together with co-sponsor's income and my savings in cash would meet the 125% requirement, but those can't be combined can they?    Not sure what to do.. it's a strange situation because I have enough money for everything, I have been working here for a long time and saving, it's just my fiance lives with me so she doesn't have the US income for the i-134.   It sounds like you have enough funds to self-sponsor - check if the US Consulate in Sydney allows this. London does, and it appears to be quite straight forward there.	Kiwinyc	Female	United Kingdom	2014-01-19 22:07:00
Australia and New Zealand	Police Certificate from New Zealand needed (split topic)	Thank you! I managed to sort it out just recently, I was able to contact the embassy in New Zealand directly (through email) and they emailed me the form to fill out, then mailed the police report to the embassy here in London so they should have it on file now.     Glad you were able to figure it out! Its convoluted for NZ and I worried about how long it would take but I think they're pretty quick and it doesn't really hold any of the process up. GL!	Kiwinyc	Female	United Kingdom	2014-01-22 13:44:00
Australia and New Zealand	Police Certificate from New Zealand needed (split topic)	Has anyone figured this out? My fiance needs a police certificate from New Zealand and has emailed the ministry of justice twice now but we haven't heard anything back from them. How do you get the authorization form?   You can't get a Police Certificate directly from New Zealand, the US Embassy that you are applying through makes the request via the US Embassy in Auckland and its sent back via the Embassy on your behalf - you never see it, it just ends up in your file.   Contact the US Embassy that you are applying through, and ask them for the form you need - they send the completed form off on your behalf as I've described above. I was resident in London so the London Embassy did this for me (I included it in my Packet 3 response) and my Police Certificate was in my file when I went for my interview.	Kiwinyc	Female	United Kingdom	2014-01-19 21:53:00
Australia and New Zealand	NZers - who are you/did you ship your freight with? Especially if you only sent a small amount?	If you are just bringing clothes and small things, I would vote for bringing an extra luggage or two aboard with you. It really is much cheaper than going through freight companies. Since I had family coming over to visit, I just got them to bring extra things that didn't fit in my bags.	ArianneChris	Female	New Zealand	2014-01-15 10:35:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	From the time I sent my Pkt 3 to the US Consulate Sydney, it took 17 days total to receive Pkt 4 where I received 9 days notice to actual interview and this was in October this year.  I also noticed that they were moving faster after I sent mine in so I am guessing it won't be long now for you all now   Wishing you all the best Flowershoes, Chestnut, Ozgirl and anyone else waiting - it is so exciting to have that 'date' locked in when it happens.  What a great Christmas present!   Have a happy weekend. Take care. cjc	CJC	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 10:15:00
Australia and New Zealand	AUSSIES! Who did you ship with!	Hey there! Congrats on your approval   I sent 3 boxes and a painting via Pack&Send and it cost me $1000 (including having them pack it & ins.). Only took a few weeks to get to me via air due to customs clearing etc.  When I was looking around shipping was cheaper, but it took around 2 months to get here and was only $160 less than air.   The excess baggage via your flight is a great idea and one I considered but in the end I just had too much stuff for that option. - Hope you are having fun getting ready to move and be with your love....there is so much to do, but the joy at the other end worth every stress!   Have a great weekend!	CJC	Female	Australia	2014-01-17 09:20:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Thats wonderful. Good Luck!!! I didn't know they did interviews on Fridays. Maybe there are trying to get rid of backlog before Christmas.  In a way, I'm hoping we get interviewed by the end of this year, but the prie to fly to Sydney Christmas eve are thru the roof. I'll be happy to go early Jan. With 4 of us flying from Victoria the cheaper the better.    I got mine for the 24th! Luckily I'm visiting family in Caberra over the xmas holidays (I'm a Queenslander) so I'll be enduring a lovely 4hour bus ride on the 23rd....here's hoping I can find cheap accomodation!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-17 23:12:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Glad to help.. Maybe You, chestnutt and myself will meet up at the interview   If we all have the same interview date, we'll definitely have to grab a few drinks after to celebrate	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 23:04:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	That means they have touched your case.. It shouldn't be long now till packet 4.  Be aware thou.. My fiance got packet 3 when it should have come to me, so get your fiance to check their emails too in case it as gone to your fiance.      You are an absolute treasure!!! Thank you so much for your help <3	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:59:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	To check updates: https://ceac.state.g...AKjMWCuebHqOw==   In the drop down box, select - IMMIGRANT VISA Then enter: SYD????????? < Your case number goes here LOL       OH WHOOPS, NEVER MIND! I can't type to save my life! It says "ready" and that the case was updated 11 Dec. What happens now?!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:51:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	To check updates: https://ceac.state.g...AKjMWCuebHqOw==   In the drop down box, select - IMMIGRANT VISA Then enter: SYD????????? < Your case number goes here LOL       Immigrant or NON immigrant visa? No love with either I guess I can start officially freaking out now?!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:47:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Has your CEAC been updated? Mine changed today.  Case Creation Date: 16-Oct-2013 Status Updated Date: 16-Dec-2013     Can I ask what number you use for the CEAC ID? My case number doesn't work -- though my application ID does it shows up as No Status, with no update	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 22:35:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I'm waiting for mine too! My packet 3 got to the embassy on Tuesday 10th, hope it's not too long of a wait until the packet 4 email   Mine got there on Monday the 9th FINGERS CROSSED!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-15 16:53:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	How long did people wait to recieve their fourth packet from the consulate? We're so close we can almost taste it, so obviously every day without communication feels like an eternity!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2013-12-13 00:54:00
Australia and New Zealand	AUSSIES! Who did you ship with!	Often it's less expensive to pay for additional baggage on your flight.   Yes, the fiancee and I are fast discovering this! Looks like this will be the way to go!	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2014-01-17 01:29:00
Australia and New Zealand	AUSSIES! Who did you ship with!	2 or 3 boxes isn't much. Can you get a large suitcase and pay for the extra bag? I'm doing that with Qantas, they charge an extra $84 per bag so I'm jamming as much stuff as I possibly can right up to the 23kg limit! They let you take up to 5 bags so maybe you could take 2 extra bags for a couple of hundred bucks.   I'm using www.wridgways.com.au to send my stuff but I'm sending golf clubs, ski's, bike, dive gear, ski gear and about 4 boxes. What you'll find with those big shipping companies is they have a default fare which is about $800-1000 and then charge you on top of that for individual items.   I did see a post that someone on here wrote where they used Pack&Send for a few boxes because it's basically the same price as the surface shippers but you get it straight away whereas I have to wait 3 months.   Are you sure it's $84? I just had a look over here: http://www.qantas.co...d-heavy-charges and they quote $175. (I'd hate for you to turn up and be charged extra!)	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2014-01-17 01:26:00
Australia and New Zealand	AUSSIES! Who did you ship with!	What kind of price am I looking at if I send two or three boxes of my stuff over to the states? I've done a couple of quotations online but the prices seem astronomical...	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2014-01-16 23:41:00
Australia and New Zealand	Anyone done their police check in qld	Hey thanks for the reply  I had it sent directly to the embassy but forgot to put my case number on the form but addressed it to:   Consulate general of the United States Attn:  IV Unit - Pkt 3 Dox Level 10 MLC Centre  19 - 29 Martin Place Sydney, NSW 2000   Hope this will find its way there with just my name and other details on it...   How long did it take for them to send the police check back to you... would it be worth trying to have them send it to me and take it in... or do you reckon it will find its way in their office to my case?       It took about three weeks for me. You can call them and hound them like I did if you want -- you may be able to ask them to add your case number to it as well.   Hope this helps.	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2014-01-19 23:11:00
Australia and New Zealand	Anyone done their police check in qld	Hey guys just went down to the police station and got my finger print based national police check... should Have got it sent to my home address or straight to the consulate in Sydney?   Hi there! You can chose either option in QLD! I went with having it sent to my home address, just because I wanted to have all the documents together for when I went to my interview	flowershoes	Female	Australia	2014-01-16 23:27:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Hey! Thanks for the reply I've filled out the ustraveldocs profile, so if I take an express post and tracked envelope to the interview with my address written on it, will they use that envelope to send my visa? Definitely definitely want the tracking on that envelope haha.    Yep, they will use the envelope you supply. When you are called up to the first window the consulate staff member will take your passport, interview payment receipt and will return your original documents. I was then asked if I had an envelope so I handed that over and that is where they sent it. Easy   Although as PG & JW said above, they used Toll Express for their package so it's well tracked. I didn't know this before I went in so I was happy to cover my butt. Looks like you don't need to get the envelope after all	dodgyJim73	Male	Australia	2014-01-07 01:45:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	We're also flying from Melbourne to Sydney, arriving at 7:25am.  See you there!  May I ask if you've researched transportation at all?  Two return tickets on the airport link will cost us more than $70!  We're thinking that perhaps a taxi would be cheaper, at least if we take it some of the way and walk the rest.  The things we'll do to save a few pennies these days.   A taxi in both directions will probably cost you more than the train. The airport train prices are an absolute disgrace, the public just keep getting gouged by private companies and stupid state governments   A return train trip will cost you $32.80 each. From the Domestic Terminal change trains at Central Station and get on the blue Eastern Suburbs line. 2 stops later you will be at Martin Place Station and directly across the road from the MLC building, where the consulate is.   Keep in mind that you are landing in Sydney at 7:25am...that's morning peak hour for taxi's at the airport AND for traffic on the roads. The train will take you roughly 20 minutes to Martin Place station.   Your interview is 9:30am....Imagine if your plane is 30 minutes late and then you have to wait 20 minutes for a taxi and then sit in traffic...all of a sudden a taxi isn't the most attractive option. You want to arrive at the interview cool, calm and collected. You've done too much work to get to this point and have a flight, taxi or traffic delay stuff it up. Consider the train.   Downstairs at the MLC building is a food court, if you are really early then grab a coffee and chill out. When you come out of Martin Place Station you'll be at the Channel 7 studio where they film the morning show with that bald Kochie guy. You could always take a sign that says "I'm moving to America" and hold it up at the window   Just my 2 cents...	dodgyJim73	Male	Australia	2014-01-06 06:55:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	Hey guys,   Getting excited about the interview!! I'm assuming you would have gotten the same interview appointment letter as me, where it says to bring a platinum/express post 3kg envelope, do we not have to worry about that because we filled in the profile on the UStraveldocs? I've heard different things combing through the discussion boards so just wondering what the go is. Maybe bring one in case haha.   Cheers!     They don't sell platinum envelopes anymore   You don't need to take an envelope anymore because K1 applicants can have it sent directly based on your ustraveldocs profile....BUT....I don't know how they send it out to you, it may just go as regular mail and I'll be stuffed if something that important is going regular post.   I took a normal express post envelope so I could track it and I paid the extra $2.50 or however much it is so it requires a signature as well. If you take your own express post envelope then you can have it sent to a P.O. Box but if you use the ustraveldocs postage thing then it will go to your residential address only that is listed in your profile.   You are talking about your passport and ultra-important documents that will get you into the USA. Cough up the extra $17 and pay for an express post envelope with signature and have the extra piece of mind!	dodgyJim73	Male	Australia	2014-01-06 06:36:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I got approved this morning!!! Oh yeah, time to book my flight	dodgyJim73	Male	Australia	2013-12-19 18:28:00
Australia and New Zealand	Quick 'n' dirty	I sent my packet 3 on 2013-11-26 and my fiance and I both received the packet 4 e-mail on 2013-12-05. So 9 days all up. I'm sure yours aren't far away   My interview was scheduled for the 24th but I was just contacted and it's now on Friday 20th   Hopefully they can squeeze you guys in for an interview on Tuesday the 24th but the clock is ticking so it may be in the new year.	dodgyJim73	Male	Australia	2013-12-17 22:10:00