ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
Yay! How exciting to see a New Zealand thread. Thanks Ruby, it's great to be able to chat with others going through the process.

Kim, you asked where abouts I'm from and where I'm going. I live in Auckland right now and planning to move to California - heading north a little to the San Benito County.
kelzmFemaleNew Zealand2008-02-17 20:15:00
Australia and New ZealandConfusion with visa payment and needing an extension... Please help!

You too!


Misha'sgirlFemaleRussia2014-01-06 06:06:00
Australia and New ZealandConfusion with visa payment and needing an extension... Please help!

"K visa applicants pay an application fee like any other nonimmigrant visa applicant. The current application fee for the K visa is USD $240.00. (The AUD equivalent is $264.00).

This fee is currently only payable in person at Australia Post via cash or EFTPOS. Please refer to http://www.ustraveld...fo.asp#inperson for further information on payment options. Bring the receipt for this payment to your interview."

http://canberra.usem...ov/iv-fees.html


Misha'sgirlFemaleRussia2014-01-06 05:57:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
i finally got through to the woman i needed to speak to at IEP and received two pieces of good news:

1. the interview to be accepted into the program (not the visa interview) will be here in wellington, so i don't have to fly to auckland. the office is in auckland, but they have a marketing team that travels throughout the country, so they'll organise my interview to coincide with one of there visits to my city.

2. the predeparture orientation is a two hour session in the evening, on pre-set dates, but i can organise my visa interview to coincide with one of the sessions, so i only have to make ONE trip to auckland, instead of the three trips i thought it might be - saving me a ton of $$$.

now i just have to get: a reference from my boss (the referee form is absolutely hiliarious - i'll have to post here); copies of my passport and student ID; proof of my graduate status. then i can start the ball rolling properly. yay!
rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-03-03 20:59:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
hi ladies...

not much news on my end yet: got the phonecall (which i missed) from IEP (international exchange program/sponsorship agency) on friday. they're sending out the first set of forms for me to fill out, which should be here tomorrow, and then i'll have an 'interview' - this isn't for the visa, just the agency, and i'm really hoping i don't have to fly to auckland for it, because that'll mean THREE trips i have to make up there.

can't remember if i mentioned this earlier, but the SEVI fee that was 'yet to be advised' on the IEP website (which was freaking me out because i had no idea if it would be $50 or $500), is only $35, so that was quite a relief.

still haven't spoken to the parents... will probably do that later today, after i've finished work... blink.gif

Edited by rubyred, 01 March 2008 - 05:58 PM.

rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-03-01 17:57:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
the auckland consulate does sound really great - that review page that kim posted the link to made them sound super efficient, which definitely makes me feel better about the process. so if i can figure this out, hopefully below you'll see a photo of jordan with my parents....

they just got back yesterday, and i got an email from mum this morning telling me yet again what a 'lovely chap' she thinks jordan is smile.gif


rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-02-27 17:41:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
that's such good news, to hear both you ladies are well on your way.

today i filled out the official application to the sponsorship agency, to get started on procuring me a J-1 visa. this is entailed paying out $995 which was very sad for my bank balance.

now i sit back and wait for and IEP rep to get in touch with me...
rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-02-25 20:48:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
so jordan met my parents for a late lunch today, and it went great!

my mum sent me a text message: "he's with us now, he is nice"
followed about 20mins later by a cell phone photo of my dad and jordan together. later on, another pic, of my mum with jordan and text: "what a nice guy. please thank him for lunch for us, as we forgot to. how old is he?" i think they were impressed he paid for lunch. my dad asked him if he thought jordan could put up with my BOSSINESS (thanks dad!!), so i texted my mum later, saying "tell dad I AM NOT BOSSY". but despite my efforts to maintain this as being just a 'friendship' to my parents, i'm pretty sure they know there is definitely something more going on. just a few things they said to jordan. but they seemed to really like him. i'm sure it'll seem less weird to them, that i met him on the internet, now that they've met him in person (even though i haven't!).
rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-02-25 03:11:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Feb 18 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you so much. I wish the same for you.

Technology is a wonderful thing but i'll be SOOOO glad when my heart is no longer dependant on it!

What a great story about Jordan's parents! How sweet. It's so important to get to know someone from the inside out. How wonderful it is to finally be wrapped up in each other though! wink.gif

btw...do you use the phone for communication at all? I've used nobelcom.com for years. It lets me call NZ very cheap. wink.gif We don't use the phone too often but I always have a card available just in case. Yup...we're old pro's at this!

Ok well I must be off to bed now. I think my body is still on NZ time. Look forward to talking with you again soon.


well, we used to phone each other pretty regularly, but mostly IM'd. then we started using skype in september to call each other, and then finally got webcams in october... and haven't really used the phone since, since skype is free.

does anyone use any other video calling service? skype can be pretty crappy a lot of the times, and we're wondering if there's more reliable service out there.
rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-02-17 23:58:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
i was feeling so alone and overwhelmed at the thought of the huge and lengthy process ahead of me, and finding this forum and particularly finding kim and kelzm, has diminished a lot of that.

it'll be great to be able to talk with people going through the same particular things as me, specific to nz and the auckland consulate.

(ps. Kim, thanks for the PM, i'll reply soon)
rubyredMaleNew Zealand2008-02-17 19:32:00
Australia and New ZealandPacket 3 - Sydney

 

Only my fiance (petitioner/US citizen) had his email on the 1-129F and G-1145 by me as the beneficiary was never asked in the forms for an email address for me? So it would not be emailed to me....would they just email it to him (to forward to me) or post it to my address I put on the I-129F?

 

I live in Sydney so would be going to US Consulate in Sydney. Does anyone know if police checks are done at all Sydney police stations or only selected? And you have to book an appointment online correct? I'm aware that you need a case number from NVC for the medical, but do you need it for police check?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

RE: your first question - they'll email it to your fiancee. There's a little note at the bottom where they tell you that you can reply back to them and request they add your email as well :) Happened to me!


flowershoesFemaleAustralia2013-11-21 01:49:00
Australia and New ZealandConfusion with visa payment and needing an extension... Please help!

You are so helpful I cannot thank you enough! I've just read your interview.. WOW! Congratulations to you and your fiance, all the hard work has paid off and I wish you both the best! When do you get to leave Australia? 

 

I have prepared packet 3 this evening and will be posting this via express tomorrow, thank god I decided to get on here and ask for help.

With the DS-160, is it only the confirmation page which I'm sending with packet 3? 

And the DSL-1076, this is page 6 "Applicants Statement of Readiness of be Interviewed" along with the completed checklist?

 

I'm booked in with Dr. Waks on Monday 13th of Jan, very glad to hear they are great, that has put my mind at ease.

 

Yep, the DS-160 confirmation page is the only one you need to send with packet 3. I printed a full copy of the application but that was only for my records. DSL-1076, you need the Applicants statement of readiness to be interviewed page and the checklist page along with the supporting documents.

 

 

The I-134 is a bit ugly. My girl dealt with all that and I collected it when I was over there in November. From what I recall you do need originals so if you don't have them then will most probably  need to get them to you ASAP, I'm sure somebody else can confirm hat though. We had bank account statements and balances, cover letters, tax returns, pay slips. Our I-134 was pretty thick but my girl is a contractor so I think she needed to provide more info.

 

I would follow Ozgirl1981's advice and get onto that extension letter straight away.


dodgyJim73MaleAustralia2014-01-08 19:46:00
Australia and New ZealandConfusion with visa payment and needing an extension... Please help!

Yeah, there's still a lot of discrepancies with the steps :)

 

All you need for packet 3 is:

  • DS-160
  • I-134
  • DSL-1076 and your supporting documents

Which it will say this on the main document, the other reference document they link to is still way out of date. You probably know this already by now but the new DS-160 form has replaced all the other requested forms (DS-230I and 230II, DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157) so ignore any references to those old forms. I'm so glad it's just the one on-line form that you need to fill out.

 

"Sent direct from PP" means the results will be sent directly from the Panel Physician, the doctor who completes your medical. It's safe to write this on the form as I e-mailed the consulate about it and this is what they told me to put on the form. See their response below.

 

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

 

You may mark ?sent direct from PP? and enter the date that you had your medical exam done.

 

When you have obtained all of the documents, mail these to our office with DSL-1076 to advise the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney that you are ready for your visa interview.

 

I also e-mailed them because I had to change my medical and they said it was fine to put down the future date and send in packet 3. Are you seeing Dr.Waks or Dr.Rappaport? I had Celia Rappaport and she was great, Dr. Waks also gets good reviews.

 

Whatever you do...get the packet 3 contents back to them ASAP. They can't schedule you in for an interview until they have your full packet 3 documents. I received my packet 4 within about 8 days of sending in packet 3 so it can move pretty fast.

 

My interview was a breeze, you can read my review about it here: http://www.visajourn...e.php?id=168410

 

I would probably still e-mail them at the sydneyiv address and mention that your visa expires soon to see if they can expedite your petition or clarify any missing steps. You'll probably get an auto-reply saying something like "PLEASE NOTE that inquiries regarding non-immigrant visas are unable to
be answered from this address." with links pointing you to the ustraveldocs.com website. I still received an e-mail response from them even though the auto-reply said I wouldn't.... wacko.png

 

 

 


dodgyJim73MaleAustralia2014-01-06 08:14:00
Australia and New ZealandConfusion with visa payment and needing an extension... Please help!

There's still some discrepancies between the information in packet 3 that the consulate send you and what happens in the real world. There's other payment options available to you, not just Aus Post. You can pay via Credit card, funds transfer or at Australia Post. You need to make an account at the ustraveldocs.com site and follow the guidelines on the link http://www.ustraveld...paymentinfo.asp

 

I just had my visa interview and approval at the end of December. I paid online with my credit card and printed the e-mail receipt and took it in with me and that was all they needed.

 

I'm confused about why you are filling out the DS-230 form...since early October the DS-160 replaces most of the forms that were previously used. On your DSL-1076 form you can complete the medical checkbox with "sent direct from PP" and put the date of your medical exam, this way you can send your packet 3 in before you had the medical.

 

The Sydney consulate can be a little hit and miss when responding to e-mail but they usually get things done. Normally if they see your timeframe expiry is getting close they move you up in the list etc. I had my interview on Dec 24th and my petition was due to expire on Dec 29!

 

 

 

 


dodgyJim73MaleAustralia2014-01-06 06:28:00
Australia and New ZealandQuick 'n' dirty

Ok thanks for the info. I have decided to take the train as I dont want to be caught in peak hour traffic. No traffic on the train lines.. LOL With 3 children with me also, I think i will try avoid any train changes. So I think i'll get the airport train link thru to St James station and then it's just about short walk down the block (if google maps is correct). 
And also a good thing is that with the train fare, they only charge for 1 child. 
Thanks for the info

 

Google maps is correct. It's a very short walk from St.James :)

 

I've taken the airport train a bazillion times for work and it has never been late!

 

Good luck with it all!


dodgyJim73MaleAustralia2014-01-08 19:49:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

My visa arrived today, all the info is correct, and my packet is still sealed. Hopping a flight tomorrow to SLC!

 

Very happy indeed, after 5 weeks waiting I finally get to go back home.

Yaaay! I'm so happy for you it all worked out! So pumped for my interview now haha


chestnuttFemaleAustralia2014-01-06 20:46:00
Australia and New ZealandQuick 'n' dirty

Yeah the Sydney USEM does allow for co-sponsors. My fiance is just borderline (without liquidating his assets) so we opted to have a co-sponsor just in case. 

Here's another thread about the same thing

http://www.visajourn...ralian-embassy/



 

Great, thanks for that :D


chestnuttFemaleAustralia2014-01-10 16:44:00
Australia and New ZealandQuick 'n' dirty

Hey guys,

 

I made a new topic for this question as well but thought I would ask on here too...

 

Just wanted to check that the Aussie embassy allows co-sponsors for the I-134? We are using one and I'd never thought to ask before whether it's allowed or not. If anyone did use one, did you have any problems?

 

Thanks!!

 


chestnuttFemaleAustralia2014-01-10 06:46:00
Australia and New ZealandNEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!
Hi all,

Just touching in as a kiwi/US couple in the process of waiting. Looks like things have been moving a bit quicker lately so he's hoping something happens this week for us.

Hope you are all well and your journeys in this process are going well.

Cheers,

Mark
markjoNot TellingNew Zealand2008-03-02 07:50:00
Australia and New ZealandPacket 3 - Sydney

 

RE: your first question - they'll email it to your fiancee. There's a little note at the bottom where they tell you that you can reply back to them and request they add your email as well smile.png Happened to me!

Hi!

 

Can anyone that has recently obtained their visa in Sydney...can you confirm if the DS-160 is the right form to use/send off in Packet 3, and it replaces DS-156 and DS-156K despite what the instructions say? So only one copy of DS-160 is required in Packet 3 (along with DS-1076, I-134, supporting documents etc

 

Thank you so much, I feel so close now!


KPeaNot TellingAustralia2014-01-06 22:50:00
Australia and New ZealandPacket 3 - Sydney

Packet 3 is emailed. I've never heard of anyone not supplying their email address so I don't know what they would do in your situation. You could contact the Sydney consulate with your case number and ask them what to do. Are you sure you didn't include an email address anywhere in the I-129f or the G-1145?

 

Yes you can get your police check and medical. What state do you live in? This affects your other question (whether they are sent direct to the consulate or to you).

Edit - cjbaker beat me to it!

 

Only my fiance (petitioner/US citizen) had his email on the 1-129F and G-1145 by me as the beneficiary was never asked in the forms for an email address for me? So it would not be emailed to me....would they just email it to him (to forward to me) or post it to my address I put on the I-129F?

 

I live in Sydney so would be going to US Consulate in Sydney. Does anyone know if police checks are done at all Sydney police stations or only selected? And you have to book an appointment online correct? I'm aware that you need a case number from NVC for the medical, but do you need it for police check?

 

Thank you in advance!


KPeaNot TellingAustralia2013-11-21 01:28:00
Australia and New ZealandPacket 3 - Sydney

Hi guys!

 

This is my first post :) 

 

Checked USCIS status yesterday and saw that it was in Post Decision Activity and that it was approved on Nov 18 and being shipped to NVC. My US fiance did not receive text or email about this..was he only supposed to have received text/email update if he had signed up for an account on USCIS?

 

Now waiting for hard copy..

 

Just a couple of questions

 

- Is Packet 3 that comes from Sydney US Consulate emailed or mailed via post to me (beneficiary)? I read that Sydney consulate emails it, but I have not provided my email address anywhere in the I-129F, nor did my US fiance, so they wouldn't have our email addresses?

 

- Can I get my police check and medical done before even receiving the Packet 3? Are these required to be sent back to US consulate or only bought along to the interview at the consulate?

Any other general tips regarding police and medical check?

 

Thanks so much!

 


KPeaNot TellingAustralia2013-11-21 00:05:00
Australia and New ZealandSydney K1 visa interview - can USC fiance also attend?

Hi everyone!

 

Just sent off my Packet 3 :)

 

So am anticipating an interview hopefully in February.
 

Quick question - does anyone know if my USC fiance can come to the interview with me? He is currently living here with me (working remotely for a US company), we share a lease etc. What are the protocols needed if he is to come to the interview too?

 

Thanks!

 

 


KPeaNot TellingAustralia2014-01-07 21:02:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
I have much faith that it will be a quick turn around for you once you get that little slip! Good luck :D
PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-06 21:30:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

My visa arrived today, all the info is correct, and my packet is still sealed. Hopping a flight tomorrow to SLC!

 

Very happy indeed, after 5 weeks waiting I finally get to go back home.


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-02 20:07:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
I have received an email from toll priority saying it has been recorded and will be sent. So Brisbane maybe overnight? That or Monday.
PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 23:44:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
Hey Emma&Edun,

Go to:
http://www.ustraveld...n-contactus.asp

Enter your passport number and it will track it





PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 22:30:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
Awesome! Well fingers crossed Ozgirl that it will be less painful and downhill from here
PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 21:27:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
Hey guys,

My status changed to issue today yay!


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 20:27:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

no no no no no lol don't do it! I flew back into Australia for the interview. Expected to be here max 2 weeks... Ive been stuck here 5 weeks now. Whatever you do, no matter how cheap the flights, don't book until you have that visa in hand. AP can actually go as long as 2 months some say. However I am hoping it just means that a worker is checking over our case before they bump it to status: Issued.


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2013-12-30 18:30:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

It was always ready, but as of a minute ago when I checked mine is now in Admin processing... keep checking, and ill keep checking mine.


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2013-12-30 18:24:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

No it doesnt. It says: Ready. Does yours say it? :(?


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2013-12-30 18:17:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

Hey Emma&Edun,

 

I was approved Dec 3 and I am still waiting for my Visa, however I have come to beleive that they have reached the visa limit outwards for the year and as of thursday (jan 2) they will start pumping them out!

 

My status seems to have been updated today! so fingers crossed that both of us recieve notification they are in the mail thursday!


PG & JWFemaleAustralia2013-12-30 18:07:00
Australia and New ZealandQuick 'n' dirty
Good luck to both you and chesty! Please post the good news :)
PG & JWFemaleAustralia2014-01-07 09:15:00
Australia and New ZealandPacket 3 - Sydney
We kept calling NVC and once they received the packet from USCIS.... We knew they would assign us a new number. Once they receive it, they gave us the NVC number. Once this happens, set up your police check and medical. We had both scheduled before we received packet 3.... That way once Sydney sent us packet 3.... We could just send it back out the next day. I hope this helps! Good luck!
NatashaMarylandFemaleAustralia2013-11-21 09:49:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
So happy for you! :) Congrats!
Emma&EdunFemaleAustralia2014-01-02 20:41:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
Yes I'm hoping the same for Tassie! :)
Emma&EdunFemaleAustralia2014-01-02 00:40:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
Thanks!

"Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"


Emma&EdunFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 22:34:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?

Awesome! Well fingers crossed Ozgirl that it will be less painful and downhill from here

 

Hey PG & JW,

 

Are you able to track using your USTRAVELDOCS profile? After I log in, it does not provide me with any way to track my passport/visa?

 

Congrats again!

 

Ps. Thanks Ozgirl! :)


Emma&EdunFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 21:44:00
Australia and New ZealandApproved Dec 24, has anyone around the same time received their visa yet?
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Mine too! :)
Emma&EdunFemaleAustralia2014-01-01 20:37:00