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
VisaJourney.com > General Discussion Area > Regional Discussion > Asia: East and Pacific (Except China)
justine, i'm glad things are happening for you! Is there someone you could email to find out where the interview is? $35 is a lot better than $500! If we weren't broke enough from all the travelling over the last 3 years, we certainly will be after this whole visa business is done with! Do your folks even know that you're planning on coming to America? btw...Russell and I were thinking you and Jordan should have a photoshopped image of you both together. 
Let us know if we can help you with that.
emma&sammy.. great to see you here.
You guys seem to be in that last lot of older petitions at VSC! Makes you wonder just how they're getting things done over there. Not too fair with all these January filers being approved but i'm sure your time is just around the corner. I hope you can take some comfort in that and in the fact that the NZ consulate is so effecient. Where will you be in the U.S. once you're here? I'm in Massachusetts.
Kel, nice to see you. I'm not sure if the consulate works at the same pace for the CR-1's (would imagine so) but if they do you should be hearing from them very soon. Did you put your house on the market yet?
Hi Mark, nice to see you over here too! I'm so excited for those of you who are so close to 'the end' of this, the most arguous, process of it all! You also look like you're about 'ready to pop' out of the CSC very soon! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Are you, or your SO in Chicago? Good to know i'm not the only one freezing my @ss off!
btw..any of you lived anywhere else for 6+ months and need a police clearance from that country? Russell worked in Australia for close to a year and we were wondering if the NZ consulate would handle that police clearance as well.
Let us know if we can help you with that. emma&sammy.. great to see you here.
You guys seem to be in that last lot of older petitions at VSC! Makes you wonder just how they're getting things done over there. Not too fair with all these January filers being approved but i'm sure your time is just around the corner. I hope you can take some comfort in that and in the fact that the NZ consulate is so effecient. Where will you be in the U.S. once you're here? I'm in Massachusetts.Kel, nice to see you. I'm not sure if the consulate works at the same pace for the CR-1's (would imagine so) but if they do you should be hearing from them very soon. Did you put your house on the market yet?
Hi Mark, nice to see you over here too! I'm so excited for those of you who are so close to 'the end' of this, the most arguous, process of it all! You also look like you're about 'ready to pop' out of the CSC very soon! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Are you, or your SO in Chicago? Good to know i'm not the only one freezing my @ss off!
btw..any of you lived anywhere else for 6+ months and need a police clearance from that country? Russell worked in Australia for close to a year and we were wondering if the NZ consulate would handle that police clearance as well.
hi kim!
i'll be calling IEP today so i'll try to get some more info about the interview then. my parents know i'm moving to the states, i told them a few months ago, but they assumed it was just for the experience. i spoke to my mum yesterday.... no interrogation! a couple of things she said made it clear that she knows things are serious between jordan and me, but she seemed perfectly okay and unflustered about the whole thing. she's definitely very smitten with him, and like me she she LOVES chicago accent (he has the nicest voice of any american i've met - such a soft, rolling caress on the ear).
i'm really glad they all got to meet - jordan made a really, really good impression on my parents, and they seem happy for me, in their usual silent way
oh, it would AWESOME if someone could photoshop a pic of me and jordan together! we've joked about it, but neither of us has the skills to actually do it.
i'll be calling IEP today so i'll try to get some more info about the interview then. my parents know i'm moving to the states, i told them a few months ago, but they assumed it was just for the experience. i spoke to my mum yesterday.... no interrogation! a couple of things she said made it clear that she knows things are serious between jordan and me, but she seemed perfectly okay and unflustered about the whole thing. she's definitely very smitten with him, and like me she she LOVES chicago accent (he has the nicest voice of any american i've met - such a soft, rolling caress on the ear).
i'm really glad they all got to meet - jordan made a really, really good impression on my parents, and they seem happy for me, in their usual silent way
oh, it would AWESOME if someone could photoshop a pic of me and jordan together! we've joked about it, but neither of us has the skills to actually do it.
Justine, so glad the talk went well with your mom. Bet it relieves a lot of stress for you. Any news with the IEP? We'd be happy to photoshop some pictures for you. Just send them along to my email at full resolution if you have them.
Mark & emma&sammy...still have our fingers crossed for you!
Kel, you should be seeing your packet 3 anytime! Keep us posted!
Any news with the IEP? We'd be happy to photoshop some pictures for you. Just send them along to my email at full resolution if you have them. Mark & emma&sammy...still have our fingers crossed for you!
Kel, you should be seeing your packet 3 anytime! Keep us posted!
Yay. More kiwi couples joining the thread!
Mark - I bet you're going to be getting that NOA2 any day now.
I think for me it's still going to be a while. NVC still hasn't got my info from USCIS so.... waiting, again!
Mark - I bet you're going to be getting that NOA2 any day now.
I think for me it's still going to be a while. NVC still hasn't got my info from USCIS so.... waiting, again!
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 $$$.
now i just have to get: a reference from my boss (the referee form is absolutely hiliarious - i'll have to post here); copies of my passport and student ID; proof of my graduate status. then i can start the ball rolling properly. yay!
1. the interview to be accepted into the program (not the visa interview) will be here in wellington, so i don't have to fly to auckland. the office is in auckland, but they have a marketing team that travels throughout the country, so they'll organise my interview to coincide with one of there visits to my city.
2. the predeparture orientation is a two hour session in the evening, on pre-set dates, but i can organise my visa interview to coincide with one of the sessions, so i only have to make ONE trip to auckland, instead of the three trips i thought it might be - saving me a ton of $$$.
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!
That's great news Justine!
Kel... can you track your package with DHL the same way we can once it leaves the NVC???
Kel... can you track your package with DHL the same way we can once it leaves the NVC???
I'm not sure about tracking packages... I guess so?
I still have quite a process to go through to get it to leave there though! We're still waiting for them to receive it, once they have they'll send out two more bills, and want to collect the biographical info before it's all sent to the consulate. Looks like that part of the process is taking about 3 - 5 months for most people.
You must be counting down the days Kim. It's March now, just a month more to go!
I still have quite a process to go through to get it to leave there though! We're still waiting for them to receive it, once they have they'll send out two more bills, and want to collect the biographical info before it's all sent to the consulate. Looks like that part of the process is taking about 3 - 5 months for most people.
You must be counting down the days Kim. It's March now, just a month more to go!
Hi Kel, wow I didn't realize they held it up for that long at the NVC for you folks. Well after what needs to get done gets done.... you might find this thread usful in tracking it with DHL to the consulate. For us K1's, at VSC anyway, it seems to be in and out in just a couple days. CSC looks like they're still sending to the NVC in bulk shipments so it takes a little longer.
Justine, still waiting on those pictures.
So we've finally decided on our plans for a wedding ceremony but it's kinda hard to plan when you dont know when the 90 day window will be.
Justine, still waiting on those pictures.
So we've finally decided on our plans for a wedding ceremony but it's kinda hard to plan when you dont know when the 90 day window will be.
Ohh wedding plans. Are you going to share or keeping them secret for a while?
QUOTE(KimandRuss @ Mar 3 2008, 04:17 AM) 
justine, i'm glad things are happening for you! Is there someone you could email to find out where the interview is? $35 is a lot better than $500! If we weren't broke enough from all the travelling over the last 3 years, we certainly will be after this whole visa business is done with! Do your folks even know that you're planning on coming to America? btw...Russell and I were thinking you and Jordan should have a photoshopped image of you both together. Let us know if we can help you with that.
emma&sammy.. great to see you here. You guys seem to be in that last lot of older petitions at VSC! Makes you wonder just how they're getting things done over there. Not too fair with all these January filers being approved but i'm sure your time is just around the corner. I hope you can take some comfort in that and in the fact that the NZ consulate is so effecient. Where will you be in the U.S. once you're here? I'm in Massachusetts.
Kel, nice to see you. I'm not sure if the consulate works at the same pace for the CR-1's (would imagine so) but if they do you should be hearing from them very soon. Did you put your house on the market yet?
Hi Mark, nice to see you over here too! I'm so excited for those of you who are so close to 'the end' of this, the most arguous, process of it all! You also look like you're about 'ready to pop' out of the CSC very soon! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Are you, or your SO in Chicago? Good to know i'm not the only one freezing my @ss off!
btw..any of you lived anywhere else for 6+ months and need a police clearance from that country? Russell worked in Australia for close to a year and we were wondering if the NZ consulate would handle that police clearance as well.
Let us know if we can help you with that. emma&sammy.. great to see you here.
You guys seem to be in that last lot of older petitions at VSC! Makes you wonder just how they're getting things done over there. Not too fair with all these January filers being approved but i'm sure your time is just around the corner. I hope you can take some comfort in that and in the fact that the NZ consulate is so effecient. Where will you be in the U.S. once you're here? I'm in Massachusetts.Kel, nice to see you. I'm not sure if the consulate works at the same pace for the CR-1's (would imagine so) but if they do you should be hearing from them very soon. Did you put your house on the market yet?
Hi Mark, nice to see you over here too! I'm so excited for those of you who are so close to 'the end' of this, the most arguous, process of it all! You also look like you're about 'ready to pop' out of the CSC very soon! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Are you, or your SO in Chicago? Good to know i'm not the only one freezing my @ss off!
btw..any of you lived anywhere else for 6+ months and need a police clearance from that country? Russell worked in Australia for close to a year and we were wondering if the NZ consulate would handle that police clearance as well.
I'm not sure if he will need a police clearance, I lived in the UK for 9 months and the longest I stayed in the US at one time was 9 months, so i'm not sure if I need to get police clearances for either of them? I'm going to call the AKL embassy tomorrow so will let you know.
emma... Russell has already contacted the consulate regarding this and this is the response he got....
QUOTE
You require a Police Clearance from your country of Nationality, and Residence, when you have resided there (ie NZ) for 6 months or more. And from any other country you have resided in for 12 months or more. So if you only lived in Australia for 9 months, and are not an Australian citizen, you won’t need to obtain one from there. (of course, if there was any conviction, you would have to obtain the court records!)
>
> This office obtains the NZLD one for you, once we receive your approved petition/case file.
>
>
> This office obtains the NZLD one for you, once we receive your approved petition/case file.
>
Kel... happy to share our plans with you
Russell and I have been waiting so many years for this! We always had this image of a very intimate (he, I & my children) and comfortable ceremony barefoot on the beach at sunset. I did the big expensive wedding thing with hundreds of people and just knew it wasn't what I wanted. I wanted it be all about us. Thankfully, he agreed!
However, we learned on my trip to NZ last month that members of his family will be travelling to the U.S. for the ceremony. I'm thrilled that they will be there to share this with us! But it did put a little crimp in our initial plans! You have to know that I come from a very large family who has lived in the same city for generations. We all live within a few miles of each other and see each other often. We are surrounded by so many people who love and care about us! Although we still want a small ceremony, we also want his family to meet all the people here who we love and who already care so much about Russell. Since he lived here for over a year already he's already been 'adopted'. So, we've decided to stick with our idea for a small ceremony...only a little larger than we initially intended as we'll have his family members and my close family members and friends with us. We plan on a couple nights in a resort hotel with our family and friends and a ceremony at sunset on a Friday. We'll drive home on Saturday to a large informal 'bash' with all of our family and friends! Best of both of the worlds we think.
How about the rest of you????
Russell and I have been waiting so many years for this! We always had this image of a very intimate (he, I & my children) and comfortable ceremony barefoot on the beach at sunset. I did the big expensive wedding thing with hundreds of people and just knew it wasn't what I wanted. I wanted it be all about us. Thankfully, he agreed!
However, we learned on my trip to NZ last month that members of his family will be travelling to the U.S. for the ceremony. I'm thrilled that they will be there to share this with us! But it did put a little crimp in our initial plans! You have to know that I come from a very large family who has lived in the same city for generations. We all live within a few miles of each other and see each other often. We are surrounded by so many people who love and care about us! Although we still want a small ceremony, we also want his family to meet all the people here who we love and who already care so much about Russell. Since he lived here for over a year already he's already been 'adopted'.
So, we've decided to stick with our idea for a small ceremony...only a little larger than we initially intended as we'll have his family members and my close family members and friends with us. We plan on a couple nights in a resort hotel with our family and friends and a ceremony at sunset on a Friday. We'll drive home on Saturday to a large informal 'bash' with all of our family and friends! Best of both of the worlds we think. How about the rest of you????
That sounds great Kim. Even though it does change your plans a little it's nice to see that Russell's whanau are making the trip to see the two of you finally able to be married. Plus a big bash with all the family and friends sounds fun, I'm sure the kiwi contigent will love it.
For myself, my wedding was very intimate - just the two of us and our two witnesses. We got married in California so my son wasn't able to be there, I'd promised him some other kind of ceremony that he could be at later on down the track.
Now I'm not so sure about that, however my son is still quite adamant that he wants us to do something, so we'll have to have some more discussion around that idea at some point!
For myself, my wedding was very intimate - just the two of us and our two witnesses. We got married in California so my son wasn't able to be there, I'd promised him some other kind of ceremony that he could be at later on down the track.
Now I'm not so sure about that, however my son is still quite adamant that he wants us to do something, so we'll have to have some more discussion around that idea at some point!
Good morning/evening friends!
I was going to wait for Mark to come in and share but in case he doesn't... they were finally approved yesterday!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Funny how excited I get for another NZ couple! Cracks me up! How wonderful for them! I hope they keep us posted.
Kel, how sweet that your son wants a ceremony for you.
Well the countdown for us is 5 weeks and 5 days! Hopefully the approval will take less than a month and the Auckland interview even less! So here by early June? Think that's too much to ask for?
I was going to wait for Mark to come in and share but in case he doesn't... they were finally approved yesterday!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Funny how excited I get for another NZ couple! Cracks me up!
How wonderful for them! I hope they keep us posted. Kel, how sweet that your son wants a ceremony for you.
Well the countdown for us is 5 weeks and 5 days! Hopefully the approval will take less than a month and the Auckland interview even less! So here by early June?
Think that's too much to ask for?
Congrats Mark! That's fantastic news.
Kim I think June is on the cards, will keep my fingers crossed that it happens for you both. Not long now at all!
Kim I think June is on the cards, will keep my fingers crossed that it happens for you both. Not long now at all!
well here it is... the official photo of me and jordan - russ did a fantastic job!
Nice! 
He is the master of photoshop!
What a lovely couple! I think you each need to take one straight on the same distance from the camera like you're leaning in to each other.
He is the master of photoshop! What a lovely couple! I think you each need to take one straight on the same distance from the camera like you're leaning in to each other.
jordan doesn't have a digital camera anymore - he got robbed a few months ago (after months of defending his move to oakland to people who were constantly bagging it out as the worst/most dangerous city to live in, it was pretty heartbreaking for him to end up a victim). but i love this photo, and i sent it to jordan (who had no idea about what we were up to) and he loved it too - he thinks we make a 'handsome couple' and i have to agree that we look damn good together!
Yes you do! I'm glad he liked it. We're always told how much we look like we could be brother and sister with our dark features and extremely curly hair.
Doesn't he have a webcam? You can still shots with that. Just a suggestion anyway.... the best one will be when you are really together!
I'm glad he liked it. We're always told how much we look like we could be brother and sister with our dark features and extremely curly hair. Doesn't he have a webcam? You can still shots with that. Just a suggestion anyway.... the best one will be when you are really together!
yeah i kinda think we look a lot alike too! i thought the webcam shots might be too fuzzy but if they'll do then we'll give it a try
i've already warned jordan that i'll have my camera out about 15mins after we've met, getting some stranger to take our first photo.
i've already warned jordan that i'll have my camera out about 15mins after we've met, getting some stranger to take our first photo.
QUOTE(KimandRuss @ Mar 6 2008, 03:41 AM)
emma... Russell has already contacted the consulate regarding this and this is the response he got....
QUOTE
You require a Police Clearance from your country of Nationality, and Residence, when you have resided there (ie NZ) for 6 months or more. And from any other country you have resided in for 12 months or more. So if you only lived in Australia for 9 months, and are not an Australian citizen, you won’t need to obtain one from there. (of course, if there was any conviction, you would have to obtain the court records!)
>
> This office obtains the NZLD one for you, once we receive your approved petition/case file.
>
>
> This office obtains the NZLD one for you, once we receive your approved petition/case file.
>
I got it! we got approved on the 05th! i'm so stoked, but now I have to wait to receive packet 3. I have a question... Do I have to wait til I receive pkt 3 for the I-134 or can Sammy print it off line and then send it to me? That's the only form that he needs to fill in now right? the rest is up to me?
Thanks guys!
Wow Emma....dunno how I missed that! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Yes, Sammy needs to print the 134 and have it notorized then send it to you. He also needs another 'original' letter of intent to marry, original documents and some other things...see below! You're going to need a bunch of passport photos too.
You can track your approval from the NVC to the Consulate.
This is from the guides....
Yes, Sammy needs to print the 134 and have it notorized then send it to you. He also needs another 'original' letter of intent to marry, original documents and some other things...see below! You're going to need a bunch of passport photos too.
You can track your approval from the NVC to the Consulate.
This is from the guides....
QUOTE
What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2): 1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one).
2. Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.
3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).
4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is notarized (by a US Notary Public), with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all.
5. You will likely need at a minimum (for the above form) two to three of your most recent pay stubs and a signed letter from your employer listing you job title, start date, your salary, and the status (full-time) of your position. Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. You will also probably want to include other evidence such as your banking information and other assets as required by the I-134. Specifically you will need at least 2 of the 4 options mentioned in Section II-Supporting Evidence of the I-134. See this FAQ for more tips and ueful information on the Affidavit of Support Form.
6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail.
7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, etc from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 date-now).
Examples: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)
2. Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.
3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).
4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is notarized (by a US Notary Public), with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all.
5. You will likely need at a minimum (for the above form) two to three of your most recent pay stubs and a signed letter from your employer listing you job title, start date, your salary, and the status (full-time) of your position. Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. You will also probably want to include other evidence such as your banking information and other assets as required by the I-134. Specifically you will need at least 2 of the 4 options mentioned in Section II-Supporting Evidence of the I-134. See this FAQ for more tips and ueful information on the Affidavit of Support Form.
6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail.
7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, etc from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 date-now).
Examples: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional - do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)
Congrats Emma! Look forward to hearing how the consulate goes for you.
Ruby - that photo of you and Jordan looks great. Russ did a great job of it. Must have been a nice surprise for Jordan!
Ruby - that photo of you and Jordan looks great. Russ did a great job of it. Must have been a nice surprise for Jordan!
he loved it!
the book forum we met on a year ago, and where we have some good friends, has a special private board for supporting members, with a thread dedicated to photos of forum members who've met in person. there are a lot of writers and printers and collectors, many of whom have known each other for some time. anyway, i joked with jordan a long time ago that the first thing i would do once we met would be to post a photo of us to this thread. so when we got this wonderful gift from russ and kim, i told him i was tempted to post it... and tonight jordan went ahead and put it up! it'll be interesting to see who notices that it's been photoshopped... most of the regulars know we're a couple by now, but i don't think many of them know we haven't met in person - just a couple who are particularly close friends. it should be good for a laugh
honestly, i can't stop looking at the photo... it has the same kind of weird effect on me that jordan meeting my parents had. i can't explain it: it's like i'm there but i'm not there
the book forum we met on a year ago, and where we have some good friends, has a special private board for supporting members, with a thread dedicated to photos of forum members who've met in person. there are a lot of writers and printers and collectors, many of whom have known each other for some time. anyway, i joked with jordan a long time ago that the first thing i would do once we met would be to post a photo of us to this thread. so when we got this wonderful gift from russ and kim, i told him i was tempted to post it... and tonight jordan went ahead and put it up! it'll be interesting to see who notices that it's been photoshopped... most of the regulars know we're a couple by now, but i don't think many of them know we haven't met in person - just a couple who are particularly close friends. it should be good for a laugh
honestly, i can't stop looking at the photo... it has the same kind of weird effect on me that jordan meeting my parents had. i can't explain it: it's like i'm there but i'm not there
QUOTE(KimandRuss @ Mar 7 2008, 03:44 AM)
Good morning/evening friends!
I was going to wait for Mark to come in and share but in case he doesn't... they were finally approved yesterday!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Funny how excited I get for another NZ couple! Cracks me up! How wonderful for them! I hope they keep us posted.
Kel, how sweet that your son wants a ceremony for you.
Well the countdown for us is 5 weeks and 5 days! Hopefully the approval will take less than a month and the Auckland interview even less! So here by early June? Think that's too much to ask for?
I was going to wait for Mark to come in and share but in case he doesn't... they were finally approved yesterday!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Funny how excited I get for another NZ couple! Cracks me up!
How wonderful for them! I hope they keep us posted. Kel, how sweet that your son wants a ceremony for you.
Well the countdown for us is 5 weeks and 5 days! Hopefully the approval will take less than a month and the Auckland interview even less! So here by early June?
Think that's too much to ask for? Hi there,
Cheers for the congratulations. Have been off VJ for a few days after being on it too much in the lead up to the approval. Now just waiting for the petition to get through VSC and to NZ.
In Scotland at the moment - due back in NZ early April so the timing will be about perfect.
Hope you are all well.
Cheers,
Mark
justine, so glad you're enjoying the picture.
emma...any packet 3 yet???
Mark..are you getting ur packet 3 in Scotland or are you handling it all when you arrive back in NZ?
Kel, anything new?
Maybe you guys will all meet up at the USEM!
Well, it's t-minus 5 weeks and 2 days for us! Pathetic, I know!
Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!
emma...any packet 3 yet???
Mark..are you getting ur packet 3 in Scotland or are you handling it all when you arrive back in NZ?
Kel, anything new?
Maybe you guys will all meet up at the USEM!
Well, it's t-minus 5 weeks and 2 days for us!
Pathetic, I know!Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!
QUOTE(KimandRuss @ Mar 10 2008, 04:58 AM)
justine, so glad you're enjoying the picture.
emma...any packet 3 yet???
Mark..are you getting ur packet 3 in Scotland or are you handling it all when you arrive back in NZ?
Kel, anything new?
Maybe you guys will all meet up at the USEM!
Well, it's t-minus 5 weeks and 2 days for us! Pathetic, I know!
Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!
emma...any packet 3 yet???
Mark..are you getting ur packet 3 in Scotland or are you handling it all when you arrive back in NZ?
Kel, anything new?
Maybe you guys will all meet up at the USEM!
Well, it's t-minus 5 weeks and 2 days for us!
Pathetic, I know!Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!
Hi all!
Nope no packet 3, however I did speak with the embassy and if Sammy can fax the approval letter to them, then they will send me pkt 3 so I can get started on that while we wait for them to receive the docs from the US. That way I can get my medical etc...done, so hopefully soon i'll be back in NY ! YEY
Not long til you can file now - hopefully you'll only have to wait a month for your petition to be accepted, seems to be speeding up over there now....
will let you know how i get on with packet 3
Ohhh. Emma let us know how the medical etc goes. I'm interested in how difficult it is to get an appointment and all the other details of getting it organised.
For me there's no extra news, still just waiting for NVC to send some forms so we can get some things sent back to them.
Kelly
For me there's no extra news, still just waiting for NVC to send some forms so we can get some things sent back to them.
Kelly
emma.... based on other's timlines, the consulate should be receiving your approval notice today! Of course, it will probably show up just after sammy sends it by fax! It's really good to know they are so accomodating! I've also been told you can call/mail to expedite your interview as well. Do let us know if that's something you try!
kel.... I see NZ is part of this appointment post processing for immigrant visa's now. Hope that didn't put too big a bump in your path!
We're having a difficult time being apart from each other. After sharing our lives for so long it just seems 'wrong' not to have him here. The typing, the emails, the webcam and phone....it's just not enough. *sigh* Everything is just 'in limbo'...but it's been that way for years now. Enough is enough! I guess it's a good thing that with kids, my house, my job... my days just fly by. Russell, on the other hand, can't really put his masters degree back to work because he's leaving soon and doens't want to leave another job he's just started, so his days sorta drag. He did get a contract job in NZ that he'll start next week which should help time go by faster for him as well. It will be up mid-June which is about the time we're hoping he'll at least be closer to coming home!
I remember being here at VJ in September of last year when he was denied entry. People then were waiting 6-8 months and more for just their approvals. When I went to see him in January, people were still waiting long periods of time so leaving him in February was just tragic for us both! We didn't think we'd be together until at least October.
So, I try to stay positive knowing that we get to file with Vermont and they've really sped up with their processing. I know it's just a few months more but Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
T-minus 4 weeks and 6 days to file day!!!
I hope you are all well!
It's really good to know they are so accomodating! I've also been told you can call/mail to expedite your interview as well. Do let us know if that's something you try! kel.... I see NZ is part of this appointment post processing for immigrant visa's now. Hope that didn't put too big a bump in your path!
We're having a difficult time being apart from each other.
After sharing our lives for so long it just seems 'wrong' not to have him here. The typing, the emails, the webcam and phone....it's just not enough. *sigh* Everything is just 'in limbo'...but it's been that way for years now. Enough is enough! I guess it's a good thing that with kids, my house, my job... my days just fly by. Russell, on the other hand, can't really put his masters degree back to work because he's leaving soon and doens't want to leave another job he's just started, so his days sorta drag. He did get a contract job in NZ that he'll start next week which should help time go by faster for him as well. It will be up mid-June which is about the time we're hoping he'll at least be closer to coming home! I remember being here at VJ in September of last year when he was denied entry. People then were waiting 6-8 months and more for just their approvals. When I went to see him in January, people were still waiting long periods of time so leaving him in February was just tragic for us both! We didn't think we'd be together until at least October.
So, I try to stay positive knowing that we get to file with Vermont and they've really sped up with their processing. I know it's just a few months more but Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
T-minus 4 weeks and 6 days to file day!!!
I hope you are all well!
Where are all you kiwi folks???
4 weeks from today we can file!!!
4 weeks from today we can file!!!
I'm here!
Been busy planting gardens and such over the weekend so that I can put my house up for sale this week. Sadly the market here is on the downturn so it's not a great time to sell but oh well, them's the breaks!
4 weeks, that's hardly any time at all. You must be getting excited now Kim. Have you got your application all ready?
I'm just trying to get my documentation together now to send over to my husband. I thought I had a bit more time but since NZ is now appointment post I have only a couple of weeks. Going to have to try and take my own US sized passport photos as the places I asked locally don't do the 2 X 2. Eeks.
Been busy planting gardens and such over the weekend so that I can put my house up for sale this week. Sadly the market here is on the downturn so it's not a great time to sell but oh well, them's the breaks!
4 weeks, that's hardly any time at all. You must be getting excited now Kim. Have you got your application all ready?
I'm just trying to get my documentation together now to send over to my husband. I thought I had a bit more time but since NZ is now appointment post I have only a couple of weeks. Going to have to try and take my own US sized passport photos as the places I asked locally don't do the 2 X 2. Eeks.
Is the appointment post just for the K3/CR-1's??? So you need to now send everything to the NVC? How does that work?
I'm itching to get out into my yard and work on the gardens. We usually ready for yard clean up and have a few things sprouting by now but we just had more snow this morning! Looking forward to spring!! My house dropped $60,000 in just a couple years time, just in time for me to refinance it into my name, so I feel for you! It is what it is, right?
Yes, we're getting very excited. And a bit impatient too! I'm just waiting on a package with all the info I needed from Russel and just need to print off a few things but we're almost there.
Good luck with those photos!
I'm itching to get out into my yard and work on the gardens. We usually ready for yard clean up and have a few things sprouting by now but we just had more snow this morning! Looking forward to spring!! My house dropped $60,000 in just a couple years time, just in time for me to refinance it into my name, so I feel for you! It is what it is, right?
Yes, we're getting very excited. And a bit impatient too! I'm just waiting on a package with all the info I needed from Russel and just need to print off a few things but we're almost there.
Good luck with those photos!
Kim - I think appointment post only affects the IR1/CR1 so you and Russ shouldn't meet up with any unexpected issues! I now have to send through my original birth cert, police cert, passport photos, marriage license etc direct to NVC. They then check it's all there and complete before forwarding it all through to the consulate.
It feels a bit painful to me as it would have been easier to just take it all to the consulate. And if I miss anything out then I have to wait for NVC to mail us then post everything to my husband. Got to try and get it right to avoid delays!
I'm counting down days too, 5 and a half weeks till I get to visit the US (though I'm dreading the POE and hope there's no issues!).
It feels a bit painful to me as it would have been easier to just take it all to the consulate. And if I miss anything out then I have to wait for NVC to mail us then post everything to my husband. Got to try and get it right to avoid delays!
I'm counting down days too, 5 and a half weeks till I get to visit the US (though I'm dreading the POE and hope there's no issues!).
Hi all,
Just got off the phone with NVC and they forwarded our petition to the Auckland Consulate - is great that things are moving along good now and it feels like we are getting closer to the end of the tunnel.
Hope you are all well.
Regards,
Mark
Just got off the phone with NVC and they forwarded our petition to the Auckland Consulate - is great that things are moving along good now and it feels like we are getting closer to the end of the tunnel.
Hope you are all well.
Regards,
Mark
Congratulations Mark!! I forgot you filed with California. I was thinking you were already waiting on your interview! So your fiance should have packet 3 very soon and then your interview. How exciting!!! Please do keep us posted!
Congrats Mark! You're nearly there.
my bad! I forgot you were in Scotland and that you are also the beneficiary! Duh! So you will be home just in time to get everything done! Keep us posted!
I forgot you were in Scotland and that you are also the beneficiary! Duh! So you will be home just in time to get everything done! Keep us posted!
hi everyone!
kim, thanks for the email - everything is okay, not much to report.
IEP called last week to make an appointment for my interview (with the agency, for the program, not the actual visa), so that's happening on april 4. it's with one of the marketing people, and they said it takes about 30mins, so i don't imagine it's anything too strenuous.
also received notice that i'm officially a graduate, yesterday. quite a feeling of relief. i was 2 points shy of the 360 point requirement to graduate, and was secretly a little scared that i wouldn't be able to get a waiver, for whatever reason. but it was all very easy - all done through about 4 emails!
so i send off my reference/evidence of grad status/copies of ID next week, interview is the week after, then i start the visa application.
have been examining my finances, and i figure that if nothing goes horribly wrong, then i should be in the states by end of june. need to go back home to taranaki to spend some time with family, so i'll probably finish work and leave welly mid june.
i think last night was the first time in a long time that i've really felt like this is happening sooner rather than later. the countdown feels a lot more certain now, give or take a couple of weeks.
kim, thanks for the email - everything is okay, not much to report.
IEP called last week to make an appointment for my interview (with the agency, for the program, not the actual visa), so that's happening on april 4. it's with one of the marketing people, and they said it takes about 30mins, so i don't imagine it's anything too strenuous.
also received notice that i'm officially a graduate, yesterday. quite a feeling of relief. i was 2 points shy of the 360 point requirement to graduate, and was secretly a little scared that i wouldn't be able to get a waiver, for whatever reason. but it was all very easy - all done through about 4 emails!
so i send off my reference/evidence of grad status/copies of ID next week, interview is the week after, then i start the visa application.
have been examining my finances, and i figure that if nothing goes horribly wrong, then i should be in the states by end of june. need to go back home to taranaki to spend some time with family, so i'll probably finish work and leave welly mid june.
i think last night was the first time in a long time that i've really felt like this is happening sooner rather than later. the countdown feels a lot more certain now, give or take a couple of weeks.
Kel, hope things are moving along for you even with this new quirk in the process. I really hope they don't change anything more before we're at that point. Being delayed because of something that could have been prevented would frustrate me to no end.
Justine, glad things are going in the right direction for you! You must be gettng so excited! We're hoping Russell will be here by the end of June as well. Maybe a bit optomistic on our part but with the way VSC is processing applications right now we feel pretty confident we wont have to wait too long for an approval. 3 weeks and 3 days left!
emma...I would imagine you have packet 3 by now. How are things going?
Mark... i'm sure your packet 3 is just sitting at home waiting for you!
Happy Easter to you all.
Justine, glad things are going in the right direction for you! You must be gettng so excited! We're hoping Russell will be here by the end of June as well. Maybe a bit optomistic on our part but with the way VSC is processing applications right now we feel pretty confident we wont have to wait too long for an approval. 3 weeks and 3 days left!
emma...I would imagine you have packet 3 by now. How are things going?
Mark... i'm sure your packet 3 is just sitting at home waiting for you!
Happy Easter to you all.
*bump*
any updates ???
any updates ???
Things are still moving along for me. I think I'm about halfway through my NVC process, second bill has been sent out today, once we pay that we get to send in the final set of forms (plus all the bits and pieces like birth certificate) and then it's off the the embassy. Yippee.
I'm hoping for completion at NVC by the end of May.
I'm hoping for completion at NVC by the end of May.
So...had my medical interview today, went pretty smoothly, the doc was really nice,
he just checked my heart and lungs
reflexes
made sure I didn't have any strange lumps in my tummy
measured my weight and height
and that was it.
I had to give a urine sample & the only vaccination I had to have was Tetanus ( because i hadn't had one in the past 10 years), he didn't even mention the others....
then I went for my chest x-ray, which was fine
and blood tests.
He gave me my x-ray back, & said he would send the results & paperwork to the embassy on Monday.
Also sent off packet 3 toady, so hopefully i'll get an interview date soon & finally get back to America!!
Doc was $110
Tetanus $20
Bloods $31
x-ray $80
he just checked my heart and lungs
reflexes
made sure I didn't have any strange lumps in my tummy
measured my weight and height
and that was it.
I had to give a urine sample & the only vaccination I had to have was Tetanus ( because i hadn't had one in the past 10 years), he didn't even mention the others....
then I went for my chest x-ray, which was fine
and blood tests.
He gave me my x-ray back, & said he would send the results & paperwork to the embassy on Monday.
Also sent off packet 3 toady, so hopefully i'll get an interview date soon & finally get back to America!!
Doc was $110
Tetanus $20
Bloods $31
x-ray $80
Thanks for the info Emma!
The cost for the medical is a lot cheaper than I expected. Yay. I was thinking it would be closer to $500.
The cost for the medical is a lot cheaper than I expected. Yay. I was thinking it would be closer to $500.
Thanks for the info re the medical! I'll sock that away for future reference.
Kel.. that whole process sounds even more difficult than the K1. I'd love to be approved in May too!
Emma.. wow, that was fast! How exciting! Thanks so much for sharing the info with us. You'll be home before you know it! Keep us posted!
Hello cdneh. When do you plan on filing?
Justine, you still with us?
Mark... we're all waiting for you to get home to NZ to get your packet 3!
Emma.. wow, that was fast! How exciting! Thanks so much for sharing the info with us.
You'll be home before you know it! Keep us posted!Hello cdneh.
When do you plan on filing?Justine, you still with us?
Mark... we're all waiting for you to get home to NZ to get your packet 3!
hello! i'm not kiwi but my husband and i just had our honeymoon in new zealand and absolutely fell in love with your country. we can't wait to go back!! 
i hope everyone has a smooth journey getting their visas!
i hope everyone has a smooth journey getting their visas!
Hi KTG. Thanks a lot for the well wishes.
I'm the USC but my SO is from NZ and i'd have to agree, it is the most beautiful place i've ever been! I was there again last month... and wish I still was!
Looks like you're about to celebrate as well. Congratualtions.
I'm the USC but my SO is from NZ and i'd have to agree, it is the most beautiful place i've ever been! I was there again last month... and wish I still was!
Looks like you're about to celebrate as well. Congratualtions.
still here, kim!
got my sponsorship agency interview this friday at 9am, they told me it will take about 30mins, so i'm not expecting too much of an interrogation. once i'm approved, the next thing will be the visa paperwork and then the visa interview - but i want to delay that last part as long as possible, as the 12 months starts from the day the visa is granted.
glad to hear the process is moving along for everyone!
last friday was me and jordan's one year anniversary of the day we met
got my sponsorship agency interview this friday at 9am, they told me it will take about 30mins, so i'm not expecting too much of an interrogation. once i'm approved, the next thing will be the visa paperwork and then the visa interview - but i want to delay that last part as long as possible, as the 12 months starts from the day the visa is granted.
glad to hear the process is moving along for everyone!
last friday was me and jordan's one year anniversary of the day we met
Hey Justine, good to see you. Glad things are moving along and Happy Anniversary!
Glad things are moving along and Happy Anniversary!
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