Nic is a town planner but he wants to get into a company dealing with wind technology. There appear to be planning jobs out there but I am not sure what they think of hiring someone not trained in the USA. It has only been a month though so we can't be too frustrated yet. Funnily enough we just looked at a posting for a job in MA it would have been right up Nics ally but they are looking for more experience than he has So the search continues We haven't thought of a recruiter. What do they do?

recruiters are paid a fee or a percentage of the salary from a company looking to hire someone.

You get your resume to them and they do the searching for you and the companys pay them to find you. It's win win.

got the visa today, in the post, was waiting for me when i got home from work

got home and my family was just sitting around, i said hi to them all, they were watching tv and hardly looked up.
so i was standing there, and finally i ask, did any mail come for me today, they said yes its on the kitchen table...... i was like who do you think you are? (as a joke)

was pretty, kim will post pictures tomorrow

take care

Russ


p.s. will review the consulate soon i promise

There it is, in all it's manilla envelope glory! And only a few days to go!!!

I've just read the review Russell has written...thanks so much for posting that! Those of us that are waiting still will find that very helpful. I for one feel a bit calmer about that part of the process.

Wow! that's so cool to actually see what the package, letter and visa looks like! Congratulations Kim and Russell!! Just days away now!!! woo hoooo!

I think my hand will be superglued to that envelope, come the day it is me sitting on the plane with it.

Many thanks for the review Russell. It's really great to be able to read everyones experience at the Embassy. Makes those of us who are still waiting a little bit more at ease about that part of the process. And to know exactly where to go once inside the embassy.

Did they mention anything about the 1-134 or want to look at Kims original birth certificate at all?

Once again congratulations! It's been a long wait for you guys but you will be together very very soon!!!!!!!!!

You must be so relieved! Great to have that package and passport in your hot little hands? Not long now try to get SOME sleep on the flight over

Oh, I'm so happy for you and Russ, Kim! It does feel good to hold the passport and brown envelopes in your hands!

Thanks for all the congratulations everyone! Well, I am already here! And it feels great!!!!!! It is such a relief being here and know that you don't have to leave again! In fact, can't leave again at least until AP. I wish Russ a safe trip home, and hope you can rest a little on the plane. I'm usually pretty good at sleeping on planes, but I came on Qantas and they have some kind of service through almost all the flight so it was very difficult to get any rest. So, if anyone is coming on Qantas, get some sleep the night before if you can!

I just wanted to warn you guys that when it comes time to book your flights, it is better to have a long layover in LA. My flight was supposed to get in at 10:45am but was delayed in Auckland for 1 hour, so I got to LAX when the peak busy period was starting! I was supposed to have a 2 hour layover and now I had to go from terminal 4 to terminal 1, get my boarding pass and go through security in 1 hour. Needless to say, I didn't make it, but was booked on another flight. Things are a mess at LAX, the airline agent told me to ask the TSA agent if I could be expedited through security but told me it was unlikely, I asked one TSA agent and they told me I had to go to the end of the line, which was outside the terminal and halfway to terminal 2!!!! At the end of the line, I spoke to another TSA agent and she told me to get someone from the airline to escort me through security. When I went to talk to the airline, they told me to just go by myself, but I told them they had to come with me. So this guy reluctantly escorted me through the first half but left me at the end of a big line closer to the x-ray! So I talked to another TSA agent and she let me through! I got to my gate just as the guy was closing the door!!!! So, the lesson here is, if you are having some kind of problem just ask as many TSA agents it takes until you get what you want!!! hehehe

Oh, about POE at LAX. It was pretty painless. I got the impression that the guy who 'interviewed' me hadn't dealt with many of these before as he seemed to have to think about what he had to do next (he almost forgot to put a validity date on my I-94). Nevertheless, he only asked a few basic questions (when did you meet, what does he do, when is the wedding) before stapling the I-94 on my passport. The only thing that has me concerned is that when I asked him where he was going to send the brown envelope, he told me that it stopped there. He wasn't sending it anywhere! That after the wedding we had to send new information to USCIS for AOS!!!! Does anybody know if this is right? I've been trying to find info on the forums but no luck!

Kim and Russ, it's awesome that things are moving fast for you two!

I'm back in Auckland now. Boy did those three weeks in the US go by fast.

They do don't they! I'm convinced time goes by faster somehow when you are together...some strange kind of time warp or something. I think it's a great pity time apart doesn't seem to move at that speed

Hi Guys this is Russ, here i thought i had killed the forum by posting, good to see things are moving again

to anwser your question kiwiana, they didn't ask for any of kims original documents at all, i asked them and they said they didn't need to see them, but i had them just incase, it really is a case of being prepared for anything that might pop up. i was told that they had seen all her original documents when she filed the petition so it wasn't required, but i did ask just to make sure . As for the I-134, all the lady really did with that is take it from me and order in a slightly different way, Kim had labeled everything with postits and although they were a little dog earred from all the travelling they had done she still unrolled them to see what Kim had wrote, so yeah they seemed to like how prepared kim has been with it all. shes so cute

as for shawn and lu's post, it really does pay to have that extra time in LA, but i am just too impatient , i had a similar experience with going through LAX, i had an hour delay in Auckland sitting on the ground while the rebalanced the plane (i mean comon you can't fill the plane balanced to begin with?.... its not the first time they had loaded a plane surely ) needless to say an hour to get through LAX..... not fun, but i managed to do it in 45 mins, i asked when i landed and kept on asking. a trick i learnt from that trip was to go to business class if economy lines are full, for one they aren't busy and would probably enjoy your story, and secondly they are usually the more experienced staff on any airline (i.e. they know the ins and out of the airport and all the things that need to be done). i managed to find an airline rep that walked me to the head of the x-ray que, i definately wouldn't have made it otherwise. i've done the trip ummm about 6-7 times now, and have never missed a flight yet, heres knocking on wood that this isn't the first .

just two days now

i have three different flights to take before i get to boston, and i was telling kim that each flight i will get happier and happier

ok well good luck guys,
next time i post i will be in heaven

Russ

ShawnandLu: Welcome home! What a great feeling it must be to know that you don't have to leave again!

I can never seem to sleep on the planes no matter which airline i travel when visiting my SO. I am usually too excited to sleep
This year the Qantas plane i was travelling on, to LA, was delayed for 8 hours at Auckland airport. The first time I had ever encountered a delay. I was having doubts that it would ever leave that night. Fortunately it did around 2am but of course landed very much later at LAX than scheduled. I was everso glad i didn't have a connecting flight or would have definitely missed it.

I didn't realise that the brown envelope stayed there at LAX. I wonder if anyone here knows if that is the case ? I was under the impression they sent it on to a service centre or such.
Have you decided on a wedding date yet?

Kelvan: Welcome back! Those weeks away certainly fly by don't they? Hope the process at CSC starts to move along a bit faster

Russ: Wow! just two days to go! I am soo happy for you guys!! So at the interview it's just a safety measure really to have the originals on hand in case they ask. It's really good to know that the consulate isn't as strict and hard like some other ones in other countries.

Have a safe and speedy journey to Boston! Very best wishes to you both

Tell me about it! I totally agree with you on the time warp thing. It's frustrating! Nice to know I'm not alone though

Kel, sorry you're home. Leaving is always so tough.

Luciana, the POE was obviously an idiot. It never ceases to amaze/frustrate me the people who don't actually know the jobs they're being paid to do. You are correct to assume that the mysterious brown envelope (aka mbe) is sent to your local office. Hopefully there are enough people who actually do know at LAX that yours will get there. Here is the link on VJ explaining it., just fyi.

As my love stated, just 2 more days until we are together again. We've worked so many years to reach this point it's surreal that it's right around the corner now. As most of you know, Russell already lived here with us for over a year so everyone else is quite anxious to see him as well. I'm trying to get lots done before he gets here as we're away together until Saturday night and have a very busy Sunday. Very much looking forward to this next chapter!

LAX has been a thorn in my side for a few years now. There is no easy way to get to the east coast from LAX when flying from Auckland. I just wait the 11+ hours though. I have missed two or three flights and the airlines are nowhere near as accomodating in the US as they are in NZ and the united terminal is at the opposite end of the airport! And I am going to rant a bit here but I just don't understand how it can take over an hour for them to unload one flights luggage. I understand when there are multiple flights but well Auckland needs to give LAX some lessons on unloading. I had four hours between flights on one occasion and still would have missed my flight. Lucky me though Denver was under 3 feet of snow so barely any flights were getting in or out of LAX and my flight was cancelled. It was no fun trying to find a flight but since I wasn't screaming or being rude the lady i was dealing with tried for about half hour to find me a flight and it was first class! Okay rant over

Kim I am sure your friedns and family are just as excited as you. Good idea to go on a little trip just the two of you .

Hi all, glad to see you made it safely to this part of the world ShawnandLu. I still feel like I'm on a 'holiday' after my first week, probably not helped by the fact my son arrived yesterday. He was an extremely grumpy 14 year old who kept asking what we were going to do last night and was disappointed to hear read a book, play a game, watch tv - exactly like at home. I'm sure he thought it's be one non-stop adventure when he got here!

I only just realised that I never posted my POE review so I will do that. I came direct to San Francisco. If you have the option do consider SFO for you POE. It's much smaller than LAX, much friendlier and AirNZ does direct flights to there as well as other airlines starting to pick up more routes from there. You can also book onward travel pretty simply as well. It's a 12 hour flight so same distance as LAX without the drama of that huge airport.

My POE was fine, I flew business class (yay for airpoints upgrade) so I was off the plane pretty speedily and right to the front of the immigration line. Unfortunately some bright spark then decided that line should do wheelchairs as well and I had to wait for 45 minutes while 10 or so wheelchair escorts got put in front of me. After that it was pretty simple, they were very efficient. The border woman came and took my passport while I was queuing to make sure I was in the system, later another guy came along and had us all manually do our fingerprints and sign a form with him, and then the border woman put it all through. I didn't get many questions at all but that may be because I was on CR1. Just told when to file for my 10 year card since I have only a 2 year one and to head along to the social security office to get my number when I was ready.

Russ, best of luck with your flight. I'm betting that sleep is something that's escaping you right now!

Hey amaciar! I fly from Auckland - Kansas a lot and I've discovered that Qantas + American Airlines is much better and easier than using Air NZ + United when you have connecting flights. When you fly with Qantas to LAX, you pretty much go out the door and up the stairs to the American Airlines terminal. This is much easier than going from one side of the airport to the other as with Air NZ and United. PLUS when returning to Auckland, you arrive at the American Airlines terminal in LAX and then just go out the door and into the next building to the Qantas terminal. I found it's so much easier!

Another reason why I find Qantas and American Airlines better, is that they pass through Dallas instead of Denver (which is usually banked up with snow in the Winter so there's alway a chance of a delay/cancellation). Where abouts do you fly to in the US anyway? It's nice to know someone else has been on the exact same route as me lol.

Kim...where I am...heh..it's tomorrow! You must be absolutely thrilled !

After years and years of flying between NZ and Canada I will never go through LAX again going last year through SFO. So much friendlier and less stressful.

One bright spot of news..I've been worried about my Canadian police clearance expiring before I even get to the interview process, now that things out of VSC are going at a snail's pace. I emailed them and they got back to me straightaway. As long as I stay out of Canada, it will be good !

I think i'm in shock. In 5 hours we 'chat' for the last time long distance then he'll be on his way back home. Because of our circumstances, our visa journey has been several years in the making. It's surreal to think we can finally be on with it.



Doesn't air tahiti nui fly NZ-US as well? Russell found cheaper rates for them on expedia.co.nz earlier on.

you guys know there is a bus shuttle that runs constantly between the LAX domestic/international terminals, yes? With only two hours between connecting flights we're hoping Russell doesn't run into any problems. We haven't yet (knock, knock, knock) .

I fly to upstate New York. The airport is pretty small so we have very little choice with airlines. Usually I catch the red eye to either Chicago or Washington Dulles. Unfortunately United has a major hub in Denver.....so even if you don't touch it a storm there messes everything up Thankfully we are done with the NZed flights for a while. We are hoping it will be two years baring any weddings or deaths! @ years is heaps better than the every six months I was doing for the past 4 years We will have to check out Qantas next time at least fro the LA to Auckland portion.

Woo Hoo you have gone from counting the days to counting the hours! Awesome

Yep know there is a shuttle but I find it a bit quicker to just go it on my feet. I hate sitting in the shuttle and having a group of ten take 20 minutes! I am a bit of a stress case with things like that. Plus my legs can use the stretch by then.

Air Tahiti Nui lets you stop overnight or for a few days as well for not much money. Great if you are traveling with your Kiwi

Hello everyone! =)

I'm new to the board and wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Lisa and I'm a US citizen and my love is Tim and he's from New Zealand (soo creative on the name here, right? =p lol). Our ages are 24 and 19. We are just filling out our I-129F and G-325A after getting a run around from people on how to go about this. I've cried so much over these forms let me tell you. It's been a huge stress with everything going on. But he's worth it =). This board makes it seem like I'm not alone in this.

Welcome to the board! You'll have plenty of company here while you are waiting, and lots of great advice and answers to your questions as well. Kim had been such a huge help to everyone and I know what I've read around the place can really help with the stress part - so much paper, so many questions...I feel very lucky to have stumbled in here

Oh it's only hours now!!! I work tonight, and we can sometimes hear planes taking off from the airport....so I'll be thinking of you two

I'll check into flights with Air Tahiti...and thanks for the link.

I am so excited on your behalf..heh..I hope ita ll goes as smooth as!

OMG Kim you must be so excited right now, just hours and you guys will be finished with this part of your journey!! I hope you have a fabulous few days away soaking in each other's presence.

Welcome Lisa! Government forms are a thorn in all our sides I think. I know I've yelled, cried, and generally thrown a fit over a few through all this. LOL

I've flown Air Tahiti Nui a couple of times as they can be a few hundred cheaper on special, they're not bad, you just need to watch how long your stopover will be. They fly from Auckland to Tahiti, then on to LAX. The first time I flew with them I arrived around midnight, Tahiti time, and had a 7 hour wait, not quite long enough for me to go to the expense of getting a hotel. Sadly though I was unaware that they close the airport in the small hours of the morning and so I had to sit on my luggage on the pavement for the better part of five hours. The second time my stopover was only two hours and everything was fine, I also did not have to collect my luggage, so hopefully they no longer make you do that. It's just something to be aware of, especially if you're carting over lots of precious belongings.

I usually use the House of Travel website (www.hot.co.nz) when looking at flights, it will compare all the airlines, then I book direct through airline sites as you save administration fees etc that way.

Welcome. It sounds like you have found this site early on in the process. It is great having others who know how you feel and have been there. The paperwork is intimidating but you will get through it.

Yay we got our Interview date November 13th. . We live in Hastings so we will be filing the I-130 and doing the Visa Application on the same day. We were hoping to get to US before Christmas since I haven't spent Christmas with my Brother and Sis in 6 years, and now it looks like it will happen

Ummm yeah so apparently Russell accidentally booked a flight for Monday... last monday! Oooops! It's so not like him...and I didn't even notice it on the itinerary. This whole process just has us in a mess.

He just text me from the airport and informed me that he had to buy a new ticket. Expedia wont even give him a break. $1800NZ more to have him arrive an hour and a half earlier... we best make that extra time good, eh?

Ahhhh perspective... he's coming home!

Worth the money at ten times the price!

Hiya Lisa and Tim! Welcome to the thread Let us know if you have any questions about your forms as the people here share a wealth of knowledge. Good luck!

Oh Kim that sucks! Just keep focusing on the fact that you'll be with him soon

Welcome to VJ! You are definitely at the right place. The folks here are just soo helpful and kind! Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, no matter how trivial you may think they are. I don't know what i would have done if i hadn't found VJ! The whole process can seem a little overwhelming at times but the information/help here is fantastic!

dlopez: Congratulations on your interview date! That's great news that you may be there for Christmas! just wonderful!

Kim: Best wishes to you and Russ. you will be with each other very very soon.

Grant: Hows everything going?

Michelle: Hope you are doing well.

Welcome to Lisa and Tim

Dlopez, great news on your interview, I'm sure you'll be back here in time for Christmas.

Good news for me, my SSN arrived in the mail on Monday. Only 1 week after I arrived in the country, it was issued on the 17th (I cam in on the 15th) so that was great. I'd read stories of people waiting weeks so here's hoping that the system continues to be so prompt for the rest of you.

Russell just called me from LAX! His next flight leaves in 40 minutes... I sure hope he makes it!

We are going well thanks, just slowly packing up stuff, sending boxes like mad to the US, selling stuff etc.

We were thrown into a mild panic, as we own a townhouse rental in Newton, and our tenants gave notice the other day, so we now have to find new tenants. However we have had lots of interest, so hopefuly can get this sorted in the next few days, but it is one hassle we could do without.

But besides that, all is going well, I am winding up my last couple of projects, and are getting more ready every day. Only less than a month for us now.

No luck on the job front yet, but one that I am perfect for got advertised last night, so hopefully something will come of that.

Glad to see that others are making great progress, and excellent to here that Kim and Russ' very long journey is now at an end.

A big welcome also to Lisa and Tim

Cheers

Grant

woohoo, omg you must be so excited

wow the forums have been busy and i've missed it all, stupid email alert hasn't been coming thru, i did think we were all being rather quiet and i've been trying not to keep lurking like a stalker hoping for some news

I wondered where you were! My email thing only works off and on too..sto I stalk

well i guess i'll just have to join you stalking lol, something to do on a slow night shift, thank goodness they haven't blocked this website yet

Our place either I was on nights last night, and it did get quiet in the wee small hours...so I did a little reading....

Hope it stays Q for you

Well I'm about to send in the I-129F today =)

Last night I had to take Tim to the airport ='( i cried all the way home. (2hrs away) >.< maybe I'm a softy.

awww....*hugs* Lisa...that is a very hard thing to do, as any here will tell you . It's one of the reasons I didn't go up this summer...it's so heartbreaking to leave. If you are a softy, well then I am a wimp

My heart goes out to you Lisa. I know how you feel. It is extremely hard and heart breaking. This year, i was in two minds about going to see my SO, as like cdneh said, it is just so hard, the leaving part. But I told myself that this would be the last time that we would have to do this, as we filed the 1-129f while i was there.
And it's GREAT news that you have sent off your forms today!! Just keep telling yourself that soon you will be together for good!!

And i have a quick question here about the interview at Auckland consulate. I know this sounds kinda lame but was just wondering to those that have been there. Is there a set dress code one has to wear for the interview? Do you think it is ok for women to wear jeans to it? or is that too dressed down?

Ana I made Nic wear a nice pair of nice pants and a button up shirt...but after th interview we realized it wasn't necessary. Not sure what everyone elses take on this is?

Lisa it is the hardest part about being in love with someone from the other side of the world! You are a step closer to not having to live apart. I used to joke with my husband and say that people divorce over less stressing things than this process......so if you can make it through uscis and nvc you can make it through anything.

I've been thinking ahead to this too. If the date is one of my days off, I'll be trying to decide, and it will be summer here by then and a lot warmer (I hope!)

If it is scheduled on my days on I'll have to go in uniform, and I dont know what sort of impression that will make. It might pay to take the whole darn day off heh...

I didn't even think about dress code at the consulate. I think I wore jeans and a T shirt. I think Brook would have worn about the same.

I don't think it is an issue, or that they look or care what you wear.

Cheers

Grant