Hi Ausqueen,

When I applied for my National Police Clearance & Fingerprints,

I circled the Civil/Visa Section on the aplication form,

and that is what I recieved.

I just said I needed it for My Visa Application and they said "No Probs"

Well I'm no spring Chook either ya know.. I am Just looking forward to being /seeing my Wifee (Cheryl- NorthernGirl) again.

It has been 9 months since we touched last
Anyways When I do My POE.. WILL THEY TAKE MY PRINTS AGAIN?
If So will it be INK or DIGITAL?

Cheers

Paul

Till I am with my Wifee again

Well I'm no spring Chook either ya know.. I am Just looking forward to being /seeing my Wifee (Cheryl- NorthernGirl) again.

It has been 9 months since we touched last
Anyways When I do My POE.. WILL THEY TAKE MY PRINTS AGAIN?
If So will it be INK or DIGITAL?


Then it must be the 9 months wait! LOL
I admit, that is an awful long time to be apart. Good on you for finding the way to cope with it. I mean, we all have to. I was lucky Aaron and I met often first half of the year. But after our week together in June, by November it was tough! Maybe it was also due to our attorney trouble and delay in our process, and his Sydney work project not coming through. Yet again - thanks to VJ and people in here - we figured out I do have a chance to visit US and it worked out just fine! Now... I am ok with waiting for the rest of the journey to be completed!

As for fingerprints at POE, I think they do only routine for all visitors - NO INK - not sure if it is any different when you enter with immigrant visa. Those who've been through that already can tell us!

Michelle, congratulations on successful interview!
Elle (from Blacktown, right?) - happy for your walk in and wish you great time with Eric!

I am curious, how did Kath go with her job interview - or skills test? Have I missed that post somewhere?

And everyone - happy and short wait for whatever you are looking forward to :-)

xoxo

Hey everyone,

I have a question after reading Michelle's interview review.....

Do I need to supply my income details as well. You know bank statements, tax return, pay slips, etc, at the interview?

It doesn't say anything in my interview instructions so just wondering what everyone else did or are doing?

I am already so nervous about the interview and it's still 2 and half weeks away. I think of all of it this is the hardest wait because you know that this is the final approval. Where others as stressed as I am? I keep getting a nervous tummy everytime I think about it!

Thanks
Lyndel

Hi Lyndel,

I supplied my financial status instead of the I-134 supplied by a fiance/spouse. My fiance was going through a crazy busy time at work and was too slow in getting together the I-134 supporting documentation for my liking!! I'm not known for my patience so I decided to show them I have my own funds (one of the options on the Packet 3 paperwork).

Michelle

Thanks Michelle,

Jake filled in an I-134 for me and has sent me the evidence for his income. I am thinking that I might take some of my own income evidence along with me just in case. Mainly because I am a paranoid, nervous wreck. lol

Can't wait until all of this is over. Hey I bet you must feel a great deal of relief now you have the interview out of the way! Wishing you all the best.

Lyndel

MELLIE I SWEAR i'm going to make it to the post office this week. It's been crazy around here but you WILL SOON have eyour cherry ripes

Guess what everybody. Got an email from the Consulate today... and my wife got her
FINAL VISA INTERVIEW JAN 30

Awesome news David!!! Congratulations!!

I have been wondering if you had heard yet....your wife's interview is 3 days before me. Let's hope we all get through without any more stress!!

Ya, I can deal without anymore stress too. I thought our interview date might come a few days after yours because of the RFE. But I guess they must have reserved a date for us when they initially recieved our forms, assuming that we'd send back the forms straight away. Well, it works out great because my wife can fulfill her two weeks notice at work and still make it here to the states before the start of her Uni which is at the end of February. I guess I can plan a really nice Valentines day celebration for her!

HEY DAVID

a Big Congratulations at last, i have been looking to see when you finally got the interview. Now its all easy from here on in just have all the paper work in the right order and you will be fine

Just a small tip i had all my paper work in a plastic folder so i didnt loose any of it and as soon as i got in and got my number i took it all out. they dont like it in any envelopes or folders.

Girlfrmoz

good luck with your interview as well.


angela

Ya, when we did DCF in November, the lady asked us to take everything out as she asked for them. We had everything in an expanding folder so it was quite easy to keep everything in order. This is her last interview and the only thing I know she'll definitely have to bring was my affidavit of support(filled out the wrong one initially, they had me fill out a different one) and of course a pre-paid priority envelope to mail back her passport and visa.

David, that's great news!

Congrats David and everyone else goign for their Interviews

Well NVC recieved our DS-230 ON Tuesday 16th January 2007.
So hopefully they will send it out to Sydney Consulate soon

Well,

Thanks Paul... my wife is as happy as she is depressed about leaving Adelaide. Goodluck to you guys!

Thanks David..

Where abouts was your wife from in Adelaide?
I was Living At Salisbury East Till Just after Christmas 06,
Now I'm Living at Novar Gardens..
Just Off Morphett Road and Mooringee Ave.

I hope she doesn't get too depressed..
Adelaide is changing and I personally don't like the way it's headed!
Glenelg has changed so mucn the LAMBSPIT YIROS PLACE NEXT TO THE JETTY HOTEL WENT BANKRUPT 7 MONTHS AGO..
I REMEMBER THE OLD DAYS GO TO LENNIES ( NOW WATERMARK HOTEL)
GET SHITEFACED THEN STAGGER DOWN TO JETTY RD FOR A LAMBSPIT,
CHICKEN YIROS WITH RAW ONION THEN TRY TO EAT IT WITH OUT WEARING IT AS A SECOND SKIN LOL
AHHHH THE GOOD OL' DAYS

CHEERS
PAUL

CHEERS,

hi all

how are you all going...congrats to all those who are advancing towards interviews and those who have their dates set...great to see...

well my news i have been sick since just after chrissy...i have been popping in to read but couldnt be bothered to be typing anything..but it was good to see all the good news that has been happening to my aussie mates...

i caught a cold off robbie his didnt last long but when it hit me damm it knocked me for a six ... lost my smell my taste and all round terrible i have only just this week started not to cough so much...it went to my chest...so i wasnt a happy chappy that with robbie's 3 weeks off we were sick...

robbie was a great nurse...kept waking me up cos he was scared i would go into a phynemonia (i know spelling is off) coma...he is such a worry wart worse than me...but looked after me fantastically never ever have i been looked after like that...usually i do this on me own ...i fought his fussing then i got really bad so i just gave into him lol...

i even went for my test while i was sick...didnt pass ..was 6 hours an boy my butt muscles ached climbing up those stairs to the apartment...when robbie went back to work he complained about the length of it an he wasnt the only one either and apparently no one on the date that i sat for it got through ...so were thinking that they got their 300 people from the 1st 2 sittings which is so unfair but it did make me feel better within myself...

we had snow here today not much but it did look lovely ..its nearly all gone now but i got pics lol
will post a few in my next post cos i gotta shrink them
you lot take care
kath

Hey Paul, wifey lives in Ethelton... near the beach. Probably not the cleanest beach since there's plenty of dogs leaving "landmines". She's not too happy about the big changes too much either, but at the same time, we know that because of it, the two properties she owns and rents out will just grow in equity. We're hoping in a few years time, we'll be able to sell those two properties including mine here in the USA and build our dream home.

Hi Kath,

Sorry to hear you have been so sick especially when it's so cold over there at the moment. Sounds like your hubby has been really sweet looking after you. Are you feeling better? Also sorry to hear about the test not going too well, but you were sick and that always makes it harder plus nobody else got through anyway. Sounds like it was really tough and 6 hours that's ridiculously long.

Well at the moment I am trying to sell my car and just waiting for this damn interview to be over. I keep thinking jeeze Colorado will be cold when I get there and it's 38C here in Canberra today mmmm will be interesting to see how I adjust to the climate change.

Hey Dave & Wifee

Well Ethelton isn't a bad place to live .. I know of worse places lol
Well it's always nice to have Equity especially in Real Estate.
And I know when the time is right to Sell Everything to build,
Your Dream Home..
It will be spectacular and a nice place to be with your Wife.

I be just as happy To just be with Cheryl (NorthernGirl),
My Beautiful Bride.. soon I will be across "The Big Puddle",
Sharing in the day to day life of Being Married,
And Being in the Same Hemisphere

I know it's a big move for anyone ,
to leave their "respective countries"
To be with the person they love..
But the new life we all will share,
Being with the ones we Cherish & Love the Most (Husband's & Wife's)

I am so looking forward to being in the U.S.A.
With Cheryl,
Being her Loving & Devoted Husband, Best Friend, Lover,Protector
And Life Long Partner, To share the highs and lows,
Of Whatever Life throws at us.

Well hope your wife has got a good supply of Vegemite
I'll be sending Cheryl home after her visit here next month,
With a Carry on bag full of the Black Gold

Cheers

Paul


<H2 align=center>Current time is</H2>

Hey Hamster... I'd probably give anything to be in Adelaide right now with the wifey. But hopefully by the time your significant other comes to see you, Stephanie will be headed to America... so good things come to those who wait. =)

Attention Aussies in the US with GREENCARDS/Permanent Residency Status...

I know immigrants in the US can travel abroad as long as they have their greencard and passport of their respective country, is their any other things I need to know about? Is there anything special someone has to do, like request permission, etc?

My wife and I are planning a trip next year, by then she'll be here and will have her Greencard. I know some of you Aussie's have already traveled back to Oz, can you give me any details on how it works, if there is anything special to do?

Thanks,
David.

David....nope! It's easy as pie. We just travelled back to AUstralia. In America, going out, he showed both his green card and his AUS Passport - no worries...and on the way back - he waited in the US CITIZEN line with me, we went up together as a family with his passport, green card and it was all good

EAsy!!!

Just make sure she takes both...but nope - for once...NO FORMS to fill out

Sweet!

Ok, next question. When she finally enters the US for the first time through LAX. Will she go through the Foreign Visitors line or the US Citizens line? Or is there a separate line dealing with US visas? Because I never really paid attention.

David,...I went through LAX at the end of 2003 to activate a K1 visa. I went through the US Citizens line,..well more specifically, they had a line sign posted for new immigrant/non-immigrant visas.(k1, K3 etc.) I simply asked a Immigration officer that stands near the front of the lines where I should be,..he asked me what I had, and directed me accordingly...All up I was in/out of customs in less then 15 minutes, and that included the wait, and the Customs officer going through the envelope etc...

Jodee

Thanks Jodee!

Hi ALL!

Just a quick update, we mailed the DS 230 Part I&II and the DS2001 form on the 16th Jan and hopefully they send an interview date soon! I received the results of my medical last week after having to get a MMR shot. I never had mumps as a kid and my GP didnt administer any shots as there was no one vaccine for the mumps. So even though I had already had the others, I still needed the MMR. Just a tip for those who will need to do their medical!

Eric's only got a week left till he flies back to Balto BUT hopefully, I will be able to move by the end of March!

Travelling was also a concern. I'd like to visit my family and friends every year and its good to hear there are no special forms to fill out (cuz Im all form-ed out) when ya want to travel.


Hope everyone is doing well!

Anybody have any information regarding DCF no longer possible in Australia? I heard I-130s can no longer be approved at US Consulates abroad. I'm not sure if this affects my wife and others who's final interviews are coming up. I tried calling the consulate in Sydney, but as you know, you can only email them, walk-in, or send a letter by post.

Hi everyone. I've been out of the loop for a little while, as I've been busy with my new job. But I logged back on today and saw David's post, and the discussion of DCF changes in the DCF section here

That post explains that some embassies that have previously allowed DCF are now posting notices that effective from Jan 23, 2007, US embassies/consulates can no longer adjudicate I-130 petitions, only the USCIS. Unlike some places like London, as far as I understand Sydney does not have a USCIS office on-site, which suggests that I-130s will have to go to the US for approval.

It looks like this is all legit, and has happened in light of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. Basically, the issue is that as a result of this Act, US citizens who are child sex offenders can no longer petition for relatives to come to the US. Embassies don't have the capacity to do police checks of US citizen-petitioners to determine if they are a child sex offender, so petitions have to be sent to USCIS which can do this.

I don't know what to suggest for you folks caught in the middle of this at the moment. The embassies that have posted information (including Ukraine and Canada) say that where an I-130 petition has already been approved by the embassy but the visa hasn't yet been approved, the I-130 will still need to be sent to USCIS for re-approval.

Sydney hasn't posted any information about this, however. I wonder if it's a good idea to ask, as if the memo hasn't filtered through yet, and this does in fact check out, you might get lucky if your interview is really soon. On the other hand, if you bring it to their attention, then they might do some more research that could work against you. I'd probably hedge my bets and wait, given it's such a short time until your wife's interview.

God, I really really hope for your sakes that you don't get caught up in this mess, given the hassles of getting this far. Let us know if you hear anything, and I'll let you know if I can come up with any more information in the interim....

We did it! We did it!!!

Photos on the way...!!!



Soz I don't get to keep up with everyones news, I'm at work and have only just recently connected at home to Joshua's LT.

We will be booking in for the first interview in Melbourne end of February...Yay!!

Sorry to break your heart, but I'm caught in the middle of this. This is what I got from the Australia Consulate Website.

"— Notice —
Recent legislation has led to changes in the procedures American citizens resident abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa. Effective immediately, the immediate relative petition (I-130) must be filed with the USCIS office responsible for the petitioner’s place of residence (that is, the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition). Consular offices at U.S. embassies and consulates are no longer authorized to accept I-130s, although they will continue to provide guidance to American citizen petitioners and their family members. Responsibility for acceptance and approval of immigrant visa petitions rests solely with USCIS. American citizens should submit their I-130 at the CIS office responsible for their place of residence.

This procedural change may result in a processing delay for some applicants. The Department of State recognizes and sincerely regrets the inconvenience this may cause."

I don't know what will happen now since my I-130 had already been approved. They haven't informed my wife about the change but I am assuming that they might take everything from her on her final interview and send it off to a USCIS to get the final approval, this might take another month or so... I'm so pissed off right now, I just don't know what to do. For all those planning DCF... Unfortunately you won't be able to do it anymore. DCF is over.

So does that mean we must send our I-130 to the States (His local USCIS office)...???

Yes, I believe so. The sponsor must send the request to the USCIS office in their state's jurisdiction.

Yes, I believe so. The sponsor must send the request to the USCIS office in their state's jurisdiction.
[/quote]

Thanks for that.

I've been emailing a dozen places already. It's beyond me why you can't just pick up the phone and speak to someone.

Hopefully that is all it means and not that he must go home and apply.

Thanks for that.

I've been emailing a dozen places already. It's beyond me why you can't just pick up the phone and speak to someone.

Hopefully that is all it means and not that he must go home and apply.

David, sorry to see that Sydney got onto it so quickly -- when I looked earlier today they still hadn't posted anything. In light of that, I think it's probably a good idea to email them before your wife's interview date to see that she can still have the interview on that day. It would be dreadful if she flew all the way to Sydney and was told she couldn't have the interview then.

I'm sorry you're going through this, it's such rotten luck. I can't imagine how frustrated you must be feeling right now. Hope it all works out ok.

POI my post didn't include what I had replied. But I said that the sponsor has to file in the USA now, you can't do it in Australia anymore.

Lunamel, Today is Thursday in Australia isn't it? Then they are closed on friday. Monday would be the second work day if I were to email them today... and they never reply within two days. Even if I sent them an email today, they would not get it in time. My wife's appointment is on Tuesday. I'm hoping that they just take my wife's packet 4 and then send that off to the USCIS in the USA to get final approval. The thing that kinda confuses me is that they state that you can no longer submit the I-130, so that doesn't pertain to us because we've filed in November. Then the part that says they can no longer approve I-130s but if it hasn't been approved, then why have they sent us packet 4. I'm just crossing my fingers that they still let her go.

My fingers are crossed for you both David.

I will keep you updated on our situation.

My wife called me and said that the US CONSULATE IN SYDNEY are no longer issuing visas for spouses or relatives and that her appointment for NEXT week has been cancelled. I now have to refile all over again here in the US with the USCIS!

Now, my venting..

This is bullshiet, apparently this has something to do with some new law protecting children and spouses from sex offenders. Which I believe is a damn good law. What pisses me off is why can't these people at the US consulates, make a simple phone call to the USCIS and ask "does so and so have a criminal record, is this person a sex offender." All this technology and for some reason they forgot that telephones and computers exists. First off, on the application, I put I serve in the military. I even have a statement of service letter from my Commanding Officer who is in charge of this huge hospital. If I were a sex offender I would not be in the field that I am in. I am a Navy Hospital Corpsman, I work in a hospital, and I deal with a lot of patients, many of them being children. Sex Offenders cannot work in a field where they would be one on one with children. They have my Social Security number, why can't these people look me up in the database and just look to see if I am a registered Sex Offender. I believe this is a load of bullshit. And now they tell me that I have to refile in the US! Of course that would mean more fees, because the fees I paid for was to process my stuff in Australia which they did, so they got paid to do it. What the USCIS will say is, "oh, you already paid, but you have to pay us now because we are processing it here this time, again!" That's practically stealing! My wife already paid for her ticket to Sydney on tuesday, non-refundable. There goes 370$US out of my pocket!

Tomorrow I am involving the US Military. I will talk to my legal Officer and they can deal with the USCIS. I've served in a combat zone, for that reason when I applied for US Citizenship through the military, I got it in 3 months, not 3 to 10 years. I'll keep you updated on what the Navy does for me... for everyone else who is fortunate enough to have their loved ones with them already, be very humble about life. For those who got slapped, let's stick together on here and we'll get through it.

For anybody elses' information... here is ROSES' number directly from my wife's phone... 61 2 9373 9167
I hope that get's you into the US Consulate. If it works, be sure you pass it around to everyone from Australia dealing with visas.

Hi David,

I am so sorry to hear about the hassles you are having. I was going to ask if you and your wife were getting excited about next week but now I am upset for you that you have to go through this. It's absolutely disgusting how they treat people and stuff up their lives, I am still in shock. Reminds me of the IMBRA RFE's.

Well I hope you get some help through the Military. My man is Military also.

Keep us posted!

Lyndel

Hey Lyndel, my wife says that her appointment is still open and that she can attend to submit packet 4. Since her flight is non-refundable, she's going to go ahead and take it to submit the stuff. Once the consulate sends off her forms to the USCIS for approval (that's if they don't make us do it agai) as soon as it returns, then it's automatic approval since we are already done.

As for your husband, thanks for his service... and tell him to keep legal informed just in case.

Hi David,

I'm glad you can still go ahead with the interview and at least submit your papers. I sincerely hope it goes quickly for you. Unbelievable that they didn't give people any notice about the new legislation!!

We are only engaged so I think we are OK because we only the filed the I129F fiance petition, am trying to search on USCIS for info but it's like searching for a needle in a haystack as usual. When my fiance got back from Iraq we were almost going to get married then, now I am glad we waited.

Hang in there!
Lyndel

Oh ya, you went through the NVC... you should have no problem. Because your husbands application had to go through the USCIS anyway, he got his background check. You'll be ok.

WTF...I received my interview date a couple of days ago, its scheduled for March 2nd...and now it could very well be cancelled?? THIS FN SUCKS!!!

I have a previous petition lodged all the way back from September but the reason we decided to do DCF is because that was taking such a long time.

*sigh* I guess all I can do is hope and pray...

Hey guys

This really sucks. Koukla07 posted in another thread (here), however, that the I-130s that have already been filed will be sent to the USCIS office in Bangkok for adjudication. That should be a bit faster than being sent back to the US, at least one hopes. It also confirms you won't have to pay another fee, and that the petition you've already filed will eventually be adjudicated. Small comfort, I know, but at least that's something.

David, it's also good your wife can still keep her appointment. Once the I-130 is finally approved, that means that can quickly get the visa approved too.

Elle, I'm so sorry you've been caught up in this too. After all your previous hassles with your other petitions!! If I were you, I'd chase those up, rather than just waiting for the new I-130 to be approved. And hopefully one of them will be approved before too long and you'll be on your way....

Priscilla, sorry I didn't say this before, but congratulations on your wedding! I'd love to see pics when you have them!

Chris

David,

BEST OF LUCK!!!! As you already know I was following your exact footsteps. I was ready to fly over there to lodge the I-130 but then this unfortunate turn of events. However, in your case I would not lose hope. I believe there is still a chance for you and your wife. Because you already filed most of the paperwork, I would like to think that the Bangkok office would be able to give people caught in the change priority. I TOTALLY agree with you about the technology or lack of. You would think that the Gov't can link a database to a Consulate to complete any checks. I hope that your Military service can carry some weight in this turn of events.

I have to change my strategy now. I pray the K-3 / CR-1 process doesn't take as long for Australia. I also agree with you about taking nothing for granted with your spouse / loved one. Being apart is so painful. My wife and I weren't planning on reuniting until August / September anyway but now I have to file the K-3 right away. I just have to wait for her G-325A paperwork and other misc documents to be mailed to me. What scares me is that this change can cause a large delay in processing. What bothers me even more is that I don't want her to try and visit me (she has loads of vacation time) because I read about it being risky. I can and will visit her in the meantime but I can't take off as much time. It's so frustrating. That's why whenever we are physically together, I cherish EVERY single minute.

I WISH YOU EVERYONE GOING THROUSH THIS ORDEAL THE BEST.

To everybody dealing with the ordeal, keep hope, that's all we can do. Talked to the wife for a bit last night. She's going to fly over to the US under the VWP and just stay with me for up to 3 months if that's as long as it takes to get these forms approved. Her headboss heard about the situation and has always been rooting for us, but with all this, he's a little in shock himself. He's also allowing her to take a leave of absence and if for some reason, my wife will end up in Australia longer, my wife can take her job back since someone will be going for maternity leave later in May. So I guess things are slowly going up.

Elle, I hope things work out for you... you did file in America didn't you? Find out what happened to those forms and have them continue it... It's the best thing for you at this moment.

Chris, I did get the PM from Koukla explaining what the Consulate had told them. Apparently my wife was one of the first called because Rose had very little information, we didn't hear about this whole Bangkok thing. I hope that it goes smoothly since I've already had the interview and the I-130 is just going there for background checks. From what Koukla said, Bangkok is not easy to deal with. If they want to give me anymore grief, I have the Navy JAG (Judge Advocate General) ready to step in.

To add a note. I'm sure this isn't the first worst thing to happen to anybody. I've had many in my life time. Some while serving in the military, everyone should understand why that is these days...

But anyway, I remember someone telling me this when I was at my lowest... "you're at Rock Bottom... no where else to go now but up!" And since then, I always had some sense knowing that things eventually works out. Just vent your frustrations, accept defeat, and come back fighting again...

Oh my god....guys I am so sorry

I pray this gets resolved quickly and you are all reunited soon!

David et al, please see Condi's explanation here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=421608

Scott and I are in shock!! Sorry to anyone caught up in this mess, I hope that everything resolves itself soon and you all find safe and quick passage through the land of immigration....

Thank GOD we did this a year ago.....

Thanks Meauxna... that's really good info.