OMG I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself. Loke is all antsy lol. We are counting down!

When he gets here I am going to hurt him I think

smiles at rings at her excitement ....arhhh the memories of counting down..

has loke got medical insurance while he is there..he might need it be sounds of it lol...
if i hear on the weather channel there was an earthquake south of me i will know why lol

take heaps of pics together and enjoy each other...

take care
kath

HAHAHAHA Kath you crack me up. Yeah he should take out medical actually lol. The poor "bloke" dosen't stand a change once he steps off that plane!

You uhh may want to be sure that your tornado shelter is stocked lol

Hee hee hee thats so cute Have a great time Rings and Loke!!!!




On a side note... I take out travel insurance and I'm so glad I did... Last year in the US I had to use it and $350 health insurance saved me $3000 in medical bills for a short stay in the medical room! (Nothing serious luckily).

EDIT: And by "short stay" I'm talking hours, not days

ok am confused...
on USCIS processing sheet it says that they're doing K1 - 129f petitions from october 2006.....
have they just not updated it?...

link is here - Processing Sheet USCIS

Hi all,

Paul, you're flying to Sydney the same day I fly to the US. Safe travels for us both hopefully, and again for you on the 9th.



Rings only thinks she's going to hurt me. She promised the same thing last time and I'm still here and...er, functional. Three days until I fly out, I can't wait. I think I have everything sorted but I know I will worry too much until I am there. I checked out the food regulations today, Rings wants Cherry Ripes so I am going to take a box of them with me.

I hope you are all well, I am sure we will annoy all of you to death with our stories of the visit in no time, can't wait to do that to be honest. You have been warned!

Hi Loke,
What time is your flight out of Sydney?
Maybe catch up for some Crispy Creme Donuts
I arrive in Sydney as I said @ 8.40am Sunday..
If not have a safe flight and a even safe "encounters" with rings lol.

Cheers
Paul

Paul, you're flying to Sydney the same day I fly to the US. Safe travels for us both hopefully, and again for you on the 9th.



Rings only thinks she's going to hurt me. She promised the same thing last time and I'm still here and...er, functional. Three days until I fly out, I can't wait. I think I have everything sorted but I know I will worry too much until I am there. I checked out the food regulations today, Rings wants Cherry Ripes so I am going to take a box of them with me.

I hope you are all well, I am sure we will annoy all of you to death with our stories of the visit in no time, can't wait to do that to be honest. You have been warned!

Hi all!

Sorry I have been MIA for a bit!!! I am leaving on Sunday, midnight (Perth-->Kuala Lumpar-->LAX)

so I have just been organizing everything..buying last minute stuff..wiring money through etc. Hope everyone is doing well..and have been successful in their interviews (those who have gone)

I am sure I have asked this before...but how long does it take to get SSN etc...when will I be able to wrk??

Thanks!

Yeah, completely ignore that...date on the website it makes no sense whatsoever


Hi Tamzo,
Having a SSN doesn't mean you can work, you just can't work without one. To work legally you must
1) Get a stamp to allow you to work at POE (aparently only available at JFK so don't count on it)
OR 2) Just wait for the greencard... which takes a while
OR 3) Apply at the same time as AOS on a separate for for a work permit. This is what I'm doing. It takes 2-3 months to process while the greencard CAN take a LOT longer.

OMG all the people coming to America

Loke and rings - enjoy eachother's company! It won't be long until there are NO MORE COUNTDOWNS and trust us, it's totally worth it! Have fun

Paul - ditto Glad your wait is over. Have a safe trip


Tamzo - ditto x 2

Hi Caroline.M

Thanks for your kind and warm well wishes for my safe trip,
to be with my Beautiful Lovely Wifee Cheryl / NorthernGirl
Not long to go now

Cheers

Paul

quote " Paul - ditto Glad your wait is over. Have a safe trip"

Hi Everyone....

I'm new to all this...I'm from Ann Arbor, Michigan and my boyfriend is from Queensland, Australia...we are trying to get our first face to face meeting planned so that we can become engaged and start our visa journey ...Some of you I have already met and have added as friends ...This place is addicting as all heck...It's nice to see other Aussie/American couples...Wooohooo finally!!!.... I want to send out a special thanks to Kath for all your help thus far ..and to all my new visa journey friends that have responded to my posts....all of your comments and advice have been very overwhelming ..but, very very helpfull now that i'm starting to put it all together thanks to all that have helped...Now that i'm starting to get a grasp on how to navigate this site, I will be coming here to check in everyday and I'm sure asking heaps more questions..and also keeping everyone updated on how things are going.....So far we just have to save up enough $$$ for air fair for me to fly over, for our xoxoxoxox's ....I can't wait.

Hi Pual AKA Hampster....

My name is Katrina i'm new i just read your story and see you married in Australia...me and my boyfriend are trying to way out which process to take either to get married in Australia and then have him come over or to have me petition for him to come over as my fiance and then marry over here in the states....any information you can provide about you and your wifes experiences would be appreciated...

Thanks,
Katrina (cheese and Kisses)

Hi Katrina,

This is our(NorthernGirl and My Time line for a Cr1 Visa.

IR-1 / CR-1 Visa
EventDate
Service Center :Vermont Service Center
Consulate :Sydney, Australia
Marriage :2006-05-13
I-130 Sent :2006-06-14
I-130 NOA1 :2006-06-20
I-130 Approved :2006-08-21
NVC Received :2006-09-05
Received DS-3032 / I-864 Bill :2006-09-26
Pay I-864 Bill 2006-09-27
Receive I-864 Package :2006-10-23
Return Completed DS-3032 :2006-12-04
Receive IV Bill :2006-10-12
Pay IV Bill :2006-12-02
Receive Instruction Package :
Case Completed at NVC :2007-02-13
NVC Left :2007-02-20
Consulate Received :2007-02-27
Packet 3 Received
:Packet 3 Sent :
Packet 4 Received :2007-03-08
Interview Date :2007-04-13 Submit Review
Visa Received :2007-04-18
US Entry :2007-05-09
Comments :
Processing
Estimates/Stats :Your I-130 was approved in 68 days.

Your interview took 303 days from filing.

I hope this helps you in some way.
Cheers

Paul

Katrina,

I posted this in your other thread but wanted to make sure you saw it. I also got married in Oz...make sure that if you do, you have to file an intent to marry a certain time in advance...might be 30, might be 90...I can't remember. Go to the website for the Registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state you're planning on marrying in to check it out.

Without filing that, I don't think you can get married

Good luck,
Caroline

Thanks,

Paul for the timeline...and woohoo almost there...good luck to you too...

Caroline...yes thank you too..i did get your post..were just looking into things as of now but your info is helpful...

Thanks....Katrina

Hey guys! Just to let you know....

I passed my K-1 visa interview today!

USA here I come!

Hi Katrina,

I GOOGLED QUEENSLAND BIRTHS DEATHS & MARRIAGES WEBSITE,
AND FOUND THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU RE MARRYING IN AUSTRALIA.

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm/thelegalprocess.html


The legal process
First, a Notice of Intended Marriage form must be completed
by both parties and signed in the presence of a qualified witness,
as specified on the notice.
Your celebrant can witness your signatures.

You must lodge the notice with the authorised celebrant
a minimum of one month and one day prior to the date
you wish to get married
(i.e. if lodged on 25 June the earliest date the marriage
could take place would be 26 July).
The notice is valid for 18 months from the date it is lodged.

Your celebrant will provide you with a
Notice of Intended Marriage form or it can be downloaded here (65kb ).

The services of an authorised celebrant are required to solemnise a marriage.
If you do not wish to be married at the Registry,
authorised celebrants (religious and civil)
are listed at the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department website.


Documents required
by the bride and groom
To complete all of the requirements of the Notice of Intended Marriage,
the celebrant must sight the following documents for the bride and groom:



For persons born in Australia:

• an ORIGINAL birth certificate.

For persons born in another country:

• an ORIGINAL birth certificate of that country, OR
• an ORIGINAL current passport of another country showing
• date and place of birth.

In addition, for persons previously married:

• an ORIGINAL decree absolute or divorce certificate, OR
• an ORIGINAL death certificate of a deceased spouse.

If documentation is not in English an official translation,
in addition to the original document, is required.


Persons authorised to witness the Notice of Intended Marriage
This notice must be signed in the presence of any of the following:

• if a party signs the notice in Australia an authorised celebrant,
• a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959,
• a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a legally qualified medical practitioner, or a member of the Australian Federal Police
• or the police force of a state or territory
• if a party signs the notice outside Australia
• an Australian Diplomatic Officer, an Australian Consular Officer,
• an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3 ©
• of the Consular Fees Act 1955, an employee
• of the Australian Trade Commission authorised
• under paragraph 3 (d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955 or a notary public.

Marriageable age
The marriageable age is 18 years.

If one party is aged 16 to 18, and not previously married,
it is necessary to obtain:

• parental consent on the required form, and
• a court order under section 12 of the Marriage Act 2006.

Where both parties are under the age of 18 they cannot marry.

A Notice of Intended Marriage may be lodged prior
to the 18th birthday of a person intending to marry,
Without parental consent and a court order,
But the marriage may not be solemnised without
that authority until that person turns 18.


Witnesses


Two witnesses over the age of 18 must be present at the marriage ceremony.
Interpreter
If the bride or groom is unable to speak English,
an interpreter must be provided.
The interpreter is required to sign a statutory declaration
and certify his/her faithful performance in the role.
To contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
telephone 131450 (toll free).


Contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Post:
PO Box 15188,
City East Qld 4002

Brisbane residents
phone: 3247 9203
Outside Brisbane
phone: 1300 366 430
International enquiries:
+61.7.3247 9203

Email:
bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au

Office hours:
8.30am–4.30pm (Monday–Friday)

The Registry is located at 110 George Street, Brisbane

Please be ready to supply:

• your full name
• your postal address
• your phone number
• reference number (if applicable)
• date of birth/death/marriage
• location of birth/death/marriage

I Hope this helps you and your partner with your future plans.

Cheers

PAUL

Jezz85 - congrats!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JESS

WOOOOOHOOOOOO



Good for you !!!!!!!!

Cheers

Paul.

It is 6 days, 9 hours, 14 minutes and 57 seconds
until Thursday, 10 May 2007
at 9:17:00 AM (Providence time)
That I will be in my darling Beautiful Wifee's
Cheryl's Arms again!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS JESS!!!!! You must be celebrating right about now

Our journey has officially started. Zach lodged our first lot of forms on Thursday (Wednesday his time) - he said USCIS should have received our package around noon Thursday US time. This is it! This is where it all begins!

Thats really great Jess!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

I take it you didn't need the 2nd Affidavit of Support?

Where abouts in USA are you heading to?

YAY JESS!!!!!!!! I AM SO THRILLED FOR YOU!
PARTY!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOO HHHHHEEEW!

I envy you!

No NOA 2 for me yet Do you think I should panick?

I was so worried about this as well! We are waiting for NOA 2 and Meowboy is here visiting me. He arrived April 3 and his POE was LAX. He had all of the paperwork as well, but said no one really questioned him about it. I was so relieved!

I hope that your travels are as smooth!

AND CONGRATS ON THE APPROVALS AND NEW ADVENTURES ABOUT TO BEGIN!

WOW PAUL THANKS ALOT FOR ALL THE INFO. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONES TIME AND EFFORTS HERE I HOPE IN THE FUTURE I CAN BE AS HELPFUL....

Kevin's interview will be on 5/14/07 @ 8:00 am. That is the last day he saw me when I flew away from Melbourne. We are in the home stretch now. So hopefully he will be here in hot Texas by the end of the month.

whooo hooooo jess congrats to you on a succesful interview..dont forget to put in your interview review mate..
are you going back tomorrow for it or getting it posted ...did they ask you if you had a choice?
was expecting alot more details jess lol stir stir

and another

whooo hooooooo for moonie.. congrats on the interview date arriving...is he all set...how did the medical go...

whoo hoo goes to patricia too .. way to go on getting your journey started may it be a quick resolve and no bumps in the road for you two...

well there is two dates to enter on my list..might try again to put it in here...

hi hammy not long now for you mate...enjoy your flight remember dont eat too much rice mate...and sleep lol...lax will be fine and you at least will have the chance to have a smoke when walking to your other gates...shame cleveland is so far away ...

hi ya rings ohh another countdown too one more day till he gets on that plane mate...

looking at your time line mate your getting close to it
Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated as early as June 7, 2007*.

Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated as early as May 20, 2007*.

If this date has passed by more than 10 days or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition.

might even get approved while loke is over there mate now wouldnt that be a bonus to get approved while your with each other...dont panick yet mate just keep checking the status of your case...

no news here weawther is lovely and robbie has the weekend off ...he is so burned out he needs it...
ohhh lyndel is quite wonder where she has got to ...lol...
take care
kath

Awe thanks Kath. I am so worried about this. it must be me, but it seems like our is just taking forever

I know that I need to be more patient.

Well Hello All

This will probably be my last Posting for a Week or so.

I am flying out From Adelaide - Sydney tomorrow (Sunday Morning)
Have to be at the Adelaide Domestic Airport,
@ 5.15am, for a 6.20am Flight to Sydney.



Spending a couple of days In Sydney with my Sister and her Family,

Then Flying out From Sydney Wednesday (9th May) Morning.

Then onto Taipei China then to LAX, Then to Cleavland Ohio,

and Finally Arriving in Providence Rhode Island,

@ 9.17am Thursday Morning to be met by my,

Lovely Beautiful Wifee Cheryl .

Then drive back to Massachusetts to.. ....Unpack

So when I get Time.. I will post my P.O.E. Story for LAX.

Wishing all Peeps with their upcoming Interviews,
Good Luck to you all.

And a speedy reuniting with their loved Ones,
A Happy blissful time to be had by all



A Special mention to all the people that have helped,
Myself and My Wifee Cheryl,
Get through the Maze called Our Visa Journey.

Thankyou All for your Patience, Directions, ,
Shortcuts, Sense of Humor, Camaraderie,
And Just being there for us when We needed Information.

Both Cheryl and I have made some great friends on here,
and hopefully One Day we Will all meet,
for a BBQ.. Near Boston .. lol.

Take Care One and All,

Till I Emerge from the Otherside...lol

Cheers

Paul

Have a safe flight, Paul! I hope I'm the next Adelaidian off to the US

Thanks Patricia,

Me thinks you won't be too long from flying over the big Puddle

Thanks for your well wishes and I too wish for a Safe Flight..lol

Cheers

Paul.

p.s. Keep the Flag Flying for all the Adelaidians ..
Gotta Keep these Melbournites, and SydneySiders In Line

Paul...

Have a safe flight/s....Just wanted to say thanks again to you for your time and the information you posted.

Katrina...

I'm going to get laid! I'm going to get laid! *dances*

TMI? Well good!

Loke is on the plane right now and sorry for my earlier outbust but I sent that to everyone including my mother.. I am so damn proper lol

I am just excited!

hey paul
safe journey mate...take care see you in nearly my time zone lol

hey rings
i wouldnt worry about it..your just a passionate about loke coming over ... we can all relate to your excitement mate.
take care and have a wonderful visit...

kath

RINGS....
WAY COOL YOUR GOING TO GET, WELL YOU KNOW!!! LOL...I'M DEFINATELY JEALOUS..BUT HAPPY FOR YA TOO....JUST WANTED TO POP IN AND SAY THANKS FOR THE INFO IN THE PRIVATE MSGS...I TALKED TO RON JUST A LIL BIT AGO AND WE DISSCUSED SOME OF THE OPTIONS WE HAVE AND WE BOTH ARE THINKING GETTING MARRIED OVER THERE IS DEF. THE WAY TO GO FOR US...SO NOW AT LEAST WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHERE TO START....JUST GOTTA FIND SOME DAMN $$$$$ TO GET ME OVER THERE AND 2 WEEKS WORTH OF WAGES TO COVER MY BUM WHILE IM THERE...AHHH!! I'M JUST GLAD WE ARE DISCUSSING OUR OPTIONS AND ACTUALLY GONNA START MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

OK, OK, WE ALSO DISCUSSED.....
READY FOR THIS..HAHAHA!!!

WHATS BETTER?[u]
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY
OR
VEGGEMITE

WE HAD A GOOD OLE LAUGH ABOUT THAT ONE..I TOLD HIM I WAS GONNA TAKE A POLE ON THE FORUM TO FIND OUT...

SO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEAVE THERE COMMENTS ABOUT PB & J OR VEGEMITE..PLEASE DO SO..TRY AND HELP LIGHTEN UP THE INTENSITY AROUND HERE PHEWWWW...AND I'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN ALL THIS STUFF..HAHAHA!

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS ALOT HAPPENING THIS WEEK FOR A FEW OF YOU....

AND RINGS...TRUST ME WE ALL CAN RELATE TO THAT MSG UP THERE...HEHEHEHE!

KATRINA.. AKA CHEESE AND KISSES

THANKS!!! Sharyna, Hampster, patriciaofoz, jltan100, Rings, meowgirl and of course thanks Kath. Thanks for your well wishes and all your support and helpful advice guys. It’s very much appreciated

My consulate review is up. It’s too long (and dare I say boring) to post here, so if you’re interested head over to the review page to check it out. I have to say my experience was a 5 out of 5 experience. It was pretty quick and all the people I met from the security guys on level 10 all the way through to my interviewee were very friendly and approachable and not intimidating at all.

After I posted up my review I remembered a few more questions that she asked me, including “When do we plan to get married?” which I think was the first question and a couple more questions about wedding plans and dates. I had to say that we planned to get married pretty much straight away after I get to the US but that no dates are set in stone yet since we were told not to make plans until after the interview. Also the fact that his family is really keen for us to do a ceremony in his hometown which wasn’t the initial plan, since we were going to come back to Australia for a reception at a later date. (I’m pretty sure I babbled all of this to the interviewer too.)



Hi! I’m heading to Maryland I July, you can find our place in space on the Aussies map to see exactly where in Maryland home is.

As for your question about a second Affidavit of Support… nope, I only needed the one I-134 along with its supporting documentation. Maybe I confused you because a couple of weeks ago I was saying that I was waiting for Tony to send me his notorized tax print out as the last thing I needed for the interview. He had already sent me the I-134, employment record and tax print out but he only had the first two notorized so he had to send it again to me after getting it notorized.



Thanks Kath! I hope you enjoy my interview review Since it was on Friday I wouldn’t be able to go back for it till Monday anyway. For me, getting it posted to me is easier than trekking all the way back into the city (I live about an hour and a half+ by public transport outside the city centre). They told me it’d be sent on Monday or Tuesday so I guess I’m expecting it Tuesday or Wednesday. (I’m a little excited)
I did have a choice and could have picked it up if I wanted, but since I had my big yellow satchel there it was obvious that I wanted it posted. My interviewee handed me a slip of paper at the end called “Instructions for receiving your immigrant visa”. It says “You have two options for receiving your visa” and outlines the via mail option (including instructions on where to purchase a satchel and who to give it to when you return if you didn’t bring one with you). The second option was to come back the following business day between 3.30 and 4.00 to come in and pick it up in person. My interviewee had ticked the box next to via mail.

Oh, and expect A LOT of details in my interview review Kath! You will NOT be disappointed stir.

Good luck Paul! I’m so excited for you! Enjoy your reunion with your wife! You deserve it after all this time! Wishing you a safe journey and a smooth POE and adjustment to the great land Up Over!

Good luck to you guys too Rings and Loke. Have an awesome time together you guys and savour ever moment. I know you will! And if I didn’t know it already… Rings… thanks for posting and making it clear for us all jk, it was awesome. Have a great time!

And best of luck to everyone else on their various stages of this crazy Visa Journey!!!

Hi Katrina!

I'm really sorry to say it but... I'm a turn coat. I hate vegemite so PB&J wins in my book.... mmmmm PB&J. I've made it before a handful of times with seedless blackberry jam... it was amazing, but definately not a staple... more of a personal experiment.

Thanks you guys you rock! lol

GO PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY!

Peanut butter rocks.. i have a huge jar at home!

Wooohooooo....

I was happy to report to Mr. Ron over in the land down under that PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY is hit on the forum....I tried telling him that i would win....

Hahaha

Katrina

YAY JESS! I was MIA all weekend, but such good news.

I vote PB and J....stewart votes just PB


What's with Fairy Bread??? I have NEVER heard of that until I met Stewart!

Hey All,


BIG CONGRATS TO JESS!!!! YAY!!!! bet you are over the moon!


Paul sending you hugs...safe journey and happy reunion with northern girl! Don't forget to pack some choccy!

Happy reunion to you Rings and Loke, hope you have the most wonderful time together!


Hey Kath, still here just am madly applying for jobs and spending a lot of time with Jake. Hope you and Rob are well and happy and yr job is going well. I love being married and in the same country! To all those married and doing it long distance..I wish you a speedy reunion and visa journey!

Adjusting to the food...so rich! Applied for my SSN and now working on AOS. Ew ew ew ew...I hate paperwork!

Cheers
Lyndel

Hi everyone,

I just found out my husband in CA has received docs from Sydney. He said that the case number is the same as what the NVC assigned us. Does this sound right? It is for CR-1.

thanks, and congrats to all who have recently received their visa's!!

It sure does! Your case number stays the same all the way through

Thanks for the congrats

Congratulations to you also! Getting the package from Sydney is really exciting!

Thanks for your congrats also Caroline and Lyndel!

I'm anxiously looking out the window for my post sachel, its due either today or tomorrow and the mail should be here any time now

hi everyone i'm confused...
btw congrats to all who have visas and noa2's!!

if your moving to the US.. would the embassy from sydney send something to your other half in the US? (who made the petition?)

if so - why?..
if not ... then just give me some peanut butter lol

hi sharyna

when your pettition is sent to sydney from NVC they then send the packet 3 to the the aussie...then you send the necessary forms back saying you are ready for your interview then you (aussie) receives the packet 4 which is your interview date and what to bring to the interview..

ohh by the way katrina...robbie is the peanutbutter and jelly nut in this family...i use to have peanut butter on toast ..but the bread isnt that great and your peanut butter is too creamy comapared to the aussie type...even the crunchy is too many peanuts in um lol...

congrats hollywood on getting your packet in the mail your on your way now to organising your interview date...

take care
kath

Hi Kath,

What is this check list?? My husband only received a bunch of medical forms (which he is priority mailing me) and a cover letter that has my case number SYD.......... and my interview date and time. There is no mention of sending anything back to the Consulate, only to bring it all with me to my interview.

thanks Kath!!
seems i only rear my head when i'm confused!
lol.... i'm actually also hanging out on the feb fliers thread as a heap of applicants are getting NOA2'S! which is good news for everyone!!