My recollection of that information is about a year old, so things probably have changed.

If you're really that worried, I'd delay it by a few more days, to allow for postal messups and giving them a chance to resend it *shrugs*

I'm so paranoid about it I probably wont even start to seriously consider the trip till I have it in my hot little hands *because anything can, and will, go wrong* x.X but thats me ;P

I had my interview in May and there was the option of next business day pick up still! I had mine mailed to me because that is what was easier for me.

They give you a signed note at the interview stage and tick the box either for next day pickup or having it mailed out.. if you decide to come back next day, you just bring the signed note with you and they send you up to get it. Since I live in Sydney I got the express post pack in the mail I believe the Monday (my interview was on the previous Friday).

I say go ahead and book the flight for the 7th I'm jealous, I'm out on the 12th

hey loke
was just looking on the sydney consulate website and if your interview is on the 3rd i dont know if you would be able to pick the visa up on the 4th because of the public holiday for independence day.. so if your going to stay in sydney they might ask you to come back on the 5th to pick it up...

just a thought .. i didnt even think of that holiday until i read it mate..

hey nip
think positive mate...its the only way to get through its the things you have control over that might go wrong that might worry you..like forgetting to put something in your pettition...you will be right mate dont let the outside forces put negative thoughts into your head ... did that make sense...

on another note i went driving today im getting more confident about it all now lol now to practice the manuverablity test lol...
take care
kath

hey everyone
ok that letter i got from the consulate?
some silly person (still really annoyed about this lol) - misread my biographic data form and sent me a letter saying that i needed a police certificate from Montenegro Serbia

and get this - my form says that i lived in Montevideo Uruguay South america for 5 years.

so i called the consulate - "sorry the visa immigrant section does not take calls - they only reply to faxes and emails"
so i emailed the consulate on friday night and told them what had happened - i have yet to hear from them.

this is so annoying!! especially since i'm ready for the interview already!
and its south america so i'm 60% sure i wont need a police certiicate from them - but i emailed the Uruguayan consulate and asked them for advice on how to get a certificate if the US consul required one.

so far no answer.

so what do you all think?

hi sharyna

hope you hear something about it soon...i asked my hubby and he said its not apart of america.. its apart of Uruguay ..not apart of north america...so with that im thinking you will have to get a police check from that country mate..depends also how long you lived there too.. i might be wrong but i think its 12 months...doesnt it state on the packet 3 when talking about police checks about other countries what the time you have spent there .. its from the age of 16yrs too..so if you were over there when u were 16 u will need one from there...

hope you get it all sorted out mate..
take care
kath

Whoa! Sharyna that is crazy! If it wasn't so bad I would almost have to laugh!

Try not to worry too much, they are really good with the email in my experience and you'll hear from them really soon, hopefully today or tomorrow.

Were you under 16 when you lived in Uraguay?

***

Good catch on the public holiday 4th of July Kath. I didn't even think of that Rings and Loke, they'll be closed on the 4th so I guess you'll have to wait around till the 5th to pick it up.

First off Loke and Rings CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR INTERVIEW DATE
I RECKON I WAS SPOT ON REGARDING WHEN IT WOULD EVENTUATE LOL.

TO ALL OTHER PETITIONS BEING APPROVED INTERVIEWS PENDING,
AND REUNITING WITH YOUR LOVED ONES YIPPIIIEEEEE
I HOPE EVERYONE IS FEELING THE LUUURRRVEE

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW I CAN GET ABOUT
10KG'S OF ROO MEAT SHIPPED TO MASSACHUSETTS?
MY BOSS WANTS TO PAY FOR THE MEAT AND SHIPPING,
BUT CAN'T FIND ANY IMPORTERS THAT DO IT?
ANYONE HAVE ANY CONNECTIONS OR IDEAS??
PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP

CHEERS
PAUL

Nice to see you Paul I'm still waiting to get over there as you see... not long now!

In response to your little problem... Southwicks Zoo in Massachusetts shuts at 5pm daily. They have kangaroos.

Hi Sharnya,

I am sorry that you too are having difficulties with Sydney!! My visa journey was problem free until Sydney got their silly little hands on it! They told me I needed a police certificate from Japan and I didn't. They also put the wrong address on my sealed envelope that I handed to the Immigration Officer and gave me the wrong type of visa!! We are still trying to fix their mistakes.

You will not need a police certificate from a country other than your home country if you lived there when you were younger than 16 years. If older than 16 and were a resident of that country, not traveling, and lived there for more than 12mths then YES you do need one. You won't need one if it is a country listed as being one that cannot give you a certificate. I am not too sure of the website that has these certain countries but please contact Sydney via email and make sure they have an understanding of their mistake!!

My husband finally received an email from Sydney after he asked them why was I given the wrong visa even after I confirmed that I would be given the correct one at my interview. Their answer was "it was overlooked." . We didn't get an apology and it has stuffed us up. I now have to go to the SSA and change my status once I contact USCIS and get them to issue me the correct green card and change my status with them!!! That's 3.5 hr dive one way to fix Sydney's mistakes. I may send them a bill for fuel costs and cleaning costs after we have driven to LA and my toddler has thrown up in the back seat both on two trips!!

You may be able to get them to fix this mistake before the interview but don't be surprised when you get to the interview and the lady checking the docs tells you that you need one!! She doesn't seem to be kept in the loop of things and was adamant I would get a visa refusal because of no police certificate.

I don't mean to scare you but just to prepare you for any mistakes they may come your way.

CONGRATS RINGS AND LOKE! I knew it couldn't be far behind since a bunch of us sent the application in around the same time!

Thank you all so much for your support. You have all be both an inspiration and a major life saver to us. We appreciate everything that you have all done for us!

HAMMY - Check out this site... they ship too! KANGAROO MEAT

hi ya rings
damm your good ...good on ya for finding that link mate...

well today 25th june marks a year i left australia and landed here in detroit...it only seems like its been about 5 months lol

apart from going through the seperation anxiety from robert when he went to work and grumbling about the food lol and getting use to the speeds over here i can sum up the year as being a very happy one...

acheivements not many really...got through my AOS with no hassles within 46 days i received my greencard..(got transferred to CSC) with no interview ... got my SSN - only one hassle there was the lady didnt look at my marriage cert when offered...so had to go back....getting my own credit card and bank account....finally after heaps of applications recently got a job (but dammed if i know when im gunna start) ... and this month i passed my learners so i can drive on my australian licence and the next big thing is passing the driver's test...

so all in all i assimilated quite well although sometimes i speak too soft and they cant either hear me or understand me lol... and as a couple we have grown closer and love deeper than while we were seperated.. he has shown me so many things and taught me heaps...and i thank whoever it was that brought us together...and also thank the computer world for creating such a fantastic way to meet friends and your future husbands or wives...

i wish for you lot in here doing this journey that you find the same love and contentment in your lives when you fianlly get here...group hugs to you all ... although i have nearly finished my journey...you lot have kept me sane by letting me help you in this last year...thank you...
take care
kath

thanks guys for your support!!
here is an update -
i did live in that other country from 16yo to 21 - and i went thru a side door at the sydney US consulate and spoke to a woman - she was very helpful but surprised that i had her number - "we're not supposed to talk to the public" she says. but she helped me.

i do need a good behaviour certificate from Uruguay - so i rang the Uruguayan consulate - and the woman taht answered the phone said "if you dont have a ID Card we cant do a behaviour check on you" and well - heres the punch line.
you can only get a ID card if you were borne in that country - which i wasnt - i am australian by birth, so i was never able to get one.

so i've spoken to my fiance - and he's agreed that i should go ahead to my interview and explain all this to the US consular officer that does my paperwork and the one that does the interview (theres two people involved right?)....

I mean how can i get something if the Uruguayan consulate has told me the above?.....
and it was 14 years ago that i came back from there - so its a bit rich asking me for something that happened 14 years ago.... but anyways....

does anyone have any advice?...

i'm getting my name change certiifcate as back up today or tomorrow - and then i'm set to send in my form and tell them i'm ready for my interview.....

thoughts anyone?


**ps kath - your post is soooo sweet... very very heart felt.....

hi ya sharyna
what might be a good idea is for you to contact the consulate again in uraguay and ask them to either email the sydney consulate with all your details attached eg name case number etc...about the no go on police certificate..
or get them to send you a letter confirming what they have told you about being a citzen of that country and the police checks and the id card thing...and not being able to receive one..

and you can also email the sydney consulate telling them what you have been told about your situation and see if they can clarify what you can do in your situation because you dont want to be denied over this as it is out of your hands...request that they email you back with information you can take to your interview to help you on the day..

cover all bases instead of just showing up to your interview without what they need...best way to cover disappointment huh...

good luck
kath

hey kath
yeah i thought about that - but the woman at the uruguayan consulate was no help so i'm wondering if there'll be anyone else at that consulate that will be just a bit more helpful.....

i'll work on this today from work.....

Hey Kath! i am glad I found that link too. I never tried kangaroo meat! Does it taste weird? Awe I am so glad that you have had a good year. I wonder if Loke will get separation anxiety when he is here...hmmm. I wouldn't worry too much about the drivers test. All I got wrong on my test was when I did not look over my shoulder to change lanes (used the mirror - I guess that's wrong) and I was going 35 mph in a 35 mph zone, but didn't know it was a school zone which makes it a 25 mph zone... that was a cheap trick. Other than that, it was realitively easy and they only make you go for a mile or so (in colorado anyway). kath, you are an inspiration to us all. I know that you have offered me so much valuable information and thanks to you and people like you, Loke will be home soon. I felt so stupid when i first started this journey and now as time passes and I see that I can sometimes help others, I know how you feel and how good it feels to do a kind deed. Thank you for everything you have done for me and everyone else in this forum. You are a gem of life.

Sharyna, can't you just call the police station from the town you lived in and ask them if they can do a check on your name? You can try to call them and explain why you need it and advise them of the reason that you could not obtain an ID card, then ask them if you sent your passport information and/or visa information from the time you went to that country if that would proove to them as to who you are and why you were there. If they cannot do this for you, then ask them if they wouldn't mind writing you a letter on certified letterhead as to why the police check cannot be done. Ask them to fax this to you as well or e-mail it so in case your interview gets set and it does not come in the mail, you can print it out and take it to your interview. I think that you should also do what Kath said as well. I would try to obtain as many documents from that government as you can...even if it is just a letter. the consulate, the police station, etc... I am so sorry that you have to deal with this. I hope it will only be a hiccup in the whole scheme of things for you *hugs*

hi ya rings
hmm kanga meat um if not cooked properly it can be tough...its an a different taste .. havent had it in years i got some for a frenchman that was staying with my family in oz so i cooked it for him..maybe someone else might know what the taste is i have forgotten..lol
i reckon loke will be fine...your kids will be around with him with me i was by myself so i think that played alot into it..and being stuck... thing you could do is get him to get his licence straight asap or look up the bus routes for him..and maybe get a phone card for him to ring home when he wants to.. thats what robbie did for me...and all my aussie stuff up on the walls...robbie was very concerned about homesickness with me..hes a good fella..
thanks for the comments too...i was once like you when i first around this subject.. but i read so much on websites before i even joined this site ..

sharyna
glad you found a lady to help you more than the other lady...fingers crossed this will be completed quickly for you..chin up its only a small bump mate...

kath

i drove home on my lunch break and got all the certificates i had from when i studied over there, i'm faxing it over to the consulate now - hopefully they can help me.
am also writing them a letter saying how much i appreciate their help - and if they cant do a check for me if they would mind writing me a letter with the consulate letterhead stating why they cant.....

seriouisly i dont think the US consulate will make so much hoo haa over it, i've got absolutely everything else they want of me.....

I know that I should do more to make it so that he does not feel homesick. I have no clue where to even begin really. I am cleaning out drawers and stuff so that his clothes will have a place and he is not bringing anything much with him but clothes. I don't know what sort of things I should do to make this easier. I am going to try to get him an international calling card and you're right, he will have the kids around to hang out with him. I also do not want the kids driving him crazy so I am worried about that. I think he has to wait for his social security number before he can get a license, but there are some things within walking distance. It's nothing like his little Melbourne town though. I am so worried that he will not like it here. I need to think of more things to do for him so I cna feel better about it

Sharyna, please let us know how it works out. All the best wishes to you sweety!

thankyou Rings..

... well the woman from the URuguayan consulate called me and basically told me that i'm stupid because i cant remember with clarity my child hood - from when i was 16 to 21 - i turn 35 next month -

am i stupid??
are you supposed to remember with clarity your childhood?.... i remember bits and pieces of it..............

so what am i going to do?
i'm going to go to the US consulate and explain to them and give them the name of the chick at the other consulate and tell them what she told me..... that if i dont have a ID card i cant get a check done, and that she was rude etc etc..................

breaking point people.....

i believe 90% of me that the US consulate wont make a big deal out of it, it was 14 years ago - and i've got a clean record that the australian police and vouch for since then till now....

Hey girl... I know that you think it was long ago, but these people are nut cases. Please try to call the police station to see if they can run your name. Try to obtain something. You do not want to walk in there without some sort of valid proof that you cannot get a required document. Please do not risk this after how far you have come. See if someone can at least write you a letter on letterhead giving the reason as to why you cannot get the certificate.

Sharyna, I agree with Rings,

They're really finicky and I would hate for you to get denied or delayed based off this. They may well make the mental leap between you not being able to get something to you not wanting to get something from there or trying to conceal something.

I KNOW it sucks but exhaust every possible avenue you can to try to get something in writing showing that it would be impossible for you to get a police certificate or anything. A letter from the people you spoke to on the phone would go a long way futher than your word on the matter.

Has the Sydney consulate responded to your email regarding this matter yet?

Hey guys, I hope that everyone is well!

I have been a bit busy packing, so I have no clue what has been happening!

Just a quickie! Am I allowed to get an international drivers licence for the time while I am waiting to get my US licence? I used one when I was over visiting.

So much to do.....so little time.

Take care,
Kell

hi ya kell
nice to see ya... take a look at the website for licences... www.dmv.org then click on the state you will be living in..

from what i have read on the ohio one is that if your a tourist you can drive without an international licence...
but you can also sit the learners test and drive for 30 days and go for the drivers test before the 30 days is up..and it doesnt cost you anything until you pass your licence...then when you do pass you change your name by showing them your marriage licence...

you can download the handbook of laws on the website .. i found it alot easier for me to read it off the computer than sit reading the book...

for the life of me i cant remember which state or town your going to be living in sorry or i would of researched it more for you...

ohh dont forget to get written references from work before you leave...like your department manager and manager of the store...will help ya heaps.. and if your apply for a walmart possie u need a SSN to apply too...i do hope you get into walmart one of us damm big w gals gotta lol teach them a few things i reckon...they have no idea on professional looking uniforms even though they are upgrading their uniforms they are nothing compared to ours..lol

take care and happy packing...
kath

hi again kell
i found an old message from you when we were talking about big w...

virginia drivers manual

jonesville dmv office

i read through the manual and i was right about the international licence being only for tourist...

what i wanna know is what has germany and france got to do with virginia...if i was reading it correctly they dont have to sit either learners or driving test to drive over there...lol...who knows ...lol

get your fiance to ring dmv in jonesville and see what the rules are about you driving on your australian licence see if they also accept reprocial agreement like ohio....

see ya
kath

Thanks soooooo much Kath!

I have all my references in my hot little hand! I finish work this Friday, looking forward to be able to concentrate on the move!

I will get Kev to look into the licence situation for me, one less stress to worry about.

Take care guys!

Kell!

YAY have a great trip girl! You are going to love it here *hugs*

hey guys
the uruguayan consulate chick said she would send me a letter stating why they cant look me up in their system. i should get it tomorrow (thursday)... if not i'll call her on friday just to ask if theres anything i can help her with - as opposed to asking her if she's done it (might not go down well).... since she was a bit nasty about it in the beginning..

now just a offhand question - when do you actually pay the processing fee for the consulate? is that with packet 4?

oh and no i havent recieved a reply from the US consulate - i did email them telling them that the other consulate couldnt help me - and what other avenue i could use...

hi sharyna
good to hear that your getting the letter also make sure she mentions that you have to have an ID card not just that they cant access the system...if i saw that it would tell me that it is possible to obtain one mate..

also you can pay your fee at any australia post before your interview...and attach it to the front of your passport for your interview...its $130.00 tell them its for a U.S. non immigrant visa receipt you need....

take care
kath

Sharyna,

Make sure you get the right receipt. See this interview from VJ Member:



Take good care to make sure you have the right one dear.

thanks kath and rings!!

your quite welcome sharyna take a look at this receipt i posted one time ages ago of my K1 receipt..

K1 visa fee..post office receipt
hope that worked.lol
hi ya rings and loke..

not long now for your interview loke good luck to you mate.. you will do fine...dont forget they are closed on the 4th july...

take care, kath

day before my birthday - .....................
two days of celebration once i'm over there!!

thanks kath for that!!

major update guys!!
the uruguayan consulate emailed me the letter! to both my email addresses...

this is the letter...
now your thoughts - do you think this will suffice?

as i dont have the documentation they require for them to do my police check?

its in pdf form....

i can upload in jpeg form if noone can read it.

and the US consulate replied to me also
they said that if i wasnt issued with a ID card then i didnt need to apply for a police check in uruguay - ... i printed out that letter too to keep incase i need it.

hi sharyna
the link worked but its difficult to read..just copy and paste it into a post with all your personal details x'd out mate..

kath

ohhhhhhhhhhhh my goodness...why couldnt they of stipulated that in the original letter they sent you...about the ID card...

ffs i tell ya these people sure make it stressful for people...

well im glad thats all sorted out for you now sharyna.. you can now send in your letter of readiness..
ohhhhh by the way can you scan that readiness letter before you post it off..it might come in handy and send it to me...i know another aussie was asking for a copy of it ....to start off his fiance readiness while she was in the states visiting...would appreciate it mate.. if you could..

great news and high 5 for persistence throughout this stressful time...

kath

ok the letter is on the consulate letterhead and says:

To Whom it May Concern
This is to certify that Miss Sharyn XXXXXXX, Australian and holder of Australian Passport number xxxxxxxxx
she is not able to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from Uruguay due to lack of documentation required.

and its signed by the Uruguayan consul
jorge Puoy
and dated today's date


....

so i think that will suffice and show proof that i did actually go and ask and try to get one.....

i reckon so too .. take that with ya along with the letter from the consulate to the interview but only hand it over if they ask about the overseas police certficate...

kath

thats what i'm thinking.... on a need to know basis as it were...

and you know what that means right?

i can send in my form to say i'm ready!!!!

hi ya ashliegh au
just read your post about getting your transfer mate..

good luck for the 23rd july for the AOS...fancy letting you know now and not back in november about it being wrongly transferred...
good luck
kath

YAY SHARYNA !!!!!!

Great news Sharyna! Looks like you've got it all sorted! Woo hoo!!! Now, to get that interview!!!! Yay!

yay!!

i just posted the form off to the consulate to tell them i'm ready!

and i picked up that name change certificate too as back up incase my birth certificate isnt enough for them.....

w00t! Way to go Sharyna Good Luck with it

thankyou!!

see how we go

kath i emailed you that form.... just incase you check here before your email lol

hi ya sharyna
thanks for the email i got it ..and good on ya for helping a fellow aussie...

kath

Guess what!!! Our I-129F was approved today (so the e-mail said)
That was so nice of them to let me know..........

rofl
i had to look at your timeline..... is it just me or are they a bit behind?

Seriously... we were just barely approved today! This must be some sort of record timing in the Visa interview from date of approval lol.


*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On June 26, 2007, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.