Hi Niphredil! Check on the price of a return and see if it's cheaper. Sometimes it is. If so just get that and then you can use it if you want a year later.

As for the DS-230 part 2, she will bring it in. I don't think the consulate will do anything with it anyway until she is there to sign. There isn't any pre-processing I can see them doing to it.

Speaking of confusing, my wife never received the DS2001 (applicant readiness) form. Was she supposed to print that out from the website or was that supposed to have been included in the packet 3/4? My understanding was that sending it in generates the interview date. However, we already got that and the packet 3 and/or 4 never had the DS2001. I wonder if they need that lol.

As far as the Police cert goes, I would just bring it in. If they want you to bring copies in, then I would just bring the original too. I would argue the case otherwise. Also you said you didnt email them yet. Why not fire one off now? That way if they say bring it in, I would print that out as evidence. That's what I am doing. She is going to bring any email correspondence to the interview just in case they say something contrary to our understanding.

Hawaiiandreams, good luck on the next few weeks! So much hoopla has been going on in the NVC forum. Make sure you fill out everything on the DS-230 when it's time to send it in. Some people have been getting RFEs for stupid stuff like not filling in certain lines. We almost did the same mistsake because you can't type everything in the computer. Some people forgot to hand-write the remaining little details and got delayed because of it.

I got the readiness form in Packet 3 *it's on the back of the Documents Required tick box*. However, I don't think our postal system is this fast, as I sent it on the Friday, and got the interview date on the Monday.... especially when packet 3, according to the stamp, took 4 days to get to me from Sydney.

I had thought about that in regards to the return ticket... I just need to check ticket prices and whatnot x.X I dunno, I guess the 8th, even the 5th would be a decent day. it's about 3.5 weeks after the interview, so if there is a problem, I can get it fixed, and... well I mean, whilst sh*t happens, I see no reason to be denied. Unless that whole 'limit of visas' kicks in @.@

I did get this tidbit of information though. High Season starts 10th of December. However, she also mentioned that a late low season ticket may cost more then a beginning high season one. Just something for those that are planning flights like me

[quote name='Niphredil' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:32 PM' post='1229485']
I had thought about that in regards to the return ticket... I just need to check ticket prices and whatnot x.X


Check the one way price on Air tahiti Nui (Flight Centre's can help). A few years back I needed a one way ticket - Qantas/Air NZ etc were bot much cheper than return, Air Tahiti Nui's one way was only slightly more than half the return cost. Of course, things may have changed.

As to someone's suggestion to buy a return, and have the return to use in the "distant" future, you may well find that buying a return ticket, with a one years window for the return, may cost substantially more that one in which the return need to be used within , say, 90 days. Once again, i haven't looked t this for a while, so, this may have changed too.

you bastards I want my ead! :x

hey everyone...
has anyone had their entry point into the US thru san francisco (yeah i'm having my panic attack)......... i've got like a 2 hour window and everyone tells me i'll be fine that immigration wont take that long but i dunno....

i guess i'll just run off the plane and push in line!!!

it's hard to say whether or not that will be enough time because it really depends on a lot of things..what happens to your flight before it leaves, while it's in the air, when it lands, when you can disembark the plane, what is happening at the airport before, on and after your arrival.

Eg, my flight left late because some dolt was refused entry @ customs and they had to fish their bags out etc so we took off 30mins late, didn't really make up any time in the air and due to our lateness we came in minutes after another plane had landed and therefore you were several hundred people back in the line even if you were the first off the flight. Don't stress, if you miss your connecting flights for something like that you will be rebooked no problem..just make sure you're issued paper tickets for your flights at your checkin in aus.


My main point is don't stress or have panic attacks over something like that, it's completely out of your control, there are so many things that can happen that will impede a smooth journey...all you can do is roll with the punches, be calm and you'll come out of it with a smile knowing you at least made it in.

well see i thought about that.. how they can just put me on the next flight - and yeah i cant control those things thats true...
i'm flying United all the way international and domestic.........

just make sure i have my fiance's cell number handy to call him to let him know whats going on lol......

Sharyna: the good point about staying with the same airline/group is that in Australia, get them to book your bags all the way through to your final destination.

The only time you'll need to get your bags is for customs/immigration, and once you're through, on the other side, there should be someone who'll direct you to put your bags either in a seperate location or on a conveyor belt. No lugging them about to the counter, AND you'll have your boarding passes, so just head to the gate

I do this with Qantas/AA through LAX all the time. Once I'm out of that corridor with customs, right before you head out the doors beyond security, there's an area to the left, usually with about 4 people and lots of bags, where you can dump them (you may need to show your boarding pass), and away you go Don't know about SF though

It's another time saver. When you check in in Australia, just ask them about it

Vylex: That's a fantastic tip about the e-mail correspondence. I'll be sure to fire one off My luck, I'll get the interviewer who was just dumped the day before and is bitter at those getting to see their SO's x.X

good idea niphredil.... that way i dont have to worry about checking i think lol...
either way i'll ask united here in sydney when i check in here...........
i'm so nervous!!! hehe

Aussiewench or Someone else with any information...

Last week my fiance (beneficiary) was sent a letter notifying him that I must fax over a letter asking for an extension of our petition. He went in June for his interview and everything went fine except he needed to get police clearance from Granada. That took 2 months! He finally sent it back to Sydney Sep 25th, then he got that letter (the same week). Of course I immediately faxed a letter requesting an extension and stating my intention to still marry him etc... I noticed that you had uploaded a form for that extension on here. Right now we are waiting. Im on pins and needles. We were all done. They even sent him a welcome packet to the US. Im just wondering, what if that petition expired and i didnt realize it, will they still do it? We were approved for out fiance petition in April. His interview went well (in June) and that stupid police thing took forever!! So now we are waiting to see if they release his visa. I PRAY! OMG! Should I call them? Should I use your form you uploaded? I mean I thought my was fine. I dont know...
Stressing.
What do you think? Everything has gone perfectly up to this point. They didnt say the petition expired just that it was nearing the expiration and for me to fax the letter. Which I did. Any insight?

Patiently waiting an answer

LOL Niphredil! You are TOO funny!

I am worried about that too! Last thing we need is some consular officer that woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

hi ya omeysgirl

if your faxed letter of request of extension had all your details in it .. send them an email to confirm they received the fax....this will at least help you put your mind at rest...i wouldnt worry about the form as long as you put in your letter what it was for and all your details..good luck to you...

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO everyone...
i know i been M.I.A for like ages..but i have been keeping an eye on your guys lol..
a big CONGRATS to those who have got interviews set and also those who have received their EAD's things are going great for you guys...

vylex what wonderful wedding pictures you posted ... and what a lovely couple you make...hope all goes well for ya now and in the future mate...

all is going well here..the job is going well still feel it aint up the standards im use to but its a job and it gets me out of the house...my driving is going well..has any other aussie's got their licence over here yet...
the house is going well ... were still not fully organised just little things that ya think where the hell am i going to put that kinda stuff lol...its just so nice to sit in the backyard in the early hours of the morning and see the stars and think this is so wonderful...been painting some concrete boarders for the garden...making some curtains...housey stuff lol...robbie even put me a clothes line in until i can get my hills hoist...lol..ohhh the joy of hanging out washing..you woudlnt think you would miss that huh lol

will come in more often now im more organised with my work times and stuff...waves to all the guys and gals in here
have missed ya...
take care
kath

I sent the e-mail and got a response a few hours later. Great!!

My mind was put to ease about not only Police Certificate but also the DS-230 part 2 (They don't need the latter, but if I send it *shrugs* thats fine too)

However, something else popped up that concerned me which I asked them about. My Joint Sponsors now need to send me a copy of their proof of US Citizenship x.X a Tax Return isn't proof enough (because Illegals frequently file them?!?!).
To top it off, I went back through the slew of paperwork hubby sent me and found out he never sent me a letter with his workplace's letterhead stating what he makes a year etc x.X

There was a reason I wasn't sleeping at night... my mind sensed a disturbance in the force

Kath! so good to hear from you......... i wouldnt miss the hanging out the clothes lol............ the joys of housewifing huh?.............

hi to everyone!!!

g day everyone, i am sure everyone knows that i have my cr-1 visa finally (through sydney) why is it that when i put my case number in the uscis website it says that that number couldn't be found? I figure its because I went through an embassy but just thought I would see if anybody else has found this to be the case with theirs

everything went well. His visa is on its way!!!!!!

Hey... sharyna!

I mean... hey... everybody ... congrats on interviews, approvals, visas, and travel plans... jobs, houses, safe driving and having a backyard to hang the washing out!

Now... sharyna, my POE was SF, although I didn't have to go further. It was all very smooth, quick and painless. No delays at all - as far as K-1 goes.
I also came on UA (actually... ticket was booked with Air NZ, but they fly under United from Sydney and were much cheaper than booking straight with United!). This was the only trip (my 4th) where United landed about 20' late in SF. Hope it doesn't happen to you!

I made another 3 return trips Syd - SF last year before and during K-1 and earned Premier membership with Mileage Plus on United. Not sure if you have it, but it's GOOD! They took all 5 (that's: FIVE) suitcases I had - prepared to pay for 3 as excess luggage, 70 bucks a piece or something like that - but guess what? There was NO CHARGE for any of them! They checked them all in, just like that! Boy, did I wish I got rid of less stuff and packed at least one more bag! lol
If you'd like to ask anything else about it... happy to share what I've learned!

xoxo from SF
vik

Katz... we both filed around the same time (July) - only a year apart No two cases are the same but... My petition was approved by early December. And it included an RFE that took a few weeks to return! I landed in SF a week after approval notice (email). A hard copy of NOA2 arrived in the mail on the same day. It was sweet.

As far as "problems" at the POE... I had none. I hadn't quit my job before hand like you plan to do so I had a letter from my boss, but I wasn't asked for any proof of intention to return. I don't think that petition being approved (or close to) matters. You only have to be able to show that you DO have reasons and intention to go back to Aus. If you quit your job... what about property, rental lease, bank accounts etc? There is just no way of knowing if you will be asked for any proof or not!

Coming on VWP is good for 3 months I think, so getting tourist visa wouldn't be needed. Also... given that your K-1 petition might be approved by then or soon after... I'm not sure if you can apply for 2 visas at the same time... huh, I'm not much help, am I? But this might prompt those who know better to reply and correct me...

Good luck!
vik

hey ausqueen!! good to hear... i know it will be painless - the POE at SF.... i'm sure those immigration guys are very efficient and wont hold anything up.... but just like when i was doing the visa thing... its the panic attacks you know? you like to be in control.... (and your not obviously lol).....................
if i have any questions i'll be sure to ask!! thankyou!!

**quick question...

once we get married, we have to file for the I485 yeah? thats $1010? ... i did download the form that has all this on it but its just so much information on there - i'm not sure which is which.............

oh and when i get to the airport and go thru immigration..... i know i have to fill out the white form on the plane but which queue do i go in? .... (i hope i make sense lol)

just on that - i went to the uscis website.. and they have a supplement form for the I485? do i have to file this one too? its an additional $1000 (a bit rich.....?)..............

can anyone let me know if this extra form was in effect prior to 30th july?............

Sharyna,

We filed our I-485 and I-765 all concurently. With biometrics, it should cost you a total of $1010 and nothing more.

The Affidavit of Support does not cost anything to file, but you may want to look into an AP in case you have to go back like Loke did. Because you are on K1, you will need an Advance Parole in order to be able to get onto a plane to go home or you will forfiet your Adjustment of Status.
You should file all of these forms together to try and get it done with ease and speed in my opinion.



You will not need to file the supplement I-485

You will have to go through the visitors queue or immigration line. In LAX they only had two lines and one for for Americans only.

Thank you so VERY much for your helpful reply, Ausqueen. I feel a little better now about the whole thing. I feel confident that our petition will be approved sometime late December/early January. I've heard that the CSC has been transferring cases to other service centres, and early approvals have been happening. I hope that's true. It would be awesome to be approved by Christmas.

Yeah VWP is valid for 3 months... Should be plenty of time. Thinking about it now, getting a tourist visa probably wouldn't make much difference anyways. Heh.

I don't remember being asked about employment or anything else like that when I went last time (through San Fran.). But I'll find something as proof just in case. Good idea!

Hey guys! Hope that everyone is doing well! I recieved my NOA for my AOS & EAD on Friday!!! Im excited! How long does it take to get my appt letter for my bio appt?

Good to here that everyone is doing well, Kath, I am really missing hanging my laundry on the clothes line. In the appartment we are in, it costs 75c to do a load of washing, and the same for the dryer. But the dryer is p***ing me off, it takes forever to dry one load....I can't wait until we move!

oOo I get my puppy on Tuesday! I am soooooo excited!

Take care!

thanks Rings!! much appreciated!!!

hope your all having a fantastic weekend/week

I want my damn auth to work!

Hi all,

Great to hear from you Kath! Thanks so much for the well wishes!

LOL at your Star Wars reference Niphredil. That's some crazy stuff with citizenship info needed on the co-sponsors!

Time is counting down Sharyna! I am pretty sure all will go well at the POE. My wife will eventually be going through LAX so I hope that goes smoothly.

Congrats Kelli! You'll be a working girl soon. LOL at the clothes line. My wife is looking forward to using my dryer again. She loves using those Bounce anti-static / lint remover when drying lol. Oooh, what kind of puppy?

Hope everyone else is doing well. Another week closer to the interview date...

Niphredil (or any other people for that matter),

When you got your medical done, did the doctor's office forward the forms or did they send it to you? My wife said the doctor's office sent the original paperwork to her. Also, the packet 3 info tells her to bring it with her to the interview. I recall in the past that people had the doctor's office forward the paperwork? Has something changed or was I misunderstanding (or maybe it applied to K visas only)?

Thanks!
-Alex

Hi All,

I've been MIA once again..but things have been crazy since we moved to NYC...so please excuse me. I went to get my biometrics the other day for AOS and my work authorization. Everything went well...Except a few days ago, I got the dreaded yellow slip (RFE) I am very confused about it. It says that the "info provided on I-864 Affadavit for Support and the info provided with the form , the peititioner's household income for the last tax yr/current income does not meet 125%. of the poverty line calcu;ated on form I-864. Submit proff that the petitioners/substitute sponsor's household income exceeds 125%...

The reason why I'm confused is that my husband makes a great salary...has a lot of money in his stock account (we also provided that as proof) and the thing that confuses me the most...is that we submitted this exact info when we were filing for the K1 visa..and they didn't say it didnt meet the criteria?? HELP, PLS?!?!

Thanks!

that is confusing... i mean why would they issue you a visa and then tell you the financial support isnt good enough? i mean what are you supposed to do?
i hope to hear how it goes for you..... as i'm heading down the same track after i get married and file the AOS.

With the medical, they sent the forms to me. I guess they changed it *shrugs*. It also contained a note saying I'm to make 2 copies and to attach the 2 extra photos I brought with me to those copies.

Cool beans. I'll take it. As long as they are consistent it's no biggie.

Tamzo, I'd ring and make sure they aren't crossing paperwork with someone else. I can't imagine it not being valid. There must be something small they are nitpicking at.

so i need more photos for the AOS and medical? the medical you have to do is just the skin test thing right?

uuummm.... @.@ I dunno Sharyna. You're going for K-1 visa, we're already married. I think our medicals are a bit more.... hmm involved?

With mine, I had to take down 3 photographs *just regular passport ones, you don't need the USA types*, and sign all 3 of them on the back in front of one of them *Well, they had me do it, but considering you have to sign it, I imagine they'd have to witness it*. One is stapled to the original, the other 2 are sent back with the completed medical forms and told to attach them to the copies you will make.

I really have no information regarding fiancee visa, mostly because in the beginning, thats all the info I found and it wasn't the same as married, so I've learnt to ignore it, sorry

She is a little Shih Tzu!!!

I got my bio appt letter today! WOooooooo HOoooooooo!!!!

thanks niphredil!!

sharyna... you just had your medical before the interview in sydney. when filing for AOS you will need to send a copy of vaccination supplement only. and two photos. most people go to "civil surgeon" to have vac details transcribed onto I693-A form for a small fee. I didn't and was ok. I filed just the copy that Dr in sydney gave me! Got an rfe but not for that! Go figure!

medical is good for 12 months, so for us who went K-1 route, if you file AOS within that time frame... no need for full medical. I am not sure what will happen to us if our AOS interviews fall out of 12 months period but I am hoping that what matters is when we file, not when we are interviewed!

you still have plenty of time to organise stuff you will need for AOS... and to stress some more about it

xoxo
vik

Hey Tamzo... good to see you again... welcome to US, congrats on wedding and all the good things that happen since we last talked

as vylex said - call them about rfe. But because they are so often vague and slow and hard to get on the phone, you might try simply sending AGAIN what they are asking for, copy of the same thing you already sent originally.
I spend quite a bit of time reading AOS forum (unemployed... what can I say?!) and seems like many people get an rfe for something that they already sent to USCIS. Why they ask for the same info again? Who knows! It could be simply clumsiness of whoever looked through your file.
Problem is: they won't continue with your application until they can tick "rfe received" even if it's just a duplicate info! I would send it back asap and wait for the email saying "case resumed". Good luck!

xoxo from SF
vik

isn't it true, Niphredil??? there is so much info here that the best way to cope seems to focus on bits that apply to your case, type of visa etc! and without much thinking you tend to click on forums where you "belong" - depending on what stage you are at!

kelli... thumbs up for bio apt later this month! and enjoy your new puppy!

everyone else... a big, happy hello from SF!

xoxo
vik

thanks vik!!

We were touched again. I hope that means they mailed ours.

Hope everyone is doing well *hugs*

Hey Rings... hoping with you!
Sharyna... you're welcome

I got my AP approval in mail today. Kind of nice, kind of pointless since we moved our Europe trip to spring time next year. Then again, given that you never know how long GC will take... it might prove money well spent!

It would be nicer if they sent me EAD so I can go get my SSN and DL made. But they sent me 2 emails announcing it so... next time I see a touch for EAD... I will copy and paste what Rings wrote above

It's been raining all day in SF - first rain since I got here last April. Not sure if that means that even "indian summer" is over or we could still get some sunny days. I never pay much attention to weather forecast... gives me a chance to be surprised by sunshine! Love it!

Blessings to all, especially those who preceded some of us in joing the "US work force".

vik

Hi Ausqueen *hugs*

Looks like your timeline is right around ours! I hope we can celebrate together!

Hey... Rings! Any news at your end?
Check my siggy - too long, I k now but still...

I got the interview letter in mail today.
I got an email - two emails! - that EAD approval notice was sent!
I got my AP in the mail couple of days ago!

WOW! Are they working on my case or what???

Hi everyone else... "hiding" away. All you busy people... allowed to work and drive and all that! Hope you are all doing great and happy that you got your lives on track. Blessings to all!

xoxo
vik

I'm starting to stress out again, about the Affidavit of Support as usual x.X

My husband sent me a copy of the AOS that he sent to NVC, with his original signiture, however, it doesn't have the Joint Sponsorship's original signiture, and... you can see where this is headed.

Everytime I try to talk to him, or my folks, they just keep coming back with 'But they already have that paperwork, why do they need it, and originals at that, again?'. At this point, if Sydney told me to go jump off a cliff, I'll do it, so if they say 'Bring another AOS in', then I will.

However, I look at the instructions, and they're just a general 'what to bring' list. If you're not divorced, you don't bring divorce papers. If you have no armed services record, you don't bring it in. Most of it is straight forward, but, grargh! I'e already had 1 nervous breakdown because of this.

The AOS has been approved as far as I know... we wouldn't have gotten this far without it approved right? Is everyone else just taking a second 'original' copy? Or is this another case of 'Oh, thats for DC filers, you don't need to worry about that'.

I hate writing to the Embassy, especially since I sent in a notice saying I was ready for the interview, when clearly now I'm not. Almost thankful for the 2.5 months for interview, so I can catch these problems beforehand.

Heads up for others:
(***removed***.com and Aussiewench with all the answers!)

Whilst it's not an official answer to my predicament, it's... weirdly soothing. At the moment anyway I guess I'll just suck it up in the morning and just ask the consulate. If they say no, then I have proof from them that I don't need it.

ARGH, why does this process suck so much x.X *hugs you all* It's great to have a place to rant where people understand

:\ nm that link. It just doesn't want to appear x.X

Basically, Aussiewench on another site says that NVC sends all paperwork to the embassy/consulate. Date was around May this year, so pretty recent information, as opposed to the 10 yr old one I found that said he was to send the AOS to me x.X

Niphredil,

We were stressing out about the same thing. It says to bring an AoS (I-864EZ). I was like "what the hell??" I already submitted that to the NVC along with the employment letter. However they just said to get hold of recent paystubs and make sure I filed a 2006 tax return (which was also in the NVC packet). I would recommend that your hubby send you recent paystubs (they said a fax of it was ok too).

It really causes stress because some of the stuff they ask is what was already sent to the NVC.

I'll let you know what happens as my wife's interview is in a few weeks.