Hi Guys...
sounds like you are all having a WONDERFUL TIME...
and Pat yes scan in that checklist when you get the chance, that would be great...

Guys I cannot CONTAIN myself...
I just bought my wedding dress.....

whoo hooo... check it out..
http://www.davidsbridal.com/search.jsp?sea...ch_query=VW9340
Davids Bridal - style VW9340

I have had my heart set on this dress for months, and just by accident saw someone selling it (my size and all) on EBAY - totally brand new & never worn... (having never purchased anything on ebay) I was a bit wary, so I rang the lady this morning (she is in the USA) chatted with her.... all on the up and up... so paid the money and while I was doing that she already had it boxed up ready to Express it to me (MOnday USA time)... BEST thing is that all up including shipping I am getting it for less than half of what it is for sale for... whooo hooo ... oh and I can now spend what I have saved on dresses for my daughter and soon to be step-daughter... how COOL is that...

Just had to share cause I am so excited (and I think this dress - especially for a second marriage) is not too over the top and not too "weddingish" if you know what I mean... and being that it now looks like we might have an April interview (thereabouts) with a move over in May we will be looking at late May early June wedding - I think this dress will be just perfecto... tell me what you think..

have a GREAT day folks...
Tracy

Tracy - Your dress is STUNNING. Perfect for a second marriage! And amazing how it came to be yours. Some things are meant to be girl! ;-)

I wish I could see the look on your future husbands face when you walk down the isle on your wedding day.. so excited for you!

Okay, the postie has come and gone and the letter has arrived.

My apologies in advance if the quality is low. I made it re-size to 50% thinking it was going to be okay, but I guess not. The first 2 pages are still readable (and is only really relevant specifically for Tracy & HD). The last page is quite bad in its original form so scanning it didn't make it any better.

Basically, for most people who are over 18 years old, the vaccinations you need are: Td, MMR and Varicella.

Oh, Dr. Miller also sent me a guide to how to get to his clinic. (Sorry, didn't bother scanning that).

N.B. This is the first time I'm uploading a document on VJ so fingers cross it works!

P.S. I'm calling Dr. Miller later today to set up an appointment. Going to get my 3 passport photos done this evening. Picking up my Letter of Results from my Doctor this afternoon. I'm really hoping that I can get an appointment this week, but it may not be until next week or the week after. Wish me luck!

Hey - thanks for scanning that Pat.. it's good to know what's coming! :-)

Anyone know if they require Oz sized passport pics or the US size for the medical? I had some US ones done but now I'm thinking I probably need the Oz size for this..

GOOD LUCK PAT!!

What's the difference between the AUS size and the US size passport photos? When I was visiting in Aus in June my fiance and I got passport photos taken (I'm assuming AUS-type photos), and I handed them in with my I-129F petition so they were ok for that. Now online I'm seeing huge square pictures as US style passport photos...so I held up one of the photos I had taken in AUS to my U.S. passport, and they are the same exact size! I'm confused...

I wanted to say hi to everyone and I have been enjoying silently reading your thread for a while! I may start posting more now that my fiance should be getting his packet 3 sometime soon and will be preparing for the interview.

Thanks for that Pat, I could read it all perfectly... GOOD luck, keep us posted

hey Jennibenni - good to meet you on the board, and keep letting us know how things are going for you too..

and HD - yes isn't my dress stunning... I am SO excited it isn't funny and seriously with all the stress and frustration of this "waiting waiting waiting" game LOL.. just knowing that my dress is on its way has put a wonderful spring and bounce in my step and voice in the last day or so.... OH AND I AM JUST ABOUT BESIDE myself getting ready for my darling fiance to arrive here in a little over 2 weeks... I CANNOT wait (having him here for my birthday and Xmas - what a wonderful gift)... and he finally gets the opportunity to meet the rest of "his new family"... LOL...

have a GREAT day folks
Tracy

Hi jennybeni

I got my passport photos (for my medical) last night and asked the lady at the picture place what the difference was. She said that US passport photos are SQUARE and it requires more of your head showing (I don't exactly know what that meant though, all photos require my head to be shown!). With Australian photos it cost $9.95 for 4. The US photos costs $9.95 for only 2. So here's hoping my medicals require Aussie ones because that's what I got...

Speaking of medicals...I have arranged to go into Dr. Miller's office tomorrow morning to pick up my request forms for my X-Ray and Blood Test. I have an appointment at the X-Ray place at 9.15am and I will get my blood test at IMVS the same time. Then on Thursday night I get my Tetanus and Hep B jab.

And this morning, the police station called me saying my police check was done. Yay!

So I think we'll be doing the Interview Request Form soon-ish. Yay! I'm still aiming for a mid-January interview date and an early February departure to the US. Fingers crossed!

Thanks, Kath! It's starting to get a bit more exciting now.

hi ya katz
your welcome..i bet your get excited...i know i did...dont be too overwhelmed with packet 3 and you will do fine...

hi jennybenni
good to see you welcome to the thread mate..i printed the below instructions and took them with me when i got my passport photo's done so they knew exactly how they wanted it...they can be fussy if they want to be...
as for the american sizing for the passport photo's here are a few links for you to look at

U.S. SIZE PASSPORT PHOTO'S (1)

U.S. PASSPORT PHOTO'S (2)


Hi Tracy
you chose a gorgeous dress mate...looks lovely and good on ya for getting it cheaper way to go...i made my wedding dress in a gold colour...and it is exciting when your man is coming into town...i bet your smiling big time...

hi pat
i do hope the passport photo's you got are ok..im sure on the medical letter they said to get american size passport photo's..fingers crossed for you mate..

no news here...car is in the shop again..gawd we just got it back...the heating went in the jeep and robbie started to fix it and a damm bolt broke off and he couldnt get it out so back to the shop ..geez ....so without a car again.. at least last time we had a hire car that we didnt have to pay for..fingers crossed it dont take too long.

anyone got snow yet...we had a dusting saturday night and gone the next day...

take care
kath

Hey Kath,

It's been SNOWING here since friday!!!!!!!!! About a foot altogether I guess, so if you like maybe I can send some your way.....lol. I think I have cabin fever already and it's not even officialy winter yet!



Tracey,

Your dress is lovely.....congrats. I posted some info on one of the topics you started. It was regarding removalists & also some info on moving your 4 legged friends here. I know you said that you were leaving them in Australia but thought maybe you might have a change of heart if you knew my dogs story. There is no quarantine at the USA end.....you pick them up straight off the plane. Anyway if you would like any more info just post here and I will get back to you. I am an Adelaide girl too (now living upstate New York). I used Allied Pickfords and found them to be very professional ( I filled a shipping container....which is LOTS! Lotsa money too!)

Hi to eveyone else.

Susan

Hey Pat - can you let us know how you go with the pics for your medical? I guess I assumed they needed the US size so me being over zelous (once again) already went and got them taken. Paid $30 for 6 US sized pics so i'll be filthy if I don't even need the US size! Well one thing is for sure, you will definitely need tyo US size for the final interview, according to this link

All of these stories about snow.. must be so wonderful.. :-) Christmas here we come! I just love this time of the year!! ;-))

Hey I have an AOS question that kept me awake last night.. wondering if anyone can help.

As my hubby and I are filing CR1, we already submitted the AOS to the NVC. The letter we got from the NCV yesterday saying our case has now been closed (YAY) and forwarded to Sydney asks that you bring "the tax infromation from the most recent tax year" to the interview. I think I will probably end up with an early to mid Feb interview..

Here is my issue - my hubby says he doesnt even get his tax return until the 3rd week in Jan and probably by the time he files it ands gets all of the paperwork it will be LATE Feb. So if my intreview is in early Feb, how do I lob up to the interview without the tax info from 2007?

Here we are.. so close.. but there always seems to be SOMETHING to worry about!

just a quickie...

re: the passport photos...
and yes aren't they exxie...
BUT when you get the first set done and paid for... scan them into your computer and then print out extras yourself on photo paper

AND/Or - go to one of the kiosks and set up the "image" to print a few onto one sheet of photo paper (way way less expensive) than getting more printed by the person doing the passport photos... (LOL - oh BELIEVE me - with 4 of us having to do this) and the way I see it - we need 2 or 3 for the medical - plus I think we need a couple more around the interview and then we need a few for the AOS forms (G325 again) .... I think I have totalled it that we will be needing somewhere around 12-15 EACH between now and filing all the paperwork for AOS... and I believe that as long as the photos have been taken somewhere in the previous 6 months or so they are fine (or as long as there is no dramatic change to appearance)... kwim? and at $30 (Aus) for 4 piccies and needing around 12+ (that is like $100 per person - sheesh we'd be up for about $400+ .... ummmm that is like ridiculous kwim?)

thanks guys for your comments about the dress and stuff - it has left the USA and should be here late this week or early next week (before my fiance arrives) LOL... so I have a few girlfriends coming over for drinks on the night that it arrives so they can give me their honest to goodness opinion <grin - get em drunk first>... and yep Kath I agree, keeping the cost down was really what I was after, we are having a relatively smallish wedding/reception - just Steve's family (although he is one of 7 siblings - so SMALL is not totally true <grin> - with them, their partners & their kids suddenly we have a mini party happening LOL... ) and a few of our friends from over there - and now with the fact that it looks to be a (almost summer) late May wedding, we will be having the ceremony and the reception at the house that we have purchased over there (there is a lake out in the backyard that will make a perfect background) so our costs are being cut left right and centre (I am even thinking McDonalds happy meals LOLOL)

and yes thanks Susan for your thoughts on our 4 legged friends... and while I would love to take them - I am also thinking about my (eldest) who is staying here with my ex. my "girls" love them both to pieces and having the "girls" around will help allieviate them missing (my 2 kiddos) that are moving with me...

have a GREAT day guys
Tracy

hi ya all
nice to see ya susan. ya sent us some snow mate..woke up to a white blanket of snow...and i thought i would post some pics for you all especially those aussie's who are heading over here to the winter months ahead

i had never shovelled snow before so had to get hubby to take a pic for me lol..

with the house being white it looks awesome i reckon...hopefully the pics turned out ok...

hi HD
you will have to provide the latest tax transcripts...if your husband hasnt got his return by the time you go for interview get him to send his W2's and anything else that his employer gives him for the years income..dont forget to get a letter also stating his income on works letterhead....hope that helps..

take care
kath

Awesome Pics Kath,....Most parts of Germany, have received some snow recently,...but where we are, we have received only a light dusting one night, which was gone by morning,..*sigh*

Love the pictures, Kath!

thanks jodee and katz...my hubby cant understand my fascination with the stuff....snow just looks lovely to me...lol

kath

I remember being in Germany during an evening snowfall and exclaiming that it was 'so quiet!'. which my German friends found highly amusing... I kept going from room to room to look out all the windows

Haha...so pretty.....I can't wait to experience it!

Yes, a friend told me about the quietness of when it snows; it sounds magical.......

Hey Kath,

Glad you got some of our snow because it's less for me to shovel! The pics are great and the house looks lovely. I see what you mean about your blue spruce..............they are huge. The snow is beautiful but the shoveling is no fun at all, especially when it gets to be a foot deep. I have a snow-blower on my christmas list!

Enjoy the warmth and sunshine all of you that are in Australia.

Take care everyone and hope your journeys go smoothly.

Susan

Hi everyone

Had my pre-medical on Wednesday morning. Went up to Dr. Miller’s office right at 9am and got all my paperwork done. Joan gave me the forms, told me where to go, etc, etc. Went very smoothly and I was done at the Radiology place (just downstairs from Dr. Miller’s) in time for my 9.15am appointment. Got that done, waited for the doctor to confirm my X-Ray was OK and then we walked over to the IMVS to get my blood taken. They were pretty busy but we were out of there by 10.15am and I was at work by 10.30am

All in all, a very painless experience. The size of my passports weren’t questioned. I wasn’t too fussed about this one because (I feel) that these passports are more to ensure that I am in actual fact the person getting the test in the eye of the X-Ray and blood people. I’ll be making sure that the passport photos I produce at the interview are American ones – though, from what the camera place lady told me, the US photos are 5x5 – definitely boxier. Oh, who knows! I’ll double check one more time.

Joan also booked my physical examination with Dr. Miller next week – so here’s hoping that before the end of the week I’ll have my interview form sent off to Sydney!

Also got my last few shots done last night at an Immunisation Clinic. I got Diptheria and Tetanus plus Hep B. For those living in SA, the Holdfast Community Centre runs a clinic for free. They gave me a Vaccination Card which includes where and when I got my vaccine done. If interested, their website with dates and times they run the clinic is here: http://www.tourism.holdfast.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=998 I go back in the new year to get my second dose of Hep B. And I’m hoping that my last dose will be given when I get to the US (6 months from yesterday).

There you have it! My experience organising my medicals.

BTW, Dr. Miller seems to be a very busy man – I was lucky to get the last appointment for next week!

Great Information Pat, thanks...

A favor if you don't mind... but what specific forms did you have to use for the Doc.

Were they/are they - the ones available on the Consulate website - would you mind looking at this link to check for me.. <grin> cheeky I know..

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/forms.html

DS-2053
DS-3024
DS-3025
DS-3026

and what was the current expiry date on them - the ones on the consulate site show an expiry in the top right corner of 05/31/2007.

There is a long reason as to why I ask - but the short of it is this - at the rate that all this is going we will be getting our NOA-2 in February sometime, and then something from the consulate in Sydney in March/early April with a chance for a late April interview... HOWEVER I am actually flying to the USA in early February - and will not be heading back here to Aus until "approx" when the interview date is.... using that time over there for wedding plans and a bunch of other stuff (and it gives my kiddos a chance for some full-on quality time with their Dad, before they move - kwim?)

So in preparation for that I will be filling out and having ready all the forms and everything that they need sent back (on their checklist) so that a friend of mine can just post it from here in ADL and once they get it I can organise the interview date... (complicated I know, but sheesh what isn't in this process)??? LOL... actually complicated it isn't - just frustrating, expensive and time consuming, and SO MUCH PAPERWORK and rigamorale ... <grin>

Therefore organising the Xray/Bloods/Physical is of a high priority for me (forduring January) ... and trying to work it to suit me and 3 kids is a pain in the butt at the best of times kwim??

thanks Patricia
have a GREAT day
Tracy
:-)

hi everyone!!
just dropping in to say hi! and good luck to those still on their journey to get their visas..... - be patient, ask any questions however many times you like lol - i remember how i used ot ask the same q's over and over again and i was a total mess of nerves.....

i'm just relaxing here in california - my wedding is in 9 days!! ...... we get our marriage certificate on the 10th january and then apply for the AOS straight after..... my visa expires on the 4th feb but i'll be married by then and everything will go smoothly as it has up til now....

Hi all! I have a few questions to ask... And I feel kinda silly asking...

As you can see from my timeline, we got our NOA2 just over a week ago. At the moment we're waiting for the CSC to forward it to the NVC. Most likely it won't get there until near the end of this month.

So... What exactly happens after that? Does the NVC send out a letter to the petitioner? Would I have to contact Sydney when it finally arrives there? I've already looked at the guidelines, but I'm still kinda confused about this part of the process... If anyone could break down it for me I would be very very grateful.

hi katz, if memory serves me well...
it might be about a 2 - 3 week wait (for me it was that long) the embassy will send you packet 3 - telling you what you need to get together - including a doctors appt and police check (if you havent already done it) and then to send them a form for when your ready for your interview.
then you will recieve packet 4 - which has your interview date on it.

hope this helps!!
sharyn

hmm...thanks for the info! guess i'll just have him get the square ones just in case so he can bring both sizes and they can pick which they want for what! that's so dumb though, the picture in my own U.S. passport is not a square at all.

Hopefully I'll be a couple weeks behind you - my fiance ordered his police check today and is getting his immunity test done on saturday! yay for almost being done with this part of the process!!

question about police check...

my fiance got it done today and i asked if (being in queensland) they told him it would be sent directly to the consulate (since I read that on one of the consulate websites). He said there was a question that said "if you are applying for a visa and would like your results sent to the consulate, enter the address here". he just left if blank since he thought he needed to bring it to the interview. I'm assuming that's ok - he'll just get it at his house and take it to the interview rather than them already having it - am i right??

Hi Jennybenni - just wondering how you knew that your case had been received by the US consulate in Sydney? Mine left the NVC 10 days earlier than yours so it's bound to be there by now. However I didn't think there was any way of knowing for usre until packet 3 arrived!? Thanks :-)

Hmm...my form never asked for it to be sent to the Consulate. I really hope it doesn't have to be sent there directly! Well, I have mine here at home, sealed (and I'm too afraid to open it unless that's not a no-no).

If I read the instructions one more time I think I'm going to go crazy

Tracy, that is indeed the expiry date that are on the forms I received. Hmmm....so have these forms technically expired? I have to say, for such a rigorous process and a whole bunch of paperwork, the forms sent by the Consulate are so...old and don't look "official" at all. I could have whipped it up on Word myself!

I do have a question...a medical question:

For those who have been through it all, exactly what does the Panel Physician do? When Joan scheduled my appointment it looked like it will only go for half an hour. Does the Dr. literally just read all the paperwork, results you bring in and that's it? Or do you do exercises, etc?

I'm just curious what I'll go through this week...

Hi there, (I JUST POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION)

Fellow aussie from Cairns. Sweating my a** off up here at the moment though....lol

I have a couple of questions re: the CR-1/IR-1 route as my fiance and I have changed our minds about the K1 Visa and are getting married here in AUS in a few months.

1. What costs are involved throughout the entire CR-1 process and what are they? I.e AOS bill, I-864 and IV costs? I have 2 children who will be applying as part of this process so will that mean the IV cost X 3 persons?

2. What marriage certificate will they accept? Will they accept the documentation obtained on the wedding day which includes all parties signatures and witnesses or do they require the officially registered Marriage Certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages?


Info appreciated on this.

Peta :-)

This is what it said on the page i read...

Return of police certificates for NSW and Queensland residents
For NSW and Queensland residents, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney by the police department, and the Criminal Records Section will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 3 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by checking at the police station where you initially made your request.

So, I think it's only for NSW and Queenslanders. But, I also have read posts from people in NSW saying they took their original certificate to their interview. So, who knows?! I think we're both ok. Are you almost ready to send in your packet 3?? We're still waiting for my fiance to receive his. I'm hoping to get it all together to send in the checklist before xmas since he's going away that week... but it may have to be just after the new year. It's getting so exciting!

hi whisper
welcome to the thread
as for the marriage certificate they will accept the one that is given at the ceremony in oz...if i remember rightly that is given to you on the day of your marriage so keep it safe..
guides for CR1/IR1

also take a look at the USCIS website at the forms..it will have all the fees on the forms you have to send in...

someone asked about the medical
the doctor weighs you .. measures your height...asks you questions off the medical forms...then you get on the examining table and he/she presses your stomach...i think that is is..mine was coming up to be 2 years ago..
it is painless....i know it was discussed in previous posts so do a search in here for more info...

if i have forgotten anything im sure another aussie who has had it done will add to it...

hd
we use to be able to check DHL to see if it had arrived at the consulate but havent had a look at their site in awhile..do a search for DHL tracking posts will come up with what you have to enter to find yours...

take care
kath

Hi,

I know it has been a while. My husband Sugarbob has got himself a job. I am very proud of him. He actually got one kind of quick. Now we just have to get his license ASAP so that he can get around. Houston is not an easy city to navigate through if you don't have a car. I feel very blessed to have him with me and I try every day to be a good wife to him. I know he has given up alot to be with me.

I hope that every one has a nice and blessed holiday.

Thanks, Kath. I guess half an hour should be all that we need.

I have another (somewhat silly) question, this time about my police check documents. When I picked it up it was sealed. Am I allowed to open it up or not? A part of me want to open it and see that everything is in there and that the Police folks didn't forget anything. I'd hate to get to Sydney and be told something is missing (yes, it's my GREATEST fear). Did you guys open up your police checks? What exactly is suppose to be included?

Also, I re-read the instructions for Packet 3 and the passport photo bit doesn't stipulate what size the actual photo should be (as in no specific "It must be American passport photo size). But instead, it stipulated how much of your head, at least where your chin should be from the bottom of the photo, etc should be). I think to be safe I'll just bring the letter over to the photo place and double check with them. Something tells me that a regular Aussie sized photo will suffice.

On another note, we bought my massive Samsonite luggage today! Plus Zach also got a new one for his impending trip home. I need 2 more bags that size but the luggage place has run out of ALL Samsonite luggage! It's insane! So I think I'll have to buy online if I want any hope to get the same luggage before I fly off.

Hope you guys have had a lovely weekend!

I have a new visa date..!


From Mr Immigrant Visa Unit...lol.. from the email I received after I questioned when my interview was they signed 'thankyou, Immigrant Visa Unit' no name or anything so when I emailed back regarding my date postponed I began with 'Dear Immigrant Visa Unit to which they replied with 'Sincerely, (Mr) Immigrant Visa Unit ' hahaha...

Hi Whisper2me.. welcome to the thread! :-)

Just on the marriage certificates, I think you need to get the official certificate from births, deaths and marriages. I remember reading somewhere that the one you get on the day of your wedding is for "keepsake" only..

See: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3504.html

My husband and I went down to births, deaths and marriages about a week after our wedding and paid for 2 official copies (one for each of us since we are currently in different parts of the world). This is the one I will be taking with me to my interview.

On the police certificates, I remember reading a comment from Alex in this thread (maybe about 15 pages ago). He had asked the same question about opening the envelope. I think it's fine.. people have even scanned a copy of their certificate and posted them earlier on in this thread to give others an idea of what to expect.. I think suga bob, Jess and a few others..

Hey Kath, thanks for the comment on DHL and following up my case transfer. Do you know what I use to search? As fas as I know, we don't know the airway bill number.. so I'm not sure how we can track my case.

Thanks, have a nice day all..

Hi again.. I am just getting ready to fly to Hawaii in 11 sleeps to be with my hubby for 3 weeks over the holidays!

I am so excited but a little nervous about entering the States again while my visa is still pending.

I know for fact my file has been flagged at homeland security because the last 2 times I passed through (November 2006 and Mach 2007) they have taken me aside for questioning. Although they have questioned me, they have always let me pass through.

I have arranged a letter from my employer stating I am currently employed by them and they have approved leave for me from XX date to XX date.

Any other suggestions? Should I need anything else? I don't have a lease as I am currently staying with my family..

I am getting the impression that we Aussie's don't run into too many issues with these things but does anyone else have an experience to share?

HD.

hi ya pris
fantastic that you have a new interview date...glad you got that organised and you dont have to stress for a bit mate..enjoy the visit...

hi hd..
on the thing with the entry ..you know you can register with the an australian government website where you register your travel plans...well why dont you do that and print the registration...bit of added evidence that your going home...its on the website where you can apply for australian passports...also about the dhl searching.. just put in the search engine above dhl tracking and look for mor recent postings cos as i said i dont know if it is still an available option for us to do so...

well my hubby done it again...he would be hopeless at playing santa lol...each year he always gives me presents before the day....he had 2 prssies for me which one do i want to open the heavy or the light one..me picking the light one it turned out to be a wii...i was so rapt...i know im too old for it lol but it will be good exercise and something for the kids to play with when they come over...lol


take care
kath

Hey HD!

You must be leaving same time I am for mine.

Thanks for that, I will take my work leave notice with me for backup also.

Will Hawii still be warm this time of year...? Have a lovely trip......

Cheers,

Pris.

Yeah thanks Kath, should be good, though I'm a little nervous at meeting the friends and family for the first time...

At the suggestion of a friend I'm going to be taking all my winter clothes with me now and leaving them there as I should be over there before winter here and then all I have to do is take my summer clothes and everything else when I go next.

Hey that's a really good idea Kath! I have never regsitered myself in all my years of travel but will certainlly do that!

Lucky you, pressies already.. erm, what's a wii?! Sounds like my hubby was xmas shopping today..whhooo... I love Christmas! Love your new profile pic too!

Pris, somehow I don't think I will be having a white Christmas in Hawaii.. Lol.. it's still balmy and warm. I went with our little boy to see Santa last year and Santa was totally aloha style in sandals, lai and aloha shirt.. very cool.. Where does your wife live? Anywhere likely to snow for Christmas? I will never complain about being in Hawaii although I would like to experience a white Christmas some day!

My Police certificate arrived today.. found sugar bob's earlier on to compare to and it looks as though all is in order! Yippe..

NOW WHERE IS PACKET 3?

Ah, I'm the wife lol..

An aloha Santa..that's great - similar to our santa in singlet, shorts and thongs and our gum tree-Xmas tree.! We hope to have our belated honeymoon there as neither have been there yet.

I fly to Arizona to pick up my man and the very next day we drive hell-for-leather to Chicago by Xmas Eve where we'll be staying at his mother's and then we drive to his grandfather's in Wisconsin the next day for Xmas day. From what J's told me it may not necessarily snow in Chicago but it's supposedly colder in Wisconsin so it should be snowing there....?! I don't know. Apparantly it's snowed recently but only lightly and its all melted since.

My DEEPEST apologies Pris! You are the wife! LOL. I have no idea why I just assumed otherwise! Forgive me.

Sounds like you guys will be having quite the trip over Chrismas.. a bit of a road trip.. that's always a bit of fun! I'm sure you'll enjoy visiting all of the family!

Hawaii would be lovely for your honeymoon.. the perfect setting! :-)

Take care.. HD.

No worries, sometimes he does act like the wife...

Cheers,

Pris

Thanks for the welcome Kath and HD....

First of all, to those of your who will be seeing your Sweethearts over the Xmas period....I am so jealous!!! No doubt you will be making up for lost time ..hehe

HD, from what you're saying, I'll need to wait until the Marriage Cert with the official seal comes back from Births, Deaths and Marriages before we can submit the I-130. Bummer! We will lose a few weeks with that one. Is it not possible to submit the one you get on your wedding day with the original application and then have the sealed Marriage Cert for the interview? Has anyone done that with the IR-1?

HD, if you are planning on taking out Travel Insurance on your holiday to the U.S, your policy will show your cover for the dates you are there. This may also support your travel itinerary and ticket in terms of documentation.

Hi guys,

I HAVE AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!!

The weird thing is, they sent packet 3 to my husband in the States, not to me!! I thought once my case was sent to Sydney they would send packet 3 to me?? And not mail him anymore? Should I email them?

Also, what ever happened to the good old "Statement of readiness form" I have read about!?

Anyways, my interview is scheduled in for January 22nd. A little on edge because I am not exactly "feeling ready". I still don't have the immunity results back from my GP from almost 2 weeks ago now.. which means I can't see the panel physican until it's done.

I am in the States from Dec 21 - Jan 9th!! Which means I have a week to schedule my medical and complete it all!

I think we have everything else, police certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate etc.. it's just this damn vaccination stuff I need to get sorted.

Have a nice night all.. I am really excited and can finally see some light flickering through!!

Congrats for getting an interview date, HD. That's what I want for Christmas, a DATE!

Your immunity test should only take a week at the most - did you get it done at an IMVS? Give your doctor a call because they really should have it by now.

I hope to lodge in my Readiness to Interview by COB tomorrow! Going by the date that you got, I probably won't get an interview date until late January or early February. The only thing we're collating now is the Affidavit of Support.

Hi Pat - thanks, we are so wrapped to have a date. But like I said, a little on edge because we are not quite ready for the medical and I am in the States for almost 3 weeks over Christmas!

I am going to have to try and get my apt with the panel physician (ex rays and all completed) before next THURSDAY! Do you think that's realistic? Do you have to go back more than one time or is it all done in one apt?

Had another look at the forms you uploaded from your panel physician and it looks like the only vaccinations that apply to a 28 year old would be TD, chicken pox and MMR. Is that right? In that case I need an MMR booster which I can get tomorrow (I have had the others).

I got the immunity test done by my ordinary GP, apparently the test was sent to Royal Childrens Hospital in Sydney for some reasoN and this is why it's taking soooo long!?

Anyway, I wanted to say THANKS so much to you all, Pat and Kath especially. If it wasnt for you ladies I would have been TOTALLY unprepared for this letter!

Anyways, freaking out a little but I'm sure it will be fine. *breathe deep*.

Good luck with getting all of your stuff finalised Pat.. hope you also get a date soon!

I will gladly take your interview date for you if you'd like I'll be well and ready by the 22nd.



It's probably possible, I guess depending on just how busy Dr. Miller is. Like I said, the appointment I set up yesterday was his LAST one for this week and I booked last Wednesday. And I guess since you've had your HIV/syphillis test done all you're really waiting for will be the X-Ray - which I believe only takes half an hour to get the results. So yeah, it's probably do-able. I hope you get it!



That's correct. I'm 27 and I got the same vaccines, plus a Hep B.



SYDNEY? Umm....is Adelaide really that backwards that the local Gribbles can't check your blood? That's some uber fancy Dr. you went to I don't know why it'd take that long to test it - unless they sent your blood via road freight



Good luck with everything with you too - you'll be fine! Enjoy Christmas and don't worry too about the interview/medical.

Send positive vibes my way tomorrow for my medical!

Oops. Sorry for the double post....I couldn't figure out how to delete this one. Sorry!