Pris - I was so sorry to hear of your news that I read your posting a couple of times over.

I have heard of this happening to other couples and my heart goes out to them, and you.

Of course I don't know your circumstances, or your situation, but SOMETIMES couples in this position decide some weeks or months down the line that they'd like to work it out. Can I make a suggestion - you have come this far, why not get the visa JUST in CASE there is a slightest, most miniscule chance of reconcilliation? The last thing you would want is to get in line for this again if you did decide to reconsider..

Just a thought my dear.. again I do not know your situation but this is what came to mind.

Either way, my thoughts ARE with you and I'm so sorry to hear about your news.

Remember, EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Keep your chin up and all the best with everything.

So sorry to hear Pris,

As the others have said, we do not know the circumstances but I truly wish you the best moving forward. I hope you find your happiness again, either with the same person or someone else.

Take care and I hope you do stick around these forums. You know where to find the crazy lot of us.

Best wishes.
-Alex

Pris,

So sorry things haven't worked out for you..........it's very sad and I hope you take care of yourself and try to keep smiling.

You are right about Kath.......she gives amazing information and support on here and is the reason that this forum remains strong. Way to go Kath and many cheers for you.

Patricia, Hope you had a safe trip over here.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Susan

Thank you All!

Your comments and well wishes are much appreciated.

I won't be reconsidering as my happiness has returned due to the decision, which wasn't made overnight.

Sometimes it takes you to go away/almost lose what you have to rediscover how good you really have it and that's what this journey did for me. This is my home here and I appreciate it so much more seeing it from that perspective.

Take care and good luck with your journeys.....

Hello!

It's 8.06pm Missouri time and I'm sitting down watching "The 30 Most Ridiculous Feuds" on E! ....and Zach is sitting right beside me

Where to start? Well...my flight over went well. I got an aisle seat but luckily for me and the guy in the other end of my row we were the only ones there so we had 2 seats each. Of course he hogged my extra seat come sleepy time so he could stretch out. I didn't really care because I had enough space. So overall, the flight over was good. I didn't sleep as much as I had wanted but I was very comfortable.

Got to LAX on time and my POE experience went very well (what was I freaking out about?). I didn't get a "Welcome to America" greeting though - but the man "Walters" was pleasant and he did chit chat about Zach & I and asked some random questions. He also noticed my Aussie accent after I must have a said a very Aussie sentence - can't recall. Anyway, it went well and by the time I got out, my bags were still joined by other bags so I didn't feel alone.

Got my bags, left it with TSA and went up to the Terminal and basically had 3.5 hours there, waiting for my St. Louis flight. By that time I was ready to zonk out and did start snoozing at the terminal. the fact I didn't sleep very well on the plane was finally hitting me and for most of the time on the flight over to St. Louis, I was sleeping. Got to STL on time and met with Zach & his parents

After a whole day here, we've achieved quite a bit already. We grabbed brunch at Panera Bread (yum!) then Went to Wal-Mart and stocked up on all my required toiletries (they don't sell Savlon here!). Then to Kohls because I wanted some cord pants - grabbed 2 for 70% off each! Yay! And apparently I'm a petite in the US Haha. Then went to a Hallmark store (very excited about this!) and then off to Macy's where we did our Wedding Registry (that was a lot of fun). And then we dropped by the shoe department and I grabbed the CUTEST red shoes ever - cost me $4!!!! And then another pair of Nine West flats for $20. I love Macy's and their sales. And finally, we went to US Cellular and got me a mobile phone - with 250 text messages for $5 I love texting and it'll be the cheapest and most instantaneous way to contact my family and friends in AUS.

Well, there you have it. I've got a bit of a headache and my body clock is still adjusting. Got another big day tomorrow so wish me luck! I've got a lot more to share but I'm still letting it all sink in right now.

hi patricia
well i know i wont be the first to welcome you to america but i can be the first aussie ...so

WELCOME TO AMERICA MATE....am happy your flight was safe and you arrived in one piece ..and by the way i never got the welcome to america cheer either at my poe..must be lax lol...see we told you there is nothing to worry about...lol

ohh you sound like me when i arrived..lol shopping shopping and shopping..i never thought of savlon cos i hardly used it in oz...must remember that one...

im not sure but i thought Macy's were going out of business...could of had a job there but wasnt wiling to work weekends..lol...i bet that was a different experience for you doing your registry for your wedding..its a big thing over here..and that was so nice of zach's parents to greet you too at the airport...hows the weather there..is it colder than you thought it would be or is st louis warm at this time of year..

take it all in mate relax enjoy and sleep all ya can to catch up...the jet lag will ease up soon too...

we had heaps of snow yesterday ...(i hear you susan..not as much as you get lol you get feet we get inches) and i noticed when i was shovelling it at 1 in the morning that it was packing really well...sooooooooo i made a snowman lol finished him about 2.30am mind you lol
i put my bombers beanie on top and wrapped him up with the bomber scarf and put my bomber shirt in front of him lol..(didnt think i should of put the shirt on first and built him up with it on lol) looked a bit rough but i finally got to do my first snowman in america...lol...took pics too lol..

ohh by the way thank you susan and pris for your kind words of praise..but i do this to help us aussies...im just so glad i found this sight all those years ago...i have even recommended it to people i know going through this process that i know in chatrooms and my neighbour who has a nephew bringing his bride from the phillipines...and you know what they say about us aussies...we stick together....

take care
kath

Welcome to America Patricia!

Glad you had a good flight! Glad you're enjoying yourself! Ahh memories of wedding planning...I might be in the minority of former grooms but I enjoyed it (even with our trans-pacific obstacle). Vy has been amazed with the good pricing she has come across the different shops and markets she visits. I keep being reminded how good we have it here.

On a side note, I got screwed like that on the plane before too. I get annoyed when someone instantly takes the empty seat next to you to stretch out (4 seater with one person on each end. I learned my lesson. I park my items next to me once I realize there is no one next to me. Once that seatbelt light goes off, I stretch out there to mark my territory lol. In any case, I guess you won't have to worry about that much now that Zach is with you hehe.

Kath, I'm getting a little jealous with your constant snow. I just got Vy on the slopes for the first time ever last weekend and she loved it. I think I'll have a ski-partner soon enough woohoo.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Welcome to the US Patricia! I am glad that you got here safe and sound, and I am glad that you are finally with your man!!!

WELCOME TO AMERICA Patricia and glad to hear you had a safe trip and sounds like a very very busy day of shopping..............that's always great fun. You have lots and lots of new to you stores to shop at and lotsa bargains this time of year.

Kath you won't believe this but we got about a foot of nice wet, packy snow and guess what I did.........Yep I too built my first snowman!!!! Will email you a pic soon and we can compare

Hope everyone else is doing well. I mailed my I-751 (Removal of conditions on residency) last friday by registered mail and am still waiting for my little green slip to be returned..... . Back in the immigration waiting game but this time it is much, much easier.

Take care everyone,

Susan

owwwwwwwwww you are too funny susan...ok will send ya mine after you send me yours ...if mine aint up to par compared to yours ya not getting mine hehehehe...thanks for the giggle ...ya dag...
ok serious now mate..ya know you can track your package online...they would of given you a receipt go to HERE. and enter your receipt number..you should of heard something by now...also you can sign up for email confirmation susan...

seems to be the easiest part of the whole deal..im still annoy at the fact you pay all this money to them and on some application you dont receive an approval but they keep the money on us...in my book and this is my own opinion that it should be put into estgrow (is that the right word) for us for our removal of conditions..get all the interest ya like on it but help us out someway...ok end of rant about USCIS lol...many americans i talk to at work dont realise how expensive it is and that im not a citz because i married one...

hi ya vylex..
ohhh mate go visit susan she has always got snow to spare lol...im glad your wife is enjoying the snow ..its a facination to us aussies...many customers grumble an i smile and say i love it ...lol..which i do .. it gives the neighbourhood a whole knew look to it almost magical..gawd skiing..i wouldnt be able to stay upright..will stick to throwing snowballs at robbie and shovelling it lol..

hi ya kelli
how is the new job going..would love to get an email from you comparing mate...

take care all
kath

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody! (It's more than I got from Walters!)

Second day in...went back to Macy's & grabbed 3 more winter coats. They were a further 50% off so can't beat that. And Kath, I don't think Macy's gonna go out of business any time soon after the amount of stuff we've bought from there the past 2 days

I also went to Zach's University. Their library is 4 stories high! He-llo! He warned me that I could get lost in there...so I stayed on one level only. We also went to Target as our second registry. Amazing how much good stuff Target actually has. We were tossing up between Target, JCPenney & Dillards to add to our Macy's registry and Target won out I think JC & Dillards were just too fancy for my taste.

Also tasted a Frosty from Wendy's and went on our first grocery store run (at Gerbes). I love their self-service stations! I tell you, the simplest things amuse me about the US so far. Like the fact that their McDonald's small is our large back home. And how they provide free icy water everywhere (and there are water fountains everywhere!). And how they still have pennies and dimes! I say either round up or round down There's a billion other things (like having to pay for incoming mobile calls!) but I'm too tired to think of all of them right now. I'm sure you went through all this stuff the first time you arrived in the US.

WEather wise it's yet to snow in Columbia, MO. So yay! - but I'm sure it'll snow sometime soon...but I'm prepared with all my winter coats

The Future Mother In Law and I are going to bridal shops tomorrow to hopefully find me a dress to wear in 5 weekends' time. Wish us luck!

Hope everybody's well...if you got any other tips for a newly arrived Aussie, let me know! (P.S. I saw small Cadbury bars today and those Creme Eggs. It didn't make me feel homesick because I don't really like those eggs - they're too sweet/sickly for me).

Hi Kath,

Thanks for the info on tracking my I-751......so far no slip back to say they have received it but checked my bank account and they cashed my cheque on the 26th., February, so they must have got it ok. $545 poorer now , oh well. You mentioned signing up for email notifications.....do you need a receipt number for that and do you do it on the USCIS website? Going by removing conditions timeline for vermont filers it should take about 7 months from beginning to end..............I hope.PS. Sent the snowman pics....waiting for yours now

Patricia you are right about all the little things you discover when you first arrive here and even after 2 years I still find things here that amaze me. The one thing I will never get used to is tipping! Everything seems bigger in the USA (although not always better). Goodluck with the hunt for your wedding dress but I'm sure you will find something lovely.

Bye for now,
Susan

Hi Densusan, I signed up for the email notifications to see changes on our case while it was still with USCIS. Go to their website and type in your case number.. you will come to a web page with the option to receive updates by email... good luck to you, I hope it all keeps going along well.

Well I am currently on the count down until I am finally with my boy..17 days, 19 hours.. hihi
I am so excited I can not wait! We are both becoming a little impatient but we are hanging in there. March 17th just can't come fast enough, I am practically already packed and ready to depart!

Anyone on here from Chicago? I think I may have mentioned in the past that my hubby is in the military. He is up for a new posting in October and there is a possibility we might end up in Chicago.. I have never been there, I know nothing about the place! Other than it has been dubbed "the windy city", it's cold, it snows, it's the home of the blues.. yup that's about it! So if you live there, I would love to hear your opinions/reviews or practically anything about the place.

Oh yeah, Patricia if you are reading this, Japan fell through!!!

Take care all! And have a super day.

Chicago? You'll be my neighbour Kinda. Haha. We'd be 6 hours away from each other - definitely closer than Japan! I've heard Chicago is very much like Melbourne, which is a definite plus for me and you're a Melbourne girl so maybe it'll make you feel more at home. We'll be going there in a few weeks, I'll tell you how I like it

Tried on wedding dresses today. It went good but now that I'm home and have had a chance to reflect on it, it feels so rushed. But what can I do? Only went to David's Bridal and do have a shortlist there and I keep telling myself that I just don't have the luxury of being able to sit and wait on things. Wedding is in 5 weeks!!!!

BTW, I had my first snow today! I was so excited that I stood out there waiting for my FMIL to come pick me up at the Mall and people were staring at me wondering why the heck I was standing outside while it was snowing.

and another coming over...whooo hooo....hd..take the time to soak in all that is going on in oz ...your family, getting ready to leave and friends...believe me you will treasure the moments you have in your last days...your man is waiting for you on this side of world...but ya dont know when you will get the chance to see ya family again so treasure the time you have left in oz...
so you will be in chicago huh...im in toledo ohio..there are a few aussies up this end of the country...
have a look at the map mate ...

patrica...you got all the time in the world 5 weeks will go fast but take your time with the dress..why dont you go online or ebay and see what design you like...might help...i made my wedding dress..i chose my top half from a dress that i saw in a wedding shop and just copies it..and a full skirt ..gawd before i put that band on it was at least 3 people fitting lol...and i did the exact same thing as you about my first snowfall.. but i went down into it at 3 am just putting my face up to it.. i suppose its the same as when we have had such a hot day in oz and it pours down..or your town hasnt had rain for ages you do the exact same thing....i actually felt the same way when i saw my first rain fall here...gawd did it pour...but it was lovely to me...i still get a kick out of going out in the snow...

susan ... i was talking about tracking the application through the post office ... but when you get your noa1 you can enter it in the website like you would of done with your immigration application....

well yet again i have gabbled on...
take care
kath

Thanks Kath, have already looked into registering with USCIS so I can keep track. HD suggested signing up for email notifications which I didn't do last time but may this time. I know I can't do it until I have my NOA1, so I just need to be patient.

Patricia, All of us aussies that live in snowy areas are the same..........WE LOVE THE WHITE STUFF..........but like Kath's hubby mine finds it quite amusing that I like it......well most of the time. Driving in winter storms isn't much fun and shovelling it isn't that great but it looks so pretty with everything white. Good luck with your continuing wedding dress hunt but I'm sure you will be fine.

I second what Kath said about making the most of your time left in oz............It's only been 12 months since my last visit back to Adelaide and it feels like forever!

Take care everyone

Received in the mail today NOA1 on I-751 application. "Your conditional resident status is extended for a period of one year. During the one year extension you are authorise employment and travel"

My greencard doesn't expire until May 4th., but I am guessing the extension starts from the date of NOA1 which is 26th., February, so it should all be over by then. YEAH!

whoo hooo susan ...now that would be an interesting question to research..expiry date of greencard or the NOA1 notification

i also received something from uscis on saturday...as i have said i posted in my hubby's sponsor change of address..and we received a notification that it was updated...not a bad turn around from nebraska..
posted from toledo on the 23rd feb they received it the 26 and we recevied the notice on the 1st march...all up 7 days...gawd i wish all our approvals could be that quick lol..

take care
kath

Thanks Kath! I am trying to make the most of my last 2 weeks here in Melbourne. Such mixed emotions. I CAN'T WAIT to be with my hubby again but I'm conscious of not wishing my last days at home away.. How do you find the balance? I'm sure every person here has gone through this or is bound to at some stage!

Well the next 2 weeks are jam packed with dinners and drinks and catch up's. It's all so emotionally draining!

Great updates from you Patricia - keep them coming lovely! :-)

I hope I get a bit of that white stuff if I move down to Chicago later in the year! Opps, I should say "we". Better get used to that again. We have been apart for so long you get so used to being alone! It's really happening! "We" may be moving to Chicago!

Take care all..

HD. x

Hi Kath,

Thanks for the woooooo hooooooo! Interesting you received a reply regarding change of address...hmmmmmmm. I mailed the change of address (for hubby) with my I-751 but haven't had anything back about that. Oh well the NOA1 had the correct address, so I guess that's all that counts.

Hi HD, Thanks for your info about email notifications.....now I have a receipt number I will do that. Enjoy your last 2 weeks in Australia. It is a time full of mixed emotions, excitement about being with your partner, sadness at leaving family and friends behind and a really weird feeling when you get on the plane and wonder when you will be visiting Australia again. Very emotionally draining but you will be fine and everyone on here understands all the things you are going through right now.

Patricia hope you have found the perfect wedding dress ..............sure you will, lotsa luck.

Take care everyone,

Susan

Hi Susan - glad you organised the email notifications.. we did that at the start of the process and it was good to know when there was any change to our case status.
Thanks for the kind words. It's really great knowing there is a place where everyone understands what each of us go through on our visa journey! It's an emotional rollcoaster but I feel that the worst times are over because in just under 2 weeks I won't be missing my other half anymore and that's just wonderful!
Oh, any hubby surprised me with tickets to Las Vegas later this month! I am soooo looking forward to us actually getting on a plane together for once, rather that one of us flying awy from the other!
YAAHHOOO! :-)

hi susan
yeah i was so suprised too that i got that notification too..so i entered the receipt number into my online status thing and low and behold they had touched my orginal I-129F the day after..so i guess they were checking up on the information if it was the same....you didnt have notification by email of your status by email.. i have all the notifications printed out..and filed lol...ohh cant remember if i told ya but i found my mum's cousin that immigrated over here in 1911...there are living relatives but cant find them because of no census's after 1930 yet online...now were doing robbie's family and found quite a few of them...lol...

HD...ya right bout the emotional roll a coaster you go through in the last few weeks in oz...but as you said we understand what your going through...i i will be here 2 years in june and i havent been back....i am starting to feel it now..i keep looking at australian things and photo's we took over there...so i think im ready for a holiday over there...its also hard when you get emails from relatives saying mums looking frail or going into hosp for an operation...or you cant be there on an important event...
But...the added bonus to all this is your with the fella you love and his support and understanding eases it a hell of alot...just prepare your man for tears when you down cos it will happen and you will be right mate...my breakdown was when robbie went back to work..left alone in the apartment day in day out before i got work..now im fine and settled in to u.s. life great...

take care
kath

Well, finally found a wedding dress! The ones I really wanted just couldn't be ordered in time (one was able to arrive A DAY before the wedding - I was obviously not going to risk that!) so I had to look at their discontinued line and viola! There it was! I'm happy with it and believe it suits the church we'll be getting married in. I only saw the church yesterday and I seriously would have looked so silly if I had a very elaborate dress. So I'm happy, relieved and excited! Yay!

Now, I do have a question, how did you guys go about getting your marriage license (though who were K-1ers)? I read that I need a SSN, which I obviously don't have yet? I guess they would know I'm not a permanent resident and still give us one? We're getting ours next week coz any earlier and it would have expired before our April 5th wedding. Any tips?

Went to the DMV yesterday and they said I have to take a written and practical test. I told Zach I wasn't quite ready for the practical part of it Still so much to get used to around here...I don't want to be a menace on the road.

Thanks for the reality checks, Kath. I know I'll hit a low point after the wedding and when I'm bored at home. I'll be sure to keep myself pre-occupied.

HD, just remember that you will visit friends and family again. You haven't been exiled. You'll just be adding another country to your list of homes.

It will definitely be an emotional rollercoaster. Vy was up and down for a little bit by the 3rd month but that's because she was still alone at home. Once we got her driver's license (huge accomplishment from her perspective when she passed since she dreaded the parallel parking test) she started to feel more settled in. She then started going to a nice gym nearby and recently began exploring the area on her own. Once she hit those milestones she has been more excited with the possibilities here (plus she loves the prices here much more than Oz hehe). The more you can do by yourself like getting around and feeling free the less of a chance you'll take hard hits of homesickness methinks...plus you'll have your man with you on a permanent basis

Happy Travels!

Hi Patricia,

Great news about the wedding dress............bet your soooo excited

As to your question about the marriage license.........I am pretty sure you don't need a ssn, just your passport and birth certificate but you should be able to find any answers you need on the related website. Don't forget to order marriage certificates so you have them for your AOS. As for your drivers license I wouldn't worry about that until after the wedding because you should be ok with your Australian DL until your permanent residency is approved. I too had to do a written test, 5 hour new drivers course, LOL (with a bunch of teenagers) and the practical test for my NY state DL. It really depends on how they define residency but I'm pretty sure the residency time-frame doesn't come into play until your greencard is approved (don't quote me on this I could be wrong) because it's quite a while ago for me. Every state is a little different, so just check the Missouri DMV website and hopefully that may have the correct answer.

Vylex you are right about not being in exile, after all Australia is just a plane trip away. I think some of us get more home-sick than others but mostly it's all good because you finally get to be with the one you love. It's a different experience for everyone but once you get out and about it's much easier. I was lucky enough to go back to Australia last year for the birth of my second grand-son and had a wonderful time with family & friends but ultimately for me here is home with my hubby.

Hey Kath, We had an ice-storm last night.....YUCK.......and now it's snowing again. How bout you did you get the ice?

OH nearly forgot, today in the mail I received my biometrics appointment (14th., March'08) for removal of conditions......WOW! Can't believe how quick their responses have been and hope the approval comes quick too. Then it will be over with USCIS for me.......YAY

Thanks all..

I am out in only 10 days and getting really excited! Only 3 more working days left after today!

Still a fair bit of packing to do but it's all coming together slowly. It's awesome that the baggage limit to the US is 60kg. And I have booked an additonal 60kg of excess baggage with jetstar so I am not going to be traveling light! The only thing I am worried about is getting my 120kg off the belt at the other end.. it's fine in Melbourne as my family will be with me. But of course my husband can't meet me on the other end until after I have passed through customs. So not sure what I'm going to do? Find some poor sucker to help me carry my stuff? ;-)

Any tips?

Well I guess I will figure it out when the time comes. As of right now, i am far to excited to get bogged down by my heavy bags!

Oh on the driving thing.. I am a little confused. I know it's different in each state but my husband seems to think I can drive in Hawaii on my Aussie lisence for a few months until I get my hawaii drivers license. Does anyone know if this is correct? I was under the impression this was only okay if you are a tourist, not a perm resident?!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.. and enjoy a lovely day off on Monday for all of you who are still in Oz! x

Hi HD,

On the luggage thing.......... all I can think of is the guys that work at the airport (the ones that you see hanging out at the luggage carousels), maybe just maybe might be able to help you out......goodluck. Hope your enjoying your time left in Australia with family and friends. I had a look at the DMV website for Hawaii and couldn't find any clear answers but I'm sure hubby is right and your aussie DL will be fine for a while. I know there are so many things to think of and our brain gets a little overloaded at times.....relax for now and wait until you are there to get your answer. Take care, Susan

Thanks Susan! :-) I'm sure it will be alright on the night.. surely someone will spot my stick arms trying to lift the heavy stuff and offer me some assistance.. i hope! :-)

The Hawaii DMV website is pretty average actually.. thanks for looking for me! :-) There's not a whole lot of information there and what is there is some what ambiguous. I guess I will just wait until i get there and we'll pay them a visit.

I'm the kind of person who will go a little crazy sitting in the house all day long so I'll be keen to just get in the car and explore while hubby is at work. I've driven a fair bit in Hawaii on my aussie lisence already but I was a tourist back then so the rules might change when you have a PR.

I'll look into it! :-)

have a nice weekend..

Hey Alex, I'm so glad your wife has settled in so well.. it seems she has been there with you for a while now, time really fly's by! It's great to hear your news and how happy you both are.

Kath, thanks for your postings. Puts everything into perspective and makes me realise what's going to be tough.. I guess we just have to be prepared for those days. It's a really big transitional period, isn't it? i hope you have the chance to take a little trip back home soon. I know from living overseas for some years it's good to go back home because most of the time very little changes. Once you see everything ticking along just as it was before you left, you'll feel better about getting back on the plane..

Bye for now :-)

Just wanted to send a lil update!

Steve arrived in the US about 3 weeks ago now, and everything is great!! He came in through JFK, so he got a work stamp (although it looks reallly dodgy!). AND, he already got a job working with a company called Australian Landscaping and Construction, which is actually owned by a couple Aussie guys so it is perfect for him! He's a manager of groups of workers and sort of oversees different projects. He really likes it, and they gave him a company truck and fuel card as well. Plus, they are really easy about the work stamp stuff and getting time off for the wedding because at least one of them has been through this whole thing before. He also went in to apply for a S.S. number last week and all went well, so he should be getting the card soon.

We're so excited to finally be together!!!! I'm loving every minute of this. I hope all is well for all the other Aussies and Americans in this thread! It's great to read about how others are doing.

Take care

Hawaiiandreams,


This is straight from the FAQ's for Drivers Licence on the hawaii DMV site.

Read q.9 and q.10 also.


Thiss is q.18.
What is the requirement to drive in Hawaii using my valid foreign license?
Your valid foreign license is good to drive in Honolulu, Hawaii one year upon entry. You will need your valid passport to show admission date.

Thanks Jodee.. :-)

Good thing you posted this message.. it reminded me to check the expiry date on my Victorian drivers license and I realised it is due to expire in April!

I'm going to try and get an early renewal before I leave for the US! Thanks again! :-)

I've been reading many threads about people getting their visas quite fast, with a minimum of fuss, but none of them are from Australia.

If anyone here has had their visa granted at the embassy in Sydney, could you please tell me what kind of questions they ask you, and the nature of the interview (tense, relaxed, strict, friendly etc) Do us Australians have it easier or harder? If you have a guidline of the entire process then that'd be even better!

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I orginally posted this in the wrong forum, so decided to copy&paste it here.

Double post*

Glad to see you found the forum, I'm sure someone will be able to help you. I would give advice, but my K1 interview was in November 2003. And I am sure things have changed.

JOdee

Hiya delilah'sMan - I went through the process fairly recently although it may be different to your situation?! What's your visa category and where are you in the process?
I had my interview in Sydney, although we waited for what seemed like forever to get the interview (almost 2 years), my experience at the consulate was a really good one.
The staff were friendly and helpful and I was out of there in under 2 hours.. a few questions were asked by the consular officer such as:
-where did you meet (in our case it was the Gulf)
-What were you doing in the Gulf? What was your husband doing there?
-When/where did you get married?
-Where are you planning on living in the US?
I think they were the major questions but it was really laid back and casual. A few aussies from this forum have been through pretty recently.. go back through the pages and read the past postings for more information. These people also had their visa's recently approved: vylex, patriciaofoz, niphredil.. check out their postings!
good luck!

Thanks hawaiiandreams!

I'll be trying to get the K-1 visa, so I guess our waiting times and the process will be a little different, but thanks for the response and I hope my interview goes smoothly when that day comes. I'd be pretty unlucky if I had to wait 2 years for the K-1, right?

That's correct, you would be unlucky to wait for that long. My husband was in the process of being naturalised as a US citizen, so they wouldn't process my paperwork until that was done. That's why we waited for so long. I'm assuming your partner is a US citizen so your waiting time will be nothing compared to mine!

I think K1's are taking about 10 or so months from what I've seen.. good luck :-)

Thank you once again, and congratulations! I wouldn't wish this stress on anyone, except for maybe my worst enemy lol.

Hi jennybenni
good to see you.. thanks for updating mate..was lovely to find out all is well with you two and your lives are complete..
how is he enjoying the weather...ohh ask him for me..being a male over here..has he got homesick yet and does he have all the ladies swooning over his accent lol..

hi D.man
nice to see you found us..
my advice to ya is to go to the embassey reviews for sydney at the top of this page...
there are many aussie's that have gone through the interview and posted reviews..the positive and the negative side of it all..and hints too for the day..

i came here in 2006 on the K1 visa...we got approved rather quickly compared to some..but we delayed the interview..many things can delay you in getting to the interview stage...not having all the paper work in your hands..medical..police checks..and vacations over to the states...

this thread has so much to offer you..but it takes a lot of reading lol..gawd i been on this website for 3 years now and im still learning and reading lol..

my experience with the interview at sydney was to us we could of done all this over the phone and saved hundreds of dollars...lol that is how quick your actual interview is lol....but as HD said they are a friendly bunch ..the worst part of it is waiting to be called up ..but the view of sydney is fantastic lol..just have all your documents in the order they want and have everything..

dont hesitate to ask any questions in here there is heaps of lovely aussie's in here that will help ya out..
good luck
kath

I read all the embassy reviews for Sydney, and I'm feeling pretty good. I was also pleased that one guy who was on the Disability Support Pension at the time, had no problems getting his visa. I'm currently on that pension, and am happy to know that it wont be an issue.

Does anyone know if they're strict when it comes to people with co-sponsors, at the Sydney embassy? I read this in the I-134 discussion, and it worried me.



I've been told many times that I'd be fine if I have an able co-sponsor, but not I'm not so confident

Hello Kath how have you been

I finally sent out our removal of conditions package today so now its time to sit back and play the waiting game again.

how is your job going. Starting to get rather homesick as im like you and havent been back yet lots of things happeing with the family back home that i have missed out on. all to the good. so are you still geting snow over there? we have had some nice weather here at last..
I had to laugh my kids told me it had been in the 20s in tasmania this last week a heat wave lol they should try living in the desert

angela

delilah'sman

hi and welcome. As you can see from our time line it only took 5 months from the date of lodging our forms untill i had my interview in sydney and visa in hand for k1. As long as you are prepared its a breeze and the interview is very easy ( or it was 2 years ago )
I have seen quite alot of peolpe come through here that has had co-sponsers and they have had no problems.
good luck feel free to ask any questions

angela

Hi all,

Well I'm just finishing up my final day at work so thought I would check into VJ.

It's kind of like the end of a chapter today... so it is now finally hitting me that I will be with my husband in 4 days! I am so excited. Lots of wrapping up to do over the weekend.. so excited about boarding the plane on Monday! :-)

The wait is finally over. HOORAHH!

I hope everyone is having a great day..

And Delilah'sMan, thanks for your well wishes. As Angela said, you see tonnes of people around here who have needed a co-sponsor for whatever reason. So I wouldnt imagine you'll have any issues if you can get someone to do that for you.

Wish me luck for my POE! Honolulu here I come..

HD.

You will be fine!!! Hope that you have a great trip, and have fun reuniting with your hubby!!!

Happy Travels HD! I hope it will be one of the best plane rides EVER!

Hi D'sMan, I am pretty sure you won't have a problem with a co-sponsor. The folks at the Consulate seemed more concerned with having the paperwork in order than anything else. I am pretty sure that if you can satisfy all the requirements there is no reason to deny your visa. Good luck!

Congrats on reaching that stage Aussie Angel!

Hi Kath, did the snow stop yet? LOL.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Hey Angela,..

Haven't seen you around in a long time, so just thought I would say hey.
We are finally headed out of Germany at end of April. And are coming bac to California. Will be in "c.c" at some stage, so I will let you know when we do. Hubby is being stationed at FT. Irwin again.

Jodee

I have my interview for my KI visa on Tuesday so I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. It's been 8 months since we first submitted our petition

Thanks Kelli! Thanks Alex! I'm so excited. Only 29 hours until I board my flight!!:-) The next time I post something here, I will be in Honolulu!!

Good luck for Tuesday Chicago dreaming!! You will be fine! Just relax and take it easy.... and be sure to let us know what it was like!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday/Sunday!

HD. xx