hi there pris (if you dont mind me shortenin yourname)

thanks for the congrats...i heard all about the cold snap melb is having when i rang my mum to tell her about the greencard...10c she said it was at like 11am..shame ya got the flu..hope you get better soon...

an yes my hubby is a darlin wouldnt trade him for anything...i have one boy 20 an one girl 21...for their 21st birthdays i will be bringing them over for a hol..but with dj's being this year i have to save to bring her over so i dont know if i will have um together or not cos they are like chalk an cheese ...an it would be nice to spoil each of them seperate i think...
hope the weather improves
kath

Hi Kath,

No no, don't mind Pris at all. Yeah, if only cold meant rain...for the farmer. I was talking to my nanna last night who lives in Wagga and she said many up there were committing suicide over the drought...!!!

Wow, 20 & 21...all grown up. I bet they'll be looking forward to visiting no matter when.

Only 9 weeks & three days till J comes over...

Belated congrats Kath............a long awaited rest from the process for a while now......what a nice feeling!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE

hi pris

yeah my mum was tellilng me that they are tellin them to get off the land because of the drought...and our weir is dry....i cant imagine that big damm weir dry...when robbie went over in 2004 i took him there an you could see where water had been but still had water in it...an our council damm well took us off restrictions because we had a good downpour...idiots...and here robbie tells me have as long a shower as u want hun we got lake erie an that aint emptying just cos u want a longer shower....they just dont understand it...
yep all grown up pris...i didnt want to leave oz until they were and robbie understood an waited patiently for me...

hi ya densusan..
thanks for the congrats..im patiently waiting for the postman to delievery it ... would be a nice birthday pressie if it arrived tomorrow...
was funny last night i was looking in my diary to write in when i got approved...and on the 26th i had wrote when i first posted the petition in...APPROVED YES/NO??? it spooked me when i read that lol ..should be used to it by now but sent shivers for sure lol was a day off my prediction...how is life since you got approved by the way?

well i better get some tea started for when robbie gets home...
take care you lot
kath

I posted this on the Australia DCF thread, but I was wondering... is there anything on the I-130 checklist that needs to be notarized?

And on the part of the G-325 that asks:

This form is submitted in connection with an application for:
-Naturalization
-Status as Permanent Resident
-Other

Which box should I select if I'm trying to bring my wife here to the US? is it the Permanent Resident box?

Hooray -- had my interview on Tuesday and I was approved! And I picked up the visa yesterday, so now I'm all set for my departure on 14 November. DCF in Sydney rules! It was really speedy in the end -- I arrived at the Consulate just before 7.30am, managed to get out of the lift at Level 59 first (thanks again Kath!), got the first number, and was out of there by about 9.10am! I'll post some more about my embassy experience under the Embassy Reviews, but I'll just reiterate what everyone before me has said about being organized, as it's the best tip of all. The woman who we saw at the counter both times (who I assume was Rose) was very nice to us, and even praised us for having all our documents in such good order. But I also heard her giving other people a hard time for not having things in the right order or knowing much about what they were supposed to do, so be prepared!

Thanks to everyone who has helped out with advice -- I couldn't have done it without all the info here at visajourney!

David A.: nothing that needs to be notarized when filing the I-130. In fact, nothing to notarize at all anymore -- it was just the I-864 in the past, but that no longer needs to be notarized. In relation to your G-325A question, you're right, it is the Permanent Resident box that you need to tick.

hi luname
been waiting anxiously to hear how you went..an you did it kiddo...great news from you an good luck in all your packing...hint get people to come see you lol it gets hectic when u have to run around sayin goodbye to everyone lol

have a good last few weeks in melb ...smiles...dont forget ya melb souveniers either...lol
you take care on your trip home and enjoy your life with your hubby...
kathl

YAYAYAYA Luna! Congrats! Told you it'd be easy!! So glad it worked out!!!!

congratulations lunamel!!

matt

Congratualtions Lunamel!!!!!!!!!!! Kath is right about people visiting! I tried to fit it all my goodbyes into one day and was physically and enotionally exhausted at the end of it.

Hey don't forget to bring the vegemite!

Take care and have a safe trip,
Susan

either my spelling or my typing suck, excuse the silly mistakes

Thanks guys! Yes, I can see what you mean about squeezing everyone in... I think I might just have to organize a night at the pub and try to see everyone that way.

And the bags are already packed with vegemite Did anyone else see there was an article in the Sydney Morning Herald last week about vegemite being confiscated from peoples bags at customs in the US, because it contains folate?? I think it turned out to be a false rumour, which is just as well, as I can't live without my daily vegemite fix!

Chris

Oh, and as you can see, I finally put up a couple of wedding snaps too!

hi ya
well today my greencard and my welcome letter arrived safely with no mistakes on it either..so its triple celebrations this weekend for us ...

awwwwwwwwwwww mate you look super mate.. i love wedding pictures..an i reckon ya right on the pub thing mate hope all is coming together ok for ya
and yes there was a thread on the vegemite scandal ..lol
take care
kath

Hooray Kath! Great news about the greencard, and I bet you're glad you don't have to do anything else for quite a while. Have a great weekend celebrating

thanks mate..ohh we will going to an italian restraunt then the movies..robbie is lucky he has his birthday off work apart of their union contract so he is off tomorrow im so rapt...

just looked at your pics they are lovely where did you get married..an dont forget to put them in the gallery too...

its a start of a good november ...sighhhhhhhh
kath
ps just found that thread about vegemite

Vegemite article if ya missed it

Kath, sounds like you have a great long weekend planned -- enjoy! And thanks for the vegemite thread link -- glad that it all seems to be much ado about nothing...

Glad you like the pics -- I do too! Found a really great photographer online from NY (glad the stresses of long-distance wedding planning are over...) and we were really pleased with her work. The wedding was out at Werribee Mansion, and it was just perfect -- couldn't have wished for a better day.

great photos! Congrats on your visa!! Have a safe trip

With all the good news here I guess it's time to post an update!

Kath - congrats on your AOS stuff!! Hopefully Kaffy, you'll be next!

Luna - obviuosly congrats on the visa

Matt - I hope Chanin and your baby are coming along fine!


Stewart got his FL driver's lisence last week!!! YAY! We are getting a new truck for him and he's so excited.
Got his sister's wedding invitation in the mail - so that was fun, and got our tickets to the cricket in st kitts. We're all good to go

We leave for Australia really soon and I can't wait.

XOXOXOXO to all!
Caroline

hi there

friday 3rd was a very productive day

robbie got his car re-registered an while we were there i got my Ohio State Id card done with no hassles this time round

then i tried to get my western union birthday money cashed from my sis an couldnt so went back to our bank and opened a bank account an deposited it in there and i got a $500 limit credit card in my name for emergency purposes..

the bank manager was excited for me that i got a State Id that day and when i had finished with her i said whooo hoo and she laffed..probably not understanding that this was a day i gained some independence lol walking out my husband is smiling ear to ear i asked why an he said im getting a kick out of seeing your reactions to all we have accomplished today..lol hes a dag but i love him...

take care
kath

whoops forgot to add...Kaffykat got her EAD approved the other day...

Hey all,

I've not popped my head in hear for a while as my time on VJ has been limited of late. Great to hear all the good news.
Congrats Kath, its a great feeling having that green card in hand aye. Now for a well earned rest
Well done Lunamel Congratulations.
Caroline, I wish I was going to oz with ya I miss it. Miss my vegemite too as my kids have been slack and not sent me my care package. 4 months here and I'm suffering withdrawals.

Take care everyone

Lorelle

Lorelle - we have it here in Jax....we can also get some from Oz. Just let me know if you want me to get you some! Easy to ship a package in Florida

Caroline

Congrats Lunamel...

I have a question for those Australians already living in USA and have a job:

How hard is it to secure a job? Is there much of a process to it or is it pretty much the same as here?

Is there anyone who works in an office job (admin/secretarial/PA) that can give me any tips....?

We will be going back to Arizona (first) so if anyone knows that area well for office jobs...?

Cheers,

Priscilla

stewart had a job within two weeks - wasn't hard at all. We crafted an "american" resume for him!!

No worries

anyone else having problems getting to that aussie thread listed? it gets me to log in again and refuses my username, and says the board admin is not taking any new registrations..

which Aussie thread?


MORE GOOD NEWS! Stewart finally filed his AUssie taxes and got back WAY more than we expected Hoooray!

Thanks Caroline, that's somewhat reassuring - I was a bit worried after reading in another string it took someone about a year and they asked him whether he knows about Microsoft and computers and he was a computer technician lol....

Does Stewart work in an office.....? Are there templates for an 'American' resume?

Ellp: if you're talking about the Aussie string that predates this one I couldn't get into it either, was doing the same thing to me.

Anything with a URL of 'forums2' is unavailable anymore. Ewok took them down for now.

I read that thread too! Weird. No Stewart is a pharmacy technician at a hospital in town. You can google here "Resume" and you'll have 10000 links with templates, examples and all of that. If the Aussie has a college degree, I also recommend a translation of the transcript into the "american" way. It costs a few hundred bucks, but it was worth it for Stewart. We have a totally different Uni. system!

What kind of job will you be looking for?

hi caroline

i dont get that if our certificates are in australian (english) why does it need to be translated into american...i know you have different system but aint a degree a degree in any english speaking country??

carline is right there are heaps to look at on the net just working out which suits you is the hardest...

i tried to apply for a job in a bank but because i couldnt put what state i was from in oz it wouldnt accept my application registration so i will be ringing the bank tomorrow to see how i can get around it...

going out shopping with one of the VJ'ers that live just around the corner she is taking me to a store that has international products..looking forward to it ...

take care
kath
ps welcome ellp which state you in..im sure if you have any questions we will sure help out for ya...
im from melb an now living in toledo ohio

Hi everyone

I am new here. Trying to catch up and learn as fast as I can. I haven't read all 55 pages so far but from what I've seen... most of you guys are married and already in US! Congratulations to everyone! Happy for you all... but I want to join you... soon!!!

Not sure where to reply, so I am doing it on the original post. And as ellp and some others said... the link to the old thread is not working - but that's only temporary, true?

Now, I would like to ask help with two "little" things, if that's ok. (apologies if you've already talked about that earlier... I will eventually get to old posts, but I'm kind of in a hurry!)

1.) Those of you who filed DCF... my impression is that your process was faster. True? Do you have to be married to qualify? Anyone here who filed I-129F and then changed to DCF?

2) Has anyone been to visit your USC fiance while in the process? FAQs page says it is possible with proof of links to Aus and intent to return, but... they can still tell you to turn around at the POE. Has anyone actually done it - successfully? I was hoping to go spend couple of weeks over Christmas with my fiance, as I can easily get days off and he can't really! Do you think I have a chance?

Thanks heaps!
vik

AUSTRALIAN DCF FORUM

Hi an welcome to the aussie thread....

above is a link that might help you with DCF in oz...yes with a DCF you have to be married and it doesnt matter where you have gotten married either (from memory)... there was one..Mellie...her petition was lost so they cancelled their K1 petition and went DCF.... you could look some of her posts up and see how she went about it..

there has been about 4 or 5 people who have done DCF..in the aussie DCF thread they outline the new procedures that might answer some of your quiestions..

as for visiting ...I did just that with no problems..I got my boss to write a letter stating when i was going on vacation and when i was expected to resume work..I also took my most recent bank account and my rental statements that I use to get each month..with all that in my handbag at the POE i wasnt asked for any of it..when asked why i was visiting i just stated the truth visiting my fiance...and had no probs whatsoever...

yes many of us are in the states now but we still come in here an let everyone know were still kicking an whats happening in our lives over here.. by the way which state you living in oz

hope your journey whichever route you take will be a short one...
take care
kath

Hi All!

I've been in the forum for a couple of months but I don't think I've posted on here (million things racing in my head so I'm sorry if I've already introduced meself!)

I live in Sydney and hubby lives in Baltimore. We were silly rabbits and applied for I-130 and I-129F in the US. We just found out about DCF. The way things are going, since hubby will be here to get away from the harsh Bmore winter in Jan, we will file for a DCF early Jan.

Thanks to the advice of Lorelle and Chris, I've started to get an idea of what's needed for the process and will try and apply for the Police Certificate and my vaccinations up to date in the next couple of weeks. Also, start looking at the daunting 19pages of I-864!

Thats all and talk to you all soon!

hi elle an welcome

nice to see a few new faces in here

hope all goes well for you..with your vaccinations you can go to your local doctor and get blood tests done to see what you are ammuned to..an its done through medicare...but keep your receipts an your results from your doctor together to show the medical examiner...also when you are at the medical ask for a full copy of your medical because you need the vaccination copy for your Adjustment of Status after you are married..

read all the guidelines and embassey reviews on here it gives you an idea what your in for at the interview..if you need any help with anything someone is sure to answer your questions.

good luck
kath

so glad we've turned two more people onto the DCF process!!

AusQueen - you MUST be married - and you can switch the way your doing

Thanks!!

With AOS, would I still need to do that as I have been married for over 4 years?

For the medical, I just first ask for a blood test and then pending result - I would just get the reqd shots then ask for copies of all the shots and medical I've taken?

hi ya elle

within you packet 3 there are variety of vaccinations that you have to have within your age group..

if you go for your blood test and your ammunity if there for those vaccinations you dont need to have those shots because you have either had them when u were little or you had lets say the chicken pox when u were little..why get shots when u dont need to do so..waste of money...blood testing is the best way around it...


either way maried or not all immigrants need to have a medical done by an approved U.S. embassey doctor..the list is in the embassey info at the top of the page...

hope i have helped in some way i feel like i wasn't..

take care
kath

Hi all

I disappeared for a while as I'm trying to pack up all my stuff and get ready to leave on Tuesday -- only two days to go! Tobias has been back in the US for a couple of weeks, and I can't wait to get back there with him.

Hi ausqueen, and welcome! It definitely seems like the DCF route is faster, provided you're married already. Provided you're organized, I reckon you can get the process done in 2-3 months, and you also don't have the hassle of AOS that you need to go through on a K1. Let us know if you've got any specific questions, as we just went through the process (though we were between the old and the new systems, so things have changed a bit -- have a look at the aussie DCF thread that Kath linked).

And Elle, you won't be going through AOS if you take the DCF route. As you've been married 4 years, you also get your permanent greencard straight away -- lucky you! Though after all your hassles you deserve a break

See you all once I'm back in the US!

Chris

You don't need the full medical report as Kath mentioned, as you are already married and wont be adjusting status in the US as you will be granted an immigrant visa, with the green card on entry.

Chris
Have a safe trip and welcome to america.

Lunamel makes a GREAT point. With DCf, you get automatic work auth. and don't have to worry about AOS which is AWESOME.

Chris, have a good flight! Who you flying with? Where are you guys gonna do the honeymoon? You must be so stoked!!

Kath - thank you! I know get what your saying with the blood test and all.

Caroline - lol did the thread on "Philipinos" get blackholed or something? Jeez I went to work for a 3hr shift, came back and suddently there were a lot of hostility on there.

Dude I totally missed it I went to bed. I mean, he had a pic of his fiance, in her bra and panties, on all fours, looking seductively at the camera and pushing her cleavage together.

It seems that would have been a private photo for them to share - not something to post on a public forum. I wasn't saying I was offended by it, or it was porn, or anything...just questioning whether she knew it was there!!

ya know?

Sheesh!

Hey Caroline,

Thanks for that. I will be looking anything relating to the office from Office administration to reception to P.A. I've worked in different industries so I won't be too fussy but am currently in the engineering industry.

I also will be looking to go to school part time whether thru community college or through scholarships as J is currently doing. So will have to look into that once I'm there and settled with a job. I heard it was expensive to school there being an 'outsider' but with my eventual greencard I'm hoping that will make it different. Anyone know much about that...?

Priscilla

hi ya pris

i was talking to a friend of mine who i met off here and she said her husband didnt want to do any schooling before he got his greencard...the us citzen reckons that it wouldnt of made any difference because he was married to a toledo resident and a us citz...

so i would just looking into your town or state fee structure for immigrants either married to or not to us citz an see what ya come up with...to see what the diff is...

does your microsoft word have a resume maker within it on your computer that could help ya out too

kath

Can't stay long because I'm packing...

But Priscilla -- I don't know if it makes much difference either. I've been studying at NYU, and the tuition for overseas students there seems to be the same as for out-of-state residents (it's cheaper though if you are an in-state resident). So I expect the same will apply for you -- if you apply to a college in the state where you're resident, then you get the "in" rates; if you apply in another state, then it's more expensive.

Mind you, university IS expensive in the US, much much more expensive than here in Australia. Community colleges are a more affordable option -- so it might be worth shopping around.

Caroline - it was funny to read after while cuz sum ppl where getting their cyber knickers in a bunch over it. I thought you were genuinely *just* asking if his fiancee knew he had a pic of her like that. But I think some were just stirring trouble.

My friend went to Georgetown for a yr and she said it is quite expensive to go to school there. A lot of her friends took out student loans, so I guess that's something you can also consider? From my understanding, you can also just go to a Jr. College and transfer the credits if you wanted to get a BA from a state Uni.

Just to give you an idea, the tuition for Uni - out of state for a year in MD, is $35Gs, if your a resident its $17Gs. As Chris mentioned, community colleges are much more affordable.

Stewart goes to the Community College here. He gets in state tuition bc he's married to a Florida resident. Same at any of the Florida Unis...in state. Those colleges ya'll are mentioning are wicked expensive no matter what as they arne't state schools. They ar eprivate. Private uni's will be WAY more expensive!!

STewart loves the CC as he can work and go at the same time. Once he's finished he can go to any in state school! It works out well!!

Kath - the reason he HAD to have his trnascript evaluatted is becuase to get his job he had to prove he had taken certain courses....they had to see an "American" version of it...not sure how it would work with other jobs, but it couldn't hurt

Can you get the transcript "Americanized" here or is it over there? Did your hubby have work experience in his field before moving there? I'm wondering if I should get my transcript changed.

I asked Eric and unfortunately the rate I quoted, was for schools like University of Maryland -- which is a state Uni he said. So glad we have HECS!!

Caroline - where in Florida you from? Was there in Daytona for a vacation in September. If he finishes CC, he can apply the credit to any state school, would he still have to pay tuition? I would like to do post grad...its just with the rates Eric mentioned, I'm like aight maybe we should just save up for the kids lol.

Hi again... to everyone.

I wasn't being rude ignoring your welcomes and replies re DCF. Chris, Kath, Caroline... All much appreciated. I just couldn't log on because of work, but was dying to get back on here. I checked the DCF thread. Still have some questions, which i will ask later. Right now we (Aaron and I) are focusing on sending the RFE back (our attorney simply never sent it on, so we are doing it ourselves!) and hopefully organising my visit to the US for Christmas.

As for getting married now... if they let me in on a visa vaiwer... I doubt we can get married in US while I am there, since I can stay no longer than... just over 2 wks, then I return home to Syd? Aaron might come late January (to Syd) with work... maybe for couple of weeks or more. Then we could do DCF. Or maybe get everything done when he comes here? I am still totally confused and unsure what to do.

He has an appt today at the local office (San Francisco) to hopefully find some answers... have to wait for him to call me afterwards. Then I will know more.

Blessings to all of you... at whatever stage you are... we'll catch up with you one day

Have to go get some sleep now. See you when I wake up!

SAFE TRIP, Lunamel

xxoo
vik

Vik - what about a Vegas wedding? I know it may not be every girls dream to be walked down the aisle by an Elvis impersonator but you guys can always get re-married?

Or just a courthouse wedding - don't need more than a few days - or just get married in Oz - that's what we did!! It will honestly cut MONTHS off of your time AND Give you automatic work auth....and give you a green card right off WITHOUT AOS - really good deal