Thanks Gals for all your responses. Sounds like I'll wait till I am a state resident and check out those costs against the Community College.

Hey Kath! I have a resume already that has been given plenty of compliments on it's professionalism I just wanted to make sure it matched the States idea of professionalism. I've just begun to search for some templates online but have yet to find one.

Have a great trip Lunamel....That is one thing I can wait for...the long flight over....

Poi n J - where in Melbourne are you getting married, or are you doing it in the states? I can show you my photos from the registry if that's where your going. It was really nice

Hi Caroline,

We get married at the Melbourne Registry too.

I'd love to see your photos. Which room did you get the small or the big? How many witnesses did you have? Where did you go for your reception/drinks?

First I wanted a vegas wedding cos we said we were going to do it better later. Then we discovered DCF and decided that was a better way and marry in Melbourne then do it better later. But I get the feeling later may never happen due to house/kids etc... so I the pressure is on to make this as special as possible on our next-to-0 budget lol..

Two more weeks and I'll be DCF'ing in Sydney.

So far I've got everything I need except one thing, I even printed out the DS I & II for the wife so that she can hurry up and fill it out and immediately transfer that information on the originals that Sydney will be sending her later on. She's already got her police report including finger prints from SAPOL. We're definitely trying our best to make this as quick as possible. She's already done her name change and has the certificate to prove it. It took two weeks for the Chapel to send me copies for the marriage certificates since Sydney requires official copies. So far, no one has an exact time table on how long it will take if you weren't caught between the change when people already had all the forms sent to them ahead of time.

I'm just waiting for one of my Chiefs to complete my Statement of Military Service, since I fall under the 100% requirement for poverty level. Not like we really need it, since I own a home and she owns two properties in SA that she rents out. So we're definitely covered.

So far my trip goes like this...

Get to Sydney, file the I-130, then spend a few days looking around.

Then fly to Melbourne and take a trip down the Great Ocean Road with friends.

Then off to Adelaide, South Australia to visit her mom and relatives...

Then off to LAX and back to Florida again to play the waiting game!

I'll keep you guys updated.

Yay! David, sounds like things are really moving along!! That's wonderful!


Ok, Poi n J - I'm so excited for you! We had the small room...no the big room! (I think) we had 35 guests. Our "officiant" was named Monica. She was nice. BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC - we didn't and got stuck with the Titanic song while we signed the certificate. WE chose our own readings and each had one "witness" to read them.

The photos in the garden were great. Their photographer is awesome but expensive!! His photos are nice though.

We then travelled to the Langham for dinner and drinks - they have a five star buffet that was really nice.

How many do you have coming? Look in my photos - there are two from our wedding there - out in the garden. When I get home I'
ll send you some more!

OMG do you have any questions? I am SO excited for tyou! it's really a great place to get married. Where are ya'll staying? We stayed in the Westin!! It's so nice!

Hey David -- goodluck! You guys sound like you're ready!

Question about the Marriage Certificate, I just have the one with the seal on it...is that enough? Do they need an original of that or can I just photocopy it?

Also, where do you guys look for cheap airfares from the States to Oz? Hubby is looking to fly out early Jan...

Thanks for any help!!




OOps...nm I just read the DCF guideline and the one with the seal is what they require!

Hi Elle,

Your question about cheap airfares from the states..........try kayak.com.....they search lots of different sites and come up with some good prices. January isn't a cheap time to travel. Air New Zealand have some pretty good deals too but the flights seem to be a bit longer.

goodluck,
Susan

Air New Zealand ALWAYS has cheaper rates in my experience.

Another suggestion for a useful link: orbitz.com - I found my flight through them (Christmas visit, return ticket from Syd to SF). Air New Zealand ended up being the best... fastest and not the most expensive deal. I could get a China Airlines flight for about 200 bucks cheaper, but it would "cost" me almost 2 days... overnight in Taipei on the way to SF and about 16 hour wait coming back to Syd!!! Thanks but, no thanks!
Air NZ - direct!

Good luck, Elle. I hope you find a good deal, in spite of the high season!
vik

i swear by air new zealand - they're great.

Hi all

So I made it safe and sound to the US! Going through immigration at LAX was a breeze -- went through the citizens/greencard holders line as there wasn't much of a queue, and it only took about 5-10 minutes when I arrived at the desk. The officer did a bit of computer punching, took me to another desk to have my fingerprints taken for the greencard, and no secondary inspection. No welcome to America either though, but I got one of those later from my hubby! The only hassle was the 3.5 hour delay of my flight in LA, which on top of the 3 hours I"d left between flights, made for a rather long day!

David A., sounds like you're all prepared, I'm sure the DCF process will work out fine! Let us know how it goes and if you have any more questions. Just make sure all your paperwork is in the right order, and get there early, and you'll breeze through!

Elle, we've also got some cheap tickets in the past through Orbitz. Another site is sidestep.com, which sounds a bit like kayak.com. Also, if your hubby is going to be travelling around Australia at all, you might want to look into the Qantas aussie airpass, as you get some free internal flights added on for free.

I'm going by the list for filing the visa that was found on the Sydney website, I've added the affidavit of support with the supporting documents. I made a table of contents so hopefully it looks well prepared. I might just use one of those folders with the whole punches on top.

What did you use to hold all your documents?

LUNAMELLLLLLLLLLL U MADE IT!!!!! FANTASTIC...was the same with me with no welcom to america from the officer ....

WELCOME TO AMERICA MATE MAY YOUR LIFE HERE BE FULL OF HAPPINESS AND LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER..

i would never recommend air china to anyone ..i did that once and there was too much rice and it made for a very uncomfortable flight and they couldnt understand me when i was ordering i had an asian/australian doing it for me ...an the airport aint that crash hot either...so no dont use that airline...the best one i have been on for comfort was qantas..united seemed too confined for me and i couldnt watch the movie cos everyone kept getting up and standing there infront of my view..

good luck David we all know it will go smoothly for you just be organised...

take care
kath

Thanks for the good wishes Kath -- I'm very excited to be back here. We're going out tonight to celebrate, now that I'm finally getting over my jetlag!

David, they won't accept the documents in a folder, so best not to do that -- they want them out of folders and handed through the counter window in the order requested. Where they've asked for an original plus a photocopy, you should place the photocopy immediately behind the original. We had all our documents in a big concertina folder, so we could easily pull out the ones we needed before going to the counter and then hand them all over at once.

Thanks for the airline tips guys! Last year his visit was supposed to be in Feb but due to training at work, we had to rush it and find him flights and hotels in jan, 3 weeks before his flight is when we booked everything! It worked out though as we managed to get an airfare with United $1300 inc tax! I'll look into the QANTAS airpass! Hopefully we can find something decent, either way though, he'll be here in Jan so we can do the DCF!

Chris, glad you made it safe & sound!!!! WELCOME TO AMERICA!!! Take it easy on your hubby lol

Its 8am here in Sydney, and I'm trying to get myself moving so I can go to the GP and Police Station...

Oh and we used www.wotif.com.au for the last minute accomodation!

Hi all,
I haven't been in the Aussie forum much as I spent a lifetime waiting for the I-129F approval!

I received my packet from Sydney and I'm currently collecting all our documentation.

I've got a question regarding 'applicant's own funds'. Is there a prescribed form to use for this?

My fiance is providing a I-134 also, but as I have to fly from Perth for the interview I want to have more than enough evidence on the day of interview.

Any pointers appreciated!

hi
congrats on receving the packet 3...

as the australian i didnt present any of my financial statements only my husbands and that was enough..

just make sure you have it all with you in order that they ask for and keep all other evidence like phone bills photo's and boarding passes for your flights ...

if your not sure of where and what to look for i have photo's of the embassey that i can send you if your interested..we ended up asking where it was because it is set away from the street...

good luck
kath

hi guys and gals

just thought i would post a link about one of our fellow aussies that caroline posted...

stewart was present when a co worker was shot dead right in front of him today monday morning..
just thought you would like to know
caroline i hope you dont mind me letting the other aussies know...

here is the posts

woman shot in pharmacy in florida

time to reflect..

kath

Thanks for letting us know Kath -- it is such a ghastly thing to happen. My thoughts are with you Caroline and Stewart.

Congrats on your arrival Chris, you must be so relived...!

How horrible Caroline - so glad he's safe!

Well our wedding is now officially booked! Yay! We booked the big room also. Thanks for the tip on the music, we will take our own (once we've decided on our song lol..) I have a few personal readings I will get either the bridesmaids/witnesses to do or my sisters. We have yet to write our own addition to the vows. (We're going with long service too). I have a friend who is dying to take the pictures she wants to make a video of it which if judging by her other one will be very good.

I'm still not sure of the guest list as I need to get in touch with some formerly out-of-touch relos lol..

Your photos were lovely. Am looking forward to seeing the rest.

I've just picked out my dress and shoes - very cute and relaxed summer dress style but also elegant. We haven't decided on somewhere to stay but that is a very good idea, hadn't thought of that!

Question: I'm just about to go for my police check which one do I get; the one on time of birth and name or time birth name and fingerprint check?

Poi_n_J
for your police check you need to get a National Police Certificate. When you go into the police station tell them that you need a finger print police check done for a visa . hope this helps


angela

Thanks guys it was a total shock to both of us but Stew's doing ok. He rang his parents yesterday afternoon and I think that helped him.

thanks for your thoughts and prayers

Keep an I on him... especially for PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome). I dealt with a lot of guys at my medical clinic in Kuwait after they returned from Iraq... a lot of them had buddies get shot, or blown up right next to them. So just watch over him for the next couple months. After what happened, no one can really tell how it can affect anyone, it's different from one person to the next. Just stay positive and always reflect on how precious life is and how every minute of the day counts. I'm sure you do that already...

take care!

Well said David...Life is short...

Thanks Angela. When I rang them for the information and told them it was for an immigrant visa they said the shorter police check is fine, but now you're saying I need the longer one (the one with the fingerprint check), so I'd better be safe and get that one.

hi ya

yep the national fingerprinting...you have to ring the victoria police station and book a fingerprinting session..its in flinders street..turn right at the spencer and flinders street intersection...its right next to the old crown casino .....make sure they know what you need...if you have any other probs let me know because both me and lunamel had difficulties with the vic polilce...
good luck
kath

i did some searching for you ... i dont know if you already know this information but here it is if you havent

email address:
publicenquiryservice@police.vic.gov.au

The address for public access to submit applications (or pick up certificates by prior arrangement only) is:

Victoria Police Centre
Concourse Level
637 Flinders Street
Melbourne Victoria

kath

Hey Kath,

That is wonderful, thanks for that. I've just emailed them.

There's almost four weeks till Christmas how exciting is that...!!!

Thanks David !

Can anyone tell me how long police certificates are good for once they've been issued. My wife got hers done ahead of time at the end of October assuming that it would take up to two months to get back. Apparently it only took about two weeks including finger prints. We're just hoping she doesn't have to do it again because it did cost a lot.

I am almost certain that your police certificate is good for 6 months from when you get it done but give the Adelaide Police station a call and they maybe able to tell you for sure. I had a few problems getting my certificate....... would you believe it they lost my first lot of fingerprints....but having said that they were very helpful with any questions I had.

Goodluck, Susan

hi ya david

the police certifcate is valid for a year....if your doing dcf ya dont have to do adjustment huh...so you wont need it so i reckon ya will be good mate...

HAPPY THANKS GIVING..
OUR ROASTER SEEMED TO OF CARKED IT SO ALL THAT OVER NIGHT COOKING JUST DIDNT WORK FOR US SO WE HAD TO PUT IT IN THE OVEN SO A DIN DINS WILL BELATER THANK WE THOUGHT LOL

Take care
kath

Hi All!

Hope y'all had a good Turkey Day!

Just a q...did you guys have to get a money order for the Police Certificate? I went in today and the guys like do you have a money order or cheque? I'm like no...I have cash.He's like the boss prefers us not to take cash. So ugh gotta make a trip to post office and then back to Police Station.

Who do I make the money order to?

hi elle

dont forget you to tell them you need a national fingerprinting police check

i would imagine it would be whichever state your in and police..eg.
Victorian Police Department...if your not sure see if you can google it and then look for criminal record checks...it might give you info on it ...

I'm sure i paid by cash....

had a lovely turkey day...took pics filmed robbie carving the turkey...then later on in the day/night we went chrisie shopping ...

take care
kath

In Western Australia you have to use the Australian Federal Police and make the money order out to them.

WA Police refuse to do fingerprint checking so I had to wait 5 weeks for an appointment with AFP!!

I can't wait to be in the US next Thanksgiving and do the big roast dinner for my hubby - I just need to learn how to cook!!!

hi ya

its not hard to cook a turkey.. it was my first thanksgiving here and i found plenty of cooking shows about a week or so before that taught you how to cook the perfect turkey...ya just do it like a chicken an stick a pin in it to let you know when its cooked lol...and...my hubby did the turkey and he stuffed it with stove top stuffing..and i tell ya it is the best stuff i have ever tasted..as i have never ever eaten it an i did this year lol...
its a great feeling to finally get all the paper work all over and done with an fly back here...then start all over again with the change of status routine lol
good luck
kath

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...!!!

Aww....wot a hassle Kath. At least you're there tho and can fill in time getting over culture shock...lol..

Just throw a bit of herbs over it and whack it in the oven Michelle like Kath said; like a chicken...lol.. I did my virgin lamb roast with vegies about a month ago, it was mostly cooked (luckily) when the timer went off which meant that the oven turned off with it which I wasn't aware because I'd had a few wines....lol.. Luckily I realised in time and it wasn't ruined- actually it received top praises ......ah, just the gravy...need to learn how to make instant gravy.....lol..

Australia here I come!!!

Hey everybody... leaving for Australia tomorrow morning (monday)... Starting my trip in Pensacola, Florida then off to Atlanta, Georgia. From there, I fly off to Los Angeles International, aka LAX. I have about a 4 hour lay over which gives me enough time to check in, etc. Then I fly off to Sydney in the evening and arriving on wednesday morning. Should be DCF'ing by Thursday morning. I might be a bit jet lag but due to the importance and excitement of this visa process, I think I'll be wide awake. My wife is very excited, she has a very fun trip planned for us...

I'll let you guys know how everything went. This walk-in thing should be a piece of cake.

David - you're going to have the BEST time!! Be sure to pop in and let us know how it goes!!


GOOD LUCK and enjoy your time in AUstralia! I'm right behind you !!

I finally got my police certificate done! I called yesterday to book an appnt but the lady said you can come in anytime just as long as its not busy, so after 6pm. So I rock up and the constable was like ohh we only do fingerprints on Sundays. So I'm like I called blah blah...and yeah it went fine after some pleading. They just needed to make sure there was no one at the fingerprinting area.

I somehow have managed to make things even more difficult for myself as I have spilled sum watermelon juice on my passport, on the side of it. Has anyone had any experience with the like? Cuz bloody hell I dont wanna pay another $193 for the passport when it's not even 4 years old!! It's not like its not readable as the police accepted it...guess I can find out from the passport office or something.

Goodluck with the DCF David!

NO idea about the juice, but watermelon juice sounds yummy!!

Good job with the police thing.

GOO DAVID - should be hearing from you soon I hope!

It was a very yummy juice...and could be quite expensive lol...

I got to go to the passport office and check if it's still readable. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Good luck David -- I'm sure it will go fine!

I've been off the radar for a little while as I came down with the flu and we went away for a few days over thanksgiving to visit the family. I'm still getting used to this thanksgiving thing -- especially as I don't eat turkey! -- but it was good to meet some more of Tobias' rels (even if I was snuffling away through dinner )

Good news though -- I got my permanent greencard last Wednesday, so it took all of one week after I arrived. I thought the guy at immigration was wrong when he told me it would take 6 months... And I got my social security card on Saturday, and three copies of my welcome letter (thought that would come first, but not complaining of course!).

Priscilla, can't remember if I wrote to you about my experience getting the police check?? If I didn't, let me know if you want to hear. I had some trouble with the Vic police, and had to get mine through the AFP in the end (though Vic police did my fingerprints for free), but it was all very speedy so no hassle at all. And a tad cheaper than Vic police too, I think.

And Elle, hope things work out ok with the passport!

hi lumanel
hope your flu is subsiding for you....chicken at christmas time? lol
your flu was your welcome to america gift mate..

it must be good to meet other relatives of your man...mine hasnt got many left an they dont keep in contact with him..he has only one step brother left alive an he lives down in ironton ohio .. we did try to find him when we were down there a few years ago but no one was home but i think in that small town he would of heard that we were there looking for him...maybe this summer i might suggest finding him again...
his birth kids are cut off too (long story) i think he like the idea of my big family over oz he so enjoyed going visiting them and they were very impressed with him too (in comparison to my ex)lol

fingers crossed for your passport elle
david good luck in your interview i hope the photo's do help you find the place and dont forget to fill in your timeline too
caroline how is stewart going hope he is coping ok mate...and enjoy melbourne say hi for me...would love to go home for a holiday...

take care you lot
kath

DAVID, Where are you Just waiting for the good news.

Kath - thanks! Stewart's doing fine. We are so excited to be going back!!

No other news here!!

Hi Kath -- the flu's all gone now, and I'm finally feeling back to myself! You're right, must have been my welcome to america... It was good meeting more of the family. It must be nice for Rob to have family on your side now, given his situation. My family at home is not very big, and they do cause me grief at times, lol, but it is good to know they're there.

Caroline, when are you off to Oz again? We found a new aussie pub last night, near where we live, that's showing the ashes -- I was so excited! I think I'll be now there a lot from now on...

Australia cricket RULES!

I leave in TWO WEEKS from today! I have NO summer clothes to wear and I am freaking out!

Especially when we're winning.....!!!

Just fly over Caroline there are plenty of outlets here full of cheap summer clothes...where abouts are you staying Melbourne?

I know! I have to tell you I have the BIGGEST crush on Andrew Symonds, but I don't think he's playing in the Ashes!

Let's see - we're staying at his parents house in Geelong...and then spending three nights in the Westin Melbourne for our anni!!!

It's my favorite hotel EVER. He keeps alluding to a secret anni present and I'm pretty sure he got tickets to the Boxing Day test for us. I hope so because I would love to go again!

Well I don't know alot about the shopping in Geelong however a new factory outlet with all the big brands has just opened up in Spencer Street, City so there's a start...

How wonderful spending your anni in the same hotel..maybe the same room? Well done on the tickets..I have never been to the cricket yet...should be great..!