NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[kiwiana 2]

I have a crystal ball, remember?

There is a way to track packages from the NVC to the Embassy's using DHL

Do you do private readings with your crystal ball? (a long queue of vjers form outside Kims residence )

That's cool that there is a way to track packages from NVC but sucks that none were yours

But i am sure it will be there very soon. Hopefully in a week or two

[kelzm 0]

The NVC thread has the info on tracking packages. From what I've seen they're usually pretty speedy with getting them sent out once they're completed. Unfortunately for Kim she's stuck in some kind of horrid slowdown, hopefully yours will be in the next outgoing shipment.

[KimandRuss 0]

NVC usually sends their approved k1's out within 2-3 days of receiving them...and they usually receive them within 2 days from Vermont. We've just got some sh!t luck!

When you get a little closer i'll help you with it Michelle. There is a certain 'art' to getting it to work.

I've stopped checking the DHL site for the most part..just serves to frustrate me. It's a good thing i've got so much work to do, new businesses starting up and, with the kids starting school this week, it's been extra busy. Russ and I seem to have this sense of déjà vu with all this waiting again...lots of heavy sighing going on.

wishing you all well.

[bobsagetti 0]

Hi everyone,

I just discovered this thread and it reminded me of all the stress of getting the K-1. I thought I'd add a few insights from someone who's here already.

For those of you wanting to get your Cal driver's license you probably won't be able to get it just based on your I-94 (entry card). Or if you can get one it will expire on the day your visa does (i.e. within 90 days) so it's probably a waste of money. You can use your NZ license for a year no problems. As soon as you have your EAD you'll be able to get a proper license.

Another tricky thing you might encounter is insurance for the car. Lots of places won't insure someone with an overseas license or will charge you ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege. We hunted around and found State Farm were a good option - we're paying about US$650 for six month's worth (sounds awful I know but not bad by Cal standards). If you can show a clean driving history for up to seven years you'll be able to save money so it's definitely worth getting a letter from your NZ insurance company or the NZ Transport Registry Centre before you leave.

If you're planning on filing your AOS quickly you can do all the paperwork while you're waiting for the marriage certificate to come through. We were a bit slack (read: recovering from all the wedding preparations) and didn't really get going until the certificate arrived, which slowed us down by a couple of weeks.

As has been said, most laptop power supplies are multivoltage so you'll only need a plug adaptor, not a voltage converter.

And yes, waiting for the EAD does get tiresome! At least the wait has been during a southern California summer (I feel for all of you who will arrive in winter).

Good luck with your applications.

[Kelvan 0]

Hey guys! Just popping in to catch up. I'm in America right now on my holiday in Kansas. Going through the immigration officer check at LAX went very smoothly, though I was prepared with the various documents just incase.

I've been able to hold the NOA1 hard copy in my own hands which was nice! On Monday night Evan took me out to a fancy restaurant and he gave me a ring! We haven't had any recent activity with our application but I can't be worried about that right now because I am with Evan! I'll be super sad to leave in 2 weeks. Anyway just thought I'd let you all know the reason for my lack of posting lately

Edit: Hey bobsaggetti, nice name btw Thanks for the advice! I'm going to add you as a friend if that's okay cos you seem to be very knowledgeable

Edited September 4, 2008 by Kelvan

[kelzm 0]

Welcome bobsagetti, it's always helpful to hear from those who have been through the whole process. The California drivers license situation is one of my big concerns right now, and insurance. My husband spent his time last weekend visiting car dealers so I now have a lovely new car ready and waiting for when I can legally drive it!

Kel - great to hear you got through the POE entry with no problems and that you're enjoying your time with Evan.

I'm in countdown mode, one more week of work to go, flying out on the 15th. Starting to get a little nervous about now!

[gshennen 0]

Bobsagetti is absolutely right, We have bought a car. Brook's parents went to insure it, and they can only get it insured for Brook. They won't inusre me until I have a Californian drivers licence.

Also, it is not worth me getting a letter from the NZ Transport Registry either, as I don't have the cleanest of driving records. However I have a perfectly clean Insurance record, so will get a letter from my insurance co before going.

I will just have to hold out till I get my CA drivers licence.

As far as progress for us goes, we are planning/ getting ready, and I am still hunting like mad for a job (which is interesting as I have never had any problem in NZ). Everyone keeps saying that it will be much easier once I am over there. The good thing is that their seems to be plenty of jobs around.

Hope everyone else is making good progress.

Cheers

Grant

Cheers

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi Bob, welcome. I'll bet you're glad to be done with this part of the process! Thanks for the advice. I think we've got all the bases covered over here.

As far as the laptop...you need to be absolutely sure your power is adaptable(you can tell by looking at the bottom). Most new laptops in the US are now but some are still not. Voltage is everything...if a component fails it's the first thing we look at.

Kel, so glad you're with your man. Try not to dread the leaving too much...concentrate on the fact that you have this time and that you'll be together again soon...and for good!

Grant, glad things are moving along for you. I hope a the job you want comes soon!

As far as I know we're still stuck at the NVC. I hope this is over soon. I miss him so much.

hope everyone else is doing well. have a great weekend!

[KimandRuss 0]

We're on our way to NZ folks!!! The lady on the phone from the NVC was so cute..."wooohooo'ing" for us twice! Finally! Feels like NOA2 all over again.

The petition should arrive on Tuesday as they already have everything else they need we will request an interview date asap. Almost home!

[kiwiana 2]

We're on our way to NZ folks!!! The lady on the phone from the NVC was so cute..."wooohooo'ing" for us twice! Finally! Feels like NOA2 all over again.

The petition should arrive on Tuesday as they already have everything else they need we will request an interview date asap. Almost home!

YAY!! Congratulations Kim!!! This is just the BEST news!! I am soo happy for you and Russ!!

[kelzm 0]

Congrats, here's hoping they can get you in for an interview this week so Russ can be on his way asap.

[cdneh 3,112]

Oh that is the best news!!! Thrilled for you both!

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

haha congratulations Kim and Russ, that's wonderful news

[KimandRuss 0]

Thank you my friends. We're both wearing that silly little grin we had after NOA2! It's been so wonderful just being able to track the petition on it's way... there are scans at every turn... last night it went from NH to NY, then to Ohio and now it's on it's way to LAX! How sweet it is to have all the activity to watch after a year of basically nothing. Russell plans on calling first thing Tuesday morning (nz) to see if he can't schedule the interview. We're about out of patience!

thanks again...means a lot to have your support.

[gshennen 0]

Great news Kim, how awesome for you guys.