LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[hampster 0]

Question - The thing Im not sure about ... do they keep your passport and then send it back with the visa or do you keep your passport after the interview and they just mail out the visa??????

They keep your Passport and send it back with your Visa stamped in it with your Mysterious Brown Envelope

in the 3kg satchel.

When you get it FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY ( VEGEMITE / MEATPIES /SAUSAGE ROLLS/ KEBABS)

DO NOT OPEN THE MYSTERIOUS BROWN ENVELOPE.. THAT IS TO BE GIVEN TO CUSTOMS WHEN YOU GO THROUGH YOUR POINT OF ENTRY INTO THE USA.

Hope that helps

Paul

Edited March 16, 2009 by hampster

[hampster 0]

wooooooooooooooooooot congrats

When I was organising my things for my interview,

the list on how the Consulate likes things in order.. re Paperwrok when you have Interview.

this is what the Consulate sent me (I had an CR1 interview):

1. One photograph
2. Valid passport
3. Visa Screen Cert - for healthcare workers - prolly N/A for you
4. Original Birth Cert and one photocopy (I had mine certified, went to the local police station and asked -- thanks for the tip on that 1 Lyndel!)
5. For minor childre - court order verification sole custody to immigrating parent...Im guessing N/A for you too?
6. Original Adoption decree or evidence of name change when applicaple, original and one photocopy
7. Original Divorce Cert and one photocopy
8. Original Marriage Cert and one photocopy
9. Original Police Cert and one photopcy
10. Original Court Records if applicaple and one photocopy of each
11. Original Military Record if applicable and one photocopy of each
12. Evidece of financial support - I-864

It didnt state where the medical was to go,

so I just put mine at the end and had no problem with it.

I gave them the original, I made copies for myself and one to hand in just in case.

They did keep the original though (it was that booklet you gave to the doc).

Hope that helps coming with your Interview

Cheers

Paul

Hey again ... I got a checklist with my letter and the only things I need to bring with me are my passport, the receipt for the Visa Application Fee and the 3kg envelope .... and your evidence of cause of ongoing relationship, wasnt mentioned but one would assume you take it with you

With Sydney you now have to include all the original documents with pack 3 or they wont give you an interview ... medical results is included in pk 3 for Qlders the police check gets forwarded to the embassy when completed by the police dpt that does the check...

Im still a little anxious about getting the originals back .. I had to inc birth Cert, Marriage Cert and Divorce Decree in my pack .... I spose its a bit pointless to worry about now but ya know ...

Question - The thing Im not sure about ... do they keep your passport and then send it back with the visa or do you keep your passport after the interview and they just mail out the visa??????

Hey again ... I got a checklist with my letter and the only things I need to bring with me are my passport, the receipt for the Visa Application Fee and the 3kg envelope .... and your evidence of cause of ongoing relationship, wasnt mentioned but one would assume you take it with you

With Sydney you now have to include all the original documents with pack 3 or they wont give you an interview ... medical results is included in pk 3 for Qlders the police check gets forwarded to the embassy when completed by the police dpt that does the check...

Im still a little anxious about getting the originals back .. I had to inc birth Cert, Marriage Cert and Divorce Decree in my pack .... I spose its a bit pointless to worry about now but ya know ...

Question - The thing Im not sure about ... do they keep your passport and then send it back with the visa or do you keep your passport after the interview and they just mail out the visa??????

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Question - The thing Im not sure about ... do they keep your passport and then send it back with the visa or do you keep your passport after the interview and they just mail out the visa??????

They keep your Passport and send it back with your Visa stamped in it with your Mysterious Brown Envelope

in the 3kg satchel.

When you get it FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY ( VEGEMITE / MEATPIES /SAUSAGE ROLLS/ KEBABS)

DO NOT OPEN THE MYSTERIOUS BROWN ENVELOPE.. THAT IS TO BE GIVEN TO CUSTOMS WHEN YOU GO THROUGH YOUR POINT OF ENTRY INTO THE USA.

Hope that helps

Paul

Ohhhh yes Ive heard all about the evils of opening the mysterious brown envelope ... I wonder how many people have actually opened it only to be disappointed with the actual contents ...

Thanks for letting me know about them keeping the passport .. I thought that was the case and was just making sure ...

[kaffy 2]

Whooo hooo!! Congrats on the interview guys!! Looks like you'll be home in time for your weddings, right?

Re: mysterious brown envelope.. yeh it was a bit of a disappointment when they opened mine at POE. There was nothing new inside, just the same forms and papers I filed for the visa

The visa is supposed to be issued within 2 working days of your visa.. add one day for overnight delivery and you should have it by the 4th day. Keep on top of this because for whatever reason they got really busy after my interview and I almost had a panic attack when it didn't arrive on time (I had already booked my ticket for the following Friday) thinking that Australia Post had lost it, etc. I tried calling the Consulate but the receptionist couldn't help me. All she said was to email, send a fax or write a letter. They finally issued it & sent it out on the 19th and I received it 2 days before my departure (I did a quick stopover in Asia before I flew to the States). Talk about close timing!

Edited March 16, 2009 by kaffy

[Matt-and-Annie 0]

WOW!!!

Congratulations you twoo!!!!! I am so happy for the both of you, now the rest is really a breeze!!!!

I contacted the consulate, they finally got our documents!!! Told us they will review the files in a couple of days and then issue an interview date, I really do hope it IS a 'couple of days'...

:dance: Anyways Congrats you two!!!!

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Thanks Kaffy and Annie Ive booked my tickets to sydney and am heading out on Sunday for a week .... Ive went yesterday and paid for the Visa App Fee and bought the envelope @ $10.90 and then off to work to get the letter from embassy and flight Itinerary printed out since my stupid printer died a few months back and I never bothered replacing ... Today Im busy packing and sorting out the last lot of papers I need to take with me ...

If all goes to plan Im going to mums on the 7th for a week and heading out on the 14th or 15th We're eyeing 2 different tickets cant decide whether to land in Boise or Portland after the POE in LA .... One has a 3hour 10min Layover the other has a 5hour lay over .... Im just not confident that 3hour will be enough to get thru what needs to be done at POE .... Unfortunately all the flights with Quantas have a 3 hour lay over unless you fly via NZ and then that adds on several hours to the trip and I wont get into Boise till 9pm whereas the flight to Portland will get in at 1.30pm but that adds 2 hours driving for Shay to come pick me up ...

Annie good luck getting your interview swiftly hon, let us know when you hear something from them {{{HUGZ}}}

Edited March 18, 2009 by AnnexoxShay

[densusan 0]

ha ha hamp Nice to meet you!

INTERVIEW IS ON APRIL 7TH AT 8:00 AM!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO FINALLY!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!

CONGRATS to you too Annex on your interview

I'm sure everything will go fine for both of you and you can look forward to being here in the USA very soon. Enjoy the view of Sydney whilst you wait to be interviewed..........it's amazing.

Hi to everyone else.........hope all is well. We had a very sad weekend we had to have our beloved dog Georgia put to sleep after over a week of illness.....she was 14. I brought her here from Australia 3 years ago and she was worth every dollar it cost to get her to the USA. We miss her so much

Take care everyone,

Susan

[kaffy 2]

Aww Susan, I'm so sorry for your loss

Anne- Would it be easier for you to fly directly into Portland and go through POE there? You can fly Brisbane to Tokyo on JAL/Qantas, then Tokyo direct to Portland on Northwest Airlines (it's bought on one ticket). It does add a few hours transiting in Tokyo but Portland POE is a cinch and it's a nicer airport compared to LAX.

Edited March 18, 2009 by kaffy

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Hi Densusan Thank You, Im planning to play tourist ... Im staying with friends for a few days and her hubby is planning to take 3-4 days off work to play chauffer ... Im really sorry to hear about your dog

Hi Kaffy... Shays been looking at alternatives ... I found that Quantas was cheaper but the flight options on the site are limited .... now since we have a more definate idea Shays started looking at tickets too and I think he found one that goes direct to Portland yesterday .. Were going to keep looking .. we definately want to book either the 14 - 15th that will give us plenty of time to do the 3 meetings with the pastor and be able to get our May 2nd wedding ...

[kaffy 2]

Ooh that's less than a month away Better start packing girl!

[MzMo1102 0]

Hi everyone, back from the states here!!!

Had a blast in Hawaii with my girlfriends and flew off to NY to see Richie! Everything was great and was really hard to leave but much easier than usual knowing that it wont be too long before we're together on a permanent basis!

This Friday I have my ultrasound and I found out whether it is a boy or a girl - really excited about that at the same time nervous as I was out and about like a non-pregnant woman in the states so fingers crossed.

@mara - everything was fine at the POE...they only asked me how long I intended to stay in the US, where I was staying at and then the officer looked up something on the pc and asked me where in the states was I living/working back in 2002/2003...thats about it...I was nervous when i was asked that since its the first time I was asked about my working visa at the POE...I was getting nervous as I thought it was going to lead to the whole K1 visa thing...but nope, that was it ...hope all goes well with your trip!

[MzMo1102 0]

oh and btw, congrats on those who received their interview dates- FINALLY!! All the best on the interview!!!

[kaffy 2]

Welcome back!!! Hawaii and New York.. you lucky girl Good luck with your ultrasound and hope bubs isn't a stubborn thing and keeps it's legs crossed (as I have heard can happen sometimes )

densusan- Can I ask who you used to transport your dog from Aus to here? Our dog is still living with my parents but we're moving out of our apartment in a few months and will be able to have pets after we do. I have quotes from Dogtainers, Jetpets and Petcarriers and they vary in price a little but all provide the same thing. Do you have a rec between those companies? thanks!

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Welcome Back MzMo Thank You, I hope you had a great trip

Kaffy .. Yup Ive already started packing ... Im getting 2 suitcases and a couple boxes shipped over by an excess baggage co and Im got a few piles of maybes but I havent made a final decision ... I have 2 days to wash dry and pack the last of my stuff because Im taking it over to mums place on Saturday ... When I get back Im staying here a week then heading over to mums for a week before I head off ...

I spent the evening putting together all my papers and supporting evidence I need to take to the interview, are we suppose to take to copy of the I-129F our fiance sent to us to the interview? or is that for our reference?

[hampster 0]

Welcome Back MzMo Thank You, I hope you had a great trip

Kaffy .. Yup Ive already started packing ... Im getting 2 suitcases and a couple boxes shipped over by an excess baggage co and Im got a few piles of maybes but I havent made a final decision ... I have 2 days to wash dry and pack the last of my stuff because Im taking it over to mums place on Saturday ... When I get back Im staying here a week then heading over to mums for a week before I head off ...

I spent the evening putting together all my papers and supporting evidence I need to take to the interview, are we suppose to take to copy of the I-129F our fiance sent to us to the interview? or is that for our reference?

Hi There Just refer to my post #47 in this forum and it should tell you everything you need to take.. if it helps you to take the I -129F Take by all means it wouldn't hurt.

Just Remember to have everything in order as stated in post #47,

They are umm well hmm ####### about the way they look at things "a place for something and something in it's place"