LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Cham 3]

ack so maybe I should make his flight for the 14th of april that would be 5 days instead of 4 days JUST in case for the visa...BLAH BLAH BLAH wish they could move his interview date up sooner!!!

is it possible to have that done or no????

[densusan 0]

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!

Hi Kaffy,

I wish I could remember the name of the company we used to bring Georgia here but it's so long ago. They were out of Adelaide and recommended by the removalist company Allied Pickfords and that's about all I recall. I will see if I can dig up the paperwork but I have a feeling we didn't keep it. Georgia had to be boarded for a number of weeks before she flew here because of restrictions with animals flying when the temperatures are too high or low. It certainly would be worth looking into it soon because once summer hits you may find it hard to find someone willing to fly your dog here. The one good thing about animals flying into the US from Australia is that there is no quarantine time because of Australia being a rabies free country, so you get to have them as soon as they get off the plane.

It's very expensive to get your 4 legged friends here (I'm sure you know that) but I am sooooooo happy I made the decision and got to enjoy another 3 years with her. Georgia certainly got to experience lots of firsts when she got here...............snow & ice just to mention a few.

I'll have a look on the net and see if any of the companies ring bells. I know the cost of 6 weeks boarding and her flights from Adelaide to Buffalo NY was very close to $4000 but of course it depends on the size of your dog (Georgia was a 55lb. liver spot dalmation) and where they are going. From memory you are on the west coast so it should be cheaper and you are lucky you have your parents to look after the dog until the flight.

Hope you work it all out and I'll post here if I find any info.

Susan

[deedertot 0]

Hi all,

I am working on the K-1 visa (I-129F) application, and am hoping you can help me out with something! My question is about the passport style photo that they require. I've read the size must be 2x2" however when my fiance went to the Australian post office to get his taken, they didn't do the size he told them he needed. His ended up being 1 3/8" x 1 7/8". The person there said even though the size was different, that it would still be fine. Also, he is not making a natural looking face at all! I would have thought they would redo the photo because it's definitely not natural! Do you think any of this would be a problem from your experience? Thanks in advance!

-Dee

[MzMo1102 0]

@ Kaffy & AnnexoxShay - Thanks guys!! Definitely had a great time, now Im back home and ready to prepare for the interview. Oh and by the way, I checked my appointment with the ultrasound and its actaully on the 30 March ..Likewise Kaffy, I hope the little one wont cross its legs either as I am super eager to find out if its a boy or a girl

@ deedertot - I went to a kodak photo shop and requested to get a passport photo done and before I even mentioned anything else he asked, "Is it for a visa or an australian passport?" I told him that it was for a visa for the US and he mentioned that alot of people have come in and asked for a passport photo and have come back due to the incorrect size for the visa photo. Im glad he double checked it with me! I've heard of people away with their passport photo sizes but there are some who have been sent an RFE due to the incorrect measurements. I suggest you have him re-take his picture to be on the safe side and to save time. Goodluck on that!

[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?

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"

Hey Paul ... Thats a great list ... They sent me the letter for my interview via email and I had to download it was in a .docx file ... OMG I nearly had a heartattack because my computer doesnt support .docx as Im still running 2000 soo I forward the email to Shay and he cant open it either and so we are both googling trying to figure out what to do and trying not to have panic attack! we finally find that an microsoft download that converts files for Microsoft word, excel etc and so I download since shay has word perfect and not word anyway it did work and I was able to read the letter and I saved it as a .rtf and sent it to shay so he could read too.... basically its a checklist and since I had already sent them the birth certificate, marriage and divorce decree, passport photos etc they had only checked that bits that I still needed ... which was the visa fee, the 3kg envelope and my passport....

Absolutely no mention was made of any other evidence or other things that needed to be brought like photos, letters etc .. Ive put it all together and Im taking it with me regardless...

[AnnexoxShay 1]

@ Kaffy & AnnexoxShay - Thanks guys!! Definitely had a great time, now Im back home and ready to prepare for the interview. Oh and by the way, I checked my appointment with the ultrasound and its actaully on the 30 March ..Likewise Kaffy, I hope the little one wont cross its legs either as I am super eager to find out if its a boy or a girl

Good luck with your interview ... let us know when you know about the bubs, I cant wait to hear what your having ... I have a little 8month old niece her names Mariah, Im going to miss her heaps when Im gone off cause Im going to miss Connor and Calista to but Ive gotten rather attached to the bubs I trying to figure a way to take her with me as carry on

Susan I hope you can find a way to get your pooch, Shay adopted a little fella about a month ago that he found abandoned thats about 1.5 years old .... his only small, a little bigger then a cat .. I named him Jazz and I cant wait to meet him ... They also have a cat named Skitz and his mum (lives with Shay) has a 2.5 year old pure bred Doberman named Ignacio, Nacho for short ... Shay bought it for her just before he came to visit me in Oz so she wouldnt be alone while he was gone ....

[Cham 3]

IF Kais interview is on the 7th of April..a tuesday...WHAT day should I make his plane arrival for

he has to be here 1 week before the wedding..he wants to come on the 13th as that is my day off...BUT what if his visa is delayed??? ACK any ideas..as the wedding is the 25th

[Matt-and-Annie 0]

Hi All,

Great news!! we got the email ....our visa interview is scheduled for march 31!!!

Yay!

Thank you all for your help! especially Anne

[AnnexoxShay 1]

Hi All,

Great news!! we got the email ....our visa interview is scheduled for march 31!!!

Yay!

Thank you all for your help! especially Anne

Wooohoo! Awesome News!!! {{{{HUGZ}}} Sooo happy for you guys and your very welcome Im glad I was of some help

*Cough* *Cough* I cant believe Ive actually caught the flu ... Im trying to clean and wash etc since Ill be gone over a week and all I want to do is sleep ..

Edited March 19, 2009 by AnnexoxShay

[hampster 0]

For all Interviewee's going to Sydney here was my experience..........

Initiate Dream Sequence .. now ..

Consulate Review: Sydney, Australia

Review Topic: IR1/CR1 Visa EventDescriptionReview Date :April 14, 2007Embassy Review :Let's start from the beginning shall we...

Well flew into Sydney Thursday Morning arriving at 8.40am...

Got a train from the Airport to Central Station,

then a Tram to Haymarket, cost $15.20

where my Hotel was........ ,

can pre-pay tram and bus and train tickets at the station,

through a ticket vending machine.

Then got to my Hotel... Aarons on Ultimo Rd.around 10.00am

Dropped of my Luggage there,

as my room wouldn't be ready till 12.00pm Midday.

So I walked all around Chinatown where Haymarket is.

Across the road was "Paddy's Market"

where you could buy anything, for a price.

They even sold wigs there and I thought...

should I buy one for the interview nooooooo I didn't lol.

They also do sorta like Henna Tattooing there as well...

I though hmmm......

(remembering the day before I shaved my Head )

Wouldn't it be funny to have 2 eyes,

tattooed on the back of my head lol hehehe.

For an Aussie in Chinatown do you think I could find a place,

that sold Fish and Chips nooooooooooooooooooo.

Anyways Got back to my Hotel went upstairs and got into my room.

Basic room.. With TV, kettle, mini bar fridge..(No Alcohol)

and a double bed that was hard but comfortable..

Was a 1st floor room with a alleyway outside my window where,

in Chinatown they prepare all sorts of food... nuff said

Slept that night for about ohhhhhh 3 hours...

woke up made a cuppa tea at 6.30am..

Then showered, shaved and dressed and took my stuff downstairs,

they allowed me to keep my luggage there till I returned.

So..... Around 8.30 am I walked to George Street..

About 3 streets away to catch a bus that went to Martin Place.

FYI all buses that go down George Street Goes past Martin Place.

It's about a 7 Minute ride,

from George Street to CONSULATE...cost $1.20 1 way.

So I got into the Consulate(10th floor security)

had to take off my belt shoes,

and my rings and empty out my pockets of change,

as well as turning of my Mobile Phone.

They Keep Mobile and give you a plastic card,

with the logo of the consulate and when you come back down,

to go out after interview just give them the card and they will,

in turn give you back what they kept .. Mobile phone or any other bags.

So I get to the 59th floor..

Take my Immigration # number from the machine.

Number # 14.. Time stamped 9.47am...

there where about 30 people in there when I arrived.

So I sat at the window overlooking Sydney Harbor Bridge..

Then walked around awhile.

Sat down again then got up for another walk.

There was a few couples there applying for visa's. Omg!!

They had arrived at the Consulate with no $$$ to pay their fee.

They arrived at the consulate had their numbers called,

some didn't have their affidavit of support..

Or tax returns or other stuff that put them in hot water.

By this time it was 12.50pm..

Considering My Interview was scheduled for 10.00am...

And once the Consulate Officer (Dragon Lady),

had their file in front of her and they where at the window,

she had to follow up on their case till they returned,

with their information or cash or whatever they needed to get this done.

By this time.. I was really hanging out for a Smoke

so i was waiting there nearly 4 hours past my interview time..

There was another lady in window 2 Amber doing Cr1 interviews as well.

So I got called to Window 2 FINALLY @ 3.30pm

she was very pleasant and Apologies profusely about the delays..

So she checked all my paperwork,

she commented that if other people going for visa's,

was as organised as My Paperwork was done,

People wouldn't have to wait around for 4 + hours for their Interview.

She looked at everything and said ok Paul,

take a seat and you will be called to Window # 6,

by the Consular Officer doing your Interview.

I said thankyou and sat down by the window again.

Waited till around 4.10pm and was called to Window #2.

Nice guy around 30ish and said hello Paul,

I said Giddy lol...

He said so Paul what is your reason for your Visa.

I said well My Wife and I got married last year,

In Adelaide and she had to go back to work

a couple days, after we got married,

and I wanted to move overseas to be with her.

He said oh ok ( playing dumb lol)

He then asked how long we had known each other for,

how did we meet, what does Cheryl Do for a Job,

I told him and he said oh ok..

Then he said Have you checked the box for a SS #,

I said yes I did request a SS# on my DS 230.

He goes ok no worries.

Then he asked did I bring a 3kg parcel express bag,

with my return address on it.

I said yes it is under the next page that you are looking at ..Lol

He checked and laughed oh ok lol

and then he said well take these paper with you.. And it said..

WELCOME TO AMERICA

He said Congratulations Paul your Visa has been APPROVED.

I said gimme a Low 5 lol he said what?

I said it was a version of high 5 slap

I then proceeded to slide my fingers under the glass portion,

and he obliged and gave me a low 5 by touching my fingers with his.

He and I just cracked up laughing..

He said that is the 1st time he has ever heard of that happening lol.

So I walked out of the 59th floor @ 4.30pm,

went down to the 10th and the Guard asked

do I need to pick anything up from security.

I said nope with a big Shot Eating grin on my face

So I walked out of the MLC Building and instead of catching the bus back,

to my Hotel I decided to walk back.

I got a Kilometre away and realised omega I left my phone,

at security on the 10th floor. So i ran back and got to the 10th floor,

security check point.. And the guards said...

Wondered how long you would take to realise you left it here lol.

So all in all it was a great day.

As soon as I got back to my hotel I rang and left a Voicemail,

On Cheryl's Cell phone and said we got the visa!!!!!!!.

So we caught up on the phone before I left Sydney,

and she was solo happy and said,

well we knew we where gonna get it.

So to that entire are going through Sydney Consulate..

Make sure you take water ( have some in front of Security)

and take a Magazine or a paper is prepared for a wait..

Hopefully not as long as mine was..

Remember to take a number as soon as you walk in,

and be patient as it's all you can do.

Thank you all that have been curious about how I went.

Any word from Tambo?

Ok hope everyone is well and are happy.

Cheers

Paul

OOPS I forgot I will receive my Visa by Post..

If my INTERVIEW was ON TIME @10.00am,

I would have had it in Hand that day.. Ffs.

But main thing is that it has been APPROVED,

and will get it by Wednesday by the latest.

Cheers

Paul

Rating :Very Good

[densusan 0]

IF Kais interview is on the 7th of April..a tuesday...WHAT day should I make his plane arrival for

he has to be here 1 week before the wedding..he wants to come on the 13th as that is my day off...BUT what if his visa is delayed??? ACK any ideas..as the wedding is the 25th

Hi Cham,

Just wanted to remind you that Friday 10th., April is Good Friday which is a holiday in Australia as is Monday 13th., April, so there is no mail delivery. I guess it all depends on whether they issue Kai's visa there and then or mail it to him.

CONGRATS MATT & ANNIE on your interview/ LOTS of good news on here lately.

We are leaving for our vacation in Australia(Adelaide) on the 1st., April and I am sooooooo excited . I am spoiled because I have managed to go back every year since living in the US and my last visit wasn't that long ago in August 2008. Get to see my 2 grandsons and my 3 boys YAYYYY. My middle boy is turning 21, so we are having a big celebration. My husband is coming this time (his first trip to AUS in 3 years) so we decided not to stay with family and have booked a place at Brighton Beach and a rental car.......should be interesting because I haven't driven there in 3 years.

HI KATH, Hope all is well with you.

Take care everyone & all the best,

Susan

[Cham 3]

can they give it to him that day??? HMMM sigh..his appt is at 8 am so HOPING THEY WILL BAH BAH BAH

[kaffy 2]

They used to issue visas on the day but not anymore. The rule now is that it'll be issued within 2 working days of the interview

[jldut80 0]

Hi,

I have just found this aussie thread (took me a while ) To introduce myself, i live in brisbane and am engaged to an american living in san diego. We filed our forms and recieved our NOA 1 in january. It seems that the approval process is really quick at the moment with alot of january filers being approved around me! I hope to get our NOA2 any day now!!

Good luck to everyone waiting for approvals!!

[kaffy 2]

Welcome to the forum

Cham- just adding.. I think 13th is cutting it too close. If the interview is on the 7th, they should issue the visa on either the 8th or the 9th. Add overnight delivery and he shouldn't get it until the 9th or the 10th.. but then the 10th (Friday) is a public holiday as is the 13th (Monday).

Does Kai live in Sydney? I wonder if he can negotiate with them to issue it to him on the 8th and have him go pick it up. Don't know if they do it but it's worth asking.

ps - the 2 working day thing is their usual rule but look at my timeline to see how delayed mine was.. I had a very panicky time waiting for it to arrive!

Susan - thank you for sharing ur story about Georgia. How did she handle the flight? My Lagotto does well in a crate and would probably just sleep the whole way (she sleeps at least 18hrs a day, if not more!).. but I still worry since I'm sure it's a stressful thing.. first time flying for a pet. I would book her on a direct Brisbane to LA flight (about 12hrs). Not sure if we'll get them to fly her onto Portland for us, or if we'll drive/fly down to collect her. but it's still early days and we're still deciding if it is even best to bring her over or not so I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much just yet