LAND DOWNUNDER

[TracyOz 0]

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

[patriciaofoz 0]

Congratulations, Tracy. What great news to get before you leave for the US!

[vylex 0]

Congrats Tracy! I loved getting those approval emails, letters, and phone messages. It gave me the best feeling.

Pris, Vy and I stayed at the Meriton Kent st apts (AUD157 for a Studio). We were closer to Town Hall though and just hopped in a cab. It was lless than $10 for the ride. I'll never forget that day we went. We spent the whole morning waiting (and excited) just for a quick 10 minute face to face conversation with the Consulate folks. It didn't sink in until we got back to the hotel. It happened so fast we couldn't comprehend the 8 months of filing and stress. Looking back on it, those 8 months felt like eternity AND a blink of an eye at the same time. As I wake up to her next to me every morning I can't believe how much we've gone through in such a short time.

Ahhh I love reminiscing about the good stuff.

Oh you can also go to www.wotif.com to check for some hotel deals. Just check for Sydney CBD hotels. Most are within bus, walking, or train distance. You can get off Wynyard Station on the bus and train and walk from there. Good luck!

[Poi_n_J 0]

Congrats Tracy..!

Pris, Vy and I stayed at the Meriton Kent st apts (AUD157 for a Studio). We were closer to Town Hall though and just hopped in a cab. It was lless than $10 for the ride. I'll never forget that day we went. We spent the whole morning waiting (and excited) just for a quick 10 minute face to face conversation with the Consulate folks. It didn't sink in until we got back to the hotel. It happened so fast we couldn't comprehend the 8 months of filing and stress. Looking back on it, those 8 months felt like eternity AND a blink of an eye at the same time. As I wake up to her next to me every morning I can't believe how much we've gone through in such a short time.

Ahhh I love reminiscing about the good stuff.

Oh you can also go to www.wotif.com to check for some hotel deals. Just check for Sydney CBD hotels. Most are within bus, walking, or train distance. You can get off Wynyard Station on the bus and train and walk from there. Good luck!

Aww.....Alex you are a darling and I'm sure Vy realises what a lucky woman she is!

Thanks for that!

Pris.

[jennybeni 0]

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

congrats, Tracy!!!! and have a great trip in the U.S.

[hawaiiandreams 0]

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

congrats, Tracy!!!! and have a great trip in the U.S.

Congratulations Tracey! Not long to go now! Have a wonderful trip!

[Katz 0]

Congrats, Tracy! Yay! Have a great time in the US as well! Lucky duck.

[Chicago_dreaming 0]

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

Congrats Tracy! Such good news. Glad I was able to help with the form. Have a good flight!~

[Kath 0]

hiya all

great to see so many smiling faces in here...with some great news in your posts...

congrats tracey for your aprrpval..and you will be on the plain right now heading over here...have a great time ...

hi pris

glad you had a great time here and your on your final legs of your journey to being over here permanently....good luck for the interview mate ....not long now before your back over here...

ok someone asked about what they should remember to bring over here with them when they finally get here..

i found my tax records came in handy...simply because when we applied for our loan for the house they wanted to make sure that i just didnt get a job over here to get the loan...im just glad i had it in a safe place and knew where to get my hands on it lol...also bring some of those folders that already have the plastic sleeves in them .. for the life of me i cant remember what they are called lol but i cannot find them over here.. i brought heaps of them over but they had all my stuff in them ... just saves buying folders and plastic sleeves..also dont forget your favourite potatoe peeler lol..hmmmm if you have a really warm coat in oz dont forget to pack it...(silly me didnt have room and so miss them)

ive still got my cold this is the 3rd week..cant shake the cough and the disgusting phelm business ....it clears up and then comes back lol...i do get email notification of your posts so i am keeping up with you lot just getting home from work later now and cant be bothered typing some nights lol i know im getting lazy or tired lol..

well take care you lot

kath

[CarolineM 0]

I know I'm not around here much but CONGRATS TRACY! I know it's a great feeling!!

Hope everyone is doing well! Stewart and I are lifting conditions now! His biometrics appt is on 2/22!!

Caroline

[Poi_n_J 0]

hi pris

glad you had a great time here and your on your final legs of your journey to being over here permanently....good luck for the interview mate ....not long now before your back over here...

ok someone asked about what they should remember to bring over here with them when they finally get here..

i found my tax records came in handy...simply because when we applied for our loan for the house they wanted to make sure that i just didnt get a job over here to get the loan...im just glad i had it in a safe place and knew where to get my hands on it lol...also bring some of those folders that already have the plastic sleeves in them .. for the life of me i cant remember what they are called lol but i cannot find them over here.. i brought heaps of them over but they had all my stuff in them ... just saves buying folders and plastic sleeves..also dont forget your favourite potatoe peeler lol..hmmmm if you have a really warm coat in oz dont forget to pack it...(silly me didnt have room and so miss them)

ive still got my cold this is the 3rd week..cant shake the cough and the disgusting phelm business ....it clears up and then comes back lol...i do get email notification of your posts so i am keeping up with you lot just getting home from work later now and cant be bothered typing some nights lol i know im getting lazy or tired lol..

well take care you lot

kath

Heya Kath!

Sorry you aren't terribly well at the moment but with the weather warming up soon maybe it'll help.

Good to hear from you and thanks for the well wishes. You're probably sick of hearing about my never-ending case but I finally have the interview in less than two weeks..!!!

Thanks for those tips too I will remember to bring my tax details and plenty of those display books. I'm also bringing my favorite bottle opener from the days when I worked the bar.

I believe I have everything I need for the interview. It seems so simple and straight forward I'm worried I've forgotten something. I've paid the $175 processing fee and it says there's also a $455 visa fee also??? which we take in cash???

I do have one other query: I'm supposed to bring the I-864 Affidavit of Support to the interview but J said that the NVC office sent it all to Sydney Consulate so does this mean they have it and I shouldn't worry??? I'm thinking of emailing them just in case.

Much appreciated in advance.

Cheers,

Pris.

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hi guys!!

Kath it's good to hear from you.. have not seen you around for a while. Sorry to hear you are still unwell, I hope you get rid of that cold soon! You poor thing..

Exciting for your Pris with your interview just around the corner. We submitted our i-864 to the NVC before our paperwork was transferred to Sydney and like the instructions say, if you have already submitted it, you don't need to resubmit it. Unless you have updated information you need to provide. I was worried about the same thing so I took a spare i-864, as well as hubby's W2 from 2007. They didn't ask for it. I even offered the "updated" information (W2) and the consular officer was not interested in seeing it at all.

Also, I discovered there were no further fees required on the day of the interview. We had paid everything to the NVC back when they kept sending out requests for more $$. We are in the same visa catergory, so I'm backing you have already paid everything. But I would suggest you have your credit card handy at the interview just in case!

Just make sure you have everything on the "check list". If you have all of that, you'll be fine!

BEST OF LUCK! :-))

Edited February 10, 2008 by hawaiiandreams

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Oh sorry, I just have a question regarding tax returns for Aussies in the US.

I have heard that Aussies are required to lodge a tax return with the Australian Tax Office every tax year, as well as a US tax return?

Does anyone know what the deal is with this? Is there something additonal we are required to do?

Thanks, HD.

[Poi_n_J 0]

Exciting for you Pris with your interview just around the corner. We submitted our i-864 to the NVC before our paperwork was transferred to Sydney and like the instructions say, if you have already submitted it, you don't need to resubmit it. Unless you have updated information you need to provide. I was worried about the same thing so I took a spare i-864, as well as hubby's W2 from 2007. They didn't ask for it. I even offered the "updated" information (W2) and the consular officer was not interested in seeing it at all.

Also, I discovered there were no further fees required on the day of the interview. We had paid everything to the NVC back when they kept sending out requests for more $$. We are in the same visa catergory, so I'm backing you have already paid everything. But I would suggest you have your credit card handy at the interview just in case!

Just make sure you have everything on the "check list". If you have all of that, you'll be fine!

BEST OF LUCK! :-))

Heya HD!

Thanks so much for that. Good to hear about no extra fees!

Cheers,

Pris.

[AusCal 3]

Oh sorry, I just have a question regarding tax returns for Aussies in the US.

I have heard that Aussies are required to lodge a tax return with the Australian Tax Office every tax year, as well as a US tax return?

The following info is just to the best of my knowledge - and, I'm not claiming to be an expert by any means.

If you have no Australian income, and move overseas, you no longer need to file an Aussie tax return.

After I moved to the US, I still had some investments in Australia, and was earning Australian "income" (interest).

The information I eventually was able to get from the ATO was that while I was earning Australian income, I was required to submit an Australian tax return, just for the Australian income.

On my US tax return, I declared the Australian income (as foreign income), and then also got US tax credits for the Australian tax I paid.

After a year or two I signed a statement at my Australian bank declaring I was a foreign resident, this way the bank automatically deducted 10% of my interest payments, and submitted it directly to the ATO. I no longer was required to submit an Australian tax return. I continue to declare my "foreign income" & foreign tax paid on my US return.

The US tax year is jan /dec. It gets a little complicated with the differnat "years", and the exchange rate - but, I just submit all the info to my tax agent here to the best of my ability.

On the flip side, if you continue on & become an American citizen, you are required to lodge a US tax return - even if you no longer live in the US. I have no idea how much this is enforced.

HTH - feel free to ask more question.