Kath

hiya

found this the other day and forgot to post it for you guys to look at..this only refers to the visa waiver program but as many of you who aren't here permantly as yet you still come here to visit...and also for those of us who have relatives and children who come to visit too..

New Entry Requirements to the USA

Effective from 12 January, 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security will introduce new immigration procedures for all passengers intending to enter the USA.

Under the new procedures, travellers wishing to visit the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme – which includes passport holders from Australia and New Zealand – will be required to “pre-register” their intention to enter America at least 72 hours prior to their scheduled departure.

This requires all intending travellers to apply online to the Department of Homeland Security for a travel authorisation, prior to boarding an aircraft or vessel to the USA.

Travellers who do not apply for and receive a formal travel authorisation ahead of their intended departure date will not be able to board a flight or ship to the USA.

This is not a regulation created by airlines. It is a requirement of the US Government, and unfortunately, where passengers do not have a travel authorisation, airline check in staff will not be able to resolve the problem. Nor will the airlines be liable for any costs or cancellation penalties or inconvenience where travellers do not have a travel authorisation, and are not permitted to travel.

To apply on line for a US Travel Authorisation, visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. The application is free of charge and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It is valid for two years for holders of a valid passport.

Once a travel authorisation is sought and obtained, passengers must update their travel plans on line for subsequent visits to the USA, quoting their travel authorisation number.

take care

kath

hi

you could also collect over your time together all letters birthday cards...christmas cards..anniversary cards ... photo's of you together ...anything with both your names on...both drivers licences to show you live at the same address...

basically anything you might of saved relating to your relationship ... affidavits would help also is you think you dont have enough evidence...

good luck

kath

hi goonlurka

your quite welcome also ..take a look at my post with the consulate website attached..regarding medical and police check

also you can get blood tests done at your local GP and charged to medicare...look up what you need to be tested for..get a copy of the results from your doctor signed and also keep your blood test receipts to take with you to your medical..

also take a look at the embassey information section on VJ ...it lists medical examiners and anything you might need to know also..

hiya kaffy...hope all is well ...

kath

hiya

yes put every address since the age they require make sure you go as far back as they ask because they will only send it back to you for more information..if you haven't got anymore room continue them on another sheet..

also write near the question on DS-230 continued on seperate sheet .. something like that..

i had the same problem and i typed out the rest with the heading of what question number it was and the title of the question then numbered them..

then on a cover sheet let them know there is a continuation of that question number...

good luck and glad you found the thread..

kath

hiya

i probably would forget about it...but if it happens again with the same student i would ask a teacher what can be done about the situation...

life is too short to worry about some things mate..

take care

kath

hi ya paul

how u going..soo good to see ya mate...wow times flies huh lol good to hear life is going well for you and cheryl and that your working ...

below is the link you need for removal of conditions form mate..its the I-751 also you have the misfortune of going through vermont service centre mate...susan has been waiting for ages for hers to be approved...but at least you get the 1 year extension from them..which you have to show your employer when it gets close to your greencard expiring...

and the Filing Fee is $465 (plus $80 biometric service fee)

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS FORM

hope to see ya again in here...talk soon

kath

hi annax

take a look at the link below..it is the sydney consulate website..on the right there are all kinds of information that might help you..

when i did my police check i waited till i got my approval (only to make sure we were approved first before spending any great amounts of money)..made my appointment in melbourne..had both hand laser fingerprinted and waited till it was sent out to me...i am not sure how it si worked out now a days ...but if you contact the consulate via email im sure they could set you straight on the procedure...

hope it helps in some small way..

SYDNEY CONSULATE WEBSITE

kath

hiya

just thought i would pop in and say g'day..

hope all is well with everyone and the journey isnt too rough for you all..

i am still waiting for my 10 year greencard to be approved havent had a touch since sept...which i suppose is the reason they given you a 1 year extension letter lol...

hey susan .. im starting to wonder if you will be aproved before me with looking at the timeframe for california being 6 months lol...hope your trip went well mate..im home on thursday so will give you a ring...

well the weather is getting colder and i hope the ones that are here for their first winter does have a shock to the cold...we had our first flurries on sunday wasnt much but ohh so pretty...

take care

kath

what an historical event the 4th was for the states....i am so happy he won...actually i dreamt he did a month ago..and in the dream i pushed him down on his knees and made him promise all that he promises will come true lol...funny dream though lol...

cham i wouldnt worry about the age difference thing mate...i am 8 years younger than my hubby and it wasnt even questioned..and to both of you the interview part of this journey is the easiest part as long as you have everything in order that they want it and bring everything they ask for...

im still excited about this result and was smiling and crying all the way through obama's speach....shame you have to be a citzen to vote...i am use to having that right to vote ....

congrats to all the americans who voted either way...i must also add i thought mcains speach was very gracious and well said...

take care

kath

sighhhhhhhhh...gawwwwdd this is such a big historical moment in all our lives...

shame i couldnt vote in it...but i got over it once i sat infront of the tv when i got home from work and saw Obama's address to the nation...

he is so inspiring to one and all...i am happy he won .. been alot of long nights watching everything telecast over the months passed...brought tears to both me and my american proud husband...

may he be the president we need to bring unity to this country...in many ways...

kath

hi cham

take a look through the pages of the thread land downunder..they were discussing just this question probably a few pages back now..

i bet your both getting excited now its getting closer ....

take care

kath

hiya all

firstly congrats on getting through your greencard interview sharyna way to go...

secondly....im home from my trip to england...surprised the heck out of my mum when i arrived..heaps of relo's said me going over made her holiday in england...

after 40 years of not being in england i didnt remember very much really...on of my sisters in laws came over and said i use to know you when you were a little girl do you remember lol...urrrrr NO lol...

i know england is my birthplace but i could never live there in my home town...it is too closed in for my liking...if they were to off me acreage then i would consider it..the countryside is absolutely beautiful...

met heaps of relo's my nephews are all grown up now and with families of their own..i saw them last when they were 5...4...3..years of age...

robbie missed me like crazy....and so did i miss him...next time we go out of the country im taking him with me ....

had no problems getting back into the country..in manchester the lady helping within the lines asked for everything...greencard passport...marriage certificate...extension letter...then when i got into chicago they only asked for my passport and greencard....

ohhh ya never guess what i brought home for my hubs...VB 6 pack...and i had to put it in my luggage i was so nervous about them smashing i opened the case as soon as i got it in the car and it survived the journey...with much joy on my hubby's face lol...got home next night he just had to have one and it was like watching a fella who had never drank beer before..lol..savouring every damm sip lol..cant ya tell my hubs likes VB lol...he reckons it is the best beer he has ever tasted and he has tasted heaps of international and state side beers...just wish we could get it over here for him without paying the high prices off the internet...

ok i have gabbled on way too much..

take care

kath

hiya all

thanks so much for all your inputs on this subject.

well i am back in the states now trip was fantastic got to go places each and everyday and met relatives i either cant remember or never met before...took over 1500 photo's..and the first thing my mum says to me when she saw me..was you little imp...if ya didnt know my mum didnt know i was going over to see her lol...

as for BMI ... fllight over i was in economy seating was a bit squishy ... service was great...i was cheeky enough to ask for hot water so i could make my own coffe (took satchels of coffee) and they were very happy to do so..entertainment was good...once i got to work out the games time flew fast...flight was easy compared to going to australia...

coming home...i had economy premium...omg if you can afford that both ways do it...i had heaps of leg room foot rest and a button to push out the seat in your lower back (wouldnt have a clue what the word is for it)...no one sitting beside me..large viewing screen....flight was good service excellent on both flights..

at manchester airport on the way home...being so many checking in attendents were helping out...the lady asked for my passport...my greencard...asked about the different name to my greencard..showed her my marriage certificate then she noticed that my greencard was about to expire in a week and asked if i would be renewing it..gave her my extension letter and all was good to check in...

coming through customs at chicago...they didnt even ask for marriage certificate or my extension letter...i declared that i had food in my bags and was sent to the left for my luggage to be inspected...i only brought in some lollies and beer...and amazingly enough the 6 pack of vb (aussie beer) did not break because i had to put it in my luggage...phew...my hubby was so rapt about that not breaking..

once again thanks for you input...although i read all the replies whilst in england i had forgotten my password to put my two bobs worth in..

take care

kath

hiya all..

thank you so much for all your answers..its put my mind at ease knowing that BMI is so well liked amongst you ...

well in 15 hours give or take i should be taking off to see my family...when my family immigrated to australia when i was 8 .. i always thought my first overseas trip would be back to good ole England.. never in my wildest dreams i would of thought i wouldbe immigrating once again to America...

once again thank you so much for your replies they were much appreciated...will do a post while over there about the flight if im not too busy...

take car

kath

hiya

im travelling to manchester on saturday 4th..and am wondering if anyone has flown with british midland airlines..

just wondering what they are like..good and bad...

have not been back to england for 40 years gunna be a beaut trip..

thanks

kath

hi ya all

well i am off to manchester england on saturday to see my mum, bro and sis and family i have never met before..for two weeks..

i havent been back to england for 40 years..i was born there and when i was 8 we immigrated to australia..so it will be quite the adventure...

my mum knows i am going over but she doesnt know that it is all booked and i arrive sunday morning...so cant wait to see the look on her face havent seen her for 2 years ..and havent seen my sister for about 10 or 11 years and my bro for about 7 ... i am very excited and a bit sad that hubs cant come with me..it will be the first time we have been apart for 2 years...

if i get chance will post from england...

talk later

kath

hi j_girl

so happy that its the job you want mate...

gawd the weekend went so fast ...i just caught up with my washing gasbagging with my neighbour who told me her daughter told her that a bloke at her work just married an aussie..so fingers crossed i can hook up with her ..ya know if each town had a resource thing for all immigrants it would be so neat..that way you wouldnt miss your hearing your accent... tapeing a whole lot of stargate onto dvd for the hubmister...and reading my dragon book that has just come out..and trying to catch my manager at work ..been waiting for 3 days to do that just for permission to book my flight to the uk..

myperfect flaw..the mates up over has a recipe section both aussie and american recipes im sure you would be able to find something on rissoles in there also they use american ingredients and explain what is equivilant to aussie ingredients..

night all take care

kath

p.s. nice talking to you susan ..talk to you thurs..edit to add.. susan you should post the dimmies and sheep pics..im sure the aussie's over in the states would love to see them...lol...i just wanted to sink my teeth into those dimmies mate but happy you ate them for me...

congrats on the EAD ..how long is it for 1 or 2 years..?

that is way strange thing to be doing letting you work before the fingerprints done on you...goes to show you the name check excuse might be a big fib and its the backlog of files that is the real reason why some have to wait ages to be approved...

arhh well good on you for pushing their buttons mate...ya gotta do what ya gotta do huh..happy job hunting...

take care

kath

whoo hooo on all the great news in here

congrats to you kaffy...hope you enjoy the new job...and make some good work mates..is the job similar to what you use to do in australia

congrat also to hednjimmy...your journey is nearly at an end..well this half anyways..good luck all will go well im sure..

me well not heard anything as yet ..not expecting it either lol..

in my life i am either getting visitors from england or i am going to england to visit my mum and bro and sis not sure what is going on as yet...

waves to rings...and the rest of the aussies.....

take care

kath

HI KAFFY

good idea about going for an info pass..hope it gets sorted out for ya...

hi vylex..yep time flies when your having fun don't ya know...and you sit back and wonder where has the time gone..

removal of conditions isn't as exciting as the other parts of the journey...just costs too damm much lol..no wonder we have so many il-legal immigrants in this country...they can't afford it...

be interesting with a new president how he deals with it

has any of the aussie's in the states been keeping track of the presedential election...goes on too damm long for my liking and too much money spent on campaigns especially when they are ridiculeing each other silliness..stick to the issues and be done with it i reckon...

take care all

kath

hi ali and joe

congrats on getting your interview date..

good luck to you although you probably wont need it..its a quick interview just the waiting that gets to you..

take a look at some of the australian consulate reviews to help you out on any hints that other aussies have come across for the interview day..

if you are planning on leaving australia fairly quickly i would stay an extra day to go into the consulate and collect your passport and brown envelope...if you have time to spare before you leave you can get it mailed out to you..

enjoy the view from the large window...its gorgeous...shame you cant take photo's i reckon...ohh take some munchies with you an a mag to read..if your in there for ages it gets boring plus it takes your mind off things also...

take care

kath

p.s. when you go to the post office..make sure the assistant understands what you are paying for...i have a scan of my receipt if you want to check it out...

hiya all

welcome to the new aussies in the thread..

merp where abouts are you two in ohio..im in toledo been here for 2years now..not many aussies up here..i always hear i got a boss thats aussie and met the husband of crickey pies and thats about it...ohh and an old lady that came over here as a war bride..

mates up over has a map with all its members on it...even as a guest you can look at your state and find other aussies near you ...

no news here ... completed my biometrics at detroit now just waiting for approval which will probably be around november i reckon..

take care

kath

hi

have you tried your local banks on the net..they post their positions under careers..

also some of the employment websites have a section for wages..eg what you should be getting with your experience...

good luck in your job search...

kath

hi heather

your most welcome with the help mate..i think ya might be right about the form..i will just have to take a look at my files in mountain of stuff i have collected over the years for this stuff ..lol

heather if you feel you need to get as much stuff together as you think you need do it just for your own peace of mind...but as many can tell you they just might not even look at it...with this process ya never know who ya might get on the day of interview..so better to be safe than sorry i reckon..

well i have a full blown cold now thanks to my sis in law..rotten thing lol..the drugs have just kicked in so thought i would pop in while the bumping of my head is quite..

talk to ya soon

kath

hi heather

congrats on the journey so far going great for you...your nearly there now..

if someone can help me out on this one that has recently done the K1 interview..wasn't the affidavit of support the

I-184 .. im sure we filled that one out..just want to make sure ...

i went on the embassey website heather to check about the w2's and found this about affidavits...

A signed affidavit of support, form I-864, I-864A (if needed), or I-864EZ for each applicant.

A letter from his/her U.S. employer on company stationary verifying date of hire, position, wages or salary, numbers of hours worked per week and whether the job is full-time, permanent, part-time, or seasonal.

Most recent U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2 forms.

the above is why i question the I-864 form

good luck this part of the journey is the easy part for you..

take care

kath

Congrats to you both...go CSC..