Shaunna&Tony

I am going to sound really dumb now but I didn't realise you could transfer money from an Australian bank to an American one

Hey everyone

(Really sorry if this has been covered, but unfortunately I am on a pretty crappy computer and anytime I try and use the search function the window freezes).

I am buying a car over in America and a few other bits and pieces and was just wondering what is the easiest and safest way to transfer 8 grand over to the USA? I would like to try and use Western Union as a last resort so just wanted to see what anyone else has used

If I were you, to be on the safe side give the airline a call before doing so because many times airplanes will advise you have to store it yourself in the overhead luggage compartment

Thank you both for your replies, your feedback is really appreciated

Hey everyone,

Sorry if this is a double post but I can't seem to find anything in the search function. I was on this forum about a year ago and was enquiring aboutt he effects of a criminal record on the fiance visa process. However my fiance and I have no decided that we will be going the spousal visa route and was just seeing if the effects and other paperwork (waivers etc) is still neccessary.

Brief background:

Beneficiary - Myself (Australian) - have no criminal record at all

Petitioner - My fiance (American). Has a few minor charges (traffic tickets) and received a conviction 10+ years ago for possesion of an illegal substance. In 2004 he was then charged with felon in possesion of a weapon and was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

First and foremost - I would appreciate only helpful/constructive comments not judgement

We are going to be applying for the spousal visa and was just wondering if the IMBRA laws still come in to play? I have had a look at the application for the Spousal visa and cant even find a section on it that asks about his record like what the fiance visa did.

Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated

Thanks so much for the tips everyone, much appreciated

My bf is from, and lives in Memphis so I already k ow all that but thank you for posting incase I didn't

Just after anyone that has or knows the process of buying a house in the states. Thank you in advance

Hey everyone

I've tried searching for a similar topic but could only find threads when people were already living in America. We are looking at buying a house outright at the end of the year (will be moving to Memphis TN, the real estate is really low over there - our budget is $30grand for a 3x2) and I was just wondering does anyone have any information or experience in buying a house while living in AUstralia?

I have had trouble finding any information about it and don't really want to have to draw it out of an atm a large number of times and pay by cash (really don't want to do that). If someone could share their experience or point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone, you have mad me feel a lot better

Hi everyone

First sorry if this is in the wrong place just wasn't sure where else to put it.

I am going over to Memphis TN from Western Australia for two weeks early May and wasn't sure how much to take with me. I have not yet applied for any visas e.g. fiance visa and am just travelling on my ESTA visa.

The last few times I have gone over the custom's officer is always asking me how much money do I have to spend. I stay with my bf so don't need to pay for accommodation so this time I was going to take $1300 cash and have budgeted $2 grand on my card (I do have savings if I need to access more for whatever reason)

My question is do you think this is enough? I know I am probably over thinking things,but I was just curious to see how much people would advise the customs officer that they plan on spending over a two week period?

Hi Everyone

First of all really sorry if this has been asked before - I tried using the search function of the forum to find similar posts but my computer keeps crashing (it's pretty much like an ancient dinosaur LOL)

Originally my partner and I were planning on applying for the fiance visa but after our research for the past several weeks, we seem to be more leaning towards the spousal visa. My question is though has anyone experienced going over to visit their husband/wife while the visa process was still in play? I'm just worried that they are far more likely to deny me entry if I go over and say I'm visiting my husband

Thanks in advance for any help and really sorry again if this has been posted for the millionth time

I think you're getting confused about the purpose of the section 832 waiver. It's not meant to overcome criminal convictions since a criminal conviction doesn't automatically disqualify a US citizen from submitting a petition. The section 832 waiver is to overcome the multiple filing limitations imposed by the IMBRA. If the petitioner has had a previous I-129F petition approved within two years of filing the current petition, or if the petitioner has previously submitted two or more I-129F petitions, then they must request this waiver. That's the only time that their criminal history might cause their petition to be denied. The request for a waiver of the multiple filing limitations is supposed to be denied if the petitioner has a record of violent crimes against a person or persons.

If this is the petitioner's first I-129F petition then they don't need to request the waiver, even if they were a convicted serial murderer.

The IMBRA also requires full disclosure to the beneficiary of any IMBRA related crimes. Regardless of whether or not a waiver of the multiple filing limitations is being requested, the petitioner must submit the court records of any convictions which are covered by the IMBRA. They won't deny the petition or the visa because of these convictions. They'll simply provide copies of those records to the beneficiary. They'll also give the beneficiary a pamphlet about domestic violence and their rights in the US. This is about disclosure - the beneficiary has a right to know who they're marrying. This isn't about the petitioner's eligibility to submit a petition.

Thank you for your post, it was very informative

he will need to file an IMBRA Section 832 waiver to overcome the convictions.

where can you find these forms? I'm still getting used to the site but couldnt seem to find it

Sorry for the dumb question but I am a bit confused as to why I need a waiver when it's my fiance (the petitioner/USC) that has the criminal record not me (the beneficiary/australian)

That's okay I'm just really glad to have found this website - there's so much information here (we already have all the example forms and useful threads printed out and placed in a folder - so yes we are over preparing LOL) it's just this one thing that is bothering us even finding other threads because the crimes arent similar it's still leaving me wondering even though they all seem to say it's fine because it's not violent etc

Petitioner has the criminal record.

Correct Shaunna?

That's correct - the criminal record is my fiance's (the petitioner) I myself (from Australia) have no criminal record whatsoever

Thanks everyone for the responses in regards to the two years... we have plenty of evidence (photos passport stamps credit card receipts for hotels etc.. Im going back end of June for 5 weeks as well for Independance Day and my birthday) so I wasnt too worried about that but glad to have the confusion cleared up. Hope someone is able to help with the criminal record part, wasn't sure whether I should have posted this in the Australian forum or the k1 visa

Hi everyone - first of I would ask for no judgment to be passed on my partner as I am after advice only

I have pretty much asked this question before but am still a bit confused about the effects if the petitioner for a k1 visa has a criminal record?

I have tried using the search function on this website for other similar posts but really only came across posts about the fiance having the record not the petitioner. I have been researching for a while (both my fiance and I wont to be fully prepared and ready when we send out application later this year) but still am a bit confused

my bf finished a 7 year prison sentence late last year for possesion of a weapon prior to that when he was younger he had a few minor charges for drugs (not selling or distribution just a small amount on himself 'for personal use'). I myself have no criminal record whatsoever

Will this be a problem for our petition? Info I have found online says it's more a problem if it was something violent/sexual/crime against a child etc etc but I'm still well probably paranoid that our application will be denied because of his record. I have tried contacting a few immigration attorneys but of course they want $500 just to review his crimes and wouldnt say anything else

If someone is able to shed some light it would be greatly appreciated. Is it worth going to an attorney because of his criminal record? Thanks in advance for any advice - I am making myself paranoid with worry so just want to prepare myself

also just something quickly - the 'having met within the last two years' mean that you have had to have known them for a minimum of two years? As when we apply we would have only known eachother for a year and a half (have met plenty of times in person)

Thanks again and really sorry for the long post everyone

Thanks

Yes sorry I meant the ESTA online registration (sorry I thought it was pretty much the same thing )

If I don't renew it, because I am entering before July 27th is it alright to stay until August 5th? because I'd rather not pay a fee to lodge a new one unless I had too

Hi

First off really sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum (still fairly new here ) I'm from Australia going over to to Memphis in July via LAX and just have a question about the visa waiver programme. I'm flying over around June 28 and was hoping to fly back home August 5th (havent booked tickets yet) only problem is my visa waiver expires July 27th. I'm flying in way before then (end of June) but does that mean I have to leave the US prior to July 27th?

Thanks in advance for any help and sorry again if this is in the wrong part of the forum

Well we aren't applying for the visa until the end of this year so we are hoping to have it approved by late August, if so we would then be getting married in September if it all goes to plan

Thanks everyone for the tips I'm still a bit confused about the taxing thing, would my money get taxed again if I brought it over to the US?

Hey everyone

(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum but I thought the best thing was to ask Aussies who have been through the same thing)

We aren't applying for the visa until a little bit later this year but I am wanting to do as much research as I can. How did everyone go about transferring money when they moved from Australia to the USA? Do you get taxed on how much you bring over? All my savings would already have been taxed in Australia (due to it being work wages) but was curious if the US taxes them again. I would have quite a lot saved so I dont want to carry it on me (for obvious reasons) and also dont want to send it through Western Union due to their charges - is there any other way?

Thanks in advance for anyone that is able to provide me with some insight

Thanks everyone for the welcomes I'm really glad I found this site, even though I have only been on it for a few days the information already has been really helpful

Thanks for the tips Lynjer - I am going to check out those websites today

Airfare isn't too bad actually (I have seen worse). Cheapest I have gotten it return is $2100 but it's usually around the $2500 mark (I go Western Australia to Sydney, Sydney to LAX and then LAX to Memphis)