Joanne and Roy

I thought I'd post as it took me weeks to understand what was needed when I recived this request. Even an appointment with USCIS didn't clarify this (!)

Basically, despite having had a medical in Australia, I was required to get the results transcribed onto a new form by a US civil surgeon. I paid $75 for this service from Dr. Noel Smith at Foley Medical Plaza, 325 Broadway, NYC. Apparently this is a service performed regularly and I didn't even need to speak to the doctor. I did need a copy of my medical results, though.

You don't need to enter the receipt number, just take the receipt you were given at the post office to the interview. There are many unclear instructions, so I'm happy to answer any other questions you have.

I've had a green card in the past, which expired when I moved back to Australia. I didn't think I'd ever want to live there again. However, I just had my K1 visa approved with no problem. So I don't think you need to worry.

My visa was approved this week! I'm now figuring out the logistics of moving to New York. Can anyone recommend a reliable and cheap shipping service?

I paid my $240 fee at Australia Post and on the deposit slip there are instructions to enter the 13 digit sequence number displayed on the receipt on the www.ustraveldocs.com website. I have entered my personal details there, but there seems to be no option to enter this number for people applying for a K1 visa. I sent feedback but the query was redirected. Why can't they have clear instructions? Can I just turn up at the interview with this receipt?

You're right it is a non-immigrant visa. It seems that I can't pay online as the options don't include that visa type. I just need to figure out how to print the deposit slip to take to Aust post. They sure do excel at making everything unclear and needlessly complicated! Thanks for the help.

I've tried to pay my visa fee as I have my K1 visa interview in Sydney in 2 weeks, but couldn't do it online. I created a profile but when I got to 'schedule an interview', as instructed, there was only a non-immigrant visa option. Any advice would be most welcome.

thanks everyone. i'll just assume it's in with the results of the medical.

I just got my interview date, finally! But am not sure what this form is and whether it was in the package sent with my medical results, which I didn't open of course. Any ideas? Do I need to contact the doctor?

this is what the form from the consulate says:

Please ensure that the panel physician provides you with a copy of Form DS-3025, Vaccination Documentation Worksheet as part of your permanent health record. You should hand-carry this document with your sealed visa package and any other medical paperwork. If you did not receive a copy of the DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet we can provide one for you at the time of your interview.

thanks edenjames and congratulations!! Just to clarify, when did you receive packet 4? It's good to know the people at the consulate are accommodating.

I'll be sending off packet 3 to the consulate as soon as I get the results of my medical, so they should receive it in the next 2 weeks. I'm wondering what the processing times are like at the moment, I know people were experiencing delays recently. How long from receiving packet 3 to getting packet 4 (the interview date) and how long from then until the interview?

I'm unsure of when the affidavit of support from my fiance is required. In the instructions I was emailed it said:

Form I-134- affidavit of support, this may be needed at the interview

yet, it is listed on form DSL-1076- applicant's statement of readiness to be interviewed. This seems contradictory to me...

My fiance is waiting for his W2s and it could hold up the process.

Also, does anyone know how long the wait is for an interview at the Sydney consulate?

J

Are you sure you need all your partner's financial stuff before sending back packet 3? The instructions they emailed me say:

Form I-134- Affadavit of Support, this may be necessary on day of interview

yet it is in the list of forms required, which is very confusing.

Hi Joanne/Roy, I don't have an interview date yet as I haven't sent my packet 3 in yet. Still waiting on my fiance to send me his financial info, which probably won't happen for at least a couple more weeks. I hear people are waiting two months or so for interview dates, after having sent in their packet 3. In September/October last year it was taking only 2 weeks for people to get interviews but it seemed to slow right down at the end of the year. Hopefully it will pick up again by the time you and I send our stuff in? One can only hope.

Riss

Thanks, this is a really helpful.

I got my police check and fingerprints done today and have my medical scheduled for the 22nd. I had a blood test done yesterday to check my immunity, so am waiting for those results.

Do you have an interview date yet?

Hi Joanne and Roy,

I did mine through Victoria Police, at the city office. You call up the number given on their website to make a fingerprinting appointment, and there's a form you have to fill in and bring in with you for the police certificate. I had some trouble when I called up to make my appointment as the people I spoke to kept telling me that there was a waiting list of two months or so and that I would have to go out to a regional office if I wanted something within one month. It turned out they were giving me the wrong advice, and that people such as us who are applying for an overseas visa, go through a different process which does not have the long waiting list. So if you happen to encounter this, have a look at my post from two or three months ago in this folder, about the police check - some of the other ladies here advised me on what to do to get the correct type of appointment without a waiting list. The actual fingerprinting procedure took about 10 minutes. Then they mailed the certificate out to me within about a week - they tell you to expect two weeks or so.

The medical seems to be best done early, but I think I've heard of some people having it done close to the interview and having the results mailed directly to the consulate just in time. Not sure how that works - I'd say if you can get it done earlier that would be easier all round. Then you send it in with the rest of your packet 3 documents. I just had my medical done a few weeks ago and my review is also in this folder. If you are in Melbourne it seems everyone's experience is that you can book your medical before having a case number.

It has taken me quite a long time to get everything together, but that's because I'm not terribly organised, lol, and because I've had to wait for my fiance to pull together his financial information for the i-134. It took him a while to get hold of the bank letter, and he had to order his tax transcript. Now he needs to get letters from his clients (letter from employer, usually, but he's self-employed). Then all that will need to get mailed over to Australia. I think if you are organised then my guess would be that you could get it all done within a few weeks or a month.

Riss

Thanks everyone for your informative responses.

just out of curiosity, what vaccinations did you have to get at your medical? I'm hoping to get as few vaccinations as possible.

thanks so much for your help. I've just made appointments for the fingerprinting/police check and my medical. If all goes well this should take just a few weeks.

I'm in Victoria, but have also lived in NSW.

My visa application is currently on its way to Sydney and I'd like to start gathering the documentation I need as soon as possible. I'm unclear about the police check. Is it a federal police check with fingerprints? Is this done at a local police station? And how long does it usually take?

The other thing I'm wondering about is the medical. Does this need to be done and the results sent back before the interview is scheduled?

In other people's experience how long has it taken to get to the point of being able to send back the 'preparedness for interview' forms and documentation?

I'm just wondering how many women are planning to change their last name when they get married. Is this advisable?

thanks, that's what I thought. I guess my main concern is whether the process will be delayed or whether I will be required to submit any extra documentation regarding my previous time living in the US.

No problem. They are more suspicious about those who Don't leave the country. They can see you did not use process for immigrant purpose, which likely is to your benefit. You will just need show your divorce papers showing the divorce was final and terminated. You also already have an alien number, so use this on application. good luck.

I married an American in the mid-90s and got a green card back then, which subsequently expired as I moved back to Australia in 1999. Now my new partner and I are applying for a K1 visa, so if this is approved it will mean I'll then be applying for a green card for the second time. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did this delay the application process? Was any additional evidence required?

How long does it typically take from the notification for the beneficiary's embassy interview until the actual interview? I want to leave as soon as the visa is granted.

My fiance and I are putting together our fiance visa application. We are wondering if it's necessary to send a copy of every page of my passport, including the blank pages, or just the relevant ones showing the stamps and the photo/personal info page.