AussieDude

Hi folks!

1) I (the petitioner) need to make a separate trip to Sydney on any Thursday (expect holidays) to submit the I-30 and then make another trip down for the visa interview? EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2006, CHANGES TO OUR PROCESS WILL REQUIRE YOU TO TRAVEL TO SYDNEY TO FILE THE I-130 FIRST. YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A SECOND TRIP WITH YOUR HUSBAND FOR HIS VISA INTERVIEW.

IF YOU PLAN TO APPLY BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2006, YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND CAN TRAVEL TOGETHER TO FILE THE I-130 AND HAVE HIS VISA INTERVIEW.SEE #2 FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO GET YOURSELVES AN INTERVIEW BEFORE AUGUST 1.

2) It also says I need to send in the D-230 froms immediately but do I have to send the I-864 along with it? I don't have all of the appropriate paperwork for that form yet. (A) HAVE YOUR HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY COMLETE AND RETURN HIS BIOGRAPHIC DATA, FORMS DS-230 PARTS I&II.

(B) BEGIN TO COLLECT ALL DOCUMENTS THAT ARE LISTED ON HIS OVERVIEW INFORMATION SHEET THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO HIS CASE.

© ONCE HE'S COLLECTED ALL, COMPLETE AND SIGN HIS NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANT READINESS, FORM DS-2001.

(D) ATTACH A NOTE TO THE DS-2001 ADVISING WHICH MONTH YOU WOULD BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL TO SYDNEY FOR YOUR INTERVIEW.

(E) ON THE DAY OF THE SCHEDULED INTERVIEW, YOU NEED TO ATTEND TO FILE YOUR I-130 PETITION AND YOUR HUSBAND TO HAVE HIS FINAL VISA INTERVIEW.

IF ON THE DAY OF INTERVIEW HE IS FOUND TO BE FULLY DOCUMENTED AND ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VISA, THE VISA WILL BE ISSUED FOR COLLECTION THE NEXT WORKDAY.

THE I-864 CAN BE BROUGHT IN ON THE DAY OF INTERVIEW -- YOU NO LONGER NEED TO MAIL IT IN WITH THE DS-230'S.

3) I want to clarify if you require one year of tax returns or three years of tax returns. [Roden, Matilda A] IF THE VISA IS BEING ISSUED BEFORE JUNE 16, 2006, WE'LL REQUIRE THE 2004 U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS. IF THE VISA IS BEING ISSUED AFTER JUNE 16, 2006, WE'LL NEED THE 2005 U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS. WE NOW ONLY REQUIRE THE MOST RECENT TAX RETURNS.

Good luck!!!

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Good luck with the process.

I just have one question to you based on the answers you received. On question 1, they noted that you must file the I-130 seperately.

However, on the second question you note that you bring in your petition on the day of your husband's interview.

Am I to understand that as of August 1, you can't book the interview and put the petition in at the same time as the interview. That is, the I-130 must from August 1 be filed on its own on a Thursday? Or is this because you live outside of Sydney?

Or am I completely off track because your answer to question 2 is based on the fact that you are planning on having your interview before Aug 1?

Thanks

AussieDude

I went to Eastwood Police for mine too! They were terrible! They lady there is nothing short of hating her job and bitter about her leg problem. She also tried to tell me to only get a name and DOB check done, even after I asked for a finger print search specifically, and the fact that I had the P799 before filled outbefore I went to the station.

Then I had one officer charge me $175.00, take my prints, get the form signed by his superior, then hand it back to me!! #######, the guy was an idiot! Then I asked to speak to someone of higher authority, who then arranged for it to be sent to Criminal Records in Parramatta. However, after all that, they were putting it into the envelope, bottom part incompleted, AND here's the kicker.... they never checked my I.D. not one of the three pieces I was supposed to present.

After 10 days I called Criminal Records directly, and was informed that the form P799 had only just been received 1 day earlier (Eastwood forgot to fax it!) and that they hadn't began to process the search. Anyway, after a nice chat with the CR employee she fast-tracked my case and I received the certificate soon after.

There are three valuable lessons to be learned by all this...

1- Do NOT go to Eastwood Police Area Command!

2- Contact Criminal Records Dept directly, they will be more help than anyone else to you. Phone: (02) 8832-7888 (info also attached below in signature)

3- Do NOT go to Eastwood Police Area Command!

Good Luck All.

Hmm, it seems you dealt with the same lady at the desk, who then asked another lady to do the fingerprints. She was nicer, no problem there, I just don't think they've been informed what happens. According to the poster I saw on the wall, they're supposed to fax the P799 and then mail it with the fingerprints. I'm guessing you fax it ahead to get the work started at CrimTrac in Parramatta.

Anyway, if I don't hear anything by the end of next week, I'll give a ring to Criminal Records in Parramatta and see what's going on.

BigAussieZee, did you have to give them anything besides your name when you talked to Criminal Records on the phone about the status?

I agree that at Eastwood they're not fully versed in the process of the background check, but we're supposed to go to our local police station (unless you can sweet talk like AussieWench ).

Fingers crossed!

AussieDude

AussieDude

Anybody from Adelaide that can help with this part... I think police/medical stuff is different from state to state... in Adelaide, can she go ahead and get her police report... or should we wait until our forms have been submitted. Will Adelaide send the report straight to Sydney or will they hand it to her? With the medical exam, will the exam also be sent directly to Sydney or will they give her the results? For either of these, does she have to show some kind of voucher or can she just call and set up an appointment and state that she's inquiring because of immigration stuff? I'm not sure whether we should wait for packet 3. I'll be emailing Sydney to send Stephanie Packet 3 very soon, I'm just collecting my info and creating a check off list.

I'll answer the ones I know about.

The police report you can get at anytime. Most of us opt to have it sent to ourselves, in fact I'd prefer to have it in hand, but I believe almost everyone here has had it sent to themselves and taken it to the interview.

As for the medical, I was a little confused myself about whether I'd need to send in the DS-230 so that I have a case number as the pinned Australia DCF forum indicates. However, I've been told this is the same as the police report, that in fact you can book and do it anytime.

The married name question, since whatever you put in the DS-230 will be correct at the time of the interview, ie you will be married, so it will be correct if you want to put the married name down. However, I believe I have seen in the forum somewhere that either should be ok.

I'm sure others in the forum will have an answer soon, and I'd like to ask them actually: For your partner's address in the DS-230 did you use their Australian address (ie your own) or their US address. Again, this might not matter, but thought I'd ask.

AussieDude

(I'm from Sydney by the way, so there are some subtle differences but I believe its only about what is sent when you mail the DS-230)

I had a few things when trying to get my police certificate. They wouldnt let me make an appointment at my local police station...told me I would just have to call around 8.30am and if they didnt have anyone in lockup that I could come in Its a police station isn't it (and a busy one at that) That went on for days so I called an out of area station, explained my situation and begged lol cause the nice constable on the other end of the phone said it had to be done at the police station covering the area I lived in. He eventually gave me an appointment (after I sweet talked him ) When I had the fingerprints taken they had no real idea of the procedure....knew it went to Parramatta but that was it. He tried to tell me that I couldnt have the certificate sent to me....that it would have to go the embassy I stood there for ages trying to explain to him that this wasnt the case. I was getting a bit worried lol as my case hadnt arrived at embassy yet (it did a few days later). Anyway, after my trying to get through to him, he eventually grabbed a more senior officer who backed up what I had been trying to say. Thank gawd. Anyway.....alls well that ends well.

The same confusion happened at Eastwood Police Station. The lady there (somewhat reluctantly) accepted what I was trying to tell about checking my background in Australia and that it needs to be sent to Parramatta etc. The thing is, there was a poster on the wall explaining exactly how it works, however, I don't like pushing my luck with figures of authority when I need something from them.

The only thing I'm worried about is, because in the middle of doing P799 she accepted what I was saying, I'm not sure she fully filled out the bottom of it before they put it in the envelope with the fingerprints. Did any of you get contacted by like the police HQ in your state saying you'd need to do anything again?

How long did it take for the certificate to arrive so that I can start calling people to see what is going on with it.

AussieDude

For anyone needing the P799 form it is available here.....

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=458

Wow more sydneyites.......and heres me thinking I was just about alone. Im in the East Hills area.

Also, there was a bit of confusion at the police station, they kept asking what its for etc, and where should the fingerprints be sent. I think some police are confused about the background check process. If they ever ask you where the fingerprints should be sent, tell them to Parramatta to the Criminal Records Section. I think the lady I was dealing with didn't understand exactly how the process works so I was trying to explain to her that its to make sure I have no criminal history in Australia.

Yep, P799 is the current form in use for NSW. Cost is now $175.00.

Uncanny, you're going to the Eastwood Police station as well? I live in West Pennant Hills, but work in Marsfield, I'm also going there.

And congratulations on getting married on Friday!

AussieDude

Hi all,

I'm sure most people in NSW are aware but the forms were recently changed. Nothing big, its just a different form number to what is listed in packet 3 (at least from when I picked it up in December). I can't recollect off the top of my head what the old ones were, but they are now the P799 form (just make sure you choose the with fingerprints option).

(I believe the P800-Full Disclosure is only for those looking to work as teachers etc).

AussieDude

Hi Evi

Just had my medical here in Oz (damm arms are still sore). If you need any jabs you can get them done prior to the medical. Just keep a record of it to take to the medical. You can also get a blood test done which will show your immunity to MMR etc. to determine which jabs you need. If you have your immunisation records you need to take them with you to the medical. Which state are you in?

You need TD (tetanus/diptheria), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) & Varicella (chicken pox)

Come and join us in the LAND DOWNUNDER thread....lots of info specific to australia and support.

Lorelle

Wow, is that it, just TD, MMR and Varicella, the form makes it look like there's like a dozen things to get done. I wonder if showing a previous exchange student visa is sufficient proof, probably not, but that's when I actually received my MMR.

If I get a blood test to determine which shots I've had, would it be sufficient to check for the three you've mentioned above or should I check for the whole list of shots mentioned in the medical check forms. I'm also in my late 20s.

AussieDude

Thanks for the reply. The other document you mean is probably the DS-2001 which is for requesting/informing the consulate that I am ready for the interview.

we sent that in with the first form. We told them we were ready - that's what most do. You can do your medical and EVERYTHING without ever getting the "go ahead" from the consulate.

Oh wow, ok, maybe I misuderstood. Its just that in the pinned Australia DCF guide, it said the following:

IMPORTANT!!!: To have your case opened up early before your U.S. spouse gets to Australia, you will need to send back the DS-230 part 1 AND part 2 with the DS-230 part 1 you are to SIGN AND DATE it. HOWEVER DO NOT sign and date the DS-230 part 2 (you will do that at the interview sworn under oath in front of the u.s. consulate official.

Doing this ENABLES you do OPEN up your case, so you can get a CASE NUMBER to be able to go get your MEDICAL done because you WONT be allowed to get your medical done without a case number, THIS is if you wish to do EVERYTHING in one day instead of the "walk-in" on a Thursday, you can go get your medical done and the doctor will send it back to the consulate so it is already there in your "file" with your "case number" send your DS-2001 ( letter stating you are ready for your interview) and you will get an interview date set.

I know I can start the police check whenever, I was just wondering about the medical check. I'm going to end up sending the DS-230 soon anyway so its a moot point.

AussieDude

I was wondering if anyone could tell me: My fiance and I were hoping to file a Direct Spousal Visa when I travel to the country where he lives (he is Iraqi but works and lives in the United Arab Emirates). The embassy there told me that have this service, but, I would need to live there and/or be a longtime resident. In other words I can't go there for the purpose of getting a Direct Spousal Visa. I was advised by the embassy to file here in the United States. Does this mean that I can obtain a Direct Spousal Visa from here in the USA?? Or, do you think they mean that I must look into a Fiance Visa or Spousal visa? Thanks so much!

As CrystalDream has pointed out, ---snip---

I'm sorry, I meant as Boiler has pointed out.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me: My fiance and I were hoping to file a Direct Spousal Visa when I travel to the country where he lives (he is Iraqi but works and lives in the United Arab Emirates). The embassy there told me that have this service, but, I would need to live there and/or be a longtime resident. In other words I can't go there for the purpose of getting a Direct Spousal Visa. I was advised by the embassy to file here in the United States. Does this mean that I can obtain a Direct Spousal Visa from here in the USA?? Or, do you think they mean that I must look into a Fiance Visa or Spousal visa? Thanks so much!

As CrystalDream has pointed out, you can't file for DCF unless you are married to the person. In some countries, you can go and marry your partner there and may be able to apply for DCF. However, each country's US consulate has different rules about how long the USC needs to have been living with their foreign spouse in that country before they allow you to file for DCF.

In your situation, the fact that your partner might not be from the Emirates may not matter as long as he has been a legal resident there for a given amount of time.

Whether they allow for you to file for DCF once you are married will depend on their local requirement about you being a resident there.

In any case, if you plan on bringing your partner to the US BEFORE you are married, your only option is a K1 visa, which is for fiance/fiancees, and you can only file for those ONLY inside the US.

If you plan on bringing him to the US after you are married, you may be able to to do a DCF depending on the local rules in the Emirates about how long the USC must have lived there before they can do a DCF.

Otherwise, you can sponsor him directly from the US on a K3 or IR1/CR1 visa (again you need to be married BEFORE you can take these options) which are longer than a DCF but may be the only options available to you.

See the different K1/K3/IR1/CR1 forums for more information.

Just send in the DS 230 and that other one which number escapes me...then go about your business. YOu don't have to have the case number to make a doctor's appt. You can just go do it.

Read the AUssie DCF file CAREFULLY and ask questions. I just completed DCF with my husband in March. Mellie just finished it in Feb and Wolvendove just finished it late March as well.

plenty of people here to help

Hi Karo,

Thanks for the reply. The other document you mean is probably the DS-2001 which is for requesting/informing the consulate that I am ready for the interview.

The reason I asked this question is that a number of threads have pointed out that we can't actually start the medical check before the DS-230's are in, and I was wondering if there was some acknowledgment by the consulate like "Yes we have received your ..., your file is now open" etc etc. so that I could book my medical check.

I'm also guessing that the doctor fills out the medical check forms and sends it to the consulate where they sort it out and put it into my file.

AussieDude

Hi all,

I'm one of these people that likes step by step instructions on bureaucratic stuff, so I decided to write down a good order to follow to go through the whole DCF process. I'm putting it up here so that everybody has something to follow thats (fairly!) simple and concise. Also, if I've made any errors, please point them out. My DCF process is based on a couple who aren't married yet, and are planning to fly one of the partners in to Australia to get married and then do DCF (interview and file petition at the same time). Also, I live in Sydney, so that varies it a little bit if you live in another state.

1. Obtain forms/packet 3 from embassy

* Either directly at embassy on a Thursday or email them

2. Set a wedding date

* This needs to be done by the Australian partner at least a month before your wedding if you plan on getting married in Oz

* You will also need this date for your DS-230. Remember, as most people have pointed out, even though its a date in the future when you mail it in, it will be correct at the time of your interview (Incidentally, anyone ever say one date on their DS-230 and then had to change it?)

* If like us, you have family in a number of countries and want to do the legal part the easy way and have a number of receptions afterwards, you can do a registry marriage

3. Fill out your DS-230 and mail it in

* Fill out both parts I and II, but remember NOT to sign the end of part II, that's done at the interview

* Doing this opens up a file for you so that you can get your medicals done

4. Collect all the relevant documents together

* Birth certificate

* Police check WITH fingerprints (You can actually get this done at any time, they're valid for up to a year, they don't need a case number from the embassy or anything)

* Medical check (once your DS-230 is sent it, book a check up with one of the listed panel doctors)

5. Fill out the rest of the forms

* I-130

* I-864

* G-325A - Fairly straight forward

* A bunch of US style passport photos. Check the packet, it has details of the size and specs (2in by 2in etc)

6. Get married!

* I think this step is straight forward! And yes its scary for all of us, but we all love our partners hence moving halfway round the world!

7. Send in DS-2001

* This can be done at any point once the DS-230 has been filled out. You can send them together if you wish, but make sure you leave yourself enough time to get all your paperwork done, get married and appear at the interview. They're usually booked ahead 3-5 weeks or so in Sydney I've been told, and doing medical/police/birth certificate stuff takes some time.

8. Go to interview!

* Take all your forms, photos, documents

* Make a copy of EVERYTHING, in fact make two so that you can keep another copy at home just in case

* Take all your evidence stuff

I'm personally about to start this process, planning on getting married around the beginning of August. I'm hoping everything goes well, I'll try to point out anything that others should watch out for. You all might see some silly questions from me in the next few months so thanks in advance to those who put time into answering them.

AussieDude

Hi all,

For those who plan to do the interview and petition on one day and want to get their process started as early as possible, the DS-230 is filled out and sent to the embassy to open your file. This as I understand is necessary to generate a case number so that medicals can be done.

My quick question is this, when we mail the DS-230 in, do they inform you of your case number and if so, how, or does the doctor somehow get in touch with the embassy and find out my case number?

Many thanks

Hi all,

I'm sure this has appeared elsewhere, but I wanted to make a double check with someone else who has done this recently.

I was looking through the NSW Police website to see what I need to do to get a police check done.

The first thing is that the form number has changed from what is mentioned in Packet 3 from the embassy (I picked up the packet around December so its probably a little older than that).

I realise that I have to choose the 'with fingerprint' option. My questions are, on the form you're asked to nominate where it will be sent. Can I pick them up myself to take along to the interview or do I need to have it sent to the embassy in which case do I need to instruct the police to mark it a certain way.

My other question is a little more minor. The interview for the police check is supposed to be done at your local police station. I live in the North West of Sydney, I live closer to the Pennant Hills police station, but my workplace is closer to the Eastwood police station. Both are in the Eastwood local area command. Does anyone know if I can get it done at Eastwood as it would be closer to work? This isn't a big deal, its a minor thing really.

Thanks to all!