AussieBubba

21 hours ago, SophieTheGamer said:

The consulate signed it when the two girls at the reception before security took all my paperwork. I’m sorry to hear that. that has to be the worse thing to happen after everything. I hope it shows up.

Thanks for the reply Sophie, I was the first one in on the day, the girls checked the address and put a return address sticker on the back but didn't sign it. Never the less, I think it's safe to say that the Post Office has indeed lost my passport. I'll have to start the process of getting a replacement this week.

Take care and I hope things work out well for you in the U.S.

On 8/30/2018 at 5:01 AM, SophieTheGamer said:

Hey,

 

I received my immigrant visa in the mail in my passport a week ago. All that was sent to me was my passport alone, no visa packet or envelope. I got an email with info on how to read my visa and the annotations mine is “IV documents in CCD 212(g)(2)(B) “ but I’m worried that supposed to have a sealed packet to take with me. Everywhere I have read says there is a sealed packet. Help! The annotation table is below!

Half your luck Sophie. My visa was issued on the same day, however, it appears that Australia Post has lost it! Can you tell me, on the express post parcel, did you sign the Aviation Declaration or did the Consulate. I left the declaration blank thinking that the consulate would sign it, as they are the ones actually posting the parcel, however, it wasn't signed. Not withstanding the package should've arrived by road but it hasn't. I am absolutely distraught.

2 minutes ago, Gj & Cathy said:

Sorry for the ignorance but how do I go to the USCIS site to check the time lines please?

Go to USCIS website and navigate to the Case Status online page, at the bottom of the page is a box called 'USCIS processing times information' - select that box which will navigate to another page - select your circumstance from the drop down boxes (i.e. I-130 and Nebraska Service Center in my case) and submit. The dates that are displayed correspond to the case NOA1 dates they are currently working - at the moment it is 26 November 2017.

Hope this makes sense.

22 hours ago, Gj & Cathy said:

Hi AussieBubba...when you say USCIS Timelines, did you mean to say myuscis.com site or VisaJourney?

How's your timeline going?

Hey there, I was talking about the USCIS website, it'll change from month to month but as it gets closer it is more accurate - at least in our experience, we lodged in May 2017 and got our NOA2 in January 2018 which was expected.

My IR1 has been issued just waiting on my passport to be returned in the post -  this seems to be the most nerve racking bit i.e. hoping Aus Post doesn't lose my passport!

The interview will be scheduled by the consulate once the visa application is completed at the NVC and the appointment time and details will be emailed to the beneficiary (provided they have your email address). Don't book your medial exam until you have your visa appointment as the medical is only valid for either 3 or 6 months and it will affect the expiry date of your visa (the visa is only valid for a maximum of 6 months i.e. once you get your visa you'll have 6 months to enter the US.

Hope this helps - drop us a line if you need further clarification.

I would agree with what Dee elle said. Also, my experience is that the USCIS timelines are reasonably accurate give or take a couple of weeks. The waiting is hard but try not to worry. There is still a lot of waiting to do yet and plenty of time to get ready for the next step.

I went to the US for just under 3 months on the I-94 visitor visa after we got the NOA2 and were waiting for the NVC to begin the visa application process (submitted the visa application online from the US). There were no problems but make sure that you have a return ticket and under no circumstances consider working. I also had a letter from my immigration attorney and a copy of the NOA2 but it wasn't needed.

Hope that helps, feel free to ask if you need anything clarified.

Hi Sophie the Gamer,

I asked at the DMV in Colorado Springs a couple of weeks ago, apparently you can go to the social security office and request a letter (I think it was called a SNAP letter) which will have your SSN on it and use that. Our health insurance company said that once I enter the US as a resident and have a SSN then they can add me to my wife's policy.

Hope that helps.

9 minutes ago, SophieTheGamer said:

My interview is also the 21st of August so happy it’s been such a long road 

I know, right? So glad we're nearly there.

Some good news this morning. Our interview date has been set for 8/21/2018. To help with the timings;

5/7/2018 - Uploaded DS-260, AOS and Civil Documents

5/24/2018 - NVC rejected two documents (scanned in landscape not portrait) resubmitted same day

6/13/2018 - NVC requested more documents, documents uploaded and accepted on same day. Notified of being Documentary Qualified.

7/12/2018 - Notified that interview date set for 8/21/2018.

So about 2 weeks for NVC to get to the application after submitted, then about a month to get interview date after NVC completion.

Hope this helps. 

We're still waiting for an interview date since CC (13 Jun) from the NVC. We'll keep you updated.

I'd file the I-130 now. We waited a few months once we were ready to file and we regretted it. We filed the I-130 in May 2017 and it was granted at the end of January. At the moment we are still waiting for an appointment with the consulate!

If there are circumstances that would make your application difficult I would strongly recommend getting a immigration attorney - we used Andrew David who is based in Minneapolis and specializes in US/Aus immigration. It saved us a lot of heartache and might not be as expensive as you think.

Hope this helps.

I just recently sent my Belgian Malinois to Colorado from Adelaide. I used Jetpets, the cost was approximately $5000 but that included everything and they were very easy to deal with and kept me informed the whole way. There was no quarantine and she only required a rabies vaccination once she got to Colorado. Hope that helps.