ECCK

I'm in Mexico-City!
 
Honestly still can't believe that I'm here. Stumbled upon this thread 3 weeks ago and now I actually did it. Thank you to all the people for your continuous support. 
 
Here's how it went:
Flight was packed, like as if there is no pandemic going on. Insane. KLM's service is great. Long flight but I had extra leg room so I was good hahaha. 
Then came immigration. Long line. The lady asked me why I'm here and for how long. I said I was staying with a friend for 2 weeks and then I'm flying to the US. Didn't have to show anything. Super easy and super relieved it went that smooth. 

I just checked and my refused status changed to application received and immigrant visa to non-immigrant visa so I think they will be issued early next week. Very exciting. I have started to collect my documents to leave.

I do have a question though. I have been packing and I think I will have around 20-25 boxes when I am done. Did any of you guys use shipping companies to move things. If so do you have any advice? I am looking at Upakweship.

Like @Entheos mentioned a few of us have been able to get our waiver but it’s usually taken several attempts. I received 3 rejections and someone else had over 10! The current trend seems to be that approvals are given only one or two days before the date of departure listed on your request. You can try changing the exemption category that you’re applying under. Some have gotten it under urgent personal business while others have gotten it under compassionate grounds. It’s a pretty broken process and I just recommend that you keep trying! The evidence I used was copy of Visa, resignation letter from my job, shipping invoices for my boxes, pet relocation invoice and proof I cancelled my private health insurance. Good luck!! 

There's been some lengthy discussion in this thread about it -> 
 
 
 
There's a lot of pages, however most of the discussion about getting the travel exemption has been in the last 5-7 pages from memory....

I put an earlier date and stated i needed to travel ASAP. They never looked at my flight bookings or anything and I was approved. I think if all your other evidence is sorted you’ll be fine. 
 
Congratulations! I’ve heard that the post is gradually getting better so hopefully his paperwork comes back soon. Take one step at a time and he’ll be with you soon! Good luck! 

Yeah, the one in June I’m sure got it based on their K1 visa. They said they where immigrating there with no plans to return to Australia in the short term. They applied for early June but they haven’t bought their ticket yet. I think if others are getting their waivers, you’ll definitely get yours too! 
 
The other person applied last week for a flight leaving in the same week. 

Sorry to hear that you keep getting rejected. I actually know of two people who got their waivers. One person got it within an hour and they’re leaving today for the US. The other person got their waiver for a flight in June. 

For Australians, Border Force issues the exemptions since they are the ones monitoring the borders at the airport. I think there is a form on the Home Affairs website that you need to submit. It says in the Border Force website that exemptions should be applied for at least 12 hours before departure. You should try that instead of DFAT. Good luck!

Yeah my medical was sent straight to the consulate. I think that’s the usual practice. 

Just had my interview today. They actually asked me a lot of questions! My daughter didn’t sleep well last night so was grumpy and in my face the whole time too!
They hadn’t received my medical yet but they said it takes 1-2 weeks and I only got it done a week ago today. They said they should have it next week and issue my visas as soon as they do!
So yeah they said I’m approved and not to worry. Just waiting for that!

You need to email the Sydney Consulate and have them request the file to be sent to the Consulate.  Otherwise it won’t be sent out till the Consulate returns to ‘normal operations’.  You’ll need to email them and explain the situation in the body of the email.  Once they request it, they will let you know once it arrives and how the way forward will look from there.  Until that happens, we kinda have to sit on our hands and wait. 😬

So happy for you! I remember being in the same Filing group with you in the other thread as you. It’s been such a long journey!! Wishing you both all the best 💕

As one of those "lazy government employees" you referred to, I can assure you we are not sitting around doing nothing on our cell phones.
 
The vast majority of the federal workforce continues working from home or alternate work sites.  Consulate officers still have plenty of work without conducting visa interviews. 
 
It isn't laziness that delays your packet 3.  The consulate is deliberately slowing your progress.  They have to reschedule hundreds of cancelled interviews before you continue through the process.
 
Sorry you are having issues finding the foods you are accustomed to eating.  Given the rising beef prices in the United States and Vietnam, I am sure many families in Vietnam and the United States would have difficulty empathizing with your struggle eating beef, chicken, eggs, noodles, and rice every day.  Vietnam is one of the greatest foodie/seafood destinations in the world.  Definitely reconsider where you are shopping if you are having so many issues with food quality.  
 
Bread made with rice flour - like the traditional Vietnamese baguettes -  are gluten free.  Ask if it's rice or a rice/wheat mix. 
 
Vietnam is not a third-world country.  It is usually referred to as "third world" (or "hellish") by people trying to insult the country and/or its people.
 
Leadership's decision to close embassies will have long-lasting impacts on immigration. The entire immigration process is a long and frustrating ride.  Patience is even more necessary now than ever before.  Best of luck to you and your fiance. 
 
Jason
 
 
 
 
 
 

As noted, DOS made the decision.
Only USCIS has set a planned date to reopen. DOS has not yet.
The individual employees have absolutely no say when they can resume normal visa processing work. Your anger and insults directed at them are misguided. The decision to resume visa processing is something from top DOS staff and/or the chief of mission for that country. It's like complaining that a DMV clerk won't issue a new license when the state's governor mandated all DMV offices closed. The worker has no say...you're talking to people at least several levels lower in the org chart than those with the power to make that decision.
 
If the plan is to remain abroad until the interview, I'm assuming you have a co sponsor lined up (or large assets).

I’m sorry that you are frustrated but aiming it at government employees is a bit unfair.
Decisions around Embassy reopening are made in Washington by Dept of State so your “lazy government employees” are depending on that decision. Humble yourself - Immigration is not a right, and no timeline is granted. Even more so under current circumstances. You are physically with your Fiancé, what else do you need? Others are waiting apart from another.

She is on her way here!  For those who said you don't need anything at the airport regarding the exemption, it is NOT true.  There are multiple checks from Border force to baggage check, phone calls and authorizations at each stage. They were able to use the email from her phone, we didn't have a ton of time to discuss things in great detail I just wanted to pass along her experience today.  I'm not sure if a printed copy would be better or not, best of luck to all.  In 21.25 hours my girl will be with me!  
 
We were on a record pace, as you can see by the timeline, until March.  In reality, we were only delayed by about 6 weeks for this.  I am grateful to the NVC and the Embassy for expediting our case.  My mother's condition has remained in a similar state and I pray that we'll get a little while longer although I want her to be at peace.     Again, I wish each of you the best and am certainly appreciative of the help and support numerous folks provided to this point.  Hopefully our experience will be just as helpful to others.

Interesting. Has been India been placed in a lockdown? I expect to hear similar news with my appointment on 31 March in Sydney...

Thank you!  It seems it once again came down to the last moment.  

Exemption was approved!!!! 4th time under the urgent travel.  Thx to all for all the help, her flight leaves tomorrow morning at 10:00!

Oddly, this time a case number was used vs a reference number and the asks were more specific and less general.  She included the canceling of health insurance as well as a utility bill and I've had her added to our lease.  We also added a marriage license contract.  Stay tuned, the flight is supposed to be Saturday morning.

Denied again....resubmitting under the compassionate option.  It's quite ridiculous, she lives with her mom so no way to show a rental lease termination.  We didn't open a joint account last time she was here and it requires her to be here in person.  Yesterday was her final work day, her boxes left on Tuesday and now we have to submit again.  I'll stop venting now.

Ok guys, the nyx hotel texted me yesterday, and they will “100% open their premises including pool, access to the ocean and so on on the 8th of June”. Therefore I just changed my booking, and I’m planning to fly out on the 3rd and stay in Mexico City for a few days, then fly to Cancun. Flights from Cancun to the US are pretty affordable - 177$! I would like to fly with American Airlines, and I would enter the US in Atlanta. While I’ve entered the IS in atl before, I am really anxious, and hope this is going to work 😫 otherwise I will spend an additional 2k€ for a trip. But it seems to me, as if I could at least go see the ocean for a few days, and I believe that is going to be really good for me, after the last 12 months of anxiety and lockdown (applied for the visa in June last year). If anyone wants to meet up in a socially distanced manner, I would love to meet in either Mexico City or Cancun! Fingers crossed they won’t cancel on me again !!!

Good luck to you 🍀 I enjoy your updates and wish you guys all the best!! You guys look so adorable in your picture 🙈 I had to tell you, it’s super cute

3rd attempt at requesting the waiver and i finally got it just then! You just get an email saying the request has been approved and that the port has been notified to let you depart Australia. It doesn't even say you need to print the email and bring it along, but I think I'll do it just to be safe. Good luck to everyone else waiting for their waiver! 

Well today is the day he leaves Australia, he's on the plane and leaving now. I don't think it's quite sunk in that he's coming here. So many emotions! 🛫😂💜💜