TracyOz

Hidie Ho all...

just wanted to give you a bit of an update about what has been going on...

A crazy couple of weeks have gone by, I was in the USA until the 6th May and flew back to Adelaide - MAN I was missing my kiddos SO MUCH by then.

We packed a bunch of stuff up and then headed to Sydney for the interview - they had emailed me a couple of times about what extras I need to bring (and my boys each had to have another vaccination before the interview) so no dramas.

Interview set for the 13th May 11.00am... We all go in, wait wait wait.... and then this really MEAN woman behind the counter called me up - started shoving papers at me under the glass and said that there would be a problem with my youngest two as their birth certs. didn't match their passports... I totally froze and then tears streamed down my face - as I got out "ummmm what are you talking about and why hasn't someone mentioned this to me before now.... like they found missing vaccinations in my huge pile of stuff - but something as GLARING as different names didn't raise a flag with them".... she curtly told me "I just work here and prepare the documents for your interviewing officer - and from what I see you will NOT be issued visas"..... The kids and I sat back down in total shock WAITING for the interviewing officer (Brad).....

Finally called up to him - and with my tear stained face I just looked at him as he went through everything, I told him that I thought that they would be asking me questions about mine and Steves' relationship - he said ummmm there was no need as they have no doubts about the validity of that ... (so that is a good start).

But the big problem is that my kids have their fathers' names on their birth certs, but in their passports they all have my maiden name as their surname - and there isn't a legal paper trail for that . I told him that they have been commonly referred to as that for over a decade and that OBVIOUSLY the Australian Government aren't going to just issue Passports "willy nilly" unless they are satisfied about the identity of the person and that my kids have each held 3 passports (2 expired) over the past decade and all are in the same surname, and that medically and school wise and in all personal aspects they use this surname (I also had included affidavits from various people including their father) which stipulated this.

Brad suggested me going and organising a Change of name via Deed poll - UMMMMMM hellooooo that takes weeks - and the fact that their Dad was in Adelaide - how on earth could I do that being we had flights booked for the 16th May... PURELY BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS EMAILS from the Consulate that had advised me that I didn't need anything else at my interview and that there wouldn't be a problem.

I also informed him that "common usage" of a name was legal both in Australia and also in the USA as long as you weren't doing it for fraud or illegal things...

He ummed and ahhed and finally said that while he would approve our visas (YAY) there was no guarantee that we would actually get through POE in LAX on the friday and that it would be entirely up to the POE immigration officer and whether or not he picked it up when going through our envelopes.... or whether it would be an issue.

So we left - feeling good but flat if you know what I mean?

We went back the next day and collected our passports with the visa stamps in them, along with our "envelopes".

Boarded our plane on the Friday - I had used points and upgraded the kids and I to business class - which I thought would be a nice way for that long journey and a nice way for "me" to just stress until we got through POE at LAX.... Great flight and all the staff were wonderful with the kids especially when they heard my story and where we were going etc...

Got to LAX - ummmm so did about 10 other flights at the same time LOL... the immigration area was packed (and I mean PACKED) it took about an hour before we even got close to the front of the line and then we were directed to this officer (who appeared gruff) he unceremoniously ripped open our envelopes - all the while I am just holding my breath and holding back tears.... we were with him for about 35minutes or a little more while he went through everything - then YAY YAY YAY - he stamped our passports, drew a line throuugh our visas, put all of our paperwork into a pile - reminded me that I have to marry within 90 days and then "welcome to america".... I was so relieved you have no idea.

We went to baggage claimed our 8 bags LOL.... put them on the transfer belt and through the glass window I could see my fiance Steve waving to us - MAN OH MAN what a wonderful site (he had flown from Cleveland to meet us and fly back to cleveland with us)..... I literally fell into his arms (great to see him and yes I missed him, but I think the tears of relief that waved over me was the main reason).

We then continued on with our extremely long day - flying to Chicago and then Cleveland - arriving here at home around 35 hours after getting to Sydney airport.... and now we are all just getting over jet-lag and the (cold/flu) that my daughter and I managed to pick up...

So onward we go - the wedding is on the 31st and SO MUCH to do between now and then LOL...

there you have it in a nutshell

now I must go and have a coffee

have a GREAT day folks

Tracy

"A" team... WOW guys... I hear you... I am currently bouncing around here in Adelaide... sun is still shining, I am in the midst of packing for my "trip" to the USA tomorrow... GRIN... my darling man thinks I am not getting in till Saturday... <grin> so I will be a massive surprise for him on his "thursday night" after his brother picks me up from the airport and takes me home... AND I am going over there with a NOA-2... I LITERALLY just about fell off my chair when I read the email, and I was just EXPLODING with happiness and excitement, my poor kiddos did not know what was going on LOL...

MOX... YOU ARE NEXT... at least within the week... I FEEL it in my bones...

Oh man oh man - the only way this could have felt better would have been if I had been with my honey when seeing that (LOL - instead of screaming down the phone at him while he was asleep ) now - just the actual interview to go, and then the BEST day of my life when we actually get married... OH WOW I cannot CANNOT wait...

have a GREAT GREAT GREAT day everyone...

GO CSC, GO.... YOU ROCK....

Tracy

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

OH OH OH MY GOD............................................................

WE GOT THE APPROVAL...

JUST CHECKED MY email...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL *** The last processing action taken on your case

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent. On February 5, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Was jumping around the house screaming OMGOD the kids and I were all doing HIGH 5's.... then I had to WAKE up my darling man LOL... it was like 2.00am in Cleveland right now... <grin>

what an AMAZING feeling... and I fly out to the USA tomorrow to spend some time with him... WHAT PERFECT timing....

CONGRATS TO EVERYONE else who have also received theirs too.... WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

WOW .. CONGRATULATIONS everyone... I counted 7 September CSC filers approved all on the one day... .... UNBELIEVABLE and AWESOMELY exciting at the same time...

yay go CSC go.... <grin>

again CONGRATULATIONS folks... WTG

have a SUPER GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

Hidie Ho fellow Aussies...

Oh my I am feeling rather excited now... (nope - no NOA-2 yet though ) BUT I am heading off to the USA in only 3 days to see my darling man... and the BEST thing is that he "thinks" I am flying in 2 days later than I actually am, so cannot wait to see the look of surprise on his face when I get there (we are staying with his Bro & Sis-in-law for a couple of weeks until we "close" on our house over there).... so his brother is actually sneaking out of the house to come and get me from the airport... HOW fun...

Anyway - apart from that - in this nightmare process

My kiddos and I went off and spent a LONG day with our medicals today .... went into town saw the receptionist to collect the requests for bloods & x-rays. Then went and had the X-rays done, then went and had our blood tests done - went back to the x-ray place picked up our films and then went for the medical appointment - all was fine and dandy. Have to go and pick up the final report on Wednesday with the blood results but that is no dramas... All up almost $1000 poorer and 8 hours of time taken to do all of that... BUT at least it is done..

Now I am assuming that while I am O/S our NOA-2 will come through, and hopefully be forwarded onto Sydney and hopefully they will send out packet 3 well before I come back...

I have already filled in & signed the statement of Readiness (left the date blank), and put the Part 1 of the DS230 for each of us - which I will leave here, so that as soon as the Packet 3 turns up, my friend can date the statement and post it straight back to the Sydney consulate... I am TRULY hoping that I will be returning here to Aus, literally with only enough time to pack up the rest of mine and the kiddos stuff and for us to fly up to Sydney go to the interview - wait for our visas and then fly straight out from there... SO WE WILL see what transpires over the next 6-8 weeks won't we??? LOL...

have a GREAT day folks and hopefully we will see some shining happy faces over this coming week with approvals and good news for all.

Tracy

:-)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE APPROVALS THAT CAME IN

Wow it is so darn exciting now to see september filers finally jumping up and down with joy..... one step closer - come on CSC you can do it - we are all supporting you, cheering you on....

and Mox - you will be this week I feel it ....

have a GREAT day folks

Tracy

:-)

LOL... so Mox you are learning Russian... COOL...

i on the other hand (Aussie) where we speak English - am now learning to talk American <grin> as the way I see it, ONLY Americans use the old measurement system for temps, weight, distance etc... and when you ask many Americans what language they speak ... RARELY do they say English they say ummmm american... so I am trying really hard to say Y'all y'all and take out, layaway - only teasin'..

have a GREAT day folks... OH ME OH MY only ONE week to go before I see my honey (bittersweet though, cause to go over there for some of this "wait out" time, means leaving my kiddos here with my ex and i will MISS them abysmally)... THAT is the part that I am hating the most over the past year or so - either I have the happiness of being with Steve (but being away from my rugrats) - or I am with them and missing my honey... too many tears and emotional separations for me I am afraid... I CANNOT wait for the next few months to be OVER with so that I can merge all my loved ones together in one place..

Tracy

:-)

x

Hi Katz

re:- the fingerprints yada yada .... my eldest son and I both had to do them, and here in SA - when the letter came back from them to say we were clear etc. they also sent back the original (fingerprinting) sheet so I have that as well (LOL... and copies too)... hey who REALLY ever said that there is a paperwork reduction act in place... certainly for this process there ISN'T with the amount of trees we are all taking down by making sure we have everything in duplicate (and then extra copies for just in case)..

Oh and thanks for the lead for that form as well, Wendy emailed it to me - SO YAY I can go ahead and get these silly medicals,bloods and xrays out of the way well in advance...

CONGRATS to everyone who have received their visas and NOA-2's and other stuff in the past week or so as well - HOW bloomin' EXCITING for you...

have a GREAT day folks

Tracy

:-)

Hi Yah Mox...

This WHOLE thing is bizzare... timeconsuming, emotionally draining and frustrating and really it is a RIGHT ROYAL PAIN IN THE PATOOTIE... if you ask me..

My thoughts are still that the USA divorce rate would not be sitting on 50% IF EVERY SINGLE person in the USA prior to wanting to get married had to be put into an enforced 6-18 month separation, and had to communicate to actually discover things about each other (so that it wasn't just lust ), if they had to go through the financial costs, and then the probing into personal lives, medicals and all sorts of other riff raff.. If standard USA folks prior to marriage had to prove their devotion, love and relationship (time spent together, contact made between them, and in detail knowledge about the other)...

WOW - how many folks would actually "go the distance" from that short spurt of immediate infatuation - through to the actual marriage ceremony... ummmm not many LOL...

So I STILL think while bizarre, frustrating, draining and downright annoying that we are all going through this total nightmare .... just think of what hurdles we are overcoming - how, at a distance we are able with our loved ones to talk and deal with situations and actually get through them together - how we are really actually getting to know our partners on a far deeper level than just a quick "hi honey how was your day - good - oh mine was crappy - now lets eat some food, not talk about anything, watch some TV and jump into bed"... LOL...

Okay so that is my optimism for the week - BELIEVE me it won't last (especially if CSC doesn't start to SHAKE SOME DARN "TAIL FEATHER") and make some action happen, my kids and I have just moved out of my house (that I sold last year organising a late January settlement THINKING STUPIDLY that we would be in the USA by the first week in February <crazed giggle>) and we are now all squished into my ex's place - there are boxes and suitcases EVERYWHERE and believe you me, ummm sharing a house with my ex is not what I call optimum <LOL> GREAT for the kids though to have this chance to spend some time with their Dad before we move O/S... BUT a crazy situation non-the-less.....

have a GREAT day folks... and COME ON CSC... COME ON...

Tracy

:-)

Well Rebecca - the first thing would be to do the story justice and realise the pain and heartache that most people are going through - I have seen many stories written that focus on immigration - but not necessarily on LEGAL immigration - so there are many who do not realise what we actually go through - emotionally, financially, and just plain "go through" due to being separated from our loved ones... Spend some more time reading through the various posts and you will discover many people who you could contact - they might not be in your area though.

we would LOVE to see what angle you would like to take this - Vj'ers have been burned in the past through articles appearing, and some rather nasty comments being made about how lovelorn we are so most are quite wary.

come on VJ'ers if given the right information who knows how this might help..

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

WTG folks... CONGRATULATIONS

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

WOW - so many exciting positive signs on this thread - WTG and congratulations

I have a bit of a question - and ANY help would be appreciated..

SO....

Re: K-1 Medical Examination.

Apart from the documents that are available here on VJ (the actual forms that the Dr. fills in) I understand that there is a sheet in Packet 3, one that lists all the doctors and then one that has something on it to be signed... by applicant (in front of dr. etc)...

so does anyone actually have a copy of the Medical Examination Instructions that are sent out from the Sydney Consulate..

I am specifically after the sheet that really only has 2 parts on it (generally appears in your pack after the list of Aussie Drs. to go to)

and has.

Section 1 - Principal Applicant to complete this section

(my passport, or other official identification...blah blah blah...........................

name

p/port number

place of issue.... blah blah..

AND signature IN PRESENCE of panel physician)

Section 2 - to be completed by PHYSICIAN, X-ray & blood test supervisors...

I am satisfied that the person being examined.... blah blah blah...

signature of physician............

signature of xray super...................

signature of lab. technician.......................

<grin> YOUR help would be HUGELY APPRECIATED... I am trying to pre-organise all of our medicals (having 3 kiddos to also go through this process - and juggling all of our schedules is a nightmare for this experience LOL) - if you know what I mean, (and I am going to be away for a couple of months - during which time we anticipate that both the NOA2 and then the Packet 3 will arrive here),

we have our Medical appointment booked for early next week (4th) - BUT I have been told by the receptionist there that without this specific form (the x-rays and bloods) can't be done, and even they would prefer not to do the appointment .... what a PAIN and they at the Dr's don't keep "spares" of this form on hand..... so if anyone can help out I will be one happy little vegemite.... ....

If anyone has a copy of it and if it could be scanned in (High Resolution) and uploaded to the gallery that would be GREAT... or alternately send me a PM and I will forward you my email addy so that you could email it to me directly as a PDF or JPEG.

THANKS in advance

Tracy

Hi All...

Re: K-1 Medical Examination.

Apart from the beautiful documents that are available here on VJ (the actual forms that the Dr. fills in)

does anyone actually have a copy of the Medical Examination Instructions that are sent out from the Consulate (preferably the one that comes in Australia)

I am specifically after the sheet that really only has 2 parts on it (generally appears in your pack after the list of Aussie Drs. to go to)

and has.

Section 1 - Principal Applicant to complete this section

(my passport, or other official identification...blah blah blah...........................

name

p/port number

place of issue.... blah blah..

AND signature IN PRESENCE of panel physician)

Section 2 - to be completed by PHYSICIAN, X-ray & blood test supervisors...

I am satisfied that the person being examined.... blah blah blah...

signature of physician............

signature of xray super...................

signature of lab. technician.......................

<grin> YOUR help would be HUGELY APPRECIATED... I am trying to pre-organise all of our medicals and stuff (as I am going to be away for a couple of months), we have our Medical appointment - BUT without this specific form (the x-rays and bloods) can't be done... ....

If it could be scanned in (High Resolution) and uploaded to the gallery that would be GREAT... or alternately send me a PM and I will forward you my email addy..

THANKS in advance

Tracy

Hidie Ho fellow Aussies...

hey Patricia... COOL on getting your ticket (ummm what is this about the mandatory 4 hour layover???) is that only when you are entering on the actual K-1 visa (in case of questioning time etc)..

I have never heard of that, all I know is that normally coming in from Australia via LAX ongoing to other cities you do have to allow plenty of time between connections just because there can be delays, but I am totally unaware of the 4 hour timeframe.

and HEY I hear you on all the stuff that you are missing out on being there for... I am just so glad that I was in the USA last September when Steve and I purchased a house together (YAY our closing date on that is on February 18th) - and I will be over there for it... <grin> and while there we are trading in his car (jeep wrangler LOL) to purchase a larger vehicle to seat our new blended family... I CANNOT wait to see him (LOL - even though he only left here like 3 weeks ago)... I'm flying over on the 7th Feb and staying for about 8 weeks - through our settlement and also to do some of the organising of our wedding (which we HOPE at this stage will take place at the end of MAY - as long as our NOA2 arrives sometime in Feb/March and then all the papers get to Sydney for a late April interview... SO keep your fingers crossed for us).. Actually this week my children and I have our X-Rays and Blood tests to be done, and then have an appt. with Dr. Miller on the 4th Feb for the medical..

Another question for you Patricia - when you had your medical with Dr. Miller, did you ask for an extra copy of the medical report to be given to you?? I am thinking that I will (for our own records - especially the vaccination stuff, as I will need all of that information to enroll my kidlets in school over there)..

have a GREAT day guys - me - WELL my house here in ADL actually "finally" settles this coming friday - so it is ACTION stations at the final packing & moving for us now over into our "temporary" accomodation - which we didn't think we would have to do - however the delays have caused us to have to ... darn frustrating really...

Tracy

:-)

Common Law Name change - is quite legal and valid (without official deed poll name change documents).. However you must supply further proof about the fact that the name has been used and for roughly how long.

Eg:- a Stat Dec. (or affidavit) from a couple of people (with a photograph of your fiance on this declaration). stating that I (blah blah) have known (blah blah blah) shown in this photo for x number of years, I have only known them as the following name;-

Have these documents notarized or witnessed by a JP.

Also include anything else that shows use of that surname, especially anything official (legal) from that country - such as drivers licence, medical records, school records, bank statement, tax file number etc.

Along with a statement (affidavit or similar) from the actual finance stating that this is their birth certificate number, registered on x date and that since x date they have gone by the surname of x.

Hope that helps (I know it means more paperwork grin but what the hey? During this process there is really nothing like another couple of trees being chopped down for our photocopying is there?? regardless of the fact that on the bottom of all the forms that we have to fill in it refers to the paperwork reduction act... LOL... big joke).

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

<green with envy here> BUT in a nice way <grin> CONGRATULATIONS on your approvals folks...

have a GREAt day

Tracy

:-)

CONGRATULATIONS folks... IT IS so exciting to see September filers getting their NOA-2's.... HOPING THAT WE WILL see more of them... I am actually AMAZED that VSC seems to have started pumping through October filers... ...

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

I think that it totally depends on the mood of the POE operator... BUT I do concur that from all accounts they really will question you and maybe deny you if you are spending more time in the USA than out of it..

My experience of 2007 on the VWP was like this..

Jan 2007 - in the USA for 3 weeks.. left mid February.

March 2007 - returned to the USA and stayed for almost the full 90 days until the end of May

(so I was only back here in Australia for 6 weeks even though I had been in the USA for 14 just beforehand - so it doesn't work for the above theory that you have to be out of the USA for the "gap" to be the same as what you were there)..

Mid July 2007 - returned to the USA and was there for about 76 out of the 90 days leaving at the end of September

I was not questioned any differently at any of those times.

Really they are looking/questioning folks who they believe are trying to buck the system or get around it - if you are doing nothing wrong and are not trying to twist their system, and you have strong ties back in your homeland - the problems should be minimal.

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

Thanks for the new list STP - but sheesh <lol> at 5 CSC approvals for the week, and me sitting at number 195 - that would be like 39 bloomin' weeks from now for an NOA2... I really hope that they pick up the pace (back to the 20-30+) they were doing pre-Xmas, or maybe they have and just a stack of peeps haven't updated their timeline (the ones that think us number crunchers are nuts LOL)...

I STILL have my thoughts and fingers crossed that everyone who filed up to the end of September will see their NOA-2 by mid February....

have a GREAT day folks

Tracy

:-)

OH my GOSH CONGRATULATIONS... Frank & Rinso

I always get excited when I see someone approved... but NOW that it is SEPT. filers... everytime I read an approval, tears build up in my eyes (or as my SO says - my eyes get all leaky and we don't know why <grin>)... I think I am more emotional for the Sept. filers because it means we might be getting closer and closer... (well if we had filed in vermont anyway LOL)....

AGAIN huge congrats.....

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

WHOOOOOO HOOOO CONGRATULATIONS

have a GREAT day

Tracy

;-)

Mox - I'll leave you to the break down by service centres... <grin> I HAD started doing it that way - and ummmmm found it too "depressing" myself <grin> which is why I decided just to lump everyone together LOL...

But what the blazes is going on??? My timeline estimated date has just gone to March 21 (WHAT THE???) at one point just before Xmas, it had gone right down to almost the beginning of March... come on peeps please update your timelines - surely the adjudication dates should be (in theory) getting better - not worse... WHERE oh WHERE are the timeline police???

have a GREAT day folks

Tracy

:-)

oooh that was an interesting thing that they put on your form JenniBenni....

I will take that into consideration myself in my pre-preparation of these forms and will fill out one with NONE and one with my spouse to be... (theory better to have more information than less LOL)..

have a GREAT day

Tracy

;-)

<grin>

Ahhhh c'mon you guys know me by now - when going a little 'stir-crazy' I do up some number crunching... just for the hey of it... AND WE ALL know that truly they don't mean anything, and there are STAX of other variations to take into consideration (and of course not everyone updates their timelines, and fall off the VJ wagon) <grin> but these sort of things are amusing and keep us number folks a little happy...

So the "timeline police" <grin> is asking that if you need to update your timeline then Please do... your stats help us give a more accurate picture for our "guestimates"...

So as at today (10th january)

September Filers

There were;-

96 K1 filers for September

88 have received NOA-1

17 have received NOA-2 (with an average of 75 days between NOA-1 & 2)..

6 have Interview dates..

August Filers

There were

82 K1 filers for August

78 have received NOA-1

25 have received NOA-2 (average of 112 days between NOA1-2)

0 have interview dates????? (interesting - but again not everyone comes back on here and updates their information)

July Filers...

There were

338 K1 filers for July (ahhh you guys are killing us) <grin>

321 have received NOA-1

225 have received NOA-2 (average of 130 days between NOA1-2)

27 have interview dates

June Filers

There were

205 K1 filers for June (grin - these were the first ones trying to kill us) <grin>

198 have received NOA-1

165 have received NOA-2 (again probably because of non-updates this could be more) - average of 138 days between NOA1-2

65 have interview dates

In closing

Total

There were (between 1 june and 30 September)

733 K1 filers during this period

697 have received NOA-1

439 have received NOA-2 (with average of 130 days between NOA1-2)

100 have Interviews (with average of 100 days between NOA2 & interview)

leaves 300 waiting for NOA 2...

and my guess (grin) is that around 10% of the total number aren't updating... so that is around 70 people

take that off the 300 waiting... and we get 230 waiting for NOA-2.... (and they approved 200 in December alone... so FINGERS crossed we see 200 approved in January) it wil mean that all of us during that period of filing SHOULD see our NOA-2 BY early February....

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)