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Chicago_dreaming

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Posts posted by Chicago_dreaming

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    Airfare to the US :wacko:

    Folks, many of us would have faced the costliness of a one-way fare to the US vs. a return entering the US on the KI visa.

    Rather than fly direct ie. SYD>SFO or LAX > Chicago, I was thinking of flying non-direct to try save some money ie. SYD>Honolulu on Jetstar>SFO or LAX on United> Chicago

    BUT

    Assume HNL would be my Point of Entry. Does it matter which is my POE flying in on a K1 visa? Should I best fly direct through SFO or LAX to avoid any trouble (this is tempting esp. since I will be lugging around my wedding dress!!)

    Any tips on airfare, routes to save $$ to get me from A to B? :thumbs:

    Thanks!~ We could all benefit!!

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    * I have settle down Australia for quite some time and it is scariest thing to move to overseas again..I am especially, frighten about getting a driving license. And possibility of racism since my fiancé lives sunburn where low percentage of Asian people lives…

    Hi Joey, I visited North Carolina last Jan/Feb as my now fiance (half Korean but born in the US) was living in Charlotte at the time. So I spent a few weeks there, visited Asheville (NC), Charleston/Hilton Head in South Carolina. Whilst yes there are few asians there (even downtown), I didn't face any animosity or racism or anything of the sort nor did my fiance. His Korean Mother also stayed with him for a few months and I didn't hear her face anything of the sort either. He was living in a gated community and his neighbours kept to themselves, but even going to the supermarket, eating out, watching a movie, going to a bar, etc things were fine. But discuss this w/ your partner as he'd be more insightful than I on this matter. Perhaps you can look into Aussie/Korean groups in the area. I'm sure they exist and would provide an excellent support network once you begin settling there.

    But definitely do get your driver's license, you'll need it! So far to walk anywhere! So hopefully you'll overcome your fear :)

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    Katz, correct it's 150.65 payable at Australia Post. There is only one American Consulate Non-Immigrant Visa 'fee' so they'll know which one you're paying for. Be sure to remember the receipt! Also, bring along a pre-paid self addressed envelope so they can post the visa to you. They didn't indicate this anywhere on my mailed letter nor email notification of my interview hence I didn't bring one. So I'll have to go back tomorrow to pick it up :wacko:

    Yes folks I had my KI visa interview today and was approved! In less than an hour too :dance:

    What to expect (from my experience)

    The Tower itself houses numerous companies, medical practices, etc so lots of people streaming in and out. Just be sure to take the correct set of elevators and not straight to Level 59. You can query the security guards at the desk in the Lobby like I did but I was simply told to go to Level 10.

    Take the elevator to Level 10 where the Consulate reception is located. They'll ask you for your appointment letter. You'll have to pass through a metal detector and your belongings scanned. Only then are you able to proceed to Level 59. You'll be shown in the elevator by the lovely security guards. Upon exiting onto Level 59, you'll have to go through another metal detector before pulling on the heavy door (yank it hard!) to the Consulate.

    Great views of the Bridge and harbour from the window on the left. Be sure to take a Number before you are called up. For me there was only a short wait, say 15mins. I was called up to the counter (about 11 counters in total from what I saw, enclosed like a booth but open enough for you to hear conversations happening across the counter! *cringe*) and the lady simply took a look at my appointment letter, took my documentation and found my case and proceeded to review all my paperwork ensuring I had everything for about 15mins. Then I was asked to sit down and wait.

    After about 10mins, I was called up. I was expecting a face to face interview in a room. But it was merely over the counter separated by a glass panel. First thing the Officer said to me was 'So you're getting married?'. 'Sure am' I replied sheepishly. He took a look at my documents, asked when I was going to travel, where my fiance lives, where I intend to live, have I visited before, he noted my place of employment and asked if I would seek employment with them...and then he asked if I was going to pick up my visa or not. No congrats but boy, was I pleased! Short & Sweet!~ Took about 10mins! I'd brought evidence of our relationship and was ready to launch into my spill but guess not!

    Any further Qs, feel free to ask me. Was painless and quick. All the best to everyone else! As long as you have all your papers in order, you should be fine :thumbs:

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    Hi all!

    Well, I finally got an interview date! I received packet four via email on Thursday - I was very surprised to get it so soon! My interview is on March 25th at 11:00am (the day before the original expiry date of the petition!), and I'm all ready to go. I was very lucky to get a decently-priced plane ticket and a hotel room (Travelodge on Phillip Street) so close to the Easter long weekend!

    I'll have a full day in Sydney to do some touristy things, and the next day is the interview day. I'm very nervous, excited, and... nervous. LOL. I can't wait for it to be over and done with...

    It should be interesting to see how long I'll spend at the consulate. I followed the new instructions that the consulate sent to me by email. I had to send all of my documents (with the exception of the evidence and originals of the police certificate, my change of name and birth certificates.) to them instead of taking it all with me.

    I wonder if they've changed the way they interview people, too?

    Good stuff! I'll let you know how my interview goes.

    Also, does anyone know if the fee of AUD$157.20 payable at Aust Post, needs to be made prior to the interview? If so, do I just make the payment out to the Consular since I don't have a bill or anything to give over the counter for them to scan?

    Thanks.

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    I've been reading many threads about people getting their visas quite fast, with a minimum of fuss, but none of them are from Australia.

    If anyone here has had their visa granted at the embassy in Sydney, could you please tell me what kind of questions they ask you, and the nature of the interview (tense, relaxed, strict, friendly etc) Do us Australians have it easier or harder? If you have a guidline of the entire process then that'd be even better!

    Thanks in advance!

    P.S. I orginally posted this in the wrong forum, so decided to copy&paste it here.

    I have my interview for my KI visa on Tuesday so I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. It's been 8 months since we first submitted our petition :)

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    I just received by email correspondance from the Consular an updated 'INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS' as attached. Anyone recently receive this in a Packet 3??

    I happened to send them a query about my police clearance and they responsed today w/ these updated instructions :crying:

    Not sure what to make of this yet as my head is in a spin. But if I am missing something as per the instructions or overlooked anything, or getting too chicken little over this, would appreciate your input.

    Will let you know their response as I told them I was missing forms DS-2001 and DS-230 Part II. They may just send these to me or ask me to get them online. Sigh what a pain!

    Arghs, so they responded and sent me another updated set of instructions Form DSL-1076 which I believe to be the correct one for K1 immigrants. Must have been a different person yest. who sent me instructions for other immigrant visa applicants :wacko: But now seems we must send all our docos to the Consular before they send us the visa. Any thoughts?

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    I just received by email correspondance from the Consular an updated 'INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS' as attached. Anyone recently receive this in a Packet 3??

    I happened to send them a query about my police clearance and they responsed today w/ these updated instructions :crying:

    Not sure what to make of this yet as my head is in a spin. But if I am missing something as per the instructions or overlooked anything, or getting too chicken little over this, would appreciate your input.

    Will let you know their response as I told them I was missing forms DS-2001 and DS-230 Part II. They may just send these to me or ask me to get them online. Sigh what a pain!

    InstructionsForIVApplicants_SYD_OVERVIEW_1_.doc

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    Katz, I called the Criminal Records Department here in NSW who process the checks/fingerprints and they received my fingerprints, etc and a week later they finalised it and sent the results to the Consular. I've had no word at all and it's been 3 weeks today (they advised 15 working days for completion) since the local station faxed my prints/info. Hence why I called them.

    So I'm confidant the Consular has my police check by now. Medical is complete. My fiance will send me his docos soon so I'm about set to send off my Statement of Readiness!

    They sent your police clearance off to the consulate? That's... weird. I thought you are supposed to get it back in the mail? I'd definitely email the consulate to make sure anyway. Couldn't hurt... Peace of mind and all. :P

    I might ring the Fedeal Police on Monday to see if mine's been sent off...

    Congrats on getting close to sending off for your interview! How exciting. Wouldn't it be funny if we received the same interview date? Hahaha.

    True, I'd get to finally meet you! I will probably send it off on Mon/Tues.

    According to the instructions for NSW and QLD residents, our police records are sent directly to the US Consulate (I even filled in their address on the form to send it to). I just didn't receive notification that this happened. Since you're in ACT, yours will def. be sent to you.

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    The police clearance... That's exactly what I'm waiting to get back. It's been two weeks tomorrow, and still nothing... It's so frustrating because I'm all ready to go. Just my luck I'd get an interview before the police clearance... Not good. So, I'm gonna email the consulate tonight to ask if they've extended it. Just to be sure... Then I can relax just a little.

    I reckon you should ring to find out where your police clearance is. Did you have to send off for one with the finger prints to the Federal Police in the ACT like I did?

    Gah... I just want it to be over with already. :|

    Katz, I called the Criminal Records Department here in NSW who process the checks/fingerprints and they received my fingerprints, etc and a week later they finalised it and sent the results to the Consular. I've had no word at all and it's been 3 weeks today (they advised 15 working days for completion) since the local station faxed my prints/info. Hence why I called them.

    So I'm confidant the Consular has my police check by now. Medical is complete. My fiance will send me his docos soon so I'm about set to send off my Statement of Readiness!

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    hi katz

    dont stress too much about the extension mate...what must happen is your fiance (u.s. citz) is the only one that can request the extension...we also had to have an extension...

    my fiance (now hubby) wrote a letter sent it to me then i faxed it to the consulate and we got an extension....

    all your fiance has to do is state why he is requesting the extension..state your circumstances that has happened ..we extended ours because robbie was coming over in june to get me and wanted to be at the interview...im sure you wont have any problems mate...just get it in asap...

    if you want i can email you a copy of our extension letter ...and will look on here if there is an example for ya too

    just send in the sheet that states the readiness on it katz...

    hope that is some help to ya katz...

    hi to all by the way.. hope ya all keeping warm and cool where ever you are...lol...

    its -8c here at the moment...and the snow is staying on the ground with it being so cold lol

    hey kelli have you heard anything from walmart yet mate...

    take care

    kath

    example extension letter

    found it .. look under K1 example forms and its the bottom one mate...

    Kath, thank you SO much. If you could email me a copy, that would be wonderful. My email address is: professor_katz@yahoo.com.

    Will and I saw the example earlier... But we were a little confused by the "9FAM 41.81 N3.1 (Period of validity)" bit. Oh, does it have to be notarized as well? The email from the consulate didn't say anything about it needing to be. Also... The "I-797 approval notice number", is that the beneficiary number on the NOA2?

    By the way... It's 36 degrees here at Perth at the moment. Can I please have some of your snow? LOL.

    Hi Katz,

    I emailed the Consular today also, told them my expiry date 05 April and I am close to sending my statement to them. Asked if I should send it ASAP or I am safe to send it in the last week of February. Their reply was to send it when I'm ready but they did give me instructions as to what to do if I need an extension. Perhaps send your Statement back, you should get an interview date within a week and then you can determine if you need to apply for an extension or not.

    Also, I am yet to receive my police clearance stuffies. 3 weeks tomorrow and if nothing, I'll call them on Friday.

    I share your anxieties too :thumbs:

    LAND DOWNUNDER

    in Asia: East and Pacific

    Posted

    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

    :-)

    Congrats Tracy! Such good news. Glad I was able to help with the form. Have a good flight!~

    Who Got the Latest Approval in July?

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    speaking of cars...putting my wee car up for sale begining of jan. If I get it sold I'm going to be stuck using my mammys crappy car.

    hehe members of my family might wanna buy it so i might not to have to say the complete bye bye to my car...you know i kinda like it :blush:

    I'm sure you'll get yours soon !! They're simply saving the best till last :)

    sometimes it´s useful to pretend to be worse and first LOL :D

    Kudos!! :whistle:

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