lynJer

You have been married for 2 or 3 years....
Just file the AOS...
Nothing to worry about.....
Yes there has been the odd 'send you back to the country you came from' SO WHAT...you both have to go back to OZ....wish they would send me back there.....
My son came over here on a visa waiver....overstayed his visa - called immigration about it and they were going to grant his AOS to residential without any questions...
I suggest that being an Australian will go in your favour....there will be no issues...
just paper shuffling and COSTS.....COSTS COSTS.... so good luck with that .... forget the ####### about the 'intent' .... the intent is to live with your spouse....end of story....your been married past that 2 year date....so cheers...

Most of the airlines are hiring now and I can say they are very selective.
However, I strongly feel that as a non UScitizen, the airlines are much more interested in hiring people from a foreign country as flight attendants than any other company I have applied to in the last 3 years.
I actually got a job as one, and they really do need foreign language speakers to announce landing and take off safety proceedures in English and in the country of destination.
That being said, I speak no other language flently except australian, but still got hired....so I cant suggest enough to all who are interested....give it a try.....

Most of the airlines are hiring now and I can say they are very selective.
However, I strongly feel that as a non UScitizen, the airlines are much more interested in hiring people from a foreign country as flight attendants than any other company I have applied to in the last 3 years.
I actually got a job as one, and they really do need foreign language speakers to announce landing and take off safety proceedures in English and in the country of destination.
That being said, I speak no other language flently except australian, but still got hired....so I cant suggest enough to all who are interested....give it a try.....

OK....Thought I would add some horrible news regarding passports for those who are Australian Citizens born in the state of Victoria, AND married here in the USA.
In order to change your name on your Aussie passport - to match your husbands you will, as before, still need to apply to VIC BDM, completing the 'change of name' form which will result in a new birth certificate with your new married name and this is presented to the embassy for processing. They can then get you your new passport.
HOWEVER, only in the last few months, VIC BDM have altered their forms and the wording is misleading. (thats VIC BDM words to discribe it...not mine)
If you havnt been married before, and if your passport is simply going from your maiden name to your new husbands surname...it may not cause you too much heartache....but if you have had a husband or two before prepare yourself for Q 18 through to 20....by ignoring the question regarding 'have you ever been known by any other name in AUstralia and overseas' Because if you answer YES here...you will need to supply a complete credit history on all names used and you will need to obtain these reports yourself and they COST $60 bucks each. (and you need an aussie licence and address to get them)
I have since got it in writting that the wording should read FORMAL name change...not name change by marriage....apparently VIC BDM sees that as different???
I was told to write a note referring to this question on a separate piece of paper acknowledging that I have been married and to include all copies of marriage certificates and divorce decrees.
Im still going through this ardous task, so Ill update further information as it comes to hand.....BUT, as of this date...no other state have altered their process, however, be warned... watch this space....I would get in and change your passport name NOW...or as soon as possible, especially if you know you HAVE to do it....I need mine altered for work...otherwise I would be leaving it in my married name....
and yes...I cant help feel discriminated in some way with this whole process - I dont see too many men having to go through it! .

OK....this is a topic VERY DEAR TO MY HEART.
Coming from Australia is very different than coming from any other country but we are still considered by a lot of people here that we must be refugee's freeing some war torn country...when in fact, its quite the opposite, we are from the ONLY COUNTRY THAT has escaped the credit crisis.... The only country that is somewhat socialist (meaning we look after our broke and homeless with a HUGE welfare net that lasts forever) and yet we are very capatilist and serious world players amongst the G7. The Aussie Dollar is the 4th most used currency in the world only behind the euro the USD and the Yen. Apart from that there is the home factor, the beautiful beaches/surf/lifestyle etc etc....
Then we have the socialisation of the australian society which is different....for eg. we actually speak a different language and react in different ways....but above all this we are honest, happy and easy going....
Here is like that too, but Americans are not as easy going, nor are they as honest, and happiness is sometimes lost amongst any citizens that live in a country that is gripped by a recession. These are possibly playing with your hubbies mind more than anything else...but consider also we never see our tv shows here, nor our food, nor our humour....etc etc...
Now...lets talk about the job issue...yes no jobs here for australian professionals unfortunately. Sure we can get a job in walmart, a bar job or what we call back home a 'junk job' but for an Australian degree graduate professional, which our Universities and our degrees are classified like that of an oxford style, and arguably much harder to get than one in America, (i had researched this as my daughter is starting uni here) the firms in USA DO NOT RECOGNIZE Australian degree's...in fact, I dont think they even think we have universities and possibly consider them to be nothing but community colleges. (sorry thats harsh but I am caught up in all of this too) Combine this with the many years of professional experience that one has, plus the many years of hard work with climbing the glass ceiling and obtaining seniority in your profession its like getting slapped in the face when you dont even get a call back for a 'shot kicker' job youve applied for. I have also heard that some companies wont hire Australians as they cant be understood on the phone properly, and why bother with the unknown factor when you can choose fimilarity out of the many pool of applicants....I heard that some jobs are getting 500 applicants?
This is a true story....My 18 year old daughter had worked in Oz for 3 years before moving here doing check out chick stuff and barissta waittress...and desperatly wanted work here too...so she applied & applied and applied (about 240 applicants all up)...ALL HER USA school friends were getting jobs left right and centre with out any experience, and honestly they were frumply looking fuglies, compared to my daughter who was an honers student at the school and had modelled before. (I dont mean to brag but Just giving you the full picture of things) She also had amazing grades from USA school and had been thru the private girls school system in australia. Many of her friends at school told her to apply where they got a job 'easily' (macca's food line etc) but no they wouldnt even call her to discuss her application because SHE WAS NOT AN American (that was her assumption not mine)....However, Im now in the same boat as I scrounge daily looking for work.. In Australia I had firms calling and emailing me to come work for them....here its ridiculous....so your new husband will more than likely end up like me 2 years and still cant get a job in my profession or with any other decent company doing something slightly less than my usual position.
MY ADVICE....and its only from my experience and also from others who have had similiar issues coming here from Oz....You may not have work, so before mortgage issues escallate...seriously consider applying for ozzie jobs online, you may be suprised as some companies will pay for your rellocation. Australia is not in a recession and desperately needs workers....it is not unheard of to make 100k each PA I dont know what work you do...but the mines pay well and will provide accomodation for you....
There will always be good stories and there will always be bad stories regarding this but interestingly, I have mainly found bad stories....And lets not get started on the credit score #######....
Tell your hubby to inbox me.....we can whine and be depressed together.....and remind him...he is not alone...where abouts is he from?

I bash Americans all the time, it's fun cause most of the time they don't know you're doing it
settle down now...

I really think you need to put yourself in his shoes. There is no way he could have known what life would have been like for him, even if you discussed it a million times!
You wouldn't move for him so at least try to understand why he is unhappy.
There are so many things here in the US which are different and I find myself at times (read: often) complaining and wishing I was home.
No matter what he does, says, doesn't do or doesn't say, he moved for you on your terms and your conditions! He loved you more than he loved himself and risked his happiness. So even if you have to bite your tongue sometimes or redo his resume, nothing you have to put up with is like leaving your family, friends and your life to be transplanted somehwhere seeming almost hostile (from your description at least of his work environment) where you have only 1 friend and know 1 person, no job, etc.
I am not trying to be harsh and I hope I do not come across as such, but coming as an educated person from another first world country may even be a harder adjustment than from a third world or lesser developed country. You expect more and are more dissapointed with the reality of your American situation when it hits.
Again, no matter what, he did this for YOU something you would never have done for him, so that at least deserves some consideration.
----
Edit: maybe ask him what would make him happier, what could he do, what could you do, what could you do together?
If you do this you may have a basis to start from. If he doesn't know, step back, give him time and let him come to his decisions on his own.

Sorry everyone, just reading all the posts now from the last day..
I guess saying I'd never move to Australia in a million years is a bit of an exaggeration, but realistically.. for likely 10-15 years. There was a long list of reasons as to why he moved here vs me moving there, and that was all discussed on our first real trip together when we knew we wanted to pursue a relationship. Aside from financial reasons, my parents are significantly older than his, approaching mid 70's and my father has health problems. My parents won't and simply can't travel, especially a long trip to Australia. Even if they could travel, they wouldn't be able to afford it. His parents just hit 60, they both travel freely (they were both here for a month in April for the wedding celebration) and have the financial freedom to do so. So, I just really couldn't leave my parents at this stage in their lives. I work in healthcare, I am depended on to be there for medical appts etc and decision making. If his parent(s) were to get sick while mine were still alive, I honestly dont know what we would do. We'll cross that bridge if it comes, but for now.. this is where I need to be. We have even talked about moving due to him not being able to find a job in the area, plus my department closing. We wouldn't be moving out of a 2.5-3 hr drive radius, at most. Aside from my parents health, there were many other factors that went into our decision. Again, I own property here, he was actually living with his parents when I met him, so really had no financial ties. He had already lived in London and Spain in his early 20's, so had the experience of living away from his family. I have a dog, who, although wouldn't be impossible to get to Australia, would be a huge financial burden, plus the thought of having to leave her in quarantine for over a month just makes me sick to my stomach, especially after all the testing and vaccinations she'd have to get before we left. And, yes, in a million years, I would never think of leaving her behind. Let me correct that.. in a trillion bazillion years, I would never leave her behind. She IS my child, and if you had to put your 3 year old child into quarantine and only see them once or twice a week for an hour, you would re think your move to Oz as well. I get it, they don't have rabies there, but the process seems to be a bit of overkill after all the ####### they have to go through before they even get to quarantine. To be perfectly honest, if it wasn't for him saying very early on that he would hands down move here, the relationship would have never progressed. Whether you think its excuses or insecurity or what not, that's my reality. If he were to hand me an ultimatum tomorrow and say either we move to australia, or else.. I am not sure what I would do. I'd first and foremost be upset that he had 2 years of mental preparation of moving here and gave up after 6 months, but I also think there's a pretty good chance I'd pick 'or else.."
But anyway, none of that really matters because I never twisted his arm to come here, he knew my thoughts and situation when we made the decision, and for 2 years we've been happily planning for him to come here, and the issue is his adjustment NOW. Lynjer, you summarized exactly how he feels, what I hear come out of his mouth everyday. Its just funny because before he moved here, I always assumed, that all of America had Australians up on this pedestal.. great accents, smart, chasing crocodiles and snakes around in between surf breaks.. you know.. and that's the kind of reaction I had gotten from everyone too when I told them I was marrying an aussie "oh wow! that's sooo cool!" etc etc but in the time he's been here, he's had 2 jobs in restaurants, one only lasted a week or two before they told him it wasn't working out, and the other one is the one hes been in for a few months now, but he really has been experiencing some racism? I guess that's what you would call it.. he had years of bar-tending experience before he got his degree, yet at this place they only keep him as a table runner/barback because of the 'language barrier'. He feels as though he is treated like he is stupid there, especially when all of the other employees are the equivalent of the frumpy fuglies you've talked about, but he prefers to call them "drunken slutty potheads".. as they all smoke pot the whole shift, drink until 5am after the bar closes and then sleep with each other. He is totally fine with holding a position that is "beneath him" so to speak, we had many talks about that before he moved here, he knew about our economy. Its just the fact that when he accepts a "lesser" position, he's getting knocked down even from that and treated as though he is not good enough for that. Again, I think his lack of a professional job at the moment is partly his fault, he has sent out dozens of applications, but we literally have only gotten 1 email back stating they found a more qualified candidate. I am not sure if it is the economy, or if it was his, sorry babe.. crappy resume that he was originally sending out.
Again, my concern is not where to live, we have already decided that, but just that I feel like I've tried every avenue I know how to get him contacts for a job, get him out of the house meeting people..and I just don't know what to do anymore and I just needed to vent. Maybe this is a normal part of adjustment. I feel like the old saying "You can drag a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink" applies here.. I've given him phone numbers to call for contacts, emails, told him to get a recruiter, a professional to write his resume..sat down for hours helping him etc etc.. I'll pay for it! And just finally, after 6 months.. he's gotten a professional to write the resume,and started making phone calls to recruiters. I've told him so and so wants to get together.. why don't you guys go out for a beer, never calls.. so I've told so and so to just stop by and pick him up! And he ends up having a good time! He has access to my vehicle all day. He could even have it at night if he dropped me off/picked me up. I work 7pm to 7am, we spend a couple hours in the morning together, and then I sleep the rest of the day. and instead of taking advantage of that time and making phone calls etc, he goes back to bed with me. Or looks at cars we can't afford to buy yet. I've been very nice to him about this most of the time. I do occasionally lose my patience, (but not often, I know it is a sensitive subject and I know I need to bite my tongue!) only because I can see that him not having a job is causing this depression he is in, but how does he expect to get a job!?!? I have spent countless hours helping fix up the resume after I noticed the spelling errors, looking for jobs online, looking for recruiters, talking to people for possible leads, etc etc. I have been as supportive as I possibly can. The only thing I have left to do is purchase a male Australian voice over and start making the phone calls myself, on top of working 60 hours a week. Yes, moomin, I think you are right, he resents the situation, not me. We are happily in love aside from this adjustment issue, I just don't think he realizes he is insulting me every time he talks about how Americans are fat and lazy etc etc. Which I have to hear about every single day. I know full well there are things wrong with this country, but I am still proud to be an American and proud to live here. Maybe he just got off on the wrong foot in the country with the type of people he is working with at the restaurant, thinking all Americans want to make lots of money without actually working for it. But, his last night at that job is this weekend.. It was getting more toxic than helpful, and I think he kept thinking it was going to turn into a full time job, although after 4 months of one night a week, you'd think he'd realize it wasn't. Hopefully with this job done and no employment at all, he will be much more motivated with the resume/recruiter.

Op honey... you're a great wife I can tell! Just stop doing everything you're doing for him. Adjusting is difficult, but I think he has problems too. I've been in US for 2 months and it's only been 3 weeks since I got my antique 1994 honda accord. BUT my USC husband is already pressuring me to get a job asap But you see, I'm a great wife with a super optimistic positive attitude. So there is no fight between us. My husband asks me if I'm looking for a job like everyday. I say "yes," but to be honest not really. Nope. I haven't done chilling yet!!

Hey....if you forgot your log ins.....just request your pass words again....
and....
mates up over is now on facebook....
there is also a mates up over for each state you get aligned with....so
.. would love to hear from yah's as they do have 'get togethers' from time to time.... :dance: :dance:

Not sure why people that dont know what they are talking about would say stuff like that to you....
I made many trips under the vwp to see my boyfriend...then my fiance...and one time it was with my 3 kids.....Gawd the immigration guys would laugh at me as I was always bringing my BOYFRIEnd Aussie Beers and wine....
they really couldnt care less about an aussie gal coming to the usa to see her boyfriend....those guys are more concerned with people from underveloped countries overstaying their visa's or trying to sneak in....I have never come accross an American who didnt want to really come to Australia....came accross many that didnt wanna go to many other countries in this world..Most Americans are not that dumb...they know which countries are as good (I say better) than theirs....
I hope you have a great time over here....that you treat it as it is....a fun visit to finally get to see someone very special face to face....to finally touch someone you have known for all this time...sort of like being given the gift of sight to a blind person...take heaps of pics, and if you can...massive amounts of video....
Dont be too fixated on marrying the guy ... not saying you are but Im just looking at your age and just want you to have fun fun fun....and please try to make him visit you in Australlia before you decide on anything....I think he needs to know your culture....before you decide on moving here...or he moving their.....???
In fact, tell that to immigration if they decide to question you....and have a great time. :lol: :lol: :yes:

Let me be brief.
They won't give you a B2. Why not? Because you don't need one. That's what the VWP is for. You want to stay longer than 90 days? Why? Because you have a fiance in the US whom you want to marry? That's why you won't get one. You tell 'em something else? Okay, then you get one but won't be able to do AOS because of material misrepresentation. Even worse as that would end your American dream for good.
That aside, the issues you have with CBP are the same, whether you arrive via VWP or a B2. If they don't like you spending so much time in the US, they give you hell.
All you can do is spend more time down under, then return and get married in the US. Then you return again and go the CR-1 route. Once approved, you'll enter the US as a lawful permanent resident, which is a Green Card holder.

"Can't wait anymore" as a thread title prompted, me to think, "Then go ahead and wet your pants." USCIS doesn't respond any differently or work any faster because they know how you feel. If the time comes there's something you can actually do, then do it. In the meantime, join the club. We all wait.

Yes, you could apply. The problem is that the work permit is only valid until your I-94 expires, which is 90 days after you enter. Add to that the fact that it's going to take two or three months to get the EAD, and you might not even get it before it's expired. Very few people feel it's worth it to even try.