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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on June 2, 2007: |
hollywood79
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We arrived in SYDNEY the day before our interview. We landed at the airport and took the train into the City. Trains are located one level down from the baggage claim. It costs about $12.20 and because we stayed at the infamous Travelodge on Phillip St we got off at St James station, about 15mins ride from the domestic terminal.
We took the Elizabeth St exit, turned right onto Elizabeth St and then right on King St and then left on Phillip St. It is about a 7min walk from St James station to the Travelodge. There is an entry on Elizabeth St, but it really is for the pokies. You can take this exit but will be walking through the bar and pokies with suitcases!
The Travelodge is a 3 star hotel. We were there for 2 nights and got a centre room. These rooms overlook a fake painted Italian Villa courtyard and the other rooms on the opposite side and there is no access for guests. This hotel is good for 1 or 2 nights but not really anthing longer than that. It costs $155/night. The price is good and the location was excellent as it is only 5 mins to the consulate.
The consulate address is Martin Place. It is the MLC building, the tallest white building around. We took the back entrance and this is slight closer by about 1min. From the hotel you exit on Phillip St turn right on King and head towards the intersection of King and Castlereigh (wrong spelling?). Yuu can't miss it. There are escalators to the elevators of the building and it clearly says MLC above the escalators. This entrance is also opposite the Channel and Louis Vuitton stores. There are toilets located on the lower floor. Walk around the elevators and take the escalators down one level. The toilets are hidden behind the escalators.
To get to the consulate you need to go to the 10th floor where the reception and security is located. Unfortuntely the elevators for the 10 floor won't operate unitl 7.30am. Once at the 10th floor we had to wait outside the door for about 5mins for the guards. Stand to the left of the door and form a line. We were third in line. The security here is like that at the airport. Take only what you need. They only let you take up to consulate your wallets and paperwork. They kept my handbag, and unlike the consulate in Melbourne they do not issue you a locker, they just keep your bag in open shelves and give you a number to claim it later. Once past security we got on the elevator and went up to the consualte. There is a second security check point here. You then enter the consulate and take a number. We were 001 for immigrant visa's and were seen at 8am which was our appointment.
The view was great and beautiful clear day. Shame you're not allowed cameras!!
The first lady who took the paperwork was friendly, especially to our small son but was going to recommend a refusal to the interviewer because I didn't have a Japanese police certificate. Even though I was advised by the consulate after much discussion before my interview I would not need one. SO, I debated with her a bit and explained that this problem had been solved 2 weeks ago and then gave up. At this point my husband told her we will disccuss this with the US Consular Officer. He said this because we are sure she was not a US citizen and was low in the payroll she probably wasn't 100% competent with the regulations.
We then waited about 10mins for the interview. The lady was very nice. Didn't ask questions about our marriage just about our son ie. How old is he? I then signed my ds-230 part II form and swore under oath. She then asked about my stay in Japan. I told her the exact days she flicked through my passport, didn't really check the dates, she would have had to look for them amongst all the other stamps, and said that was fine and that we should receive it all in the mail early next week.
Actual interview lasted 3mins, total stay in the Consulate was about 30mins. Pretty easy!!
Other hotels close by to the consulate are The Westin about 2mins walk or the Accor which is in the same MLC building. If you need to go to the Post Office there is the GPO at the bottom end of Martin Place. It cost 20c/page for photocopying and we also bought a Platinum Express 3kg satchel. It is about $5 more than the ordinary one but it has guaranteed delivery and online tracking. Also requires a signature upon delivery.
Also, for those with small children, you are allowed to take strollers up to the consulate and there is a small area with toys for them to play with. However, do change the nappies/diapers before you get to the consulate, there are toilets there. And if you need anything from a supermarket there is a Coles Express on King st and Woolworths/Safeway on Pitt st. Ask your hotel for directions.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1657