NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[Kim & Chris 0]

good to know we can get vegemite there as from what i understand we can't bring any with us, can we?

i'm pretty sure i've got the sponsorship problem fixed, after reading the instructions for the i-864 again, i see that we can use any money i take with me to make up any shortfall and we'll only need 3x the difference between rob's income and the poverty level

failing that, his parents can be joint sponsors with him, not co-sponsors, a subtle but very important difference being that they don't have to meet the income requirements by themselves, we just add their income to his

*sigh

now just need that house to sell

Hi Michelle

Glad you've found a resolution for your sponsorship problem. Isn't it funny how we stress about stuff but a solution usually presents itself eventually......

You certainly can bring vegemite here with you... ....I brought Marmite, Vegemite, Jarrah Coffee, Cheese, and I can't remember what else. As long as you decalare that you have food with you when they ask. I told them I had cheese etc and they told me to pass straight on through, didn't even look. You're not allowed soft cheeses like brie, camembert etc, but edam was ok.

There are some things you can't bring like meat products and some others which I think are listed here

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/ph...amp;p_topview=1

I still haven't managed to sort out the ssn yet, one of Chris' boys needs to get a replacement card so we're waiting on one of his papers to arrive in the mail to save two trips.

Edited December 27, 2008 by Kim & Chris

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

good to know we can get vegemite there as from what i understand we can't bring any with us, can we?

i'm pretty sure i've got the sponsorship problem fixed, after reading the instructions for the i-864 again, i see that we can use any money i take with me to make up any shortfall and we'll only need 3x the difference between rob's income and the poverty level

failing that, his parents can be joint sponsors with him, not co-sponsors, a subtle but very important difference being that they don't have to meet the income requirements by themselves, we just add their income to his

*sigh

now just need that house to sell

Hi Michelle

Glad you've found a resolution for your sponsorship problem. Isn't it funny how we stress about stuff but a solution usually presents itself eventually......

You certainly can bring vegemite here with you... ....I brought Marmite, Vegemite, Jarrah Coffee, Cheese, and I can't remember what else. As long as you decalare that you have food with you when they ask. I told them I had cheese etc and they told me to pass straight on through, didn't even look. You're not allowed soft cheeses like brie, camembert etc, but edam was ok.

There are some things you can't bring like meat products and some others which I think are listed here

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/ph...amp;p_topview=1

I still haven't managed to sort out the ssn yet, one of Chris' boys needs to get a replacement card so we're waiting on one of his papers to arrive in the mail to save two trips.

cool thanks for that, i'll take a large jar with me, it'll last a good while

[Kim & Chris 0]

good to know we can get vegemite there as from what i understand we can't bring any with us, can we?

i'm pretty sure i've got the sponsorship problem fixed, after reading the instructions for the i-864 again, i see that we can use any money i take with me to make up any shortfall and we'll only need 3x the difference between rob's income and the poverty level

failing that, his parents can be joint sponsors with him, not co-sponsors, a subtle but very important difference being that they don't have to meet the income requirements by themselves, we just add their income to his

*sigh

now just need that house to sell

Hi Michelle

Glad you've found a resolution for your sponsorship problem. Isn't it funny how we stress about stuff but a solution usually presents itself eventually......

You certainly can bring vegemite here with you... ....I brought Marmite, Vegemite, Jarrah Coffee, Cheese, and I can't remember what else. As long as you decalare that you have food with you when they ask. I told them I had cheese etc and they told me to pass straight on through, didn't even look. You're not allowed soft cheeses like brie, camembert etc, but edam was ok.

There are some things you can't bring like meat products and some others which I think are listed here

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/ph...amp;p_topview=1

I still haven't managed to sort out the ssn yet, one of Chris' boys needs to get a replacement card so we're waiting on one of his papers to arrive in the mail to save two trips.

cool thanks for that, i'll take a large jar with me, it'll last a good while

With some of the time I've had on my hands since being here, I've found a few web sites to source many of the things that we might miss from home. Some are expensive but I guess when you think of how far it's got to come. In many instances, it could be cheaper to get some of the lighter things sent from home if you've got someone who would do it for you. Here's a couple of sites, but there's quite a few other NZ, Aussie and British sites I've come across, it's just a matter of fishing around online to find what you want.

http://www.simplyoz.com/

And because I'm in Arkansas at the moment, this ones a bit dear but only about 30 mins away so I can go browse and do away with the freight.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com/index.html

Happy shopping

[kiwiana 2]

With some of the time I've had on my hands since being here, I've found a few web sites to source many of the things that we might miss from home. Some are expensive but I guess when you think of how far it's got to come. In many instances, it could be cheaper to get some of the lighter things sent from home if you've got someone who would do it for you. Here's a couple of sites, but there's quite a few other NZ, Aussie and British sites I've come across, it's just a matter of fishing around online to find what you want.

http://www.simplyoz.com/

And because I'm in Arkansas at the moment, this ones a bit dear but only about 30 mins away so I can go browse and do away with the freight.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com/index.html

Happy shopping

Wow! these sites are soo cool!! The everything Australian site has kiwi items like watties spaghetti and baked beans and also has nz flag lapel pins and crossed pin of both flags -nz/usa. fabulous!!

Both sites have MILO!! yippee!!! I have bookmarked both of them!!! Thanks everso much!!!

Michelle: so glad that you have found a solution to the sponsorship (ala your funds) but if you do have to go with joint sponsors do they have to fill out a 1-864A? I think we will go down that avenue with *joint* I haven't looked into it fully yet, but from what you say, if it is easier then co-sponsor then that is the way to go

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

With some of the time I've had on my hands since being here, I've found a few web sites to source many of the things that we might miss from home. Some are expensive but I guess when you think of how far it's got to come. In many instances, it could be cheaper to get some of the lighter things sent from home if you've got someone who would do it for you. Here's a couple of sites, but there's quite a few other NZ, Aussie and British sites I've come across, it's just a matter of fishing around online to find what you want.

http://www.simplyoz.com/

And because I'm in Arkansas at the moment, this ones a bit dear but only about 30 mins away so I can go browse and do away with the freight.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com/index.html

Happy shopping

Wow! these sites are soo cool!! The everything Australian site has kiwi items like watties spaghetti and baked beans and also has nz flag lapel pins and crossed pin of both flags -nz/usa. fabulous!!

Both sites have MILO!! yippee!!! I have bookmarked both of them!!! Thanks everso much!!!

Michelle: so glad that you have found a solution to the sponsorship (ala your funds) but if you do have to go with joint sponsors do they have to fill out a 1-864A? I think we will go down that avenue with *joint* I haven't looked into it fully yet, but from what you say, if it is easier then co-sponsor then that is the way to go

joint sponsors have to be living in the same house as the petitioner from what i can see, but joint is def easier, and yes their income gets added onto the I-864 of our fiance's and the joint sponsor completes the I-864A

[kiwiana 2]

joint sponsors have to be living in the same house as the petitioner from what i can see, but joint is def easier, and yes their income gets added onto the I-864 of our fiance's and the joint sponsor completes the I-864A

oh good one! we will definitely do that then! Have you heard anything from nvc yet? any word of your package arriving at consulate in Auckland?

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

joint sponsors have to be living in the same house as the petitioner from what i can see, but joint is def easier, and yes their income gets added onto the I-864 of our fiance's and the joint sponsor completes the I-864A

oh good one! we will definitely do that then! Have you heard anything from nvc yet? any word of your package arriving at consulate in Auckland?

nope not a word, i figure xmas has slowed everything down

however i can't actually leave here til my house sells, hopefully that will be soon

[kiwiana 2]

joint sponsors have to be living in the same house as the petitioner from what i can see, but joint is def easier, and yes their income gets added onto the I-864 of our fiance's and the joint sponsor completes the I-864A

oh good one! we will definitely do that then! Have you heard anything from nvc yet? any word of your package arriving at consulate in Auckland?

nope not a word, i figure xmas has slowed everything down

however i can't actually leave here til my house sells, hopefully that will be soon

yes the embassy here is pretty fast with getting everything sent out, so the xmas holidays have definitely slowed things down. I hope you find a buyer for your house very soon!!

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

hey all, question.... ok i send the I34 to my fiance in nz and if i have a sponser is that the I186..lol.. or I186A ....ort he I186EZ....idk ....

could someone help me? thats alot

[kiwiana 2]

hey all, question.... ok i send the I34 to my fiance in nz and if i have a sponser is that the I186..lol.. or I186A ....ort he I186EZ....idk ....

could someone help me? thats alot

If you need a co-sponsor for the 1-134 then they have to also fill out a separate 1-134 form too. The same criteria applies to them with pay stubs, tax transcript etc. When i emailed the embassy here in Auckland a while ago about co -sponsors they said "Yes, you can provide a co-sponsor, showing current income, last year's tax return, and ID (ppt or b/cert)"

When your fiance moves to usa, then you will have to fill out another affidavit of support. That one will be the 1-864

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

OK ... THANKS...BUT I DONT HAVE TO USE MY TAX RETURN UNLESS I'M SELF EMPLOYED... RIGHT? MY LAST YEARS TAX RETURN IS FROM ME AND MY EX-HUSBAND..

BUT MY CO-SPONSER IS SELF EMPLOYED SO HE DOES NEEDS HIS TAX RETURN... RIGHT? OMG THS IS SO CONFUSING...A NEVER ENDING PAPER TRAIL....

AND AFTER HE GETS HERE MORE PAPER TRAIL...WHEN DOES IT ALL END?

[cdneh 3,112]

There's and end? Really? I don't see one

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

First of all let me say that we were Approved (NOA2) on Dec. 24th! Woot!

I have a couple of questions now...

1) Does the Auckland embassy require 3 years tax returns with the Affidavit of Support? My last 3 years returns include my ex-wife. Also, I have last years, but have no idea how to get the 2 previous ones.

2) Does the Auckland embassy get the Police thing for you? I cant seem to find any info on getting hold of that myself for NZ.

3) I see the Auckland embassy has received very good ratings for the interviews... I feel pretty strong about our evidence of relationship and such (Genna has been with me for 6 months this year)... is this part basically a breeze, as long as everything is up front and honest?

[Kim & Chris 0]

Just a quick question for anyone who might know........

I was just looking at my passport and there's a visa stamp on the I-94 with my arrival date and K-1 on it and then on the passport page beneath it there's a visa stamp with the arrival date and K-1 and then under that the date May 1 2009, which I presume to be the departure date.

That's just over 5 months from my arrival date.

Is this normal or has the officer at POE just made a muck up.

[cdneh 3,112]

First of all let me say that we were Approved (NOA2) on Dec. 24th! Woot!

I have a couple of questions now...

1) Does the Auckland embassy require 3 years tax returns with the Affidavit of Support? My last 3 years returns include my ex-wife. Also, I have last years, but have no idea how to get the 2 previous ones.

2) Does the Auckland embassy get the Police thing for you? I cant seem to find any info on getting hold of that myself for NZ.

3) I see the Auckland embassy has received very good ratings for the interviews... I feel pretty strong about our evidence of relationship and such (Genna has been with me for 6 months this year)... is this part basically a breeze, as long as everything is up front and honest?

I haven't been to interview yet, but I have been sent packet three. They do the police certificate from NZ on your behalf, won't accept one you do yourself.

You should have plenty of evidence at least.