LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Bacon 0]

VISA IN HAND!!!!!!!

One worry though.....he never filled out part 2 of the form. He never submitted it with the original application and the guy never asked him about it at the interview. Is he supposed to fill that out when he comes to the country?

[TerriandEric 4]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! :dance: YAY not long now til you are back together where you belong :dance:

I only every filled out part 1 -- that is all they ask you to fill in

[Bacon 0]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! :dance: YAY not long now til you are back together where you belong :dance:

I only every filled out part 1 -- that is all they ask you to fill in

Really? So how did you get your SSN if not from filling out that form? Actually, since he's going for the international license then maybe it's not a rush to get him an SSN.

[Giggles 1]

Really? So how did you get your SSN if not from filling out that form? Actually, since he's going for the international license then maybe it's not a rush to get him an SSN.

Congrats on getting the visa

You/your fiance can fill out the Social Security application form on their website, print it and take it to your local SS office. They recommend you wait 2 weeks after POE before doing this. If you do it before 2 weeks SS may not have your fiance's details in their computer system so it's best to wait. You don't have to do it immediately but it's good to just get it done and out of the way. We were told it's a good idea to have my SS number for when we got married (I think they put it on the marrage certificate).

Can your fiance get a driver's licence in your state without permanent residency? In Virgina you can't apply for a driver's license until you have permanent residency (I think it differs from state to state). However as my husband is in the miltary I don't have to get a Virginia license and can drive on my Aussie license. Yay for me I don't have to take the knowlege and driving tests

[VanessaTony 3,567]

VISA IN HAND!!!!!!!

One worry though.....he never filled out part 2 of the form. He never submitted it with the original application and the guy never asked him about it at the interview. Is he supposed to fill that out when he comes to the country?

CONGRATS!!

Part 2 of the DS-230 if you look at it is only for MARRIED couples... so that's those people applying for a K3 or CR-1.

The rest of us "lowly" people apply for a SSN the regular way.. by taking our passports (visa and I-94 will need to be in there) to the SSA with a completed form SS-5. You can find the form on their website. You should go in about 2 weeks after he arrives.

It isn't NEEDED for when you apply for your marriage licence but some states prefer it (and I used mine for it). It also isn't needed for AOS BUT some banks and health insurance companies etc won't allow you to get accounts, or be included on accounts unless you have a SSN. You need to be on those things for proof of co-mingling (well don't HAVE to but it's good evidence).

As for the international licence... he doesn't need one. As long as he has a valid Australian licence he is permitted to drive. The only issue is insurance. Some companies (like my father-in-laws) does not insure an international driver, however my grandmother-in-law's company does. I don't know if you've contacted your insurance company and perhaps if he has the IDP (international drivers permit) they will, but Australia is part of the same driving agreement with America, the UK and other countries (the name of the policy/law thingy escapes me right now.. its something like.. "reciprocal drivers program"...)

Anyway CONGRATS again!

[Bacon 0]

CONGRATS!!

Part 2 of the DS-230 if you look at it is only for MARRIED couples... so that's those people applying for a K3 or CR-1.

The rest of us "lowly" people apply for a SSN the regular way.. by taking our passports (visa and I-94 will need to be in there) to the SSA with a completed form SS-5. You can find the form on their website. You should go in about 2 weeks after he arrives.

It isn't NEEDED for when you apply for your marriage licence but some states prefer it (and I used mine for it). It also isn't needed for AOS BUT some banks and health insurance companies etc won't allow you to get accounts, or be included on accounts unless you have a SSN. You need to be on those things for proof of co-mingling (well don't HAVE to but it's good evidence).

As for the international licence... he doesn't need one. As long as he has a valid Australian licence he is permitted to drive. The only issue is insurance. Some companies (like my father-in-laws) does not insure an international driver, however my grandmother-in-law's company does. I don't know if you've contacted your insurance company and perhaps if he has the IDP (international drivers permit) they will, but Australia is part of the same driving agreement with America, the UK and other countries (the name of the policy/law thingy escapes me right now.. its something like.. "reciprocal drivers program"...)

Anyway CONGRATS again!

Ahhhhh, okay, so not paranoid anymore then about that form.

I did talk to my insurance agency though I only asked them if they accepted the international license. They said they do but that it's like five bucks more a month as opposed to if he had a Georgia one. And he doesn't want to have to do the driving test since he hasn't parrallel parked in forever.

Sooooo......it is now one month and 4 days before he gets here. He said his fly over date is set for one month before the wedding on July 10th. I cannot wait. I haven't seen him in almost a year.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Ahhhhh, okay, so not paranoid anymore then about that form.

I did talk to my insurance agency though I only asked them if they accepted the international license. They said they do but that it's like five bucks more a month as opposed to if he had a Georgia one. And he doesn't want to have to do the driving test since he hasn't parrallel parked in forever.

Sooooo......it is now one month and 4 days before he gets here. He said his fly over date is set for one month before the wedding on July 10th. I cannot wait. I haven't seen him in almost a year.

And so the countdown begins!!

[James&Candice 3]

OK this question is manly for those that have made it out of Australia and across the pacific.

Could you please tell me what company you went with to ship over your stuff and if they were any good?

Would you recommend them?

Were they expensive?

cheers

Edited May 9, 2010 by James&Candice

[kaffy 2]

Australia Post... sea mail. They were the cheapest of all the options out there and we didn't have that much stuff (I think we sent about 7 or 8 boxes total.. then flew with the rest of our stuff)

Everything arrived in the suggested time frame and nothing was lost

[alex and astrid 38]

I did not ship anything, That was because a lot of my things were already in the US with Alex, and then when I immigrated, my family were following me out a few weeks later so they brought extra stuff with them.

I have heard though, that it may be cheaper to just pack extra suitcases and pay for the extra baggage when you fly. But I'm also thinking it depends on who you fly with too. Good luck with finding an answer!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I did not ship anything, That was because a lot of my things were already in the US with Alex, and then when I immigrated, my family were following me out a few weeks later so they brought extra stuff with them.

I have heard though, that it may be cheaper to just pack extra suitcases and pay for the extra baggage when you fly. But I'm also thinking it depends on who you fly with too. Good luck with finding an answer!

I didn't ship anything either. It was FAR too expensive.

I was recommended these though and I might look into it more before I go back to Aus to see how much I can mail back here to the US:

- http://www.packsend.com.au/

- http://www.jetta.com.au/

Hope those give you some ideas. Mum also told me about a place/company that will mail a 1mx1m box for $300. No matter what the weight and it's by ship. She couldn't tell me the name though 'cause someone told HER about it. It sounds too good to be true though honestly...

[TerriandEric 4]

I didnt ship anything either...but I got quotes from a few places and OSS were by far the best & a few other people I know have used them without issue either.

[James&Candice 3]

Thanks guys.

[Breezie54 2]

OK this question is manly for those that have made it out of Australia and across the pacific.

Could you please tell me what company you went with to ship over your stuff and if they were any good?

Would you recommend them?

Were they expensive?

cheers

Hi James and Candice..

Just received my K1-Visa stamped in my passport this week so exciting..

Weve retained the services of Movement International, as im shipping over about one third of a container of stuff to Tennessee, and the cost for shipping is $5200.00 plus insurance which will cost approx 3.5% of the value of what you are moving. The have offices in all capital cities and move Door to Door as Im moving to the east coast our container will be shipped to NEW YORK and not as most do to the Port of Los Angeles.. Gary their Senior Business Delveopment Manager here was very knowledgeable has been with the company for over 25 years and they have all the accreditiation both here and in the USA [message me if you want contact details] you can look them up online there website is www.movementsinternational.com, having spoken to many of my clients who have moved to Australia from NZ, South Africa and other overseas ports thought the amount we were quoted was more than reasonable as they paid 3 times that amount some over $25,000 just for one container.. so check them out..

Wish you both well.. Kaye and Leo

[Breezie54 2]

Ok so maybe I am still int he cheery happy stage but I am not finding much about where I am that I dont like. Sure driving on the wrong side of the road is bizarre but overall its been a great adjustment phase. Do I miss much from Aus? Sure MY KIDS! I ache like crazy for my 3 children who are still in AUS but you know what...my boys chose not to come and wanted to stay there...one for schooling & medical reasons the other for his girlfriend. Bek has adjusted better then any of us had any right to expect. She has had to adjust to whole new way of schooling and has jumped in boots & all with it. She has made friends, learning to socialize in different environments that were not available to her in AUS. Me -- I have not a single complaint.

Yeah I was going absolutely insane not being able to drive myself ANYWHERE!!! Eric works nights which is a whole new set of box & dice to deal with. He gets home as Bek leaves for school..I cook breakfast & he sleeps...I tiptoe downstairs..when not driving it meant waiting until he woke to run to the store for anything we need....now I can take myself...THANK GOD FOR GPS!! LOL The traditions we have discussed & as Bacon said we are going to meld the two cultures for that to make our own family traditions.

Would I want to move back to AUS...NOPE! Here in America we can have a lifestyle that I could only dream of in AUS. The cost of living is so much more affordable here in America as opposed to AUS. We have an amazing house on a large property that we can do whatever the heck we like too (well within township guidleines dang it!) We are building a deck onto the back of our house that in AUS would have crippled us for a while to afford...here it is a small project that is easily affordable. The foods are different to get used too but we are managing...a bit at a time. The bread is different that is for sure but nothing that can not be gotten around -- if anything I am eating less carbs so losing weight YAY!

I guess it could be that it is all so new still for us but we are happy & contented with our life here. I have no desire to live back in AUS anytime soon...life here is all we dreamed it would be.

Hi Terri and ERic.. congrats and way to go.. ive traveled extensively around the USA for 2 to 3 months at a time have tons of friends over there [more than i have down here in Aus] you get used to the differences, driving on the wrong side of the road although i must admit when i pull out i have to concentrate so i just dont turn left lol but the cost of living sure is a lot less than it is down here, the choice you have in supermarkets is astounding [woolies and coles sure have a lot to answer for] My Fiance is Diabetic and trying to find sugar free products during his six month stay down here has been dreadful, lack of choice in Diet Soft Drinks everywhere we go eat all he can get is diet coke or pepsi max, cant have pancakes as they dont have sugar free maple syrup, im sure i will miss some aspects of Australia but im moving to live in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee cost of living is at least one third of what it is here, so much so that i can buy a brand new car/suv for under $20,000 when here it would cost nearly $35,000.. there are so many ways to buy Australian products online now and u can get vegemite in just about any of the major supermarkets in the states, and if the bread is not to your liking buy a bread maker and make your own LOL thats what i may do just for the hang of it hahaha.. Im 55 and hopefully only going to have to get a part time job once i settle in as my money will go a heck of long way more than it would down here and id probably have to work until i was 65 down here just to survive.. im a city gal but im moving to the country and im going to love it, no peak 3 hour traffic nightmares, no influx of tourists every holidays [i live on the gold coast] yes i will miss family and friends but we have the internet, skype, yahoo messenger and phone calling cards plus once my 2 yrs are up we will fly back for a visit down here and hopefully my family will be able to visit us as well i know my nieces are planning it next year when they save up their air fares lol.. they want to go outlet shopping with me in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and cant wait.. Sadly my parents are unable to fly over for our American Wedding this July as Dad's Doctor said it would be far too taxing for him [Dad is 85] but we held a lovely Rose Committment Ceremony down here last month with my family and friends and co workers to attend we had a Wishing Well and were given close to $2000 which sure has helped with the bills we are facing for the sale of my duplex and the move.. Ive got the most loving and wonderful Mother and Father In Law who are so helpful and generous so I am very lucky and Momma and I love antiquing, window shopping and spend a lot of time together plus she showed me last trip where to get the best bargains haha and has even more to show me when we move over this June.. so I am very fortunate.. Plus we joined her church and that is where we will be married and have the love and support of the Pastor and Congregation, so much so that they are preparing our wedding feast after the wedding service at no cost to us.. Americans have no idea as to many of our English based traditions so to the couple who had problems at Easter, why not start a new Tradtion for the kids and family incorporating our Easter traditions make it a project to start talking about our traditions and initiate them into your new family just an idea..

Oh well must away have to get stuck into my wardrobe and sort through my Imelda Marcos collection of shoes and handbags, what to sell and what to take with me lol.. Leo says i must have 700 pairs of shoes i said i do not but heck there is a lot of em to sort through .. good luck everyone and cheers... Kaye and Leo