LAND DOWNUNDER

[girlfrmoz 1]

Thanks folks for the well wishes on the Job.

Hey and WOW Congratulations Rings and Loke!!! :dance: You guys must be so relieved after that long wait! Wonderful News!!!

Who's next??

Hey Kath will give you a call later today...was out yesterday organising paperwork....don't we all love the paperwork!! Have you heard when you start work yet?

Edited June 5, 2007 by girlfrmoz

[Rings 10]

Awe thanks you guys. I am so relieved. I called NVC today and they said that they alread forwarded the petition to the US Embassy on 05/30/07. Loke is going to call in the morning to see what he can find out. I can't believe how fast things are suddenly happening! eeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Loke 0]

Hey Loke,

I tried to track down my complete vaccination history but had little success.

I found that it is MUCH MUCH easier to get your family doctor to take blood and test for your immunity levels for all the vaccinations required of an adult. It was quick (took about a week for results to come back) and all I had to do was get my Dr to jab me with anything that was missing and I took the original record of my immunity along with a record of my recent jabs and that was it. Easy. I'd recommend that process to anyone with a sketchy vaccination history (with people having multiple doctors, school vaccinations etc. etc. its hard to get a record.)

I had a blood test for some things and I have the results with me now. Rings found me an old post of Hammy's where he listed the vaccinations I am likely to need so I am going back in the morning to organise the rest. I will still try to chase up the childhood stuff if I can but if I can't then at least I will have a reasonably comprehensive list. So far I'm good for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, chickenpox, meningococcal and I am 2 out of 3 for my hep a and b jabs (and possibly diptheria too, I'm not so good with reading the test results haha). My understanding is I'm also going to need polio, flu, pertussis (just found out this is whooping cough - whoop whoop) and pneumococcal jabs.

I'm also calling Sydney in the morning and if they already have our petition and are getting ready to send me the forms, I will see if I can get my medical moved forward some. I doubt I will be able to sneak everything in before the July 31 fee hike deadline but it's worth a shot.

Edited June 5, 2007 by Loke

[Loke 0]

Flu and pneumococcal done...I'm starting to feel like a pincushion....

Only pertussis and polio uncertain now and my doctor says they don't administer polio vaccine to adults here so I have to keep chasing my childhood immunisation records I guess.

[hampster 0]

First off CONGRATULATIONS To Both Rings and Loke... for your APPROVAL

I was pretty close on my Prediction of Your Approval Date

Well done and We are sooo happy for you both.. not long to go now to you are together again

Lyndel CONGRATULATIONS To you also on getting that Job @ Verizon woo hooo!!

Actually Cheryl and I are with Verizon FIOS INTERNET AND FAMILY PHONE PLAN THROUGH VERIZON.

CAN WE HAGGLE ON A PHONE DEAL FOR MOI

I NEED A PHONE LOL AND A GOOD FAMILY DEAL WHAT'S ON SPECIAL THIS MONTH HEHEHE.

Kath I would ring K-mart up and say well I have been waiting ffs where's this paperwork!!!!

Well went in on Monday for my Drug test for Home Depot.. and am waiting back for a call

From The HR Manager to say "COME ON DOWN YA'ALL"

HOLLYWOOD79 CONGRATULATIONS on your Visa well done!!

Hope Everyone else is doing well and moving along with their Petitions Fast.

Question...???????????????

As it stands now with the new charges $$ for AOS.

What is the price$ atm to do AOS..

Just Curious..

Cheers

Paul and Cheryl

Edited June 6, 2007 by hampster

[vylex 0]

Question...???????????????

As it stands now with the new charges $$ for AOS.

What is the price$ atm to do AOS..

Just Curious..

Cheers

Paul and Cheryl

[/size]

Hi Paul,

Good luck on getting that job!!!

From the USCIS site...

Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I-485

$325.00 Please see Special Instructions 07/24/06. Previous editions accepted

Details here.

New Prices for those that don't know:

==============================

I 485

=====

Adjust status and become a permanent resident while in the U.S.

Applying based on your having been admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

No fee

All other eligibility-

If under 14 and - filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent:

$ 600

not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent:

$ 930

If 79 or older

$ 930

All others: filing + biometric=

$ 1,010

Note: The penalty fee, where it applies, is in addition to the above fees, and is unchanged.

You can get the rundown on other fees here:

[girlfrmoz 1]

HOLY GUACAMOLE those fees are steep!!!!!

Edited June 6, 2007 by girlfrmoz

[hampster 0]

HOLY GUACAMOLE those fees are steep!!!!!

Yeah need to gte 4 part time jobs to pay for the new fees ffs!!

Lyndel CONGRATULATIONS To you also on getting that Job @ Verizon woo hooo!!

Actually Cheryl and I are with Verizon FIOS INTERNET AND FAMILY PHONE PLAN THROUGH VERIZON.

CAN WE HAGGLE ON A PHONE DEAL FOR MOI

I NEED A PHONE LOL AND A GOOD FAMILY DEAL WHAT'S ON SPECIAL THIS MONTH HEHEHE.

Cheers

Paul

[Rings 10]

I have no idea how we are going to pay those fees, but we will figure it out surely *worries*

Thanks Hammy for all of your help. Loke and I have used so many of your posts in our process. We appreciate the vaccination posts a lot. We are still hoping to work out what else he needs done.

We moved our medical up so hopefully he will get the packet from the Embassy *twitches* soon. The NVC said that they sent it to Australia on 05/30/07, but when Loke called them they would not let him know if they had received it yet or not. They told him that he will just have to wait for the packet *tries not to hyperventilate*

Anyway CONGRATS to you all for the jobs! I think that Loke has to wait for a workers visa with the K3 so he may not be able to get a job right away (another reason to begin freaking out about these fees) We are hoping that we will beat some of the inflated costs

I think that I fall into the bracket on the AOS (Affidavitt of Support) for the (no fee) but I am not sure now. I have been questioning it, but there is no way I will have $900 in time *hyperventilates again*

Are there any sort of waivers for fees for single moms? haha gah.... I hope things don't fall apart. *grinds teeth*

Hammy I have no clue on phone deals I don't have a cell phone or anything or I would help, but I do know that there are specials all the time. Maybe some company names might help:

Cell Phone Companies (That I know of)

Verizon

Sprint

Qwest

T-Mobile

Nextel

Maybe you can google these and see what deals they are offering? I hope this helps some *hugs*

[hampster 0]

I have no idea how we are going to pay those fees, but we will figure it out surely *worries*

Thanks Hammy for all of your help. Loke and I have used so many of your posts in our process. We appreciate the vaccination posts a lot. We are still hoping to work out what else he needs done.

We moved our medical up so hopefully he will get the packet from the Embassy *twitches* soon. The NVC said that they sent it to Australia on 05/30/07, but when Loke called them they would not let him know if they had received it yet or not. They told him that he will just have to wait for the packet *tries not to hyperventilate*

Anyway CONGRATS to you all for the jobs! I think that Loke has to wait for a workers visa with the K3 so he may not be able to get a job right away (another reason to begin freaking out about these fees) We are hoping that we will beat some of the inflated costs

I think that I fall into the bracket on the AOS (Affidavitt of Support) for the (no fee) but I am not sure now. I have been questioning it, but there is no way I will have $900 in time *hyperventilates again*

Are there any sort of waivers for fees for single moms? haha gah.... I hope things don't fall apart. *grinds teeth*

Hammy I have no clue on phone deals I don't have a cell phone or anything or I would help, but I do know that there are specials all the time. Maybe some company names might help:

Cell Phone Companies (That I know of)

Verizon

Sprint

Qwest

T-Mobile

Nextel

Maybe you can google these and see what deals they are offering? I hope this helps some *hugs*

Hey Rings

Well if the NVC sent it on 30th of May.. I would think Loke should have the Paperwork in his

Hands by umm thinking.... prolly the ... 3rd week of June

Going by my timetable of how it worked for myself recieving the paperwork from the Consulate!

As you know you need the Packet from the Embassy

prior to making US MEDICAL DCOTOR'S APPOINTMENT..

AS YOU NEED THE SAID PAPERWORK TO TAKE WITH YOU REGARDING MEDICAL FORMS.

I HOPE IT COMES SOON FOR YOU BOTH

Well still waiting for Phonecall back from Home Depot.. regarding start date

But they have to wait on my Drug Test Results ( wee in a cup )

apologies for anyone reading that whilst drinking a Beverage hehehe

And also my DHS Background Check to come back.

But the HR Manager said he will call me back as early as today (Wednesday)

So fingers crossed as I know I am Innocent of any and all crimes

And my drug test (wee in a cup) was mine ..

Happiness and Good Luck to you and Loke

Cheers

Paul

[Rings 10]

I was hunting UCIS looking for the I-134 Affidavit of Support information and it says there is no fee, but the is a $1,000.00 fee for the I-134A so I am thinking that I won't have to pay for the next step. Do you suppose that they updated the USCIS site to reflect the inflation costs?

[Kath 0]

hi ya you guys

hope all is well with everyone...

went to k mart to fill out the forms and wont be starting the orientation till next week or so lol slacko's .. not too impressed on the hourly rate but its experience and a way to save money for the kids to come over..earning less than what i did in oz...

now about these new fees....they go up on the 30th july 2007 .. so get anything in before that date and you wont have to pay the higher fees..hammy and girlfromoz try to get them in guys will save you heaps...

from what i am reading off the fee listings the AOS hike includes AOS, EAD and AP...which to me is stupid because for one thing I got my greencard before I got my EAD (which i applied for) and to save money I didnt apply for the AP (which is the travel authority before you get your greencard) so once again they are trying their darness to get money out of us...

also the affidavit of support for the interview at sydney and AOS doesnt cost anything .. zero zilch...

also while i am on the subject...i want to clear up something i was wrong about and have been corrected on .. in a post in a different forum...

remember i was rambling on about the way you have to do removal of conditions when your 2 year greencard expires ..I was of the thinking it was a waste of money to many...because usually immigrants go for naturalization within 3 or 5 years of being here... i cant remember how he put it so will find the post for you guys to read...

MY POST:

Kath -- Yesterday, 03:49 PM

hi ya all

i for one couldnt believe the increases...with all the public comments received over 3000 i wonder if they even read them ..

what really annoys me is im going to be removing conditions next year ... that will give me my 10 year greencard...many become citzens before that 10 year card expires...the government is really getting free and extra money from the public in my eyes...i cannot see why they cannot split the removing conditions to a 5 year one ..because that is one of the requirements of applying for naturalization...either 3 or 5 year eligibility to apply...

sighhh i feel for all those applying after july for their visa's...wonder if the financial aspect will deter immigrants...cos boy oh boy its a big financial responsibility for some couples...

ok end of rant..

kath

REPLIES:

Yodrak -- Today, 07:58 AM

Kath,

You seem to be misunderstanding what removal of conditions is, and what a green card is.

A LPR with conditions has been granted LPR status for a limited two-year period of time. Removing the conditions happens only once, and makes one a LPR for life or until they abandon the status. Removing conditions does not make a person a LPR for another limited period of time.

The green card is an ID card - a photo ID card. It needs to be replaced periodically, as a person's appearance changes with time. At the present time the replacement period is set at 10 years. Recognize that renewal of the card is not renewal of status - a person will remain a LPR whether or not they renew their card. Failure to renew the card may cause them some practical difficulties, but it will not cause them to lose their LPR status - it's not like a drivers license where the benefit ends when the ID card expires.

One way of abandoning LPR status is to leave the USA to take up residence in a different country. Another way is to become a US citizen. A LPR can chose to apply for citizenship at any time once they become eligible - soon after or long after. As you say, many LPRs chose to become citizens soon after they achieve eligibility. Many others chose to become citizens long after they have achieved eligibility, and still others chose to remain LPRs for life and never apply for citizenship.

So what has this got to do with the fact that a green card becomes obsolete every 10 years and needs to be replaced? Most LPRs would probably prefer a longer period between card renewals, not a shorter period. And if the government were really making money on the renewals, and was depending on it as a source of income, the card renewal period probably would be less than 10 years!

Yodrak

John & Annie -- Today, 09:22 AM

To add onto Yodrak's comment, The "public" is not paying for anything. USCIS is a fee based agency and must pay its own bills. You are paying for your application and those of refugees and those seeking asylum.

As to the financial aspect, in the grand scheme of things the fee increases are not that much money. And yes, it will deter people, but the vigilant will still come. I make a decent income and we have had to budget to pay the fees, but it is worth every penny. IMHO, when you have to sacrifice to attain something, you do value it more.

Look at the immigrants of days past, they used to have to spend weeks on ships in substandard conditions, not get on a flight with meal service. When they got off of the boat, people were there trying to exploit them, not have a family member waiting with enough support verified to get them established.

I think we have a much better deal.

Now it makes sense to me and I dont know where my head was at...so I thought I would correct what I said in here to you all so you can understand the greencard thing more clearly...hope you dont mind ... it is so different to the australian way of life where an immigrant isnt given a card for the permanent resident and it doesnt have to be updated what so ever..i should know i was a permenant resident of australia for more then 30 odd years until i became an austrlian citizen....although i was born in england my family immigrated to australia when i was 8 and was married to a pom that didnt believe we should become an australian and put his beliefs onto me .. in those days i didnt have a mind of my own on alot of things in that marriage...

well thats the end of my little rant well not so little hehehe

kath

p.s. hammy i know you probably want to go with verizon on the mobile thing but just to be going on with you could do what i did and buy a small pre paid mobile with cingular which cost about 19 dollars and you get 10 dollars credit to go with it and you can choose the a plan of 10c a minute..international calling and texting and a $1 daily fee the texting is 5 cents to send and receive that includes international texting.. you could also choose 25cent a minute no daily fee and the same texting amount...it does me .. i only got it to text my family in oz ...

ATT pre paid phone i have

ok talk to ya all soon

kath

[SharynY 2]

i got an email from the Consulate...

they've recieved our petition and mailed out packet 3 on the 5th june!!

which means i should get it today!! lets hope so!!!

[hollywood79 0]

Flu and pneumococcal done...I'm starting to feel like a pincushion....

Only pertussis and polio uncertain now and my doctor says they don't administer polio vaccine to adults here so I have to keep chasing my childhood immunisation records I guess.

One more thing about the medical, make sure you ask if you can claim it on Medicare. I didn't and when I went to Medicare yesterday to get a cash refund they said I couldn't because the invoice/receipt wasn't itemised!! Unfortunately I don not have the time to drive back to Monash and sort this out.

[Moonie 0]

2 more sleeps and I will be with my sweetheart!

I sometimes still can't believe it...

Congrats on all approvals and new job offers!!!