After Packet 3, waiting for Packet 4

[KPea 0]

Hi everyone,

How long does it usually take for the US Consulate Sydney to email Packet 4 after receiving my Packet 3 in the mail? I'd sent mine off about two weeks ago, just wondering if it usually takes longer? And do they usually give you an appointment date close (like next week, a couple weeks etc) or the next month/s?

Thanks!

[dodgyJim73 6]

Mine took about 8-9 business days to receive packet 4. I think I had 19 days between receiving packet 4 and the interview, however my interview was brought forward so it took the timeframe to 15 days.

[Sas323 0]

Hey mate,

I just sent off my Packet 3 earlier today, 20/1/14

Reply in this thread when you recieve 4 - would love to know the estimate for peace of mind aswell - I'm sure they're getting around to it!

[Ozgirl1981 78]

I think I waited about 19 days for pck 4 to arrive for us. Iterview is usually very quick. We are having to wait 28 days or so for our interview as there are 4 of us applying for visas and even my kids need interview slot. You'll be able to see timeframe of what my process has been like below (signature) to help you estimate yours. Good Luck

[flowershoes 2]

Hi everyone,

How long does it usually take for the US Consulate Sydney to email Packet 4 after receiving my Packet 3 in the mail? I'd sent mine off about two weeks ago, just wondering if it usually takes longer? And do they usually give you an appointment date close (like next week, a couple weeks etc) or the next month/s?

Thanks!

I waited about eleven days. Then I emailed them requesting an interview date because I got impatiant (and was in Sydney over Christmas), and heard back from them the next day.

[KPea 0]

Hey mate,

I just sent off my Packet 3 earlier today, 20/1/14

Reply in this thread when you recieve 4 - would love to know the estimate for peace of mind aswell - I'm sure they're getting around to it!

Sure, will go!

How'd you go with the medical appointment btw? Were they more helpful in setting up an appointment for you?

[KPea 0]

Hey mate,

I just sent off my Packet 3 earlier today, 20/1/14

Reply in this thread when you recieve 4 - would love to know the estimate for peace of mind aswell - I'm sure they're getting around to it!

I just got the Packet 4 email this morning! Scheduled for Feb4th

I waited about eleven days. Then I emailed them requesting an interview date because I got impatiant (and was in Sydney over Christmas), and heard back from them the next day.

Thanks! I just got the Packet 4 email from US Consulate this morning! Just to clarify as it does not say in the email...I need to pay USD$240 at Post Office and buy a 3kg express post bag with tracking?

[flowershoes 2]

I just got the Packet 4 email this morning! Scheduled for Feb4th

Thanks! I just got the Packet 4 email from US Consulate this morning! Just to clarify as it does not say in the email...I need to pay USD$240 at Post Office and buy a 3kg express post bag with tracking?

Yay! Congrats!~ It's all down hill from here You DEFINITELY need to pay the Visa fee -- either at the post office or online if you're lazy like me. http://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/ head over here, create a profile and follow the directions to pay. (It's pretty confusing as they'll ask you to schedule an interview but all you need to do at that website is pay.) Make sure you bring the receipt to the interview, it was the second thing I was asked to present.

As for the 3kg Envelope, this is totally optional. I would actually suggest foregoing this one, because the consulate uses TOLL Couriers to mail the packages, which is a lot more safe than Aus Post. Why spend an extra $10 when they'll mail it safely for free, amirite?

[KPea 0]

Yay! Congrats!~ It's all down hill from here You DEFINITELY need to pay the Visa fee -- either at the post office or online if you're lazy like me. http://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/ head over here, create a profile and follow the directions to pay. (It's pretty confusing as they'll ask you to schedule an interview but all you need to do at that website is pay.) Make sure you bring the receipt to the interview, it was the second thing I was asked to present.

As for the 3kg Envelope, this is totally optional. I would actually suggest foregoing this one, because the consulate uses TOLL Couriers to mail the packages, which is a lot more safe than Aus Post. Why spend an extra $10 when they'll mail it safely for free, amirite?

Wow really? So if I don't bring an Aus Post envelope they won't even ask me for one and by default they would just send my passport/visa to me via Toll Couriers anyway? I guess the pro about sending via Aus Post and buying the bag is that I would have the tracking number for it.

I see you're going to NY! Me too Ps have you started planning the wedding yet? We're in the middle of planning now, a Brooklyn wedding, and my goodness its a lotta $$$$$$ even for a small restaurant venue!

[flowershoes 2]

Wow really? So if I don't bring an Aus Post envelope they won't even ask me for one and by default they would just send my passport/visa to me via Toll Couriers anyway? I guess the pro about sending via Aus Post and buying the bag is that I would have the tracking number for it.

I see you're going to NY! Me too Ps have you started planning the wedding yet? We're in the middle of planning now, a Brooklyn wedding, and my goodness its a lotta $$$$$$ even for a small restaurant venue!

She asked if I had one and I said that I did, but then opted to send it with them instead. Toll actually emails you a tracking number, and I also got a phonecall from them when I wasn't home to pick it up. I would HIGHLY reccommend sending it with them

I am! We're having a simple City Hall wedding and then a dinner party down in a restaurant near the river. Even THAT is expensive, it's insane. When's your big move?

[KPea 0]

She asked if I had one and I said that I did, but then opted to send it with them instead. Toll actually emails you a tracking number, and I also got a phonecall from them when I wasn't home to pick it up. I would HIGHLY reccommend sending it with them

I am! We're having a simple City Hall wedding and then a dinner party down in a restaurant near the river. Even THAT is expensive, it's insane. When's your big move?

That sounds good! I might buy one just incase the person who interviews me doesn't offer that to me, then I can aways refund the Aus Post bag.

Yeah we're keeping out celebrations 'intimate' at about 50 people in a nice restaurant and thats still reaching our budget haha. My USC fiance is living here with me at the moment but we're leaving in June but spending about a month in Michigan first before heading back to NY, prob in August.

I saw your post regarding shipping stuff...I'm not taking any furniture or anything, but have a hell of a lot of clothes and personal items! From memory, each person travelling into the US gets 2x 22kg suitcases checked in for free, and then when my parents come for the wedding later in the year (October) I'm gonna pre-pack suitcases for them to bring for me~

Good luck, not long for you now!

[flowershoes 2]

That sounds good! I might buy one just incase the person who interviews me doesn't offer that to me, then I can aways refund the Aus Post bag.

Yeah we're keeping out celebrations 'intimate' at about 50 people in a nice restaurant and thats still reaching our budget haha. My USC fiance is living here with me at the moment but we're leaving in June but spending about a month in Michigan first before heading back to NY, prob in August.

I saw your post regarding shipping stuff...I'm not taking any furniture or anything, but have a hell of a lot of clothes and personal items! From memory, each person travelling into the US gets 2x 22kg suitcases checked in for free, and then when my parents come for the wedding later in the year (October) I'm gonna pre-pack suitcases for them to bring for me~

Good luck, not long for you now!

Good idea!

Wow, 50 people is huge! It's great your parents will be able to be there When you head back to NY you'll have to get in touch with me and we can have a couple of celebratory drinks somewhere! Always nice to keep in touch with fellow Aussie expats!

Yeah, my fiancee bought back a suitcase full of my stuff, and I'll bring five with me when I travel. Anything else I'll get the folks to post to me as I need it. I had no idea how much stuff I owned!

[KPea 0]

Good idea!

Wow, 50 people is huge! It's great your parents will be able to be there When you head back to NY you'll have to get in touch with me and we can have a couple of celebratory drinks somewhere! Always nice to keep in touch with fellow Aussie expats!

Yeah, my fiancee bought back a suitcase full of my stuff, and I'll bring five with me when I travel. Anything else I'll get the folks to post to me as I need it. I had no idea how much stuff I owned!

5 suitcases! Haha good luck with that

Yes luckily my parents are coming over for our fall wedding, so they can bring all my coats, boots etc in time for winter!

That sounds great, I love meeting Aussies in NY I used to live in Brooklyn and it was always nice meeting other aussies sharing the same experiences there! Though I can't figure out how to private message on this thing...

[flowershoes 2]

5 suitcases! Haha good luck with that

Yes luckily my parents are coming over for our fall wedding, so they can bring all my coats, boots etc in time for winter!

That sounds great, I love meeting Aussies in NY I used to live in Brooklyn and it was always nice meeting other aussies sharing the same experiences there! Though I can't figure out how to private message on this thing...

I've added you as a friend In our respective profile pages there's an option to "send message"!

[KPea 0]

Yay! Congrats!~ It's all down hill from here You DEFINITELY need to pay the Visa fee -- either at the post office or online if you're lazy like me. http://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/ head over here, create a profile and follow the directions to pay. (It's pretty confusing as they'll ask you to schedule an interview but all you need to do at that website is pay.) Make sure you bring the receipt to the interview, it was the second thing I was asked to present.

As for the 3kg Envelope, this is totally optional. I would actually suggest foregoing this one, because the consulate uses TOLL Couriers to mail the packages, which is a lot more safe than Aus Post. Why spend an extra $10 when they'll mail it safely for free, amirite?

Thanks! I just paid the USd$240 online after making a profile, but it did not give me any option to print the receipt...and the only thing I have received is an email that says "Your payment to CGI Federal'with a transaction number. Did you print this out, is this the 'receipt'? It makes me think it is not the receipt as it does not have the $240 amount mentioned on it at all!