Phone Number: |
Immigrant and Non Immigrant visa enquires 1902-941-641
Main Switchboard: +61-2- 9373-9200
(If calling from the U.S. dial 011-61-2-9373-9200)
Visas Fax (61-2) 9373-9185
General Fax (61-2) 9373-9125
Foreign & Commercial Service Fax (61-2) 9221-0573
Public Affairs Office Fax (61-2) 9221-0551 |
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E-Mail: |
sydneyiv@state.gov
Please ensure you include your case number in ALL correspondence with the consulate. |
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Address: |
MLC Centre
Level 59
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Map of Sydney: http://www.whereis.com/whereis/getMap.do?ref=homeMap#
Public Transportation: http://131500.com.au/
Sydney Trains: http://www.sydneytrains.info/
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Working Hours: |
All visitors are subject to security checks prior to entering the Consular Section. There is no access after 11:45am.
Visitors cannot take any food/drink/bags or electronics through the security checkpoint. There is limited storage available so it is advised not to try and take any suitcases or carry on baggage. If it is too large it will not be stored and you will be required to find alternate arrangements for your baggage.
Passports and American Citizen Services: Monday-Friday 8:00am-12:00 noon
Non-immigrant visa: By appointment only. Visa applicants will be notified by the Visa Section of their interview dates.
Immigrant visa interviews: By appointment only. Visa applicants will be notified by the Visa Section of their interview dates.
Immigrant visa general inquiries: Friday only, 8:00am - 12 noon.
General Consulate Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm |
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Best Contact Method: |
Email as a primary method, this is usually the fastest for replies. Alternatively fax or phone. |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
Approximately 10-28 days
This will depend on how long it takes you to accumulate required documents and return "Applicants Statement of Readiness To Be Interviewed". Usually advertised is 2-4 months (approximately 10-28 days between readiness form sent in and scheduled interview date) |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
**** Packet 3 is typically sent via email if you supplied an email address at the time of sending the I-129F ****
Instructions for Immigrant visa applicants
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html
**** NOTE ****
The forms required to be returned to the consulate from packet 3 has changed recently... As of 21/03/2014 the packet 3 requirements for immigrant visa are:-
1. Form DS-160 – Confirmation page only
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html
**DS-160 replaces all of the following forms DS-156, DS-156K, DS-156V, DS-157, DS-158 and DS-3032.**
2. Form I-134 — Affidavit of Support
3. Form DSL-1076 — Applicant’s Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed
*NB:- The DSL-1076 may still inform you that you are required to return DS-156 and DS-156K but this is NOT required as it is replaced by the DS-160.
You must also complete the checklist and compile all documentation relating to your application which are included in the DSL-1076. (Remember to include photocopies if requested)
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/australia/39176/pdf/dsl-1076.pdf
4. Medical Examination Instructions and link to authorised Practitioners (forms supplied by doctor) - http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/doctors.html
5. Australian Police Certificate Instructions and link - http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/policecertificate.html
6. Birth Certificate
**Other paperwork may be required depending on your personal situation. Please read the instructions to find what is best for you**
****UPDATE 29/04/2014****
There has been discussion in the Australian sub-forums that interview's are now being scheduled without the need for Packet 3 evidence to be returned to the consulate. Rather it is all provided to the CO at the interview. This is yet to be confirmed.
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____________________________________
Packet 3 for DCF received via e-mail. Current as of 7/2/2008 and includes clickable links:
The National Visa Center (NVC) has returned the results of the Adam Walsh name check to the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney. The petition has been approved and the immigrant visa process may begin.
The initial set of instructions (“Packet 3”) may be downloaded from the following website:
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/family.html
Forms required
Form DS-230 Parts I&II — Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
Form DS-2001 — Notification of Applicant Readiness
Form I-864 — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act
Form I-864A — Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
Form I-864EZ — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act
Form I-864P — Poverty Guidelines
Form I-864W — Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption
Form I-865 — Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address
A medical examination is required, for further information; please refer to the following website: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/medical.html.
To obtain a list of the Panel Physicians, please refer to the following website http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/doctors.html . Medical forms are only obtained from the Panel Physician.
If you need to obtain a police certificate for Australia, please refer to the following website: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/policecertificate.html. Please visit the State Department website on www.uscis.gov if you need to obtain a police certificate for another country.
Please send the completed DS230 Parts I & II forms immediately. Do not sign DS230 Part II. You should begin to collect all items applicable to your case that is listed on the following pages. Please do not fax forms DS-230 Parts I & II. The original forms must be mailed.
When you have gathered all documentation, complete & mail all applicable documentation with the DS-2001 form and checklist to the U.S. Consulate General, Sydney.
You are required to furnish the original of each document PLUS one photocopy. That office will contact you with your immigrant visa interview time. Your original documents will be returned to you at the time of your final visa interview.
Immigrant visa processing times vary. There may be unexpected ineligibilities that become apparent only at the time of your interview which require additional time and processing. For this reason, you should not make any irrevocable arrangements, such as purchasing non-refundable tickets, selling your home, or quitting your job, until after your immigrant visa is actually approved and issued to you.
Sincerely,
Immigrant Visa Unit
U.S. Consulate General, Sydney(TY) |
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
The Letter: Packet 4 also is sent via email (29/04/2014)
This E-mail details your Visa appointment date and time, and also the travelling applicants.
You MUST respond to this E-mail within 5 business days to confirm you will be able to attend/reschedule your appointment. Failure to respond will result in cancellation of your appointment.
Additional details will be included detailing interview requirements including any documents previously requested that haven't been received, or further copies that may be required.
As a MINIMUM you will be required to provide the following on the day of the interview.
1. Passport for all applicants. 8 months of validity beyond the date of the issuance of the visa.
2. Receipt for the visa fee. *This cannot be paid at the consulate. Must be paid at Australia Post or Online*.
3. Printed copy of the Packet 4 e-mail. This is for security when you attend the consulate.
At the very least you will be required to take receipt of payment of Visa fee (US$350- as of 6/24/11 embassy website), express post platinum 3Kg envelope, and your passport.
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Packet 4 for DCF received via e-mail. Current as of 7/22/2008 and includes includes an attached document titled " IV - Checklist for Day of Interview - Mail in apps.doc" (not pasted):
Your appointment has been scheduled for Monday, Jannuary 1, 2000 at 9:00am. Please bring this email as confirmation of your appointment and present it to our security guards on the day of your interview.
Please review attachment regarding additional required documents. Failure to provide documents on the day of your interview may cause a delay in the issuance of your visa.
Sincerely,
Immigrant Visa Unit
U.S. Consulate General, Sydney |
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Forms to Consulate? |
As soon as first package is received
*Form DS-230I Biographic Data Part 1
When all required documents are accumulated for interview (including medical)
*Applicant's Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed complete with all forms and supporting documents (i.e. birth certificate, military records, etc). Make sure to make copies of supporting documents.
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____________________________________
For DCF:
ASAP, Form DS-230 Parts I&II — Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration
Then, Form DS-2001 — Notification of Applicant Readiness
+ all required documentation as explained in Packet 3 |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
The below is not related to the K1 process --
1. processing fee receipt: US$350 for each applicant. Go to any post office , pay the fee, and obtain one receipt for each applicant, attached to the outside cover of each passport. Valid passport (and any expired passports bearing United states visas)
2. Two Passport-U.S sized photograghs
3. Two completed aplications forms DS-156
4. One completed copy form DS-156k - supplement to form DS-156
5. Long form birth certificate showing both parents names (with engish translation if applicable)
6. For accompanying children : court order verifying sole custody to the immigrating parent or a signed and dated affidavit from the child's other parent advising of his/her knowledge and consent for the child to live in the united states which should includee a copy of a photo ID of that parent, or a death certificate of the other parent.
7. Evidence of termination of all prior marriages( with english translation if applicable)
8. Police certificate (Australian and other countries if applicable & English translation if applicable)
9. Court record (if applicable)
10. Military Records (if applicable and with english translation if applicable)
11. Evidence of financial support
(original signature(s) must be on affidavits of support, Form I-134 or letters of affidavits of support. Photocopies or faxed copies of notarized signatures will not be accepted.)
12. Medical examination results. |
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
Yes |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents_Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Advance |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
Your visa will usually not be issued the same day.
You will be required to leave your passport with the embassy and it will be posted back to you with your other documents once the visa has been printed.
You can elect to have the Visa returned via Toll Couriers which requires signature, alternatively you can supply at your own cost, a self-addressed 3kg Express Post envelope. Once the Consulate has received all pending documents and your application is approved for issuance, your visa will be issued and mailed to you.
Increasingly, next day pick-up or delivery is the norm rather than same day issuance of visa.
Processing of the document return usually takes two to three business days. |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
No |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
(July 2008) QUEENSLAND (Dr. Ross Taylor, Anzac Square Medical Center)
Total: $443.35 AU
Doctor Appt: $253.00
X-Ray: $99.00
Blood Test: $91.35
(Sept 2008)QUEENSLAND (Cairns Tourist & Local Medical Services)
Total: $620.00 AU
Doctor Appt: $275.00
X-Ray: $70.00
Blood Test: $200.00
Immunizations: (Hep A/C needed): $75.00
SYDNEY - Dr Joseph Waks (as of 8th Feb 2012) - TOTAL: $390.00 AUD
Medical: $275.00 AU
Blood Tests: $35.00 AU
X-Ray: $80.00 AU
Medical cost in Brisbane:
Medical $220
Blood tests $73.90
X-ray $88
Medical cost in Melbourne(March 2014)
Medical:$405.00 (including Blood tests + X-Ray)
Additional vaccination costs vary.
Postal :$7 or free local pick-up, usually in 5 business days
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List of doctors? |
**** Complete web list of US Panel Doctors for Australia ****
http://http://canberra.usembassy.gov/panel_physicians.html
**** Web instructions for completing the US Visa Medical ****
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/med_exam_instructions.html
**** Downloadable version of US Visa Medical Instructions PDF ****
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/adana/5/Updated%202012/Medical%20Instruct%20With%20List%20of%20Doctors_updatespdf.pdf
Costs are constantly changing. Please use this as a guide only and refer to your local US Visa Medical doctor for accurate costs for your state.
The Following is CORRECT as of "29 Apr 2014" as per Canberra Embassy details.
**** NEW SOUTH WALES ****
1) George St. Medical Centre
1st Floor, 308 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000
(02) 9239-1677
Dr. Joseph N. Waks
Dr. Celina Rappaport
2) Medibank Health Solutions
Level 3, 136 Chalmers St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
1300-361-046
Dr. Fiona Stanaway
Dr. Simonne Shepperd
Dr. Rebekah Hoffman
*NB Medibank Health Solutions normally process medical checks for Australia and not US. You may experience delays in being contacted or having a medical scheduled as all US visa medical appointments are processed by West Australian Staff. There is no online appointment scheduling available and you must contact them via phone. Please factor this into your decision.
**** QUEENSLAND ****
1) Cairns Tourist & Local Medical Services
Cairns Travel Clinic
15 Lake Street Cairns, QLD 4870
(07) 4041-1699
http://www.ctlmedical.com.au
Dr. Gary Litherland
2) Anzac Square Medical Center
280 Ann Street Brisbane, QLD
(07) 3229-1344
http://www.anzacsquaremc.com.au
Dr. Ross Taylor
Dr. Brian Kable
Dr. James Yates
**** VICTORIA ****
1) Bridge Street Clinic
141 Bridge Street Port Melbourne, VIC 3207
(03) 9646-3551
Dr. Charles Okraglik
2) Medibank Health Solutions
Level 4, 501 Swanson St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
1300-361-046
Dr. Andre Dreyer
Dr. Maricar Sy
Dr. Bindhiya Venugapalan
*NB Medibank Health Solutions normally process medical checks for Australia and not US. You may experience delays in being contacted or having a medical scheduled as all US visa medical appointments are processed by West Australian Staff. There is no online appointment scheduling available and you must contact them via phone. Please factor this into your decision.
**** Western Australia ****
1) Kinetic Health – CBD
15-17 Williams Street, Perth, WA, 6000
(08) 6222 6555
Fax: (08) 9242-9732
jbateman@primehealth.com.au
Dr. John Bateman
(Will be unavailable from June 5 to July 1, 2014)
2) Mill Street Medical Practice
Ground Floor, 5 Mill Street
Perth, WA 6000
(08) 9322-4788
Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair
(Will be unavailable from April 1 to May 12, 2014)
3) St. Francis Medical Centre
Unit 12, 29 Station Street Subiaco, WA, 6008
(08) 9382 3334
Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair
(Will be unavailable from April 1 to May 12, 2014)
4) Fitzgerald Medical Practice
435 Fitzgerald St, North Perth, WA, 6006
(08) 9228-8173
Fax-(08) 9228-8175
email:- office@fitzmed.com.au
http://www.fitzmed.com.au
Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair
(Will be unavailable from April 1 to May 12, 2014)
****** NOTE ******
There are NO US Panel doctors in SOUTH AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, CANBERRA or NORTHERN TERRITORY.
You will be required to travel to one of the panel doctors listed as they are the only doctors which have been certified to perform the visa medical.
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
3 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
Please expect to be at the consulate for a minimum of a few hours |
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Vaccination requirements? |
Depends on age but the main ones (18yo - 65yo) are MMR, Tetanus (Td) and Varicella(Chicken Pox).
You may also be required to have the influenza vaccination if you have your medical between April and September.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1331.html
You can ask your doctor for vaccinations you might have had. Check your blue book from your childhood. You may also have documentation with your local council. A national register for vaccinations was created in 1996 for children's vaccinations.
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/patients/acir/
Many people have ask their Doctor to have a blood (Titer) test to determine their immunity if they can't locate any vaccinations. This testing can vary in costs depending on what immunity testing is required. This may not be covered by Medicare. Ensure the doctor provides you with a copy of your Titer testing results to provide at the medical.
The US Panel doctor will provide you with any vaccinations which you have missed to ensure you are in compliance with the visa medical requirements. These will incur additional costs. These can cost upwards of $500 for a full course!
Applicants can also have all age related vaccinations again. This can take some time to complete, due to some vaccinations requiring multiple injections. Please take this into account if you proceed down this path.
IMPORTANT: Request original documents from blood test results and vaccination history. Photocopies and faxes are not accepted.
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Full list (Not all are required for all ages)
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/vaccinations.html
http://www.immihelp.com/immigrant-visa/technical-instructions-panel-physicians-vaccination-requirements.pdf
For the most up to date list see table on page 12 of the attached PDF
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti_vacc.pdf
This is the official CDC published list which the panel doctors use to review your immunization history.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dq/panel_vaccine_2007.htm
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
Travelodge on Phillip Street. Its one of the closest hotels to the U.S Consulate (about a 5 minute walk).
Costs $175.00 for the night but is within 2-3 minutes walk of the consulate. (29/04/2014)
http://www.whereis.com/whereis/getMap.do?ref=homeMap#
Display accommodation with a click of the mouse. |
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Additional Info? |
Information for Police Checks for all states:
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/obtain_police_cert.html
U.S. passport photo specifications....
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/lost-passport.html
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