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

[rubyred 0]

we have our interview next thursday!! sure we'll be fine, but still nervous!!

[kiwiana 2]

we have our interview next thursday!! sure we'll be fine, but still nervous!!

Good luck with the interview .. let us know how it all goes!

[cdneh 3,112]

we have our interview next thursday!! sure we'll be fine, but still nervous!!

Good luck with that! Let us know how you go?

Glad to see we are still around..it was getting too quiet in here

We're ticking over...my biometrics are coming up next week, so maybe after that I will see something more happen.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

Good luck with that! Let us know how you go?

Glad to see we are still around..it was getting too quiet in here

We're ticking over...my biometrics are coming up next week, so maybe after that I will see something more happen.

cdneh, looks like we are a few days behind you. Cindy's bio is in about 10 days.

We are hoping for a quick EAD, but we'll see....

Glad to see everyone moving along here.

[kiwiana 2]

congrats cdneh and cindy on your upcoming bio appointments . I noticed that the day after I had my bio appointment, i got a touch on my EAD file online.

But I was never able to track my AP online. The approval letter just arrived in the mail. Even now when i type in the reference number to AP, it still says the number doesn't exist!

Edited July 24, 2009 by kiwiana

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks...I can see all three numbers, and so far the only thing that has a touch is the AOS..the AP and the EAD haven't changed. I'm just amazed it even works for us this time

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

Hi everyone,

does anyone know if you have a visa, do you still have to to the ESTA before you leave for the US? thanks!

[Kelvan 0]

Hey guys! Just popping in to update. Life has been quite hectic lately! Friday was my last day of work. Picked up wedding dress yesterday! Had hen's night! Now I am (finally) ready to pack my life into two suitcases X_X I am applying for an international drivers license tomorrow. Also need to find a decent way to get my wedding dress through 3 flights in once piece.

A few Q's I have...

1. Do I need to apply for the ESTA before I leave?

2. Can I take 1 x carry-on suitcase + 1 x backpack on the plane (have checked United Airlines and they say 1 x carry-on + 1 x personal item)?

[Kim & Chris 0]

Hi everyone,

does anyone know if you have a visa, do you still have to to the ESTA before you leave for the US? thanks!

I'm pretty sure you don't because the ESTA is part of the Visa Waiver Program, which as you have a visa, you won't be using.

When you're on board the plane and they bring around the arrival cards you fill out before landing, just make sure you tell the hostess you want the white I-94 ..... Not the green I-94W VWP one and you'll be fine.

[Kim & Chris 0]

Hey guys! Just popping in to update. Life has been quite hectic lately! Friday was my last day of work. Picked up wedding dress yesterday! Had hen's night! Now I am (finally) ready to pack my life into two suitcases X_X I am applying for an international drivers license tomorrow. Also need to find a decent way to get my wedding dress through 3 flights in once piece.

A few Q's I have...

1. Do I need to apply for the ESTA before I leave?

2. Can I take 1 x carry-on suitcase + 1 x backpack on the plane (have checked United Airlines and they say 1 x carry-on + 1 x personal item)?

So close

See above re the ESTA.

I took two big suitcases, right on the weight limit, checked in and one smaller case on wheels as carry on, (just make sure it's the correct weight limit). I also took as carry on my laptop in it's carry case, my handbag stuffed to the gunnels, and my long winter coat draped over my arm, (so I had more room in my cases ).

It's not easy to fit your entire life into 2.5 suitcases ......lol

[kiwiana 2]

When i bought my plane ticket in nz, i asked about ESTA and was told that you don't need to do it if you have a visa. As Kim said, it is applicable to the Visa waiver programme.

It is extremely hard to put everything into two suitcases (the older one is the more 'stuff' you collect ) The two suitcases i took were bursting at the seams but must have met the weight limits as i didn't get charged anything.

When i picked them up from the carousel at LA. There were these stickers over them (for the baggage handlers) saying they were over a certain weight and to bend your knees and watch your back.. lol!!

I crammed my medium sized backpack with as much as i could as my carry on luggage, and took my laptop in its carry bag too. And I had the secretive 'yellow/brown' envelope with me

I was a bit worried about taking a laptop and a backpack as carry on, but when i boarded the plane and saw the number of items other people were taking on board, i realised i had no reason to have worried.

I guess some airlines are more flexible than others.

The biggest item i had was those darn 'xrays' that we all had to get done for the medical. They are now just lying in the wardrobe collecting dust

Kelvan: when do you leave nz? and what date is the wedding?

[Kelvan 0]

Oh yeah I almost forgot about the x-rays xD So I need to bring the with me as carry-on in the plane right? And I need to bring my secret yellow envelope! So many things to remember.

Thanks for the advice about the ESTA and the white form on the plane guys!

I leave NZ on Friday August 7th. I have already bought my return ticket back to Auckland in 2010 for a visit because it was the same price as the one way trip! I don't have to use it but I thought what the heck, it's the same price!

I haven't even started packing either >_< Luckily my family of 4 people are coming over for the wedding so I'll get them to bring the rest of my things. I can't believe how much stuff I have.

I'm gonna bring my backpack and a carry-on size suitcase with rollers. Hopefully they will allow me those two things! I tried emailing United Airlines but their system is super slow and I don't even know if my question made it through.

[Kim & Chris 0]

Oh yeah I almost forgot about the x-rays xD So I need to bring the with me as carry-on in the plane right? And I need to bring my secret yellow envelope! So many things to remember.

Thanks for the advice about the ESTA and the white form on the plane guys!

I leave NZ on Friday August 7th. I have already bought my return ticket back to Auckland in 2010 for a visit because it was the same price as the one way trip! I don't have to use it but I thought what the heck, it's the same price!

I haven't even started packing either >_< Luckily my family of 4 people are coming over for the wedding so I'll get them to bring the rest of my things. I can't believe how much stuff I have.

I'm gonna bring my backpack and a carry-on size suitcase with rollers. Hopefully they will allow me those two things! I tried emailing United Airlines but their system is super slow and I don't even know if my question made it through.

You'll be fine with your backpack and carry on size case, as I said that's what I took plus a laptop.

You don't need to take the x-rays as carry on, just put them in your check in luggage as you won't be asked for them at POE. The only important thing to take as carry on is the "mysterious brown envelope". I put mine in the outside pocket on my carry on suitcase, luckily it fit perfectly. You'll only need it when you land in the U.S. as you come to customs/immigration so it's better to stash it from the get go than to risk losing it anywhere.

How lucky are you that your family are coming for the wedding, they each should be allowed to take 2 checked in suitcases so make good use of them.....lol

Pretty soon it'll all be a distant memory, trust me

[Kim & Chris 0]

The biggest item i had was those darn 'xrays' that we all had to get done for the medical. They are now just lying in the wardrobe collecting dust

Ana I was just talking to my SO about the x-rays only last night. We're off to St Louis tomorrow to watch the LA Dodgers play and I was emptying out one of my large cases, they've been stashed in there for the last 7 months never to see the light of day.....lol

[kelzm 0]

Congrats Kelly, I hope the wedding goes smoothly for you. Enjoy the day!

I wouldn't worry too much about the carryon, the only thing I did come across was that they weigh your carry on at Auckland Airport to make sure it's 7kg or less. Mine was 11kg and I had to reorganise, carried my sweater, put more things in my handbag instead of the carry on, hid some things in my pocket etc. Once I got through there I just put it all back in the carry on anyway.

Have a safe trip, August is just around the corner