Jump to content
rubyred

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

By rubyred in Australia and New Zealand

 Share

2,284 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

kelzm Enthusiast

kelzm   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

I haven't managed a trip back to NZ yet but my assumptions were:

Book the ticket in the name on your passport. This is what they'll want to see at the airline desk etc. If your greencard has your married name I'd take your marriage certificate with you. When you want to come back in they'll want to see your greencard, and having your cert will help clear up why your passport is in a different name to that. Also, you go in the USA Citizen and Residents line, since we're now residents here :)

Have a great trip home!

Married: 08/05/2007

I-130 sent CSC: 08/09/2007

NOA 1: 09/05/2007

NOA 2: 02/19/2008

NVC case number assigned: 03/04/2008

Case complete at NVC: 05/12/2008

Case sent to Consulate: 05/28/2008

Consulate received: 06/03/2008

Interview & Approval: 07/07/2008

Passport with Visa received: 07/11/2008

POE San Francisco: 09/15/2008

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 2.3k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Posted Images

Kim & Chris Enthusiast

Kim & Chris   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Questions:

Also, if your maiden name is used in NZ passport and married name is on the GC, what surname do you put on the airline ticket? Do you show your NZ passport when leaving USA airport to go to NZ? And then do you use your NZ passport when entering and leaving NZ? Then on your return to USA airport, you show your GC?

Hi Kiwiana...... As the others have said, you must have your ticket in the exact same name that's on your passport or they won't let you fly. When I went back in Sept I had my GC, but I also took the copies of my AP and my marriage certificate just in case, although neither were needed (I'd still take everything for peace of mind). And yes it's a weird feeling going into the US citizen line, but it was like a small reward for all the hard work we've done so far :star:

Our Timeline

AOS

February 23rd 2009 AOS sent in

March 7th 2009 NOA1 Received for EAD & AP

March 9th 2009 NOA1 Received for I-485 & Biometric Apt

March 17th 2009 RFE for Tax & Employment evidence

March 20th 2009 Biometric Apt

March 27th 2009 Sent back RFE

May 7th 2009 Called to give them a rev up!!

June 8th 2009 Still nothing!!!! - put in a service request for EAP & AP

June 10th 2009 Case status finally avaiable online for EAD & AP

June 10th 2009 EAD card production ordered

June 10th 2009 AP approval notice sent

FUNNY WHAT A PHONE CALL WILL DO.......

June 16th 2009 AP Received In mail!!!

June 17th 2009 EAD card production status changed to 17th June

June 19th 2009 EAD Mailed out

June 22nd 2009 EAD Received in mail!!!

July 14th 2009 I-485 finally online and transfered to California!!!!!

July 22nd 2009 Touch

July 31st 2009 Touch

August 3rd 2009 Touch

August 13th 2009 GC Card Production Ordered

August 17th 2009 Received "Welcome to the U.S." letter

August 22nd 2009 Received Green Card in the mail

June 6th 2011 ROC package sent off to VSC

June 13th 2011 NOA1 Letter

July 28th 2011 Biometrics

February 28th 2012 10yr GC Approval Letter

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiwiana Proficient

kiwiana   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks all, for the information!!:thumbs: It is important to know these things....:yes: It must be a good feeling to stand in the USA citizen and residents line (and those lines seem to clear much more quickly then the other ones!!) :D

Kelvan: hope you have a wonderful trip back to NZ!:star:

ROC

06/01/2011 - Mailed ROC package to CSC

06/02/2011 - Package arrived and signed for at CSC

06/02/2011 - NOA receipt date

06/06/2011 - Check cashed

06/07/2011 - NOA arrived in the mail

06/15/2011 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in the mail

07/11/2011 - Biometrics appointment

02/02/2012 - Phoned USCIS and put in a service request

02/08/2012 - Email from USCIS confirming my request

02/11/2012 - Letter from USCIS - says i should receive news within 30 days

03/14/2012 - Phoned USCIS again. 30 days has passed. no news. Took details again.

03/15/2012 -Received letter from USCIS - have to go to interview April 24th

04/24/2012 - Interview and ROC approved!!

05/07/2012 - Received email, card production ordered

05/11/2012 - Green card arrived

N-400

06/22/2012 - Mailed N-400 package to Phoenix/AZ Lockbox

06/26/2012 - NOA date

06/28/2012 - Check cashed

06/29/2012 - NOA arrived in the mail

07/02/2012 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in mail

07/19/2012 - Biometrics appointment

07/30/2012 - Received text +email. Application placed in line for interview

07/30/2012 - Received text +email in evening - interview letter sent

08/03/2012 - Received interview letter

09/19/2012 - Interview - passed interview/test!!

10/24/2012 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiwiana Proficient

kiwiana   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Happy Easter Everyone!!:star:

To those living in USA: did you manage to find hot cross buns or any chocolate Easter eggs for sale here? (not those small creme eggs that are on sale all year round). I wasn't able to find any in my area this year or last year, so am wondering if it is just the location where i live or if it is right around USA that is the same?

ROC

06/01/2011 - Mailed ROC package to CSC

06/02/2011 - Package arrived and signed for at CSC

06/02/2011 - NOA receipt date

06/06/2011 - Check cashed

06/07/2011 - NOA arrived in the mail

06/15/2011 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in the mail

07/11/2011 - Biometrics appointment

02/02/2012 - Phoned USCIS and put in a service request

02/08/2012 - Email from USCIS confirming my request

02/11/2012 - Letter from USCIS - says i should receive news within 30 days

03/14/2012 - Phoned USCIS again. 30 days has passed. no news. Took details again.

03/15/2012 -Received letter from USCIS - have to go to interview April 24th

04/24/2012 - Interview and ROC approved!!

05/07/2012 - Received email, card production ordered

05/11/2012 - Green card arrived

N-400

06/22/2012 - Mailed N-400 package to Phoenix/AZ Lockbox

06/26/2012 - NOA date

06/28/2012 - Check cashed

06/29/2012 - NOA arrived in the mail

07/02/2012 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in mail

07/19/2012 - Biometrics appointment

07/30/2012 - Received text +email. Application placed in line for interview

07/30/2012 - Received text +email in evening - interview letter sent

08/03/2012 - Received interview letter

09/19/2012 - Interview - passed interview/test!!

10/24/2012 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kelzm Enthusiast

kelzm   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

No hot cross buns. Last year I went to quite a few places looking for them, but no luck. Easter eggs I did find. Mostly small ones, or some chocolate bunnies, nothing like in NZ with the large hollow eggs, and could not find any marshmallow eggs that everyone had back in NZ.

Married: 08/05/2007

I-130 sent CSC: 08/09/2007

NOA 1: 09/05/2007

NOA 2: 02/19/2008

NVC case number assigned: 03/04/2008

Case complete at NVC: 05/12/2008

Case sent to Consulate: 05/28/2008

Consulate received: 06/03/2008

Interview & Approval: 07/07/2008

Passport with Visa received: 07/11/2008

POE San Francisco: 09/15/2008

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kelvan Explorer

Kelvan   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Thanks for the info about traveling, guys :D

I spotted some hot crossed buns at the supermarket the other day! However, they were a lot smaller and they were made with white bread, not brown.

Kelly & Evan

K-1

07-30-08 Sent I-129F

08-01-08 Arrived at CSC

08-08-08 Check cashed

08-12-08 NOA1 sent

08-13-08 Touched!

08-18-08 NOA hard copy

12-17-08 NOA2 sent

01-19-09 Packet 3 sent

01-22-09 Medical

03-19-09 Interview! (both of us attended)

03-19-09 Approved!!!

08-07-09 POE LAX

09-18-09 Married!!!

AOS

10-14-09 Filed AOS

10-22-09 NOA hard copies

10-27-09 Touch

11-17-09 Touch

11-17-09 Transfer notice to CSC

11-23-09 Biometrics appointment

11-24-09 Touch

11-27-09 Touch

12-01-09 Touch

12-03-09 Touch

12-07-09 Work Permit approved!!!

12-21-09 Biometrics fingerprints AGAIN

12-30-09 RFE due to fingerprints being unreadable

01-04-09 Touch

01-26-09 Sent RFE back

02-12-09 GREEN CARD RECEIVED!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kelzm Enthusiast

kelzm   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Saw some hot cross buns today, they looked white also and had raisins as well as peel. Didn't buy them though as the cross was made with icing...

Married: 08/05/2007

I-130 sent CSC: 08/09/2007

NOA 1: 09/05/2007

NOA 2: 02/19/2008

NVC case number assigned: 03/04/2008

Case complete at NVC: 05/12/2008

Case sent to Consulate: 05/28/2008

Consulate received: 06/03/2008

Interview & Approval: 07/07/2008

Passport with Visa received: 07/11/2008

POE San Francisco: 09/15/2008

Link to comment
Share on other sites
that_girl Community Regular

that_girl   9

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Wish us luck, fellow kiwi types! My fiance is flying up to Auckland today for his interview tomorrow. Yeep!

I-129F

6 Nov 2009: NOA1

2 March 2010: NOA2 (116 days)

14 April 2010: Interview (159 days) Approved!!

30 April 2010: Married!

AoS

18 May 2010: NOA1 for AoS, EAD and AP

8 June 2010: Case transferred to CSC

10 June 2010: Biometrics completed

31 July 2010: EAD and AP received!

9 Sept. 2010: RFE email for AoS

(RFE for medical. We replied with letter stating that it's not required since done overseas within one year)

18 January 2010: Interview - passed! Card production ordered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RandomRealityShif Explorer

RandomRealityShif   5

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Wish us luck, fellow kiwi types! My fiance is flying up to Auckland today for his interview tomorrow. Yeep!

Good luck! I'm hoping to find out when my interview is this week.

09/25/2009 - Married!

CR1 Timeline
12/11/2009 - I-130 Sent

12/17/2009 - NOA1
03/01/2010 - NOA2
03/05/2010 - DS-3032 Emailed
03/08/2010 - DS-3032/I-864 Bill received/DS-3032 Email resent / AOS Paid
03/09/2010 - NVC received AOS Payment
03/10/2010 - DS-3032 accepted
03/11/2010 - IV Bill received
03/12/2010 - I-864 Bill shows as PAID
03/16/2010 - Sent I-864 Package
03/19/2010 - Pay IV Bill Online
03/22/2010 - IV Bill shows as PAID
03/23/2010 - DS-230 and Documents Sent
04/08/2010 - SIF
04/08/2010 - AVR updated to "Case Completed"
04/13/2010 - Interview Date Assigned
04/21/2010 - Case Sent to Embassy
04/25/2010 - Case Received at Embassy
04/30/2010 - Medical Exam - Passed!

05/06/2010 - Interview 9:30am in Auckland - APPROVED!
05/10/2010 - Visa Received!
05/13/2010 - POE LAX!

Removal of Conditions Timeline
04/25/2012 - I-751 Package sent (a little late)

05/01/2012 - USCIS Received Package
05/14/2012 - NOA
06/01/2012 - Biometrics (Omaha, NE)

11/20/2012 - Approved
11/29/2012 - Card Received!

Naturalization Timeline
06/06/2015 - N-400 Sent to Phoenix Lockbox
06/10/2015 - Case Received
06/15/2015 - NOA
07/07/2015 - Biometrics (Omaha, NE)

09/01/2015 - Interview - Approved!

10/09/2015 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
that_girl Community Regular

that_girl   9

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Good luck! I'm hoping to find out when my interview is this week.

Thanks!

I hope you hear something soon!

I-129F

6 Nov 2009: NOA1

2 March 2010: NOA2 (116 days)

14 April 2010: Interview (159 days) Approved!!

30 April 2010: Married!

AoS

18 May 2010: NOA1 for AoS, EAD and AP

8 June 2010: Case transferred to CSC

10 June 2010: Biometrics completed

31 July 2010: EAD and AP received!

9 Sept. 2010: RFE email for AoS

(RFE for medical. We replied with letter stating that it's not required since done overseas within one year)

18 January 2010: Interview - passed! Card production ordered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kelzm Enthusiast

kelzm   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Best of luck to him!

Married: 08/05/2007

I-130 sent CSC: 08/09/2007

NOA 1: 09/05/2007

NOA 2: 02/19/2008

NVC case number assigned: 03/04/2008

Case complete at NVC: 05/12/2008

Case sent to Consulate: 05/28/2008

Consulate received: 06/03/2008

Interview & Approval: 07/07/2008

Passport with Visa received: 07/11/2008

POE San Francisco: 09/15/2008

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiwiana Proficient

kiwiana   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Wish us luck, fellow kiwi types! My fiance is flying up to Auckland today for his interview tomorrow. Yeep!

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

gwdenton: hope you find out about your interview this week!

kelzm and Kelvan: It's good to hear that you were able to find some hot x buns! But they don't quite sound the same as the ones in NZ eh? The ones Kelzm saw had icing on?!??! :blink:

ROC

06/01/2011 - Mailed ROC package to CSC

06/02/2011 - Package arrived and signed for at CSC

06/02/2011 - NOA receipt date

06/06/2011 - Check cashed

06/07/2011 - NOA arrived in the mail

06/15/2011 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in the mail

07/11/2011 - Biometrics appointment

02/02/2012 - Phoned USCIS and put in a service request

02/08/2012 - Email from USCIS confirming my request

02/11/2012 - Letter from USCIS - says i should receive news within 30 days

03/14/2012 - Phoned USCIS again. 30 days has passed. no news. Took details again.

03/15/2012 -Received letter from USCIS - have to go to interview April 24th

04/24/2012 - Interview and ROC approved!!

05/07/2012 - Received email, card production ordered

05/11/2012 - Green card arrived

N-400

06/22/2012 - Mailed N-400 package to Phoenix/AZ Lockbox

06/26/2012 - NOA date

06/28/2012 - Check cashed

06/29/2012 - NOA arrived in the mail

07/02/2012 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in mail

07/19/2012 - Biometrics appointment

07/30/2012 - Received text +email. Application placed in line for interview

07/30/2012 - Received text +email in evening - interview letter sent

08/03/2012 - Received interview letter

09/19/2012 - Interview - passed interview/test!!

10/24/2012 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RandomRealityShif Explorer

RandomRealityShif   5

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

Got my interview scheduled for May 18. In other peoples experience of the Auckland Embassy, what do you think the chances of them moving my date forward a couple of weeks? Their online interview calender is free all the way through this month and next.

09/25/2009 - Married!

CR1 Timeline
12/11/2009 - I-130 Sent

12/17/2009 - NOA1
03/01/2010 - NOA2
03/05/2010 - DS-3032 Emailed
03/08/2010 - DS-3032/I-864 Bill received/DS-3032 Email resent / AOS Paid
03/09/2010 - NVC received AOS Payment
03/10/2010 - DS-3032 accepted
03/11/2010 - IV Bill received
03/12/2010 - I-864 Bill shows as PAID
03/16/2010 - Sent I-864 Package
03/19/2010 - Pay IV Bill Online
03/22/2010 - IV Bill shows as PAID
03/23/2010 - DS-230 and Documents Sent
04/08/2010 - SIF
04/08/2010 - AVR updated to "Case Completed"
04/13/2010 - Interview Date Assigned
04/21/2010 - Case Sent to Embassy
04/25/2010 - Case Received at Embassy
04/30/2010 - Medical Exam - Passed!

05/06/2010 - Interview 9:30am in Auckland - APPROVED!
05/10/2010 - Visa Received!
05/13/2010 - POE LAX!

Removal of Conditions Timeline
04/25/2012 - I-751 Package sent (a little late)

05/01/2012 - USCIS Received Package
05/14/2012 - NOA
06/01/2012 - Biometrics (Omaha, NE)

11/20/2012 - Approved
11/29/2012 - Card Received!

Naturalization Timeline
06/06/2015 - N-400 Sent to Phoenix Lockbox
06/10/2015 - Case Received
06/15/2015 - NOA
07/07/2015 - Biometrics (Omaha, NE)

09/01/2015 - Interview - Approved!

10/09/2015 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
that_girl Community Regular

that_girl   9

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted

May 18th? That's ages away! I guess ours was about 3 weeks out when we were told of it... I'm afraid I don't have any answers about the likelihood of getting it moved up, but it's worth a try. In our experience, the consulate is really good about answering email promptly (i.e. same or next day). Good luck!

Our news is that Ewan was APPROVED ( :dance: ) for the K1 yesterday! He said that the interview was a breeze (so don't worry, gwdenton!) and the CO told him to expect the visa by Saturday! We're hoping for him to arrive early next week! Wahoo!

I-129F

6 Nov 2009: NOA1

2 March 2010: NOA2 (116 days)

14 April 2010: Interview (159 days) Approved!!

30 April 2010: Married!

AoS

18 May 2010: NOA1 for AoS, EAD and AP

8 June 2010: Case transferred to CSC

10 June 2010: Biometrics completed

31 July 2010: EAD and AP received!

9 Sept. 2010: RFE email for AoS

(RFE for medical. We replied with letter stating that it's not required since done overseas within one year)

18 January 2010: Interview - passed! Card production ordered!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiwiana Proficient

kiwiana   2

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: New Zealand
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

May 18th? That's ages away! I guess ours was about 3 weeks out when we were told of it... I'm afraid I don't have any answers about the likelihood of getting it moved up, but it's worth a try. In our experience, the consulate is really good about answering email promptly (i.e. same or next day). Good luck!

Our news is that Ewan was APPROVED ( :dance: ) for the K1 yesterday! He said that the interview was a breeze (so don't worry, gwdenton!) and the CO told him to expect the visa by Saturday! We're hoping for him to arrive early next week! Wahoo!

WOO HOO!! Congratulations!!!:dance::dancing::dance::dancing: Not long before you will be in each others arms again!!:)

gwdenton:yes, email the consulate and see if they can give you a different date. You can only but try!:star:

Edited by kiwiana

ROC

06/01/2011 - Mailed ROC package to CSC

06/02/2011 - Package arrived and signed for at CSC

06/02/2011 - NOA receipt date

06/06/2011 - Check cashed

06/07/2011 - NOA arrived in the mail

06/15/2011 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in the mail

07/11/2011 - Biometrics appointment

02/02/2012 - Phoned USCIS and put in a service request

02/08/2012 - Email from USCIS confirming my request

02/11/2012 - Letter from USCIS - says i should receive news within 30 days

03/14/2012 - Phoned USCIS again. 30 days has passed. no news. Took details again.

03/15/2012 -Received letter from USCIS - have to go to interview April 24th

04/24/2012 - Interview and ROC approved!!

05/07/2012 - Received email, card production ordered

05/11/2012 - Green card arrived

N-400

06/22/2012 - Mailed N-400 package to Phoenix/AZ Lockbox

06/26/2012 - NOA date

06/28/2012 - Check cashed

06/29/2012 - NOA arrived in the mail

07/02/2012 - Biometrics appointment letter arrived in mail

07/19/2012 - Biometrics appointment

07/30/2012 - Received text +email. Application placed in line for interview

07/30/2012 - Received text +email in evening - interview letter sent

08/03/2012 - Received interview letter

09/19/2012 - Interview - passed interview/test!!

10/24/2012 - Oath Ceremony!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...