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

[KimandRuss 0]

Good morning errr evening my kiwi friends.

Kelzm, from everything i've read the Auckland consulate is very effecient. I'm not sure if the process is the same for other visa's but I would imagine so.

Have you seen this page about the NZ consulate?

[kelzm 0]

I hadn't seen that page, thanks Kim, very useful/

One thing though, it says that the consulate does not answer email. I actually emailed them a couple of nights ago to ask some questions for my son around custody and parental permission, as well as if I needed to be there for his interview.

They got back to me the next morning and asked a bunch of questions about my process as well. I told them my planned timeline, with an approval by August and they thought it was achievable. If you do have questions it's worth trying an email.

Very prompt answers, and pleasant emails. I feel quite positive about the Auckland consulate part of the journey!

[rubyred 0]

the auckland consulate does sound really great - that review page that kim posted the link to made them sound super efficient, which definitely makes me feel better about the process. so if i can figure this out, hopefully below you'll see a photo of jordan with my parents....

they just got back yesterday, and i got an email from mum this morning telling me yet again what a 'lovely chap' she thinks jordan is

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi girls.

'Ruby'...Jordan is a doll. Guess it's about time to 'have that talk' with mom and dad.

Kelzm...I'm so glad you got through! But where did you email? That reveiw that I linked is the last and it's from last January of 2007 so it could be out of date. The website still says it does not respond to emails regarding either visa.

So you ladies know there are other reviews if you click on 'previous' but they're all earlier than that one.

[kelzm 0]

What an awesome picture Ruby. Hopefully soon you'll have one of you and Jordan together. I agree with Kim, it's definitely time to have that talk with Mum and Dad!

Kim - I had read on the consulate site that contact was by phone only. The other night I tried to find their info and ended up at the Wellington Embassy site which had this address for contacting the consulate: aucklandacs@state.gov

I found that here: http://newzealand.usembassy.gov/contact_us.html

Since that page didn't say not to email I took the chance.

The email was then forwarded to the IV section of the consulate who replied to me from this address: AucklandIV@state.gov

They didn't seem upset with me emailing instead of using the ($3.26 a minute) phone line. And I think it was easier to convey my questions that way also.

[KimandRuss 0]

Morning ladies...

Justine, glad you like the picture. It was taken in Whakatane. I thought it showed more of us. There are also pictures of my kids with Russell's neice at an all blacks game under our 'my photos' link. Do let us know how the conversation goes with your parents. No matter how old we get it seems mom and dad's opinions and blessings matter in our choices. This is all new to them but i'm sure it will all be just fine.

Kelly, thanks so much for the info! That should be helpful in the future! I'm not surprised they were so nice.

Well life finally feels like it's coming into order again. Been a long time since i've felt that! Less than 7 weeks now and I can file. Starting to put together everything now. We're hoping for a one week approval...think that's too much to ask for???

[KimandRuss 0]

*bump*

how are you ladies???

[rubyred 0]

hi ladies...

not much news on my end yet: got the phonecall (which i missed) from IEP (international exchange program/sponsorship agency) on friday. they're sending out the first set of forms for me to fill out, which should be here tomorrow, and then i'll have an 'interview' - this isn't for the visa, just the agency, and i'm really hoping i don't have to fly to auckland for it, because that'll mean THREE trips i have to make up there.

can't remember if i mentioned this earlier, but the SEVI fee that was 'yet to be advised' on the IEP website (which was freaking me out because i had no idea if it would be $50 or $500), is only $35, so that was quite a relief.

still haven't spoken to the parents... will probably do that later today, after i've finished work...

Edited March 1, 2008 by rubyred

[emma&sammy 0]

*bump*

how are you ladies???

Hi Kim

Thanks for your email - I didn't realise that NZ's didn't need to get the police clearance! Good to know, I guess one less thing to worry about right!

[kelzm 0]

Hello all,

Welcome to the new additions!

Things are pretty quiet here for me, visa wise. Back in the waiting game again. This time waiting till we can get some things sent in to NVC.

Good to hear that progress has started for you Ruby.

[markjo 0]

Hi all,

Just touching in as a kiwi/US couple in the process of waiting. Looks like things have been moving a bit quicker lately so he's hoping something happens this week for us.

Hope you are all well and your journeys in this process are going well.

Cheers,

Mark

[KimandRuss 0]

justine, i'm glad things are happening for you! Is there someone you could email to find out where the interview is? $35 is a lot better than $500! If we weren't broke enough from all the travelling over the last 3 years, we certainly will be after this whole visa business is done with! Do your folks even know that you're planning on coming to America? btw...Russell and I were thinking you and Jordan should have a photoshopped image of you both together. Let us know if we can help you with that.

emma&sammy.. great to see you here. You guys seem to be in that last lot of older petitions at VSC! Makes you wonder just how they're getting things done over there. Not too fair with all these January filers being approved but i'm sure your time is just around the corner. I hope you can take some comfort in that and in the fact that the NZ consulate is so effecient. Where will you be in the U.S. once you're here? I'm in Massachusetts.

Kel, nice to see you. I'm not sure if the consulate works at the same pace for the CR-1's (would imagine so) but if they do you should be hearing from them very soon. Did you put your house on the market yet?

Hi Mark, nice to see you over here too! I'm so excited for those of you who are so close to 'the end' of this, the most arguous, process of it all! You also look like you're about 'ready to pop' out of the CSC very soon! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Are you, or your SO in Chicago? Good to know i'm not the only one freezing my @ss off!

btw..any of you lived anywhere else for 6+ months and need a police clearance from that country? Russell worked in Australia for close to a year and we were wondering if the NZ consulate would handle that police clearance as well.

[KimandRuss 0]

Justine, so glad the talk went well with your mom. Bet it relieves a lot of stress for you. Any news with the IEP? We'd be happy to photoshop some pictures for you. Just send them along to my email at full resolution if you have them.

Mark & emma&sammy...still have our fingers crossed for you!

Kel, you should be seeing your packet 3 anytime! Keep us posted!

[kelzm 0]

Yay. More kiwi couples joining the thread!

Mark - I bet you're going to be getting that NOA2 any day now.

I think for me it's still going to be a while. NVC still hasn't got my info from USCIS so.... waiting, again!

[rubyred 0]

i finally got through to the woman i needed to speak to at IEP and received two pieces of good news:

1. the interview to be accepted into the program (not the visa interview) will be here in wellington, so i don't have to fly to auckland. the office is in auckland, but they have a marketing team that travels throughout the country, so they'll organise my interview to coincide with one of there visits to my city.

2. the predeparture orientation is a two hour session in the evening, on pre-set dates, but i can organise my visa interview to coincide with one of the sessions, so i only have to make ONE trip to auckland, instead of the three trips i thought it might be - saving me a ton of $$$.

now i just have to get: a reference from my boss (the referee form is absolutely hiliarious - i'll have to post here); copies of my passport and student ID; proof of my graduate status. then i can start the ball rolling properly. yay!