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

[kiwiana 2]

cdneh: I 'think' you got a police report from canada?? How long is the Canadian one valid for? I need to get one from Australia but i read somewhere here on vj on a thread that the Aussie one is only valid for 3 months. That just doesn't seem long enough. It really would be nice to get this out of the way but no point if its only good for 3 months. *sigh* ( i did email the authorities that do the police checks but they haven't replied yet)

Ok enough of my ramblings.. hope everyone is doing ok!

The Canadian one they say is good for six months, but it was a total pain to get. I had to get fingerprints done here in Auckland, the appointment for that took 3 weeks to get, and then I sent the lot off to a Fingerprint Services company in Ottawa. They took it to the RCMP and got the clearance, and sent it back to me. That took four months. It was dated May 14th, and if it was going to be good for 6 months...well we aren't expecting a NOA2 until November ...

I emailed the Embassey in Auckland and they got back to me straightaway. As long as I stay out of Canada, it will be good ! Makes sense to me, as I haven't been in Canada and I haven't any intentions of going there so I am okay with the one I got back in May. Hope that helps!

Wow! that took quite a while to get eh? It sounds like i really should just go ahead and get it over with. It was the AFP i emailed about the aussie police checks. So if they are as efficient at doing the police checks as they are at (not) replying to emails then i really should do it now!

Thanks ever so much for the information cdneh!

No worries ..I'd go ahead if it was me. That's why I've got my shots all done and up to date...if they ever get around to giving us a NOA2..I'm going to be ready ...

Yes, I have decided to get it done now. I emailed the US embassy here in Auckland very LATE thursday night with a few q's and received a reply BEFORE 8am friday morning!! They are soo fast at replying!!!

They said that i will have to have fingerprints done for the Aussie check and that it is valid for one year but they said by then i would probably be having my interview anyway, so no worries about time frame of validity.

I emailed the AFP again (different email addy this time) to find out how i go about getting fingerprints done etc. They sent me back reply telling me to go to their website which i have done and it doesn't tell you there how you go about it.

cdneh: how did you go about getting your fingerprints? do you have to go to a specific place here in Auckland to get them done? do they have to be on a particular official paper or anything?

Lisaandtim: Good to hear your NOA1 arrived safely. Now you can join the waiting room with us. Pull up a chair and grab a good book to read

Kelmz: Thats great news about the green card How was the written test for the driving? was it fairly easy? Good luck with your practical on Tuesday!

Grant: wow only 3 weeks to go! Did you get your health insurance through American visitors insurance or somewhere else? It really is a neccesity to have i think. Hope your auctions are all successful!

[kelzm 0]

Kiwiana - the practical wasn't too bad, I was allowed to get 6 wrong, and I got 4 of them wrong. I didn't study too much for it, I read through the handbook that morning and I did a few of the tests online through the DMV site which I really suggest making use of, including the 'driver knowledge' quiz. I noticed some of those questions in my test sheet so that was what really got me through it all!

[cdneh 3,112]

cdneh: how did you go about getting your fingerprints? do you have to go to a specific place here in Auckland to get them done? do they have to be on a particular official paper or anything?

I rang around and found out that the only place in Auckland to get them done is at the Central Police Station on the corner of Cook and Vincent Streets. Ring this number, (09) 302 6400, to make an appointment, and ask with regard to having fingerprints done for Immigration purposes.

It took me about three weeks to get one, as they only have one retired chap who does them, and he only works one or two days a week. He's lovely and quite helpful.

He has the paperwork form that your prints go on, with the Auckland Police letterhead at the top. He gives you the prints back on the day, all signed and all, and you send them on to where they need to go.

[kiwiana 2]

cdneh: how did you go about getting your fingerprints? do you have to go to a specific place here in Auckland to get them done? do they have to be on a particular official paper or anything?

I rang around and found out that the only place in Auckland to get them done is at the Central Police Station on the corner of Cook and Vincent Streets. Ring this number, (09) 302 6400, to make an appointment, and ask with regard to having fingerprints done for Immigration purposes.

It took me about three weeks to get one, as they only have one retired chap who does them, and he only works one or two days a week. He's lovely and quite helpful.

He has the paperwork form that your prints go on, with the Auckland Police letterhead at the top. He gives you the prints back on the day, all signed and all, and you send them on to where they need to go.

Thanks cdneh! I'm going to phone them tomorrow and try to make an appointment. I really want to get this out the way as soon as possible.

Not sure what the forms were like for Canada but the ones i have to fill out for Australia has a staff-in confidence form where you are giving your consent to obtain personal information. and you have to write WHOM you consent to (name of organisation/department) so i am assuming I would write USCIS there?

On an unrelated note.. I notice that the countdown banner i had on my signature doesn't appear to be working anymore (either that or it is just not showing up on my computer) So wonder what has happened there *sigh*

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks cdneh! I'm going to phone them tomorrow and try to make an appointment. I really want to get this out the way as soon as possible.

Not sure what the forms were like for Canada but the ones i have to fill out for Australia has a staff-in confidence form where you are giving your consent to obtain personal information. and you have to write WHOM you consent to (name of organisation/department) so i am assuming I would write USCIS there?

On an unrelated note.. I notice that the countdown banner i had on my signature doesn't appear to be working anymore (either that or it is just not showing up on my computer) So wonder what has happened there *sigh*

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

I had to fill out a release form as well, but that was for the fingerprint company so they could get the information for me. In your case it sounds like it would be USCIS. Do they send the completed report back to you ? Mine came to me at my home address .

My banner isn't going either at the moment, which I wondered about too..is it everyone?

The flatmate has her elderly sister and husband visiting today, tiresome cranky people...I'm going to find something outside to busy myself with, if the rain holds off

[kiwiana 2]

Thanks cdneh! I'm going to phone them tomorrow and try to make an appointment. I really want to get this out the way as soon as possible.

Not sure what the forms were like for Canada but the ones i have to fill out for Australia has a staff-in confidence form where you are giving your consent to obtain personal information. and you have to write WHOM you consent to (name of organisation/department) so i am assuming I would write USCIS there?

On an unrelated note.. I notice that the countdown banner i had on my signature doesn't appear to be working anymore (either that or it is just not showing up on my computer) So wonder what has happened there *sigh*

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

I had to fill out a release form as well, but that was for the fingerprint company so they could get the information for me. In your case it sounds like it would be USCIS. Do they send the completed report back to you ? Mine came to me at my home address .

My banner isn't going either at the moment, which I wondered about too..is it everyone?

The flatmate has her elderly sister and husband visiting today, tiresome cranky people...I'm going to find something outside to busy myself with, if the rain holds off

yes good question about if they send it back to me. I will have to make sure i state in a letter to them that i want it returned to me or the Auckland consulate may receive it 4 months early!!

It's pretty overcast outside thats for sure. But hopefully the rain will stay away

[kiwiana 2]

My banner isn't going either at the moment, which I wondered about too..is it everyone?

yes something is definitely wrong with the banner. I just went and got a new one. Think its from a different site

[Kim & Chris 0]

Hi everyone,

I've lurked but not posted here before, have read every page of this thread though and got some good info off it.

I received my package 3 from the consulate on Friday just gone , just wanted to know about the photos you need to have taken. I see they ask for 50x50mm pics. Are our standard passport photo's acceptable or do i need to get someone else to take them?

Also, we have started to send some boxes of staff (important documents, clothes, kids books etc) to the US. To give you an idea, we are using Allied Movers packing boxes, these are 45cm long, x 35cm high, x 30cm wide. They weigh between about 8kg and 12 kg when full, and is costing between $60 and $100 to post over using international economy (which takes 2 - 3 weeks).

Also Grant - I emailed Allied Movers about these boxes but so far have received no reply, I'll persue it further but just wondered if you checked out a few places and found Allied to be the best.

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

[gshennen 0]

Also Grant - I emailed Allied Movers about these boxes but so far have received no reply, I'll persue it further but just wondered if you checked out a few places and found Allied to be the best.

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

Hi Kim

Sorry, my post may have been a mid-misleading. I am only using the Allied Movers boxes (not actually them to do the shipping). I am shipping through NZ Post, at the Post Office. I put a lot of work Allied Movers way, so got a heap of boxes, packing tape, packing paper etc from them.

Cheers

Grant

[gshennen 0]

I received my package 3 from the consulate on Friday just gone , just wanted to know about the photos you need to have taken. I see they ask for 50x50mm pics. Are our standard passport photo's acceptable or do i need to get someone else to take them?

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

Kim - You are right, NZ Standard size passports photos are not the right size, however when we had ours done, the photo place knew the US Visa sized photos and provided the photos in that size.

Cheers

Grant

[kiwiana 2]

Hi everyone,

I've lurked but not posted here before, have read every page of this thread though and got some good info off it.

I received my package 3 from the consulate on Friday just gone , just wanted to know about the photos you need to have taken. I see they ask for 50x50mm pics. Are our standard passport photo's acceptable or do i need to get someone else to take them?

Cheers

Kim

Congratulations on getting package 3!!!

When i got the photos done for the 1-129f (G325A) i just went to my local chemist (think it was unichem) that did passport photos and asked. It took the woman a while but eventually she got them the right size for US standards. I think it cost something like $12 for 4 photos. So yes you do have to have the USA size.

[Kim & Chris 0]

I received my package 3 from the consulate on Friday just gone , just wanted to know about the photos you need to have taken. I see they ask for 50x50mm pics. Are our standard passport photo's acceptable or do i need to get someone else to take them?

Any info would be helpful..

Cheers

Kim

Kim - You are right, NZ Standard size passports photos are not the right size, however when we had ours done, the photo place knew the US Visa sized photos and provided the photos in that size.

Cheers

Grant

Thanks for your help Grant

[KimandRuss 0]

Hello my kiwi friends. Welcome Kim & Chris, good to have you with us.

We're still flying high and really feel as though we were never apart. Our big day (part 1 anyway) is just over a week away now so we're busy trying to get the house ready for a small(ish) party with our family and friends. Can't wait!

Nice to see some of you still moving along. Wont be long now, eh Grant?

[Lisaandtim 0]

Hello my kiwi friends. Welcome Kim & Chris, good to have you with us.

We're still flying high and really feel as though we were never apart. Our big day (part 1 anyway) is just over a week away now so we're busy trying to get the house ready for a small(ish) party with our family and friends. Can't wait!

Nice to see some of you still moving along. Wont be long now, eh Grant?

Hello again.

Was just wondering if there's anything we can do between the time of the NOA1 and NOA2? I was reading some of you got fingerprinted and up to date on shots. Can/should we do that while we wait?

[cdneh 3,112]

Hello again.

Was just wondering if there's anything we can do between the time of the NOA1 and NOA2? I was reading some of you got fingerprinted and up to date on shots. Can/should we do that while we wait?

I went ahead and got everything done that I could. Police certificate, shots, and we have the things we need together for the interview pretty much.

I just felt better having something to do. That way when the time comes I haven't got to do it in a mad dash and it has kept me off the streets and out of trouble