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

[amaciar 0]

Seven weeks! That is just mean. Hopefully the AKL embassy will be able to move things along. They are very helpful so I if they can do something I am sure they will.

Funny story about the Auckland embassy or well my husbands interview. We showed up and they were chatting with my husband and the lady said "You know you almost didn't make it to this point" we were like WHAT! Apparently when they did his police check his report came back with all sorts of convictions and not just little ones. The lovely lady said she called the police back as she was writing the "Yeah right what are you thinking applying for immigration letter" and there was a letter or number off. So long story short thankfully they checked back with the police or else I would have had a hear attack when the rejection letter came. My husbands record was clean and all was smooth after that.

Yep snow sleet ice and rain in one day are the norm. Ha ha ha but you are right about the other three seasons.

[KimandRuss 0]

Wow amaciar! It's a good thing we are dealing with such an efficient Embassy!

cdneh, I know you're probably ready to kill somebody and are trying to keep away from anything related to this but I just wanted you to know i'm still thinking of you and hoping you have good news soon. I'm sure we'll all be able to 'see' the relief pouring over you once it's finally in NZ ...then you can start laughing about how little time you really have to get everything ready.

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

hi all,

package three arrived, lol, a few questions......if he cant find proof of all his vacinations..does that mean he has to have them all over again?

he called the medical center in nz and they told him it depends on his blood test from the medical. can they tell from that if he requires the vacinations.

one more question...on the form DS230 part II ...what is done with this... you mail part I...cant find what you do with II.. on the DS 156 it askes..

do you plan on working in the us? well, of course...but there is not an empoyer he can put? he hasn'd found a job yet...and when do plan on arriving in the

US... how does he know when we dont even know when the interview is or when the visa is granted... another... how long do you intend to stay int he us..well forever of course....

... but...are these question to be answered like on a 90 day visa.

help!!

[Kim & Chris 0]

hi all,

package three arrived, lol, a few questions......if he cant find proof of all his vacinations..does that mean he has to have them all over again?

he called the medical center in nz and they told him it depends on his blood test from the medical. can they tell from that if he requires the vacinations.

one more question...on the form DS230 part II ...what is done with this... you mail part I...cant find what you do with II.. on the DS 156 it askes..

do you plan on working in the us? well, of course...but there is not an empoyer he can put? he hasn'd found a job yet...and when do plan on arriving in the

US... how does he know when we dont even know when the interview is or when the visa is granted... another... how long do you intend to stay int he us..well forever of course....

... but...are these question to be answered like on a 90 day visa.

help!!

Hi there....is your man in Auckland?....if so i would recommend he goes to Dr Stone in Remuera, very reasonably priced and he takes your word about the vaccinations you've had He's on the list in your paperwork the consulate sent out, (if your SO is in Auckland).

As far as I remember you fill in the DS230 II and take it to the interview with you, (or rather your SO in NZ does) someone else may confirm this, but from memory I'm certain that's right.

When it asks about your intention to work you just put yes when authorised, you don't need to put an employer. Same goes for when you plan to arrive in the U.S. if you have a firm date put it but it's not necessary if you don't. For length of stay you just put permanently with authority.

If you click on the "example forms" at the top of any visa journey page there are a whole lot of sample forms already filled out which I found extremely helpful.

I'm about to go through the whole AOS process in a few weeks so I'll be digging back into those forms again ....lol

Hope this helps

[cdneh 3,112]

Wow amaciar! It's a good thing we are dealing with such an efficient Embassy!

cdneh, I know you're probably ready to kill somebody and are trying to keep away from anything related to this but I just wanted you to know i'm still thinking of you and hoping you have good news soon. I'm sure we'll all be able to 'see' the relief pouring over you once it's finally in NZ ...then you can start laughing about how little time you really have to get everything ready.

7 weeks today, and we just got off the phone with NVC. Still in AP. They say they will send a letter to that effect.

We can expect THAT letter to arrive in 2 -4 weeks.

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

kim & chris....

thank you so much for that....puts my mind at ease.. he is in hamilton, but will go to dr stone in remuera.. already called but was told to call back on wednesday...

dang! oh well... still moving along good...do you know about the police certificate? IT STATES : POLICE CERTIFICATE FROM ALL PLACES YOU LIVED FOR A YEAR SINCE AGE 16..

is this just from nz or each town? does he just fill it out and they get it or does he have to get it himself? lol...its hard for me to try to tell him what to do...

ty so much again!

[cdneh 3,112]

kim & chris....

thank you so much for that....puts my mind at ease.. he is in hamilton, but will go to dr stone in remuera.. already called but was told to call back on wednesday...

dang! oh well... still moving along good...do you know about the police certificate? IT STATES : POLICE CERTIFICATE FROM ALL PLACES YOU LIVED FOR A YEAR SINCE AGE 16..

is this just from nz or each town? does he just fill it out and they get it or does he have to get it himself? lol...its hard for me to try to tell him what to do...

ty so much again!

The NZ consulate gets the NZ police clearance. They don't have certificates. They won't accept one that you get yourself. In packet three there is paperwork to fill out and submit so they can get the clearance for him.

One for NZ, not one for each town in NZ. One for any country he has lived in for more than 6 months since he was 16.

[cdneh 3,112]

hi all,

package three arrived, lol, a few questions......if he cant find proof of all his vacinations..does that mean he has to have them all over again?

he called the medical center in nz and they told him it depends on his blood test from the medical. can they tell from that if he requires the vacinations.

one more question...on the form DS230 part II ...what is done with this... you mail part I...cant find what you do with II.. on the DS 156 it askes..

do you plan on working in the us? well, of course...but there is not an empoyer he can put? he hasn'd found a job yet...and when do plan on arriving in the

US... how does he know when we dont even know when the interview is or when the visa is granted... another... how long do you intend to stay int he us..well forever of course....

... but...are these question to be answered like on a 90 day visa.

help!!

I didn't have any records either. I had my doctor give me a form for Medlab, requesting testing for the vaccinations you have to have. They ran a titer test and I only needed the one shot. Tetanus. This way, you haven't got to have a lot of unnecessary shots..it can get expensive. The tetanus at Dr Stone's was something like $40, but my own Dr only charged me $5.

If he hasn't got records, he may have to get them all again at the medical.

[rubyred 0]

hi everyone! - yes kim&russ, i'm around, just got sidetracked the last few months... have just spent about the last 2 hours reading up the last few months of posts i missed.

firstly, i have to say this: cdneh, it has been heartbreaking, really heartbreaking, reading your posts and sensing your frustration at the unexplained delays. fingers are crossed for you!

ok, some complaints about america: if you're coming here from nz, be prepared to miss the bread, because about 99% of supermarket bread is SWEET arrrghh; someone mentioned tea - yes, regular brands of tea are not that good (think i'm gonna have to start splashing out on twinings english breakfast); no custard squares; hard to find meat pies; cilantro in everything!

now for the positives: holy ####### this place is GREAT for people who love books, art, and book-art! we have started a small (i.e. miniscule lol!) press and our first project is due out by the end of month. we went to the alternative press expo in sf, which was amazing. we've purchased/gotten for free some truly amazing art work.

and the biggest positive of all: i'm here with the one i love

i got a job in early september, at a local clothing store. i got a pay raise my first day, and then another one with 3 months! so much for the shitty economy.

had a wonderful thanksgiving in chicago with jordan's whole family - really can't believe how lucky i am! not only did i find the best guy ever, but he has the best family to boot! they have been unconditionally welcoming and supportive and loving. it snowed while we were there, which was wonderful.

in other news: we formally announced our engagement on new year's day, my parents were pretty much in the dark about our relationship/history (or so i thought - turns out they had a pretty good idea, which i think kim had already advised me of ) so i felt it was time to 'come clean'. needless to say, they were utterly thrilled with the news and are determined to make here for the wedding. we've already decided it will be a small ceremony in chicago, just family. right now i'm hunting for an engagement ring - god, what a stress it is, more than i ever expected!

however, we will be doing things the *legal* (and long, hard) way: i will return to new zealand when my visa expires in july and begin the K-1 process. i'm already feeling sick to my stomach about this - the whole process, combined with being apart from jordan for an indefinite amount of time, it's all very daunting.

right now, i have a question for all you who have completed, or are nearing completion, K-1 visas: what is a rough estimate of the total cost? including all the visa/forms/processing fees from start to finish, the medical, all of that. i'm sure there's variations for every couple, but a rough estimate would be so helpful as we start financially planning.

congratulations to everyone who is nearing the end, and good luck to those of you still waiting. and of course a HUGE HUGE congratulations to kim and russ for finally getting their day in the sun :)

[Kim & Chris 0]

hi everyone! - yes kim&russ, i'm around, just got sidetracked the last few months... have just spent about the last 2 hours reading up the last few months of posts i missed.

firstly, i have to say this: cdneh, it has been heartbreaking, really heartbreaking, reading your posts and sensing your frustration at the unexplained delays. fingers are crossed for you!

ok, some complaints about america: if you're coming here from nz, be prepared to miss the bread, because about 99% of supermarket bread is SWEET arrrghh; someone mentioned tea - yes, regular brands of tea are not that good (think i'm gonna have to start splashing out on twinings english breakfast); no custard squares; hard to find meat pies; cilantro in everything!

now for the positives: holy ####### this place is GREAT for people who love books, art, and book-art! we have started a small (i.e. miniscule lol!) press and our first project is due out by the end of month. we went to the alternative press expo in sf, which was amazing. we've purchased/gotten for free some truly amazing art work.

and the biggest positive of all: i'm here with the one i love

i got a job in early september, at a local clothing store. i got a pay raise my first day, and then another one with 3 months! so much for the shitty economy.

had a wonderful thanksgiving in chicago with jordan's whole family - really can't believe how lucky i am! not only did i find the best guy ever, but he has the best family to boot! they have been unconditionally welcoming and supportive and loving. it snowed while we were there, which was wonderful.

in other news: we formally announced our engagement on new year's day, my parents were pretty much in the dark about our relationship/history (or so i thought - turns out they had a pretty good idea, which i think kim had already advised me of ) so i felt it was time to 'come clean'. needless to say, they were utterly thrilled with the news and are determined to make here for the wedding. we've already decided it will be a small ceremony in chicago, just family. right now i'm hunting for an engagement ring - god, what a stress it is, more than i ever expected!

however, we will be doing things the *legal* (and long, hard) way: i will return to new zealand when my visa expires in july and begin the K-1 process. i'm already feeling sick to my stomach about this - the whole process, combined with being apart from jordan for an indefinite amount of time, it's all very daunting.

right now, i have a question for all you who have completed, or are nearing completion, K-1 visas: what is a rough estimate of the total cost? including all the visa/forms/processing fees from start to finish, the medical, all of that. i'm sure there's variations for every couple, but a rough estimate would be so helpful as we start financially planning.

congratulations to everyone who is nearing the end, and good luck to those of you still waiting. and of course a HUGE HUGE congratulations to kim and russ for finally getting their day in the sun :)

Hi There

Back in May 2008 it cost us $455 U.S. to file the I-129f (plus the cost of passport size photos and other small misc things), then the next cost was after NOA2 when package 3 came out from the consulate....... $286 NZ for the medical & tetanus jab & $183 NZ for the visa, (i think that may have gone up to around $230 NZ now). Then there's your personal cost of the airfare and everything else that goes with moving to another hemisphere etc....... ....lol....oh and they kind of like to see that you have something in the bank to take with you as you won't be able to work for at least 3 months or so. (even though the SO has signed the affidavit of support, I like to know I can contribute if needed)

Our next expense, apart from the wedding will be filing for AOS, $1010 US (that's the biggie )

At least filing for SSN was free......nearly fell over to find you got something for nothing.....lol

I've found alot of things here are super sweet or super salty, but I've spent some time trawling the supermarkets to find same or similar products and replacement things for favourites I'd been using for years. Here in the mid west/south alot of the food choices are quite different to those on the west coast.

But being a savoury lover, I'm really missing, sausage rolls, pies, quiche, bacon, cheese sizzlers, flakey and puff pastry etc, oh and NZ cheese, god I miss real cheese.....my hips aren't missing any of them but I am....lol.....I've found some places online for some of the things that are impossible to get here, plus I have my son and other family who have offered to send care packages when needed.

It's hard, as you want to embrace a new way of life, but with the stress of the long road getting here and then adjusting to new things and surroundings, you kind of crave the old favourite comfort foods you've grown up with and taken for granted for so long

I don't mean to b*tch too much as there's plenty of good things about here too, especially being with the loved one

It's just nice to have somewhere to have the ocaisonal vent when needed

[kiwiana 2]

Hi all!

So lovely to hear everyones news in USA and NZ. I am getting everything ready to take with me to interview this coming week and have a bucket full of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. LOL!

I mailed the DS-230 part 2 back with packet 3, so i guess i will have to fill out and print up another one to take with me to interview

As kim & chris said, the visa fee has gone up and it cost $235.80 at the post office this past week. It's amazing how much the whole visa process costs. We kind of forget the very small things like the cost of A4 paper and ink to print out the forms, paper clips, envelopes, phone calls (for medical etc, if in area like myself where most calls are toll calls). Petrol costs going to places etc. As i say all rather miniscule things but the costs do mount up!

Missing foods from NZ?......... Whenever i stayed over in usa for a month each year, i found that i missed our cheese a lot! The ones over there seem to be very pale in colour. But I do LOVE the bacon over there!! I found that it crisped up more, where the bacon here seems to have a lot of water in it nowadays. And i also love their bread pretzels too!! yum!!

Apart from milo, i know i am going to miss De winkel's natural yoghurt. It comes in a litre carton here or 600ml. I don't suppose anyone in USA has happened to see any for sale??

cdneh: will you contact the embassy here in Auckland and see if they can get your file sent over from nvc? My thoughts are with you every day, hoping that this will all be resolved asap!!

(Also, have you noticed that our banners have gone awry again? what on earth is going on with them? )

Michelle and Kelvan: how is everything going with you guys?

Grant: hope you have settled and are doing ok.

ivannaloveskiwi: As cdneh said, when your fiance receives packet 3 there is a form in it that he signs that gives permission for the police to do a police check on him for NZ. If he lived overseas at any time for 6 months or longer after the age of 16 then he has to get a police check done from those countries too.

Rubyred: Good to hear that everything is ok over there! And many thanks for starting this thread!!!

Hope everyone is doing well!!

[cdneh 3,112]

*ahem*

It's over. They tell us tonight it has been sent to Auckland.

I made him ring back and speak to someone else...just to double check

[Lisaandtim 0]

*ahem*

It's over. They tell us tonight it has been sent to Auckland.

I made him ring back and speak to someone else...just to double check

Hello everyone! Just wanted to share the good news of I just got noa2 online! Waiting for the paper copy now. Hope everyone is doing well. I haven't been on lately. My so is visiting =p

[cdneh 3,112]

*ahem*

It's over. They tell us tonight it has been sent to Auckland.

I made him ring back and speak to someone else...just to double check

Hello everyone! Just wanted to share the good news of I just got noa2 online! Waiting for the paper copy now. Hope everyone is doing well. I haven't been on lately. My so is visiting =p

Congratulations!

[kiwiana 2]

*ahem*

It's over. They tell us tonight it has been sent to Auckland.

I made him ring back and speak to someone else...just to double check

WOO HOO!!!!! Yes! YeS! YES!!! I am just soooo happy for you!!!!!!!!! This is the best news ever!!! And about time too!!!

You should get it by the end of this coming week hopefully!!! And then it will be all systems GO!!! yay!!!!