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

[KimandRuss 0]

And just a question about when you hand the package over at POE. Is there anything that they are suppose to give back to you when they go through the package? I'm pretty sure there isn't but just want to double check. And also, we don't have to ask where they are sending the contents of the package to anymore as it all gets sent to chicago or somewhere? Is that right?

They wont give you anything back at POE and i've heard from a lot of people who got the wrong answer when they asked where it would go so I wouldn't bet on that either. You just have to trust that it will go to the appropriate service center. See this link for more info.

Another thing about POE... some people report using the US line and some report the OTHERS line... some have even reported SPECIAL lines so it's best to ask the customs/immigration officials once you enter the US.

There are POE reviews in the links above.

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks Kim....I've read the SFO POE's reviews...and they mention a New Immigrant line...I'll ask on the day. And hope for the best re the package. I know I'll be glad to be shed of it...I keep checking I haven't misplaced it, or packed it, or that the dog hasn't eaten it

[Kim & Chris 0]

Never hurts to double check I'm getting excited, finally, but a bit tempered by still having stuff to do..not for me, but for the flatmate. She will be on her own here, and some things she has a hard time doing, so trying to get through a long list.

And I agree...Ivannna you have us all behind you

woo hoo!! only two days to go for you!!

Finally, i feel like i am making progress. Inside the house echos when i talk, so that is a good sign eh?

I haven't got that excited feeling yet, (too busy sorting out everything) but I am sure by wednesday it will well and truly be

here!

And just a question about when you hand the package over at POE. Is there anything that they are suppose to give back to you when they go through the package? I'm pretty sure there isn't but just want to double check. And also, we don't have to ask where they are sending the contents of the package to anymore as it all gets sent to chicago or somewhere? Is that right?

Michelle: hope all goes well and you can get away around 14th March

Ivanna: As Kim and cdneh said: we are all here for you!! *hugs*

Kiwiana

They don't give you anything back from the MBE, and I asked where it would be sent and was told "To the usual place", which I took to mean he had no idea......lol

As I've just sent in AOS, I certainly hope it got to the right place

[Kim & Chris 0]

Thanks Kim....I've read the SFO POE's reviews...and they mention a New Immigrant line...I'll ask on the day. And hope for the best re the package. I know I'll be glad to be shed of it...I keep checking I haven't misplaced it, or packed it, or that the dog hasn't eaten it

In LA I let the hoards squeeze onto the first bus that takes you between terminals and waited with a few others on the second bus which hung around for the crew. I'm glad I did coz when I got to POE, there was hardly anyone left and i just walked straight through.

[rubyred 0]

does the AP often arrive before the temp green card?

Justine, AP and EAD is your temp work permit and permission to travel before you get your GC. They are free with the cost of AOS ($1010) because they often come before your GC.

You must also take into consideration that once you apply for AOS your status changes from J1 to "pending adjustmet" and so does your 'legal' permission to work in the US and/or travel until you have those documents.

See this link for more info...

so once we send off the AOS package, i can't work until i receive the EAD? damn, we didn't know that - we were counting on getting this done before my J-1 visa runs out beginning of july, so i could keep working... this throws a huge spanner in the works!

[Kim & Chris 0]

does the AP often arrive before the temp green card?

Justine, AP and EAD is your temp work permit and permission to travel before you get your GC. They are free with the cost of AOS ($1010) because they often come before your GC.

You must also take into consideration that once you apply for AOS your status changes from J1 to "pending adjustmet" and so does your 'legal' permission to work in the US and/or travel until you have those documents.

See this link for more info...

so once we send off the AOS package, i can't work until i receive the EAD? damn, we didn't know that - we were counting on getting this done before my J-1 visa runs out beginning of july, so i could keep working... this throws a huge spanner in the works!

Tell me about it.....I've been sat at home for 3 months now......it's beginning to wear a bit thin........and it could be another 3 before we hear anything.....or more

[rubyred 0]

i know that the EAD is supposed to arrive within 90 days, and if it hasn't you can apply for an interim EAD, i think. but man... we really hadn't planned on me being unemployed during any of this. we'll have to rethink about when we should file. originally intended to do so immediately after getting married end of march. thanks so much, kim, for mentioning that - i don't know if i would have come across that info on my own, and i would have ended up working illegally!!

[kelzm 0]

SFO is a much smaller airport than LAX. To get to immigration simply turn right once you get out of the plane lounge and walk till you see the tapes and lines. Signs for citizens point to the left, for others to the right. The new immigrants line is on the left hand side past the citizen lines, with the line for aircrew on the other side of it. There will be a sign there, just go up, stand behind the yellow line and hold your MBE in front of you. If you ask one of the people messing around with the tape they'll tell you where to go, but you definitely do not line up with all the other NZ visitors.

If you're lucky and beat all the wheelchairs (the send them to the same area) processing takes all of 10 minutes.

Edited March 1, 2009 by kelzm

[cdneh 3,112]

SFO is a much smaller airport than LAX. To get to immigration simply turn right once you get out of the plane lounge and walk till you see the tapes and lines. Signs for citizens point to the left, for others to the right. The new immigrants line is on the left hand side past the citizen lines, with the line for aircrew on the other side of it. There will be a sign there, just go up, stand behind the yellow line and hold your MBE in front of you. If you ask one of the people messing around with the tape they'll tell you where to go, but you definitely do not line up with all the other NZ visitors.

If you're lucky and beat all the wheelchairs (the send them to the same area) processing takes all of 10 minutes.

Thanks for that! I'll do what I can to outrun the wheelchairs I have quite a short layover, but it was either that or get in way after midnight at Dulles.

We aren't going far the first night, we have a hotel booked until the 5th, and then we will wander on home from there.

[Michelle Kauffman 0]

Kate: i sent you a message, haha like you don't already know

Ivannaloveskiwi: We are all rooting for you and will try and give what help we can

As for me, I'm still hoping to leave on the 14th March, no reason why I shouldn't unless they have no seats available on the plane by the time I get the money to make the bookings.

I'm very happy to be having my daughter coming with me for a 4 week visit, so I'll have company on the plane

Now it's just about the waiting

[KimandRuss 0]

Justine, When you file for AOS you file for EAD so that it comes early and allows you to work before your GC will. Some people are getting this in less than 60 days and I know of some couples who actually called the service center handling their case and had it expedited. I also know some people who continued to work... perhaps discuss the issue with your employer and you can work something out.

Michelle, getting close! I'm glad your daughter gets to travel and stay with you for 4 weeks. Now, it's on to getting your soon-to-be hubby a new organ! (not that kind, dirty minds!)

We're doing our aos today (blah!)!

[cdneh 3,112]

Kate: i sent you a message, haha like you don't already know

Ivannaloveskiwi: We are all rooting for you and will try and give what help we can

As for me, I'm still hoping to leave on the 14th March, no reason why I shouldn't unless they have no seats available on the plane by the time I get the money to make the bookings.

I'm very happy to be having my daughter coming with me for a 4 week visit, so I'll have company on the plane

Now it's just about the waiting

Got that !

I hope there are seats left when you look, you can check online if you know or think you have decided the Airlines you are going to fly. Don't forget

www.seatguru.com

I think it's wonderful she gets to keep you company on the way over, and be there for your wedding!

The waiting. The one thing I hate to do the most, and have spent the last 18 months doing. I swear this last couple of days have taken an eternity to pass.

My SO has shifted into the new flat at his daughter's house, and is busy as putting in the new bathroom this weekend past. We've done a lot of online shopping...which cracks me up..."Honey do you like these faucets? Maybe you 'd like these better? Do you like opaque glass or would you rather have clear? Have a look at this link sweetie...which of these 256 tiles do you want me to get?" Such a love he is, and so concerend that everything is perfect.

[cdneh 3,112]

Michelle, getting close! I'm glad your daughter gets to travel and stay with you for 4 weeks. Now, it's on to getting your soon-to-be hubby a new organ! (not that kind, dirty minds!)

We're doing our aos today (blah!)!

Ooooo...glad my mind was in the right place

AOS....arg....I think I am not thinking about that until I get there. And again, VJ will be the place once I am. Kim, I am sure I will again follow your progress with interest

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Hey guys! Been busy lately and have not had much time to stop in here.

Genna's interview is this week. I'm nervous as all hell. Is there ANYTHING we should be doing last minute? Does anyone in the NZ process get rejected at the interview??? That would just kill us. I'm a severe worrier.. and this last minute wait is killing me. We have all the forms they asked for... her medical and Police thing are in... I make enuff money for the Affidavit...

Anything anyone can give would help... almost there... deep breaths...

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi Dave, nice to see you. Wow ...how far you all have come!

Unfortunately we do have one of our NZ/US couples who was denied at the Embassy very recently. You can read their posts from this week. Hopefully all they will need to do is file a waiver and wait a bit longer to resolve the issues and get the visa!

I'm sure that as long as Genna has everything they've requested that she'll be fine. Most will tell you that it's a breeze.

cdneh, we're not really doing AOS the way we should (...we sure do like playin with fire, eh? ) but I do know what is required and would be happy to help clear up any questions when the time comes.

I can tell you that for those of you getting your medicals for K-1's, be sure you get a TB test (new requirement that not many seem to know about) and a copy of your DS3025 (vaccination worksheet) from the panel physician. If you've already had your medical you can have a TB Test done relatively cheap through the health dept once in the States. Send the results of that test, along with the DS3025, to a civil surgeon to transcribe onto the I-693. They will need to sign this doc and send it back to you. You'll need this for AOS.

There is a list of CS on the uscis website but all of the civil surgeons I called had no clue what I was talking about and weren't willing to sign off on the forms if they didn't perform another full physical (costing hundreds of dollars). A K-1 medical is good for one year so as long as you are filing for AOS before 1 year you do not need another medical so do not let them talk you into that! Either these people are just extremely uneducated to the process or they're just snakes looking for some $$$...either way, it's a hassle!

There's a doc that lots of people here have used that will cost you about $30. You just call, fax your docs over and they'll send it to you in days. This seems to be the best bet (unless you can find a civil surgeon in your area that knows what they're doing and will do it cheap).

Now some people (mostly K-1's) seem to get through ok without certain things and some do not. Because Russell's medical was so close to the new guidelines being put in place we decided to send the AOS package without the TB test and without a civil surgeon transcribing and signing off on the new form I-693. We expect we may receive an RFE and need to have these things done but i'm pretty sure it will only slow up the GC a very short time. (I'm pretty sure they just need updating but, the instructions for the I-485 on the USCIS website still states that a K-1 visa holder need only submit their DS3025 with the application.)

Edited March 1, 2009 by KimandRuss