Help with filing in Australia

[faith0922 0]

Am so frustrated with the WA Police and AFP offices for not offering any help at all.

Luckily, I just had a positive email reply from the VIC police that they can take my prints there. So I may have to fly to Melbourne JUST to get my fingerprints. This is gonna be a very expensive Police Check!!!

Feels like I'll be moving forward after all. Have my medical appointment on Monday. In your experience, how long did the medical exam take?

[kaffy 2]

The actual medical exam itself only took about 30 mins, but I spent about 3 hrs total downtown because I had to get my x-ray and blood tests done at a different location and then had to wait for my x-ray results.

[loz9 0]

Am so frustrated with the WA Police and AFP offices for not offering any help at all.

Luckily, I just had a positive email reply from the VIC police that they can take my prints there. So I may have to fly to Melbourne JUST to get my fingerprints. This is gonna be a very expensive Police Check!!!

Feels like I'll be moving forward after all. Have my medical appointment on Monday. In your experience, how long did the medical exam take?

Wow that's gotta be so frustrating! I hope you can get it sorted out quickly. It's a shame that the Perth police aren't helping you. It took my husband 5-10 minutes to get his done. Let us know what you end up doing.

The medical took around 2 hours for my husband. He had to walk up a couple of blocks to get the blood work and xray done, so i guess it would depend on if you had to travel to a separate place for that or not. They also told him that he needed to get a dyptheria, tetanus and pertussis booster shot before they would release his results. He went and got the shot the same day and had the GP fax through confirmation to the visa physician.

Good luck!

[Rissa 0]

The medical took around 2 hours for my husband. He had to walk up a couple of blocks to get the blood work and xray done, so i guess it would depend on if you had to travel to a separate place for that or not. They also told him that he needed to get a dyptheria, tetanus and pertussis booster shot before they would release his results. He went and got the shot the same day and had the GP fax through confirmation to the visa physician.

That's pretty much exactly how it went for us; we had to go to one place for the check-up, where he had to get some vaccinations and such, as well as blood taken, and another for the x-rays. The whole process took us between two and three hours.

[Rissa 0]

Oh, and I meant to post here to say that the package from the consulate with my hubby's passport (with the visa inside) arrived yesterday! It only took two days between the interview and it's arrival (probably had something to do with the fact that we gave them an express envelope ) Anyway, with the visa in our hands, we've booked our tickets and we leave on August 13th!

[loz9 0]

Oh, and I meant to post here to say that the package from the consulate with my hubby's passport (with the visa inside) arrived yesterday! It only took two days between the interview and it's arrival (probably had something to do with the fact that we gave them an express envelope ) Anyway, with the visa in our hands, we've booked our tickets and we leave on August 13th!

That's awesome Rissa! Congratulations! I can't wait for that to be us.

Hey do you guys know if it's required for both people to go up for the interview or just the non-USC? I'm a bit worried b/c I was told when we filed our I-130 that my husband didn't need to be there when he actually did. Because I'm going back to school I have to leave on August 3rd, which will most likely be before he can get an appointment. I don't want to have to fly back or anything..I can always rebook if necessary, but I don't want him to go all the way up there just to be turned away.

[faith0922 0]

Oh, and I meant to post here to say that the package from the consulate with my hubby's passport (with the visa inside) arrived yesterday! It only took two days between the interview and it's arrival (probably had something to do with the fact that we gave them an express envelope ) Anyway, with the visa in our hands, we've booked our tickets and we leave on August 13th!

Congratulations!!! So happy for you guys!!! Have a good trip

[kaffy 2]

Oh, and I meant to post here to say that the package from the consulate with my hubby's passport (with the visa inside) arrived yesterday! It only took two days between the interview and it's arrival (probably had something to do with the fact that we gave them an express envelope ) Anyway, with the visa in our hands, we've booked our tickets and we leave on August 13th!

Congrats again!!!

In my news we got us an apartment! and husband's tickets are booked and he will fly back on the Aug 20th (or 21st if a seat opens up), move into our apartment on Aug 29 then start school on Sept 2. I can't book my tix until I get my visa sorted but I hope it's around the same time

[loz9 0]

Kaffy, what's packet 4. Did I miss something?

[Rissa 0]

That's awesome Rissa! Congratulations! I can't wait for that to be us.

Hey do you guys know if it's required for both people to go up for the interview or just the non-USC? I'm a bit worried b/c I was told when we filed our I-130 that my husband didn't need to be there when he actually did. Because I'm going back to school I have to leave on August 3rd, which will most likely be before he can get an appointment. I don't want to have to fly back or anything..I can always rebook if necessary, but I don't want him to go all the way up there just to be turned away.

It will be all of you soon! It's a good feeling.

I've also read/been told that the non-USC is the only one who needs to be there, but after your experience with the petition, I understand that you'd be wary about that! My husband and I discussed his going on his own so we could save money on airfare, but in the end I went so we could spend the day in Sydney together, and also "just in case." I suppose that doesn't help you much.

Thanks for all the congrats and my own congrats to you, kaffy, for getting the apartment. Things are moving right along for you!

[kaffy 2]

Kaffy, what's packet 4. Did I miss something?

I think it's the interview letter

[loz9 0]

Kaffy, what's packet 4. Did I miss something?

I think it's the interview letter

Phew! I thought I was having a 'how could I have overlooked this?!' moment. haha

Congrats on the apartment!

We got our joint sponsor's I-864 in the mail yesterday. As soon as we get the police check we're good to go! I am so excited to go to Bali tomorrow, but part of me kind of wishes I'd be here in case the police check comes in..that way we could file and get an appointment a bit faster.

[faith0922 0]

Hi guys just need some clarification. Getting overwhelmed again.

I'll be sending DS-230 Part I and II tomorrow. Did you send the application fee with it? Was it 400 in US dollars? I have to ask b/c when we filed our I-130, we had a cheque in USD400 and they didn't accept it (we were just following instructions on their website). Or was the fee we paid with I-130 all we have to pay? Thanks!

Congrats on the apartment kaffy! Enjoy Bali, loz!

[kaffy 2]

um.. I'm unsure about the charges. I thought it was only the one-off $355 filing fee but after Rissa said she had to pay 2 separate fees - one for the petition and another for the interview I am now uncertain. I did not send any application fee with my DS-230. Perhaps Rissa or any other VJ member who has successfully DCF'ed in Australia could clarify?

[faith0922 0]

Ok thanks. I think I'll send off the forms without any fees as well. If it's needed, I'm sure they'll contact us.

I just found this link from the US Embassy website (it's not easy to find information from their website).

"There are separate fees for filing the petition and for processing the application and issuing the immigrant visa..."

we'd be broke by the time I get my visa!