LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Matt & Zoe 0]

USA, I just realized that I come off sounding so mean and self-serving - I didn't mean it that way! I would have let them go first regardless of my own horrible nervousness (on a scale from 1 to 10 it was definitely the most nervous I'd ever been.) I'm glad you're all done and dusted.. well, mostly done anyway! The staff were all quite lovely, and I don't mind that you were eavesdropping. I am a law student, but it's unlikely to be finished for a long time now.. unless I do distance education, that is. A bit of a shame given that I've only about one semester left!

[AUS2USA 0]

Oh hahah no no no no, I totally didn't mean it in that way! I thought it was quite clever hahahaha

I went to the consulate a few years ago for a crewmember visa when i was working on a cruise ship and it took hours! I was surprised as to how quick it was today. I had the same lady you had immediately after you left. Took 5 minutes or so and I was out of there!

[TJ2010 5]

Hi CareBear, sounds like you got a really great deal with the shipping. Thanks for sharing the info.

Congratulations Bacon on your recent marriage. Wishing you a wonderful, happy life together. Gorgeous photo You both look over the moon

As for Hams SSN, don't take my word as gospel as different places might have different rules, and I'm trying to remember back to 2007, but in my experience, he should be able to get his SSN straight away, just not be able to actually work until EAD (or greencard) comes through. SSN is pretty straight forward to get and just requires a visit to the closest Social Security office. I can't remember all the particulars though. The thing that stands out most for me is the WAITING IN LINE hahaha.

Congrats on your approval Matt & Zoe! WOOT WOOT!

Hey Bex... I read your post and in my opinion, you shouldn't give them any kind of early heads up. I'd give them the minimum notice you're legally obliged to give. You need to protect yourself and your income over the next few weeks and it'd be awful if they used your early notice as an excuse to terminate you early. As they've been talking about cutbacks, this might become a reality. I was once in a job (casual job, granted) where I told them 4-5 weeks early that I was leaving, but I was worried they wouldn't be able to replace me, and I was happy to work up until my last day in Sydney, and I really needed the money! Well, the next months roster came out, and my name wasn't on it! I thought they'd have my back, but actually, it taught me a very important lesson... work is work and not about making friends and you need to look out for yourself. I should have said nothing about my intentions to leave, and I would have had an extra months wages in my pocket. Well, that's my 2cents, you will do what is right Best of luck!

On my side, nothing new to report USCISwise. We got a "touch" on 14 July but if other CR-1/IR-1ers experiences are any indication, they're not sending email updates or updating the website at the moment. Which sucks for us since my hubby is deployed at the moment and can't check his mail. No mail, no hard copy of NOA2 means no recipt number means no phone call to NVC. Trying not to stress too much, I'm gonna try calling USCIS tonight, if that fails I guess I have to wait till hubby comes back. I went and got my fingerprints for PCC done on Saturday, no biggie

Cheers,

Jess

[bextavaz 4]

Hey Bex... I read your post and in my opinion, you shouldn't give them any kind of early heads up. I'd give them the minimum notice you're legally obliged to give. You need to protect yourself and your income over the next few weeks and it'd be awful if they used your early notice as an excuse to terminate you early. As they've been talking about cutbacks, this might become a reality. I was once in a job (casual job, granted) where I told them 4-5 weeks early that I was leaving, but I was worried they wouldn't be able to replace me, and I was happy to work up until my last day in Sydney, and I really needed the money! Well, the next months roster came out, and my name wasn't on it! I thought they'd have my back, but actually, it taught me a very important lesson... work is work and not about making friends and you need to look out for yourself. I should have said nothing about my intentions to leave, and I would have had an extra months wages in my pocket. Well, that's my 2cents, you will do what is right Best of luck!

Hmmm, surely it would be different for full time though... such a difficult thing to think about hahahah...

I've been reading through all the employee handbook and everything at termination, redundancy etc etc... they can't terminate my employment without giving me three warnings... the only way other than that is to make my position redundant, and then I get a severance payout (which is quite substantial as laid out in the handbook)...

Maybe I'll "think about it" for two weeks, and then book my flights and do it then

[Breezie54 2]

Thanks Breezie - I filled out all the DS forms today so apart from arranging the medical and getting the official packet 3 letter I'm good to go

How are the wedding plans coming along?

Hi Carebear, Wedding plans are just about complete, have to download some music for the church and for simple reception to follow, pick up our wedding bands, they are being engraved and we are just about done, wedding is now only 11 days away and i cant wait, have been in to look at the documents i need to prepare for AOS and cannot believe how much more '#######' we have to go through, not to mention how much more money we have to pay over $1010.00 its utterly unbelieveable, dont get me started on illegal aliens kinda makes my blood pressure raise these days, its cost Leonard and I so much money already, but we are together now and that is all that matters.

The medical is valid for at least six months, criminal check is valid for at least that or 12 months as well so i would get the money together for them medical in Brisbane cost me $500 and i had the results sent to me in an express post envelope that i left with reception as i had to travel up to Brisbane from the Gold Coast for it, the police check i had mailed directly to the Embassy in Sydney and that was given back to me at my interview in Sydney.

Good to hear things are moving, it does seem slow, but once u get packet 3 it will snowball so best to have all your ducks in a row .. good luck xxx Kaye xxx

[Breezie54 2]

Approved approved approved! Bit of a whirlwind trip to Sydney but I was in and out of the consulate in less than an hour - up to security at 7.30 and out by 8.15. I will write up a proper review when I'm home, but it is such a great feeling and really, once you're in Sydney it feels like there's very little between you and that visa in your passport. No requests for any supporting evidence, about four or so questions and that's it! I used Astrid's trick and got in the elevator last.. so I got ticket 001, haha. I was a little surprised at how easy it all was even though we had a cosponsor.. being in college doesn't seem to bother anybody too much in Sydney.

Matt and I booked tickets last week, so POE is August 4th. I'll be resigning from work tomorrow and finishing up next Friday - I think that time is just going to fly. Couldn't be here without all the helpful tips and support from my fellow Aussies.. thank you so much guys!

Congrats u two wooohooo... it feels so good when u get off the plane after that long flight, to walk into the USA CITIZENS lines at immigration at POE, we were processed so fast by this lovely immigration officer at lax we had to wait over 30 mins for the bags to arrive.. my wedding is only 11 days off, am so excited and cant wait.. Good luck with the rest of your journey xxx kaye xxx

[Bacon 0]

So I think I may have found why Ham was rejected for the SSN. Because he has to give a non-work reason as to why he wants a SSN. If he doesn't have a valid reason for getting an SSN prior to an EAD then he has to wait until he has an EAD.

[AUS2USA 0]

So I think I may have found why Ham was rejected for the SSN. Because he has to give a non-work reason as to why he wants a SSN. If he doesn't have a valid reason for getting an SSN prior to an EAD then he has to wait until he has an EAD.

Hm, so what is reason would suffice?

(http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10096.html)

What if I need a number for other reasons

If you are not authorized by DHS to work in the United States, you can get a Social Security number only if you can prove you need it for a valid non-work reason. That might happen, for example, if a state or federal law requires you to have a Social Security number to obtain benefits to which you have already established entitlement.

If you need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request Form W-7, Application For An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

If a business or government agency asks you for a Social Security number and you are not authorized to work in the United States, ask if they can identify you in some other way. In most cases, you will be able to get the service or license you need without a Social Security number.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Finally!!!! We're married!! Few days late in the notice since we did have a honeymoon and all. But July 10th I finally got to marry my Sweetie. Here's a pic my cousin took and made for us.

Now, one question/problem I am having is that Ham didn't get his SSN before we got married. So they're telling us that we can't apply for his EAD until after we've applied for the AOS which will then change his status in the system to allow for him to get an SSN that will then allow him to apply for an EAD.

Has anyone ever heard of that?

Congrats!! Very happy for the both of you

As for the SSN... he is eligible for the SSN as long as he has more than 2 weeks left on his I-94 then he can get a SSN. Just take in his passport and K1 visa and he's eligible. If his I-94 has less than 2 weeks on it then yes, he'll have to wait. There's a SSN guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn that shows you that K1's are eligible for SSNs. If the person at the desk doesn't believe you ask for a supervisor because he's allowed one. (and unless it's past Aug 24th which is his 76 day window then they're wrong). Take his K1 visa and passport (with the I-94) as I said, do not mention the marriage. Just apply as a "legal alien allowed to work" as that's how they classify a K1. Hopefully this next time you go you'll get someone who knows what they're doing

Approved approved approved!

Grats!

Edited July 20, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hmmm, surely it would be different for full time though... such a difficult thing to think about hahahah...

I've been reading through all the employee handbook and everything at termination, redundancy etc etc... they can't terminate my employment without giving me three warnings... the only way other than that is to make my position redundant, and then I get a severance payout (which is quite substantial as laid out in the handbook)...

Maybe I'll "think about it" for two weeks, and then book my flights and do it then

In a full-time position you're right, it IS different... but my work elected to send me home immediately, with pay for the 2 weeks of course (I wasn't here long enough for a months notice). They can choose to have you work the notice, or pay you the notice period.

Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable because even if work screws you over, you know you were the bigger person. Also be aware that sometimes they treat you different. That's how mine was. Kind of "cold" and a little pissy that I was leaving...

Anyway, up to you

[bextavaz 4]

In a full-time position you're right, it IS different... but my work elected to send me home immediately, with pay for the 2 weeks of course (I wasn't here long enough for a months notice). They can choose to have you work the notice, or pay you the notice period.

Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable because even if work screws you over, you know you were the bigger person. Also be aware that sometimes they treat you different. That's how mine was. Kind of "cold" and a little pissy that I was leaving...

Anyway, up to you

I actually told them when I was at the interview for the job, that my intentions were to move to the USA when my green card was approved... and they still hired me

Maybe I can subconsciously push the boss to make me redundant, then I get severance pay...

[CareBear 18]

Hey Bex I'm in a similar position....our workload had dropped dramatically since the crash that the boss had to recently decide to let one of the 2 admin staff go (of which Im one).

Funnily enough when I came back in March I told him straight away we were applying for the visa and I'd be leaving in the latter part of the year yet when it came to the decision he kept me on and let the other go. I've kept the boss updated the whole way and he's aware that visa issuance pending I intend to finish up on Tuesday 26 October and fly out Friday 29 October. I've found this has worked best in my case as I havent had to try and disguise things like the 90 minutes I had out of the office for the fingerprint and police check and the upcoming medical and he's been really supportive.

If you're really planning on leaving anyway even if you dont pass the interview (highly unlikely touch wood) then perhaps it is time to give him the heads up - if for nothing else than a possible redundancy package in the future.

Just my 5 cents worth - good luck whatever you decide.

Carey

[CareBear 18]

Hi Carebear, Wedding plans are just about complete, have to download some music for the church and for simple reception to follow, pick up our wedding bands, they are being engraved and we are just about done, wedding is now only 11 days away and i cant wait, have been in to look at the documents i need to prepare for AOS and cannot believe how much more '#######' we have to go through, not to mention how much more money we have to pay over $1010.00 its utterly unbelieveable, dont get me started on illegal aliens kinda makes my blood pressure raise these days, its cost Leonard and I so much money already, but we are together now and that is all that matters.

The medical is valid for at least six months, criminal check is valid for at least that or 12 months as well so i would get the money together for them medical in Brisbane cost me $500 and i had the results sent to me in an express post envelope that i left with reception as i had to travel up to Brisbane from the Gold Coast for it, the police check i had mailed directly to the Embassy in Sydney and that was given back to me at my interview in Sydney.

Good to hear things are moving, it does seem slow, but once u get packet 3 it will snowball so best to have all your ducks in a row .. good luck xxx Kaye xxx

Sounds like the wedding plans are well and truely in hand. I wish you the most magical day of wedding days Kaye you truely deserve it

Yeah I knew about the cost of the AOS - its been really good living with my besties family since the house lease was broken as I'm able to save a little extra towards that cost and of course the cost of the K1 - petition filing, police check, medical, flights to sydney plus visa leaves a rather massive hole in the pocket but at least thanks to all your experiences before me I was prepared and its not a nasty shock.

I have the Australia and New Zealand police checks now at home. I've got the affidavid of support and Ted's tax transcripts arrived in the mail today so I'm really ready to proceed with packet 3. The only thing I cant book in yet is the medical up in Brisbane. We have NOA2 but we dont have the new case number from NVC yet and the medical centre wont let me book in without it - that will be the last thing on the list and then I'll be ready to return packet 3 as soon as through and results back. With the express post envelope you provided them for sending the results back did you use a 3kg satchel or the extra big 5kg one to fit the xray in too?

Its all coming together quite nicely and I will confess since getting NOA2 I'm a hell of a lot less stressed! lol All going well its 100 sleeps today until flyday

Wishing everyone a fantastic day.

Carey

[bextavaz 4]

Thanks Carey I have been wanting to let it slip for ages and it's a p.i.t.a trying to hide it on social mediums where my friends know about it and work doesn't lol... Still thinking about it... Just not sure

As for the envelope for the medical, They send the results and X-rays in a tough bag (670mm x 405mm x 115mm)... I actually went to the post office whilst waiting to get my X-rays done, bought my own envelope and requested for registered post... It cost me about $13 but at least I could track it I didn't think there would be an express post envelope big enough, but maybe they do a sticker or something?

[CareBear 18]

Good luck with whatever you decide Bex - you'll just have to go with your gut instinct on this one I'm afraid.

I've got really huge express post envelopes at work that are slightly bigger than the measurements you mentioned - we use them for sending new company registration folders out in. Think I'll take one of those along and then I should be good