LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[TJ2010 5]

Thanks for the medical info Aust2Usa. That's weird about the package being delayed! I hope it arrives soon I'm sure it will, it has probably arrived today, fingers crossed!

You're so close to the finish line!

CareBear... congrats! Are you going to fly out as soon as you get the visa?

Glad you resolved the work issue Bex, peace of mind Now to just focus on the visa and the big move. Being subcontracted to Disney might go down well in the US since you've essentially been working for a well trusted american company already

What airline is everyone planning to fly with?

[CareBear 18]

Hey hey Any news on your NOA2 yet??

No re flying out. I'm anticipating at this stage my interview will be end August or early September but I'm not booked to fly out until 29 October. I bought the ticket while it was on sale but wanted to give myself extra time in case we got stuck at NVC etc. Worst case scenario $200 to push the date back but we seem to be well on track

Flying with V Australia - I flew them in March when I visited Ted and they were fantastic, the journey went smooth as and the hostesses were incredibly sympathetic when I cried the whole way home lol - even gave me a bulkhead seat with extra leg room to try and cheer me up

[AUS2USA 0]

Previously, when I've flown to LA to visit my Wife and her family, I have flown with Delta- Only because her Bro-In-Law used to be a pilot for them before joining the air force. He has been nice enough to offer me some 'buddy' passes which is US$600 Sydney->LA return. On all occasions, I have been upgraded to Business class

This time, I will be flying V Australia on the 10th of August. It was only AUS$620 one way, so... why not?! I've never flown with them before, but have heard good things. I am NOT looking forward to returning to cattle-class

[bextavaz 4]

Glad you resolved the work issue Bex, peace of mind Now to just focus on the visa and the big move. Being subcontracted to Disney might go down well in the US since you've essentially been working for a well trusted american company already

What airline is everyone planning to fly with?

Thanks TJ I am focused now... have been getting so much together to sell/give away its not funny...

I've been keeping an eye on the V Australia flights, I just want to get to that interview before making the final flight decision... I predict its not going to be too far after the interview that I fly though

Flying with V Australia - I flew them in March when I visited Ted and they were fantastic, the journey went smooth as and the hostesses were incredibly sympathetic when I cried the whole way home lol - even gave me a bulkhead seat with extra leg room to try and cheer me up

That's good to hear... I haven't heard of many that have taken V Aust yet... and even a girl I know that works for V Blue couldn't tell me if it was decent or not...

Less than 12 days on the countdown for me now... I'm staying at the Sofitel on Philip St on the Monday night too... so I'm hoping that I'll get a good sleep

[TJ2010 5]

Hi! A question for all IR-1/CR-1ers... I'm reading that most people choose their US citizen spouse as the agent on the DS-3032 form. However, is it possible to choose myself? The reason is, hubby has to go away a lot for work, and if he's receiving my forms, it could be weeks before they are collected from the post office. Does it even really matter? At the NVA stage, after we give them our email addresses, can all correspondence be done using the emails they will (should) send us? From what I'm reading, it seems possible to complete the process using their electronic correspondence only. I imagine that my choice of agent would have some baring on my ability to call up and request information. As it stands, the USCIS won't give me any information as I'm not the petitioner, I don't want to get stuck with that problem again with NVC if I can possibly help it.

I've always flown Air NZ to the US, I have an American friend living in Sydney who has flown with V Australia twice and not had any problems, judging by the great prices I think I'll go with them. Do they have a more restrictive baggage limit than other carriers?

Thanks guys

[bextavaz 4]

Hi! A question for all IR-1/CR-1ers... I'm reading that most people choose their US citizen spouse as the agent on the DS-3032 form. However, is it possible to choose myself? The reason is, hubby has to go away a lot for work, and if he's receiving my forms, it could be weeks before they are collected from the post office. Does it even really matter? At the NVA stage, after we give them our email addresses, can all correspondence be done using the emails they will (should) send us? From what I'm reading, it seems possible to complete the process using their electronic correspondence only. I imagine that my choice of agent would have some baring on my ability to call up and request information. As it stands, the USCIS won't give me any information as I'm not the petitioner, I don't want to get stuck with that problem again with NVC if I can possibly help it.

I've always flown Air NZ to the US, I have an American friend living in Sydney who has flown with V Australia twice and not had any problems, judging by the great prices I think I'll go with them. Do they have a more restrictive baggage limit than other carriers?

Thanks guys

I'm the beneficiary in my case, and I chose myself for the choice of agent

[CareBear 18]

I've always flown Air NZ to the US, I have an American friend living in Sydney who has flown with V Australia twice and not had any problems, judging by the great prices I think I'll go with them. Do they have a more restrictive baggage limit than other carriers?

Thanks guys

Hey hey For V Australia to/from the USA the website says "International Economy 2 pieces maximum 32kg (70lb) in total (for all pieces combined) 158cm (62in) per piece" so I'm thinking thats about the same as Air NZ. Are you a kiwi too???

[TJ2010 5]

Thanks bex, I think I'll follow your lead and put myself as agent.

Hi CareBear, nope, I'm not a kiwi, but NZ is a gorgeous country, and I've holidayed there.

I flew air NZ in the past after getting a tip from a friend that it was good, and I had only great experiences. The flight is a lot better than Qantas in my opinion, more room, better food, service and entertainment... and much cheaper! I flew with them to and from the US twice, and on two of the three flights with them they seated me next to an empty seat in the first aisle after the bulk head and one seat away from another young woman travelling alone. Talk about great service for their solo flyers. The only negative is a layover in Auckland but since it only added 4 or so hours at the most to the trip, it was a concession I was willing to live with.

But that was before V Australia came into town... V, at a much lower price seems like a good deal although I bet won't come close to the service of air NZ.

AUS2USA I'm too jealous for words of your business class travel

[CareBear 18]

I think you'll be surprised re V with regards to service, entertainment and food. I flew Sydney to LA on the last trip and I hate long distance flights - I mean really what to do for 12 and a half hours stuck in a tin can lol. But their entertainment system was awesome and so advanced. Touch screens, games, music, latest movies I swear it went past in a blink of an eye. And the food was really yummy too (and I'm a fussy eater lol). I got seats that I requested both there and back - I hate being in the back of the plane and on the return trip I was in a bulkhead seat.

The only diff this time is last time was a night flight so I slept quite a bit (also very unusual for me) but this time is a day flight so I'll be a bit more awake for more of it - but honestly it was the smoothest, most comfortable flight I've ever had and I've done the States 4 times and a few other long distance destinations as well. You'll have a blast!!!

And ditto on the business class jealousy comment

[CareBear 18]

Right I have a visa question for those who have recently entered the US. When I went to visit Ted in March I went on a tourist visa under the visa waiver program so I had to pre-register with the US 72 hours prior to flying.

As I'm entering this time on a K1 visa and not under the VWP do I still need to do the pre-register thingy? Or do I just rock up to the aiport on the day with my passport and visa and she'll be right lol.

[kaffy 2]

No, the ESTA is only necessary for visitors coming to the US under the VWP

[CareBear 18]

Thanks very much Kaffy - one less thing now on my mind

[Giggles 1]

Hey hey For V Australia to/from the USA the website says "International Economy 2 pieces maximum 32kg (70lb) in total (for all pieces combined) 158cm (62in) per piece" so I'm thinking thats about the same as Air NZ. Are you a kiwi too???

I flew with V Australia when I came here in January and was very happy with them. I took 2 pieces of luggage, the first one 32kg was free and I paid $135 for the second piece (it weighted 25 or 26kg which I think was the maximum for the second piece). Virgin America were supposed to charge me for both pieces of luggage on my connecting flight and they didn't

[Bacon 0]

So Ham is going to the SSN office again today to try to get his number. I told them that he needs to stress he's not wanting the number to work but so that he can be added on to my insurance. So far he's been getting by with his visa but I don't believe my insurance will accept that. Hopefully, they finally give it to him because last time they rejected him because they automatically assumed he wanted it to work.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So Ham is going to the SSN office again today to try to get his number. I told them that he needs to stress he's not wanting the number to work but so that he can be added on to my insurance. So far he's been getting by with his visa but I don't believe my insurance will accept that. Hopefully, they finally give it to him because last time they rejected him because they automatically assumed he wanted it to work.

Did you read the previous post i wrote and the guide I showed you? I hope he found someone who knows what they're doing. K1's are "work authorised" so he's permitted to get a SSN (work authorised means that he's able to get a work permit to work while on a K1). It will say "DHS authorisation required" on it which is the EAD. Do NOT leave until he has been promised the SSN is on it's way. Speak to supervisors. It's all there in their rules and in fact the guide I showed previously listed the EXACT place in their rule book where K1's are permitted SSN's (as long as theres more than 14 days left on the I-94). **FINGERS CROSSED** to the max. Will make life a LOT simpler

Edited July 23, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony