LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[AUS2USA 0]

Hey guys.

Just a question for those who have, or are soon to, depart from Australia- It may be a long shot, but is there an option for us citizens to claim our Super? I've been looking around ATO site, but can only find info for temp visitors to claim sper when departing.

Cheers

[kaffy 2]

Nope, unfortunately not

[AUS2USA 0]

#######! Worth a try

[CareBear 18]

Yeah annoying re the super. They said the rules may change in the future but at this stage no as we have the right to retire here whether we take that option or not.

As for me I've just returned from Brisbane, medical is now done and dusted and the results will be sent next week but looks good at this stage A massive thank you to Sassyandswoop's medical review thread - I printed it out and took it with me so directions etc easy as and knowing what to expect was great

Still waiting for packet 3 though.....grrrrrrr lol

[TJ2010 5]

Hi Gang,

Yeah, sucks about the Super doesn't it. Like you guys, I hope that someday the rules will change and we can roll it over.

My Police Certificate arrived this week! Less than 2 weeks process time is nice.

It's not nearly as pretty as the one I got done in 2007 though. Where's the pretty pink and blue background????

Still no word on NOA2 but I got to speak to my hubby on the phone yesterday, he's home for a short while and that is definitely cause to celebrate!!! woot! While he's on the boat, no phone calls and infrequent emails is all I get. But it could be worse, he could be on a sub and then not even any emails. So there's always a bright side.

Loved reading your rundown of your interview EandR... I would LOVE to stay at the Westin and soak in theat wonderful tub. Alas, I live in Sydney City, and am a 20 minute bus ride from the big bad consulate which has it's advantages, but no bath tub soaks.

A nice soak in the tub is what I might need right about now.

I called the miltary hotline while hubby was away, and they wouldn't tell me anything since I'm not the peitioner.

I still want to know what my immigration status is, I called the USCIS line and asked them but apparently they can't look up my Alien Registration Number to find that info out. The guy I talked to said that the USCIS probably does know that I'm out of the country, as it would have been recorded by customs on my departure. But he suggested that I call the consulate in Sydney and talk to them about it. Now, I don't think I need to tell you how impossible calling the consulate is. They don't like talking on the phone do they. So I'm summing up the courage to email them. I might have to officially "surrender" my greencard or something. But although I've been 100% within the law, never a day "out of status" I still feel nervous about "poking the bear" just in case they decide to rain hell on me for doing the right thing. No good deed goes unpunished.

[TJ2010 5]

An amusing story... When hubby came to visit me in Sydney this year, we took a visit to the consulate to see whether we could talk to someone... hahhahaha such a cute theory no? Not even the whole "I'm an active duty military united states citizen please let me talk to someone" worked. They told us to email them, and they never emailed back, not while hubby was in the country, and not even after.

Apparently the only way you can get into the consulate without an appointment is if you're an American citizen and "either in jail or dead". I couldn't help but point out the irony of that, as if you're in jail or dead, both situations would render you incapable of attending the consulate. LOL!

The trip wasn't totally wasted though, I have a GREAT shot of the hubby standing in front of the fountain in Martin Place posing like superman. hehehe The Fountain features in both Superman Returns and also The Matrix!

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/superman-returns8/actioncomics1.jpg

[CareBear 18]

Not even the whole "I'm an active duty military united states citizen please let me talk to someone" worked.

LMAO Jess - dang there goes my plan B and I dont even have a military partner I'm glad you got to speak to him yesterday though - would have brightened your day for sure.

I hate the not being able to just ring up and find out thing. I'm also part of the April filers VSC thread and a guy there got NOA2 on 30 July. His file hasnt reached NVC with both spots saying they dont have it. He now has to refile a duplicate petition. Another VJer came forward yesterday - same NOA2 date, also VSC - same problem!!!

Now I'm paranoid that my files going to disappear between NVC and the consulate. The lack of appearance of packet 3 is driving me nuts - over over over waiting I want this finished *back under my rock now*

[CareBear 18]

OK I'm out from under my rock - sleep was great and getting packet 3 overnight was even greater LOL - home stretch babies

But now I've confused myself. Instructions say send back DS230 Part 1 biographic data immediately. Not problem I have it filled in and ready to go BUT dont quite understand if I am to send part 2 with the form also. It only refers to part 1, doesnt refer to part 2 anywhere else in the checklist and says on the forms part 1 and 2 constitute the complete application.

I think in the absence of hearing from anyone before the end of the day I'll just send both

[CareBear 18]

Ignore the above question - I googled it on VJ and answered the question - first 2 pages only are on their way today

[bextavaz 4]

Well Aussie kids... I can now give you the perfect reason to book your flights later in the day for your interview...

The consulate sent me an email asking if they can move my appointment to 11am instead of 9am...

Thankfully I booked my flights for 530pm (seeing a friend whilst I'm in Sydney) although, I could just go back to them and say that I'm on a schedule and need to keep the 9am...

But its something to keep in mind... I've never heard of THEM asking to adjust the times before... what's that about? do they need an extra 2hrs to determine my approval?

I don't see why 11am can't be done... means I can sleep in and check out later from the hotel... haha!

[TJ2010 5]

All jokes asside, hubby was really dismayed to discover that the country he pledged his life to serve won't let him visit the consulate as a US citizen, military or otherwise. Isn't the consulate supposed to be there to help US citizens? Gotta love the bureocratic process. I'm glad I was there, to keep him from turning into the hulk.

Any news on your packet 3 CareBear? Have you been able to track it via DHL?

Wow bex, the Sydney consulate stuffed up your times? That fills me with delight. The great and powerful OZ is letting us peak behind the curtain at their humanity. But seriously, I wonder why they recheduled, maybe Obama is coming afterall! Or Hilary!? Keep your eyes peeled for foreign statespeople!

The last two days have been so warm here in Sydney, I can't be happier! I hope the warm weather holds out till tuesday Bex

[bextavaz 4]

Wow bex, the Sydney consulate stuffed up your times? That fills me with delight. The great and powerful OZ is letting us peak behind the curtain at their humanity. But seriously, I wonder why they recheduled, maybe Obama is coming afterall! Or Hilary!? Keep your eyes peeled for foreign statespeople!

The last two days have been so warm here in Sydney, I can't be happier! I hope the warm weather holds out till tuesday Bex

Who knows... I figured I've got all the time in the world, and maybe it'll give me brownie points to get approved

Warm = bad... I live in Surfers Paradise, I don't need warm... hahah... That's also another reason why I want to go to colorado... they have warm desert summers and snowy mountain winters

[CareBear 18]

Hey Jess yeah Ted got packet 3 in his email while I was sleeping Thursday night so it was in my email Friday morning when I woke yay So the first "send me immediately form" was sent express post to Sydney yesterday, the balance will follow end of next week once my medical results are back. And then all I need if my interview date

And yeah I'm on the Gold Coast as well so not needing warm just yet. Then again when I last saw Ted in Dallas in March it snowed lol - not sure if I'm ready for that extreme yet but at least I'll get 2 winters back to back

Any news your end?

[Bacon 0]

For those that submitted an AP. Can you tell me what you put in the date of travel and return section if you did not have a trip in mind? Also, what do you do if you leave and come back and then want to leave again? Is the AP good for the entire time or do you have to re-file once you've used it?

I've looked over the AP instructions and it says that you can only file an AP if you have a legitimate reason for wanting to leave the country. So I'm not sure if we have to have an actual trip planned or if you can put N/A and state that we eventually want to go back for a visit but not planning to immediately.

I mean, we want to go back to Aussie for Christmas next year but other than that we don't have any immediate plans. At the same time, though, his grandmother is getting older and if she should happen to pass he would like to be able to leave if we are able to afford the trip.

Edited July 31, 2010 by Bacon

[AustoUsa 1]

Howdy Aussie VJers. I have a question about the fingerprint background check needed for the K1 visa.

On the US Embassy - Canberra website US Embassy it states that for NSW, you just need to go to your local police station and they can process it all for you. But on the NSW info sheet for applying for a National Criminal History Record Check NSW Police Force , it states that if you require a police check for traveling or living abroad, you need to go through the Australian Federal Police AFP.

The embassy website refers to the check as a National Criminal History Record Check, which is what's offered from NSW. The AFP check is called a National Police Check. I'm thinking my fiance just needs to head down to his local police station in NSW. Suggestions?