LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Dave and Shannon 9]

It's about $340 dollars and unfortunately it's totally not worth it. You're given 90 days on your I-94 when you enter on the K1. The permit that you'd get is valid only until your I-94 expires and given it takes around 60 days to get it, you'll get 30 days of work out of it. AND you'll need to stop working as soon as it expires.. which will suck if you get a job you love only to have to leave it for who knows how long. Not to mention some places might not hire you given it's such a short validity.

Anyway completely up to you but normally people just file AOS asap and you'll get your free EAD abotu 60 days after filing. In the meantime you can get used to life in the US and enjoy time with your honey

Thanks mate, i dont think ill be wasting that money, might just have to find some cash jobs here and there haha, looks like ill be having a 4 month or so holiday as we arent getting married right away thanks for the help, muchly appreciated

[bextavaz 4]

Anyone have any advice for shipping things here? He doesn't have too much to move, but like.. one sq meter of stuff is like $800+. That just seems like a lot to me!

It's not a lot Where are you going from/to?

I started a thread about that here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293179-shipping-costs-aus-to-usa/ There's a few suggestions there and I would LOVE if people who reply here could reply there as well.I think $800 is pretty decent 'cause I was quoted $1000 and I thought that was good! Do you mind if I ask who you looked through?

As I posted in that thread, 126kg and just slightly less than 1m^3 was $830 (BNE Airport to Denver Airport)...

Anyway, as my season up here in the snow is almost over, I thought I'd come and share some entertaining animations of my snowboarding progress...

At the start of the season, I was sketchy on going down a blue (intermediate) run... the next two images are where I'm at now

If you're into snow holidays I most CERTAINLY recommend visiting ColoRADo (and in particular Copper Mountain)!

[Breezie54 2]

Hey Carey,

Looks Like we all got approved around the same time, ie Yourself and Lynjer... USCIS must've pulled the lead out, considering we lodged my AOS, EAD AND AP in October last year, having my AP expedited and approved come November, must've put a spanner in the works, then getting that RFE otherwise im thinking i should've been approved in January, but got my greencard first week of April and thats all that matters, I went down to Social Security yesterday to have my SS changed into my married name, the gals there are great and said USCIS hadn't completely finalized my case in the system and they had to send a request for verification before they could apply the name change, but i have a receipt and she said it should re-issue in my married name in a couple of weeks..

How's everything with you? Hope your not too badly off with morning sickness? We just moved into our Brand Spanking New home [Manufactured home] and we love it, so much more room with a Den and a Living Room, 4 bedroom and 2 bathrooms i have a huge what they call 'garden tub' we would just call it a massive bath lol in our ensuite trying to find just the right bath crystals before i take the plunge lol.. now to unpack my boxes from Oz.. My Mum is also flying over May 3rd for six weeks so that will be fun, taking her round and showing her the sights and introducing her to everyone, am really looking forward to her visit.

Cheers and Hugs Kaye

Edited April 16, 2011 by Breezie54

[Wayne-Rachel 8]

Ok, so I posted the packet 3 information on the 9th of April and aust post tracking says it was signed for on the 12th. Any one know how long on average it takes for them to send the interview date? Also, is this sent as an email or a letter?

[CareBear 18]

Hey Kaye love - have been meaning to send you a PM for ages!! Morning sickness not a problem, that disappeared around week 8. My problem is baby brain - I swear to goodness that I cannot remember what I did this morning. All thoughts in one ear and out the other - utterly drives me nuts!!! Under real good care of an obstetrician and a specialist due to age and all is progressing well - happy camper.

Awesome news re the house and Mum coming to visit - that will be SO much fun!! I've got my Mum and my sister visiting around birth time to help me out - I'm so excited about seeing them. My sister was here for the wedding last November but that seems SOOOOO long ago!!! But we're plodding along, dealing with one week at a time and looking forward to a much bright second half of the year

Much hugs and love right back at you - you'll have to take some photos of the new house and email them to me so I can drool with delight at your tub xo

[KiwiBird 132]

Ok, so I posted the packet 3 information on the 9th of April and aust post tracking says it was signed for on the 12th. Any one know how long on average it takes for them to send the interview date? Also, is this sent as an email or a letter?

Dates are in my signature somewhere. And it's an email.

[Wayne-Rachel 8]

Dates are in my signature somewhere. And it's an email.

Thanks for the reply kiwi And I got my interview date by e-mail this morning yay yay yay!!! Roll on May 17th! (I'm kinda stressed now though lol)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks for the reply kiwi And I got my interview date by e-mail this morning yay yay yay!!! Roll on May 17th! (I'm kinda stressed now though lol)

Oh I wouldn't stress at all. Have a look at the reviews section here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=Australia&page=1&dfilter=5 I think the main consensus from talking to people is how much easier it was than we stressed ourselves out thinking it was. I still keenly remember sitting on the white chairs on the lobby level after my interview thinking.. "wow.. okay.. that's it? Wow. Can't believe that was it. OMG that was it!.. Wow..." and calling people and still being in shock. I don't know if it ever really sank in till I got the package in the mail with my passport and "do not open" envelope... suddenly there was nothing stopping me from catching my flight and moving to the US to get MARRIED! It was very.. wow. Anyway.. moral of the story, have a read of the reviews. Yeah it's important to think of it as a serious thing but think of it more like a job interview than a court case.

[KiwiBird 132]

Okay, now I'm getting nervous about his passport! He mailed it back to the Consulate on April 10th, at their request, with a note saying he needs it back by April 21st. He hasn't heard anything about it yet. I hope it comes in the mail today... or at least have them respond to his email!

He is traveling to NZ for the weekend to say bye to his family! I don't want him to have to cancel his trip! Now I'm just as stressed as he is! I really hope he gets it back in time... I really really hope...

[curvebell 29]

@Wayne-Rachel Good luck!!! It is a super relaxed interview and way less scary then you think! x

@KiwiBird I am still waiting for my passport too! I had my interview on the 12th! Fingers crossed I get it before the easter break ahhhhh!!! I was hoping on a weekend departure!

Also, @bextavaz awesome clips! Brings back memories of the first time I went boarding - and for real I could not move the next day

[KiwiBird 132]

Great.. well, the good news is that they said he should get his passport back no later than 12pm tomorrow. The bad news is that they haven't issues his K1 yet... so.. yet again, his trip out here is pushed back. Again. Lord knows what they were doing the last week with his passport.

I just give up.

[Wayne-Rachel 8]

@Vanessa&Tony thankyou! but yeah, I am kinda picturing it in my mind as more like a courtcase/spanish inquisition LOL

@curvebell congrats on your recent approval... flying out soon?

@KiwiBird :/ passport & nz gov't dramas you guys are having stink... hope it's all sorted for you soon

[KiwiBird 132]

I just don't get it. They said they got the Police checks. They asked for the passport. What were they doing for 9-10 days? Makes me wonder... when he gets back from NZ, and sends the passport back to them, will be be ready to go? Or will it be yet another 10+ days?

[curvebell 29]

I just don't get it. They said they got the Police checks. They asked for the passport. What were they doing for 9-10 days? Makes me wonder... when he gets back from NZ, and sends the passport back to them, will be be ready to go? Or will it be yet another 10+ days?

They must have some kind of backlog going on. I was told that my passport would be sent out within 3 days. Not a word since. Got my fingers crossed for you! x

[Dave and Shannon 9]

ahh sounds like your having a tough time kiwibird.. hope it works out for ya soon mate.....

Just a question, we just got ours approved through the NVC and its on its way to the consulate and they gave me a SYD##### number as my case number.. is this the number i use to get an interview or do i have to wait till i get my packet 3 for another number?? i just want to get this sorted out... and how long does a police check usually take? mines been 29 days now and still havent heard a thing.. i called up a number and the automatic thing said if you have applied within 6 weeks then yours will be still getting worked on... lucky i did this early! hope all this process goes quick!