LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Rings 10]

Wow your story is amazing... what gives? I do not know much about Austalian immigration although I intend on learning it. You can try this forum though

http://www.australiaforum.com/visas-immigration/

[SCFsnoopy 0]

Ready for another questions? Haha...

Do I HAVE to wait for my medical results to send Packet 3 back? I guess it shouldn't be a problem if I do have to wait, but it would be nice if I could send Packet 3 back and get my interview date, without having to wait until after October 20th to schedule an interview. At this point I'm just anxious to have the visa in hand so there will be nothing holding me back

[kaffy 2]

It may seem a long way off if you are at the beginning of your journey, but thought Id drop in to let you know there is an end to it! Unless of course like us, you now have to turn around and get the Aussie spouse visa.[/color][/font]

Let me know if you have any questions.. we've been there and done that already

congrats on ur naturalization!!

[kaffy 2]

Wow your story is amazing... what gives? I do not know much about Austalian immigration although I intend on learning it. You can try this forum though

http://www.australiaforum.com/visas-immigration/

The Aussie process is EASY peasy.. we did it through the embassy in Tokyo (we were living in Japan at that time) right after we got married. They processed our paperwork and my husband received his visa within 2 months (as quick as my DCF went). We did second stage processing (similar to Removal of Conditions) through the Washington DC embassy a couple months back and would you believe if I told you it took them ONE day to process & approve it?!

so yeah.. DIAC offices abroad are great.. but DIAC in Australia is another thing.. don't even get me started

[mrsemcee 1]

heeeeey guys, i had my medical in Melbourne today. if you want to see what happened its here.. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218704

just thought i'd let the Aussies know in case it calms someones nerves. i know i was packing it before arriving.. but it ended up going well! xxx

[Rings 10]

Ready for another questions? Haha...

Do I HAVE to wait for my medical results to send Packet 3 back? I guess it shouldn't be a problem if I do have to wait, but it would be nice if I could send Packet 3 back and get my interview date, without having to wait until after October 20th to schedule an interview. At this point I'm just anxious to have the visa in hand so there will be nothing holding me back

Your medical should be sent directly to the consulate from the doctor. If you can get copies while you are at the appointment that is always good since USCIS has a way of loosing things.

heeeeey guys, i had my medical in Melbourne today. if you want to see what happened its here.. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218704

just thought i'd let the Aussies know in case it calms someones nerves. i know i was packing it before arriving.. but it ended up going well! xxx

Awesome story! I am glad it went well *hugs*

[kaffy 2]

In Brisbane you are supposed to collect your medical from the doctor once the results for the blood test are back (usually 2 days after your exam). My envelope was not sealed and there were instructions to make copies of everything before sending them off to the Consulate.. so I did but I'm not sure if this is true for everywhere. I sent my medical in the same time as the rest of Packet 3.

Unless your medical is scheduled weeks and weeks away I would wait till the results are returned to you and send everything in at once

[Chocolot 0]

Hi all, grats to Jadye on her naturlization, all very exciting.

Our case not so much.

Was just wondering if anyone knew anything about immigration to Australia, because frankly the US justice system and US immigration system are busy screwing us around something cronic and well we just want to get on with our lives together, if anyone has any experience with it could you let me know? THankies

Mara

Hi Chris and Mara, apart from the Aussie govt visa site, I have taken to watching two forums, the british expats and poms in oz, as there doesnt seem to be as much knowledge re USC applications.

If you are applying for a fiance or spouse it looks as if its a 4-6 month timeline once you have completed the application and got all the documentation submitted. (I called the Washington Embassy and thats what they told me) but people in the UK seem to be getting them within a month in sime cases. SO it could be another cya comment from a mis information line.

I am collecting stat decs from friends and rellies and that seems to be taking me the longest, as most of the other proof of relationship is in my copies of the US applications.

Hope it helps, good luck with whichever journey you embark on

[SCFsnoopy 0]

Hi all, grats to Jadye on her naturlization, all very exciting.

Our case not so much.

Was just wondering if anyone knew anything about immigration to Australia, because frankly the US justice system and US immigration system are busy screwing us around something cronic and well we just want to get on with our lives together, if anyone has any experience with it could you let me know? THankies

Mara

Hi Chris and Mara, apart from the Aussie govt visa site, I have taken to watching two forums, the british expats and poms in oz, as there doesnt seem to be as much knowledge re USC applications.

If you are applying for a fiance or spouse it looks as if its a 4-6 month timeline once you have completed the application and got all the documentation submitted. (I called the Washington Embassy and thats what they told me) but people in the UK seem to be getting them within a month in sime cases. SO it could be another cya comment from a mis information line.

I am collecting stat decs from friends and rellies and that seems to be taking me the longest, as most of the other proof of relationship is in my copies of the US applications.

Hope it helps, good luck with whichever journey you embark on

I found a US -> AUS immigration site not long ago... try Yanks Down Under. Looks like a lot of people on that site are doing prospective spouse visas so they could probably walk you through it.

[kaffy 2]

All the information you need regarding Aussie spousal visas is in here: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/1127.pdf

It is similar to the US process (and any other permanent immigration process) in that you have to get police checks, stat decs, medical exam, etc.. BUT overall I found it was a simpler process. For one there was no need for an interview.. and we sent all our paperwork in at the same time.

One other notable difference is that there isnt an in depth Affidavit of Support procedure like the US process has. I think all I submitted was a letter from my employer showing my date of hire and salary and that satisfied their requirements. My income was foreign too and they considered it the same as Aussie-based income (unlike the US which requires joint sponsors, proof of assets, etc)

[kaffy 2]

oh and timeline.. I know you aren't submitting it through the same embassy as I did (Tokyo) but I just thought it might give you some idea of what to expect

22 March 2007 - Submitted application documents

During April- medical examination and background checks

21 May 2007 - RFE, they wanted to see our actual marriage certificate (we only sent them a copy)

overnight expressed it to them

24 May 2007 - Visa approved!

[Rings 10]

Man this is nuts. I have 7 sworn affidavits, a letter from our last residence and the background check they did on Loke when he moved in, the new lease, tons of letters mailed to both of us and wedding invitations, etc... I have a letter from my bank on bonded paper stating that we have a shared savings account and it's current, copies of the greencard and EAD and even the medical cards. I asked for Loke to get a letter from human resourses at his work to state that he pays for the entire families medical insurance... what else? hmmmm I am wondering if I should make up a book of our trip to Perth. I have receipts and the plane tickets and photos and stuff. I may do that... I have a month before I file and I somehow managed to put myself into freak out mode.

[mrsemcee 1]

Wow that's a heap of stuff!

oh hey, in relation to the medical stuff, the doctor is mailing mine to me... Do I open it and photocopy? I don't wanna open it if I'm gonna get in trouble but wouldn't mind a sneak peek and to photocopy!

[Rings 10]

You are entitled to copies of the medical documents. unless it is stamped in big red letters "Do not Open" which is the letter you take to the consulate, then you are fine.

[Simon and Janet 6]

We got our NOA2!!!!!

Only 74 days between NOA1 - NOA2 .....we feel incredibly blessed right now! Head's still in a bit of a spin!