LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[Simon and Janet 6]

I went and checked the forms, and you're right. The I-129F asks for the petitioners email addy.

We're finally at NVC...hopefully out shortly! Fingers crossed.

That's great news!

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday by an email for the Packet 3 - I wasn't sure it was being delivered like that (and not sure if a hardcopy is coming but I dont think it will be necessary anyway). The packet 3 email came two days after the consulate got the petition from NVC! It's moving fast now.

Now I just have to wait for my medical on Oct 12th...

A quick question to those who've been approved: What is the average time frame from sending in your packet 3 to the interview date? Brian will be here in November and it would be really awesome if he was at the interview with me

Have a good day everyone!

I think they say it's about 4 weeks to the interview date once packet 3 is returned...so Brian would probrably be there for that!

I just booked my medical... funnily enough it's on the same day as yours.

[Rings 10]

YAY you both may meet! How cool is that!

[Simon and Janet 6]

YAY you both may meet! How cool is that!

hehe we're in different states...but it'll be cool to compare both medicals!

[Rings 10]

Yeah I should have looked at that, but there are so few doctors. Anyway please ask the doctors for copies don't forget that step okay!

[Simon and Janet 6]

Yeah I should have looked at that, but there are so few doctors. Anyway please ask the doctors for copies don't forget that step okay!

For copies of our medical?

I assume they mail the medical to us and then we mail it to the consulate with all our other paperwork right?

[Rings 10]

Please please please ask for copies. You can thank me later

[Miss Natalie 0]

Please please please ask for copies. You can thank me later

I agree there are so few doctors! There is only one in Adelaide that can do the medical, and he's been overseas the past few weeks!

OK, copies of the medical. I will ask for sure. The nurse at the doctor's office told me I will take the results with me on the day, in a sealed envelope that I am not allowed to open. I want to see my results! So I'll definitely ask for a copy.

Have a great long weekend everyone!

[Rings 10]

Please ask for copies. Read my timeline. Without our copies, the TD skin testing thing would have fallin into a bad result. Just ask for copies please.

Edited October 2, 2009 by Rings

[myperfectflaw 11]

Hey guys

We just did Ben's biometrics apt this last week and are preparing ourselves for the AOS interview in the next few weeks. I'm trying to figure out what things we should be gathering up to provide proof of relationship. So far, I've come up with copy of our lease with both our names on it, bank statement of joint account (will it hurt us if this account doesn't have much activity? Should I include a copy of the bank account in his and my mother's name as well? Long story short, my ex-husband screwed up a ####### load of bills while we were separated but before we were divorced, so my name is still attached to the bills even though I had nothing to do with making them. Therefor my bank accounts can get garnished, so I deposit money into my mother's account to pay bills with--not sure if this would help us, as my mom is willing to add him to the account, or hurt us because of the financial aspect.), and we're getting family photos taken this week (as well as including some regular snapshots taken by friends/family and wedding photos). What else should I add in here? Is the above sufficient proof? I always feel like I'm over thinking these things, but would rather be too prepared than under prepared!

Hope everyone is doing well! Good luck to you guys nearing your interviews!!

Charmarie

[Rings 10]

Bring everything you can that links you. They may ask about the bills, but joints bills link you as merging your lives so even if the debt is bad... it still links you. They may ask about the debt if you are his sponsor, but I don't think it will affect you much. They may ask you questions on how you intend on paying it off if it's extreme so be prepared to have a co-sposor if necessary (just in case) Also, if you have shared utility bills, credit cards, medical insurance, car insurance, etc.. bring those aas well. Adjusting status is basically to prove you are in fact merging your lives. The debt you share proves that if its in both your names. If you are worried about the bank activity on that old account, then send them like $10 bucks or something once in awhile to show the bank account is still active. I hope this help! Glad to answer any questions you have *hugs*

[Becky 0]

Hi all,

I have posted this over in the 'Nasty Major Changes' forum, but I thought I would post this here too as someone here may be able to give me more region-specific advice.

It has been a while since I visited these forums, but they were a sanity saver for me as my (now) husband and I first applied for a K1 visa, then AOS and the whole shebang. I've been living happily married in the US for almost 4 years now, and we have decided to move with our young son back to Australia to be with my family. My Greencard is valid until 2016. I rang the USCIS hotline to find out about relinquishing my LPR status only to find out they're still super cranky. I explained that I am moving permanently back to Australia, and want to know the process for giving up my Greencard such that I won't have any issues if I visit the US on the VWP in the future. She said I could just leave and not tell anyone. GREAT advice!

So, using other means, I found out I have to file Form I-407 and hand over my Greencard, however the form does not have any filing instructions. We are leaving the US in 2 weeks. Could someone please let me know if I have to send this form to the USCIS here, to the US Consulate in Sydney (we'll be living in Adelaide), or can I hand it to the Immigration Officer when we depart the US?

Thanks in advance,

Becky

[Rings 10]

That's because you hand it over to Immigration at your POE with the I-407 filled out. Hand it to the immigration officer at that time with the paperwork. I personally would hang onto your greencard in case you all decide to move back to America someday. If you don't then it will expire in 10 years or whenever it expires and throw you out of status, but really it wouldn't matter much if you never planned on returning, but hell a lot can change in a couple of years so you should use it to gain entry into the states in case you need to get back here for family emergencies and stuff. You can always change your address with USCIS prior to it expiring then it would validate your leaving.

[Rings 10]

I was thinking about this and if you don't turn it in then you will have to come back every year or something to keep your status. gah.. let me look further into this for you brb

[Rings 10]

The abandonment of lawful permanent resident status is irrevocable. Once you relinquish lawful permanent resident status you must qualify again for such status - starting the whole process over.

If you wish to abandon your permanent residence and relinquish your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Form I-407 must be signed in person before an Immigration Officer. An appointment is not needed.

Take all of the U.S. immigration documents that were previously issued to you (including but not limited to your Green Card (U.S. Resident Alien Card), Re-entry Permit, and Passports containing U.S. Immigration Admission Stamps) along with you. Those documents are to be submitted along with your completed Form I-407.

You would want to do that when you're leaving the U.S., not before; if you abandon permanent residency before an immigration officer, and have no valid basis to remain in the country, you're going to be shown to the door (so to speak). As the form is normally obtained by people outside of the United States, I expect that you'll be able to find a downloadable version from the embassy or consulate website for your nation of origin.

FOrm 8854 for your taxes http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8854.pdf

[Becky 0]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

The thing is, I don't remember passing through immigration on the way OUT of the US before. Working on very little sleep these days so that memory may just have been booted from my mind. We're going through LAX - is it normal procedure to have contact with an immigration officer when departing from there?

Thanks also for the tax info. Yay, taxes. Gotta love the IRS.