LAND DOWNUNDER, Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

[TheCockyLockies 2]

Hey Guys

Just want to know what you guys have done with your SUPERANNUATION back home?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hey Guys

Just want to know what you guys have done with your SUPERANNUATION back home?

There's nothing you can do except leave it there. I've tried and am still trying to have it transferred here but depending on your fund, they WILL release the funds if you show extreme financial hardship. Or if the funds are unsecured etc.

I have emailed my fund who advised that unless I can't pay a mortgage, or unless someone in my immediate family is ill and i need the money, they will not release it, that is through REST. AustralianSuper is a fund that will release in times of extreme financial hardship but you need to show that you've been on centrelink for 26 continuous weeks and cannot pay living expenses.

There is also another way if you're a temporary resident as long as the funds are over a certain amount but they take like 30% tax out of it... but I assume most of us are Aussie citizens. I think it's completely ridiculous that I cannot remove the funds and instead must leave it, and try and remember it for the next 30 years until it reaches maturity (when I'm 55).

Personally I am still trying to figure out a way, whether I can get it "rolled over" to a US fund or something. I can change the address to a US address but for now I've left it at my parents address in Australia. I also need to contact them to change it to my married name. It's a HUGE p.i.t.a. and my personal opinion is that I should be able to remove the funds if I change countries. It's complete rubbish. I'll let you know if I ever find a way.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Here is the correct FAQ link regarding name change info for Aussies residing in the US

http://www.usa.embassy.gov.au/whwh/PassportsFAQ.html

Thank you for your ALTERNATE link, however it is not "the correct FAQ link" as you stated. While the information contained within your link is also good, it does not discuss the "gratis" passport which was the reason for me posting several links.

[Miss Natalie 0]

Hi everyone! Sorry I've not been around much, I leave at 7am on Boxing Day, and have had a crazy busy few weeks! I think I am finally ready...

I just wanted to stop by and wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Have a happy, safe, and STRESS FREE day!

[kaffy 2]

Thank you for your ALTERNATE link, however it is not "the correct FAQ link" as you stated. While the information contained within your link is also good, it does not discuss the "gratis" passport which was the reason for me posting several links.

[kat loves matt 0]

hey your k-1 has expired so u can't use it any more anyway, but i'm sure u want to keep it, I know i do! have u called a Aust consulate near u? when u renew yr passport they give u yr old one back unless its seriously damaged & u can renew it in the US. here is the link http://www.australianyc.org/nycg/Passport.html

hope this helps

Thank you for the info, you're a gem!

[Bacon 0]

Does anyone know if my fiance can get his medial exam completed prior to getting Packet 3? We're currently waiting on the NOA 2 but wanted to try and get everything done as soon as possible prior to receiving the paperwork.

I know he can get his police checks early but not sure on his medical.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Does anyone know if my fiance can get his medial exam completed prior to getting Packet 3? We're currently waiting on the NOA 2 but wanted to try and get everything done as soon as possible prior to receiving the paperwork.

I know he can get his police checks early but not sure on his medical.

It depends on where you are. I know my doctor in Victoria was fine with it, but as it turned out by the time the appointment came around I had P3.

One thing is it has 12 months validity. The process is pretty quick once you get P3, but if you run into any trouble (like RFE's) then you might have to do a new medical when you do AOS. An idea is to call your doctor for your area and ask them if you need the case number first (personally I felt better about it bc then they couldn't misplace or lose it) and also find out what the regular wait time for an appointment is, and how long it takes for them to get the results out.

This link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=k1historical shows you that the VSC is currently processing Oct 31 cases, ... seeing your case is before that date I would think your NOA2 isn't far away at all so personally if the doc's okay with it, then I'd do it. Remember to ask for a copy, of the whole medical if you can, but at the very least, the immunisations.

Good luck

[Bacon 0]

It depends on where you are. I know my doctor in Victoria was fine with it, but as it turned out by the time the appointment came around I had P3.

One thing is it has 12 months validity. The process is pretty quick once you get P3, but if you run into any trouble (like RFE's) then you might have to do a new medical when you do AOS. An idea is to call your doctor for your area and ask them if you need the case number first (personally I felt better about it bc then they couldn't misplace or lose it) and also find out what the regular wait time for an appointment is, and how long it takes for them to get the results out.

This link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=k1historical shows you that the VSC is currently processing Oct 31 cases, ... seeing your case is before that date I would think your NOA2 isn't far away at all so personally if the doc's okay with it, then I'd do it. Remember to ask for a copy, of the whole medical if you can, but at the very least, the immunisations.

Good luck

Thanks so much. I'll have him start calling the doctors around there to find out though there's only three for NSW where he's from so not sure how long it would take to get in to one of them.

Not too sure on that timeline. I'm thinking that the large number of applicants from the Phillipenes and China is throwing the estimation off as it seems like the adjudicators are only working on the backlog from those countries. Any country that only has one application isn't being worked all that often. And in this case I'm the lone Aussie applicant for October.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thanks so much. I'll have him start calling the doctors around there to find out though there's only three for NSW where he's from so not sure how long it would take to get in to one of them.

Not too sure on that timeline. I'm thinking that the large number of applicants from the Phillipenes and China is throwing the estimation off as it seems like the adjudicators are only working on the backlog from those countries. Any country that only has one application isn't being worked all that often. And in this case I'm the lone Aussie applicant for October.

Well from what I'm told (but can't guarantee) because it's sent it to two service centres, they don't filter by country, you basically sit in a pile and when the people have finished one case, they go and get the new one in the pile. I really don't think a backlog in a particular country matters except that it slows down us... and it ticks me off (& please don't shoot me for how this sounds) bc those countries have a lot more fraud and it slows down the legit cases. Sure there might be some legit cases in those countries but it's a sad fact there's a lot of "bride importing" going on (there's actually a website for phillapino women seeking "love" elsewhere).

Anyway, I digress, the VSC and CSC from what I understand simply process in a pile, it's only when it gets to your embassy in your country that they deal with a backlog.. and I would hope that that's how it is because I wouldn't want someone who simply wants to import a wife, and not someone they love, is slowing down legit cases where loved ones are separated. please let us know as SOON as you get NOA2 and also update your timeline. Fingers crossed for you!

On the doctor front, by the time I had my medical, there was only one doctor left in Vic, the other one retired so three is good!

[Bacon 0]

Well from what I'm told (but can't guarantee) because it's sent it to two service centres, they don't filter by country, you basically sit in a pile and when the people have finished one case, they go and get the new one in the pile. I really don't think a backlog in a particular country matters except that it slows down us... and it ticks me off (& please don't shoot me for how this sounds) bc those countries have a lot more fraud and it slows down the legit cases. Sure there might be some legit cases in those countries but it's a sad fact there's a lot of "bride importing" going on (there's actually a website for phillapino women seeking "love" elsewhere).

Anyway, I digress, the VSC and CSC from what I understand simply process in a pile, it's only when it gets to your embassy in your country that they deal with a backlog.. and I would hope that that's how it is because I wouldn't want someone who simply wants to import a wife, and not someone they love, is slowing down legit cases where loved ones are separated. please let us know as SOON as you get NOA2 and also update your timeline. Fingers crossed for you!

On the doctor front, by the time I had my medical, there was only one doctor left in Vic, the other one retired so three is good!

Well, I know that it's supposed to go about that way but so far it doesn't seem like it. The last ten or twenty approved have had half of them come from China or the Phillipenes.

And my issue is that I'm a military brat. So I grew up around Marines who would talk about how going to the Phillipenes was the best place for any soldier looking for a nice docile wife to bring back to the states cause they were all willing if the soldier could get a green card. Though the same could be said for most countries as well since I had that when I lived in Sicily. Massive amounts of marriage offers were given there too.

That's what upsets me. That me and my fiance might be pushed back for a relationship that is only on the basis of getting a green card. Not on the basis of actually wanting to be with the person for the rest of their lives. But I guess that's pretty much to be expected considering how many people are applying. There's gotta be some odd ones out.

I'm just hoping so much that I get the NOA2 in the next week or two. My sister/wedding planner is about to kill me because of how long I'm making her wait on doing anything permanent with the wedding.

Edited December 30, 2009 by Bacon

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Well, I know that it's supposed to go about that way but so far it doesn't seem like it. The last ten or twenty approved have had half of them come from China or the Phillipenes.

And my issue is that I'm a military brat. So I grew up around Marines who would talk about how going to the Phillipenes was the best place for any soldier looking for a nice docile wife to bring back to the states cause they were all willing if the soldier could get a green card. Though the same could be said for most countries as well since I had that when I lived in Sicily. Massive amounts of marriage offers were given there too.

That's what upsets me. That me and my fiance might be pushed back for a relationship that is only on the basis of getting a green card. Not on the basis of actually wanting to be with the person for the rest of their lives. But I guess that's pretty much to be expected considering how many people are applying. There's gotta be some odd ones out.

I'm just hoping so much that I get the NOA2 in the next week or two. My sister/wedding planner is about to kill me because of how long I'm making her wait on doing anything permanent with the wedding.

I'll keep all fingers and toes crossed for you I know all about the wedding planning stress! It's such a p.i.t.a till you get confirmation of leaving. ugh. Stress stress stress.

[TerriandEric 4]

I am so with you on the waiting game. We have only been waiting 3 weeks since NOA1 but watching timelines & the amount of 'fiances' based in the Phillipines/Thailand is astounding. It seems the VCS is moving a bit faster then the norm on the timelines and that in itself is frustrating as well.

I asked about the medical being done ahead of time a few weeks back and was told not to because they need the case number from the NVC...in Sydney there are only 2 doctors: Dr Waks & Dr Phillips...I am organizing my police certificate next week, as well as my daughters passport. I need to find out how to get the blood test to find out what immunities I have for vaccines.

The only thing that keeps me going at present is the fact we are lucky to have so much time on web cam with his work schedule (4 nights a week, 2 of which are work from home) The crux of it at present..we are hoping for an approval & a POE by my birthday at the end of April (too much to ask for lol)

[Bacon 0]

I am so with you on the waiting game. We have only been waiting 3 weeks since NOA1 but watching timelines & the amount of 'fiances' based in the Phillipines/Thailand is astounding. It seems the VCS is moving a bit faster then the norm on the timelines and that in itself is frustrating as well.

I asked about the medical being done ahead of time a few weeks back and was told not to because they need the case number from the NVC...in Sydney there are only 2 doctors: Dr Waks & Dr Phillips...I am organizing my police certificate next week, as well as my daughters passport. I need to find out how to get the blood test to find out what immunities I have for vaccines.

The only thing that keeps me going at present is the fact we are lucky to have so much time on web cam with his work schedule (4 nights a week, 2 of which are work from home) The crux of it at present..we are hoping for an approval & a POE by my birthday at the end of April (too much to ask for lol)

Yeah, the fact that they're moving fast but only for certain countries is just causing me to want to pull my hair out. They've been getting so close to my date and in some cases approved applications past my submission date so I don't know how they're working these things.

My fiance at least works near both of the doctors offices so he only has to take off a bit from work for the appointment. The only problem is getting him to make the appointment. He hates doctors. I think I might have to call and make it for him here in a bit but I'll wait until we get to the NVC then I guess if that's the code they need.

We're actually hoping for a POE a bit before April. We have tickets for the Nickelback concert here in Georgia. He's all about the thinking positive when it comes to when we'll get the visa. Even if that positive ends up with him making two trips...one for the concert and one for the POE later on in the year.

[Tom&Ren 0]

I would definitely recommend Dr Waks in Sydney, he was so lovely and his office was easy to get to and find!