Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

[Omnivore 0]

Astrid, I saw, I think you edited while I was typing!

[alex and astrid 38]

Yeah, I was going back and making changes when I remembered more stuff to tell you!!

On another note, got something in the mail today....My passport, with a shiny new visa and the Envelope That Must Not Be Opened

[Omnivore 0]

That is awesome news Astrid!

Just printed out the big form, now to do the DS-156K then it's just the waiting game, for my medical & police stuff, woo hoo.

Should get this visa before 16 Feb, looks like my future wife will be in Sydney for my interview huzzah.

[Simon and Janet 6]

Send P3 a week ago via express post...i've checked the tracking and they got it Monday afternoon...but still no P4

I might call today if there's no email in the morning.

[Giggles 1]

Yes Natalie, we will be wedding date twins!! Alex said the same thing about the date - he has a very scientific brain, and he said the numbers felt good to him

So, without further ado -

My Interview Experience

Flew down to Sydney and back with Virgin Blue, and stayed at the Central Sydney YHA. I would recommend the YHA to everyone, it's in a good location, cheap, but with great amenities. Did not sleep very much at all Monday night, due to nerves/excitement and my epic sunburn. Appointment was for 8am, so I planned to wake up at 6am so I would not be rushed. I bolted awake at 5.30 and decided to just get up, since there was no way I could get back to sleep.

Took my time getting ready, checked out of the YHA, left my bag in their lockers ($6 for pretty much a full day's rental) and walked over to Central station. Got the train to Martin Place at 7am, but it took me a while to find the MLC Center once I was out of the station. I thought I would come out the station and it would be right there, but I guess I took the wrong exit. Anyway, got a juice because I was far too anxious to eat, called Alex to calm me down (what a good fiance he is) and then it was finally 7.30 and we could go up to level 10. Went up, handed over my handbag and sat down in the second row of chairs. We all got called up to the lift, and me being sneaky, let everyone in ahead of me so I could be the first one out when we got to level 59. This is where it got a bit strange.

I was the first out the lift, went right to security, and the guard could not find my name on the list. She double checked my letter and let me in anyways. Got ticket number one, and barely sat down when I was called to the first window. The man made small talk with me, took my prints, and then went to grab my file...which he came back and said he could not find. Cue me having an instant panic attack. He asked me if I was already married, to which I said no, I was pursuing a K1. He checked with me what Alex's full name was, went looking again, and then finally found my file. Have to say it was pretty nice to see our file again! He looked through it, took my passport, receipt and platinum post envelope, and got me to check some things off that I had missed on one of my forms. He said that everything looked good to him, and to enjoy the view and take a seat for the CO interview. And yeah, the view is amazing. Lucky buggers.

It was another five minutes or so before the CO called me forward for my interview. I took the oath and she asked me if I had been to the states, how long was my longest visit, what degree did I get while I was studying in the states, explain my living situation with Alex during the time I was in the states, did my parents like Alex and what kind of wedding were were planning. And as I mentioned earlier, she referred to Alex as my boyfriend a few times, which each time in my response I corrected her as him being my fiance. She did not ask to see my big folder of additional evidence, or my ring, or anything, just asked questions related to the original petition. I think the CO asked me so many questions because she had a woman from another immigrant section with her, maybe doing some training, as she was explaining her thought processes to her as she was typing my answers into her computer. She then made a comment to the woman who was listening in about the I-134 which I found interesting. The CO mentioned that the Affidavit is not even needed, and they do not really look for a certain dollar amount to be reached by the petitioner (meaning, the 125 percent of the poverty level), though she did mention the poverty level was around 17,000. So I guess, when she is adjudicating, she just wants to see that they make more than the poverty level, though not always the 125 percent marker. I don't know if she was just talking about what she looks for, or what Sydney looks for in general. It just piqued my curiosity, since we all are sticklers for that on VJ!

She chatted more to her coworker about some other points of Adjudication, and I was just standing there for a few more minutes, so I asked "What should I tell Alex about the interview when I leave here?" and she said "Oh, you're approved." and handed me the letter saying how I would get my visa. So I thanked her, and got myself downstairs as quick as I could to get my phone to tell Alex! I didn't cry like I thought I would, I just had a massive sense of relief that the hard part was over and the uncertainty was gone. And Alex was just as relieved, and went on facebook while we were talking to let everyone know we were a success. Ah, youth and technology

So that was it really. Was in MLC for pretty much an hour, but only spent 20 or so minutes within the consulate. All in all, a quick and easy experience. Spent the rest of the day wandering around Sydney, window shopping and ducking into every Maccas I saw to check my email and get on VJ! Was meant to be back in Brisbane 5.30 tonight, but due to Virgin Blue being a pack of idiots, didn't even get into Brissie until 8.30 :/ Glad to be home though and have a decent sleep.

Sweet...I hope my interview goes as and quick and easy as yours did (apart form the bit where they couldn't find your file). I bet you're so relieved that you finally have your visa in hand...that must be a nice feeling. I can't believe my interview is almost here....5 more sleeps!

Omnivore, I found the example forms very helpful when completing P3. They basically tell you what to write for the answers. I'm sure I probably would have filled out something wrong on my forms if I hadn't gone through the example forms first.

Simon, I hope you get your P4 tomorrow. It's so nerve-racking just waiting. I'd definitely email the consulate just in case they emailed it to the wrong address or something (like they did with my P3).

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Hi all! I'm back from my trip to Perth to see Neil. We saw his son get married and then went on an awesome trip up to the top end as far as Katherine then down thru the center and across the Nullabor and back to Perth in his motorhome. 30 days and no problems in a small space! lol

Congrats to everyone who got their NOA1, NOA2 and had successful interviews!!

We're just waiting for Neil's police check to come back and then we can send in P3. Our NOA2 "expires" Jan 23 and I sent in a request to extend it while I was over there. Do you hear anything back from them if the do extend it?

[lyekka 5]

Sweet...I hope my interview goes as and quick and easy as yours did (apart form the bit where they couldn't find your file). I bet you're so relieved that you finally have your visa in hand...that must be a nice feeling. I can't believe my interview is almost here....5 more sleeps!

Omnivore, I found the example forms very helpful when completing P3. They basically tell you what to write for the answers. I'm sure I probably would have filled out something wrong on my forms if I hadn't gone through the example forms first.

Simon, I hope you get your P4 tomorrow. It's so nerve-racking just waiting. I'd definitely email the consulate just in case they emailed it to the wrong address or something (like they did with my P3).

Giggles I'm getting so excited about this next week. I cant believe that you and Damo have your interviews on the same day. Im sure yall will be there at the same time, he has to be there at 8 am. Damo is so cool and collected about it, but me im just a bag of nerves, wish that I could be there. Good luck to you!!!!

Jules

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Nope, I'm just an idiot getting the numbers confused (it's like 35 here and it's 11.30 give me a small break).

Man this form freaking crazy.

OK anyone with a new passport, the one with the chip, figure out where it was issued????

Also, on the DS-156K do you have to actually answer the questions that don't apply?

I have a new passport (08 issued), it's up the top on the left of the passport number (VERY top line). It says "code of issuing" and on mine it says "AUS" because Canberra issued it so that's what I said on my form.

For phone numbers I put +61.. just remember to make sure the rest is correct. For instance. If you're in Vic, the area code is 03, therefore a phone number that's (03) 5333 3333 would be +613 5333 3333. NEVER write 0011 instead of the + because in Australia it's 0011, but in America is 011 and other countries it's different too. For mobile numbers, substitute the FIRST 0 with +61. e.g. 0423 444 444 would be +61423 444 444.

As for answering questions that don't apply... write N/A if it doesn't apply, and NONE if it DOES apply but you don't have one.. for instance, work. I wrote "none" because I CAN work (not legally but physically able) yet I'm not allowed so I wrote "none".

Hope that helps

Edited December 18, 2009 by Vanessa&Tony

[VanessaTony 3,567]

As for "length of stay" - I wrote "indefinite" and for purpose "marriage".

I thought the form was pretty stupid when it comes to K1 visa people. A few of the questions were pretty redundant I thought such as the ones you're asking It's worse filling in the AOS paperwork. I wish they had visa specific forms.... oh well though right? Answering the same qn 4 times can't kill me :S lol

[Simon and Janet 6]

Emailed the consulate this morning about packet 3. They replied saying that they have the file but haven't reviewed it yet. Then not 30 mins later i got packet 4 emailed

So D-Day is January 12. So the January 23rd departure is still looking good.

[Omnivore 0]

I got my email from the consulate about my Police Check mistake, they said I can either fill in the readiness form and tell them I'll bring it with me or send them the original, think I'll wait at least a bit longer I need to make sure I actually have the police check in time to take it to the interview, although given I have a 16 Feb entry it's starting to get tight.

As an aside I was able to pick up my medical results today, so yay, quick turn around 2 days!

Edited December 18, 2009 by Omnivore

[alex and astrid 38]

Emailed the consulate this morning about packet 3. They replied saying that they have the file but haven't reviewed it yet. Then not 30 mins later i got packet 4 emailed

So D-Day is January 12. So the January 23rd departure is still looking good.

Yay!!! lots of time to prepare and get evidence together....that they won't even look at, lol!

[lyekka 5]

Emailed the consulate this morning about packet 3. They replied saying that they have the file but haven't reviewed it yet. Then not 30 mins later i got packet 4 emailed

So D-Day is January 12. So the January 23rd departure is still looking good.

Yay!!! lots of time to prepare and get evidence together....that they won't even look at, lol!

LOL thats so funny. I got the rest of our evidence that was on my hard drive last night and emailed it to Damo, its so much that its stupid. He not only has all our pics and all my boarding passes from over the three years, between him and I thats 5 trips, but also has cell phone records back to may of 2008, and i was able to download our skype calls and texts for the last year as well. Shows something like 1287 hours of talk time between my computer and his skype cell phone rofl. We were laughing that they wouldnt even look at it. But still I cant help but be a nervous wreck this weekend. ugh.

Yay Simon! Thats great news. They must not be doing any interviews over the christmas holiday even though it doesnt show them closing.

[alex and astrid 38]

Emailed the consulate this morning about packet 3. They replied saying that they have the file but haven't reviewed it yet. Then not 30 mins later i got packet 4 emailed

So D-Day is January 12. So the January 23rd departure is still looking good.

Yay!!! lots of time to prepare and get evidence together....that they won't even look at, lol!

LOL thats so funny. I got the rest of our evidence that was on my hard drive last night and emailed it to Damo, its so much that its stupid. He not only has all our pics and all my boarding passes from over the three years, between him and I thats 5 trips, but also has cell phone records back to may of 2008, and i was able to download our skype calls and texts for the last year as well. Shows something like 1287 hours of talk time between my computer and his skype cell phone rofl. We were laughing that they wouldnt even look at it. But still I cant help but be a nervous wreck this weekend. ugh.

Yay Simon! Thats great news. They must not be doing any interviews over the christmas holiday even though it doesnt show them closing.

For the evidence I showed, it was just stuff from between me leaving the US In June, and now. It was still a TON! Emails, skype, phone bills, pics. So much! Makes you nostalgic looking through it and brought a smile to my face, for sure.

[lyekka 5]

Emailed the consulate this morning about packet 3. They replied saying that they have the file but haven't reviewed it yet. Then not 30 mins later i got packet 4 emailed

So D-Day is January 12. So the January 23rd departure is still looking good.

Yay!!! lots of time to prepare and get evidence together....that they won't even look at, lol!

LOL thats so funny. I got the rest of our evidence that was on my hard drive last night and emailed it to Damo, its so much that its stupid. He not only has all our pics and all my boarding passes from over the three years, between him and I thats 5 trips, but also has cell phone records back to may of 2008, and i was able to download our skype calls and texts for the last year as well. Shows something like 1287 hours of talk time between my computer and his skype cell phone rofl. We were laughing that they wouldnt even look at it. But still I cant help but be a nervous wreck this weekend. ugh.

Yay Simon! Thats great news. They must not be doing any interviews over the christmas holiday even though it doesnt show them closing.

For the evidence I showed, it was just stuff from between me leaving the US In June, and now. It was still a TON! Emails, skype, phone bills, pics. So much! Makes you nostalgic looking through it and brought a smile to my face, for sure.

Doesn't it though. I found some of our first emails we had sent back and forth from january of 2007. They were so sweet and at that point we had no idea the journey we would have taken up to now. I loved reading them again.