Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

[Matt&Divorced 0]

Neil's made his appt to get finger printed with the Australian Federal Police in WA.......earliest appt he could get was Dec. 18! I'm starting to round the supporting documentation up for the 134 Affidavit of Support ........ but because I'm leaving in a week to go over to Perth, I probably won't finish it until the beginning of December. I'm still thinking that we're going to have to file for an extension because our NOA2 "expires" Jan 23, 2010.

Whoa! Dec 18 hey, has to suck bigtime, we've been lucky though as scraped through in time before the major delay in appointments. It is crazy that they don't allow the local Police Stations to do it, WA has to be one of those places to be unlucky with things like that. Major lesson I guess is plan ahead of time, I've almost been caught with that as our planned wedding is January 1, 2010. I agree that Vanessa and our fellow Aussies do a great job with this thread, as it helps a lot with pointers on how we can move smoothly from Packet 3 to Interview and beyond.

[zaskar 0]

does anyone know a good cheap hotel near the consulate?

[Simon and Janet 6]

Was supposed to have my medical today with Dr. Charles in Port Melbourne, but about 30 mins before i was set to head up there they rang to tell me the X-ray machine was broken!

So i'm rescheduled for Wednesday now.

aww that's annoying Simon! but at least they got you rescheduled quickly.

Have fun back in the US with your fiancee

Thanks Nat, soon as she said they had to reschedule i was stressing about it being after i got back from the U.S ...... but luckily that's not the case. Police check has been done....so tomorrow i'll mail off the DS-230 part 1 and get cracking on the I-134 when i'm over there with Janet.

[alex and astrid 38]

We're doing ok...we keep moving up Igor's list which is awesome, but no touches on the USCIS site yet. We...or at least, I, am in full wedding planning mode. We haven't set a date as such, but we are aiming for February 20th, We have a place for the ceremony and reception lined up (Alex's boss graciously offered us the use of her home and beautiful garden for free!), I have my dress (yay), and we are on the lookout for caterers and someone to make our wedding cupcake tower (cupcakes om nom nom), so as soon as we know that I am golden, we are going to book! It's such a hassle though, trying to find wedding vendors and stuff when you are on the other side of the world...plus, Alex being a bloke, isn't too into the details and stuff. A tad frustrating but we are getting there. Hey, USCIS! I'm ready to hurry up and get hitched, but you're slowing me down here!

I never used the Igor's list, I used this one: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=k1historical According to this they're processing July 8th at the moment at VSC. Fingers crossed they process nice and quick for you

Oooo wedding planning!! I did a bit of mine from Australia but it was SUCH a pain. You can't book anything so it was all just kinda ideas and stuff. It's really nice that Alex's boss is allowing the use of her home. That makes life a bit easier Now you just need a celebrant

Me, I have almost everything ready... I need to finalise/pay deposits on photographer, videographer and DJ. I'm working on my Order of Service now. I'm looking forward to receiving my US bank card. My first US account. Woot! lol

I know, its frustrating when you can't just go ahead and book anything! At least now all we really need to book is the caterer, who don't need that much notice anyway, get a baker organised for our cake... and the celebrant, we already know who we are going to use, he specialises in last minute weddings We just need to tell him the date. I've been so lucky, I have many friends, or friends of friends who are willing to do my mum and I's hair and makeup, and a friend of mine who I worked with on my college newspaper will hopefully be doing our pics! Saves us money, and its so great to have people we already know and trust help us on the big day! Thank god I lived in LA for all that time, or I'd be screwed! Are you doing a lot of your stuff DIY, like your invites? Thats what I am doing, I can't wait to make them! I'm making my own veil too, with mum's help. We balked when we sa the pricetags on the ones at bridal salons. $150 for 15 dollars worth of tulle and a 20 cent hair comb. I'll pass!

Which bank are you going with....I am with Chase/WaMu, as is my fiance. They are PRICKS though, I've lost count of how many times we have been screwed by them. I really wouldn't mind switching to Wells Fargo, except it would be a right pain in the ####### for Alex, because of how many things he has linked to his bank....meh.

Miss Natalie, my wedding day twin, hopefully!! We're getting married in Santa Clarita, north of los angeles. Girl, we are all going to have to pass round our happy snaps as each of our big days roll around!

OOOOHH....just checked timeline projections...I can now expect an approval between October 31st and November 7!! holy ####### that is soon! I'm just hoping like crazy that I don't get stuck in any name checks or any thing....I have prior visa to the states and lived there for two and a half years, but I played by the rules perfectly. I've just heard that it can slow people down. I think I need to get calling my local panel doctor and cop shop to organise everything SOON!

[alex and astrid 38]

Zaskar - I am just going to find a backpackers hostel or a YHA in the city...super cheap, and you;re only going to be there a night or two so I'm fine with losing some creature comforts

General questions to all my Aussie lovlies....did any of you get touches on your petitions, or was it just NOA1, nothing, and then the magical NOA2? And were all of you within or around the VJ timeline projections?

[zaskar 0]

We're doing ok...we keep moving up Igor's list which is awesome, but no touches on the USCIS site yet. We...or at least, I, am in full wedding planning mode. We haven't set a date as such, but we are aiming for February 20th, We have a place for the ceremony and reception lined up (Alex's boss graciously offered us the use of her home and beautiful garden for free!), I have my dress (yay), and we are on the lookout for caterers and someone to make our wedding cupcake tower (cupcakes om nom nom), so as soon as we know that I am golden, we are going to book! It's such a hassle though, trying to find wedding vendors and stuff when you are on the other side of the world...plus, Alex being a bloke, isn't too into the details and stuff. A tad frustrating but we are getting there. Hey, USCIS! I'm ready to hurry up and get hitched, but you're slowing me down here!

I never used the Igor's list, I used this one: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=k1historical According to this they're processing July 8th at the moment at VSC. Fingers crossed they process nice and quick for you

Oooo wedding planning!! I did a bit of mine from Australia but it was SUCH a pain. You can't book anything so it was all just kinda ideas and stuff. It's really nice that Alex's boss is allowing the use of her home. That makes life a bit easier Now you just need a celebrant

Me, I have almost everything ready... I need to finalise/pay deposits on photographer, videographer and DJ. I'm working on my Order of Service now. I'm looking forward to receiving my US bank card. My first US account. Woot! lol

I know, its frustrating when you can't just go ahead and book anything! At least now all we really need to book is the caterer, who don't need that much notice anyway, get a baker organised for our cake... and the celebrant, we already know who we are going to use, he specialises in last minute weddings We just need to tell him the date. I've been so lucky, I have many friends, or friends of friends who are willing to do my mum and I's hair and makeup, and a friend of mine who I worked with on my college newspaper will hopefully be doing our pics! Saves us money, and its so great to have people we already know and trust help us on the big day! Thank god I lived in LA for all that time, or I'd be screwed! Are you doing a lot of your stuff DIY, like your invites? Thats what I am doing, I can't wait to make them! I'm making my own veil too, with mum's help. We balked when we sa the pricetags on the ones at bridal salons. $150 for 15 dollars worth of tulle and a 20 cent hair comb. I'll pass!

Which bank are you going with....I am with Chase/WaMu, as is my fiance. They are PRICKS though, I've lost count of how many times we have been screwed by them. I really wouldn't mind switching to Wells Fargo, except it would be a right pain in the ####### for Alex, because of how many things he has linked to his bank....meh.

Miss Natalie, my wedding day twin, hopefully!! We're getting married in Santa Clarita, north of los angeles. Girl, we are all going to have to pass round our happy snaps as each of our big days roll around!

OOOOHH....just checked timeline projections...I can now expect an approval between October 31st and November 7!! holy ####### that is soon! I'm just hoping like crazy that I don't get stuck in any name checks or any thing....I have prior visa to the states and lived there for two and a half years, but I played by the rules perfectly. I've just heard that it can slow people down. I think I need to get calling my local panel doctor and cop shop to organise everything SOON!

yeah no touches for me just got an email so don't pay too much attention to website.

[alex and astrid 38]

Oh, and just read this...did any of you need a form called "sponsor's financial responsibility under the social security act" at your interview? I just read about it but it may be old info?

[Matt&Divorced 0]

No touches at all till they emailed us. We went to 5 months before they emailed the NOA2 Notice. As for the form about social security responsibility under the act, VJ did say in one of the "Tips for K-1 Visa" Sydney required it, yet no mention of it in my Packet 3, just the I-134.

[mrsemcee 1]

i dont know how much it costs to wire from anz to the usa.. but my mum just put money from her cba account to my westpac account, which happened a fair bit when i was over there, and i paid $20 extra in bank fees to get it out at a USA atm.

hope that helps a little!!

thanks astrid and vanessa...and whoever else replied hehe. i lose track of all our aussie buddies now!

omg.. i HOPE i get an interview by nov. even to get one before the anniversary would be wonderful but im just hoping on one in any time in november really, so i can make it there by xmas!

i am just waiting for the words "Case Complete" and the interview scheduling now. soooo excited.

i want to book a flight, but in case i somehow get an early interview, i wont just yet... im definitely buying some US dollars though as our dollar is so good at the moment, and mum said she would like to give me $1,000 AU to take with me.. which is lovely.. so i will get it changed to USD asap!

how are you guys going????

The US dollar is AWESOME at the moment. I have a bit of money I wanna change over.. but I'm not sure the best way to go about it. My family is in the country, no exchange places... anyone have any ideas? I heard about wiring money but i don't know the costs. If anyone has any ideas my bank in Australia is the ANZ.

Your mum is SUPER nice to give you $1000AUD. The transfer rate at the moment is so good she's getting the best "bang for her buck". In fact, maybe I should talk to mum and my brother about that... hmmm thanks for the reminder

[Tinkerbell TX 0]

Neil's made his appt to get finger printed with the Australian Federal Police in WA.......earliest appt he could get was Dec. 18! I'm starting to round the supporting documentation up for the 134 Affidavit of Support ........ but because I'm leaving in a week to go over to Perth, I probably won't finish it until the beginning of December. I'm still thinking that we're going to have to file for an extension because our NOA2 "expires" Jan 23, 2010.

Whoa! Dec 18 hey, has to suck bigtime, we've been lucky though as scraped through in time before the major delay in appointments. It is crazy that they don't allow the local Police Stations to do it, WA has to be one of those places to be unlucky with things like that. Major lesson I guess is plan ahead of time, I've almost been caught with that as our planned wedding is January 1, 2010. I agree that Vanessa and our fellow Aussies do a great job with this thread, as it helps a lot with pointers on how we can move smoothly from Packet 3 to Interview and beyond.

It could have been worse, lol. I'm waiting to set the date until Neil has his Visa in hand (but it'll probably be end July/beginning Aug 2010).

[lyekka 5]

Was supposed to have my medical today with Dr. Charles in Port Melbourne, but about 30 mins before i was set to head up there they rang to tell me the X-ray machine was broken!

So i'm rescheduled for Wednesday now.

Hello everyone Im not from Australia but my fiance is there in Melbourne atm.. I read this had a little oh ####### reaction. Did they say when they would have it fixed by? My fiance has his appointment there next week, so wanted to give him a heads up about this.

Sorry to hear about your medical getting postponed, that really sux!

hugs!

Jules

[Simon and Janet 6]

Was supposed to have my medical today with Dr. Charles in Port Melbourne, but about 30 mins before i was set to head up there they rang to tell me the X-ray machine was broken!

So i'm rescheduled for Wednesday now.

Hello everyone Im not from Australia but my fiance is there in Melbourne atm.. I read this had a little oh ####### reaction. Did they say when they would have it fixed by? My fiance has his appointment there next week, so wanted to give him a heads up about this.

Sorry to hear about your medical getting postponed, that really sux!

hugs!

Jules

Hey Jules!

Yeah they have me rescheduled for tomorrow so it looks like it was a one day problem. I'll post here and let you know what their situation is.

[Miss Natalie 0]

Oh My God! I just got my Interview date! Talk about quick, I only sent our packet 3 yesterday!

Its in TWO WEEKS! Tuesday October 27th. My heart is still racing.

Hope everythings moving as fast for ya'll!

Ok now I have to go book a flight to sydney...

[NewYorkSydney 0]

Oh My God! I just got my Interview date! Talk about quick, I only sent our packet 3 yesterday!

Its in TWO WEEKS! Tuesday October 27th. My heart is still racing.

Hope everythings moving as fast for ya'll!

Ok now I have to go book a flight to sydney...

Awesome news Miss Natalie. Congratulations

Did you get the interview date via email too??

[lyekka 5]

Was supposed to have my medical today with Dr. Charles in Port Melbourne, but about 30 mins before i was set to head up there they rang to tell me the X-ray machine was broken!

So i'm rescheduled for Wednesday now.

Hello everyone Im not from Australia but my fiance is there in Melbourne atm.. I read this had a little oh ####### reaction. Did they say when they would have it fixed by? My fiance has his appointment there next week, so wanted to give him a heads up about this.

Sorry to hear about your medical getting postponed, that really sux!

hugs!

Jules

Hey Jules!

Yeah they have me rescheduled for tomorrow so it looks like it was a one day problem. I'll post here and let you know what their situation is.

Thanks so much! Damo is getting his fingerprinting done tomorrow, so that will be nice to get out of the way. His medical appt. is not until the 26th so all should be good. Cool part is Dr charles is right close to his work in port melb so he only has to take a half day off for that yay! He is still grumbling about going lol. I told him it wouldnt be to bad, but he hates doctors, so funny.

Wow grats on such a fast interview date! Thats so exciting! I would love for ours to be that quick, hopefully they will give us enough notice because I'm flying over for it. hehe. Hopefully qantas will have some of their great sales they have been having lately /fingers crossed. Good luck on your interview! Cant wait to see how it goes!

Thanks for letting me chat with you guys

Jules