LAND DOWNUNDER

[TracyOz 0]

Great Information Pat, thanks...

A favor if you don't mind... but what specific forms did you have to use for the Doc.

Were they/are they - the ones available on the Consulate website - would you mind looking at this link to check for me.. <grin> cheeky I know..

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/forms.html

DS-2053

DS-3024

DS-3025

DS-3026

and what was the current expiry date on them - the ones on the consulate site show an expiry in the top right corner of 05/31/2007.

There is a long reason as to why I ask - but the short of it is this - at the rate that all this is going we will be getting our NOA-2 in February sometime, and then something from the consulate in Sydney in March/early April with a chance for a late April interview... HOWEVER I am actually flying to the USA in early February - and will not be heading back here to Aus until "approx" when the interview date is.... using that time over there for wedding plans and a bunch of other stuff (and it gives my kiddos a chance for some full-on quality time with their Dad, before they move - kwim?)

So in preparation for that I will be filling out and having ready all the forms and everything that they need sent back (on their checklist) so that a friend of mine can just post it from here in ADL and once they get it I can organise the interview date... (complicated I know, but sheesh what isn't in this process)??? LOL... actually complicated it isn't - just frustrating, expensive and time consuming, and SO MUCH PAPERWORK and rigamorale ... <grin>

Therefore organising the Xray/Bloods/Physical is of a high priority for me (forduring January) ... and trying to work it to suit me and 3 kids is a pain in the butt at the best of times kwim??

thanks Patricia

have a GREAT day

Tracy

:-)

[SharynY 2]

hi everyone!!

just dropping in to say hi! and good luck to those still on their journey to get their visas..... - be patient, ask any questions however many times you like lol - i remember how i used ot ask the same q's over and over again and i was a total mess of nerves.....

i'm just relaxing here in california - my wedding is in 9 days!! ...... we get our marriage certificate on the 10th january and then apply for the AOS straight after..... my visa expires on the 4th feb but i'll be married by then and everything will go smoothly as it has up til now....

[Katz 0]

Hi all! I have a few questions to ask... And I feel kinda silly asking...

As you can see from my timeline, we got our NOA2 just over a week ago. At the moment we're waiting for the CSC to forward it to the NVC. Most likely it won't get there until near the end of this month.

So... What exactly happens after that? Does the NVC send out a letter to the petitioner? Would I have to contact Sydney when it finally arrives there? I've already looked at the guidelines, but I'm still kinda confused about this part of the process... If anyone could break down it for me I would be very very grateful.

[SharynY 2]

hi katz, if memory serves me well...

it might be about a 2 - 3 week wait (for me it was that long) the embassy will send you packet 3 - telling you what you need to get together - including a doctors appt and police check (if you havent already done it) and then to send them a form for when your ready for your interview.

then you will recieve packet 4 - which has your interview date on it.

hope this helps!!

sharyn

[jennybeni 0]

What's the difference between the AUS size and the US size passport photos? When I was visiting in Aus in June my fiance and I got passport photos taken (I'm assuming AUS-type photos), and I handed them in with my I-129F petition so they were ok for that. Now online I'm seeing huge square pictures as US style passport photos...so I held up one of the photos I had taken in AUS to my U.S. passport, and they are the same exact size! I'm confused...

Hi jennybeni

I got my passport photos (for my medical) last night and asked the lady at the picture place what the difference was. She said that US passport photos are SQUARE and it requires more of your head showing (I don't exactly know what that meant though, all photos require my head to be shown!). With Australian photos it cost $9.95 for 4. The US photos costs $9.95 for only 2. So here's hoping my medicals require Aussie ones because that's what I got...

Speaking of medicals...I have arranged to go into Dr. Miller's office tomorrow morning to pick up my request forms for my X-Ray and Blood Test. I have an appointment at the X-Ray place at 9.15am and I will get my blood test at IMVS the same time. Then on Thursday night I get my Tetanus and Hep B jab.

And this morning, the police station called me saying my police check was done. Yay!

So I think we'll be doing the Interview Request Form soon-ish. Yay! I'm still aiming for a mid-January interview date and an early February departure to the US. Fingers crossed!

hmm...thanks for the info! guess i'll just have him get the square ones just in case so he can bring both sizes and they can pick which they want for what! that's so dumb though, the picture in my own U.S. passport is not a square at all.

Hopefully I'll be a couple weeks behind you - my fiance ordered his police check today and is getting his immunity test done on saturday! yay for almost being done with this part of the process!!

[jennybeni 0]

question about police check...

my fiance got it done today and i asked if (being in queensland) they told him it would be sent directly to the consulate (since I read that on one of the consulate websites). He said there was a question that said "if you are applying for a visa and would like your results sent to the consulate, enter the address here". he just left if blank since he thought he needed to bring it to the interview. I'm assuming that's ok - he'll just get it at his house and take it to the interview rather than them already having it - am i right??

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hi Jennybenni - just wondering how you knew that your case had been received by the US consulate in Sydney? Mine left the NVC 10 days earlier than yours so it's bound to be there by now. However I didn't think there was any way of knowing for usre until packet 3 arrived!? Thanks :-)

[patriciaofoz 0]

question about police check...

my fiance got it done today and i asked if (being in queensland) they told him it would be sent directly to the consulate (since I read that on one of the consulate websites). He said there was a question that said "if you are applying for a visa and would like your results sent to the consulate, enter the address here". he just left if blank since he thought he needed to bring it to the interview. I'm assuming that's ok - he'll just get it at his house and take it to the interview rather than them already having it - am i right??

Hmm...my form never asked for it to be sent to the Consulate. I really hope it doesn't have to be sent there directly! Well, I have mine here at home, sealed (and I'm too afraid to open it unless that's not a no-no).

If I read the instructions one more time I think I'm going to go crazy

[patriciaofoz 0]

Great Information Pat, thanks...

A favor if you don't mind... but what specific forms did you have to use for the Doc.

Were they/are they - the ones available on the Consulate website - would you mind looking at this link to check for me.. <grin> cheeky I know..

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visas/iv/forms.html

DS-2053

DS-3024

DS-3025

DS-3026

and what was the current expiry date on them - the ones on the consulate site show an expiry in the top right corner of 05/31/2007.

Tracy, that is indeed the expiry date that are on the forms I received. Hmmm....so have these forms technically expired? I have to say, for such a rigorous process and a whole bunch of paperwork, the forms sent by the Consulate are so...old and don't look "official" at all. I could have whipped it up on Word myself!

I do have a question...a medical question:

For those who have been through it all, exactly what does the Panel Physician do? When Joan scheduled my appointment it looked like it will only go for half an hour. Does the Dr. literally just read all the paperwork, results you bring in and that's it? Or do you do exercises, etc?

I'm just curious what I'll go through this week...

[whisper2me 0]

Hi there, (I JUST POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG SECTION)

Fellow aussie from Cairns. Sweating my a** off up here at the moment though....lol

I have a couple of questions re: the CR-1/IR-1 route as my fiance and I have changed our minds about the K1 Visa and are getting married here in AUS in a few months.

1. What costs are involved throughout the entire CR-1 process and what are they? I.e AOS bill, I-864 and IV costs? I have 2 children who will be applying as part of this process so will that mean the IV cost X 3 persons?

2. What marriage certificate will they accept? Will they accept the documentation obtained on the wedding day which includes all parties signatures and witnesses or do they require the officially registered Marriage Certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages?

Info appreciated on this.

Peta :-)

[jennybeni 0]

question about police check...

my fiance got it done today and i asked if (being in queensland) they told him it would be sent directly to the consulate (since I read that on one of the consulate websites). He said there was a question that said "if you are applying for a visa and would like your results sent to the consulate, enter the address here". he just left if blank since he thought he needed to bring it to the interview. I'm assuming that's ok - he'll just get it at his house and take it to the interview rather than them already having it - am i right??

Hmm...my form never asked for it to be sent to the Consulate. I really hope it doesn't have to be sent there directly! Well, I have mine here at home, sealed (and I'm too afraid to open it unless that's not a no-no).

If I read the instructions one more time I think I'm going to go crazy

This is what it said on the page i read...

Return of police certificates for NSW and Queensland residents

For NSW and Queensland residents, your police record will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney by the police department, and the Criminal Records Section will notify you that this has been done. If you do not receive this notification within 3 weeks of your application, we strongly recommend that you ascertain the status of your records by checking at the police station where you initially made your request.

So, I think it's only for NSW and Queenslanders. But, I also have read posts from people in NSW saying they took their original certificate to their interview. So, who knows?! I think we're both ok. Are you almost ready to send in your packet 3?? We're still waiting for my fiance to receive his. I'm hoping to get it all together to send in the checklist before xmas since he's going away that week... but it may have to be just after the new year. It's getting so exciting!

[Kath 0]

hi whisper

welcome to the thread

as for the marriage certificate they will accept the one that is given at the ceremony in oz...if i remember rightly that is given to you on the day of your marriage so keep it safe..

guides for CR1/IR1

also take a look at the USCIS website at the forms..it will have all the fees on the forms you have to send in...

someone asked about the medical

the doctor weighs you .. measures your height...asks you questions off the medical forms...then you get on the examining table and he/she presses your stomach...i think that is is..mine was coming up to be 2 years ago..

it is painless....i know it was discussed in previous posts so do a search in here for more info...

if i have forgotten anything im sure another aussie who has had it done will add to it...

hd

we use to be able to check DHL to see if it had arrived at the consulate but havent had a look at their site in awhile..do a search for DHL tracking posts will come up with what you have to enter to find yours...

take care

kath

[Moonie 0]

Hi,

I know it has been a while. My husband Sugarbob has got himself a job. I am very proud of him. He actually got one kind of quick. Now we just have to get his license ASAP so that he can get around. Houston is not an easy city to navigate through if you don't have a car. I feel very blessed to have him with me and I try every day to be a good wife to him. I know he has given up alot to be with me.

I hope that every one has a nice and blessed holiday.

[patriciaofoz 0]

someone asked about the medical

the doctor weighs you .. measures your height...asks you questions off the medical forms...then you get on the examining table and he/she presses your stomach...i think that is is..mine was coming up to be 2 years ago..

it is painless....i know it was discussed in previous posts so do a search in here for more info...

Thanks, Kath. I guess half an hour should be all that we need.

I have another (somewhat silly) question, this time about my police check documents. When I picked it up it was sealed. Am I allowed to open it up or not? A part of me want to open it and see that everything is in there and that the Police folks didn't forget anything. I'd hate to get to Sydney and be told something is missing (yes, it's my GREATEST fear). Did you guys open up your police checks? What exactly is suppose to be included?

Also, I re-read the instructions for Packet 3 and the passport photo bit doesn't stipulate what size the actual photo should be (as in no specific "It must be American passport photo size). But instead, it stipulated how much of your head, at least where your chin should be from the bottom of the photo, etc should be). I think to be safe I'll just bring the letter over to the photo place and double check with them. Something tells me that a regular Aussie sized photo will suffice.

On another note, we bought my massive Samsonite luggage today! Plus Zach also got a new one for his impending trip home. I need 2 more bags that size but the luggage place has run out of ALL Samsonite luggage! It's insane! So I think I'll have to buy online if I want any hope to get the same luggage before I fly off.

Hope you guys have had a lovely weekend!

Edited December 9, 2007 by patriciaofoz

[Poi_n_J 0]

I have a new visa date..!

From Mr Immigrant Visa Unit...lol.. from the email I received after I questioned when my interview was they signed 'thankyou, Immigrant Visa Unit' no name or anything so when I emailed back regarding my date postponed I began with 'Dear Immigrant Visa Unit to which they replied with 'Sincerely, (Mr) Immigrant Visa Unit ' hahaha...