LAND DOWNUNDER

[SharynY 2]

i have a weird question...

if i'm the one moving over to the US.... do i need or would i need to show them any tax returns? (because my filing is like all over the place with my tax returns).....

[Loke 0]

Hi all,

Can you believe I got sunburnt yesterday when we went to the Garden of the Gods and it's hot here again today....the weather is just like Melbourne, so changeable!! bet Rings and Loke would agree! lol

I'm hoping I'll be qualified to agree or disagree over the next few weeks...first visit to Colorado approaching very soon.

Speaking of which...I'm due to fly out on Sunday and all of a sudden have hit panic mode. I have my passport, and am in the process of getting rent receipts and letter from my landlord and employer stating that they expect me back in the country after my two week stay in the States. Is there anything else I can do to try to ensure the Authorities in the States won't turn me aorund at the airport? I don't have a lease but I paid my rent two months in advance. I really couldn't bear it if I landed in LA only to find that they won't let me in the country.

I have read up on the visa waiver program and everything I have read indicates that the only documentation I need prior to traveling is my passport (it is an e-passport, which is required).

Can anyone set my mind at ease a little, or at the very least give me a valid reason for my panic? I suspect a lot of it might be unfounded but I feel awful for not panicking earlier, when it might have been useful if I have forgotten anything.

[jezz85 0]

i have a weird question...

if i'm the one moving over to the US.... do i need or would i need to show them any tax returns? (because my filing is like all over the place with my tax returns).....

Lucky for you, the answer is No! All the financial stuff comes from the US Citizen. The reason for the financial stuff from the USC is so he/she can prove that they have the means to support you when you get out there to the US.

[jezz85 0]

Hi Loke,

I reckon you'll be just fine, plenty of people travel into the US on visa waiver while they have pending visas, but as usual its up to the POE person to decide.

The letter from your employer and also the rent receipt will be good proof. Don't forget that your return airline tickets/itinerary also count as proof.

Logic suggests that if you're going through the visa process already, why wouldn't you want to go back to complete the legitimate process? Still, I think the pending visa thing might be one of those "tell them only if they ask" kinds of deals. I've read that people have actually said "I'm visiting my fiancee" and had no trouble, but plenty of other people elect to say "I'm visiting friends and/or relatives" instead.

Good luck! I'm sure it'll be just fine!

[Kath 0]

hi loke and rings

how you doing,.... ohh i bet you two are getting excited now .. not long to go whoooo hoooo...enjoy make each moment a memorable one...

loke do you have an employer...a letter from them is a good one to take too...i wouldnt worry too much mate i went over while my pettition was being processed i took all those things with me ..and they didnt even ask for them...i stated i was visiting my fiance when asked...im sure you will be fine mate...have a safe flight...if you havent flown before take a sleeping tablet will help ya out.. also walk around the plane whenever you can and do the exercises ...stretch your muscles .... drink plenty of water about a few days before you leave as well as on the day ...it helps.... you will be given forms to fill out on the plane before landing to hand in with your passport....your entering on the waiver visa...usually on the plane they play a notice stating what kind of forms you are to ask for ....

hope you have a great time in colarado mate enjoy...take plenty of pics together as added evidence for your interview and save your boarding tickets and itenary ...

and no offense but ya a male .. they done think of things till the last minute ...lol stir stir

sharyna dont worry on your own fiances its your fiance that has to worry on his mate...but i would get your taxes all up todate before you leave australia...

take care

kath

[SharynY 2]

kath i downloaded the form you posted way back from the ATO - leaving australia form... so i keep it in a safe place..... so thankyou for posting that....

i'm just starting to get itchy now lol...

[Kath 0]

wow i had forgotten about that post sharyna ... glad you found it ...

you still driving your fiance insane...hope you get touched soon with some kinda result soon for you...

no need to get itchy mate...relax and enjoy the time you have left in oz mate...take one step at a time and take things that come your way with ease..

kath

[SharynY 2]

nah i'm good

just the mood i'm in today............

being May and all.... already..

[Loke 0]

Thanks Jezz and Kath for helping ease my mind a little. I know a lot of the worry is illogical, but the thought that I could have done something that I haven't is a frightening one, no matter how reasonable. I am taking a letter from my employer Kath, that's one of the first things I thought of...and...

and no offense but ya a male .. they done think of things till the last minute ...lol stir stir

It wasn't the thinking of things that got me in trouble here, it's the last minute PANIC!!!! I think I actually have everything covered that has been suggested, and have been content for some time now that I have done everything I need...but that doesn't help when the PANIC!!!! sets in hahaha.

But thanks again for all your help, it means more to me and to Rings than we can really put into words.

[Kath 0]

smiles at loke....i remember my first visit here...funny i had no panic whatsoever...everyone around me was doing enough of it for me lol... it was my first ever flight overseas too.. have you looked up the airports your landing in to see where you have to go to your next flight...on every flight i took (4) i had everything down pat all written down in my diary right down to where to walk to my next flight and what to look for lol ..i know im nutta when it comes to anything that needs organising...i suppose it comes from being involved in the kids soccer club years ago lol ohh memories there lol

you just have a safe flight loke may you arrive safely into the arms of rings..

kath

[jezz85 0]

I know what you mean about getting itchy! I'm trying really hard to enjoy my last months because I will sure miss Australia when I'm gone. Still, I'm trying to avoid the countdown because the countdown also means a countdown to my final exams... and exams stress me out! I'll enjoy the countdown much more when the exams are over (last exam is the 25th of June) AND I plan to leave on the 12th of July. YAY!

Whats the ATO form Kath? Is that the one to let them know that you're changing your status to non-resident for tax purposes?

Don't forget your form to let the know that you're going to be overseas. You can choose whether you want to be removed from the electoral role or (IN NSW AT LEAST) if you plan to come back to Australia within 6 years you can apply to vote overseas. If you're overseas longer you can extend it once a year.

These attachments might help, one is the form to notify them that you're leaving and want to be exempt from voting the other is applying for overseas postal voting. If you are overseas when theres an election and you haven't told them and you didn't vote they will send your australian address a letter asking you where you were. You won't get fined if you tell them you were overseas.

ER022Ew_0207_f.pdf

Overseas_Notification_Form.pdf

[hampster 0]

Hi All

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi to one and all.

Hi to sharyna, kath, loke, rings, Lyndel , and everyone else.

It is now

It is 9 days, 4 hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds

until Thursday, 10 May 2007 at 9:17:00 AM (Providence time),

Till I see my Cheryl again.

Congratulations to all that have gottent their Interview Dates

And to all that are waiting.. "Patience Grasshopper"

If you can snatch this pebble from my hand... hehehe.

Well I thought I might as well post prolly my last Aussie Recipe..

It is a great Recipe if you like BBQ'ING steak..

And If you look at the ingredients..

you see I added something to make it a Authentic Aussie Steak Sanga!

Aussie Steak sandwich

Serving size: Serves 4

Cooking time: More than 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

4 (800g) scotch fillet steaks

8 thick slices (320g) crusty white bread

2 tablespoons olive oil

60g rocket, trimmed

Chilli tomato jam

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

4 medium (760g) tomatoes, chopped coarsely

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

½ cup (125ml) sweet chilli sauce

1/3 cup (75g) firmly packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh coriander

Caramelised leek

30g butter

1 medium (350g) leek, sliced thinly

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons dry white wine

1 LARGE SLICED BEETROOT

NOTE: Scotch fillet steak is also known as rib-eye steak.

We used a loaf of ciabatta, Italian bread,

For this recipe, which is best made close to serving.

METHOD

For the chilli tomato jam, heat oil in a medium saucepan;

Cook garlic, stirring, until browned lightly.

Add the tomato, sauces and sugar; bring to the boil.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes

Or until the mixture thickens.

Stand for 10 minutes; stir in the coriander.

For the caramelised leek, melt the butter in a medium frying pan;

Cook the leek, stirring, until softened.

Add the sugar and wine; cook, stirring occasionally,

For about 20 minutes or until the leek caramelises.

Cook steaks on a heated, oiled grill plate (or grill or barbecue)

Until browned on both sides and cooked as desired.

Meanwhile, brush both sides of the bread slices with oil;

Toast both sides under a hot grill.

Sandwich the rocket, steaks, chilli tomato jam

And caramelised leek between bread slices.

THEN ADD THE ENTIRE SLICED BEETROOT.

TO MAKE IT AUTHENTIC AUSSIE STEAK SANGA!

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave.

Cheers

Paul

[jezz85 0]

Thats so great Paul! You're so close to being back with your dear wifey. I'm excited for you!

Your recipe looks so tasty, three cheers for the mighty beet! Word of caution... coriander is called cilantro in the US!

[Rings 10]

Thank you for helping to ease Loke's mind Kath and everyone! You guys are great. He is nervous. I can't wait to drag him all over Colorado and show him stuff! YAY 5 days!

[Loke 0]

Yeah my dad encouraged me to check out a map of LA airport as he says it can be a confusing place. He was talking about having to leave one building and enter another to make my connecting flight but QANTAS arrivals are in terminal 4 and American Airlines depart from the same terminal so I'm not sure if I will have to leave the building I arrive at or not. I have had a preliminary look at maps of LA and Denver and I plan to check them out more thoroughly before I leave. If everything else fails I'll just pester everyone in a uniform that I see until I get where I need to be.