LAND DOWNUNDER

[Loke 0]

Hi all,

Paul, you're flying to Sydney the same day I fly to the US. Safe travels for us both hopefully, and again for you on the 9th.

Rings only thinks she's going to hurt me. She promised the same thing last time and I'm still here and...er, functional. Three days until I fly out, I can't wait. I think I have everything sorted but I know I will worry too much until I am there. I checked out the food regulations today, Rings wants Cherry Ripes so I am going to take a box of them with me.

I hope you are all well, I am sure we will annoy all of you to death with our stories of the visit in no time, can't wait to do that to be honest. You have been warned!

[hampster 0]

Hi Loke,

What time is your flight out of Sydney?

Maybe catch up for some Crispy Creme Donuts

I arrive in Sydney as I said @ 8.40am Sunday..

If not have a safe flight and a even safe "encounters" with rings lol.

Cheers

Paul

Paul, you're flying to Sydney the same day I fly to the US. Safe travels for us both hopefully, and again for you on the 9th.

Rings only thinks she's going to hurt me. She promised the same thing last time and I'm still here and...er, functional. Three days until I fly out, I can't wait. I think I have everything sorted but I know I will worry too much until I am there. I checked out the food regulations today, Rings wants Cherry Ripes so I am going to take a box of them with me.

I hope you are all well, I am sure we will annoy all of you to death with our stories of the visit in no time, can't wait to do that to be honest. You have been warned!

[Tamzo27 0]

Hi all!

Sorry I have been MIA for a bit!!! I am leaving on Sunday, midnight (Perth-->Kuala Lumpar-->LAX)

so I have just been organizing everything..buying last minute stuff..wiring money through etc. Hope everyone is doing well..and have been successful in their interviews (those who have gone)

I am sure I have asked this before...but how long does it take to get SSN etc...when will I be able to wrk?? :)

Thanks!

[jezz85 0]

ok am confused...

on USCIS processing sheet it says that they're doing K1 - 129f petitions from october 2006.....

have they just not updated it?...

link is here - Processing Sheet USCIS

Yeah, completely ignore that...date on the website it makes no sense whatsoever

Hi Tamzo,

Having a SSN doesn't mean you can work, you just can't work without one. To work legally you must

1) Get a stamp to allow you to work at POE (aparently only available at JFK so don't count on it)

OR 2) Just wait for the greencard... which takes a while

OR 3) Apply at the same time as AOS on a separate for for a work permit. This is what I'm doing. It takes 2-3 months to process while the greencard CAN take a LOT longer.

Edited May 3, 2007 by jezz85

[CarolineM 0]

OMG all the people coming to America

Loke and rings - enjoy eachother's company! It won't be long until there are NO MORE COUNTDOWNS and trust us, it's totally worth it! Have fun

Paul - ditto Glad your wait is over. Have a safe trip

Tamzo - ditto x 2

[hampster 0]

Hi Caroline.M

Thanks for your kind and warm well wishes for my safe trip,

to be with my Beautiful Lovely Wifee Cheryl / NorthernGirl

Not long to go now

Cheers

Paul

quote " Paul - ditto Glad your wait is over. Have a safe trip"

[cheese_and_kisses 0]

Hi Everyone....

I'm new to all this...I'm from Ann Arbor, Michigan and my boyfriend is from Queensland, Australia...we are trying to get our first face to face meeting planned so that we can become engaged and start our visa journey ...Some of you I have already met and have added as friends ...This place is addicting as all heck...It's nice to see other Aussie/American couples...Wooohooo finally!!!.... I want to send out a special thanks to Kath for all your help thus far ..and to all my new visa journey friends that have responded to my posts....all of your comments and advice have been very overwhelming ..but, very very helpfull now that i'm starting to put it all together thanks to all that have helped...Now that i'm starting to get a grasp on how to navigate this site, I will be coming here to check in everyday and I'm sure asking heaps more questions..and also keeping everyone updated on how things are going.....So far we just have to save up enough $$$ for air fair for me to fly over, for our xoxoxoxox's ....I can't wait.

[cheese_and_kisses 0]

Hi Pual AKA Hampster....

My name is Katrina i'm new i just read your story and see you married in Australia...me and my boyfriend are trying to way out which process to take either to get married in Australia and then have him come over or to have me petition for him to come over as my fiance and then marry over here in the states....any information you can provide about you and your wifes experiences would be appreciated...

Thanks,

Katrina (cheese and Kisses)

[hampster 0]

Hi Katrina,

This is our(NorthernGirl and My Time line for a Cr1 Visa.

IR-1 / CR-1 Visa

EventDate

Service Center :Vermont Service Center

Consulate :Sydney, Australia

Marriage :2006-05-13

I-130 Sent :2006-06-14

I-130 NOA1 :2006-06-20

I-130 Approved :2006-08-21

NVC Received :2006-09-05

Received DS-3032 / I-864 Bill :2006-09-26

Pay I-864 Bill 2006-09-27

Receive I-864 Package :2006-10-23

Return Completed DS-3032 :2006-12-04

Receive IV Bill :2006-10-12

Pay IV Bill :2006-12-02

Receive Instruction Package :

Case Completed at NVC :2007-02-13

NVC Left :2007-02-20

Consulate Received :2007-02-27

Packet 3 Received

:Packet 3 Sent :

Packet 4 Received :2007-03-08

Interview Date :2007-04-13 Submit Review

Visa Received :2007-04-18

US Entry :2007-05-09

Comments :

Processing

Estimates/Stats :Your I-130 was approved in 68 days.

Your interview took 303 days from filing.

I hope this helps you in some way.

Cheers

Paul

Edited May 3, 2007 by hampster

[CarolineM 0]

Katrina,

I posted this in your other thread but wanted to make sure you saw it. I also got married in Oz...make sure that if you do, you have to file an intent to marry a certain time in advance...might be 30, might be 90...I can't remember. Go to the website for the Registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state you're planning on marrying in to check it out.

Without filing that, I don't think you can get married

Good luck,

Caroline

[cheese_and_kisses 0]

Thanks,

Paul for the timeline...and woohoo almost there...good luck to you too...

Caroline...yes thank you too..i did get your post..were just looking into things as of now but your info is helpful...

Thanks....Katrina

[jezz85 0]

Hey guys! Just to let you know....

I passed my K-1 visa interview today!

USA here I come!

[hampster 0]

Thanks,

Paul for the timeline...and woohoo almost there...good luck to you too...

Caroline...yes thank you too..i did get your post..were just looking into things as of now but your info is helpful...

Thanks....Katrina

Hi Katrina,

I GOOGLED QUEENSLAND BIRTHS DEATHS & MARRIAGES WEBSITE,

AND FOUND THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU RE MARRYING IN AUSTRALIA.

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm/thelegalprocess.html

The legal process

First, a Notice of Intended Marriage form must be completed

by both parties and signed in the presence of a qualified witness,

as specified on the notice.

Your celebrant can witness your signatures.

You must lodge the notice with the authorised celebrant

a minimum of one month and one day prior to the date

you wish to get married

(i.e. if lodged on 25 June the earliest date the marriage

could take place would be 26 July).

The notice is valid for 18 months from the date it is lodged.

Your celebrant will provide you with a

Notice of Intended Marriage form or it can be downloaded here (65kb ).

The services of an authorised celebrant are required to solemnise a marriage.

If you do not wish to be married at the Registry,

authorised celebrants (religious and civil)

are listed at the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department website.

Documents required

by the bride and groom

To complete all of the requirements of the Notice of Intended Marriage,

the celebrant must sight the following documents for the bride and groom:

For persons born in Australia:

• an ORIGINAL birth certificate.
  

For persons born in another country:

• an ORIGINAL birth certificate of that country, OR
  
• an ORIGINAL current passport of another country showing
  
• date and place of birth.
  

In addition, for persons previously married:

• an ORIGINAL decree absolute or divorce certificate, OR
  
• an ORIGINAL death certificate of a deceased spouse.
  

If documentation is not in English an official translation,

in addition to the original document, is required.

Persons authorised to witness the Notice of Intended Marriage

This notice must be signed in the presence of any of the following:

• if a party signs the notice in Australia an authorised celebrant,
  
• a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959,
  
• a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a legally qualified medical practitioner, or a member of the Australian Federal Police
  
• or the police force of a state or territory
  
• if a party signs the notice outside Australia
  
• an Australian Diplomatic Officer, an Australian Consular Officer,
  
• an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3 ©
  
• of the Consular Fees Act 1955, an employee
  
• of the Australian Trade Commission authorised
  
• under paragraph 3 (d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955 or a notary public.
  

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm/thelegal...legalprocesstop

Marriageable age

The marriageable age is 18 years.

If one party is aged 16 to 18, and not previously married,

it is necessary to obtain:

• parental consent on the required form, and
  
• a court order under section 12 of the Marriage Act 2006.
  

Where both parties are under the age of 18 they cannot marry.

A Notice of Intended Marriage may be lodged prior

to the 18th birthday of a person intending to marry,

Without parental consent and a court order,

But the marriage may not be solemnised without

that authority until that person turns 18.

Witnesses

Two witnesses over the age of 18 must be present at the marriage ceremony.

Interpreter

If the bride or groom is unable to speak English,

an interpreter must be provided.

The interpreter is required to sign a statutory declaration

and certify his/her faithful performance in the role.

To contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

telephone 131450 (toll free).

Contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Post:

PO Box 15188,

City East Qld 4002

Brisbane residents

phone: 3247 9203

Outside Brisbane

phone: 1300 366 430

International enquiries:

+61.7.3247 9203

Email:

bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au

Office hours:

8.30am–4.30pm (Monday–Friday)

The Registry is located at 110 George Street, Brisbane

Please be ready to supply:

• your full name
  
• your postal address
  
• your phone number
  
• reference number (if applicable)
  
• date of birth/death/marriage
  
• location of birth/death/marriage
  

I Hope this helps you and your partner with your future plans.

Cheers

PAUL

Edited May 4, 2007 by hampster

[SharynY 2]

Jezz85 - congrats!!!

[hampster 0]

CONGRATULATIONS JESS

WOOOOOHOOOOOO

Good for you !!!!!!!!

Cheers

Paul.

It is 6 days, 9 hours, 14 minutes and 57 seconds

until Thursday, 10 May 2007

at 9:17:00 AM (Providence time)

That I will be in my darling Beautiful Wifee's

Cheryl's Arms again!!!!!!!!!

Edited May 4, 2007 by hampster