LAND DOWNUNDER

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hi Susan - glad you organised the email notifications.. we did that at the start of the process and it was good to know when there was any change to our case status.

Thanks for the kind words. It's really great knowing there is a place where everyone understands what each of us go through on our visa journey! It's an emotional rollcoaster but I feel that the worst times are over because in just under 2 weeks I won't be missing my other half anymore and that's just wonderful!

Oh, any hubby surprised me with tickets to Las Vegas later this month! I am soooo looking forward to us actually getting on a plane together for once, rather that one of us flying awy from the other!

YAAHHOOO! :-)

[Kath 0]

hi susan

yeah i was so suprised too that i got that notification too..so i entered the receipt number into my online status thing and low and behold they had touched my orginal I-129F the day after..so i guess they were checking up on the information if it was the same....you didnt have notification by email of your status by email.. i have all the notifications printed out..and filed lol...ohh cant remember if i told ya but i found my mum's cousin that immigrated over here in 1911...there are living relatives but cant find them because of no census's after 1930 yet online...now were doing robbie's family and found quite a few of them...lol...

HD...ya right bout the emotional roll a coaster you go through in the last few weeks in oz...but as you said we understand what your going through...i i will be here 2 years in june and i havent been back....i am starting to feel it now..i keep looking at australian things and photo's we took over there...so i think im ready for a holiday over there...its also hard when you get emails from relatives saying mums looking frail or going into hosp for an operation...or you cant be there on an important event...

But...the added bonus to all this is your with the fella you love and his support and understanding eases it a hell of alot...just prepare your man for tears when you down cos it will happen and you will be right mate...my breakdown was when robbie went back to work..left alone in the apartment day in day out before i got work..now im fine and settled in to u.s. life great...

take care

kath

[patriciaofoz 0]

Well, finally found a wedding dress! The ones I really wanted just couldn't be ordered in time (one was able to arrive A DAY before the wedding - I was obviously not going to risk that!) so I had to look at their discontinued line and viola! There it was! I'm happy with it and believe it suits the church we'll be getting married in. I only saw the church yesterday and I seriously would have looked so silly if I had a very elaborate dress. So I'm happy, relieved and excited! Yay!

Now, I do have a question, how did you guys go about getting your marriage license (though who were K-1ers)? I read that I need a SSN, which I obviously don't have yet? I guess they would know I'm not a permanent resident and still give us one? We're getting ours next week coz any earlier and it would have expired before our April 5th wedding. Any tips?

Went to the DMV yesterday and they said I have to take a written and practical test. I told Zach I wasn't quite ready for the practical part of it Still so much to get used to around here...I don't want to be a menace on the road.

Thanks for the reality checks, Kath. I know I'll hit a low point after the wedding and when I'm bored at home. I'll be sure to keep myself pre-occupied.

[vylex 0]

Thanks Kath! I am trying to make the most of my last 2 weeks here in Melbourne. Such mixed emotions. I CAN'T WAIT to be with my hubby again but I'm conscious of not wishing my last days at home away.. How do you find the balance? I'm sure every person here has gone through this or is bound to at some stage!

Take care all..

HD. x

HD, just remember that you will visit friends and family again. You haven't been exiled. You'll just be adding another country to your list of homes.

It will definitely be an emotional rollercoaster. Vy was up and down for a little bit by the 3rd month but that's because she was still alone at home. Once we got her driver's license (huge accomplishment from her perspective when she passed since she dreaded the parallel parking test) she started to feel more settled in. She then started going to a nice gym nearby and recently began exploring the area on her own. Once she hit those milestones she has been more excited with the possibilities here (plus she loves the prices here much more than Oz hehe). The more you can do by yourself like getting around and feeling free the less of a chance you'll take hard hits of homesickness methinks...plus you'll have your man with you on a permanent basis

Happy Travels!

[densusan 0]

Hi Patricia,

Great news about the wedding dress............bet your soooo excited

As to your question about the marriage license.........I am pretty sure you don't need a ssn, just your passport and birth certificate but you should be able to find any answers you need on the related website. Don't forget to order marriage certificates so you have them for your AOS. As for your drivers license I wouldn't worry about that until after the wedding because you should be ok with your Australian DL until your permanent residency is approved. I too had to do a written test, 5 hour new drivers course, LOL (with a bunch of teenagers) and the practical test for my NY state DL. It really depends on how they define residency but I'm pretty sure the residency time-frame doesn't come into play until your greencard is approved (don't quote me on this I could be wrong) because it's quite a while ago for me. Every state is a little different, so just check the Missouri DMV website and hopefully that may have the correct answer.

Vylex you are right about not being in exile, after all Australia is just a plane trip away. I think some of us get more home-sick than others but mostly it's all good because you finally get to be with the one you love. It's a different experience for everyone but once you get out and about it's much easier. I was lucky enough to go back to Australia last year for the birth of my second grand-son and had a wonderful time with family & friends but ultimately for me here is home with my hubby.

Hey Kath, We had an ice-storm last night.....YUCK.......and now it's snowing again. How bout you did you get the ice?

OH nearly forgot, today in the mail I received my biometrics appointment (14th., March'08) for removal of conditions......WOW! Can't believe how quick their responses have been and hope the approval comes quick too. Then it will be over with USCIS for me.......YAY

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hi Patricia,

Great news about the wedding dress............bet your soooo excited

As to your question about the marriage license.........I am pretty sure you don't need a ssn, just your passport and birth certificate but you should be able to find any answers you need on the related website. Don't forget to order marriage certificates so you have them for your AOS. As for your drivers license I wouldn't worry about that until after the wedding because you should be ok with your Australian DL until your permanent residency is approved. I too had to do a written test, 5 hour new drivers course, LOL (with a bunch of teenagers) and the practical test for my NY state DL. It really depends on how they define residency but I'm pretty sure the residency time-frame doesn't come into play until your greencard is approved (don't quote me on this I could be wrong) because it's quite a while ago for me. Every state is a little different, so just check the Missouri DMV website and hopefully that may have the correct answer.

Vylex you are right about not being in exile, after all Australia is just a plane trip away. I think some of us get more home-sick than others but mostly it's all good because you finally get to be with the one you love. It's a different experience for everyone but once you get out and about it's much easier. I was lucky enough to go back to Australia last year for the birth of my second grand-son and had a wonderful time with family & friends but ultimately for me here is home with my hubby.

Hey Kath, We had an ice-storm last night.....YUCK.......and now it's snowing again. How bout you did you get the ice?

OH nearly forgot, today in the mail I received my biometrics appointment (14th., March'08) for removal of conditions......WOW! Can't believe how quick their responses have been and hope the approval comes quick too. Then it will be over with USCIS for me.......YAY

Thanks all..

I am out in only 10 days and getting really excited! Only 3 more working days left after today!

Still a fair bit of packing to do but it's all coming together slowly. It's awesome that the baggage limit to the US is 60kg. And I have booked an additonal 60kg of excess baggage with jetstar so I am not going to be traveling light! The only thing I am worried about is getting my 120kg off the belt at the other end.. it's fine in Melbourne as my family will be with me. But of course my husband can't meet me on the other end until after I have passed through customs. So not sure what I'm going to do? Find some poor sucker to help me carry my stuff? ;-)

Any tips?

Well I guess I will figure it out when the time comes. As of right now, i am far to excited to get bogged down by my heavy bags!

Oh on the driving thing.. I am a little confused. I know it's different in each state but my husband seems to think I can drive in Hawaii on my Aussie lisence for a few months until I get my hawaii drivers license. Does anyone know if this is correct? I was under the impression this was only okay if you are a tourist, not a perm resident?!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.. and enjoy a lovely day off on Monday for all of you who are still in Oz! x

[densusan 0]

Hi HD,

On the luggage thing.......... all I can think of is the guys that work at the airport (the ones that you see hanging out at the luggage carousels), maybe just maybe might be able to help you out......goodluck. Hope your enjoying your time left in Australia with family and friends. I had a look at the DMV website for Hawaii and couldn't find any clear answers but I'm sure hubby is right and your aussie DL will be fine for a while. I know there are so many things to think of and our brain gets a little overloaded at times.....relax for now and wait until you are there to get your answer. Take care, Susan

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hi HD,

On the luggage thing.......... all I can think of is the guys that work at the airport (the ones that you see hanging out at the luggage carousels), maybe just maybe might be able to help you out......goodluck. Hope your enjoying your time left in Australia with family and friends. I had a look at the DMV website for Hawaii and couldn't find any clear answers but I'm sure hubby is right and your aussie DL will be fine for a while. I know there are so many things to think of and our brain gets a little overloaded at times.....relax for now and wait until you are there to get your answer. Take care, Susan

Thanks Susan! :-) I'm sure it will be alright on the night.. surely someone will spot my stick arms trying to lift the heavy stuff and offer me some assistance.. i hope! :-)

The Hawaii DMV website is pretty average actually.. thanks for looking for me! :-) There's not a whole lot of information there and what is there is some what ambiguous. I guess I will just wait until i get there and we'll pay them a visit.

I'm the kind of person who will go a little crazy sitting in the house all day long so I'll be keen to just get in the car and explore while hubby is at work. I've driven a fair bit in Hawaii on my aussie lisence already but I was a tourist back then so the rules might change when you have a PR.

I'll look into it! :-)

have a nice weekend..

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hey Alex, I'm so glad your wife has settled in so well.. it seems she has been there with you for a while now, time really fly's by! It's great to hear your news and how happy you both are.

Kath, thanks for your postings. Puts everything into perspective and makes me realise what's going to be tough.. I guess we just have to be prepared for those days. It's a really big transitional period, isn't it? i hope you have the chance to take a little trip back home soon. I know from living overseas for some years it's good to go back home because most of the time very little changes. Once you see everything ticking along just as it was before you left, you'll feel better about getting back on the plane..

Bye for now :-)

Edited March 7, 2008 by hawaiiandreams

[jennybeni 0]

Just wanted to send a lil update!

Steve arrived in the US about 3 weeks ago now, and everything is great!! He came in through JFK, so he got a work stamp (although it looks reallly dodgy!). AND, he already got a job working with a company called Australian Landscaping and Construction, which is actually owned by a couple Aussie guys so it is perfect for him! He's a manager of groups of workers and sort of oversees different projects. He really likes it, and they gave him a company truck and fuel card as well. Plus, they are really easy about the work stamp stuff and getting time off for the wedding because at least one of them has been through this whole thing before. He also went in to apply for a S.S. number last week and all went well, so he should be getting the card soon.

We're so excited to finally be together!!!! I'm loving every minute of this. I hope all is well for all the other Aussies and Americans in this thread! It's great to read about how others are doing.

Take care

[jodee 30]

Hawaiiandreams,

This is straight from the FAQ's for Drivers Licence on the hawaii DMV site.

Read q.9 and q.10 also.

Thiss is q.18.

What is the requirement to drive in Hawaii using my valid foreign license?

Your valid foreign license is good to drive in Honolulu, Hawaii one year upon entry. You will need your valid passport to show admission date.

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Thanks Jodee.. :-)

Good thing you posted this message.. it reminded me to check the expiry date on my Victorian drivers license and I realised it is due to expire in April!

I'm going to try and get an early renewal before I leave for the US! Thanks again! :-)

[Delilah'sMan 0]

I've been reading many threads about people getting their visas quite fast, with a minimum of fuss, but none of them are from Australia.

If anyone here has had their visa granted at the embassy in Sydney, could you please tell me what kind of questions they ask you, and the nature of the interview (tense, relaxed, strict, friendly etc) Do us Australians have it easier or harder? If you have a guidline of the entire process then that'd be even better!

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I orginally posted this in the wrong forum, so decided to copy&paste it here.

[Delilah'sMan 0]

Double post*

Edited March 11, 2008 by Delilah'sMan

[jodee 30]

Glad to see you found the forum, I'm sure someone will be able to help you. I would give advice, but my K1 interview was in November 2003. And I am sure things have changed.

JOdee