LAND DOWNUNDER

[Delilah'sMan 0]

It's looking increasingly unlikely that my fiancee and I will be able to find a sponsor that is 125% over the poverty line, but we have a few options that are quite close. We're capable of making up the difference with money in savings account, but I'm not sure if this is a safe way to go about it.

I don't want to get to my interview and be denied because I didn't get a sponsor that is over the poverty line, so I'm trying to find out how likely it is that I'd be granted a visa by making up the difference with savings.

[Liam and Sam 2]

It's looking increasingly unlikely that my fiancee and I will be able to find a sponsor that is 125% over the poverty line, but we have a few options that are quite close. We're capable of making up the difference with money in savings account, but I'm not sure if this is a safe way to go about it.

I don't want to get to my interview and be denied because I didn't get a sponsor that is over the poverty line, so I'm trying to find out how likely it is that I'd be granted a visa by making up the difference with savings.

I'm not sure if you already have - but definitely post this in one of the main forums. I'm sure others have run into a similar problem and could offer input.

[kaffy 2]

hi kaffy

not sure on what the dcf for sydney is doing now a days..you could always email the consulate to give you a rough idea of the waiting time...you will do fine im sure...

I spoke to them on Thursday and they said the standard processing time is 2-4 months.. so now we wait

My wife has not changed her name yet but wants to do so. She has her interview in Sydney on May 27th. Can we request that they add an "additional alias" to the visa (eg with my last name) so that if she gets a new passport with my last name that things will "pass muster" when she shows her old passport with the visa along with her new passport with the new name?

I'm not sure if I saw the same lady as everyone else because the (American) lady who processed our paperwork for our I-130 was very nice to us. Anyway all my formal ID (passport, drivers license, etc) is in my maiden name and I havent been able to change it yet due to silly QLD residency requirements. I included a letter in my paperwork explaining this and she read through this quickly then offered to have them issue my green card in my married name, with a reference to my (official) maiden name. (And depending on how quickly my visa gets processed I will either change my name officially here before I go, or after I arrive there.)

Edited July 1, 2008 by kaffy

[girlfrmoz 1]

Hey All,

It's been ages since I've been on VJ. Wow, still see a few familiar names around. Wishing everyone luck with there visa journeys and speedy processing. Hang in there it's worth the wait!

Hi Kath and Aussie Angel.....how are things with you guys. Kath I have also got a major vegie patch happening here in Colorado...so much to learn about the short growing season here, but it's all fun.

Hubby's been really sick with a staph infection for the past few months, in and out of hospital so we are just taking it easy and enjoying life whilst he recovers. Went to see the Doobie Brothers in Denver and also The Cure at Red Rocks, was awesome.

Take care everyone

Girlfrmoz

[kaffy 2]

Just checking in with some good news! My I-130 petition has been approved which means it took them exactly a week to process the Adam Walsh check

[densusan 0]

Congrats Kaffy!

Been very quiet in here.................guess everyone is enjoying the summer. I'm heading back to Australia for a 3 week visit in August, so it will be back to winter for me. It will be a breeze heading to an Adelaide winter after the winters of upstate New York!

Hope everything is going well for all in here.

Kath i will speak to you before I leave. Glad to hear you are enjoying your veggie garden as we are. Have carrots, lettuce, beetroots and spinach so far...............nothing like home grown veggies!

Susan

[vylex 0]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I have an Australian tax question for my wife.

For you Aussies that moved here (past or present), how did (or do) you file your Aussie taxes while living overseas? This is the first year for us so what does she need to do?

Any help is appreciated!

[kaffy 2]

Depends if she is still an Australian resident for tax purposes. Info here:

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content....mp;st=&cy=1

I left Australia myself in 2005 and lived and worked overseas for 2 years. I did not file tax returns for the time I was away because I considered myself a non-resident (I was removed from electoral roll, I had no intention of returning)

Edited July 12, 2008 by kaffy

[whisper2me 0]

I am considering the idea of not travelling in Sept to see hubby as I'm not sure I want to throw $2300 down the drain if I am turned back at POE - not to mention the heartache. I wanted to know if on a IR1/CR1 visa I could do the following:

Travel to the states for a 3 week vacation once I receive my Visa to take a load of luggage and to set things up before my kids come over on their IR1/CR1 visa. At least this way I won't be turned back. Here are my questions:

1. Even if my green card hasn't arrived once I get there, could I return home to Australia to finalise work matters and collect my kids with such a short stay in the U.S? Would I just need the visa in my passport to make another entry or would I need a different document to come back and return again with kids? (I know the visa is only valid for 6 months).

2. During my 3-week vacation (if it is possible), could I apply for a SSN even though I'm travelling back to Australia to collect the kids, to return in a couple of months?

Your input is much needed. Cheers

Edited July 13, 2008 by whisper2me

[DairyFarmer 1]

Good Morning Australia.

I am missing the weather. Yes even the winter in Melbourne. Because at least there were 4 distinctive seasons.

[vylex 0]

Depends if she is still an Australian resident for tax purposes. Info here:

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content....mp;st=&cy=1

I left Australia myself in 2005 and lived and worked overseas for 2 years. I did not file tax returns for the time I was away because I considered myself a non-resident (I was removed from electoral roll, I had no intention of returning)

Thanks a lot for the info Kaffy! I think my wife requested she be removed from the electoral roll prior to her departure. I better doublecheck that too.

[densusan 0]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I have an Australian tax question for my wife.

For you Aussies that moved here (past or present), how did (or do) you file your Aussie taxes while living overseas? This is the first year for us so what does she need to do?

Any help is appreciated!

Hi Vylex,

I too was removed from the electoral roll when I left in Feb 2006. The first year I was here I lodged a tax return because I had been working in Australia for the tax year July 2005 to June 2006 but I was unsure of what to do last year, so I lodged a Notification of NON lodgement which I downloaded from the ATO website. This year I am doing nothing. I know Kath and I have talked about it before and don't quote me on this but I am almost positive she has not lodged one with the ATO since she has been here. Goodluck with everything.

Susan

[patriciaofoz 0]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I have an Australian tax question for my wife.

For you Aussies that moved here (past or present), how did (or do) you file your Aussie taxes while living overseas? This is the first year for us so what does she need to do?

Any help is appreciated!

Hi Vylex,

I too was removed from the electoral roll when I left in Feb 2006. The first year I was here I lodged a tax return because I had been working in Australia for the tax year July 2005 to June 2006 but I was unsure of what to do last year, so I lodged a Notification of NON lodgement which I downloaded from the ATO website. This year I am doing nothing. I know Kath and I have talked about it before and don't quote me on this but I am almost positive she has not lodged one with the ATO since she has been here. Goodluck with everything.

Susan

I called the ATO about this a month ago and I think I have everything in order. There is a question within the Tax Return form which asks whether you'll be needing to lodge a tax return for the next financial year. Simply answer "NO" to this. I told her that I still had a Savings Account in Australia which is accumulating interest. I already told my bank to make me a non-resident and therefore tax me every month. So unless my savings account miraculously makes over $6K in the financial year, I don't need to lodge a tax return for it.

I haven't taken myself off the Electoral Roll - I keep forgetting to do that! Thanks for the reminder.

[Liam and Sam 2]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I have an Australian tax question for my wife.

For you Aussies that moved here (past or present), how did (or do) you file your Aussie taxes while living overseas? This is the first year for us so what does she need to do?

Any help is appreciated!

Hi Vylex,

I too was removed from the electoral roll when I left in Feb 2006. The first year I was here I lodged a tax return because I had been working in Australia for the tax year July 2005 to June 2006 but I was unsure of what to do last year, so I lodged a Notification of NON lodgement which I downloaded from the ATO website. This year I am doing nothing. I know Kath and I have talked about it before and don't quote me on this but I am almost positive she has not lodged one with the ATO since she has been here. Goodluck with everything.

Susan

I think it's going to take me a year to figure out how to do our taxes for 2008 - I'm already apprehensive about it. He'll be paying AUS taxes July 2007 - June 2008 but what to do next year for July 2008 - June 2009?? He'll be moving to the US in October so he'll have to pay Australian taxes in 2009 on the remaining 4 months of salary earned there right? Any advice or tips from anyone would be extremely appreciated.

[patriciaofoz 0]

If he earns any money during the financial year he'll have to put in a tax claim. I guess the only exception is if all total earnings (including any savings that accrue interest) is UNDER $6,000.

To be assured, ring the ATO. They're very helpful. Whenever I call from the US I never get put on hold and they even ask for your US phone number so that they can call you back.

And share any info you find out, for future members