LAND DOWNUNDER

[SharynY 2]

hey kath!!

in two weeks i have my interview ... and i've yet to schedule an appt with the civil surgeon ... life has been hectic and this just jumped on me lol ....especially being pregnant i've forgotten a few things!!

good to hear your well and happy!!

[kaffy 2]

Just a quick question for those Aussie's that have moved to the States..............was just wondering how you all moved your belongings over there? I'm not planning on taking any furniture with me, but I hope to take my books, dvd's, cd's and alot of my picture frames, vases, knick-knacky stuff to make the place feel like home!

Packed everything we could in our suitcases (5 x 23kg bags.. airline gave us an extra bag for free) then sent the rest (4 x 10kg) via sea-mail. It's about $100/10kg and takes about 8-10 weeks to arrive. Keep in mind if you bring DVDs they may not play unless you have a region-free player. hope this helps!

Edited October 6, 2008 by kaffy

[J_Girl 0]

Just a quick question for those Aussie's that have moved to the States..............was just wondering how you all moved your belongings over there? I'm not planning on taking any furniture with me, but I hope to take my books, dvd's, cd's and alot of my picture frames, vases, knick-knacky stuff to make the place feel like home!

Packed everything we could in our suitcases (5 x 23kg bags.. airline gave us an extra bag for free) then sent the rest (4 x 10kg) via sea-mail. It's about $100/10kg and takes about 8-10 weeks to arrive. Keep in mind if you bring DVDs they may not play unless you have a region-free player. hope this helps!

I looked into shipping stuff over but in the end gave up and left most of my gear at my folks house.

I ended up bringing two massive suitcases and one large carry on with me when I arrived in the US, best piece of advice I can give you is get some Spacebags! I would have never fit as much in my luggage if it wasn't for those things! I got all my cd's a lot of photos etc in them, another good idea is to upload pics to a site like Photobucket which you can access when arrive here. Login, save the pics to your computer then upload them to somewhere like Walgreens or CVS and have them reprinted, doesn't cost a lot and will save you some room. I have done it with quite a few photos I have around the house, all the best with it!

[Jon Anderson 0]

Keep in mind if you bring DVDs they may not play unless you have a region-free player. hope this helps!

Here in the States, generally it seems that the el-cheapo DVD players are pretty good about playing all regions. There are unlock codes for many players also, I found one for my Daewoo. But no codes available for my Panasonic or Sony DVD players. Google and a bit of time will help you determine if a DVD player you are considering can be unlocked for all regions.

And if you have video camera, they will output to US TV sets, but the picture will be B&W and pretty grainy. Google 'PAL NTSC' and look around, there are a number of inline converters. Can't vouch for how good they work, but I would imagine a decent unit should work good.

Unfortunately I haven't found a clean and really safe way to play PS2 game from other regions.

Jon

[J_Girl 0]

Had to ask.....did anyone happen to watch the US version of Kath & Kim last night on NBC?

[kaffy 2]

yes and it was HORRIBLE!!! What were they thinking!?!?!

My husband and I both like the Aussie version but we found this one plain stupid

[J_Girl 0]

yes and it was HORRIBLE!!! What were they thinking!?!?!

My husband and I both like the Aussie version but we found this one plain stupid

My hubby and I both like the Aussie one too, I guess time will tell if it appeals to people here in the US. I know Magda Szubanski wouldn't sell her character of 'Sharron' to NBC.

[SharynY 2]

well i have my immigration interview in 2 weeks ... and had to go to a civil surgeon to fill out the medical examination form for the green card ... all fun and peachy ... (note sarcasm) .. had to do the TB skin test plus go thru a physical examination (note : i am 8 months pregnant) ... and i refused a vaccination which the doctor assured me would not harm my pregnancy but i refused it anyways and she noted it down on the form .... i told her i was more then happy to have it after giving birth but not before and thats something i will say to immigration as well .....doctor was following protocal as she stated when i saw her ... so i'm following my motherly instinct and protecting my child ....

[myperfectflaw 11]

Yay!! Received NOA1 in the mail today, woot woot! I know it doesn't technically mean a whole hell of a lot, but I can't help but be excited anyways Here's hoping the rest of the process runs smoothly!!

Char

[Chris & Mara 0]

Yay myperfectflaw

So I have a quick question for all those of you Australians who have been through this whole ruddy process.

We filed in August, and at the moment our predicted NOA2 is end of December/early Jan, from the NOA2 point should how long expect the rest of the process to take? I have heard that with sydney it is anywhere between 4 - 8 weeks? Am I right in guessing this?

Chris and I just want to work out prices (roughly) for my ticket home, and I need to consider if if it is worth me looking for extra work at the start of next year ( I am a teacher so the school year up QLD isnt really back till last week of Jan).

Also, when is a good time to start shipping some of my stuff over? Does anyone have a good, reasonable priced company they used when they moved?

Thanks for any help in advance!

- Mara

[J_Girl 0]

Yay myperfectflaw

So I have a quick question for all those of you Australians who have been through this whole ruddy process.

We filed in August, and at the moment our predicted NOA2 is end of December/early Jan, from the NOA2 point should how long expect the rest of the process to take? I have heard that with sydney it is anywhere between 4 - 8 weeks? Am I right in guessing this?

Chris and I just want to work out prices (roughly) for my ticket home, and I need to consider if if it is worth me looking for extra work at the start of next year ( I am a teacher so the school year up QLD isnt really back till last week of Jan).

Also, when is a good time to start shipping some of my stuff over? Does anyone have a good, reasonable priced company they used when they moved?

Thanks for any help in advance!

- Mara

After my NOA2 it took about 10 weeks until I had my Visa approved, it's always a guessing game with what will happen when, I hope it goes smoothly for you!

Maybe some of the other guys could help you with the question on shiping your gear over, I decided it wasn't worth it and started all over when I got to the US. (Any excuse to go shopping really)

[SharynY 2]

i only took small things with me and used australia post ...

ok i had my immigration interview today and i'll be recieving my green card in 3 weeks!!

[Kath 0]

hiya all

firstly congrats on getting through your greencard interview sharyna way to go...

secondly....im home from my trip to england...surprised the heck out of my mum when i arrived..heaps of relo's said me going over made her holiday in england...

after 40 years of not being in england i didnt remember very much really...on of my sisters in laws came over and said i use to know you when you were a little girl do you remember lol...urrrrr NO lol...

i know england is my birthplace but i could never live there in my home town...it is too closed in for my liking...if they were to off me acreage then i would consider it..the countryside is absolutely beautiful...

met heaps of relo's my nephews are all grown up now and with families of their own..i saw them last when they were 5...4...3..years of age...

robbie missed me like crazy....and so did i miss him...next time we go out of the country im taking him with me ....

had no problems getting back into the country..in manchester the lady helping within the lines asked for everything...greencard passport...marriage certificate...extension letter...then when i got into chicago they only asked for my passport and greencard....

ohhh ya never guess what i brought home for my hubs...VB 6 pack...and i had to put it in my luggage i was so nervous about them smashing i opened the case as soon as i got it in the car and it survived the journey...with much joy on my hubby's face lol...got home next night he just had to have one and it was like watching a fella who had never drank beer before..lol..savouring every damm sip lol..cant ya tell my hubs likes VB lol...he reckons it is the best beer he has ever tasted and he has tasted heaps of international and state side beers...just wish we could get it over here for him without paying the high prices off the internet...

ok i have gabbled on way too much..

take care

kath

[Cham 3]

Hello All!

We are July Filers and I have been searching this section for a few questions I need answered LOL

First off on the second part of the visa after we get the noa2 do what form do we need to file electronically?

What questions do they ask at the interview?

Has anyone here only been able to visit their fiance one time..we only got to see each other once for 3 months, thank god for webcams and yahoo messenger calls LOL

Anyone have a large agegap...ours is 21 years been together over 2 years now..I know this is not an issue (our relationship works just like any other)

Is there an immigrate baggage allowance when flying to the states??? I thought there was but can't seem to find it.

What test do they test for on the medical??

What do they test for on the blood test?

Sorry so many questions. I have searched so much my head is spinning.

HUGS ALL and best wishes!

Meri and Kai

[kaffy 2]

Welcome back Kath! SOunds like you had a great time over there

Cham- nope, there isnt a special immigrant baggage allowance. The allowance for all flights to/from the USA is 2 x 23kg bags per passenger. Anything over that and you will have to pay an excess baggage fee (varies, so check with the airline you are flying with) (Qantas is the exception as they allow 2 x 32kg)

The medical is pretty standard stuff.. medical history, vaccination history, physical exam, plus x-ray for TB and blood test for syphillis and HIV.

hope this helps!

Edited October 23, 2008 by kaffy