LAND DOWNUNDER

[Breezie54 2]

Mara, thanks so much for your reply, and i send you big hugs as i know how hard it is to be separated, just putting the paperwork together has been stressfull, as i am still not sure i have enough to send, we have been supported by wonderful friends and family who have taken the time to get Affidavits and Stat Dec's done and witnessed, copies of photographs, phone bills, emails and airline stubs and receipts while traveling, filled in all the forms that we have gone over 10 times that we can remember as we prepared all those while Leonard was here, then waited on friends and family to get their witnessed documents to us.. I have followed the guidelines from this website and just hope and pray, that because we have known each other for so long ( and not like the chap who posted he was marrying one woman submitted K-1 then broke up during submission, "allegedly" fell in love with somebody else and wanted to use the original K-1 to be with the second woman all within a six months time span, im sorry but that made me laugh lol) and that we have spent time with each other, getting to know families and friends on both sides, experienced time in both countries first before deciding which way to go, that we will have no trouble, now we are getting close to submitting its kinda frightning to know that someone has your whole life in their hands, just reading what we send in..

Is it worthwile including a statement from myself explaining my financial Status, ie property, superannuation funds? I havent seen anywhere that says that is required, i just thought it may help?

I sure hope you get a reply and soon, but think of it this way, January is nearly OVER and in February it will be SIX MONTHS so you must be due a reply soon, will keep an eye out to hear how it goes.. so please keep in touch and thanks again for your reply..will be keeping You and Chris in my thoughts and prayers for a quick response.

Cheers Breezie

[Chocolot 0]

hi

the most important thing I learned was how I needed to go over and over everything dotting the I's as it were.

When I went to the *interview* (which is like a bank counter, not in an office like i imagined) it was noticed that in the 2 full packs of documents that I tended 1 page that was meant to be an original with the dr's siggy was in fact a copy. Even though I had the original Dr's siggy on the sheet in my sons application the copy in mine meant I had to get that 1 sheet (the original) which meant I didnt get my visa the same day.

So now, every application we put together, we double check, then do it all over again. We make a copy of the whole submission in case its lost in the post, and I can see how I made the initial mistake but it cost me, so now I am even more careful!!

so my advice for what it is worth, is check, check and double check, but you will be right...

good luck and dont forget to save EVERYthing relevant to your relationship, cos you need all the paperwork again when you apply to adjust status (AOS) then again when you lift the condition to replace the 2 year card with a 10 year one

cheers

Mara, thanks so much for your reply, and i send you big hugs as i know how hard it is to be separated, just putting the paperwork together has been stressfull, as i am still not sure i have enough to send, we have been supported by wonderful friends and family who have taken the time to get Affidavits and Stat Dec's done and witnessed, copies of photographs, phone bills, emails and airline stubs and receipts while traveling, filled in all the forms that we have gone over 10 times that we can remember as we prepared all those while Leonard was here, then waited on friends and family to get their witnessed documents to us.. I have followed the guidelines from this website and just hope and pray, that because we have known each other for so long ( and not like the chap who posted he was marrying one woman submitted K-1 then broke up during submission, "allegedly" fell in love with somebody else and wanted to use the original K-1 to be with the second woman all within a six months time span, im sorry but that made me laugh lol) and that we have spent time with each other, getting to know families and friends on both sides, experienced time in both countries first before deciding which way to go, that we will have no trouble, now we are getting close to submitting its kinda frightning to know that someone has your whole life in their hands, just reading what we send in..

Is it worthwile including a statement from myself explaining my financial Status, ie property, superannuation funds? I havent seen anywhere that says that is required, i just thought it may help?

I sure hope you get a reply and soon, but think of it this way, January is nearly OVER and in February it will be SIX MONTHS so you must be due a reply soon, will keep an eye out to hear how it goes.. so please keep in touch and thanks again for your reply..will be keeping You and Chris in my thoughts and prayers for a quick response.

Cheers Breezie

[myperfectflaw 11]

APPROVED!!! ~squeee~

[densusan 0]

APPROVED!!! ~squeee~

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

[Chris & Mara 0]

APPROVED!!! ~squeee~

Grats....

I now Offically really really hate USCIS...

Chris had an appointment with them at 3 o'clock yesterday so he took work off early to head over, I got an email this morning explaining what happened when he got there:

I left the office to go downtown to see the folks at USCIS. I got there and the security folks were closing the door at 2:45. I had my little apointment number and they said they were shutting up the building "fpor adminsitrative reasons" . At this point I had gotten a little hot around the collar. Made some rather rude comments etc and kept pointing out that I had an appointment. More security guards showed up and they threatened to charge me with interfering with a federal employee and disturbing the peace.

Yep..... loving USCIS......

[myperfectflaw 11]

APPROVED!!! ~squeee~

Grats....

I now Offically really really hate USCIS...

Chris had an appointment with them at 3 o'clock yesterday so he took work off early to head over, I got an email this morning explaining what happened when he got there:

I left the office to go downtown to see the folks at USCIS. I got there and the security folks were closing the door at 2:45. I had my little apointment number and they said they were shutting up the building "fpor adminsitrative reasons" . At this point I had gotten a little hot around the collar. Made some rather rude comments etc and kept pointing out that I had an appointment. More security guards showed up and they threatened to charge me with interfering with a federal employee and disturbing the peace.

Yep..... loving USCIS......

Oh no!! So, now what?

[Chris & Mara 0]

APPROVED!!! ~squeee~

Grats....

I now Offically really really hate USCIS...

Chris had an appointment with them at 3 o'clock yesterday so he took work off early to head over, I got an email this morning explaining what happened when he got there:

I left the office to go downtown to see the folks at USCIS. I got there and the security folks were closing the door at 2:45. I had my little apointment number and they said they were shutting up the building "fpor adminsitrative reasons" . At this point I had gotten a little hot around the collar. Made some rather rude comments etc and kept pointing out that I had an appointment. More security guards showed up and they threatened to charge me with interfering with a federal employee and disturbing the peace.

Yep..... loving USCIS......

Oh no!! So, now what?

Chris has an appointment on Tuesday morning (us time) at 10am, 1am wednesday in Aussie land. Here is to hoping that one will actually let him through the door and hand him our NOA2. Hell in a perfect world our NOA2 will turn up in the mail before then so we dont have to deal with them again until after I arrive in the US....

I was really hoping to be home by March, and when I filed it was easily looking like Feb *sigh* Now I think Ill be lucky if it is April or May.... I really wish VSC would get their act together, how hard is it to process a bunch of forms really?

[myperfectflaw 11]

Chris has an appointment on Tuesday morning (us time) at 10am, 1am wednesday in Aussie land. Here is to hoping that one will actually let him through the door and hand him our NOA2. Hell in a perfect world our NOA2 will turn up in the mail before then so we dont have to deal with them again until after I arrive in the US....

I was really hoping to be home by March, and when I filed it was easily looking like Feb *sigh* Now I think Ill be lucky if it is April or May.... I really wish VSC would get their act together, how hard is it to process a bunch of forms really?

You guys are definitely in our prayers and I hope things finally go well for you on Tuesday! ~hugs~

In other news, the consulate information page is really confusing me!! It has all the info required when you get packet three:

*Form DS-230I Biographic Data Part 1

When all required documents are accumulated for interview (including medical)

*Applicant's Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed complete with all forms and supporting documents (i.e. birth certificate, military records, etc). Make sure to make copies of supporting documents.

and then has the information to bring with you to the interview:

1. processing fee receipt: AU$130 for each applicant. Go to any post office , pay the fee, and obtain one receipt for each applicant, attached to the outside cover of each passport. Valid passport (and any expired passports bearing United states visas)

2. Two Passport-U.S sized photograghs

3. Two completed aplications forms DS-156

4. One completed copy form DS-156k - supplement to form DS-156

5. Long form birth certificate showing both parents names (with engish translation if applicable)

etc...

So some of the stuff you send in is also gonna be reproduced to be brought in at the interview? I.E. birth certificate, etc. Can anyone who just recently went through this please clarify this?

Also, it mentions on the documents required checklist, Form I-864 & supporting documents, or Form I-134 for SB-1 applicants. Not sure what SB-1 is, but I was under the impression that we did the I-134, not the I-864. Am I wrong?

[Chris & Mara 0]

The visa Processing fee is 131... US

[Chris & Mara 0]

So as you all SHOULD know if your an Aussie or marrying one or married to one lol Monday the 26th of Jan is Australia day (for those who dont know in 1901 that was the day we became our own country and member of the monarcy - its our version of July 4th...) So in honour an email that was sent to me....

You know you're Australian if....

You know the meaning of 'girt'

You believe that stubbies can either be worn or drunk

You think it is normal to have a Prime Minister called Kevin

You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse

When you hear that an American 'roots for his team' you wonder how often and with whom

You understand that the phrase 'a group of women wearing black thongs' refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds

You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'

You pronounce Penrith as 'Pen-riff'

You believe the 'L' in the word ' Australia ' is optional

You can translate: 'Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas'

You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep

´You call your best friend 'a total #######' but someone you really, truly despise is just 'a bit of a #######'

You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place

You believe is makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin

You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'Woy Woy' can't be called 'Woy'

You believe that cooked-down axlegrease makes a good breakfast spread

You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis

You know, whatever the tourist books say, that no one says 'cobber'

You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'

You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year

You still don't get why the 'Labor' in 'Australian Labor Party' is not spelt with a 'u'

You wear ugg boots outside the house

You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them

You understand that 'excuse me' can sound rude, while 'scuse me' is alway polite

You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasions via your nose

You understand that 'you' has a plural and that it's 'youse'

You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle

Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules of beach cricket

You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call 'Anzac cookies'

You still think of Kylie as 'that girl off Neighbours'

When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searched by Customs - just in case you're trying to sneak in fruit

You believe the phrase 'smart casual' refers to a pair of black tracky-daks, suitably laundered

You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction

When working at a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer

You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second

You find yourself ignorant of nearly all the facts deemed essential in the government's new test for migrants.

You will immediately forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand!!

Hope that brings you all some giggles

[Kath 0]

thanks for that chris

was a beut...read it out to the hubby ..he understood hmmm maybe a quarter of it lol..ahd to sing the angel's song to him lol..and has anybody had a look at that government immigrants test??? dont know what they were thinking when they put that together..lol...was a good laugh..

also chris i am sorry you are having a hard time of it at the moment..you would think that they could of made a phone call to let your fiance know about the closing..might of saved alot of hassles for him...have you thought of contacting his congressman to find out what is going on also...so is your fiance in the military...if this is so isnt there anyone there that can help in this matter for him...

myperfectflaw...why dont you send goonlurka an email..he was the last one that i know of that went for the interview..and by the way congrats on the approval...

no news here..weather has been cold but i must add not as cold as susan ... we had quite a bit of snow ..but not as much as susan ...lol..i am over my cold finally hubby still gets a coughing if he goes outside for too long..he goes back to work on monday after having 5 weeks off...i am cheesed off at the mo that he earned more than me on damm unemployment ..cos he was on unemployment throughout last year on and off because of shutdowns of jeep..sighhhhh just incredible to me that i work all year he has about 15 to 20 weeks off and gets more than me..sorry thats my gripe for the night lol..

hi to all my mates and if i am not in here on monday..happy australia day...i gotta find my aussie flag pin to wear to work...

take care

kath

[Chris & Mara 0]

thanks for that chris

was a beut...read it out to the hubby ..he understood hmmm maybe a quarter of it lol..ahd to sing the angel's song to him lol..and has anybody had a look at that government immigrants test??? dont know what they were thinking when they put that together..lol...was a good laugh..

also chris i am sorry you are having a hard time of it at the moment..you would think that they could of made a phone call to let your fiance know about the closing..might of saved alot of hassles for him...have you thought of contacting his congressman to find out what is going on also...so is your fiance in the military...if this is so isnt there anyone there that can help in this matter for him...

myperfectflaw...why dont you send goonlurka an email..he was the last one that i know of that went for the interview..and by the way congrats on the approval...

no news here..weather has been cold but i must add not as cold as susan ... we had quite a bit of snow ..but not as much as susan ...lol..i am over my cold finally hubby still gets a coughing if he goes outside for too long..he goes back to work on monday after having 5 weeks off...i am cheesed off at the mo that he earned more than me on damm unemployment ..cos he was on unemployment throughout last year on and off because of shutdowns of jeep..sighhhhh just incredible to me that i work all year he has about 15 to 20 weeks off and gets more than me..sorry thats my gripe for the night lol..

hi to all my mates and if i am not in here on monday..happy australia day...i gotta find my aussie flag pin to wear to work...

take care

kath

ROFL, Chris doesn't post on here besides he's the ameican here who doesnt know any of these lol I will have to explain everyone of to him when I read them to him tomorrow.

He isnt in the military but works for a military contractor, and apparently their whole service for making appiontments is automated, though I did bring this up to him.

He is off to USCIS on Tuesday so we will see what we get out of it, if we get nothing then we will go to the congressman

- Mara (hehe)

[Kath 0]

hi mara

yeah i knew that but i was being lazy not putting your full nickname..i do apologise..

when i read your post about australia day i scanned it..but remembered what you wrote below and thought no thats not right im sure...i hope you dont mind but i looked it up about the history of australia day and found the below information ....

(for those who dont know in 1901 that was the day we became our own country and member of the monarcy - its our version of July 4th...)

AUSTRALIA DAY

On May 13, 1787, retired Royal Navy captain Arthur Phillip set sail from Portsmouth, England, with the First Fleet. The 11 ships of the fleet arrived at Botany Bay in January 1788 with more than 1,450 passengers, including 736 convicts, more than 200 marines, 20 civil officials, and 443 seamen. Finding the bay a poor choice, Phillip moved the fleet north to Port Jackson, which he acclaimed as “the finest harbour in the world.” Here he founded the first permanent British settlement on January 26, now known as Australia Day. The settlement was named Sydney for Britain’s home secretary, Lord Sydney, who was responsible for the colony.

FEDERATION

In 1891 a convention of colonial delegates in Sydney began drafting a federal constitution, but political and regional rivalries slowed the process. It was 1897 before the policymakers agreed upon a draft constitution and 1899 before the Australian people finally approved it. The Commonwealth of Australia was accordingly approved by the British Parliament in 1900 and became a reality on January 1, 1901.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY TO ALL THE AUSTRALIAN'S THAT ARE ABSENT FROM AUSTRALIA OR LIVING THERE YET TO CROSS THE POND.

Edited January 24, 2009 by Kath

[Chris & Mara 0]

Heh, well there you go, I thought the officially of it was declared on the 26th.

Glad to know that we were taught all the right stuff back in school..... No wonder the government wants to make Australian History Manditory....

Thanks for that Kath

[Marty and Jamie 0]

Just wondering if anyone has been through the Medical Experience recently? I have my Case number from the NVC, which was given to me by my Beautiful Fiancee after she recieved our documents from them in the mail yesterday stating our Petition is in transit to Sydney. I am yet to recieve Packet 3 in the post and dont expect it until maybe next week. I called the Doctor in Brisbane about the medical, and they said that I can come in, as the results will have to be posted to the consulate by me anyway. Im just wondering if I need to wait for Packet 3 to arrive, or can I go ahead and do the medical so when Packet 3 arrives, I have all my documents in order to get an Interview letter. Im just not sure if there are any specific instructions in Packet 3 I should wait for? Thanks, and Happy Aussie Day Everyone!!