LAND DOWNUNDER

[annax 0]

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?

We just recently went through this process (interview was Jan 6th), we sent all the information you listed except the fee directly the consulate as the packet 3. We then brought the fee with us on the day of the interview. All the stuff you see listed online is what you will receive as packet 3, well to be fair, they will send you a URL to type in that will point you to that page! As to what happens at the interview, you don't get anything reproduced, they just hand you back the originals of your police and birth certificates.

I'm not sure what the I-864 is. We sent in the I-134 which is said to be needed for K/V applicants. We were a K-1 which would qualify as a K/V. If your very unsure, you can always write the consulate directly, they are pretty good about answering email and you will usually receive a reply within 1 - 3 days.

Edited January 26, 2009 by annax

[myperfectflaw 11]

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?

We just recently went through this process (interview was Jan 6th), we sent all the information you listed except the fee directly the consulate as the packet 3. We then brought the fee with us on the day of the interview. All the stuff you see listed online is what you will receive as packet 3, well to be fair, they will send you a URL to type in that will point you to that page! As to what happens at the interview, you don't get anything reproduced, they just hand you back the originals of your police and birth certificates.

I'm not sure what the I-864 is. We sent in the I-134 which is said to be needed for K/V applicants. We were a K-1 which would qualify as a K/V. If your very unsure, you can always write the consulate directly, they are pretty good about answering email and you will usually receive a reply within 1 - 3 days.

Okie, so literally, besides the fee receipt, passport, and the envelope, what else did you bring in hand to the interview? I pretty much got the gist of what needs to be mailed in to them, just not sure what's left to bring in to the interview with you, as it seems almost everything is mailed back?

[myperfectflaw 11]

Okie, so literally, besides the fee receipt, passport, and the envelope, what else did you bring in hand to the interview? I pretty much got the gist of what needs to be mailed in to them, just not sure what's left to bring in to the interview with you, as it seems almost everything is mailed back?

Let me clarify my confusion...

The info for packet three says:

*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:

.....

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)

So, unless I'm reading this incorrectly, you're mailing forms into them, then also bringing the same forms along with you to the interview? Or is this info outdated?

Edited January 26, 2009 by myperfectflaw

[annax 0]

Okie, so literally, besides the fee receipt, passport, and the envelope, what else did you bring in hand to the interview? I pretty much got the gist of what needs to be mailed in to them, just not sure what's left to bring in to the interview with you, as it seems almost everything is mailed back?

Let me clarify my confusion...

The info for packet three says:

*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:

.....

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)

So, unless I'm reading this incorrectly, you're mailing forms into them, then also bringing the same forms along with you to the interview? Or is this info outdated?

We didn't bring anything extra to the interview, we submitted it all in advance. Once you submit all the items they ask you on the checklist, they will go through them and send you a letter with your interview time that also lists anything you may have forgotten. This letter will tell you if you've forgotten to include anything and will request you bring those items (if necessary) to the interview.

[densusan 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

Thanks Mara.......brightened my day! I took my Aussie flag to work today and displayed it for all to see!

Hope Chris's appointment goes smoothly tuesday.

Hey Kath,

Still waiting and watching other february filers getting approved...........not even any touches which concerns me a little. Just wish it was over and done with! Seems that the 1 year extension is from the date on the expired greencard and my expiry date was the 4th., May 2008, so I think I will be ok. We really don't want to drive the nearly 5 hours to Buffalo to get a stamp! Got blasted with over a foot of snow yesterday and looks like more on wednesday but we have had a few warmer temps like 29F.....LOL.....wow bit sad when you think that's warm!!!!!! Anything from Sharyna about the baby? Look forward to speaking with you soon.

Hope evryone else is hanging in there......best of luck!

Susan

[Marty and Jamie 0]

Just wondering if anyone has ever posted all the required documentation back with Packet 3 before? eg. medical, police checks etc.... If doing this, does the Consulate in Sydney schedule your Interview any quicker, like within a couple of weeks instead of what seems to be the norm of about a months wait for your interview. I see people often wait and take thier medical after posting Pack 3 back, is that why they schedule Interviews a month later? Can anyone shed any light on the subject? I have everything ready to go and am just waiting on my Packet from the Consulate which I should recieve in the next few days. Thanks.

[annax 0]

Just wondering if anyone has ever posted all the required documentation back with Packet 3 before? eg. medical, police checks etc.... If doing this, does the Consulate in Sydney schedule your Interview any quicker, like within a couple of weeks instead of what seems to be the norm of about a months wait for your interview. I see people often wait and take thier medical after posting Pack 3 back, is that why they schedule Interviews a month later? Can anyone shed any light on the subject? I have everything ready to go and am just waiting on my Packet from the Consulate which I should recieve in the next few days. Thanks.

You can send everything back all at once. People do their medicals later because the results are usually mailed direct to the consulate from the doctor and they may be in a rush to submit the rest of the packet to get an earlier date. Also if you are looking for an earlier interview, write a cover letter and state the desired dates you want and why. When picking dates, be aware the consulate only does interviews on Tuesdays.

[densusan 0]

Hi everyone,

I am sooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!! Just checked my emails and my USCIS status online and finally after a little over 11 months my 10 ear greencard has been approved!!!

"Application type CR189, Petition to remove conditions of permanent resident status

CURRENT STATUS: Card production ordered.

On January 29,2009 we ordered production of your new card."

I have to say I am relieved that it has been approved before our trip back to Australia in April.

Wishing everyone else speedy approvals.

Susan

[Marty and Jamie 0]

Just wondering if anyone has ever posted all the required documentation back with Packet 3 before? eg. medical, police checks etc.... If doing this, does the Consulate in Sydney schedule your Interview any quicker, like within a couple of weeks instead of what seems to be the norm of about a months wait for your interview. I see people often wait and take thier medical after posting Pack 3 back, is that why they schedule Interviews a month later? Can anyone shed any light on the subject? I have everything ready to go and am just waiting on my Packet from the Consulate which I should recieve in the next few days. Thanks.

You can send everything back all at once. People do their medicals later because the results are usually mailed direct to the consulate from the doctor and they may be in a rush to submit the rest of the packet to get an earlier date. Also if you are looking for an earlier interview, write a cover letter and state the desired dates you want and why. When picking dates, be aware the consulate only does interviews on Tuesdays.

Thanks Annax. My Doctor I saw in Brisbane doesnt post results to the consulate, he gets you to collect the results and its your resposibility to get them to the consulate. I had my Medical on Wednesday and all is good, Im now just waiting on his report from the blood tests I presume. They said it would be a couple of days. I should also recieve Pack 3 in the post soon. It left the NVC on the 22nd so it shouldnt be far off. Fingers crossed Ill get back over there soon. We didnt expect it to be quite this quick, but now it is, we're hoping Im there by mid Feb if possible. There are a few things we'd like to do around the 20th if I can get back there, but being almost February now...I dont like the chances. Anyway, Thanks again Annax, much appreciated.

[densusan 0]

Hi everyone,

I am sooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!! Just checked my emails and my USCIS status online and finally after a little over 11 months my 10 ear greencard has been approved!!!

"Application type CR189, Petition to remove conditions of permanent resident status

CURRENT STATUS: Card production ordered.

On January 29,2009 we ordered production of your new card."

I have to say I am relieved that it has been approved before our trip back to Australia in April.

Wishing everyone else speedy approvals.

Susan

That would be a 10 YEAR greencard

[kaffy 2]

congratulations Susan!! Wow 11 months.... looooong wait!

You should be able to file for naturalization soon, right?

[Chris & Mara 0]

Congrats!!! That is exciting news!

You can now tell USCIS to ####### off till 2019!!! less you want to do Naturalization lol.

[densusan 0]

Thanks Kaffy & Mara! Good luck to all of you still on the long journey. I am not sure about the naturalization thing because we plan to go back to Australia to live in the future, so for the time being I am content with a 10 year greencard. Not having to deal with immigration until 2019 sounds just wonderful!

Mara how did Chris's interview go with USCIS on tuesday???

Hey Kath, Did ya get snow........if not you can have some of ours LOL!!! I have tried putting pics up on here but without success....oh well. Our entire yard is now about 3 to 4 feet deep in snow (deeper in places). I tried making snow angels the other day LOL but it's so deep I was half buried. Oh the joys of winter in upstate New York!!!! Shouldn't complain really cause I'm sure with the heat Adelaide and Melbourne are getting at the moment they would just love some of our snow. How long after approval was it before you received your card in the mail?

Take care everyone,

Susan

[Kath 0]

omg! omg! omg! whoooo hooo susie girl

congrats on the approval mate...so happy its finally over for ya ...this is the reason they give us a year extension cos they know (even though they put the damm fees up to combat this waiting) that they can take their sweet damm time to approve ya...

mine took 7 days to get in my hands...i know you were a bit antzy about all this with your up coming trip too so now you can have a stress free trip ...lucky thing...

ohhhhhhhhhh by the way who we barracking for in the super bowl...???

steelers all the way baby!!!! (ohh gawd that sounded so american) lol...but did you know that ben graham who was a captain of geelong football team (think it was) is the punter for the cardinals...so will be watching out for him only cos he is an aussie but steelers are going for their 6th title so i cant wait for sunday...yeah i am a football fanatic in any code actually...

oh susan on the snow front..yes we have had snow thanks...30.something for the month of january...i know not as much as you guys but none the less nearly a record for us lol...i shovelled my drive on monday night when i got home from work at 10pm..again tues morn at 5am (for robbie to drive out) then again tuesday at midday...then i went next door and shovelled her path and her driveway .. you know it was cold outside when you go to the loo and the seat is warmer than you lol.. (can't remember if i have said that before)lol...i was just imagining you trying to do a snow angel with your dog jumping on top of you ...down down she goes lol...

advice to any aussie that is going to be living in a cold state...bring them with you...save yourself some money...clothing can be very thin over here unless you want to spend alot of money...

actualy be interesting to learn summit here..to those that are already here...how have you braved the cold weather..are you finding it hard to cope with the cold..or do you find like me the cold doesnt bother you that much unless its like into the -17 or so celsius...

with me within myself i am warm but to touch i can be very cool but i dont feel it..

anyways talk to ya soon

kath

[densusan 0]

Hi Kath,

Thanks for the congrats! I am so relieved and look forward to seeing the card in the mail soon. We don't fly our until the 1st., April, so plenty of time. My uscis status was touched again so I would imagine in the next few days I will get the email regarding the approval notice being sent.

I know what you mean about the cold..............it's a bit sad when 28F feels nice LOL. Our heating bills have been through the roof!!!!!!!!! Oh well we are not about to freeze. Georgia (our dog) will be 14 next month and she is coping with this long cold and snowy winter really well.

As for the super bowl..........The Giants are out , so I don't even know that I will back anyone. Did you know Sav Rocca is the punter for the Philly Eagles?

Take care and will talk soon, Susan