LAND DOWNUNDER

[Chris & Mara 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

Chris never got to go to USCIS again, it was snowing in DC so they decided to shut down the local office for the day....everything else however was of course in the business as usual frame of work....

Hopefully he will be able to make an appointment for early next week, I really dont want to join the 6 months club

I can honestly say though that I have a passionate dislike for american football, i dont get it and it goes so slowly... But I love the baseball... yes odd. However at heart im a true ice hockey fan (one of those moments ill never forget was the first ice game Chris took me too) but then i used to play inline as a kid/teen.

[Cham 3]

To those who got police checks

Do they SEND them to your addy or PO box OR do they send those to the interview. Kai got his at the beginning of jan and was curious how long they take. He got them done in Charlestown rightout side of Newcastle NSW

BANGS HEAD ON COMPUTER TABLE...oh great THATS going to leave a mark!

Customs held up our package I sent out on the 15th and I sent him a few goodies. NOW he has to pay 100 AU on monday no big deal but GOD our visa packet is all in there or should i say OUR LIFE.........sigh

anyway THATS the update..once he gets that THEN he can send it off for interview

[Kelli 0]

I got my police check in the mail.....I think it took about 2 weeks to arrive.

[Cham 3]

thank you!

[Kath 0]

hiya kelli

how you doing mate..ltns ...

well the steelers did it whooo hoooo...had me on the edge of my seat in the last minutes...

hey susan

yeah i did know there was an aussie in the eagles camp...i was barracking for them in the playoffs once we knew steelers one game away from being in the superbowl..we got a snow blower saturday lol i bet it dont snow now lol..

and this morning its sunshining and omg i just looked ..its 43f outside whoo hooo...i sure could use some natural heat without cuddling up to my hubs lol...

take care

kath

[hawaiiandreams 0]

Hey all - a happy belated Australia day to you all!

I have a question for any conditional residents (or those who have already been through this process) so hope someone can help with my question!

I am now undergoing the daunting task of job hunting! I have managed to line up my first interview and upon going back to the original job description for another scan of it, I realize they specify "must be authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis". Now although I have a 'permanent resident' card, it expires just over a year from now (I’ve already been in the US for almost 1 year) because of course I have to apply for my "removal of conditions".

Does anyone have any idea on how to tackle the question of whether my residence is classified as permanent even though my status is conditional?? And in your opinion, does this make me ineligible to apply?

Thanks for your replies. Have a great Wednesday. :-)

[kaffy 2]

You are a PR and u are fully authorized to work

I'm on a CR1 visa too (won't be removing conditions until 2010) and I've been working since last October with no problems

[MzMo1102 0]

Hi Everyone,

I know this has been asked several times but wanted answers from people in Australia specifically. I am in the middle of the K1 process and awaiting our NOA2 however I fell pregnant from my last trip visiting my fiance in November and will be due in August. I've been told that for the medical, they may waive the chest xray and vaccines for the AOS? I've also been told that they will put a protective shield over my belly...but I dont think they do this in Australia and Im not willing to take any chances either. Once I receive my NOA2 and then have the medical I know I will need to advise them of my pregnany....my question is, will my visa application be delayed as I will have to wait until after I give birth to complete my medical THEN have the interview?

Sorry to sound so confusing, but Ive been trying to find out about this and have been receiving several different answers.

Thanks in advance!

[Marty and Jamie 0]

Does anyone know how long the wait is for the Consulate to recieve my application from the NVC? I was in contact with the consulate in Sydney today enquiring about whether they had recieved it. The NVC sent it to the Consulate on the 22nd of January, however my reply from the Consulate indicated that they had recieved electronic confirmation however they are yet to recieve it, (Hardcopy). Is it lost or is there something else that could have happened. People who have similar timelines (within a day or so of NOA2 and NVC Processing) to me have recieved Packet 3 already, most of them a few days ago. Im just a little worried mine is lost or something? Can anyone shed some light on the subject and should I be worried?

[theonlyjess 0]

Hey everyone - am just wanting to join the aussie thread!!! :)

Am missing home like crazy...!!

[Chocolot 0]

Hey everyone - am just wanting to join the aussie thread!!! :)

Am missing home like crazy...!!

me too, and today I heard I am approved for my 10 year greencard, only a few more hurdles and we can go home. I thought homesickness would get better after a few years, so far not, does it ever?

[densusan 0]

Hey all - a happy belated Australia day to you all!

I have a question for any conditional residents (or those who have already been through this process) so hope someone can help with my question!

I am now undergoing the daunting task of job hunting! I have managed to line up my first interview and upon going back to the original job description for another scan of it, I realize they specify "must be authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis". Now although I have a 'permanent resident' card, it expires just over a year from now (I’ve already been in the US for almost 1 year) because of course I have to apply for my "removal of conditions".

Does anyone have any idea on how to tackle the question of whether my residence is classified as permanent even though my status is conditional?? And in your opinion, does this make me ineligible to apply?

Thanks for your replies. Have a great Wednesday. :-)

You are eligible to work without question. I did copies of my greencard for my place of employment and from memory there was also some kind of form to fill out once I accepted the position. I have just been approved for my 10 year greencard (FINALLY......long wait) and all I did once my 2 year card expired was gave my place of employment a copy of my extension letter. Good luck and I hope you get the job!

Welcome theonlyjess!!!!! Yep we all miss home. I've been lucky and have already been back twice and heading back for my third trip this April.

Hey Kath,

Snowblower hey.......hope you get some snow so you can test it out. Ours has worked overtime this winter!!!!!!!!!!!!! The superbowl was very exciting, glad you enjoyed it too. I'm looking forward to watching the Adelaide Crows match the night we get off the plane in April and watching as many AFL games as possible! Hope your stayin warm......we had a record low for the day which was -29F.........brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Congrats Jayde!

Take care everyone,

Susan

[kat loves matt 0]

Does anyone know how long the wait is for the Consulate to recieve my application from the NVC? I was in contact with the consulate in Sydney today enquiring about whether they had recieved it. The NVC sent it to the Consulate on the 22nd of January, however my reply from the Consulate indicated that they had recieved electronic confirmation however they are yet to recieve it, (Hardcopy). Is it lost or is there something else that could have happened. People who have similar timelines (within a day or so of NOA2 and NVC Processing) to me have recieved Packet 3 already, most of them a few days ago. Im just a little worried mine is lost or something? Can anyone shed some light on the subject and should I be worried?

Well our NOA2 date is within 2 weeks of yours and we haven't received packet 3 yet, either. I'd wait a few days and try calling the Sydney consulate again. Or perhaps email them? I know it's hard to wait at this stage of the proceedings.

Edited February 6, 2009 by kat loves matt

[GNS 0]

Hello all,

I received my Visa on 13th Jan and am looking at leaving here on May 8 (work commitments). Question I have for all the ones who have left Australia already is did you all buy a one-way ticket or a return?.

I have noticed is like $1,000 cheaper to buy a return ticket and hey what they going to do if you don't use it?

Anyways just curious if anyone bought a return ticket

Thanks

[Cham 3]

Hello all,

I received my Visa on 13th Jan and am looking at leaving here on May 8 (work commitments). Question I have for all the ones who have left Australia already is did you all buy a one-way ticket or a return?.

I have noticed is like $1,000 cheaper to buy a return ticket and hey what they going to do if you don't use it?

Anyways just curious if anyone bought a return ticket

Thanks

Many folks I talked to who got approved got a one way tickey with refundable just in case...tons cheaper!

HUGS ALL!