LAND DOWNUNDER

[Poi_n_J 0]

awe your going to make it! I just know that you will. What i don't get is why they give Australians a hard time coming to America when in all realty I should have married his butt to go there lol. It's so pretty there. They should worry more about us invading you guys lol.

Oh thanks, you're sweet.....fingers crossed...!

I just noticed you married two days before us too...where did you marry in Melbourne?

Lol.. It's our best kept secret too....;-)

Now I'm wondering the real differences between the K-3 and the DCF...

[Rings 10]

We got married at Airey Inlet off the Great ocean Road on the beach at 10:15am on January 25th. our wedding was so sentimental. We called it "The 25th Hour" because it represents the Time Out of Time - The place you can be no matter where you are. It was beautiful and wonderful and I just loved Australia so much. I hope to go back there someday soon.

I know that one of the differences with DCF is that I would have to fly back to Australia for the interview.

[Poi_n_J 0]

We got married at Airey Inlet off the Great ocean Road on the beach at 10:15am on January 25th. our wedding was so sentimental. We called it "The 25th Hour" because it represents the Time Out of Time - The place you can be no matter where you are. It was beautiful and wonderful and I just loved Australia so much. I hope to go back there someday soon.

I know that one of the differences with DCF is that I would have to fly back to Australia for the interview.

"The 25th Hour" because it represents the Time Out of Time - The place you can be no matter where you are.... That's lovely...

Ooh we got married at that time too..

Oh you, the USC has to fly back, what a hassle.....

[girlfrmoz 1]

Now Rings, don't get too excited. It's all that excitement from having your forms in I expect.

And Yay for you and Poi n J getting all the forms in! I hear ya on the paranoia! I did that when we put in our stuff for the K1 and then I would get so stressed waiting for every approval, I was so worried that I had filled something in wrong or forgotten something. I forgot to put our names on our photos and where they were taken and we got through ok, no questions asked. I really hope your processes go fast now.

Thanks for the help about what to pack...you too Kath. I really appreciate it, I know it's going to be freezing but I thought maybe to pack a few summer things because the weather is so changable. I think I am going to have excess baggage so I will do as you suggested and get space bags.

CO Springs is very pretty Rings, I loved it when i went in October and it was so amazing with snow on the mountains but still warm enough for tshirts.

Well I emailed my resume off to about a trillion employment agencies in CO Springs today so hoping I can get a job soon after I arrive. We will need the money. Just wish I was over there already!

[Guinavere 0]

I will be going to Denver too! It's my hometown, but Melbourne has been home for just over the past three years. My hubby and I were married at the registry in Melbourne and just recently had our 3rd anniversary. I went through so much paperwork to get my permanent residency here in asutralia and the thought of going through it in reverse to get to Denver is quite intimidating. But with my father's declining health and my mother needing me closer, it looks like I really don't have much choice. I so hate the fact that they have done away with the DCF!

[CarolineM 0]

We got married at the registry too!!!!

That makes three couples now

[vylex 0]

I know that one of the differences with DCF is that I would have to fly back to Australia for the interview.

Hi folks,

Just some clarification. The DCF process is the same as filing an I-130 (IR-1/CR-1). The difference is that instead of applying via the United States (Service Center, Visa Center, etc aka LONG PROCESS), the I-130 would be filed in person at the Consulate (technically it would be the USC living abroad in that country). That saves A LOT of time because in the past, they could approve the I-130 in 1 day (vs. 3-6 months in the US). All that would be left was the process for the alien spouse (police check, medical, and interview).

As for the K-3, you are in fact filing the I-130 (IR-1/CR-1) as well. The difference here is that you take the NOA1 (receipt from the USCIS after filing the I-130) and then mail a copy of that out with the I-129F (K-3) paperwork. What happens is you are actually dual filing. The K-3 usually processes faster so the alien spouse can make it over. However, the downside is that there is additional filing needed once they enter the US (EAD to work and AOS).

The one thing I like about the IR-1/CR-1 is that once the spouse gets the overseas interview completed, they get the Visa and are ready to rock and roll once in the US.

Oh, I FINALLY mailed out my I-130 (IR-1/CR-1) application. I spent the better part of Sataurday morning completing copies and triple checking the paperwork. I have a little sigh of relief as I finally started the process. I sent it Express Mail via USPS and was told it should get to them today (Monday the 19th) although it's a federal holiday.

I am also going to file for the K-3 once I get the NOA1 back from the VSC. I hope the IR-1/CR-1 gets approved as fast. I'd prefer that one but I'll take whichever can get my wife to me by September.

Good luck to everyone else who just started this journey! We can compare times now!

[Rings 10]

Do you suppose that because Loke is coming here in April that there are other steps we could take while he is here to make the process any faster or anything?

[Kath 0]

welcome to vj Guinaevre dont know if i have seen you in here before...another melbournian thats great..which part you living in melbourne..west here...

rings i dont think there would be anything ya can do to make it faster with Loke there its in the hands of USCIS now..i might be wrong but when i visited we didnt do anything just sat and wait for things to happen and enjoyed my visit...

good luck to all of you who are starting your journey's ..i hope it isn't too slow for you and your over here in the time frame you wanted...

went out on the weekend to take a look at the river frozen...i actually walked out into the river i couldnt believe it...was just amazing to me...robert went down to the shore line (with snow up to his knees) to take pics of the ice breaking up on the otherside the pics are awesome...

take care

kath

[vylex 0]

Do you suppose that because Loke is coming here in April that there are other steps we could take while he is here to make the process any faster or anything?

The only thing I can think of is getting the second set of G-325As ready (basically the same exact one you sent in with the I-130). I had Vy mail me 2 sets of G-325As so I can file the K-3 right away once the NOA1 arrives.

I can't think of anything else other than taking more pics of your marital bliss.

[Rings 10]

I kept copies of the first ones. It does not specifically state that I need to send in originals, but I am worried that the copies may not be honored. I was going to send those in with the original signature on the actual 129F petition. Do you think that will be alright? Also I was reading this and it says that I should notify the consolate in Australia, but I am reading in other places that the USCIS does that. I would assume that because we were married in Australia, then the marriage was recorded into their system there, but do you recommend that I send in some information to the consolate to ensure that they are aware of the petition? Is that an added step that possibly won't hurt?

Edit: Sorry I ask so many damn questions... I am going to be the most annoying one in here lol

Edited February 19, 2007 by Rings

[vylex 0]

I kept copies of the first ones. It does not specifically state that I need to send in originals, but I am worried that the copies may not be honored. I was going to send those in with the original signature on the actual 129F petition. Do you think that will be alright? Also I was reading this and it says that I should notify the consolate in Australia, but I am reading in other places that the USCIS does that. I would assume that because we were married in Australia, then the marriage was recorded into their system there, but do you recommend that I send in some information to the consolate to ensure that they are aware of the petition? Is that an added step that possibly won't hurt?

Edit: Sorry I ask so many damn questions... I am going to be the most annoying one in here lol

I am pretty sure you need to submit a new G-325A with real signatures. They may not honor it. Remember it is going to a different path so the people viewing it will most likely want originals.

Where does it ask to notify the consulate? I will also be going the K-3 route and don't see where it mentions that. Did you check the K-3 forum? There is a Guide and Info section that is pretty up to date. The USCIS (or NVC/NBC or whatever they are called) will forward the K-3 paperwork to the consulate once it is done processing in the US. You can tell them it's coming but I am pretty sure it won't make any difference because they can't act on anything they don't receive.

Ask away. That's how I found out.

[meauxna 15]

I kept copies of the first ones. It does not specifically state that I need to send in originals, but I am worried that the copies may not be honored. I was going to send those in with the original signature on the actual 129F petition. Do you think that will be alright? Also I was reading this and it says that I should notify the consolate in Australia, but I am reading in other places that the USCIS does that. I would assume that because we were married in Australia, then the marriage was recorded into their system there, but do you recommend that I send in some information to the consolate to ensure that they are aware of the petition? Is that an added step that possibly won't hurt?

All forms submitted must be originals, with original signatures.

All evidence submitted may be photocopies. Retain originals to present if requested.

You don't have to notify anyone that you're married. When you file your petition, you include a copy of your legal marriage certificate. If it was legal in the jurisdiction where it took place, you are married, married, married. (ain't it grand?!)

(where were you reading what abou the Consulate?)

The consulate will know about your petition through their normal system, after it is approved, when they hear from the NVC.

[Poi_n_J 0]

Welcome Guinavere...How are you enjoying Melbourne? Sorry to hear about your father....One thing that should make you guys happy is you won't have to get a conditional visa...!! So once you're home that's it!

Thanks for that Vylex, it still seems like doing the amended DCF is quicker and easier to me or am I missing something....?

Ask away, then I won't feel so bad either....lol..;-)

[vylex 0]

Thanks for that Vylex, it still seems like doing the amended DCF is quicker and easier to me or am I missing something....?

You're welcome. The DCF would be the better way to go. The problem is that it is currently unavailable. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Since I began the process to file state-side instead, I feel a little better. I do have a little luxury because Vy wasn't planning on coming until September. If the I am lucky and the process goes without a hitch, filing in the US might not matter time-wise.