interview in 6 days...still no packet 4!

[danielleNJ 1]

I wouldn't waste time with DOS. I WOULD call the consulate as soon as it opens. Something is going wrong. They normally reply within a day or so. I've never heard of someone waiting this long for a reply (let alone a reply to so many emails even with a "we are reviewing the situation" or something).

That's what I'm saying! It's ridiculous we've been waiting since SUNDAY for a response. I'm going to call as soon as I leave work in 10 minutes. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much for all your help!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

That's what I'm saying! It's ridiculous we've been waiting since SUNDAY for a response. I'm going to call as soon as I leave work in 10 minutes. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much for all your help!

Anything come of it?

[danielleNJ 1]

I called and couldn't get through to anyone. Just a switchboard. Then about 5 minutes later Shannon texted me saying they emailed him. Saying they confirmed his interview day and time as well as his correct address and that another email would be sent with packet 4. Such a relief!

It does say on the bottom of the email to bring 350 AUD to the interview in cash. I thought he was meant to pay this fee at a post office?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I called and couldn't get through to anyone. Just a switchboard. Then about 5 minutes later Shannon texted me saying they emailed him. Saying they confirmed his interview day and time as well as his correct address and that another email would be sent with packet 4. Such a relief!

It does say on the bottom of the email to bring 350 AUD to the interview in cash. I thought he was meant to pay this fee at a post office?

First.. YAY!! Finally

He is... The consulate doesn't accept cash I thought (wrong, I just checked)... What does the interview letter say about paying the fee? I'll double check my email (nope no mention of cash).

Edited March 8, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I called and couldn't get through to anyone. Just a switchboard. Then about 5 minutes later Shannon texted me saying they emailed him. Saying they confirmed his interview day and time as well as his correct address and that another email would be sent with packet 4. Such a relief!

It does say on the bottom of the email to bring 350 AUD to the interview in cash. I thought he was meant to pay this fee at a post office?

Here is the link re fees from the embassy site: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv-fees.html you'll see there's a section for K visa applicants mentioning paying at Aus Post (non-immigrant visa).

I recommend emailing them in reply (lol) and confirming the cash notation even though the link states paying it at Aus Post.

[danielleNJ 1]

Here is the link re fees from the embassy site: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv-fees.html you'll see there's a section for K visa applicants mentioning paying at Aus Post (non-immigrant visa).

I recommend emailing them in reply (lol) and confirming the cash notation even though the link states paying it at Aus Post.

We have got packet 4 now! Finally! It says cash in packet 4 too. So strange. Should he just bring the cash since that's what they say?

So relieved. Thanks for all your help

[VanessaTony 3,567]

We have got packet 4 now! Finally! It says cash in packet 4 too. So strange. Should he just bring the cash since that's what they say?

So relieved. Thanks for all your help

Yep I would. Make sure he prints the email AND P4 so if they query it he has proof he's done what they said to do. He should be able to get a receipt as well. Worst case scenario there are post offices in Sydney and one probably close to where he's interviewing. He'll be right

[Travis and Meghan 24]

Wow, i'm glad you finally heard something! Sydney seem to be so ####### at replying to emails lately. Good luck with your interview. I'm sure you won't need it though

[danielleNJ 1]

Yep I would. Make sure he prints the email AND P4 so if they query it he has proof he's done what they said to do. He should be able to get a receipt as well. Worst case scenario there are post offices in Sydney and one probably close to where he's interviewing. He'll be right

That's what he's gonna do! We even notcied two typos in packet 4. In the email it says Austria instead of Australia and in the packet 4 attachment it says $3500AUD in cash instead of $350AUD in cash.

Still think it's weird they're asking for cash. Could this be a new thing? It worries me a bit! But I'm probably just being silly!

Thanks again for all your help

Wow, i'm glad you finally heard something! Sydney seem to be so ####### at replying to emails lately. Good luck with your interview. I'm sure you won't need it though

Me too! Huge relief to finally have heard back four days before the interview. I keep imagining what would have happened if I'd never called DOS! We might have never received Packet 4 and missed the interview altogether.

Thank you

[Lainie B 465]

That's what he's gonna do! We even notcied two typos in packet 4. In the email it says Austria instead of Australia and in the packet 4 attachment it says $3500AUD in cash instead of $350AUD in cash.

Still think it's weird they're asking for cash. Could this be a new thing? It worries me a bit! But I'm probably just being silly!

Thanks again for all your help

Me too! Huge relief to finally have heard back four days before the interview. I keep imagining what would have happened if I'd never called DOS! We might have never received Packet 4 and missed the interview altogether.

Thank you

That is really weird. The US consulate in Australia mistaking Australia for Austria? And asking for $3500 cash instead of a $350 receipt from Australia Post?

What email address was the packet sent from?

[danielleNJ 1]

That is really weird. The US consulate in Australia mistaking Australia for Austria? And asking for $3500 cash instead of a $350 receipt from Australia Post?

What email address was the packet sent from?

Came from the same one that sent us Packet 3, and the same one we emailed (sydneyiv@state.gov).

This is copied/pasted straight from the email with P4:

***Shannon's full name***

***(Shannon's street address)***

BLACKTOWN NSW

2148

AUSTRIA

This is from P4:

FEES: AUD $3500.00 -payable in CASH at the Consulate on day of interview

but THIS is from the response to our original email (the one that came right before p4):

Fee: Please bring AUS$350.00 in cash to pay at time of your interview.

So weird, right?

[Lainie B 465]

Came from the same one that sent us Packet 3, and the same one we emailed (sydneyiv@state.gov).

This is copied/pasted straight from the email with P4:

***Shannon's full name***

***(Shannon's street address)***

BLACKTOWN NSW

2148

AUSTRIA

This is from P4:

FEES: AUD $3500.00 -payable in CASH at the Consulate on day of interview

but THIS is from the response to our original email (the one that came right before p4):

Fee: Please bring AUS$350.00 in cash to pay at time of your interview.

So weird, right?

That looks nothing like the email I got for my interview last September. However maybe they have changed the format since then.

Mine didn't mention the actual amount to pay anywhere, either in the email or the attached interview appointment letter. It just said in the letter to pay the "K immigrant fee" at Australia Post.

Mine also didn't mention my address, just my name and DOB.

[danielleNJ 1]

That looks nothing like the email I got for my interview last September. However maybe they have changed the format since then.

Mine didn't mention the actual amount to pay anywhere, either in the email or the attached interview appointment letter. It just said in the letter to pay the "K immigrant fee" at Australia Post.

Mine also didn't mention my address, just my name and DOB.

I mean, it came from them. So I guess that's how they do it now? I'm the most confused by the cash at interview. Cause everywhere else (including the embassy site) says to pay it at Aus Post. Shannon is just going to do as the emails say though, and bring the cash to the interview.

[danielleNJ 1]

Yep I would. Make sure he prints the email AND P4 so if they query it he has proof he's done what they said to do. He should be able to get a receipt as well. Worst case scenario there are post offices in Sydney and one probably close to where he's interviewing. He'll be right

Vanessa, one more thing! Does he need to bring more passport photos to the interview? He sent 3 in with Packet 3. What else should he bring to the interview?

[Lainie B 465]

As Vanessa says, he can always go pay the fee at Australia Post and bring back the receipt if he needs to.

My interview letter said just to bring passport, receipt and a 3kg express post envelope to return the passport. The interview letter should have a checklist of what to bring. Most recommend bringing further evidence of the relationship but it's rarely asked for at the Sydney consulate.

Edited March 9, 2012 by Lainie B