Quick 'n' dirty

[chestnutt 10]

Hey guys,

Getting excited about the interview!! I'm assuming you would have gotten the same interview appointment letter as me, where it says to bring a platinum/express post 3kg envelope, do we not have to worry about that because we filled in the profile on the UStraveldocs? I've heard different things combing through the discussion boards so just wondering what the go is. Maybe bring one in case haha.

Cheers!

[dodgyJim73 6]

Hey guys,

Getting excited about the interview!! I'm assuming you would have gotten the same interview appointment letter as me, where it says to bring a platinum/express post 3kg envelope, do we not have to worry about that because we filled in the profile on the UStraveldocs? I've heard different things combing through the discussion boards so just wondering what the go is. Maybe bring one in case haha.

Cheers!

They don't sell platinum envelopes anymore

You don't need to take an envelope anymore because K1 applicants can have it sent directly based on your ustraveldocs profile....BUT....I don't know how they send it out to you, it may just go as regular mail and I'll be stuffed if something that important is going regular post.

I took a normal express post envelope so I could track it and I paid the extra $2.50 or however much it is so it requires a signature as well. If you take your own express post envelope then you can have it sent to a P.O. Box but if you use the ustraveldocs postage thing then it will go to your residential address only that is listed in your profile.

You are talking about your passport and ultra-important documents that will get you into the USA. Cough up the extra $17 and pay for an express post envelope with signature and have the extra piece of mind!

[dodgyJim73 6]

We're also flying from Melbourne to Sydney, arriving at 7:25am. See you there! May I ask if you've researched transportation at all? Two return tickets on the airport link will cost us more than $70! We're thinking that perhaps a taxi would be cheaper, at least if we take it some of the way and walk the rest. The things we'll do to save a few pennies these days.

A taxi in both directions will probably cost you more than the train. The airport train prices are an absolute disgrace, the public just keep getting gouged by private companies and stupid state governments

A return train trip will cost you $32.80 each. From the Domestic Terminal change trains at Central Station and get on the blue Eastern Suburbs line. 2 stops later you will be at Martin Place Station and directly across the road from the MLC building, where the consulate is.

Keep in mind that you are landing in Sydney at 7:25am...that's morning peak hour for taxi's at the airport AND for traffic on the roads. The train will take you roughly 20 minutes to Martin Place station.

Your interview is 9:30am....Imagine if your plane is 30 minutes late and then you have to wait 20 minutes for a taxi and then sit in traffic...all of a sudden a taxi isn't the most attractive option. You want to arrive at the interview cool, calm and collected. You've done too much work to get to this point and have a flight, taxi or traffic delay stuff it up. Consider the train.

Downstairs at the MLC building is a food court, if you are really early then grab a coffee and chill out. When you come out of Martin Place Station you'll be at the Channel 7 studio where they film the morning show with that bald Kochie guy. You could always take a sign that says "I'm moving to America" and hold it up at the window

Just my 2 cents...

[chestnutt 10]

They don't sell platinum envelopes anymore

You don't need to take an envelope anymore because K1 applicants can have it sent directly based on your ustraveldocs profile....BUT....I don't know how they send it out to you, it may just go as regular mail and I'll be stuffed if something that important is going regular post.

I took a normal express post envelope so I could track it and I paid the extra $2.50 or however much it is so it requires a signature as well. If you take your own express post envelope then you can have it sent to a P.O. Box but if you use the ustraveldocs postage thing then it will go to your residential address only that is listed in your profile.

You are talking about your passport and ultra-important documents that will get you into the USA. Cough up the extra $17 and pay for an express post envelope with signature and have the extra piece of mind!

Hey! Thanks for the reply I've filled out the ustraveldocs profile, so if I take an express post and tracked envelope to the interview with my address written on it, will they use that envelope to send my visa? Definitely definitely want the tracking on that envelope haha.

[PG & JW 0]

Don't do taxi! It will be peak hour and cost $80 there abouts, do the train. Will be like $12 for a ticket. And is like 4 stops!

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you Ozgirl!

Re: postage. I didn't take a post bag and they sent it to me overnight with toll express I had awesome tracking too.

[dodgyJim73 6]

Hey! Thanks for the reply I've filled out the ustraveldocs profile, so if I take an express post and tracked envelope to the interview with my address written on it, will they use that envelope to send my visa? Definitely definitely want the tracking on that envelope haha.

Yep, they will use the envelope you supply. When you are called up to the first window the consulate staff member will take your passport, interview payment receipt and will return your original documents. I was then asked if I had an envelope so I handed that over and that is where they sent it. Easy

Although as PG & JW said above, they used Toll Express for their package so it's well tracked. I didn't know this before I went in so I was happy to cover my butt. Looks like you don't need to get the envelope after all

[chestnutt 10]

Yep, they will use the envelope you supply. When you are called up to the first window the consulate staff member will take your passport, interview payment receipt and will return your original documents. I was then asked if I had an envelope so I handed that over and that is where they sent it. Easy

Although as PG & JW said above, they used Toll Express for their package so it's well tracked. I didn't know this before I went in so I was happy to cover my butt. Looks like you don't need to get the envelope after all

Sweet, sounds pretty simple Think I may take an envelope, just in case!!

[Ozgirl1981 78]

Don't do taxi! It will be peak hour and cost $80 there abouts, do the train. Will be like $12 for a ticket. And is like 4 stops!

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you Ozgirl!

Re: postage. I didn't take a post bag and they sent it to me overnight with toll express I had awesome tracking too.

Ok thanks for the info. I have decided to take the train as I dont want to be caught in peak hour traffic. No traffic on the train lines.. LOL With 3 children with me also, I think i will try avoid any train changes. So I think i'll get the airport train link thru to St James station and then it's just about short walk down the block (if google maps is correct).

And also a good thing is that with the train fare, they only charge for 1 child.

Thanks for the info

[PG & JW 0]

Good luck to both you and chesty! Please post the good news

[dodgyJim73 6]

Ok thanks for the info. I have decided to take the train as I dont want to be caught in peak hour traffic. No traffic on the train lines.. LOL With 3 children with me also, I think i will try avoid any train changes. So I think i'll get the airport train link thru to St James station and then it's just about short walk down the block (if google maps is correct).

And also a good thing is that with the train fare, they only charge for 1 child.

Thanks for the info

Google maps is correct. It's a very short walk from St.James

I've taken the airport train a bazillion times for work and it has never been late!

Good luck with it all!

[chestnutt 10]

Hey guys,

I made a new topic for this question as well but thought I would ask on here too...

Just wanted to check that the Aussie embassy allows co-sponsors for the I-134? We are using one and I'd never thought to ask before whether it's allowed or not. If anyone did use one, did you have any problems?

Thanks!!

[Ozgirl1981 78]

Hey guys,

I made a new topic for this question as well but thought I would ask on here too...

Just wanted to check that the Aussie embassy allows co-sponsors for the I-134? We are using one and I'd never thought to ask before whether it's allowed or not. If anyone did use one, did you have any problems?

Thanks!!

Yeah the Sydney USEM does allow for co-sponsors. My fiance is just borderline (without liquidating his assets) so we opted to have a co-sponsor just in case.

Here's another thread about the same thing

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/432011-co-sponsor-australian-embassy/

Edited January 10, 2014 by Ozgirl1981

[chestnutt 10]

Yeah the Sydney USEM does allow for co-sponsors. My fiance is just borderline (without liquidating his assets) so we opted to have a co-sponsor just in case.

Here's another thread about the same thing

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/432011-co-sponsor-australian-embassy/

Great, thanks for that

[Aussie-DJ 1]

Hey everyone,

I am a newbie posting here but I have been following most of you since my application arrived in Sydney. I have a question for those of you who have received Packet 4. Were you required to fill out form DS-260 and take the confirmation sheet with you as well as the DS-160. It is on the list of requirements I have been given for my interview and is confusing the hell out of me. Thanks for your help.

[Ozgirl1981 78]

Hey everyone,

I am a newbie posting here but I have been following most of you since my application arrived in Sydney. I have a question for those of you who have received Packet 4. Were you required to fill out form DS-260 and take the confirmation sheet with you as well as the DS-160. It is on the list of requirements I have been given for my interview and is confusing the hell out of me. Thanks for your help.

No.. Just do the DS-160. I printed 2 copies of the confirmation page. 1 copy I sent in with packet 3 and the other, i'm taking to the interview. The DS260 is not needed.