Interviews in Australia set to be reduced with some cancelled

[KittyKat3072 235]

Np, thanks for letting us know where you're at too. 

I wish something in this process was as straight forward as it should have been. At least we have gotten this far!  This journey has taught me patience and to expect the unexpected, thats for sure.

[Cilllah 476]

1 hour ago, ECCK said:

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid sending in my original documents too. I called today and they said they were only allowing appointments if the situation was urgent. I explained my situation and the lady spoke to a supervisor who said they would allow me to come in for an interview with my documents. They said they'll call me back with a time next week - fingers crossed they do. 

Hey! What did you say your emergency reason was as I want to call them and try to get an appointment as well and I want every possible thing that I can think of!

[ECCK 211]

2 minutes ago, Cilllah said:

Hey! What did you say your emergency reason was as I want to call them and try to get an appointment as well and I want every possible thing that I can think of!

I didn't have an emergency situation. The only emergency the allowed was if I had a job offer. But I just said that I needed an SSN to apply for my husband's health insurance and he only 90 days to add me due to the policy. I think it really depends on who you get on the phone. They lady I got was really sympathetic and helped us escalate it to her supervisor. But I don't know if I'm really getting an appointment - nothing is set in stone yet 😕 

[KittyKat3072 235]

1 hour ago, ECCK said:

I didn't have an emergency situation. The only emergency the allowed was if I had a job offer. But I just said that I needed an SSN to apply for my husband's health insurance and he only 90 days to add me due to the policy. I think it really depends on who you get on the phone. They lady I got was really sympathetic and helped us escalate it to her supervisor. But I don't know if I'm really getting an appointment - nothing is set in stone yet 😕 

Yeah we have said that that he needs an ssn to get health insurance because he's a type 1 diabetic and they have been super sympathetic but there rules say that its only if its "public" health care. And in order to get an appointment for employment reasons they actually have to have a job and just needs an ssn for the employment paperwork. I was told that a job offer was not enough. 

I've called several offices local and out of state trying to find answers and apparently each office is managed individually but they have guidelines that have to follow. There were a couple offices that had no idea what I was talking about. I have been trying to get an appointment for him 5 days after his arrival into the States. Actually I started calling two days before he left Australia to try and get information. I've seen people on VJ get there ssn during the covid shut down but they are few. 

I had some luck with one office when they told me to contact my state senator to explain my situation and ask for the office to grant me an appointment. I have yet to do so. With everything going on I kind of got disheartened tbh.

I might actually try that over the weekend and see if next two weeks we get a response.

Edited July 17, 2020 by KittyKat3072

[ECCK 211]

1 hour ago, KittyKat3072 said:

Yeah we have said that that he needs an ssn to get health insurance because he's a type 1 diabetic and they have been super sympathetic but there rules say that its only if its "public" health care. And in order to get an appointment for employment reasons they actually have to have a job and just needs an ssn for the employment paperwork. I was told that a job offer was not enough. 

I've called several offices local and out of state trying to find answers and apparently each office is managed individually but they have guidelines that have to follow. There were a couple offices that had no idea what I was talking about. I have been trying to get an appointment for him 5 days after his arrival into the States. Actually I started calling two days before he left Australia to try and get information. I've seen people on VJ get there ssn during the covid shut down but they are few. 

I had some luck with one office when they told me to contact my state senator to explain my situation and ask for the office to grant me an appointment. I have yet to do so. With everything going on I kind of got disheartened tbh.

I might actually try that over the weekend and see if next two weeks we get a response.

Sigh, this is so disheartening to hear. I hope you'll be able to get help with a state senator. I'll chase up the office next week and if we don't get anywhere we might need to do that, or just risk sending my documents via courier. 

[MissOphelia 50]

On 7/6/2020 at 10:06 AM, AussieBoy87 said:

Has ANYONE heard anything about interviews??

I haven't heard . I wish they would just give us SOMETHING... Even a proposed date for when they will be resuming interviews... at this stage nobody will be getting there til next year it feels like.... 

[MissOphelia 50]

I actually don't understand why they can't continue to do visa interviews, especially for applicants who are in states with minimal cases. They can open the goddamn nightclubs and gambling venues, but people who want to just be with their partners can get f××××d. It's so frustrating.... I havent seen my fiancee since October... it's getting really hard. 

[KittyKat3072 235]

On 7/17/2020 at 8:45 PM, ECCK said:

Sigh, this is so disheartening to hear. I hope you'll be able to get help with a state senator. I'll chase up the office next week and if we don't get anywhere we might need to do that, or just risk sending my documents via courier. 

I emailed our local senator this morning. I hope we hear back within the week. I'm going to call the Social Security office after their lunch (I find people more agreeable after they have eaten) and see what they have to say (not super hopeful tbh).

 

[Rosie_Emma91 38]

I phoned the Social Security office this morning and they basically told me I cannot apply at the moment and need to wait until offices re-open. I asked if they are taking appointments and they said not for people in my situation.

I also need a social security number to be added to my husbands military health insurance but my chances of getting one are not looking good at the moment My husband is going to try and call on my behalf and see if that makes a difference. 

 

[ECCK 211]

Just now, Rosie_Emma91 said:

I phoned the Social Security office this morning and they basically told me I cannot apply at the moment and need to wait until offices re-open. I asked if they are taking appointments and they said not for people in my situation.

I also need a social security number to be added to my husbands military health insurance but my chances of getting one are not looking good at the moment My husband is going to try and call on my behalf and see if that makes a difference. 

 

That's the same issue as me  Were you able to get a DoD ID without a SSN? I got refused on base because of the covid restrictions and they're not allowing visitors. Can you please let us know if your husband calling yon your behalf works? 

 

BTW congratulations on making it to the US and your wedding! Are your dogs with you too now? 

[ECCK 211]

On 7/19/2020 at 3:11 AM, MissOphelia said:

I actually don't understand why they can't continue to do visa interviews, especially for applicants who are in states with minimal cases. They can open the goddamn nightclubs and gambling venues, but people who want to just be with their partners can get f××××d. It's so frustrating.... I havent seen my fiancee since October... it's getting really hard. 

I saw that the Sydney consulate said they will resume certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services on the 16 July (https://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/index.html). Hopefully it includes K1s too. I know the separation is hard and I hope you hear about your interview soon.  

[Rosie_Emma91 38]

2 minutes ago, ECCK said:

That's the same issue as me  Were you able to get a DoD ID without a SSN? I got refused on base because of the covid restrictions and they're not allowing visitors. Can you please let us know if your husband calling yon your behalf works? 

 

BTW congratulations on making it to the US and your wedding! Are your dogs with you too now? 

Hi Emma  

I have an appointment on base in a few weeks so I can get added to his paperwork - I hope they actually let me enter the base. I will surely let you know if he has any luck calling the SSN Office on my behalf. 

 

Thank you  I am enjoying life here so far and happy to be married! 

The dogs have been staying in a pet hotel for the last few weeks as they were able to get a direct Qantas flight from Sydney to LA on 22 July  

[ECCK 211]

1 minute ago, Rosie_Emma91 said:

Hi Emma  

I have an appointment on base in a few weeks so I can get added to his paperwork - I hope they actually let me enter the base. I will surely let you know if he has any luck calling the SSN Office on my behalf. 

 

Thank you  I am enjoying life here so far and happy to be married! 

The dogs have been staying in a pet hotel for the last few weeks as they were able to get a direct Qantas flight from Sydney to LA on 22 July  

That's great news! Very happy for you! Only a few more days until your dogs are with you 🐶🐶 

 

Good luck with all the paperwork. I'll let you know too if I manage to find out something different from my SSN office. 

[Cilllah 476]

This makes me think there’s no point calling them. I really need a SSN like everyone else of course! Worried as I need insurance. 

[Rosie_Emma91 38]

59 minutes ago, Cilllah said:

This makes me think there’s no point calling them. I really need a SSN like everyone else of course! Worried as I need insurance. 

My husband phoned and didn't have much luck so we are just going to wait until the office re-opens before applying.