Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

5 minutes ago, aus2tx said:

Woah woah, denied??? No way...

 

Although, working in claims and seeing other reports, isn't anything that's not 'issued' now 'denied', even if under AP? I can't imagine the consulate granting an expedite for a case that's not valid.

I’m kinda stunned by the result.. I’ve been chatting @zochu for months and would never have guessed a denial... especially via Sydney... Iraq or some crazy place maybe as it would be for any of us, but not Sydney.. 

 

I mean, we all kind of fear an RFE or being told can appeal or something like that... but a flat out denial.. madness, just madness.. wish I was in Vic right now to give her a giant cuddle.. 😢

[aus2tx 168]

4 minutes ago, Duke & Marie said:

I’m kinda stunned by the result.. I’ve been chatting @zochu for months and would never have guessed a denial... especially via Sydney... Iraq or some crazy place maybe as it would be for any of us, but not Sydney.. 

 

I mean, we all kind of fear an RFE or being told can appeal or something like that... but a flat out denial.. madness, just madness.. wish I was in Vic right now to give her a giant cuddle.. 😢

Agreed!

 

If anything, @zochu should get the intent to deny letter, which just a version of a RFE. If there's anything I've learned working in claims is that a denial isn't a denial until you've tried at least like 5 times  

[zochu 255]

An interview is just a formality, in order to finish the visa application. The fact we were expedited has no weight in the likelihood a consular Officer will approve or deny the visa. 
 

my husband, a US federal employee earning a good wage and above the 125% poverty level with full health insurance, for all three of us, significant Australian savings, and my work history and education were not enough. They wanted a joint sponsor. If we can’t get a joint sponsor it will be a denial based on public charge. 
 

they are cracking down on the public charge rule, even for Australians. Especially given that now 40 million Americans are now unemployed due to covid. The assumption is that an immigrant now entering the US will effectively be relying solely on their petitioning spouse to survive given the current economic climate. 
 

we went in fully prepared, all tax history, all payslips. Evidence of our savings, the public charge form (mainly as a back up as advised by VJ) and  evidence  of my education and work history and it was not enough. I graduate in 8 weeks and will have 1 bachelors degree and next November I’ll have my second, a bachelor of laws. I currently work for the Victorian state government too - so good solid work history. 
 

my advice to all Australians going in, if

your spouse/petitioner earns OVER 250% (yes,250 not 125) of the federal poverty guidelines (which for 2 people is $43k) you will face less scrutiny. If it’s between 125-250, as we were, your case will be HIGHLY scrutinised. Expect a denial. I was not the only denial that day. I heard 2 denials, 1 approval. 

[aus2tx 168]

@zochu That is WILD! Thanks for the heads up so the rest of us can prepare. Are you able to get a joint sponsor?

[zochu 255]

Just now, aus2tx said:

@zochu That is WILD! Thanks for the heads up so the rest of us can prepare. Are you able to get a joint sponsor?

We find out today if his uncle is willing. It’s a huge responsibility and they are very private people. 
 

if not, it will be denied due to public charge and I’ll start the process to get my husband to Australia. It’s not the end of the world, but he will be leaving a job that pays more, his education. We as a family would have been better off moving to the states. 🤷‍♀️

[aus2tx 168]

@zochu sending you lots and lots of well wishes. Whatever happens, I hope the remainder of your journey is quick. ♥

[austex 42]

They made us have $73K which is more than 125% poverty.  We are finished now and i am so glad we are.

 

Good luck in the future.

 

M.

[zochu 255]

9 minutes ago, austex said:

They made us have $73K which is more than 125% poverty.  We are finished now and i am so glad we are.

 

Good luck in the future.

 

M.

Our income was $70k but we are a family of 3.

[B&ANZ 134]

We are in a similar boat as @zochu so we are biting our fingernails until our interview. We have no chance of a joint sponsor so I would have to leave my dream job to move back to NZ - most likely throwing 8 years of my schooling away.  I still cannot believe they needed a joint sponsor. I was always told that CURRENT income is key. I started working in the US in May, and make well above the minimum requirement and have heaps of savings, but as we know now, that minimum requirement is bs 😔. I was able to get my husband a position at my employer yesterday, but they cannot officially give him a contract until he has a SSN. I am hoping my email correspondence about him working there when he arrives is enough to show the officer he will not be a public charge and he has a job lined up when he arrives. Moving back to NZ is not the end of the world. We are just grateful that we have each other and no matter the outcome, we will be reunited very very soon. As long as we are together, we will have a beautiful life whether the US government wants to interfere in it or not. 

[austex 42]

We are a family of 3 also.  I just don't get the denial, it is weird.

 

We did not need a sponsor.

 

M.

Edited July 29, 2020 by austex

[Lelly 65]

12 minutes ago, austex said:

They made us have $73K which is more than 125% poverty.  We are finished now and i am so glad we are.

 

Good luck in the future.

 

M.

Was this $73K US dollars?

 

I am going through a K-1 process. We are above 125% poverty but my fiance has changed jobs during the pandemic (lost first one due to the pandemic but got another one). I'm not sure if that will affect things. I am not sure if we should be getting a co-sponsor seeming there is less scrutiny in terms of finances generally at the K-1 stage (increased scrutiny at Adjustment of Status)... But not sure if that is different now? 

 

Also, @zochu I hope you are able to get the joint sponsor! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. 

[zochu 255]

1 minute ago, B&ANZ said:

We are in a similar boat as @zochu so we are biting our fingernails until our interview. We have no chance of a joint sponsor so I would have to leave my dream job to move back to NZ - most likely throwing 8 years of my schooling away.  I still cannot believe they needed a joint sponsor. I was always told that CURRENT income is key. I started working in the US in May, and make well above the minimum requirement and have heaps of savings, but as we know now, that minimum requirement is bs 😔. I was able to get my husband a position at my employer yesterday, but they cannot officially give him a contract until he has a SSN. I am hoping my email correspondence about him working there when he arrives is enough to show the officer he will not be a public charge and he has a job lined up when he arrives. Moving back to NZ is not the end of the world. We are just grateful that we have each other and no matter the outcome, we will be reunited very very soon. As long as we are together, we will have a beautiful life whether the US government wants to interfere in it or not. 

I hope you get your visa. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. I think having a job lined up for him is a super big positive for your case.

 

I will be crossing everything for you! 
 

We worked hard and we tried to do this the “proper” way but alas here we are - unsuccessful 

[B&ANZ 134]

Just now, zochu said:

I hope you get your visa. Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. I think having a job lined up for him is a super big positive for your case.

 

I will be crossing everything for you! 
 

We worked hard and we tried to do this the “proper” way but alas here we are - unsuccessful 

Cheers! My husband jokingly said he will wear a sombrero, go the Mexico and cross the border😂. That made me smile when he could tell how depressed I was when I told him about you guys! Just sucks that the ones doing it the right way are the ones who get screwed  

[zochu 255]

Just now, Lelly said:

Was this $73K US dollars?

 

I am going through a K-1 process. We are above 125% poverty but my fiance has changed jobs during the pandemic (lost first one due to the pandemic but got another one). I'm not sure if that will affect things. I am not sure if we should be getting a co-sponsor seeming there is less scrutiny in terms of finances generally at the K-1 stage (increased scrutiny at Adjustment of Status)... But not sure if that is different now? 

 

Also, @zochu I hope you are able to get the joint sponsor! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. 

Yes $73k USD. 
 

If your over 125% but below 250% expect some

scrutiny from the consulate officer. 
 
I would get a joint sponsor prepared before you go. We were completely blindsided - no note from NVC.

 

 

it really is case by case

 

[Lelly 65]

10 hours ago, zochu said:

passing vic/nsw border was easy- took about 1hr 30 mins 

Did you cross by car by the way? Or did you fly in?

 

I am going to be requesting expedited processing but I have been fearful that I may not be able to get into Sydney from Melbourne for the interview. And that that may make things even worse for our case. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I am so sorry to hear about what happened at interview and I am really really hoping the joint sponsor comes through for you!