Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[GiggsMcGill 40]

6 minutes ago, PattyM24 said:

Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Could you tell me how long Did it take to get the interview date after the options email was sent?  

We had the word experience of they gave us a date and didn't TELL us the date until the day before. Literally got an email saying, "we'll see you tomorrow." So we emailed immediately requesting 3 weeks later and got it.

 

So technically we would've gotten the date I think a week after choosing an option.

 

I think it may be a little different notw with there being more bookings though?

[PattyM24 6]

5 minutes ago, GiggsMcGill said:

We had the word experience of they gave us a date and didn't TELL us the date until the day before. Literally got an email saying, "we'll see you tomorrow." So we emailed immediately requesting 3 weeks later and got it.

 

So technically we would've gotten the date I think a week after choosing an option.

 

I think it may be a little different notw with there being more bookings though?

That’s crazy! We got the options email on Thursday morning and replied the same day but have yet to hear. It’s just so close we are all getting anxious! He got his visa so quickly even with the delay. I’m so happy you will be reunited after all this time! Thanks for the info 

[John0990 23]

2 hours ago, GiggsMcGill said:

Wanted to give an update - hubby is in the US!!

 

Interview Tuesday, Sept 29: approved

Applied for travel exemption, approved (he used the email saying he had an interview)

Visa issued: Wednesday, Sept 30 

Received in mail: Thursday, Oct 1

Flew out of Sydney Saturday, Oct 3

 

Only 30 people on his entire plane. 

 

Landed at LAX, only took 20 min to get through customs and get baggage. The only thing they checked at customs was if the address he told them matched the address on the application.

Congrats, absolutely fantastic news. Wishing y'all the very best.

[Mayflower girl 6]

2 hours ago, PattyM24 said:

Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Could you tell me how long Did it take to get the interview date after the options email was sent?  

 

2 hours ago, PattyM24 said:

Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Could you tell me how long Did it take to get the interview date after the options email was sent?  

Congratulations! We an only pray Sydney have some heart and open up to Melbourne applicants who have been waiting over 6 months for this opportunity.

[Sharni 27]

7 hours ago, GiggsMcGill said:

Wanted to give an update - hubby is in the US!!

 

Interview Tuesday, Sept 29: approved

Applied for travel exemption, approved (he used the email saying he had an interview)

Visa issued: Wednesday, Sept 30 

Received in mail: Thursday, Oct 1

Flew out of Sydney Saturday, Oct 3

 

Only 30 people on his entire plane. 

 

Landed at LAX, only took 20 min to get through customs and get baggage. The only thing they checked at customs was if the address he told them matched the address on the application.

That's so amazing!  Congratulations!!    

Can I ask which airline he flew with to LAX?  I thought United were the only ones flying and they go to San Francisco.    Great news about the whole trip going so well.  

 

[GiggsMcGill 40]

22 minutes ago, Sharni said:

That's so amazing!  Congratulations!!    

Can I ask which airline he flew with to LAX?  I thought United were the only ones flying and they go to San Francisco.    Great news about the whole trip going so well.  

 

He flew Delta

[zochu 255]

11 hours ago, GiggsMcGill said:

Wanted to give an update - hubby is in the US!!

 

Interview Tuesday, Sept 29: approved

Applied for travel exemption, approved (he used the email saying he had an interview)

Visa issued: Wednesday, Sept 30 

Received in mail: Thursday, Oct 1

Flew out of Sydney Saturday, Oct 3

 

Only 30 people on his entire plane. 

 

Landed at LAX, only took 20 min to get through customs and get baggage. The only thing they checked at customs was if the address he told them matched the address on the application.

Congrats that’s amazing! We land in LA this Thursday! It’s been a long time coming!!

[Botoole 17]

Hi fellow VJers. Had my interview this morning at 8am so thought I'd debrief for you all:

• Summary: Took an hour over all, actual interview took about 20-25 minutes. My officer was a pretty friendly guy – kept talking about how great Ireland is (I’m Irish) and his holidays there and how he couldn’t wait to get back. By the end he said, everything looks great, and they’ll return my passport with issued visa once they receive my medical. Sent me on my way saying best of luck, that I’ll love Austin, will make lots of friends there and should have no problems finding a great job there! Really quite pleasant at the end -I was surprised!
• Detail: He started saying there would be three phases to the interview:
  1. Oath (that everything is correct and accurate)
  2. Document check
  3. Questions about Relationship etc
• Document Check
  1. He focused mostly on AOS/financial documents.
     1. He asked if we had a joint-sponsor – told him no, we were hoping our proof of assets was sufficient but offered we could get one if needs be.
     2. Proof of assets -He went through all of the supporting financial support documents we submitted that had our proof of assets, pulling out savings values we had submitted and converting to USD (even though I’m pretty sure I provided USD in application).
        • Reviewed these against poverty guidelines threshold and determined we exceeded this and that was sufficient. He didn’t say anything else about needing a joint sponsor.
        • He also asked how much I and my wife each currently make in Australia pre-tax -then converted to USD on his phone and made a note.

• Questions about Relationship etc.
  • Asked about what I did for work, same for my wife’s work
    1. What our plan was for when we get to U.S.
    2. Where will be go first?
    3. What sort of work will I look for in Austin?
    4. How did I meet my wife?
    5. Why were in Australia?
    6. He asked if I brought any photos of my wife and I or any flight tickets with our names on it to show bona fide relationship
       • I didn’t have any (was not anticipating this -was totally surprised -haven’t heard of anyone else here being requested these) but he was happy that the joint lease and joint checking/savings account was sufficient proof of bona fide relationship so didn't mind.
    7. Lastly - he said, everything looks great and that they will issue my passport with visa once they receive my medical (I completed it last Thursday).

Met another woman there for her interview who had her flight booked for NY tomorrow! I told her that they’ll be taking her passport to issue visa on so there was no chance she was going to make that – she seemed to be unaware of this part of the process the poor girl. I also saw her try pay for a fee at the counter (btw looks like credit card or cash only) -no EFTPOS. She couldn’t pay by card because it was her partners’ U.S. credit card so she couldn’t’ sign for it and she didn’t have enough cash but they let her leave to go get cash and come back -hopefully she got sorted!

[vincentamosa 43]

On 10/4/2020 at 11:00 AM, PattyM24 said:

That’s crazy! We got the options email on Thursday morning and replied the same day but have yet to hear. It’s just so close we are all getting anxious! He got his visa so quickly even with the delay. I’m so happy you will be reunited after all this time! Thanks for the info 

just got this email:

 

[Thank you for your email.

You have been placed on a waitlist and as soon as an appointment becomes available, your appointment will be scheduled.]

 

 

 

Here we go!!  My partner is in perth and for some reason the only place there is quoting between 900-1200 dollars for medical which is more than ive seen people paid in Sydney. Did the medical place in Sydney get anyone in for appointment on short notice?? She is getting nervous for interview but ive been happy to see so many people on here seem to have had nice experiences! and glad to see people making flights! 

 

Anyone that filed with a joint sponsor; if the joint sponsor was married did you need a I-864a from spouse of joint sponsor?  Our joint sponsor is married and we did not get an additional I-864a from spouse, I had never even thought that could be a problem but my partner brought it up.

[vincentamosa 43]

On 10/4/2020 at 11:00 AM, PattyM24 said:

That’s crazy! We got the options email on Thursday morning and replied the same day but have yet to hear. It’s just so close we are all getting anxious! He got his visa so quickly even with the delay. I’m so happy you will be reunited after all this time! Thanks for the info 

Wow 9 minutes ago got another email. Interview Scheduled for October 27 8:00 AM!

[PattyM24 6]

13 minutes ago, vincentamosa said:

Wow 9 minutes ago got another email. Interview Scheduled for October 27 8:00 AM!

He just got the email we’ve been waiting for. Interview is scheduled for October 7th at 9AM what a rollercoaster. It’s such short notice but he got a medical appointment for the 8th in the morning that’s the earliest spot. 

[zochu 255]

5 hours ago, Botoole said:

Hi fellow VJers. Had my interview this morning at 8am so thought I'd debrief for you all:

• Summary: Took an hour over all, actual interview took about 20-25 minutes. My officer was a pretty friendly guy – kept talking about how great Ireland is (I’m Irish) and his holidays there and how he couldn’t wait to get back. By the end he said, everything looks great, and they’ll return my passport with issued visa once they receive my medical. Sent me on my way saying best of luck, that I’ll love Austin, will make lots of friends there and should have no problems finding a great job there! Really quite pleasant at the end -I was surprised!
• Detail: He started saying there would be three phases to the interview:
  1. Oath (that everything is correct and accurate)
  2. Document check
  3. Questions about Relationship etc
• Document Check
  1. He focused mostly on AOS/financial documents.
     1. He asked if we had a joint-sponsor – told him no, we were hoping our proof of assets was sufficient but offered we could get one if needs be.
     2. Proof of assets -He went through all of the supporting financial support documents we submitted that had our proof of assets, pulling out savings values we had submitted and converting to USD (even though I’m pretty sure I provided USD in application).
        • Reviewed these against poverty guidelines threshold and determined we exceeded this and that was sufficient. He didn’t say anything else about needing a joint sponsor.
        • He also asked how much I and my wife each currently make in Australia pre-tax -then converted to USD on his phone and made a note.

• Questions about Relationship etc.
  • Asked about what I did for work, same for my wife’s work
    1. What our plan was for when we get to U.S.
    2. Where will be go first?
    3. What sort of work will I look for in Austin?
    4. How did I meet my wife?
    5. Why were in Australia?
    6. He asked if I brought any photos of my wife and I or any flight tickets with our names on it to show bona fide relationship
       • I didn’t have any (was not anticipating this -was totally surprised -haven’t heard of anyone else here being requested these) but he was happy that the joint lease and joint checking/savings account was sufficient proof of bona fide relationship so didn't mind.
    7. Lastly - he said, everything looks great and that they will issue my passport with visa once they receive my medical (I completed it last Thursday).

Met another woman there for her interview who had her flight booked for NY tomorrow! I told her that they’ll be taking her passport to issue visa on so there was no chance she was going to make that – she seemed to be unaware of this part of the process the poor girl. I also saw her try pay for a fee at the counter (btw looks like credit card or cash only) -no EFTPOS. She couldn’t pay by card because it was her partners’ U.S. credit card so she couldn’t’ sign for it and she didn’t have enough cash but they let her leave to go get cash and come back -hopefully she got sorted!

that’s fantastic! A little odd they wanted more evidence of a bona fide marriage? That’s unusual for Sydney! Maybe he reads here and decided to throw a curve ball! 
 

oh the poor girl! How devastating for her to have a flight booked already! 

[WhyUSoMadFor 62]

5 hours ago, PattyM24 said:

He just got the email we’ve been waiting for. Interview is scheduled for October 7th at 9AM what a rollercoaster. It’s such short notice but he got a medical appointment for the 8th in the morning that’s the earliest spot. 

You got not even a single days notice?!

[Sharni 27]

8 hours ago, Botoole said:

Hi fellow VJers. Had my interview this morning at 8am so thought I'd debrief for you all:

• Summary: Took an hour over all, actual interview took about 20-25 minutes. My officer was a pretty friendly guy – kept talking about how great Ireland is (I’m Irish) and his holidays there and how he couldn’t wait to get back. By the end he said, everything looks great, and they’ll return my passport with issued visa once they receive my medical. Sent me on my way saying best of luck, that I’ll love Austin, will make lots of friends there and should have no problems finding a great job there! Really quite pleasant at the end -I was surprised!
• Detail: He started saying there would be three phases to the interview:
  1. Oath (that everything is correct and accurate)
  2. Document check
  3. Questions about Relationship etc
• Document Check
  1. He focused mostly on AOS/financial documents.
     1. He asked if we had a joint-sponsor – told him no, we were hoping our proof of assets was sufficient but offered we could get one if needs be.
     2. Proof of assets -He went through all of the supporting financial support documents we submitted that had our proof of assets, pulling out savings values we had submitted and converting to USD (even though I’m pretty sure I provided USD in application).
        • Reviewed these against poverty guidelines threshold and determined we exceeded this and that was sufficient. He didn’t say anything else about needing a joint sponsor.
        • He also asked how much I and my wife each currently make in Australia pre-tax -then converted to USD on his phone and made a note.

• Questions about Relationship etc.
  • Asked about what I did for work, same for my wife’s work
    1. What our plan was for when we get to U.S.
    2. Where will be go first?
    3. What sort of work will I look for in Austin?
    4. How did I meet my wife?
    5. Why were in Australia?
    6. He asked if I brought any photos of my wife and I or any flight tickets with our names on it to show bona fide relationship
       • I didn’t have any (was not anticipating this -was totally surprised -haven’t heard of anyone else here being requested these) but he was happy that the joint lease and joint checking/savings account was sufficient proof of bona fide relationship so didn't mind.
    7. Lastly - he said, everything looks great and that they will issue my passport with visa once they receive my medical (I completed it last Thursday).

Met another woman there for her interview who had her flight booked for NY tomorrow! I told her that they’ll be taking her passport to issue visa on so there was no chance she was going to make that – she seemed to be unaware of this part of the process the poor girl. I also saw her try pay for a fee at the counter (btw looks like credit card or cash only) -no EFTPOS. She couldn’t pay by card because it was her partners’ U.S. credit card so she couldn’t’ sign for it and she didn’t have enough cash but they let her leave to go get cash and come back -hopefully she got sorted!

Congratulations.  It's such a relief when the interview is over.  When will you fly?

[Botoole 17]

31 minutes ago, Sharni said:

Congratulations.  It's such a relief when the interview is over.  When will you fly?

Thanks! It's quite the journey -hang in there everyone who is still working through it! Looking at flying 3rd November but that will depend on whether we're able to arrange for our cat to be relocated around the same time