Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[Jem.G 47]

3 hours ago, AussieBoy87 said:

Can anyone answer this question - I live in VIC.

 

The consulate has my visa. But I can't go because of border restrictions.

 

How long will they keep my visa for me before sending it back?

 

If they send it back , do I need to apply all over again?

So you have had and interview at the Sydney Consulate or you are waiting to be issued an interview?

If you are waiting for an interview you don't need to worry because they have your case and you will be placed on a waitlist and issued an interview when possible. it will not expire as far as I know.

[Newhawaiki 20]

38 minutes ago, Jem.G said:

I had my K1 interview in Sydney on the 15th, I did request and expedited appointment though. The day I had my interview most of the people there were also K1 applicants.

I can see on your timeline you have not recieved your NOA2 yet, so just hang in there.

Cheers for that @Jem.G! Congratulations on the success of the expedited appointment which led to the interview! That's a huge victory, especially with all the COVID craziness.

 

Our date is literally right on the cusp of activity according to the March timeline, I was blessed to be able to stay in Australia with my fiance this whole time and with my tourist visa expiring in November we're looking at different plans (like me staying with an Aus. partner visa vs. waiting for the K1)  with how realistic those timeframes are, so thank you for giving us some hope in that direction. We were just wondering if they were even doing interviews at the Sydney Consulate. 

 

I still feel like the K1 is still many months away should we be successful in that journey though 

Edited October 12, 2020 by Newhawaiki

[AussieBoy87 14]

54 minutes ago, Jem.G said:

So you have had and interview at the Sydney Consulate or you are waiting to be issued an interview?

If you are waiting for an interview you don't need to worry because they have your case and you will be placed on a waitlist and issued an interview when possible. it will not expire as far as I know.

No one call tell me. Not even the consulate. 

[Jem.G 47]

2 hours ago, Newhawaiki said:

Cheers for that @Jem.G! Congratulations on the success of the expedited appointment which led to the interview! That's a huge victory, especially with all the COVID craziness.

 

Our date is literally right on the cusp of activity according to the March timeline, I was blessed to be able to stay in Australia with my fiance this whole time and with my tourist visa expiring in November we're looking at different plans (like me staying with an Aus. partner visa vs. waiting for the K1)  with how realistic those timeframes are, so thank you for giving us some hope in that direction. We were just wondering if they were even doing interviews at the Sydney Consulate. 

 

I still feel like the K1 is still many months away should we be successful in that journey though 

No worries!

They are booking K1's I can tell you that much. It's such a hard time with all of this we waited 6 months after our case was recieved by Sydney due to them stoping but they are slowly getting back to normal, hopefully things will be back on track soon.

Whatever you choose to do good luck and don't forget we are all here to help if we can.

[Jem.G 47]

2 hours ago, AussieBoy87 said:

No one call tell me. Not even the consulate.

Hmmm, I'm not sure then.

[AussieAmy 13]

Hey all,

 

🏥Warning long boring post about Medical🏥 

 

 

Had my medical in Sydney today just thought since I found it hard to find info on the medical and the info I did find was mostly horror stories about being examined in the nude I would share my experience.

I went with Dr Rapport one of the 2 doctors here in Sydney that are allowed to sign off on the visa medical. Highly recommend she was lovely.
She is located on George Street above the food court in what appears to be a  predominantly Japanese medical complex.

The nurse did urine collection first then checked BMI and blood pressure, eye sight test, I had to provide proof of vaccinations (I am overly organised and went to the GP a couple months ago and made sure I had all the vaccines up to date, there is one listed that is for children only, she said it’s surprising how many adults are paying for it when they don’t have to). 
Then time to see the Doctor she made me feel very comfortable asked me a ton of questions about my medical history do I do drugs, how often do I drink, past hospitalisations, do I want children, my situation with my husband, do I suffer from depression (standard things you would get asked in a yearly physical or in a low key psych interview) ect.
It reminded me of a tick box questionnaire you would fill out when visiting a GP you hadn’t seen before only verbal yes or no was required.

She then did the physical where I did not have to get nude (thank you Jesus) bra and jocks was sufficient I did some exercise like movements, she did some doctorly  pushing on my abdomen, she checked my reflexes, asked me to cough and we were done. 
She sent me to pathology for Syphillis and Ghonnorea (spelling?) blood tests (fun fact if you have ever had syphillis it will show up-I haven’t so I’m unsure what documentation you would need to prove you had been treated but that’s what they would need if your in that situation) the pathology was right down the hall from her office, then radiology for a chest X-ray to check for TB which was in another building down the street. 
So the medical is $550 all up more if you need vaccinations which they do on the spot and charge for on the spot aswell.
It took a couple hours mostly waiting for different professionals to do their little bit and since the consulate won’t receive the results before my interview she said it will take a week or so to get there. 
I stressed out for nothing it was very low key just like a normal GP visit comfortable casual clothing is ideal.I hope this may help someone as OCD as myself wanting to know exactly what it entails. My take away was that  positive TB Syphillis or Ghonnorea (Spelling?) are the main barriers to the visa for medical reasons and we are lucky that we live in a first world country. 

😊
 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2020 by AussieAmy

[John0990 23]

37 minutes ago, AussieAmy said:

Hey all,

 

🏥Warning long boring post about Medical🏥 

 

 

Had my medical in Sydney today just thought since I found it hard to find info on the medical and the info I did find was mostly horror stories about being examined in the nude I would share my experience.

I went with Dr Rapport one of the 2 doctors here in Sydney that are allowed to sign off on the visa medical. Highly recommend she was lovely.
She is located on George Street above the food court in what appears to be a  predominantly Japanese medical complex.

 

😊
 

 

 

 

Thanks a lot for this ( I cut out a lot of your post just for ease of posting.) Your info is great and answers many questions I know a lot of us must have.

Appreciated

John.

Edited October 12, 2020 by John0990
missed word

[Newhawaiki 20]

14 hours ago, Jem.G said:

No worries!

They are booking K1's I can tell you that much. It's such a hard time with all of this we waited 6 months after our case was recieved by Sydney due to them stoping but they are slowly getting back to normal, hopefully things will be back on track soon.

Whatever you choose to do good luck and don't forget we are all here to help if we can.

@Jem.G WOW six months!? That is a long haul! I cannot imagine what it would be like to have the excitement of your case reaching the Sydney Consulate to then have to wait and wait and wait. It makes your victory that much more remarkable and I hope the joy of getting everything sorted makes up for that time of waiting.

[Botoole 17]

On 10/10/2020 at 10:47 PM, PriscillaQOTD said:

Congrats botoole! Glad to hear they didn’t end up needing a joint sponsor! I’ve booked my flight for the 4th so hopefully we end up on the same flight. I was a little apprehensive about booking my flight before the visa is issued but the officer did say 24 days so I’m assuming that’s worst case scenario. Has your visa issued yet and how long did it take them to receive your medical results? 

Thanks, congrat to you guys too! Visa issued today 🙂. Took ~8 days from doing medical to Consulate receiving it -updated timelines below. 

 

1st October - Medical Done
6th October -Interview Date
6th October - Medical sent to Consulate
9th October - Consulate Received eMedical, case turned from 'Refused' to 'Administrative Processing'
13th October - Visa Issued!
14th October - ETA for Passport +  Visa according to tracking.

[aus2tx 168]

There is a whole new crew of you guys, but I am happy to report that we are DONE!!!

 

No secondary @ LAX, just stamped his passport and said 'Welcome!'

 

I wish everyone else good luck in their journey and know that the time will pass and you will be with yours soon!

[PriscillaQOTD 23]

13 hours ago, Botoole said:

Thanks, congrat to you guys too! Visa issued today 🙂. Took ~8 days from doing medical to Consulate receiving it -updated timelines below. 

 

1st October - Medical Done
6th October -Interview Date
6th October - Medical sent to Consulate
9th October - Consulate Received eMedical, case turned from 'Refused' to 'Administrative Processing'
13th October - Visa Issued!
14th October - ETA for Passport +  Visa according to tracking.

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. We received the email from the Medical place yesterday saying it was complete so I guess we will receive another email from the consulate when they receive it in a few days? I noticed that they updated our case yesterday but currently still says refused. I'll check the case status daily until then. Exciting times!

[Botoole 17]

25 minutes ago, PriscillaQOTD said:

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. We received the email from the Medical place yesterday saying it was complete so I guess we will receive another email from the consulate when they receive it in a few days? I noticed that they updated our case yesterday but currently still says refused. I'll check the case status daily until then. Exciting times!

Yep Consulate should have it and issue your visa within a week. I know the feeling re: checking case status -such an emotional rollercoaster! As expected, passport arrived first thing this morning with visa and accompanying 'let my people go' letter 😀. Relief is an understatement. Goodluck all!

Edited October 14, 2020 by Botoole

[Jem.G 47]

Just check and my Visa was Issued today 🥳🙏

Can't wait to have it in hand and move on!

[PriscillaQOTD 23]

On 10/15/2020 at 11:42 AM, Jem.G said:

Just check and my Visa was Issued today 🥳🙏

Can't wait to have it in hand and move on!

Awesome, congrats! How long did it take from medical appointment to visa issued?

[PriscillaQOTD 23]

On 10/3/2020 at 3:52 PM, Duke & Marie said:

Pre-existing shouldn’t be an issue, Trump signed an executive order to ensure prior conditions remain covered under his plan, it should become cheaper if anything..  it’s likely earnings, age and type of cover.. our combined income is pretty good, and being in our late 40’s we’ve have to have top coverage with full dental.. Unfortunately the closer to 50 you get, the more you tend to fall apart 😂
 

I still find it expensive, guess I always will when comparing it to health care prices back home though.. 

I decided to go look for the executive order that he signed because the pre-existing condition thing is huge and I know he's trying to get the Affordable Health Care Act removed with the 'promise' of a better plan yet there has been no plan in the 4 years he's been in office and there still is no plan he has outlined, just a vision...which doesn't bode well. The executive order just reads: “It has been and will continue to be the policy of the United States to give Americans seeking healthcare more choice, lower costs, and better care and to ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions can obtain the insurance of their choice at affordable rates.” This has no legal backing and is just speaking in general terms and is not an order. All we can do is wait and hope I guess.