Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, BLST said:

with all the eucalyptus trees

Aren't they "invasive" in CA?

[Sharni 27]

10 minutes ago, BLST said:

Hi Sharni,

 

Congratulations on making it over. I will soon be a fellow San Diegan. 😊 It’s a beautiful place, reminds me of Australia, with all the eucalyptus trees. Best sunsets and so dog friendly. 
 

 I’m interested to know how you are finding San Diego’s Covid restrictions and vibe compared to Australia?

 

If you haven’t joined, I recommend joining the app- Nextdoor neighborhood. It’s great way to know what is happening locally, network, find businesses, services, recommendations.

Thanks BLST,  I'm really liking the area we're in (Sabre Springs).  It's right next to the city of Poway which has everything without the hub-bub of downtown San Diego.   San Diego's Covid restrictions just went to Tier 1on Saturday, the highest they have.   Everyone wears masks while they're out (mostly everyone, 50/50 at the beach).  The services have been really impacted and some places you need an appointment before you go, but that's minimal.  With Tier 1, there is no inside dining, or bar service, but if the venue has outdoor seating they can continue.   The vibe as far as I can tell is really relaxed and most people are aware of social distancing. 

 

Thanks for the recommendation for joining the app - Nextdoor neighborhood.  I'll look into that.  I've joined the FB group called Australians in San Diego and even though we're not meeting up just yet, quite a few people reached out to me after I put a post on about whether they do social gatherings (in non restriction times). They have been very welcoming and friendly.  I hope you find it that way as well.  When are you expecting to arrive?

 

[Sharni 27]

6 hours ago, HRQX said:

 

Your immigrant visa should be endorsed by CBP. Thus, it'll serve as I-551 document for 1 year: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs "The employee’s foreign passport with the MRIV is evidence the employee has permanent residence status for 1 year from the date of admission."

 

Did you already pay USCIS Immigrant Fee? https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee/

 

About SSN: I assume you selected "yes" for SSN issuance on DS-260: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html "You should receive your Social Security card within 3 weeks after you arrive." If you can't resolve it over the phone, fax, and/or physical mail, you'll need an appointment to go in-person: "If you believe you qualify for an in-person appointment, call your local office. You can look up the phone number for your local office by accessing our office locator. Please note that appointments may not be immediately available, depending on local health and safety conditions and staffing." https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

Thanks so much for taking the time to copy in so much useful information, I really appreciate it.   I've read before that the Visa serves as a temporary I-551 document, so I'm good with that.   I hope the SSN card does come in the mail in around 3 weeks.  If you can't get paid without it, I don't want to start work too soon.   I contacted Social Security today because our address has changed since we completed the DS-260 and I wanted to check if the address provided at the airport when we came in is what they have for sending out the card.  The conversation was difficult because the person had an accent and the line was bad, but my take away was that I have to wait and it it doesn't turn up in 3 -4 weeks call them back.  That was a little frustrating.    One last thing,  yes we have paid the USCIS immigrant fee.  Thanks again.  Cheers

[HRQX 4,145]

1 minute ago, Sharni said:

If you can't get paid without it, I don't want to start work too soon.

Just to clarify, that in the case I mentioned it was delayed paycheck until SSN was provided to employer. But I understand the desire to get paid at the same time as coworkers. Our bills still continue to come requesting payments, without regard to the pay situation.

[Sharni 27]

4 hours ago, John0990 said:

Update, certainly not what we wanted to hear. This morning US time we got some legal advise, after being told it would cost us $5000 US for them to take it on with a maybe timeline of 6 to 12 months or more with no guarantees of the waiver. Now should we go this road and somehow get the waiver it seems the final decision still rests fully with the Embassy officer on the visa decision.

All this over a very stupid decision at 18yo, $600 Au and some 40 years ago.

 

We will now have to look at closely at our options, Donna has just on 12 months in which we can most likely get her back into Australia before that expires. Should we have to go this road it means selling everything in the US, House, goods everything.

 

Not the dream we had but Thats our story.

 

Sending out hopes and prayers to everyone still in the system that things go well for you all.

 

Oh John, that news breaks my heart.  I have watched your journey on this site, and to have this barrier now is just insane and heartless.  Surely there is a statute of limitations on that sort of thing.   Is there any other way to expedite a review of the waiver?   This just can't be the end here.  Australia's Human Rights Act has something addressing this, surely the US would have something similar?  I'm sorry, I just can't believe it.  I am praying that a solution comes through for you.

[BLST 11]

47 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Aren't they "invasive" in CA?

I believe so. Apparently not as disastrous further down south CA and inland. 

[BLST 11]

53 minutes ago, Sharni said:

Thanks BLST,  I'm really liking the area we're in (Sabre Springs).  It's right next to the city of Poway which has everything without the hub-bub of downtown San Diego.   San Diego's Covid restrictions just went to Tier 1on Saturday, the highest they have.   Everyone wears masks while they're out (mostly everyone, 50/50 at the beach).  The services have been really impacted and some places you need an appointment before you go, but that's minimal.  With Tier 1, there is no inside dining, or bar service, but if the venue has outdoor seating they can continue.   The vibe as far as I can tell is really relaxed and most people are aware of social distancing. 

 

Thanks for the recommendation for joining the app - Nextdoor neighborhood.  I'll look into that.  I've joined the FB group called Australians in San Diego and even though we're not meeting up just yet, quite a few people reached out to me after I put a post on about whether they do social gatherings (in non restriction times). They have been very welcoming and friendly.  I hope you find it that way as well.  When are you expecting to arrive?

 

Thanks for the info Sharni. Will be interesting to experience the differences.  I will look into the Facebook group.
I’m yet to explore that side of San Diego.  I can’t wait to get to know San Diego properly. I’m familiar with downtown and the coast, living in La Jolla. For the last 3 years - ‘living’, - meaning visiting on ESTA visa as much as possible. I have my man and our dog waiting for me after being apart for the last 8 months. My case just got expedited and arrived to Sydney Consulate yesterday. So I’m now waiting for the interview. Hopefully not too long now.  Stay safe. 😊

Edited November 18, 2020 by BLST
Hadn’t finished

[John0990 23]

2 hours ago, Sharni said:

Oh John, that news breaks my heart.  I have watched your journey on this site, and to have this barrier now is just insane and heartless.  Surely there is a statute of limitations on that sort of thing.   Is there any other way to expedite a review of the waiver?   This just can't be the end here.  Australia's Human Rights Act has something addressing this, surely the US would have something similar?  I'm sorry, I just can't believe it.  I am praying that a solution comes through for you.

Hi Sharni, thanks for your words. As far I can find out so far there is no time limit (statute of limitation) on this for the US. We still the waiver to apply for - as long as we can show the (Extreme Hardship) so far now we will concentrate on that, one step at a time. 

Oh and I know this is not funny but after everything over the last few weeks I have to laugh........... I flew to Adelaide to visit my family first time in a long time and only because I flew direct form Sydney as Vic is still shut out from SA. Now here in SA the state is in urgent lockdown and now stuck here. One has to wonder at times.

Stay Safe.

[Amurtaza 1]

Hi Everyone 

I am new here, Glad to see so many great people here,  MY DQ Date is 2nd OCT 2020 and yesterday I got an email saying 
"The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL approved your request for expedited processing of your immigrant visa application. The National Visa Center sent your immigrant visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL for their action. The Embassy/Consulate General will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview"

 

Q1) I am confused that I never applied for any expedite, what should I do now or anyone else has got the same email, please let me know how long is the wait for the interview date, I am in Melbourne and desperately waiting for the interview.
Q2) What you guys suggest me for the medical appointment, I haven't heard anything from Sydney consulate yet

 

Thanks in advance   

[Eisa 5]

1 hour ago, Amurtaza said:

Hi Everyone 

I am new here, Glad to see so many great people here,  MY DQ Date is 2nd OCT 2020 and yesterday I got an email saying 
"The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL approved your request for expedited processing of your immigrant visa application. The National Visa Center sent your immigrant visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL for their action. The Embassy/Consulate General will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview"

 

Q1) I am confused that I never applied for any expedite, what should I do now or anyone else has got the same email, please let me know how long is the wait for the interview date, I am in Melbourne and desperately waiting for the interview.
Q2) What you guys suggest me for the medical appointment, I haven't heard anything from Sydney consulate yet

 

Thanks in advance   

Hi Amurtaza,

I am from Melbourne too and I received the same email last week (same situation never applied for expedite ) I think we should wait until the consulate to send us an email to schedule an appointment and then book the medical appointment 

[kunnu1910 2]

Hi Everyone,

 

I have 2 question regarding the interview:

 

1) According the cover sheet attached in the interview appointment email: I have to carry Medium 500gm A4 size Express post envelope.

I got this one: https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/express-post-medium-c5-envelope-10-pack-0590182?fm=recommendations:shop:3

Please let me know if this is the correct one?

 

2) I have prepared the document bundle as per the instruction given: Original first then the photocopy.

So what will happen during the interview, they will keep the photocopies and return the original or they will give back the whole bundle?

 

Thanks.

[kunnu1910 2]

2 hours ago, Amurtaza said:

Hi Everyone 

I am new here, Glad to see so many great people here,  MY DQ Date is 2nd OCT 2020 and yesterday I got an email saying 
"The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL approved your request for expedited processing of your immigrant visa application. The National Visa Center sent your immigrant visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL for their action. The Embassy/Consulate General will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview"

 

Q1) I am confused that I never applied for any expedite, what should I do now or anyone else has got the same email, please let me know how long is the wait for the interview date, I am in Melbourne and desperately waiting for the interview.
Q2) What you guys suggest me for the medical appointment, I haven't heard anything from Sydney consulate yet

 

Thanks in advance   

This is happening with lot of people, even same happened with me.

 

As soon as I got the expedite approved (even I never applied for the expedite). I finished my Medical and now my interview is on 1st December.

Edited November 19, 2020 by kunnu1910

[kunnu1910 2]

1 hour ago, Eisa said:

Hi Amurtaza,

I am from Melbourne too and I received the same email last week (same situation never applied for expedite ) I think we should wait until the consulate to send us an email to schedule an appointment and then book the medical appointment 

You should proceed with the medical, I did the same and now my interview is on 1st December.

[Sharni 27]

1 hour ago, kunnu1910 said:

Hi Everyone,

 

I have 2 question regarding the interview:

 

1) According the cover sheet attached in the interview appointment email: I have to carry Medium 500gm A4 size Express post envelope.

I got this one: https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/express-post-medium-c5-envelope-10-pack-0590182?fm=recommendations:shop:3

Please let me know if this is the correct one?

 

2) I have prepared the document bundle as per the instruction given: Original first then the photocopy.

So what will happen during the interview, they will keep the photocopies and return the original or they will give back the whole bundle?

 

Thanks.

Kunnu, I hope you only bought 1, not 10. lol   That size will do.  I was confused too when I went to Aus Post.  As it turned out the medium package is bigger than you need, but the Consulate took it without comment and used it ok.  It appears that the Consulate in Sydney don't usually mail anything other than the passport back to you.  There was mention on some sites that you will get a sealed package to bring with you to the USA.  I don't believe that's the case from the Sydney Consulate.  From what I've read from most people, it's usually just the passport, and sometimes a letter.  Although for me, the letter was emailed.  The letter from the Consulate is to show the Australian Border Force that you are permitted to travel (this is in addition to the exemption that you must request from the Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep).  I had the letter with me at Sydney Airport for the flight to the US, but I wasn't asked for it.  

 

For question number two, they will look at the originals and then hand them back to you.  They will keep the copies of originals of the important items such as birth, divorce, marriage certificates etc.  A lot of my copies were returned to me, but it's best to have copies of everything though, just in case.   

[Amurtaza 1]

10 minutes ago, Sharni said:

Kunnu, I hope you only bought 1, not 10. lol   That size will do.  I was confused too when I went to Aus Post.  As it turned out the medium package is bigger than you need, but the Consulate took it without comment and used it ok.  It appears that the Consulate in Sydney don't usually mail anything other than the passport back to you.  There was mention on some sites that you will get a sealed package to bring with you to the USA.  I don't believe that's the case from the Sydney Consulate.  From what I've read from most people, it's usually just the passport, and sometimes a letter.  Although for me, the letter was emailed.  The letter from the Consulate is to show the Australian Border Force that you are permitted to travel (this is in addition to the exemption that you must request from the Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep).  I had the letter with me at Sydney Airport for the flight to the US, but I wasn't asked for it.  

 

For question number two, they will look at the originals and then hand them back to you.  They will keep the copies of originals of the important items such as birth, divorce, marriage certificates etc.  A lot of my copies were returned to me, but it's best to have copies of everything though, just in case.   

Hi sharni

 

Can I ask which documents do we need to take for the interview ? I mean do I need the W2 form of my wife as well or not ? 

Edited November 19, 2020 by Amurtaza