Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[midsummer 84]

16 hours ago, Mariii said:

Hi guys, I had my medical exam done with Dr Rappaport AFTER my interview, so I brought a photocopy of my passport (since the US Consulate has the original) and my physical driver’s licence to verify my identity. The e-Medical infornation sheet sent from the panel physician to the consulate says that my “identity document presented” was my licence, NOT my passport. Has this been an issue for anyone else?

I had my passport with me when I saw Dr. Rappaport so mine is different to yours but I don't think you need to worry. Dr. Rappaport and the Medicentral team were brilliant and professional - very used to handling visa medicals and I'm sure all be well. I had mine the day before my interview and it took about just under week for the report to arrive (public holidays) and get put onto the system at the Consulate. Best of luck to you

[jasonandkristin 5]

Does anyone know if we can complete the DS-160 before our packet is sent from the NVC to the Sydney Embassy?  Just wondering if we can get going on the rest of the process as soon as the NVC acknowledges they received our packet? 

[mpandmg0523 0]

On 2/26/2021 at 4:34 PM, Jean Silva said:

Hi,

 

Yes. My interview will be this Tuesday. I got my interview date after 2 weeks after my expedite approval.

Hi! How long after receiving your expedite approval did it take for your CEAC status to change from "At NVC"? 

[Ravin Gill 0]

On 2/26/2021 at 1:16 AM, Jean Silva said:

Hello,

When I received the date of the interview, I contacted the doctor and scheduled the exam. I took the exam last week.

 

My timeline:

 

3 Feb - I received the result the expedite
11 Feb - I received an email stating that the case was sent to the consulate
15 Feb - I received the interview date (2 March)
19 Feb - I had medical exams

@Jean Silva Thank you so much for sharing. Good luck on your interview! I hope and pray that everything goes well. Please do share your interview experience. 

[Ravin Gill 0]

On 2/24/2021 at 1:01 AM, ksarna said:

@Ravin GillThank you. This is very helpful. We are thinking to send email soon too. Will keep you posted if we hear anything.

All the Best!

@ksarnaJust wanted to give you an update. Our expedite request, based on financial hardship/parent death/emotional trauma,  got approved on Feb 26. 

[ksarna 2]

10 minutes ago, Ravin Gill said:

@ksarnaJust wanted to give you an update. Our expedite request, based on financial hardship/parent death/emotional trauma,  got approved on Feb 26. 

 

10 minutes ago, Ravin Gill said:

@ksarnaJust wanted to give you an update. Our expedite request, based on financial hardship/parent death/emotional trauma,  got approved on Feb 26. 

 

10 minutes ago, Ravin Gill said:

@ksarnaJust wanted to give you an update. Our expedite request, based on financial hardship/parent death/emotional trauma,  got approved on Feb 26. 

@Ravin GillGreat news! Congratulatios. Hope you get your interview date soon. Please keep posted for further updates. Thanks again!

[ksarna 2]

20 minutes ago, Ravin Gill said:

@ksarnaJust wanted to give you an update. Our expedite request, based on financial hardship/parent death/emotional trauma,  got approved on Feb 26. 

@Ravin GillHow long did it take for the expedite approval after your request?

Edited March 2, 2021 by ksarna

[Ravin Gill 0]

1 minute ago, ksarna said:

@Ravin GillHow long did it take for the expedite approval after your request?

I would say about a week or more. I literally called NVC everyday. Not that this does anything, but I am very anxious and worried. 

[midsummer 84]

On 2/28/2021 at 6:16 PM, jasonandkristin said:

Does anyone know if we can complete the DS-160 before our packet is sent from the NVC to the Sydney Embassy?  Just wondering if we can get going on the rest of the process as soon as the NVC acknowledges they received our packet? 

You can complete it as soon as you have the details you need from the NVC. I waited until I saw that it had been to sent to Sydney fill in mine so I could be sure everything was up to date.

[Jean Silva 1]

On 3/2/2021 at 2:26 AM, mpandmg0523 said:

Hi! How long after receiving your expedite approval did it take for your CEAC status to change from "At NVC"? 

Hi..

 

Around 2 weeks.

[Jean Silva 1]

Guys,

 

I did my interview yesterday (EB3 Skilled Visa - Nurse) and everything went well. I know that this topic is not related to this visa category, but the tips were helping me a lot.

 

I would like to thank everyone who helped me with the doubts I had during the consular process. I just looked at the Status and it's Issued.

 

I have some questions:

- How long does it take for them to send their passport?

- I have to pay the green card fee. Do I receive payment instructions along with my passport?

- When I arrive in the USA, how long does it take to receive the green card and SSN?

 

Thanks.

[midsummer 84]

Congratulations on your approval! My passport was sent out on the day my status changed to issued. That was on a Friday. My passport arrived the following Monday.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Jean Silva said:

- I have to pay the green card fee. Do I receive payment instructions along with my passport?

Just in case, here are the instructions:

• https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-on-finding-your-a-number-and-dos-case-id
• https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee/uscis-immigrant-fee-payment-guide

After paying it, you'll receive a new Receipt number: 

Receive confirmation of your payment.

• Once your payment is complete, you will be directed to the “Confirmation” page. We encourage you to print a copy of this page for your records.
• From here, you can pay for additional immigrants, return to the USCIS homepage, or exit your browser.
• You will receive a payment confirmation from ELISdonotreply@uscis.dhs.gov with the subject “Pay.gov Payment Confirmation: Immigrant Visa.”
• The email will include your receipt number beginning with the letters IOE. We encourage you to save this email for your records.

1 hour ago, Jean Silva said:

When I arrive in the USA, how long does it take to receive the green card and SSN?

The CBP endorsed Immigrant Visa serves as temporary I-551 until 1 year after US entry.

 

Some get the Green Card within 2 months and others longer like 10 months.

Edited March 3, 2021 by HRQX

[Ravin Gill 0]

On 12/11/2020 at 10:21 PM, BLST said:

Update on Approved Expedite & Interview on Dec 8th.

** VISA APPROVED! **

 

Already have my visa/ passport back on Dec 11th. Now applying for travel exemption to leave on the 27th Dec.

 

The whole interview was much more casual than expected but exactly how other people on here have described it.

 

My appointment was at 8.30am. I arrived at 8.10am. There were 2 people in front of me when first lining up for security check. I don’t feel it would be necessary to arrive too early. Perhaps not during covid.

 

I handed my documents to staff. Went through security check then received documents back and was guided to the lift. Went up to the 59th floor. Then as you enter the room you are to take a ticket from automated machine. (some people forgot to do this) 

 

The office is like an 80’s bank. Roughly 12 tellers, divided into 3 areas. You are standing at the  ‘teller’ whilst being interviewed, with the staff sitting down behind a clear screen.
 

You can very clearly hear people being interviewed as the staff speak through a microphone. In the waiting room there were roughly 8-10 people. But not all were before me, as some were needing to do different things.
 

You are first called up to hand in your documents. No questions are asked at this point. I waited 30 minutes to be called. Then you sit back down. 
 

Listening to those before me being interviewed was helpful and put me at ease. The questions I overheard were very basic and minimal. I overheard 3 interviews for Marriage visas, and 1 Fiancé visa.  

I waited for another 40 minutes before I was called for the actual interview. The person interviewing is different to the person collecting documents.

 

I felt my interview was longer than the others I heard. I think that was more down to the guy being curious as to my living situation and trying to piece it all together.

I have been living in between several countries the past few years, living with my fiancé as much as possible, with a lot of traveling. So it can get confusing trying to explain it all.

 

The interviewer was very nice, had a good sense of humour but professional. Cracked a joke or two.

 

My fiancé  is 16 years older than me. The interviewer did ask our ages. But that was not a problem. ( I read somewhere on here that age gaps are questioned) I’m 42, so it didn’t seem like an issue.

 

I did bring proof of my education, which I’m glad I did, as I was asked my highest level of education.

 

And I showed him some extra photos. But he had the ones I had previously included in my initial application.
 

Otherwise I was not asked for anything else. I did not bring my resume or bank statements.

 

My partner only provided 1 transcript of his 2019 tax to support the affidavit. Did not include any assets. Our lawyer said if income is over required amount for sponsorship, then you do not need to add extra if you do not wish to. I was a bit nervous on this, but it turned out to be sufficient.

 

When asked if I will be working. I said no. My partner will be supporting me. (And on a K1 visa we are unable to work just yet anyhow.) He had no issue with that.
 

I did hear others applying for marriage visa, reply with: “I will work whatever I can get.” “Won’t work at the moment due to covid”.  And they were all approved. 

 

Questions asked: 

* Where did you meet?

* How did the relationship progress?

* When was the last time you saw your fiancé?

* How many times have you seen him?

* Highest level of education?

* What will you do for work?

* What work does your fiancé do?

* Where will you live?

 

Then I was told on the spot, everything looks good. Visa approved!

 

 I couldn’t help but cry happy tears!!! Such a wonderful feeling to know I will see my fiancé soon. And the relief from the fear of the covid unknown, timelines, delays etc.

 

I’m so glad I applied for an expedite. I still can’t believe I have the visa.  So if you haven’t tried to apply for an expedite, I really would recommend it. It’s worth a try! 

 

Extra interview info: Overall I didn’t see many people ‘dressed up’. I wore a blazer, pants and a blouse.  Others wore; trainers, tshirts, sandals, very casual clothing. So anyone worried on what to wear, it appears that it doesn’t really matter.
 

The interviewers really only see the top half of you. 

 

I wish you all the best and a speedy journey. So thankful for this site and group.🙏

 

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help. 🤗

 

@BLST After many days, did you receive your passport in mail? 

[Rajat Patel 0]

On 6/3/2020 at 12:05 PM, KandR18 said:

We got approved for an expedite today at the Sydney Consulate. I will update when we get an interview date.

Hi Kand, As My case is also at NVC and i also want to do Expediate request . if you don't mind can you please tell me what should I write in email.

Mine is also Sydney Consulate.

Thanks