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TerriandEric

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    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    Oh phew! lol. That was the same thing I was worried about!!

    Omnivore - It hasn't been approved yet, it's still a proposal. I hope it's highly advertised before it's approved... if it IS approved... ugh. i hope not. It's INSANE the price change. It's worse reading other people stuff from years ago and what AOS USED to cost... I can't find the page I had but it was like $200 5 years ago.

    $200 would be nice for AOS lol. All up we worked out the process will cost us close to 6K...but it is all worth it in the end...providing I can stop stressing over the fact I am not in control of it all LOL

    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    You found something about the AOS fees changing??? Where?

    I haven't found anything..I was merely thinking out loud as I typed & Eric was yapping in my ear about it. He is concerned (as the rest of us are) that is they change the Visa fee that they will change AOS as well...I have read & re read the document a few times & can find no mention of a change in the AOS. Here is hoping that they leave that fee the heck alone. This process is a financial & emotional mine field....without them changing the rules mid process.

    K VISA FEE TO INCREASE TO $350 FROM $131

    in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

    Posted

    I can honestly say I am sitting here thoroughly gob smacked. I have emailed the relevant links to my fiance stateside & we are both about to email to have our input.

    The visa fee does not worry us as much as the AOS fees will, especially with my daughter in the cost there too. This is not just a financial process but a very emotional one. We all have to take a back seat in our own future for this process while we wait for someone in an office somewhere to deem us 'approved' and now they are changing the rules mid game...talk about feeling powerless.

    My fiancee can sign her 5-year-old's documents, right?

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    I'm a bit confused after reading this... my fiance in the USA is now in the process of getting some docs together to file the I129F, when is the letter regarding custody needed to be filed? I didn't think we needed a letter regarding my son's custody until at later date?

    My son's father lives in the UK, I live in Australia with my son (he's nearly 6) & we have a verbal arrangement in place. He's quite happy to sign an Affidavit for my son to move to the States with me.

    As for the "7 month arrangement".. if it's only verbal it can't be proved it was said, and Family Law is one of those things that can get really quite messy. I'd get the Father to put something in writing.. without specifying how long your child can stay in the USA.

    You dont need the letter until the interview stage, but I got mine in advance because my ex is not prompt in returning things to me when I ask....plus he lives over in WA somewhere. I just wanted to be prepared & not have him hold us up.

    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    As for your medical I would have it done as soon as you get your case number from NVC. When you get your NOA2 notice email I would start calling NVC 3 days after that to see if they have received your case. They will ask for name and date of birth for both of you, and will give you the case number when they have it. The Phone number at NVC is: 603-334-0700. Your case number will start with a SYD then the number. As soon as you have that number get your medical booked and get in to do it. Dont wait for packet 3, as it all moves super fast once at the NVC center.

    Thank you so much for letting me know...I have noted the phone number & emailed it to Eric so he can make note of it to call them once we get to that stage. I am just being my usual ####### self trying to be as prepared & organised as I like to be lol.

    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    Yes Natalie, we will be wedding date twins!! Alex said the same thing about the date - he has a very scientific brain, and he said the numbers felt good to him :)

    So, without further ado -

    My Interview Experience

    Flew down to Sydney and back with Virgin Blue, and stayed at the Central Sydney YHA. I would recommend the YHA to everyone, it's in a good location, cheap, but with great amenities. Did not sleep very much at all Monday night, due to nerves/excitement and my epic sunburn. Appointment was for 8am, so I planned to wake up at 6am so I would not be rushed. I bolted awake at 5.30 and decided to just get up, since there was no way I could get back to sleep.

    Took my time getting ready, checked out of the YHA, left my bag in their lockers ($6 for pretty much a full day's rental) and walked over to Central station. Got the train to Martin Place at 7am, but it took me a while to find the MLC Center once I was out of the station. I thought I would come out the station and it would be right there, but I guess I took the wrong exit. Anyway, got a juice because I was far too anxious to eat, called Alex to calm me down (what a good fiance he is) and then it was finally 7.30 and we could go up to level 10. Went up, handed over my handbag and sat down in the second row of chairs. We all got called up to the lift, and me being sneaky, let everyone in ahead of me so I could be the first one out when we got to level 59. This is where it got a bit strange.

    I was the first out the lift, went right to security, and the guard could not find my name on the list. She double checked my letter and let me in anyways. Got ticket number one, and barely sat down when I was called to the first window. The man made small talk with me, took my prints, and then went to grab my file...which he came back and said he could not find. Cue me having an instant panic attack. He asked me if I was already married, to which I said no, I was pursuing a K1. He checked with me what Alex's full name was, went looking again, and then finally found my file. Have to say it was pretty nice to see our file again! He looked through it, took my passport, receipt and platinum post envelope, and got me to check some things off that I had missed on one of my forms. He said that everything looked good to him, and to enjoy the view and take a seat for the CO interview. And yeah, the view is amazing. Lucky buggers.

    It was another five minutes or so before the CO called me forward for my interview. I took the oath and she asked me if I had been to the states, how long was my longest visit, what degree did I get while I was studying in the states, explain my living situation with Alex during the time I was in the states, did my parents like Alex and what kind of wedding were were planning. And as I mentioned earlier, she referred to Alex as my boyfriend a few times, which each time in my response I corrected her as him being my fiance. She did not ask to see my big folder of additional evidence, or my ring, or anything, just asked questions related to the original petition. I think the CO asked me so many questions because she had a woman from another immigrant section with her, maybe doing some training, as she was explaining her thought processes to her as she was typing my answers into her computer. She then made a comment to the woman who was listening in about the I-134 which I found interesting. The CO mentioned that the Affidavit is not even needed, and they do not really look for a certain dollar amount to be reached by the petitioner (meaning, the 125 percent of the poverty level), though she did mention the poverty level was around 17,000. So I guess, when she is adjudicating, she just wants to see that they make more than the poverty level, though not always the 125 percent marker. I don't know if she was just talking about what she looks for, or what Sydney looks for in general. It just piqued my curiosity, since we all are sticklers for that on VJ!

    She chatted more to her coworker about some other points of Adjudication, and I was just standing there for a few more minutes, so I asked "What should I tell Alex about the interview when I leave here?" and she said "Oh, you're approved." and handed me the letter saying how I would get my visa. So I thanked her, and got myself downstairs as quick as I could to get my phone to tell Alex! I didn't cry like I thought I would, I just had a massive sense of relief that the hard part was over and the uncertainty was gone. And Alex was just as relieved, and went on facebook while we were talking to let everyone know we were a success. Ah, youth and technology :)

    So that was it really. Was in MLC for pretty much an hour, but only spent 20 or so minutes within the consulate. All in all, a quick and easy experience. Spent the rest of the day wandering around Sydney, window shopping and ducking into every Maccas I saw to check my email and get on VJ! Was meant to be back in Brisbane 5.30 tonight, but due to Virgin Blue being a pack of idiots, didn't even get into Brissie until 8.30 :/ Glad to be home though and have a decent sleep.

    That is awesome Astrid! Love how Alex updated FB while you were talking...Eric & I were doing that when he left here last...well I was updating so his family could see where he was in transit. I keep reading that I am so glad it went so well for you :)

    Thanks for the advice regarding the medical everyone..I am talking to Eric now on web cam (gotta love technology!) and I just read to him what the consensus is...so I will go in & initiate my police check tomorrow, at least that little step is out of the way.

    I am going to spend a little more time with my amazing man before we both collapse to sleep (he works 3rd shift)

    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    Best of luck for it all Chris.

    A quick question for everyone -- In regards to the medical, I know they are valid for 12 months after being done as well as the police check. As I have to have a medical done for my 12 year old daughter, will it pose any issue for us to look into getting our medicals done sooner rather then later? I am also looking at doing the police check in advance as well so that thing may run a little smoother considering I have to organise my son who has opted to stay behind here with my parents to finish out Year 11 & 12.

    From all I have read on this site I dont think it would matter but at the same time I am just wanting to make things a little smoother as there is not just me to worry about in the process.

    Has anyone else in the Australian group had children go through the journey with them? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

    Australian Beneficiaries - Packet 3 to Interview date

    in Australia and New Zealand

    Posted

    APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'll write a longer review for the consular review section, but in a nutshell it was all pretty smooth. First one in, first one out, very friendly CO, though she did ask me a fair few questions and kept calling Alex my boyfriend....did not even get asked to show my evidence (darn it, it was so good!) and I should have my visa by Friday!!!

    CONGRATS Astrid!! I am so happy for you!

    My fiancee can sign her 5-year-old's documents, right?

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    I am in agreement with Sundrop on this one. A letter from the biological father stating he gives consent for the move is the only way to go. We obtained that letter for my children for our I129F because we knew that without it there was no chance of them being able to join us there. That said, I now have the letter granting permission for my children & my son is opting to stay in Australia to finish his schooling.

    What this has made me wonder after reading Gary's post, do we need an affidavit from my ex husband to grant permission for my children to travel outside of the USA once we go through AOS as well? If so, I better get him to do this ASAP before the packet reaches the consulate in Sydney.

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