Sydney Interview - APPROVED!!!

[JEC777 13]

Oh my gosh I can't tell you how good it feels to click on that "Approval" button on my VJ Timeline!

What a day! Up at 4am for a 6am coach to Sydney from Canberra with my 3 kiddos. The charge on the iPods didn't last as long as I'd hoped but had some jelly babies on back up.

So, got to the Consulate at 10.30am and went up to Level 10 Reception, all through Security and then straight up to the Consulate. In the foyer of the Level 10 Security there is a huge photograph on the wall of Glacier National Park in Montana, just near where there kids and I will be living.... took it as a good sign

Showed my Passport to a lady before she buzzed me into the Consulate. Collected my ticket to wait and sat down. Poor kids, after 4 hours on a Coach they now had to sit patiently until we were called. After about an hour we called up, they were pretty busy. The lady had our file there, several inches thick, and gradually went through the process of checking off each piece of paperwork that had been submitted, everything!!

I have been REALLY nervous about the Affidavit of Support, for any of you who may have read my earlier posts we submitted for proof of income a letter from my partners Employer and that was it. At the last minute Josh sent me his last 3 years tax returns and in case things looked desperate I also went in armed with proof of Child Support payments for the kids and bank statements showing I have lots of savings. She finally came to the I-134 read though it, read the letter from Josh's Employer and without a single further question went on continuing with the rest of the forms. She didn't ask for anything more, the Tax returns and bank statements never saw the light of day. I was gobsmacked and elated and so relieved!! Finally she said, OK everything looks really good here, nothing has been left out so just take a seat and you will be called for the remaining interview where you will be asked about your relationship etc and be notified of any further documents that may be required. I inwardly gulped and thought maybe the I-134 stuff will come up then.

By this time the kids have really had enough of waiting, it took about an hour for the lady to go through all the paperwork, and now we had to wait again. After about half an hour I think, we were called up. The guy was really nice! He joked with the kids and was really easygoing. He asked me how, when, where we met, had I visited the US before, how often, what does my partner do where would we live and apart from just general kind of chat with the kids and myself....that was it. He said all looks good, don't need any further documents, the Visa is valid for 6 months from today and you have to get married within 90 days etc....honestly, it was a breeze. The worst part was the worrying beforehand and the loooong time the poor kids had to wait, but the process itself was straightforward.

I think the thing the got us through was just having really well prepared paperwork. Make sure you have everything you need. I watched half a dozen people go up to the window for various Visas, and every one of them was told they had been approved on condition of further documents/evidence to be sent in....things like their medical results, police certificates.....be prepared guys!!!

So, now we wait for our Passports to arrive in the post. He asked when we were travelling and I told him we have flights booked for the 30th, he said we should be right. We've come this far, I know we'll be fine. There's not a lot of options for the kids unfortunately, you can only take up your wallet and paperwork, so keeping them entertained is hard. I think it was a pretty busy day today though, so things may not go as slow for everyone else.

You should've seen the smiles on our faces after we got the YES we have been waiting so long for. HAPPY DAY!!!

[GODISGOODWally 3]

Congratulations :ot2:

Oh my gosh I can't tell you how good it feels to click on that "Approval" button on my VJ Timeline!

What a day! Up at 4am for a 6am coach to Sydney from Canberra with my 3 kiddos. The charge on the iPods didn't last as long as I'd hoped but had some jelly babies on back up.

So, got to the Consulate at 10.30am and went up to Level 10 Reception, all through Security and then straight up to the Consulate. In the foyer of the Level 10 Security there is a huge photograph on the wall of Glacier National Park in Montana, just near where there kids and I will be living.... took it as a good sign

Showed my Passport to a lady before she buzzed me into the Consulate. Collected my ticket to wait and sat down. Poor kids, after 4 hours on a Coach they now had to sit patiently until we were called. After about an hour we called up, they were pretty busy. The lady had our file there, several inches thick, and gradually went through the process of checking off each piece of paperwork that had been submitted, everything!!

I have been REALLY nervous about the Affidavit of Support, for any of you who may have read my earlier posts we submitted for proof of income a letter from my partners Employer and that was it. At the last minute Josh sent me his last 3 years tax returns and in case things looked desperate I also went in armed with proof of Child Support payments for the kids and bank statements showing I have lots of savings. She finally came to the I-134 read though it, read the letter from Josh's Employer and without a single further question went on continuing with the rest of the forms. She didn't ask for anything more, the Tax returns and bank statements never saw the light of day. I was gobsmacked and elated and so relieved!! Finally she said, OK everything looks really good here, nothing has been left out so just take a seat and you will be called for the remaining interview where you will be asked about your relationship etc and be notified of any further documents that may be required. I inwardly gulped and thought maybe the I-134 stuff will come up then.

By this time the kids have really had enough of waiting, it took about an hour for the lady to go through all the paperwork, and now we had to wait again. After about half an hour I think, we were called up. The guy was really nice! He joked with the kids and was really easygoing. He asked me how, when, where we met, had I visited the US before, how often, what does my partner do where would we live and apart from just general kind of chat with the kids and myself....that was it. He said all looks good, don't need any further documents, the Visa is valid for 6 months from today and you have to get married within 90 days etc....honestly, it was a breeze. The worst part was the worrying beforehand and the loooong time the poor kids had to wait, but the process itself was straightforward.

I think the thing the got us through was just having really well prepared paperwork. Make sure you have everything you need. I watched half a dozen people go up to the window for various Visas, and every one of them was told they had been approved on condition of further documents/evidence to be sent in....things like their medical results, police certificates.....be prepared guys!!!

So, now we wait for our Passports to arrive in the post. He asked when we were travelling and I told him we have flights booked for the 30th, he said we should be right. We've come this far, I know we'll be fine. There's not a lot of options for the kids unfortunately, you can only take up your wallet and paperwork, so keeping them entertained is hard. I think it was a pretty busy day today though, so things may not go as slow for everyone else.

You should've seen the smiles on our faces after we got the YES we have been waiting so long for. HAPPY DAY!!!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Congratulations !!!!

Thanks for posting your consulate review, it helps everyone that uses the forum.

[hikergirl 277]

Congratulations!

[winnie george 67]

CONGRATULATIONS

[VisaDude 4]

Oh my gosh I can't tell you how good it feels to click on that "Approval" button on my VJ Timeline!

What a day! Up at 4am for a 6am coach to Sydney from Canberra with my 3 kiddos. The charge on the iPods didn't last as long as I'd hoped but had some jelly babies on back up.

So, got to the Consulate at 10.30am and went up to Level 10 Reception, all through Security and then straight up to the Consulate. In the foyer of the Level 10 Security there is a huge photograph on the wall of Glacier National Park in Montana, just near where there kids and I will be living.... took it as a good sign

Showed my Passport to a lady before she buzzed me into the Consulate. Collected my ticket to wait and sat down. Poor kids, after 4 hours on a Coach they now had to sit patiently until we were called. After about an hour we called up, they were pretty busy. The lady had our file there, several inches thick, and gradually went through the process of checking off each piece of paperwork that had been submitted, everything!!

I have been REALLY nervous about the Affidavit of Support, for any of you who may have read my earlier posts we submitted for proof of income a letter from my partners Employer and that was it. At the last minute Josh sent me his last 3 years tax returns and in case things looked desperate I also went in armed with proof of Child Support payments for the kids and bank statements showing I have lots of savings. She finally came to the I-134 read though it, read the letter from Josh's Employer and without a single further question went on continuing with the rest of the forms. She didn't ask for anything more, the Tax returns and bank statements never saw the light of day. I was gobsmacked and elated and so relieved!! Finally she said, OK everything looks really good here, nothing has been left out so just take a seat and you will be called for the remaining interview where you will be asked about your relationship etc and be notified of any further documents that may be required. I inwardly gulped and thought maybe the I-134 stuff will come up then.

By this time the kids have really had enough of waiting, it took about an hour for the lady to go through all the paperwork, and now we had to wait again. After about half an hour I think, we were called up. The guy was really nice! He joked with the kids and was really easygoing. He asked me how, when, where we met, had I visited the US before, how often, what does my partner do where would we live and apart from just general kind of chat with the kids and myself....that was it. He said all looks good, don't need any further documents, the Visa is valid for 6 months from today and you have to get married within 90 days etc....honestly, it was a breeze. The worst part was the worrying beforehand and the loooong time the poor kids had to wait, but the process itself was straightforward.

I think the thing the got us through was just having really well prepared paperwork. Make sure you have everything you need. I watched half a dozen people go up to the window for various Visas, and every one of them was told they had been approved on condition of further documents/evidence to be sent in....things like their medical results, police certificates.....be prepared guys!!!

So, now we wait for our Passports to arrive in the post. He asked when we were travelling and I told him we have flights booked for the 30th, he said we should be right. We've come this far, I know we'll be fine. There's not a lot of options for the kids unfortunately, you can only take up your wallet and paperwork, so keeping them entertained is hard. I think it was a pretty busy day today though, so things may not go as slow for everyone else.

You should've seen the smiles on our faces after we got the YES we have been waiting so long for. HAPPY DAY!!!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[David R 2]

Congratulations!!!

[MrsOyetunji 9]

Congratulations

[edenjames 6]

Congratulations!!!! So very happy for you and your kids

[PerthtoMass 12]

Hi JEC777. I have been on tenterhooks for the last week knowing your interview was coming up. I too was very nervous for you with regards your financial situation. I am so very pleased for you all. I can well imagine the kids lives have been on hold while they have been waiting to find out where they will go to school in 2013, what activities they should /should not enrol in etc....My husband and I have only 1 child, and we all feel as though we have been living in an airport waiting area the last few months, so I can only imagine how things have been for you. I wish you all the very best!

Congratulations

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Congrats!! Have a safe flight and enjoy your New Year in the US!! That's a great date to arrive. You'll arrive on the 30th/31st. What a way to celebrate 2013!! Bet that midnight kiss will be amazing!!

[JEC777 13]

Hi JEC777. I have been on tenterhooks for the last week knowing your interview was coming up. I too was very nervous for you with regards your financial situation. I am so very pleased for you all. I can well imagine the kids lives have been on hold while they have been waiting to find out where they will go to school in 2013, what activities they should /should not enrol in etc....My husband and I have only 1 child, and we all feel as though we have been living in an airport waiting area the last few months, so I can only imagine how things have been for you. I wish you all the very best!

Congratulations

Thank you!!! It has been a long road. We feel like we have been divided in two these past few years, with half our lives and hearts in Montana with my partner while living our day to day lives here in Australia. We are just so relieved and happy and the change in the kids is already so apparent, they are just soooo happy!!! Just 11 more sleeps to go and we will be on the plane andfinally able to start our new lives as a new family...great way to kick off 2013!!

I wish you all the best with your Visas.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New year!!

[JEC777 13]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I am still pinching myself. I am so used to constantly thinking and worrying about the whole petition and Visa process....it is hard to believe it is all over, at least until AOS. I can't believe we will be there in less than 2 weeks and I will see Josh again, it has been 8 months since I saw him last and I miss him so much, not to mention how excited the kids are....they can't wait to play in the snow!!!

Good luck to everyone who is still waiting. Have Faith, try not to be discouraged and know that anything is possible, you just have to stay strong, trust in the universe and hold onto your hopes and dreams because they do come true!!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[pieroot 43]

That is really awesome!!!! CONGRATS!!!!