Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
Oct 27th 2003, 8:00 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
OUR DCF EXPERIENCE (feel free to post to various DCF sites..)
October 2003
My Australian wife and I flew up to Sydney last night for our 8am interview
today. We awoke at the crack of dawn (for us) and were at the MLC Centre at
about 7:20 am. When the first guard arrived at 7:30 there were about 10
people waiting. He waited for the second guard to show up then arranged us
in line, with immigrant visas towards the front (so remember to mention this
if you show up after 7:30 and see a line of people in the lobby - there were
lots of non-immigrant visa applicants there).
Our bags were cursorily searched and they ran the scanner over us, then
buzzed us up in the lift in groups. We lined up again in the area at the
top of the lifts where two more guards were chatting away until hearing the
8 am 'ping' and beginning a second search process. This went pretty
quickly - we were asked to take anything electronic out of the bag for a
closer look, including both my mobile phone and its charger. We then went
into the waiting area. Fortunately we were second in line so it wasn't a
long wait at all for our initial check-in at window 2. The lady there
(guessing either Hispanic or Pacific Islander, short hair, lots of jewelry)
took the interview letter and directed us to window 6 to pay the application
fees. Unfortunately they were still calculating this at .62 Australian
cents to the US dollar (the amount given on the instructions we received)
and not at the current and accurate rate of about .70/1 - so they grabbed an
extra A$50 of our money there...
In any case, once we had that receipt we returned to the area outside
windows 1/2/3 and waited for my wife's name to be called over the intercom.
Again, there was only one person ahead of us so it didn't take long. There
are indeed NO TOILETS on this level that applicants are allowed to use -
you'd have to go down to the lobby area and back up through security.
When we were called back to window 2 the same woman as before went through
our paperwork. We had put everything in the order specified, but she seemed
to chop and choose what she was looking for. This is where our little
troubles started (though they seemed big at the time).
First, they didn't accept my wife's photo because she had a tiny stud
earring on when they were taken. We should have (and the photographer who
overcharged for 'official' photos should have) picked up on the fact that
the photo instructions indicate no earrings can be worn. Who comes up with
these ridiculous rules? So we were directed to get new photos for her.
Second, they didn't accept the offer letter from my soon-to-be employer in
the US as evidence of support, though it indicated salary, start date, and
type of work done. This only applies to actual and current employment
(though another classic BCIS Catch 22 if you're moving to the US to take up
work!!!) - so I'll have to get a letter the day I actually start work,
detailing the same exact info and mail that to my wife before she can get
her visa.
She was kind during the process though I got agitated about the letter - she
was apologetic but firm ("Just following the rules") but did offer to raise
it with the interviewer for reconsideration. On the other hand, I saw some
applicants start the process with narky attitudes and she responded in kind.
Apart from that it was very straightforward. We headed downstairs to get
those photos - it cost $12 and took 5 minutes at the place they recommend in
the MLC, as opposed to the $35 and one day it took at the 'official' place
in Melbourne. We used the loos and headed back up through the whole
security process. When we arrived in the waiting area we were immediatey
called to window 3 for our interview.
This woman was very businesslike but not rude. She went through a number of
questions
- How did we meet
- When were we married
- Have welived together continuously since marriage
- How did we communicate when separated (we spent about 3 months apart when
dating)
- Where has my wife travelled and lived apart from Australia and for how
long (a couple of stints of overseas study )
- How long has she been in the US before
- Any previous immigration breaches
- Does my wife intend to work in the US
She then explained the means of support issue and reiterated that I'd either
have to list assets valued at US$75K or over, get joint support (parents,
etc), or get that letter after I start work in the US. We're also waiting
on a police check from Japan for some years my wife lived there. So we were
told that once we had that police check and my employers letter to mail them
together, express post, and my wife should have the visa within 10 working
days from that.
We were out of the consulate at 9:45 and drinking champagne on the quay with
a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge by 10! All in all, pretty much what we
expected and we were treated with courtesy throughout.
Main things I took away from the experience:
- The regulations are completely insane, but don't take this out on the
people hired to enfore them. The staff there respond to courtesy and going
apeshit won't help your cause
- If possible, get your photos at the place in MLC (Photo Express? 1st class
express?) - cheaper and done to specs. If you can't do so, then be
absolutely certain your pics conform to the regs sent in packet 3. Past
reports and our experience indicate that they are very strict on the photos
(my wife and I wonder if they don't have a 'special arrangement' with the
photo shop!)
Good luck!
Ian
October 2003
My Australian wife and I flew up to Sydney last night for our 8am interview
today. We awoke at the crack of dawn (for us) and were at the MLC Centre at
about 7:20 am. When the first guard arrived at 7:30 there were about 10
people waiting. He waited for the second guard to show up then arranged us
in line, with immigrant visas towards the front (so remember to mention this
if you show up after 7:30 and see a line of people in the lobby - there were
lots of non-immigrant visa applicants there).
Our bags were cursorily searched and they ran the scanner over us, then
buzzed us up in the lift in groups. We lined up again in the area at the
top of the lifts where two more guards were chatting away until hearing the
8 am 'ping' and beginning a second search process. This went pretty
quickly - we were asked to take anything electronic out of the bag for a
closer look, including both my mobile phone and its charger. We then went
into the waiting area. Fortunately we were second in line so it wasn't a
long wait at all for our initial check-in at window 2. The lady there
(guessing either Hispanic or Pacific Islander, short hair, lots of jewelry)
took the interview letter and directed us to window 6 to pay the application
fees. Unfortunately they were still calculating this at .62 Australian
cents to the US dollar (the amount given on the instructions we received)
and not at the current and accurate rate of about .70/1 - so they grabbed an
extra A$50 of our money there...
In any case, once we had that receipt we returned to the area outside
windows 1/2/3 and waited for my wife's name to be called over the intercom.
Again, there was only one person ahead of us so it didn't take long. There
are indeed NO TOILETS on this level that applicants are allowed to use -
you'd have to go down to the lobby area and back up through security.
When we were called back to window 2 the same woman as before went through
our paperwork. We had put everything in the order specified, but she seemed
to chop and choose what she was looking for. This is where our little
troubles started (though they seemed big at the time).
First, they didn't accept my wife's photo because she had a tiny stud
earring on when they were taken. We should have (and the photographer who
overcharged for 'official' photos should have) picked up on the fact that
the photo instructions indicate no earrings can be worn. Who comes up with
these ridiculous rules? So we were directed to get new photos for her.
Second, they didn't accept the offer letter from my soon-to-be employer in
the US as evidence of support, though it indicated salary, start date, and
type of work done. This only applies to actual and current employment
(though another classic BCIS Catch 22 if you're moving to the US to take up
work!!!) - so I'll have to get a letter the day I actually start work,
detailing the same exact info and mail that to my wife before she can get
her visa.
She was kind during the process though I got agitated about the letter - she
was apologetic but firm ("Just following the rules") but did offer to raise
it with the interviewer for reconsideration. On the other hand, I saw some
applicants start the process with narky attitudes and she responded in kind.
Apart from that it was very straightforward. We headed downstairs to get
those photos - it cost $12 and took 5 minutes at the place they recommend in
the MLC, as opposed to the $35 and one day it took at the 'official' place
in Melbourne. We used the loos and headed back up through the whole
security process. When we arrived in the waiting area we were immediatey
called to window 3 for our interview.
This woman was very businesslike but not rude. She went through a number of
questions
- How did we meet
- When were we married
- Have welived together continuously since marriage
- How did we communicate when separated (we spent about 3 months apart when
dating)
- Where has my wife travelled and lived apart from Australia and for how
long (a couple of stints of overseas study )
- How long has she been in the US before
- Any previous immigration breaches
- Does my wife intend to work in the US
She then explained the means of support issue and reiterated that I'd either
have to list assets valued at US$75K or over, get joint support (parents,
etc), or get that letter after I start work in the US. We're also waiting
on a police check from Japan for some years my wife lived there. So we were
told that once we had that police check and my employers letter to mail them
together, express post, and my wife should have the visa within 10 working
days from that.
We were out of the consulate at 9:45 and drinking champagne on the quay with
a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge by 10! All in all, pretty much what we
expected and we were treated with courtesy throughout.
Main things I took away from the experience:
- The regulations are completely insane, but don't take this out on the
people hired to enfore them. The staff there respond to courtesy and going
apeshit won't help your cause
- If possible, get your photos at the place in MLC (Photo Express? 1st class
express?) - cheaper and done to specs. If you can't do so, then be
absolutely certain your pics conform to the regs sent in packet 3. Past
reports and our experience indicate that they are very strict on the photos
(my wife and I wonder if they don't have a 'special arrangement' with the
photo shop!)
Good luck!
Ian
Oct 27th 2003, 10:02 pm
#2
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 5
Re: Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
Hi Ian
I read your very useful account of your Sydney DCF experience. Much appreciated. At this stage my boyfriend and I are looking into future possibilities and trying to understand the timeline. I will need Police Clearance from 3 countries incl OZ. How long does it take to get your initial appointment at trhe consulate ? Was it a big issue that you did not have the police clearance available at the time of the interview?
Thanks
I read your very useful account of your Sydney DCF experience. Much appreciated. At this stage my boyfriend and I are looking into future possibilities and trying to understand the timeline. I will need Police Clearance from 3 countries incl OZ. How long does it take to get your initial appointment at trhe consulate ? Was it a big issue that you did not have the police clearance available at the time of the interview?
Thanks
Oct 28th 2003, 12:38 am
#3
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
Good Job!! Let us know when she gets her visa in hand!!!
Oct 28th 2003, 6:14 am
#4
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
Originally posted by Ian
We were out of the consulate at 9:45 and drinking champagne on the quay with
a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge by 10! All in all, pretty much what we
expected and we were treated with courtesy throughout.
We were out of the consulate at 9:45 and drinking champagne on the quay with
a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge by 10! All in all, pretty much what we
expected and we were treated with courtesy throughout.
Oct 29th 2003, 6:10 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
Howdy,
It took about 2 months from requesting the appointment to the day we had our
appointment. We probably could have had the Japan police check ready, but
there were issues regarding my job offer in the US so we didn't pursue
further until that was firmed up. Now we're expecting those results later
this month or November.
They choose their phrases poorly at the Consulate, telling us our
application was "rejected for now" rather than the more accurate (and
positive) "on hold pending the outstanding documents". It wasn't a big deal
at all - we simply have to submit both the police check and my employment
letter once they arrive. They had instructions handy for doing so - I
suspect there are plenty of applicants missing a piece of paper or two.
Once we submit those we can expect the visa within 10 working days.
Cheers
Ian
"azr999" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Ian
> I read your very useful account of your Sydney DCF experience. Much
> appreciated. At this stage my boyfriend and I are looking into future
> possibilities and trying to understand the timeline. I will need Police
> Clearance from 3 countries incl OZ. How long does it take to get your
> initial appointment at trhe consulate ? Was it a big issue that you did
> not have the police clearance available at the time of the interview?
> Thanks
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
It took about 2 months from requesting the appointment to the day we had our
appointment. We probably could have had the Japan police check ready, but
there were issues regarding my job offer in the US so we didn't pursue
further until that was firmed up. Now we're expecting those results later
this month or November.
They choose their phrases poorly at the Consulate, telling us our
application was "rejected for now" rather than the more accurate (and
positive) "on hold pending the outstanding documents". It wasn't a big deal
at all - we simply have to submit both the police check and my employment
letter once they arrive. They had instructions handy for doing so - I
suspect there are plenty of applicants missing a piece of paper or two.
Once we submit those we can expect the visa within 10 working days.
Cheers
Ian
"azr999" <member@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Ian
> I read your very useful account of your Sydney DCF experience. Much
> appreciated. At this stage my boyfriend and I are looking into future
> possibilities and trying to understand the timeline. I will need Police
> Clearance from 3 countries incl OZ. How long does it take to get your
> initial appointment at trhe consulate ? Was it a big issue that you did
> not have the police clearance available at the time of the interview?
> Thanks
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Oct 30th 2003, 9:20 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sydney DCF Experience - interviewed this morning
"Ian" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
Congrats Ian, it sounds like your wife is on the way to having her
visa.
> Main things I took away from the experience:
> - The regulations are completely insane, but don't take this out on the
> people hired to enfore them. The staff there respond to courtesy and going
> apeshit won't help your cause
Not going ape shit is generally sound advice for most things in life.
You are more often rewarded when you are courteous than when you
aren't.
> - If possible, get your photos at the place in MLC (Photo Express? 1st class
> express?) - cheaper and done to specs. If you can't do so, then be
> absolutely certain your pics conform to the regs sent in packet 3. Past
> reports and our experience indicate that they are very strict on the photos
> (my wife and I wonder if they don't have a 'special arrangement' with the
> photo shop!)
>
Kodak Photo Express as I recall. This is the best place to get photos
IMO if your going to do DCF in Sydney. The people there obviously
know the required specs.
> Good luck!
> Ian
Congrats Ian, it sounds like your wife is on the way to having her
visa.
> Main things I took away from the experience:
> - The regulations are completely insane, but don't take this out on the
> people hired to enfore them. The staff there respond to courtesy and going
> apeshit won't help your cause
Not going ape shit is generally sound advice for most things in life.
You are more often rewarded when you are courteous than when you
aren't.
> - If possible, get your photos at the place in MLC (Photo Express? 1st class
> express?) - cheaper and done to specs. If you can't do so, then be
> absolutely certain your pics conform to the regs sent in packet 3. Past
> reports and our experience indicate that they are very strict on the photos
> (my wife and I wonder if they don't have a 'special arrangement' with the
> photo shop!)
>
Kodak Photo Express as I recall. This is the best place to get photos
IMO if your going to do DCF in Sydney. The people there obviously
know the required specs.
> Good luck!
> Ian
