Rob

I received the visa in the mail today!!!! Woohooooooooo :-))

Timeline.

Received Packet 3 February 19
Returned Packet 3 early March
Received Packet 4 mid April. Requested interview for May 6. The Sydney
Consulate were VERY helpful, even to the extent of offering to conduct the
interview even if one or two items (such as the police certificate) hadn't
yet arrived. Doubtless the fact that I was coming from Melbourne and Suz
from Arizona on a very tight schedule helped.

Suz arrived in Australia on April 27 and we were married on April 30. Got
to the interview May 6. All documents had arrived in time. It went very
well until right at the end of the Medical Examination. The physician had
noted a medical problem and recommended follow up before visa issuance.
Problem was he hadn't made that clear to me. We were placed on
administrative hold (visa denied pending follow up). I was sent to
Australia Post to get a money order for the visa issuance fee and a 3 KG
overnight delivery envelope.

Back in Melbourne I consulted with the physician. He wanted me to undergo a
neurological examination. This is where the hold up occurred. Four weeks
to get the initial consultation with a neurologist. Eight weeks from then
till the appointment with the Alfred Hospital for detailed tests. Two weeks
from then for interpretation of the results. Three weeks from then until
the visa was issued.

Let me emphasise that. The 4 month delay on the visa was not caused by the
US Consulate, the INS or US immigration policy - it was caused by the
Australian medical system.

Impressions during the interview. They give you very explicit instructions
as to the order in which you present the documentation and a warning that if
you don't have the docs in order you go to the back of the queue. We had
ours in order so I have no idea if they enforce the threat. I was asked why
I wanted to move to the US instead of Suz and the kids coming here to
Australia. I answered that they were American kids who wanted to grow up in
the States. I was also asked if I would return to Australia in the event of
our marriage breaking down. We didn't have very many photos of ourselves
together, which caused some pursed lips.

I came away from the interview impressed by their professionalism.

Phew!!!!!

Rob :-)))))

Diane

Congratulations and welcome to the US from one Aussie to another!!

"rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]. au>...
    > I received the visa in the mail today!!!! Woohooooooooo :-))
    > Timeline.
    > Received Packet 3 February 19
    > Returned Packet 3 early March
    > Received Packet 4 mid April. Requested interview for May 6. The Sydney
    > Consulate were VERY helpful, even to the extent of offering to conduct the
    > interview even if one or two items (such as the police certificate) hadn't
    > yet arrived. Doubtless the fact that I was coming from Melbourne and Suz
    > from Arizona on a very tight schedule helped.
    > Suz arrived in Australia on April 27 and we were married on April 30. Got
    > to the interview May 6. All documents had arrived in time. It went very
    > well until right at the end of the Medical Examination. The physician had
    > noted a medical problem and recommended follow up before visa issuance.
    > Problem was he hadn't made that clear to me. We were placed on
    > administrative hold (visa denied pending follow up). I was sent to
    > Australia Post to get a money order for the visa issuance fee and a 3 KG
    > overnight delivery envelope.
    > Back in Melbourne I consulted with the physician. He wanted me to undergo a
    > neurological examination. This is where the hold up occurred. Four weeks
    > to get the initial consultation with a neurologist. Eight weeks from then
    > till the appointment with the Alfred Hospital for detailed tests. Two weeks
    > from then for interpretation of the results. Three weeks from then until
    > the visa was issued.
    > Let me emphasise that. The 4 month delay on the visa was not caused by the
    > US Consulate, the INS or US immigration policy - it was caused by the
    > Australian medical system.
    > Impressions during the interview. They give you very explicit instructions
    > as to the order in which you present the documentation and a warning that if
    > you don't have the docs in order you go to the back of the queue. We had
    > ours in order so I have no idea if they enforce the threat. I was asked why
    > I wanted to move to the US instead of Suz and the kids coming here to
    > Australia. I answered that they were American kids who wanted to grow up in
    > the States. I was also asked if I would return to Australia in the event of
    > our marriage breaking down. We didn't have very many photos of ourselves
    > together, which caused some pursed lips.
    > I came away from the interview impressed by their professionalism.
    > Phew!!!!!
    > Rob :-)))))

Rob At Work

Ta :-)))

meauxna

Congrats Rob! What a relief it must be after all the waiting (and not knowing!).
mo, DCF Greece

beershake

Hi Rob,

Congradulations. I'm curious, what type of application did you do, I-130, or I-129? I thought you couldn't apply for the I-130 before being married. Also, when you said, 'the visa came in the mail' , do you mean the greencard?

Thanks.

beershake

Hi Rob,

Congradulations. I'm curious, what type of application did you do, I-130, or I-129? I thought you couldn't apply for the I-130 before being married. Also, when you said, 'the visa came in the mail' , do you mean the greencard?

Thanks.

Rob

Thanks. It sure was a relief <s>

"meauxna" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:417412.1032255820@britishexpats-
.com...
    > Originally posted by Rob:
    > > I received the visa in the mail today!!!! Woohooooooooo :-))
    > >
    > >
    > > Phew!!!!!
    > >
    > > Rob :-)))))
    > >
    > Congrats Rob! What a relief it must be after all the waiting (and not
    > knowing!).
    > mo, DCF Greece
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Rob

We did an I130 application. We'd been married 6 days when we lodged the
petition at the consulate and had the interview... Suz came here
(Melbourne) from Phoenix and the rest is history... This was all arranged
with the knowledge of the Consulate (meaning I'd told them in a cover letter
what we had planned).

What came in the mail (guaranteed overnight delivery package actually) was a
Department of State OF155B form entitled 'Immigrant Visa and Alien
Registration' stapled to the famous sealed brown envelope. It has an IV
number and an A number, my photo and my passport details. Instructions are
to hand it to an Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry.

Rob :-))

"beershake" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:417453.1032261035@britishexpats-
.com...
    > Hi Rob,
    > Congradulations. I'm curious, what type of application did you do,
    > I-130, or I-129? I thought you couldn't apply for the I-130 before being
    > married. Also, when you said, 'the visa came in the mail' , do you mean
    > the greencard?
    > Thanks.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com