Hi Aussies
Success!!! Thank goodness! Had my interview in Sydney yesterday and all went well, should have docs back in the mail within the week. Yay!!!
Interview was scheduled for 8am, we turned up at 7 just to make sure we missed Sydney rush hour traffic. Lifts don't start going up until 7-30 so just waited around downstairs.
At 7-30 we went up to level 10, through security, you take your wallet and paperwork but leave bags, phones etc with them. The guards then pop you in the lifts to level 56 (i think).
You hop out show your passport to security, go through the doors, take a ticket (just like at the RTA) and wait for your number.
We went to the window when called up, he took our passports 1st, thank goodness i had my old maiden name one because everything was still in that. But no problems that i had been married since the 1st notification because i had informed them all the way.
He then took all our paperwork and told us to sit down. I think he was new because he took longer than other staff and asked for help a few times but was super nice and really thorough. (just didnt help with my crazy nerves sitting there!) He called us back up, sent us to the cashier to pay and then took our fingerprints and asked us when did we intend to leave for the states. He gave us back our originals docs and any copies he didnt need to keep.
Then we sat back down to wait for the interview. This is also another window where they ask you all the questions. They do this through the window with microphones so yes the whole place can hear the questions you are being asked so leave any issues with personal space / privacy etc at the door!
She was also super nice! They ask general questions 1st and then will ask some specific to your situation.
General
- Have you been to the US before?
- How many times?
- Have you ever stayed longer than 90 days?
- Have you ever lived overseas?
- Have you ever been arrested or in trouble with the law?
- What is your highest level of education?
Specific
- Who is this man with you?
- How do you know each other?
- Why do you want to live in the states?
- Where do you intend to live?
- Do you have any friends or family there?
- Where did you go to school?
- What do you do for a living? Asked to both of us.
Then she asked for a couple of minutes to go through some stuff.
Called us back and said congratulations, pack your bags!!! You get a piece of paper that says congrats with your name on it and that you will get your paperwork in the mail. We are to also expect an email with the immigration details and process on it as well in the next few days.
Such a massive stress off my mind now! Poor hubby was dealing with me the last few days being a stress head!!
Vichel - Hubby didnt even have to step on me for rambling!! haha!
Do read the details on how you are supposed to have your paperwork organised because they do make people sit and sort it out if not how they want it done.
Loads of people were missing something such as a medical or police check but they seemed to still go through the rest of the process and just pop them into and on hold or processing folder or something until that is received but they still do the interview etc and stuff and get you the rest of the way and tell people that they can just have the docs sent through and their paperwork will be finalised.
I am just super grateful we had all our stuff and got our answer on the spot, i dont think my nerves could handle any more waiting!!
Good luck to everyone and feel free to ask anything. Thanks to everyone who posts on here, reading through made me feel so prepared for everything and is so helpful.
Cheers
Peta
