Guriix
Registered Users (C)
That's interesting as Chase could not activate my account without seeing my SSN, but I did all the paperwork then had to go get my card.
DV 2017 OC Selectees
- Thread starter MattWatt
- Start date
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- dv 2017 dv-2017 oc selectees
That's interesting as Chase could not activate my account without seeing my SSN, but I did all the paperwork then had to go get my card.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
There are lots of people who don't have SSNs (like H1B dependents (H4) for example) who need bank accounts. You can also just open an account as a foreigner on holiday here. So it's absolutely possible to be able to open bank accounts without SSNs. You may need to push beyond the clerk you're dealing with occasionally depending on the bank I guess.
samfromaus
New Member
FYI HSBC will only open an account in the US prior to your arrival if you have a HSBC Premier Relationship Manager. I believe you can only get one by having:
I would also recommend maintaining your Australian savings in your Australian account because interest rates aren't a thing in US (something like 0.01% is a standard).
- A minimum of AUD500,000 in loans or
- A minimum of AUD200,000 in savings and investments
I would also recommend maintaining your Australian savings in your Australian account because interest rates aren't a thing in US (something like 0.01% is a standard).
Green (card) with envy
New Member
I'm trying to post on this forum for the very first time and frankly am finding it a nightmare. I receive this message when I do :Your content can not be submitted. This is likely because your content is spam-like or contains inappropriate elements. Please change your content or try again later. If you still have problems, please contact an administrator.'
I've removed all what I wanted to write just so this post would go through. Any tips to rectify this?
I've removed all what I wanted to write just so this post would go through. Any tips to rectify this?
MattWatt
Active Member
Are you trying to put a web-link URL inn your comment? From memory you need to have made a certain amount of posts before you can post URLs
Britsimon
Super Moderator
The message explains why you are not being allowed to post. It does allow more rights once you have posted a few times. That is VERy common in forums like this - and hardly a "nightmare".
Green (card) with envy
New Member
Touche Britsimon. Hardly a nightmare indeed. I was being dramatic as I just wrote quite a long post that I think would benefit many readers here as I just activated my green card last month upon arriving into the USA. Will try to re-post it at a later stage.
MissNIcole
New Member
Do I need to get the copies of my original documents certified by a JP? (my appointment is with the Sydney Consulate)
I also applied for my Police Check last week (Name and Fingerprint check because I forgot to write down 'full disclosure' on my original Name Check only request, although I did include my married name), I'm concerned it won't arrive in time, I was planning to bring the receipt issued by the police station in case it doesn't, do you think this will be a problem if I don't have it in time?
I also applied for my Police Check last week (Name and Fingerprint check because I forgot to write down 'full disclosure' on my original Name Check only request, although I did include my married name), I'm concerned it won't arrive in time, I was planning to bring the receipt issued by the police station in case it doesn't, do you think this will be a problem if I don't have it in time?
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Yeah. Prevents us getting swamped with spam posts about getting good fake green cards, cheap viagra, etc.
I'm scheduled for an interview on June 13th! Case number 13xx, ds260 submitted in October then again in November. Was revealed as part of the second chance draw at the end of 2016 so feeling extra lucky!
I've read through the forum regarding ustraveldocs.com and the need to confirm the interview and I'm still a bit confused by it all. I contacted the email address provided and they responded that they couldn't assist me yet as the consulate hadn't received June's cases yet. As people have stated in the past, there's no options for DV on the site...What did everyone else do with this?
I've read through the forum regarding ustraveldocs.com and the need to confirm the interview and I'm still a bit confused by it all. I contacted the email address provided and they responded that they couldn't assist me yet as the consulate hadn't received June's cases yet. As people have stated in the past, there's no options for DV on the site...What did everyone else do with this?
Out of interest, what does 'full disclosure mean' - do you mean that in terms of all offences released (spent and unspent).
I picked Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship - for supply to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection . My consent form which is autogenerated says "Name Check Only", no mention of fingerprints and it costed $42. I got an email within one business day to say the check has been completed and the certificate will be mailed. A bit too quick? Hopefully I picked the correct option.
HSBC will open the account for you in the US for a $200 fee if you don't meet the Premier threshold which is $100k USD, you can do this without an SSN from Australia if need be.
I would also be cautious about maintaining my funds in Australia if you intend to migrate permanently as you'll be exposed to the currency risk effectively from when you take the decision to move. Any interest earned on your balance (i.e. the difference between a 1.5% and a 3.5% rate for example) would pale in comparison to the capital risk from changes in the value of the dollar.
The long run average for the AUD / USD over 20 years is 0.70, indicating that we remain above average and with potential downside risk from here of five to ten percent.
When a bank offers to transfer for you, the key risk to watch out for is the conversion rate as the banks will take several percentage points of your capital on the spread in the rate. This is why foreign exchange brokers are now quite popular as the spread on the rate is much lower as they undercut the banks. You can test this yourself by dividing your bank's rate over the stated exchange rate from the RBA for different providers (e.g. 0.73/0.75 -1 = -2.67%) which is what the bank is retaining when you use them to convert.
Jancsi2017
New Member
We are currently putting together all documentation for our embassy interview and have a few questions:
1. When doing the police check, for the fingerprints, the NSW local police station said we could get it done there and then attach their NSW police check form and fingerprints to the AFP form and post it to the AFP altogether. When we fill out the NSW online form it says it will cost $183.70 so that means we would have to pay for both the NSW police check form and the AFP form?? Does that sound correct?
2. The checklist we got from the US Embassy Sydney has a row that says 'employment records'. If we provide a year 12 HSC and transcript, do we still have to provide this?
2. If my wife has changed her name due to marriage and doesn’t have an official name change certificate, is it ok to just the marriage certificate as ID?
3. I can’t register for an account at ustraveldocs.com. I get the following error message: 'Your request cannot be processed at this time. The site administrator has been alerted. User could not be created. Please ensure First Name and Last Name are entered as in your passport.'
1. When doing the police check, for the fingerprints, the NSW local police station said we could get it done there and then attach their NSW police check form and fingerprints to the AFP form and post it to the AFP altogether. When we fill out the NSW online form it says it will cost $183.70 so that means we would have to pay for both the NSW police check form and the AFP form?? Does that sound correct?
2. The checklist we got from the US Embassy Sydney has a row that says 'employment records'. If we provide a year 12 HSC and transcript, do we still have to provide this?
2. If my wife has changed her name due to marriage and doesn’t have an official name change certificate, is it ok to just the marriage certificate as ID?
3. I can’t register for an account at ustraveldocs.com. I get the following error message: 'Your request cannot be processed at this time. The site administrator has been alerted. User could not be created. Please ensure First Name and Last Name are entered as in your passport.'
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
1. No. You don't need the fingerprint check. Sydney prefers it but they accept the regular AFP check with full disclosure (both spent and unspent offences - Code 33 on the AFP form). Save yourself the money. The AFP check costs $42 per person and be done on online. No need to post anything.
2. Yes.
3. Yes. Alternatively, most Births, Deaths and Marriages registries will include former names on the back of re-issued birth certificates. You could always opt for that as proof of the names she has held.
4. This I can't help with. That website is terrible and the cause of many problems.
2. Yes.
3. Yes. Alternatively, most Births, Deaths and Marriages registries will include former names on the back of re-issued birth certificates. You could always opt for that as proof of the names she has held.
4. This I can't help with. That website is terrible and the cause of many problems.
samfromaus
New Member
@lucas1080 Thanks for the info on HSBC. I think after reading that I'm just gonna keep my current bank and open a Chase account when I move to US.
@EmilyW Your answer to number 2, I thought you either prove you have a year 12 or you prove your work history for onet qualification?
@EmilyW Your answer to number 2, I thought you either prove you have a year 12 or you prove your work history for onet qualification?
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
@samfromaus, when I did mine, we didn't need to bring a resume/cv. From more recent applications, it seems that Sydney is now asking for a resume / cv.
samfromaus
New Member
GreatestNameofAll
Member
I GOT IT!! Interview passed 
MY INTERVIEW STORY
Hey guys! I had my interview in Sydney a few weeks back and thought I'd share my experience here I'll try to be as detailed as possible & hopefully this helps people getting interviews in Sydney.
My interview was at 9:45 on the 11th of April. Off course - I got there way too early, but would rather that than be late.
I went up the elevator to the security area. I had in my hands the documents needed (In a plastic folder as neat as I could have put them, but didn't seem to matter as you'll see)
Before proceeding to the next room, I was told by the security guard that they would take my cell phone for the entire time I was inside & I would get it back upon leaving. I was then directed to a 'receptionist' kind of person who actually requested certain documents off of me & put them in the order they needed to be which was great. This included my passport, high school cert, birth certificate, police record. She ordered it in the way she wanted it before returning it to me and sending me through the customs area.
(This is where you have to leave basically everything except your documents - so I encourage you to travel light! It's kind of like going through airport customs, taking off shoes etc.)
I took a seat before being called into the next area which was a few floors up - the interview area! - I took a number upon entering as instructed and took a seat. My number was called. The woman behind the desk was friendly & to the point. She asked for the documents before directing me to the 'pay window' to make the $330 fee (or whatever it was) then directed me to come back to her. It was all pretty straight forward and she didn't really ask anything much of me considering I had given her all the documents needed. (Medical exam, birth cert, police record, high school cert, passport.)
I then took a seat & waited to be called up for my actual interview! This is when things got scary for a moment... As I sat there, I witnessed an ENTIRE family (mother, father, son daughter & baby) be flat out denied their green cards because they made a mistake when filling out their initial entry form! They selected 'Australia' as their country of chargeability because they are Australian citizens but they SHOULD have chosen Shri Lanka because that is the country they were born in & that is what matters! Anyway - they all had just paid the fees & it was heartbreaking to watch this happen. They seemed like a really sweet family.
So, you can imagine how scared I suddenly became - doubting everything Ive filled out thus far etc & second guessing myself.
I was then called up for my interview -It was SO relaxed. They ask you the formalities like 'Do you swear to tell the truth etc' & get your finger prints digitally. He looked over my documentation & then said 'Thank you, your visa is approved.' *Sweet Relief/ best feeling ever*
For anyone wondering - I was never asked anything about my financial situation, proof of funds, employment, travel plans. Every case is going to be different but my interview was very simple, straight forward & easy. Everyone there was friendly (we're all humans after all)...
Hope this helps
MY INTERVIEW STORY
Hey guys! I had my interview in Sydney a few weeks back and thought I'd share my experience here
I'll try to be as detailed as possible & hopefully this helps people getting interviews in Sydney.My interview was at 9:45 on the 11th of April. Off course - I got there way too early, but would rather that than be late.
I went up the elevator to the security area. I had in my hands the documents needed (In a plastic folder as neat as I could have put them, but didn't seem to matter as you'll see)
Before proceeding to the next room, I was told by the security guard that they would take my cell phone for the entire time I was inside & I would get it back upon leaving. I was then directed to a 'receptionist' kind of person who actually requested certain documents off of me & put them in the order they needed to be which was great. This included my passport, high school cert, birth certificate, police record. She ordered it in the way she wanted it before returning it to me and sending me through the customs area.
(This is where you have to leave basically everything except your documents - so I encourage you to travel light! It's kind of like going through airport customs, taking off shoes etc.)
I took a seat before being called into the next area which was a few floors up - the interview area! - I took a number upon entering as instructed and took a seat. My number was called. The woman behind the desk was friendly & to the point. She asked for the documents before directing me to the 'pay window' to make the $330 fee (or whatever it was) then directed me to come back to her. It was all pretty straight forward and she didn't really ask anything much of me considering I had given her all the documents needed. (Medical exam, birth cert, police record, high school cert, passport.)
I then took a seat & waited to be called up for my actual interview! This is when things got scary for a moment... As I sat there, I witnessed an ENTIRE family (mother, father, son daughter & baby) be flat out denied their green cards because they made a mistake when filling out their initial entry form! They selected 'Australia' as their country of chargeability because they are Australian citizens but they SHOULD have chosen Shri Lanka because that is the country they were born in & that is what matters! Anyway - they all had just paid the fees & it was heartbreaking to watch this happen. They seemed like a really sweet family.
So, you can imagine how scared I suddenly became - doubting everything Ive filled out thus far etc & second guessing myself.
I was then called up for my interview -It was SO relaxed. They ask you the formalities like 'Do you swear to tell the truth etc' & get your finger prints digitally. He looked over my documentation & then said 'Thank you, your visa is approved.' *Sweet Relief/ best feeling ever*
For anyone wondering - I was never asked anything about my financial situation, proof of funds, employment, travel plans. Every case is going to be different but my interview was very simple, straight forward & easy. Everyone there was friendly (we're all humans after all)...
Hope this helps