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| (Sorta) Last Minute 820 Visa | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 22 2010, 12:03:02 AM (3,104 Views) | |
| michaelavelli | Jun 22 2010, 12:03:02 AM Post #1 |
True Blue Mate
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So my fiancee and I are getting married on July 24th. We had originally planned on moving to the US for the short-term - I was going to go back home first, then she would come when we had some things worked out (long story, family stuff). Anyway, for a number of reasons, we've now decided we want to stay in Australia for at least 3-5 years. I'm currently here on a WHV which expires on September 2nd. We would like to get an 820 application in as soon as we can (after we married, obviously), and I'm feeling a little anxious because I feel it's very late. I've only just recently started looking at all the requirements, and I'm hoping I can get some quick answers to some things I'm unclear on to save some time. I'll probably be updating with more questions as I go along, and I appreciate all the insight anyone feels like providing. FBI check - clearly this is the most time sensitive issue. The FBI website is saying it could take up to 13 weeks to process, which would be well beyond the expiration date of my WHV. Couple questions regarding this: 1. Fingerprints. It's my understanding that I can stroll into a local police department here (I'm in Adelaide) and they can take my fingerprints for me. Is this incorrect? 2. Should I have the FBI check sent to my parents' house in the US? Would that be faster/safer? My parents could then send it express to me. 3. From what I've read, I can still apply for the 820 without the background check. Does doing this hurt my chances of ultimately being approved? 4. Is a state check necessary as well as an FBI one? I'm from Massachusetts. Medical check - this is the next most time sensitive issue since the time table is a little bit out of my hands. I plan on calling within the next 1-2 days to get an exam scheduled. 1. I read something about I should be bringing chest x-rays to my exam - is this correct? i.e. do I have to schedule a chest x-ray before my medical check? Little confused about this. 2. Roughly how long do the medical checks take to get sent out? 3. Do I get them sent directly to me or to immigration? 4. I understand that I can apply without the medical check done yet as well - same question for the FBI check, does this hurt my chances of ultimately being approved (after the check is in, obviously)? Bridging Visa - So part of the reason we want to stay here is that I have a pretty good job right now. It's a contract job, six months (per the WHV restrictions), but there's a lot of opportunity to stay on as permanent once I'm eligible. 1. Let's say I get an application in on August 15th, without my FBI/medical check. I assume my application would basically just sit there as "pending" for awhile. My WHV expires on September 2nd (I think) - am I automatically on a bridging visa? Or do I have to request this ahead of time? 2. Would my six month clock at my current job "reset" upon the granting of a bridging visa? 3. How far ahead do I have to call and get an appointment to turn in my 820 application? Is this something I should do ASAP? I've been gathering up "relationship evidence" this week, I think I have a lot. We have e-mails going back five years, I have some receipts for an online phone card I used to call my fiancee. Also, when she'd come to visit, a couple times I would buy her ticket from LA to MA - so I can put together her Adelaide/LA ticket next to her LA/Boston ticket, the latter of which was paid by my credit card, so it shows that I used to financially support her visiting me. This is a good idea, right? I might be a little light on the financial support evidence - I've been here since September, we only got a joint bank account about 3 months ago. A couple of the bills are in my name, Foxtel for sure, but I'm not sure what else there is. I have one or two grocery receipts that we split up, half on each of our cards. Is this the kind of stuff I should provide? Also - very random/specific question, but how do you actually provide this kind of evidence? Photocopy receipts, put it all in a binder? Do I write little notes on the photocopy explaining what I'm showing them, why I'm showing them a Coles receipt? LOL I feel like it's a big book report with visual aids. Appreciate all the help, sorta losing my mind here, I hope everything can work out. I really don't want to have to leave. I know these questions have been asked a lot here, and I'll definitely be searching, I just was hoping I could get at least a few quick answers, my head is spinning! Cheers. |
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| Reader3333 | Jun 22 2010, 03:46:20 AM Post #2 |
True Blue Mate
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Hi and gl. I can say that my fbi check took just about everyday of that 13 weeks- but some people have gotten theirs back sooner. I just walked into a police station in Mackay QLD and gave them $25.00. They did my prints and sent them in. I had the results mailed to my home in QLD-- however I was already back in the USA when they arrived. I had friends check the mail everyday looking for them to take to my immigration agent (my hubby came back with me for a visit so he wasn't there to receive them either). I wish I had them mailed to my mom's house. If you do that- she can mail them directly to your case officer when they come- instead of mailing them to you should you get to stay and then you mailing them back to the USA. My immigration agent told me I didn't need an AFP (AU federal police) and a state of TX police check. He was wrong. The state prints and processing cost $25 and the AFP was $43 I believe. I would do them if I were you- not so much money and waiting for the results now is all we're waiting on. I only took a list of my medications to my medical exam. The Dr. requested that I see my personal Dr. in QLD for more information. HE requested my previous records from the USA. I was surprised how quickly this process all went. If you have had a significant previous medical history- maybe if you have the records it will speed the process up- I can't be sure about that though. All in all- this didn't take very long. Maybe about a month total in all. The second Dr. sent it directly to immigration. If they send you the report- it is sealed and you cannot open it- you have to forward it directly to the case officer. I gave all evidence of our relationship to the immigration agent. All cards, letters, notes, all receipts- even if they were paid in cash (a ton of receipts for groceries). Bank statements, bills to the same address you share that are in your name, pictures, any and all stubs- like for plane, movies etc... Receipt for my car, rego and insurance. I did overkill I guess. The immigration agent straightened them all out and put a clip on them and sent them like that. He sent originals. I got them back about 2 weeks ago- everything is there. I'm still going through this process. It is mind numbing and so stressful. I cannot answer any of your other questions. Good luck to you and if I can answer anything else for you let me know. Vicki |
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| gpierce | Jun 22 2010, 09:13:37 AM Post #3 |
True Blue Mate
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On the bridging visa, they will automagically grant you A which has no work rights. If you want to be able to work, you have to apply for bridging visa B (you can do it in person). |
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| JLA | Jun 22 2010, 11:01:13 AM Post #4 |
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Piker
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That's Incorrect. The Bridging visa grants you the same work right as your previous visa held, and yes it resets your 6th month work limits. |
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| michaelavelli | Jun 24 2010, 02:07:05 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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Thanks for the responses so far. I've made a little progress over the past couple days: 1. Called HSA (now called Medicare Health Services or something) and scheduled a medical exam. It was pretty simple, and they had dates available very soon. I go in in about a week, there's two appointments - one for the blood work, x-rays, visiion test, etc. with a nurse, and then another a couple days later to meet with a doctor to go over everything. They said I had to bring a passport and two forms from immigration that are on the website (don't have my notes in front of me so I don't remember the number of the forms). All in all I was pleased that it was so easy. The cost for a permament visa exam was $287, including all the tests and whatnot. 2. I called my local police station about fingerprints - they didn't do them but gave me the number of the nearest station that does. It's about 10 minutes away. I called them and they said they can do them 24/7, but it depends if they're busy or not with you know, arresting bad guys. I tried my luck and went last night and they were too busy to do it. Also, I was a little surprised to find that there is a $104 fee! I was expecting maybe $40. I was thinking of getting two sets done to get my state police check too, but I'm not sure I'm going to spring for 2 x $104 unless the state police check is a requirement. Anyway I'm going to go back tonight and try again. I'd like to send my FBI background check out tomorrow. I'm also having the FBI check sent to my parents' house in the states - I figure that could speed things up as I could have my parents express post them. Thanks for any continued thoughts/comments/insight. |
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| gpierce | Jun 24 2010, 02:37:39 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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You're right. What's different about A and B is the ability to leave the country. For B you have to explain why you need to come and go. Sorry about that. |
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| Reader3333 | Jun 24 2010, 08:26:40 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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I only had to pay $25 for mine back in Feb! What a rip off... For that amount, I'd check with another police station maybe a little farther away. I did all of my medicals and the prints for the FBI while I was still in Australia. I also had to take passport photo's to the Dr's office with me. They staple them to the medical form when they send it off. I got those done at the post office. My immigration agent told me that I didn't need the state police check. Guess what??? He was WRONG. That's why I'm still stuck here (in Texas). The state police check only took 1 week and I overnighted the results to her on Monday. They also want an AFP (Australian State Police check). You don't need prints for the AFP- Just a form on the internet and mailed to them. Oh.. and $43... lol. If that price you quoted includes your xrays and labs- that's a great price. My Dr. visit was around $300 and then I had to pay the hospital for the xray and the lab for the lab work seperately. I don't remember how much those were- I think around $100 each. Good luck, Vicki |
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| michaelavelli | Jun 25 2010, 12:24:21 AM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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Just got back from the police station. They ended up not charging me anything! Not sure why. I was chatting with the cop who did my prints, so maybe he just thought I was a cool guy or something and didn't care. Anyway, prints down, $104 saved. I got two copies so I might send in for my Massachusetts background check just in case. I'm probably just going to keep updating this thread at every development, lol. |
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| jenbrooklyn8 | Jun 25 2010, 07:22:25 PM Post #9 |
True Blue Mate
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I wasn't charged for my prints either... I think it just depends on who you get doing them! All of your relationship evidence counts - any receipt, any note, anything. Give them everything. I had drawings that my step kids did for me, all of our e-mail correspondence from day 1, wedding pictures, wedding receipts, pictures from Christmas, pictures from vacations, everything. I applied for my Spousal 820 Visa before my health check results were in and before my FBI check had arrived. The Bridging Visa is granted immediately and then it was just a matter of waiting for everything else to arrive. It's fairly straight forward and they are quite helpful, at least in my case they were. I went for a bridging Visa B so that I could travel back home during the waiting period. Good Luck! |
| Postcard from the edge of the world......... | |
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| michaelavelli | Jul 5 2010, 01:38:36 PM Post #10 |
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True Blue Mate
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I sent my FBI request express post (or whatever the fastest one is called). The current status says delivery was ATTEMPTED on July 02.  Better not be any a prooooblems. |
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| msplants | Jul 6 2010, 11:14:34 AM Post #11 |
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Anklebiter
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I wanted to say my FBI check took 3 weeks total. From the day I mailed it off to the day I got it back. I had expedite on the front of the envelope and made sure everything was perfect and paid for. |
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| michaelavelli | Jul 6 2010, 03:24:06 PM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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I added a brief note with my application, mentioning that it was a time sensitive visa-related issue, but without being pushy/demanding. I just hope they receive it okay and that this "attempted delivery" thing has something to do with the long US weekend or something like that. |
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| michaelavelli | Jul 7 2010, 11:28:47 AM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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The postal tracking site is now shoing my FBI request as received on July 6th.  Now, just have to play the waiting game. I requested the documents be sent to my parents' house in the US so they can fast track it to me.I had my first of two medical check visits at Medibank in Adelaide CBD on Monday. They were extremely quick. Pee in a cup, 90 second eye test, quick height/weight, then off to the blood room, which took about 5 minutes. Apparently the blood test is only for HIV, which I found surprising. Then it was the X-ray, which took under 5 minutes. It was all pleasantly efficient. Total cost was $287. I had a follow-up appointment on Thursday, which is when you actually meet with the doctor (?) to go over your results, but I had to move it to next Tuesday because of a conflict with work. One thing I'm still not sure about - does the medical check go to me or right to immigration? Everything else I have to do, which is basically everything else, lol, I have control over the timing, so I'm not rushing at this point. I've already gathered a lot of evidence and downloaded it on to a flash drive and whatnot, just need to print all that out and organize it in a submit-able manner. Still have to finish the actually applications, stat decs, get my and my fiancee's ID's certified, get passport photos, and statements from other people. I don't expect any of this to be a major issue. Organizing all of the "evidence" I have and will continue to get will be the main time consuming thing. Still looking for a little insight as to how you actually submit the evidence - do I literally hand them a pile of receipts/bank statements? Do I somehow arrange them in a binder or something like that? Same thing with greeting cards that I'm using as evidence. Just hand them a bunch of cards or do I mount them in some kind of folder? I'll continue posting updates for no particular reason. 
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| southerncross116 | Jul 7 2010, 12:34:23 PM Post #14 |
Anklebiter
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Good Luck
Edited by southerncross116, Jul 9 2010, 01:52:27 PM.
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| michaelavelli | Jul 12 2010, 09:53:18 PM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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another question: what do i need to have people actually write when writing statements in support of our relationship? just a sentence? or do they need to write other details, how long they've known us, things like that, etc. any input appreciated. |
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| shylady | Jul 12 2010, 10:29:50 PM Post #16 |
oldYank
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Statutory Declaration, Form 888 <== is the form that is used for statements from Aussie contacts, and you need copies of their passports with it. It helps to say how long they've known you, Form 888 asks. Good luck!  Lis |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| michaelavelli | Jul 14 2010, 01:51:20 PM Post #17 |
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True Blue Mate
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Thanks Lis, completely forgot about that form. I'll start distributing it to people. I'm thinking 5 people should be plenty (I believe it asks for a minimum of 3). Anyone do more than that? I had my followup visit with Medibank yesterday - I was maybe in there for a total of 12 minutes and walked out with the medical documents I need for the visa. I was very surprised at how fast/easy/stream-lined this whole thing was. I was under the impression that the medical part would take time. I think I spent a total of 30 minutes over my two visits in Medibank. I met with a doctor yesterday, he took my blood pressure, listened to my heart, and made sure I could stand on one knee, lol. Then I was done, and the receptionist gave me the "DO NOT OPEN" envelope which had all of my results. She said everything was 100% fine and just to give this envelope to immigration when I file. Very pleasantly surprised how easy that was. On the other hand - FBI checks. The post tracking site says my FBI background check was delivered on 02/07, but my US debit card has not been billed yet. Is this cause for concern or do they take awhile to even open the thing? Also - any more thoughts on whether I should apply for a state background check as well? |
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| michaelavelli | Jul 19 2010, 01:53:42 PM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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Still haven't been billed by the FBI. Starting to get concerned. |
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| Reader3333 | Jul 19 2010, 02:35:11 PM Post #19 |
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True Blue Mate
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YES!!!! That's why I'm still waiting!!! My agent didn't have me do the AFP and the TX state police report. The CO wanted that. Doesn't cost all that much and if I had done it I would have been done with this already! Vicki |
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| NurseJules | Jul 19 2010, 02:49:10 PM Post #20 |
True Blue Mate
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It took the FBI 10 weeks to charge my credit card...that was back in March when there was still quite a big backlog. I did the whole "expidite" thing but perhaps they are still quite backlogged (hopefully not as bad at the 13 weeks it took to get mine!) Might be worth giving them a call just to check what the current wait period is. I wouldn't be surprised if its still quite lengthy... |
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