Chirt

Hello All

Got the Grant letter on Oct. 20.

Timeline is
Applied: 1 Oct. 2002
ASPC Received Application: 10 Oct. 2002
Received File No.: 30 Oct. 2002
Received MED/PCC Request: 15 Sep. 2003
Sent MED/PCC: 3 Oct. 2003
ASPC Received MED/PCC: 10 Oct. 2003
Visa Granted: 17 Oct. 2003
Received Grant Letter: 20 Oct. 2003

The Grant letter says the visas were granted and I have to get them
stamped from Australian High Commission at Los Angeles.
The letter carries no other condition except that my spouse and son
can't travel before me as I am the primary applicant.
So I hope I am giving the correct term "Grant Letter" instead of
"Pre-Grant Letter".

Now question on evidencing the visa...
I called Los Angeles office and I was told they no longer do visas. I
have to get the visa stamped from Washington DC.

1. Is it OK to send passports to Washington DC for stamping eventhough
the Grant Letter says I have to get visa stamped at Los Angeles
office?
2. Should I call them before sending to verify whether they have
received the file from ASPC, Adelaide? Why I am asking this is that
incase they have not received the file from ASPC, Adelaide and I have
sent the passports to them, it may just sitting in their desk taking
long time. I will end up in worrying about the delay.
3. As the Grant letter says, I have to send the passports along with
the grant letter to Washington DC. Do I miss anything?

Good Luck to all...

Jaj

    >On 21 Oct 2003 13:13:35 -0700, (Chirt) wrote:
    >Hello All
    >Got the Grant letter on Oct. 20.
    >Timeline is
    >Applied: 1 Oct. 2002
    >ASPC Received Application: 10 Oct. 2002
    >Received File No.: 30 Oct. 2002
    >Received MED/PCC Request: 15 Sep. 2003
    >Sent MED/PCC: 3 Oct. 2003
    >ASPC Received MED/PCC: 10 Oct. 2003
    >Visa Granted: 17 Oct. 2003
    >Received Grant Letter: 20 Oct. 2003
    >The Grant letter says the visas were granted and I have to get them
    >stamped from Australian High Commission at Los Angeles.

I think it's a Consulate-General at Los Angeles.
You only find High Commissions in Commonwealth countries, and they're
the equivalent of embassies.


    >The letter carries no other condition except that my spouse and son
    >can't travel before me as I am the primary applicant.

Standard for married couples. It only applies to the first entry,
once you've all validated you are free to travel in and out
individually.

    >So I hope I am giving the correct term "Grant Letter" instead of
    >"Pre-Grant Letter".


Sounds like it.

    >Now question on evidencing the visa...
    >I called Los Angeles office and I was told they no longer do visas. I
    >have to get the visa stamped from Washington DC.

That's correct. The closure of LA's visa office is fairly recent, and
especially if you had put LA on the application form as the place you
wanted your visa stamped.


    >1. Is it OK to send passports to Washington DC for stamping eventhough
    >the Grant Letter says I have to get visa stamped at Los Angeles
    >office?

Yes, Washington DC will be able to stamp your visa.


    >2. Should I call them before sending to verify whether they have
    >received the file from ASPC, Adelaide? Why I am asking this is that
    >incase they have not received the file from ASPC, Adelaide and I have
    >sent the passports to them, it may just sitting in their desk taking
    >long time. I will end up in worrying about the delay.

Your file stays in ASPC. Washington will have electronic evidence of
the visa grant.


    >3. As the Grant letter says, I have to send the passports along with
    >the grant letter to Washington DC. Do I miss anything?

That's about it. As with anything, keep a copy of the grant letter.

Also, I wouldn't use regular post. Others have posted in this form
previously about using prepaid courier envelopes for both sending and
receiving back passports. I suggest you either search this forum, or
get in touch with Washington directly. Their website is:
http://www.austemb.org/DIMA/

There is a toll free number you can call at 1 888 990 8888 or you cal
call the DIMIA office through the regular numbers shown on the
website.

Jeremy
This is not intended to be legal advice in any jurisdiction