DV 2015 Oceania winners
- Thread starter Kellie
- Start date
martinskypemartin
Member
Heading to Honolulu August 4th for the trip Thanks to @Britsimon @SusieQQQ @Sm1smom who are all amazing super helpers / moderators, very genuine people, and have kept this forum clean and neat.
And a very special thanks to @EmilyW and the forum / fb groups.
martinskypemartin
Member
... and thanks to the US Consulate staff in Sydney 
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Plus there are been a few reports of people not getting the email notification. So when your CN is current, be sure to check the ESC site on your own also. Someone actually missed their scheduled interview as a result of this (back in Nov, I think?), and is still waiting and hoping to be rescheduled.
martinskypemartin
Member
Thanks mate! @guestgulkan @GANDT-SYD - ... here's an interesting but often overlooked fact - the 28 degrees mastercard also has zero fees on replacement cards - worldwide - whereas many other cards in the fine print have hefty replacement fees, especially worldwide. This card also comes with an international 24/7 concierge service - which you need if you've just had your bag pinched, or need to make urgent arrangements. Agreed after we get a local US credit card it will sit at home, but for the first few months it will be carried around a lot possibly, and with a greater risk of being stolen along with the purse/wallet/bag, as may happen from time to time. The online card seems to be backed by Hallmark / GE Money which are large international companies, sort of reassuring. ... so now only if they would add frequent flyer points on to the card ...
(as long as they are not JetStar ones) 
guestgulkan
Well-Known Member
Thanks mate! @guestgulkan @GANDT-SYD - ... here's an interesting but often overlooked fact - the 28 degrees mastercard also has zero fees on replacement cards - worldwide - whereas many other cards in the fine print have hefty replacement fees, especially worldwide. This card also comes with an international 24/7 concierge service - which you need if you've just had your bag pinched, or need to make urgent arrangements. Agreed after we get a local US credit card it will sit at home, but for the first few months it will be carried around a lot possibly, and with a greater risk of being stolen along with the purse/wallet/bag, as may happen from time to time. The online card seems to be backed by Hallmark / GE Money which are large international companies, sort of reassuring. ... so now only if they would add frequent flyer points on to the card ...
The only other card I know is the Bankwest Zero Plantium but it doesn't have frequent flyer points.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Thanks mate! @guestgulkan @GANDT-SYD - ... here's an interesting but often overlooked fact - the 28 degrees mastercard also has zero fees on replacement cards - worldwide - whereas many other cards in the fine print have hefty replacement fees, especially worldwide. This card also comes with an international 24/7 concierge service - which you need if you've just had your bag pinched, or need to make urgent arrangements. Agreed after we get a local US credit card it will sit at home, but for the first few months it will be carried around a lot possibly, and with a greater risk of being stolen along with the purse/wallet/bag, as may happen from time to time. The online card seems to be backed by Hallmark / GE Money which are large international companies, sort of reassuring. ... so now only if they would add frequent flyer points on to the card ...
Many other cards have hefty replacement fees? I think you're falling prey to some slick marketing there my friend. Are these guys trying to justify hefty annual fees?
MattWatt
Active Member
The 28 Degree Mastercard has $0 annual fee, and no international conversion or transaction fees.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Well then go for it as long it doesn't have any hidden charges ... Apparently this is a completely costless card, interesting business model
I've never had a card that charges "conversion" or "transaction" fees internationally, do be aware that you will be charged a terrible exchange rate and if you ask about it you will be fobbed off "that's determined by visa/MasterCard and not us"
ndubbs
New Member
Has any body been collecting any DATA on 2NL release dates for DV2015? I'm ever so slightly concerned that I'm current with an "In Transit" CEAC status but haven't yet received my 2NL and the my case number in the ESC hasn't been updated. I suppose what I'm asking has anyone received their 2NL this year with 4 or less weeks to go until their scheduled interview?
martinskypemartin
Member
My interpretation of the 28 degrees mastercard is that their website and marketing is a bit like google click ads - why not use our travel insurance why you're on our site - why not use our card repayment default insurance, ... Their third party relationship commisions must be a good revenue raiser.
Britsimon
Super Moderator
If your case is marked as in Transit - you are getting your 2NL. That's certain. It is obviously later than normal, but the earliest Sydney August interview is August 4 - so you have plenty of time if you get the 2NL this coming week (which you will).
If you really can't stand the wait - you can phone KCC - they will give you the date.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Hmm. Maybe.
Or maybe they are just making margin by not paying anyone in customer service, judging by these reviews
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/wizard-clear-advantage-mastercard.html
Hello fellow winners!
I've been going through previous comments and forums and this is my first posting. What a great resource. Britsimon, EmilyW and SusieQQQ have been particularly helpful.
I have a few questions and any advice is greatly appreciated.
Due to a few issues I have held off submitting the DS260. Does anyone know what is the latest time that this can be completed (I do know there is some risk in doing so as the visa quota many run out).
If selected for an interview, how long does it usually take for the passport to become available for collection?.
I've tried call the American Embassy in Sydney but can't get through. I hold an R C1/D visa already and I don't want this to be cancelled. Does have the GC visa stamped in your passport negate any other visa types?
Are any previous winners still drawing an income from Australia?.
Best of luck everyone.
2016OCXXX5X
I've been going through previous comments and forums and this is my first posting. What a great resource. Britsimon, EmilyW and SusieQQQ have been particularly helpful.
I have a few questions and any advice is greatly appreciated.
Due to a few issues I have held off submitting the DS260. Does anyone know what is the latest time that this can be completed (I do know there is some risk in doing so as the visa quota many run out).
If selected for an interview, how long does it usually take for the passport to become available for collection?.
I've tried call the American Embassy in Sydney but can't get through. I hold an R C1/D visa already and I don't want this to be cancelled. Does have the GC visa stamped in your passport negate any other visa types?
Are any previous winners still drawing an income from Australia?.
Best of luck everyone.
2016OCXXX5X
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't hold off any later than January / February 2016. We had one person in our group who was a sub-10 number. They submitted in January (from memory) and interviewed in June.
Once you have an interview and are approved, it only takes a few days for your passport to get back to you. Sydney kids are getting theirs the next day. I got mine on the Thursday after the interview on Tuesday, so two days (I'm in Melbourne). I expect it may be a bit longer for Perth, Darwin and maybe even South Australia. If there are issues like the embassy not keeping the right documentation during the interview (it happened to a couple of people this year), it will take longer but not a massive delay.
I can't answer the question on negating other visas. I know my brother was on an O1 visa. Once he got his GC after marrying his American wife, the O1 visa no longer applied. From that point, he was a lawful permanent resident with all the requisite requirements and obligations.
In terms of income, we will continue to draw an investment income but that's it. The US won't care if you draw an income from Australia (well, they will care if you're drawing that income while living in Australia and not the US) but you'll have to file a US tax return showing that income. We do have a treaty with the US that prevents us from being taxed twice.
Once you have an interview and are approved, it only takes a few days for your passport to get back to you. Sydney kids are getting theirs the next day. I got mine on the Thursday after the interview on Tuesday, so two days (I'm in Melbourne). I expect it may be a bit longer for Perth, Darwin and maybe even South Australia. If there are issues like the embassy not keeping the right documentation during the interview (it happened to a couple of people this year), it will take longer but not a massive delay.
I can't answer the question on negating other visas. I know my brother was on an O1 visa. Once he got his GC after marrying his American wife, the O1 visa no longer applied. From that point, he was a lawful permanent resident with all the requisite requirements and obligations.
In terms of income, we will continue to draw an investment income but that's it. The US won't care if you draw an income from Australia (well, they will care if you're drawing that income while living in Australia and not the US) but you'll have to file a US tax return showing that income. We do have a treaty with the US that prevents us from being taxed twice.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
I don't know what visa type that is or why you wouldn't want it cancelled, but yes an immigrant visa will result in others being cancelled. A green card is intended for would be immigrants, and there is no need from a uscis perspective to not cancel any other visas. The fact that you don't want to cancel the others seems to imply that you are not really committed to living in the U.S.?
Aucklander
Member
Passports back this morning. Took almost 4 weeks. Bring it on Vegas I say
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Ok so I was curious and looked this up. It's a crew member visa right? Not sure why you would want to keep it other than being unsure about the residency impacts of traveling in and out constantly on a green card, which is probably a valid concern. However, just to be sure you understand, an immigrant visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months - you have to activate it (get your green card) or it expires worthless.