DV 2017 OC Selectees

[SusieQQQ]

Yeah Im going to be living with my friend in SoCal, I just thought maybe LAX immigration would give me an easier time if I changed it now instead of asking me why I skipped over NYC and why my bank account address doesn't match. Also was unsure if Amex would be able to access my USCIS information to check my address. I think you're right I'll just do it when I actually move there.

Immigration are unlikely to ask you anything unless you've been out really long or are coming in on a return ticket. And if that's the case, it's not matching addresses they'll be interested in.

 

[Sm1smom]

Thank you!!! I will check all of this out.. our closest field office is in Bangkok which is a 6-8 hour flight so I'd prefer to avoid that if possible.
Sm1smom - thank you again for the information..

Oh! You guys already left the US? I assumed you were still on the ground - yeah, following in person is going to be tough, but it may require that.

 

[RI1985]

Oh! You guys already left the US? I assumed you were still on the ground - yeah, following in person is going to be tough, but it may require that.

Yes unfortunately. We did our activation trip and are now starting the process of selling up and moving permanently.
Thanks again.

 

[allabouttonight]

Thanks SusieQQQ and Mom!

 

[AppleBound]

For those asking a couple of pages back we activated at LAX last week & the staff couldn't have been friendlier or more efficient. We sort advice from a worker once we stepped of the Qantas plane (QF93 from Melb) got sent to an express section (orange signage), processed by the immigration officer & passed off to another within 10 mins. From their we went downstairs for further processing & were done within another 10 mins. Once complete the officer walked used to baggage claim while talking to us about our trip & plans when we relocate permanently while offering some friendly advice.
The whole process including clearing customs was over in under 30 mins & we easily made the connecting Qantas flight to NYC.
Understand this probably not the norm but we couldn't speak more highly of our LAX experience

 

[guestgulkan]

1. Is there a cut off date/recommendations as to when to make this payment? ie. is a month prior to departure ok? Is 1 week prior leaving it too soon?
2. Am I filing in the online form I-90 (which says replace/renew)? I am a little confused as to what to tick here - permanent resident in commuter staus? Do I have a prior Alien registration card (is this the name for the tempory visa in the passport?)
3. My original address was with a reliable family friend in LA as I wasn't sure of what NYC address I would put. If I update this on my USCIS account, will it be ok at POE/will this overwrite what I originally entered?

To make things potentially more complicated, I had a greencard previously but moved back to AU so it lapsed. Expiration date listed as 2011 (I moved back before the expiry). This was declared during my original forms as well as at the interview but I am concerned I should be ticking other boxes on the I90 form like existing card expired?

1) Some people even pay it after they arrive however it's pretty important for ID and proof of legal status so most want it asap.
2) Alien registration card = greencard. Your sentence at the bottom changed the normal answer for this. It's a unique situation.
3) At POE the officer can change it. Get him to check.

 

[Britsimon]

For those asking a couple of pages back we activated at LAX last week & the staff couldn't have been friendlier or more efficient. We sort advice from a worker once we stepped of the Qantas plane (QF93 from Melb) got sent to an express section (orange signage), processed by the immigration officer & passed off to another within 10 mins. From their we went downstairs for further processing & were done within another 10 mins. Once complete the officer walked used to baggage claim while talking to us about our trip & plans when we relocate permanently while offering some friendly advice.
The whole process including clearing customs was over in under 30 mins & we easily made the connecting Qantas flight to NYC.
Understand this probably not the norm but we couldn't speak more highly of our LAX experience

You got sent to an express section AND THEN walked to baggage claim???

Yeah, not normal. You are obviously unusually attractive.

 

[SusieQQQ]

You got sent to an express section AND THEN walked to baggage claim???

Yeah, not normal. You are obviously unusually attractive.

Our bags got taken off the belt and brought somewhere near us because secondary took so long, so some thoughtfulness, but not quite a chatty escort

 

[AppleBound]

You got sent to an express section AND THEN walked to baggage claim???

Yeah, not normal. You are obviously unusually attractive.

Yeh it seemed surreal at the time but we weren't complaining, I did leave out that our luck ran out in NYC when our bags were last off the plane & then it took 2.5 hrs in cab into manhattan

 

[lottic]

For those asking a couple of pages back we activated at LAX last week & the staff couldn't have been friendlier or more efficient. We sort advice from a worker once we stepped of the Qantas plane (QF93 from Melb) got sent to an express section (orange signage), processed by the immigration officer & passed off to another within 10 mins. From their we went downstairs for further processing & were done within another 10 mins. Once complete the officer walked used to baggage claim while talking to us about our trip & plans when we relocate permanently while offering some friendly advice.
The whole process including clearing customs was over in under 30 mins & we easily made the connecting Qantas flight to NYC.
Understand this probably not the norm but we couldn't speak more highly of our LAX experience

Thanks for sharing @AppleBound

 

[MissNIcole]

Hi everyone! My green card was approved last week which is fantastic!! I have a question regarding a visa for my partner who did not win the lottery. What is the best visa for him to join me? He has a degree in engineering and teaching, is 28 years old and holds a valid Australian passport. I’ve been doing a little bit of research online but don’t feel very hopeful its going to be a straightforward process. Appreciate any advice you could give. Thanks!

 

[SusieQQQ]

Hi everyone! My green card was approved last week which is fantastic!! I have a question regarding a visa for my partner who did not win the lottery. What is the best visa for him to join me? He has a degree in engineering and teaching, is 28 years old and holds a valid Australian passport. I’ve been doing a little bit of research online but don’t feel very hopeful its going to be a straightforward process. Appreciate any advice you could give. Thanks!

Well, the best visa is a spousal visa (begs question of why you didn't get married before your interview which would have made that much easier...though you can still get married after you activate and then have to wait a while). Work visas are tricky to get. As an Australian an E3 would be much easier than an H1 but either way he needs a job offer first.

 

[MissNIcole]

Well, the best visa is a spousal visa (begs question of why you didn't get married before your interview which would have made that much easier...though you can still get married after you activate and then have to wait a while). Work visas are tricky to get. As an Australian an E3 would be much easier than an H1 but either way he needs a job offer first.

We aren't in a position to get married, we only met after I had entered the lottery in November 2015. Thanks for the advice, what about a B1 Long term holiday visa, I believe that allows him to interview while over there and can also extend for a further 6 months?

 

[SusieQQQ]

We aren't in a position to get married, we only met after I had entered the lottery in November 2015. Thanks for the advice, what about a B1 Long term holiday visa, I believe that allows him to interview while over there and can also extend for a further 6 months?

He isn't allowed to work on it and it isn't intended as a backdoor for extended stays in the US. (In fact in the news recently was someone who just got deported trying to do that by going to Canada and back.... and deportation kind of screws up your chance at a future immigrant or work visa.)

Lucky you that he's still prepared to move halfway across the world for you when you won't marry him!

 

[MissNIcole]

I understand he can't work on that visa, but is he allowed to interview at prospective employers?

Yep, lucky me!

 

[SusieQQQ]

I understand he can't work on that visa, but is he allowed to interview at prospective employers?

Yep, lucky me!

I'm not sure if he is "allowed."of course, people do it. It seems murky.
In practical terms: Not always that easy getting interviews when you require visa sponsorship, partly because it's a costly process for the company and (with some exceptions) such visas are limited so they don't even know if the application will be successful. So generally, he would need something special vs a generic USC or LPR 28- year-old engineer (of which there are many) to make it worth their while. (You mentioned teaching, but each state requires teachers to be licensed in that state.)

 

[Highman]

Wish me luck

 

[Hulacakes]

Hi OC selectees,

I won the 2017 lottery in a very drawn out process. I didn't win the initial round announced in May 2016 so I vowed to enter again. Then I got an email in September 2016 telling me to check my status and I was eligible for processing. I still thought I had no chance with a 13xx number. Filled in the D260 then waited till April to get an email telling me I have an interview in June- yay! 20 months after application but I'll take it! I was planning a trip to the states in August anyway so I've decided to just go live there instead

I have a question about the National Police Check. I'm applying online and need to select the purpose of check - is it the number 35 'overseas employment visa for supply to a country other than Australia'?

 

[guestgulkan]

Hi OC selectees,

I won the 2017 lottery in a very drawn out process. I didn't win the initial round announced in May 2016 so I vowed to enter again. Then I got an email in September 2016 telling me to check my status and I was eligible for processing. I still thought I had no chance with a 13xx number. Filled in the D260 then waited till April to get an email telling me I have an interview in June- yay! 20 months after application but I'll take it! I was planning a trip to the states in August anyway so I've decided to just go live there instead

I have a question about the National Police Check. I'm applying online and need to select the purpose of check - is it the number 35 'overseas employment visa for supply to a country other than Australia'?

Wow, haven't seen a second round winner on here before. It'll be interesting to see if we get any more.

You're supposed to select 33 for the Police Check.

 

[Librarygurl]

Hey all.

Firstly thanks so much for all the information from you all on this forum and on your website BritSimonSays.

I had my interview today in Auckland and was approved!!!!! I was a "second draw" winner who initially was declined then got notification in September that I was a winner. I submitted my DS- 250 in September.

For reference for others in the future -

• I lived in the UK for 11months and they did question this and I supplied a UK police check I'd got just in case. They seemed to appreciate this and it was added to my file.
  
• You need to send in or drop off all your documentation beforehand for the Auckland Embassy - including your CV and financial statements.
  
• I had a different surname on my High School documents to all my other documents. They didn't even ask why so if you're in the same boat make sure you can prove why to be safe, but as long as you've put it in the DS-250 seems to be okay

Again - thanks and good luck to those waiting