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DV 2021 Oceania Selectees

I have never said the police cert needs to be of any particular age at entry. The rules are applied as of the time of interview - and the CO has some latitude about the age of the police certs. As mentioned above they are considered valid up to 12 months, and will be accepted older than that in the case of a previously visited country.

I have never known a case where the visa validity was shortened because of police cert validity. It is always based on the medical report (medical plus 6 months), and the only time I have known it to be less than 6 months is for certain health conditions. There was a suggestion in one of the lawsuits that Russian cases were commonly being given 3 month validity, but I myself have not seen cases like that - and I think it was a misunderstanding.

I have also never known a case where there was a problem at entry because of a police cert being out of date - and certainly that would have been the case in many of the Gomez case issuances that are being allowed to enter with expired visas, and now very old police certs.
Hi Simon, I noticed that on your blog Matt B said his visa expiry was based on his police check. His medical was in March but his visa expired at the end of July.

I renewed my police check based on that experience story and, for $42, was worth every cent for the peace of mind.
 
Question about the Diversity Visa fee that you have to pay at the Consulate in Sydney before the interview.

1) Can you pay the $330 USD fee in Australian dollars?
2) Do they accept credit/debit cards?
 
Question about the Diversity Visa fee that you have to pay at the Consulate in Sydney before the interview.

1) Can you pay the $330 USD fee in Australian dollars?
2) Do they accept credit/debit cards?
Yes to both! They publish the exchange rate and payment methods here: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/au-iv-visafeeinfo.asp

Note that they don't accept EFTPOS. Also, if you pay by credit/debit card you have to sign for it so make sure you have signed the back of your card as they will check it.
 
Hi Simon, I noticed that on your blog Matt B said his visa expiry was based on his police check. His medical was in March but his visa expired at the end of July.

I renewed my police check based on that experience story and, for $42, was worth every cent for the peace of mind.

No - what Matt B said was that the CO told him at the interview that he would have until the police expiry to enter the USA. You have assumed the visa was then issued with a July expiry. That is something that either Matt B misunderstood, or the CO said, but was (I'll bet) incorrect. COs get stuff wrong all the time. The interview experience was written a few hours after the interview, so Matt B had not seen the visa at that time. He (Matt B) would confirm (I'm certain), that his visa once it arrived was based on the medical.

Having said all that, as you said, sometimes I do agree and recommend getting new documents just to remove any nervousness - and for the sake of a few bucks that is not a bad strategy.
 
No - what Matt B said was that the CO told him at the interview that he would have until the police expiry to enter the USA. You have assumed the visa was then issued with a July expiry. That is something that either Matt B misunderstood, or the CO said, but was (I'll bet) incorrect. COs get stuff wrong all the time. The interview experience was written a few hours after the interview, so Matt B had not seen the visa at that time. He (Matt B) would confirm (I'm certain), that his visa once it arrived was based on the medical.

Having said all that, as you said, sometimes I do agree and recommend getting new documents just to remove any nervousness - and for the sake of a few bucks that is not a bad strategy.

I have asked him to confirm. $5 on the outcome. :-)
 
yeah, I know of many people who went to their interview with a police certificate well less than 6 months to “expiry“ (especially since the new kcc documents requirement) and I have never heard of anyone getting a shorter visa expiry based on that. And various consulate websites will tell you: 6 months to expiry, unless medical expiry is earlier. PCC is never mentioned in this context. As Simon says - I wouldn’t really want to go with an about-to-expire document anyway, but not for that reason, and no need to unnecessarily panic people.
 
I have asked him to confirm. $5 on the outcome. :)
Hi Simon, I am currently unemployed but sometimes work one day a week (by choice as I am studying a certificate). Will this be a problem at the interview when they ask me what I do for work? I know being unemployed sounds bad however, I have 350k ish in savings which I am hoping shows I won't be a liability to America - I would also find a job as soon as I get there as it's very easy with the industry I work in (I do contract work so only work a portion of the year)
 
Yes to both! They publish the exchange rate and payment methods here: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/au-iv-visafeeinfo.asp

Note that they don't accept EFTPOS. Also, if you pay by credit/debit card you have to sign for it so make sure you have signed the back of your card as they will check it.
Question about the Diversity Visa fee that you have to pay at the Consulate in Sydney before the interview.

1) Can you pay the $330 USD fee in Australian dollars?
2) Do they accept credit/debit cards?
I tried to pay with my debit card, however as the payment comes out as Washington, my bank blocked the transaction and I had to leave and get my phone and change my settings. In the end, I also went and got cash (AUD) and paid that way, it was a lot easier.
 
Hi Simon, I am currently unemployed but sometimes work one day a week (by choice as I am studying a certificate). Will this be a problem at the interview when they ask me what I do for work? I know being unemployed sounds bad however, I have 350k ish in savings which I am hoping shows I won't be a liability to America - I would also find a job as soon as I get there as it's very easy with the industry I work in (I do contract work so only work a portion of the year)

No problem.
 
Ok team, got some info here that might be helpful for people paying the immigrant fee soon.

I’ve been patiently trying to pay my immigrant fee all week. Everyday it said alien number wasn’t registered and to wait 5 days after your visa is issued for it to register with USCIS. Cool, no dramas. Just been checking it everyday hoping to pay it. Tonight however, I had a brain wave after it couldn’t find me again. The case number on my visa is listed 2021OC10XX01, the 01 on the end being my derivative. I thought, what if I take the 01 off.... and low and behold it worked lol so immigrant fee is paid now! Thought this might be helpful for anyone paying this soon :)
 
Ok team, got some info here that might be helpful for people paying the immigrant fee soon.

I’ve been patiently trying to pay my immigrant fee all week. Everyday it said alien number wasn’t registered and to wait 5 days after your visa is issued for it to register with USCIS. Cool, no dramas. Just been checking it everyday hoping to pay it. Tonight however, I had a brain wave after it couldn’t find me again. The case number on my visa is listed 2021OC10XX01, the 01 on the end being my derivative. I thought, what if I take the 01 off.... and low and behold it worked lol so immigrant fee is paid now! Thought this might be helpful for anyone paying this soon :)
The “01” on the end is not your derivative, it represents you as being the main selectee. “02” gets added for the spouse of the selectee, while “03” gets added for the child(ren) of the selectee.
 
Only 7 new OC 2NL's since the June VB came out, hopefully more coming out this week but anyone still thinking of joining the Curtis Morrison lawsuit?
 
Only 7 new OC 2NL's since the June VB came out, hopefully more coming out this week but anyone still thinking of joining the Curtis Morrison lawsuit?
Highly considering it. With time running out, I think the fee is reasonable enough to justify. Was hoping maybe some 2NLs for July interviews would come out before the joining deadline to help push the decision, but doesn't look like that will happen.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys I think I will apply for the other one just in case, mine were also approved but better safe than sorry!
I'm also a big worrier and the new cases/ restrictions on Melbourne are making me concerned the borders might close to NSW
My fight or flight is telling me to impulsively fly up today just in case but I would miss some important things at work and my covid vaccine appointment :(
anyone in the same boat? am I overreacting haha
How are you going? Did you manage to make it to Sydney?
 
Only 7 new OC 2NL's since the June VB came out, hopefully more coming out this week but anyone still thinking of joining the Curtis Morrison lawsuit?
2021OC7XX - I joined the lawsuit on Monday. With our embassy closed here in Suva, Fiji due to covid it's probably the best bet. Received the ready to schedule email in April. Just awaiting 2NL so fingers, toes and everything crossed it happens and interview is done by September.
 
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Only 7 new OC 2NL's since the June VB came out, hopefully more coming out this week but anyone still thinking of joining the Curtis Morrison lawsuit?
Hi NY9, I will sign up tomorrow and hopefully will help to get an interview by September 30! Where did you see that there were only 7 new 2NL's recorded since June, best of luck!
 
Hi NY9, I will sign up tomorrow and hopefully will help to get an interview by September 30! Where did you see that there were only 7 new 2NL's recorded since June, best of luck!

On the save diversity visa website if you toggle between the 24th May and 25th May. 4 cases were added which equated out to 7 additional visas/people added to the ready status.
 
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