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DV 2021 Oceania Selectees

It’s been 3 weeks since I arrived and no SSN yet, so I called the local SSA office here in Mesa. Turns out one was created for me but when updating my address at the POE the CBP officer didn’t include my apartment number (it was given to him, that I can assure you) so the mail was returned and destroyed. Now I have to wait for an appointment at a local office, and from what I understand the wait time for appointments at the moment is extremely long. @SusieQQQ or @Sm1smom or @Britsimon if you have any wisdom or guidance I would appreciate it. I really need my SSN as soon as possible, I can’t afford to wait months. Thank you <3
 
It’s been 3 weeks since I arrived and no SSN yet, so I called the local SSA office here in Mesa. Turns out one was created for me but when updating my address at the POE the CBP officer didn’t include my apartment number (it was given to him, that I can assure you) so the mail was returned and destroyed. Now I have to wait for an appointment at a local office, and from what I understand the wait time for appointments at the moment is extremely long. @SusieQQQ or @Sm1smom or @Britsimon if you have any wisdom or guidance I would appreciate it. I really need my SSN as soon as possible, I can’t afford to wait months. Thank you <3
Update: I’ve managed to secure an in person appointment for July 7th which isn’t all too bad considering. Hopefully they can give me the number in person and while having the replacement card posted to me.
 
Hi Guys, I just got an email this morning to say I have an appointment for start of AUG 2021 at Auckland. 2021 OC19XX.
I submitted my docs Start of May 2021, got confirmation 2 weeks later for scheduling and received 2NL today 25/6.
I am 31 single with no kids and no criminal history or health problems - not sure if this had any influence on the forms getting processed quickly.
 
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just received my passport/visa in the mail (auckland consulate), happy to answer any questions if needed :)
Hey, can you please explain the process of needing to drop off the paper work? My understanding is the consulate needs documents dropped off two weeks before your interview, is this correct? If so, did you drop off the docs went you went to Auckland for the interview? (I live in Tauranga so trying to minimise the amount of times I need to drive to Auckland)
 
Hey, can you please explain the process of needing to drop off the paper work? My understanding is the consulate needs documents dropped off two weeks before your interview, is this correct? If so, did you drop off the docs went you went to Auckland for the interview? (I live in Tauranga so trying to minimise the amount of times I need to drive to Auckland)
Yes documents should be sent in ideally 2+ weeks beforehand, I dropped them off myself at the consulate as soon as I could to be safe, but they said the docs could be mailed in as well.
 
I am... Im in Brisbane and flying to Sydney on Sunday. I already know that i won't be allowed back into QLD. I am lucky enough to have family to stay with in Sydney and a job i can work flexibly from.

I am worried that if the city goes into a lockdown, that the interview may be cancelled.. :( I've called the medical centre and medical appt will still go ahead as it is classified in 'essential'. I need to get a hold of the consulate to see what they say. If anyone else has done this already please let me know.
Just an update, I asked about rescheduling, and this is what they said:

The U.S. Embassy in Canberra and the U.S. Consulates General in Perth and Melbourne do not process Immigrant/fiancée Visa applications. These applications are processed at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney only. There are no exemptions for this, nor are there options for Skype, Zoom etc.

An immigrant visa number is available for your use within the month of July 2021. If you do not keep this appointment or have your visa issued within that month, your visa number will be returned to Washington, D.C. for reallocation.

All DV programs end/close on the last work day of September or earlier if the quota of visa numbers is used up earlier than September.

Please reply to confirm you still wish to postpone or attend the scheduled interview.


So basically, regardless of the COVID situation, seems like I need to enter Sydney to do the interview, or risk losing the greencard... and then quarantine for 2 weeks when back in Melb. Such a pain.
 
Just an update, I asked about rescheduling, and this is what they said:

The U.S. Embassy in Canberra and the U.S. Consulates General in Perth and Melbourne do not process Immigrant/fiancée Visa applications. These applications are processed at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney only. There are no exemptions for this, nor are there options for Skype, Zoom etc.

An immigrant visa number is available for your use within the month of July 2021. If you do not keep this appointment or have your visa issued within that month, your visa number will be returned to Washington, D.C. for reallocation.

All DV programs end/close on the last work day of September or earlier if the quota of visa numbers is used up earlier than September.

Please reply to confirm you still wish to postpone or attend the scheduled interview.


So basically, regardless of the COVID situation, seems like I need to enter Sydney to do the interview, or risk losing the greencard... and then quarantine for 2 weeks when back in Melb. Such a pain.
But also not sure what would happen with the consulate if Sydney went into a full lockdown...?
 
Just an update, I asked about rescheduling, and this is what they said:

The U.S. Embassy in Canberra and the U.S. Consulates General in Perth and Melbourne do not process Immigrant/fiancée Visa applications. These applications are processed at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney only. There are no exemptions for this, nor are there options for Skype, Zoom etc.

An immigrant visa number is available for your use within the month of July 2021. If you do not keep this appointment or have your visa issued within that month, your visa number will be returned to Washington, D.C. for reallocation.

All DV programs end/close on the last work day of September or earlier if the quota of visa numbers is used up earlier than September.

Please reply to confirm you still wish to postpone or attend the scheduled interview.


So basically, regardless of the COVID situation, seems like I need to enter Sydney to do the interview, or risk losing the greencard... and then quarantine for 2 weeks when back in Melb. Such a pain.
Yep i understood that you couldn't do your interview anywhere else other than Sydney. Its the lockdown query that im unsure about. I have emailed them and will let you guys know what they say.
 
But also not sure what would happen with the consulate if Sydney went into a full lockdown...?
They announced the lockdown in Sydney City today....... I'm hanging on to a little bit of hope that the consulate will still be operating as my interview is on Tuesday. Fingers crossed!
 
Just received a Notification of Cancelled Immigrant Visa Services email from Sydney Consulate


Dear Visa Applicants,

Your appointment has been cancelled. The U.S. Consulate General is following guidance from New South Wales Health in relation to the spread of a COVID -19 variant.

Please reply to indicate which of the below options (1 or 2) applies. When communicating with this office, you must provide the following information:
 
Just received a Notification of Cancelled Immigrant Visa Services email from Sydney Consulate


Dear Visa Applicants,

Your appointment has been cancelled. The U.S. Consulate General is following guidance from New South Wales Health in relation to the spread of a COVID -19 variant.

Please reply to indicate which of the below options (1 or 2) applies. When communicating with this office, you must provide the following information:
I did too... :( :(

I hope this lockdown doesn't last longer than a week....
 
Just received a Notification of Cancelled Immigrant Visa Services email from Sydney Consulate


Dear Visa Applicants,

Your appointment has been cancelled. The U.S. Consulate General is following guidance from New South Wales Health in relation to the spread of a COVID -19 variant.

Please reply to indicate which of the below options (1 or 2) applies. When communicating with this office, you must provide the following information:
What options did they give you?
 
What options did they give you?
1 – Please reschedule my interview to the next available date. You may attend the scheduled interview even if you do not have all documents to submit on the day. Missing documents can be mailed to our office within 12 months of the interview date.

2 – Due to Border restrictions I will contact you when I am ready to schedule.
 
1 – Please reschedule my interview to the next available date. You may attend the scheduled interview even if you do not have all documents to submit on the day. Missing documents can be mailed to our office within 12 months of the interview date.

2 – Due to Border restrictions I will contact you when I am ready to schedule.
Thanks! Interesting... I wonder what the timeline might be if you choose option 2. Tough times!
 
Got the email saying that my interview has been cancelled :(

I replied to them asking to be rescheduled.

Let's hope this passes quickly...
 
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