DV 2021 Oceania Selectees

[bladeII]

Hey gang,

Long time listener, first time caller

I'm on the list of DV2021OC SYD consulate cases that had an interview scheduled in (mine was mid-July). Interview was cancelled end of June, I sent the appropriate 'reschedule me whenever' reply, got the autogenerated 'Covid lockdown' response and also got the standard, 'we cannot predict when...but rest assured as soon as we can reschedule...' email from Sydney IV as well. I followed up with another email on 29/7 and am yet to get a reply this time.

I've gone through the various links and it looks like there's at least 80 people in the unique boat of having an interview scheduled in Syd (between June 29 - Aug 31) and then cancelled. Figured I'd try and find those on the forum - @AusJess27, @VBN2470, @jessk21, @jordank21, @Aus21, @NY9, @kimpolley, @LueyG (@Green&Gold it looks like you've changed your appt to ACK right?). Is there anyone else?

The lockdown in Sydney actually doesn't prevent the Consulate from being open, they've chosen to close their doors. Businesses can still operate if they cannot conduct certain business at home (ie. process immigration visas). With the Covid case numbers still rising after 6 weeks of lockdown, I cannot see lockdown being lifted. Does anyone have any ideas of what we can do to try and ensure our interviews are scheduled in September? Maybe I'm clutching at straws but we have a #dv2021squad here so putting it out there.

@Britsimon any suggestions? Long shot I know...

Hey @JD21 ,

I had an interview scheduled for mid July as well, which was unfortunately cancelled.

@Britsimon - You've stated in your videos that the US Consulate in Sydney only perform DV Interviews on Tuesdays but I'd like to inform you that mine was scheduled for a Monday

Cheers

 

[LueyG]

I know probably a silly question and there probably is a valid reason, but why can't these be in say, Canberra instead - is it written in the DV legislation somewhere that is has to be in Sydney? I understand only Sydney does non-immigrant but it's getting a bit desperate so would be great if they could problem solve it a bit

 

[kimpolley]

Hey @JD21 ,

I had an interview scheduled for mid July as well, which was unfortunately cancelled.

@Britsimon - You've stated in your videos that the US Consulate in Sydney only perform DV Interviews on Tuesdays but I'd like to inform you that mine was scheduled for a Monday

Cheers

Ours was scheduled for a Monday as well.

 

[Green&Gold]

Hey @JD21 ,

I had an interview scheduled for mid July as well, which was unfortunately cancelled.

@Britsimon - You've stated in your videos that the US Consulate in Sydney only perform DV Interviews on Tuesdays but I'd like to inform you that mine was scheduled for a Monday

Cheers

In one of Brits Q&A videos, 2 weeks ago. "N" posted a comment which said Sydney was processing on Mondays, Brit responded.

I know probably a silly question and there probably is a valid reason, but why can't these be in say, Canberra instead - is it written in the DV legislation somewhere that is has to be in Sydney? I understand only Sydney does non-immigrant but it's getting a bit desperate so would be great if they could problem solve it a bit

Unfortunately its the standard process, many other countries have many more embassies then Australia and they are also in the same position as Australia. Canada is an example, Montreal is not processing at all, Canada has 8 embassies.

 

[Jake21]

Hi guys, I'm flying out on 2nd of Sept. Apart from predeparture covid test is there anything else required?

 

[AusJess27]

Has anyone had any further contact with the Sydney Consulate re cancelled interviews? The cases are just getting worse and worse and the small piece of hope that I had is almost gone

 

[Green&Gold]

Has anyone had any further contact with the Sydney Consulate re cancelled interviews? The cases are just getting worse and worse and the small piece of hope that I had is almost gone

Correspondence with Sydney took 3 days for them to respond to my transfer request.
But they keep providing the same details to another friend, they will not process any interviews until Stay at Home orders have been lifted

 

[JD21]

Has anyone had any further contact with the Sydney Consulate re cancelled interviews? The cases are just getting worse and worse and the small piece of hope that I had is almost gone

I emailed them the 29/7, then followed up on Weds. I'd mentioned that I knew of 80+ people in a similar position of having an appt cancelled/postponed and the looming 30/9 deadline. I said I knew the Syd consulate was closed save for emergency appts and their response on Friday was very generic and sent me to the NIV changing appt link (which obviously doesn't work for our IV situation!

Sooooo they completely ignored most of what I said and just gave a generic response. I followed up asking if they had a contingency given this hadn't had this situation with a deadline before (threw out the option of zoom appts or opening up Melbs or Perth for these IV's) and their second response yesterday was even more lame:

Unfortunately the United States Consulate General in Sydney is unable to resume routine visa services.
Regards,

This was the sydneyiv@state.gov email address. Not sure if anyone has a better email to contact?!!

 

[SusieQQQ]

I emailed them the 29/7, then followed up on Weds. I'd mentioned that I knew of 80+ people in a similar position of having an appt cancelled/postponed and the looming 30/9 deadline. I said I knew the Syd consulate was closed save for emergency appts and their response on Friday was very generic and sent me to the NIV changing appt link (which obviously doesn't work for our IV situation!

Sooooo they completely ignored most of what I said and just gave a generic response. I followed up asking if they had a contingency given this hadn't had this situation with a deadline before (threw out the option of zoom appts or opening up Melbs or Perth for these IV's) and their second response yesterday was even more lame:

Unfortunately the United States Consulate General in Sydney is unable to resume routine visa services.
Regards,

This was the sydneyiv@state.gov email address. Not sure if anyone has a better email to contact?!!

I know you don’t want to hear this but only one consulate per country is authorized to do immigrant visa interviews, and they have to be in person. I am sure they are also very frustrated to be receiving continued emails about it when there is nothing they can do to change anything and also just have to wait for lockdown - which they have no control over - to be lifted. It doesn’t matter which email you use. It’s not going to change the outcome.

 

[VBN2470]

Has anyone had any further contact with the Sydney Consulate re cancelled interviews? The cases are just getting worse and worse and the small piece of hope that I had is almost gone

The lawsuits are our only hope now.

 

[JD21]

I know you don’t want to hear this but only one consulate per country is authorized to do immigrant visa interviews, and they have to be in person. I am sure they are also very frustrated to be receiving continued emails about it when there is nothing they can do to change anything and also just have to wait for lockdown - which they have no control over - to be lifted. It doesn’t matter which email you use. It’s not going to change the outcome.

Oh yes I know, Sydney is the only one here to process the DV lottery (/and any immigrant visas). They are, however, holding emergency in-person interviews in Sydney. I figured hassling them isn't doing any harm, just reminding them we exist. They obviously don't care though, so was passing that intel onto Jess.

 

[AusJess27]

Thank you @JD21 I appreciate you sharing that info.

@SusieQQQ , completely understand what you're saying and that's why I've been hesitant to email them because I imagine they are receiving a lot of emails from the people in this predicament.

I guess I would just like to know whether extending the September deadline is an option for those of us that have already done their medical and paid the expenses for that aspect.

If im being realistic, I think that lockdown may lift in October based on vaccination predictions but that will be past the deadline. I know the consulate doesn't have a say in the stay at home orders but I just hope that come September they will be able to give us some clarity. The unknown is killing me..

 

[AusJess27]

The lawsuits are our only hope now.

I never signed up for the lawsuits but I was also under the impression that the lawsuits were for the 2020 DV. Its not clear to me how the lawsuits will help those in my predicament.

 

[JD21]

I never signed up for the lawsuits but I was also under the impression that the lawsuits were for the 2020 DV. Its not clear to me how the lawsuits will help those in my predicament.

There are some lawsuits regarding both the DV2020 and DV2021 via Curtis Morrison (Google Rosales and Goodluck V Biden).

 

[AusJess27]

There are some lawsuits regarding both the DV2020 and DV2021 via Curtis Morrison (Google Rosales and Goodluck V Biden).

I've just taken a look at the Goodluck v Biden lawsuit and yes can now see that its for DV2021. However, l did not sign up for either lawsuits so i don't see how it would benefit me?

 

[SusieQQQ]

I figured hassling them isn't doing any harm, just reminding them we exist.

You think they are unaware you exist? In past years Sydney has been far more flexible and accommodating than just about any other consulate out there for DV. And telling them how many people you know of as if they don’t know how many postponements they have! How patronizing. I’d consider these constant emails quite harassing personally.

 

[SusieQQQ]

I never signed up for the lawsuits but I was also under the impression that the lawsuits were for the 2020 DV. Its not clear to me how the lawsuits will help those in my predicament.

There’s more info on britsimon’s website on the lawsuits, but I believe at least one of the DV21 ones is a class action, meaning if successful it will apply to everyone.

 

[Sm1smom]

I guess I would just like to know whether extending the September deadline is an option for those of us that have already done their medical and paid the expenses for that aspect.

If im being realistic, I think that lockdown may lift in October based on vaccination predictions but that will be past the deadline. I know the consulate doesn't have a say in the stay at home orders but I just hope that come September they will be able to give us some clarity. The unknown is killing me..

Extending the deadline is not an arbitrary decision any embassy can use their discretion in implementing. The Sept. 30th deadline is fixed by law, it will require an act of Congress or a lawsuit to extend. And even the lawsuit is still iffy, case in point the 9000+ visas set aside for DV2020 as a result of a lawsuit which is yet to be distributed

 

[Knitwear_Blue]

You think they are unaware you exist? In past years Sydney has been far more flexible and accommodating than just about any other consulate out there for DV. And telling them how many people you know of as if they don’t know how many postponements they have! How patronizing. I’d consider these constant emails quite harassing personally.

I wouldn't get too worked up here . At the end of the day, you have your visa and are living in America. A lot of these people, who are so close to receiving their visa, may now not receive their visa. It must be a pretty rough feeling for them. So If I were you, id take that in to consideration before using the word 'harassing' and 'patronizing'. They are just doing everything they can to try get their visa's sorted before the 30th of SEPT.

@JD21 - I am not sure how the gov operates in Aussie but maybe you could try a slightly different approach and write a letter/email to your local MP - see if they can help in any way. I had an international student in my class who was having trouble with their visa and they emailed a local MP asking for help and the office got back to them straight away and helped them finalise the process. If not an MP, maybe there is someone else out their that could help. My opinion has no weight when its comes to US/AU immigration, however, I personally feel DV Visa should be considered emergency visas due to the SEP 30th deadline.

 

[Green&Gold]

I wouldn't get too worked up here . At the end of the day, you have your visa and are living in America. A lot of these people, who are so close to receiving their visa, may now not receive their visa. It must be a pretty rough feeling for them. So If I were you, id take that in to consideration before using the word 'harassing' and 'patronizing'. They are just doing everything they can to try get their visa's sorted before the 30th of SEPT.

@JD21 - I am not sure how the gov operates in Aussie but maybe you could try a slightly different approach and write a letter/email to your local MP - see if they can help in any way. I had an international student in my class who was having trouble with their visa and they emailed a local MP asking for help and the office got back to them straight away and helped them finalise the process. If not an MP, maybe there is someone else out their that could help. My opinion has no weight when its comes to US/AU immigration, however, I personally feel DV Visa should be considered emergency visas due to the SEP 30th deadline.

Emergency services generally only exist for Residents and Citizens. Immigration processing generally doesn't apply.