Recent content by Essey

Watch out for those flying bats! http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13024139/woman-injured-boston-red-sox-game-serious-condition

They say your SSN will be processed on entry, but I am yet to hear if someone this year who didn't have to go into the SSA office and apply again. I suggest you just go into the office and apply after you enter, bring your passport with stamped visa, and your birth certificate. I explained the...

I never got sent an email checklist. Sydney consulate seems to be inconsistent on this, but I just used the one Emily uploaded on Dropbox and it was fine. So don't stress if you don't get an email, but you. An also email them and ask for it which is what some people did. The permanent green...

Busted! You can't dupe the experts on here. I was thinking it was interesting that someone who has not been through the process seems to be such an 'expert'. I can understand wanting to feel helpful, but giving misleading information isn't at all helpful and can be very counter-productive to the...

That's great news Pranish! Each embassy has different timelines for returning passports so I think you'll have to ask the embassy in Suva. Most people in Sydney got their passports back same week but mine took longer due to the Christmas break so I would say there's just no guarantee even if...

Wow I'm so glad it went so smoothly for you! Your preparation paid off and it was definitely worth it.

Not if you have flight benefits! :D Also, under insurance in the U.S., there's often still a gap you have to pay that insurance may not cover (depending on your insurance). Procedures here cost an exorbitant amount of money. It's happened to a few people I know. I'd rather just go back and know...

For the most part the way I see it, for any non-urgent medical matters I will be returning to Australia to get treated. I intend to come back once a year to visit anyway so will do my check ups and maintain my GP in Australia too. Health insurance in the U.S. for me is primarily to cover me in...

Yep at LAX you go in the visitor line and they'll then take you to the right area after they've verified you are a 'new immigrant'. There's no separate line as such. It's the easiest part of the whole process so as long as you've got your passport and sealed envelope, just relax and you'll soon...

Lol I literally just went to your blog as you posted that - should have gone there first!

Can someone fill me in on the issue? I tried reading the other posts but there's too much going on to get the gist of it.

Definitely the cheapest and easiest way to get a Green Card, if you're lucky enough. I regularly hear of people spending $10k+ in legal fees just trying to get visas for the U.S.

The Green Card definitely takes longer to arrive, mine took a month or two but apparently it can take even longer.

Lol I almost did that too just to see if I could go 3/3 but thought if it doesn't happen with my number this year, it just wasn't meant to be. Will be interesting to see if you get selected again though. Have a good friend who's beem entering so hanging out for the draw this year.

No the people who check those things are separate and it never comes up. Plus there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing an activation trip anyway so it's not like you'd get in trouble even if they somehow did ask you about it. Seriously, you're overthinking it, just make sure you have your...