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DV 2015 Oceania winners

CBDK said:
For us it is all about lifestyle but that lifestyle is fast paced, crammed living in NYC. In our industry it's the hotbed of innovation and creative thinkers so going to give it a crack and learn as much as I can.
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Same here - NYC is the place to be career-wise for me (advertising industry). I've considered Chicago, San Fransisco as well, and do love those cities, but in terms of lifestyle NYC is such an electric place especially if you're (relatively) young, without kids etc.....
 
Britsimon said:
Moving embassies at this point could be risky. Some people did it with no issues, but others have got lost in the system and created months of delays - which cost someone their GC last year. If you can avoid it - don't change.

Auckland is probably marginally easier - but both are pretty simple.

Yes as you found out DUI isn't generally a problem unless it got complicated with jail time or drugs offences or whatever... ;-)
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Thanks to you and EmilyW for the swift response!

Once my interview is scheduled it's going to be hard for me to get back to Auckland on short notice, due to work commitments etc. I was hoping that since my case number is still 'processing' I could change it without repercussion.. Might need to bite the bullet either way....

That's re-assuring on the DUI thing. Definitely no other associated crimes here - just a minor indiscretion (though obviously stupid and regrettable!)
 
Interview experience :
Went up to level 10 just after 8;30 and went through security - they took our X-ray CDs out and left them with our bag that was checked in, and we just took in our documents and wallets. Went up to level 59 took a number and waited for a little while. Got called to a window where our fingerprints were taken, and we handed over our documents . (She gave us back the printed DS260 confirmation page even though it lists it on the checklist :/ maybe we should take it with us on entry - I remember oc_ems saying her envelope didn't have the something in it on entry?) she also took both our photos and checked we had written our full names on the back. she then asked us to go pay the fee, which we did in cash, then gave her the receipt back and got asked to take a seat again and wait to be called for the interview.
Another short wait and we were called to a different window, gave fingerprints again and took the oath.
He asked is why we wanted to move to America, and asked if my husband "so you have a Bachelors degree?" (he replied he has a Masters) and what it was in, if it was our first marriage for both of us, if there were any children involved. He also asked if I was taking my husbands name which I am not. He checked over all our docs while handing back the originals and that was it! Told us we were approved and our passports would arrive back in 1-2 weeks.
I think that was it!
It Was a lot quicker and easier than we expected... Almost still doesn't feel real... Can't wait to have my passport back so i can actually see it in there! :p
 
Hello, just joined up but been lurking on the forum for a long time. Had my interview at the Sydney embassy today [CN 5xx] and was approved. My interview was at 8.30am. Crawfusa has an amazing blog that prepped me as to what to expect from arrival procedures to potential questions to exit.

I walk in at 8.10am and see a couple with a small baby called up to the interview window, must have been CC Hessie and her husband, baby in tow. I listened in on there interview with apprehension, but soon realised he was being very friendly and conversational. There interview was much longer than mine, i guess because processing 3 people. Another lady was called up and approved, and then me. As i was waiting, in walks a lady in her 20's with striking long blonde hair with her partner, must have been Suicide Blonde. :) It's nice putting faces to these names after reading there posts on this forum. LOL.

The interview itself with the friendly interviewer that CC Hessie had was quite straight forward and pleasant, rather conversational in nature, yet direct and thorough. The awesome feeling of relief when you hear that phrase "youve been approved" is really quite magical. Actually for me, the only stressful part is the scary lift up to 59, [popping ears], and somehow missing the 9-10 button on the way down [it is written in tiny numbers.......lol]. Most people this morning seemed to get approved through the interviewing officers in the time i was there. The wait was short and the interviews itself were processed very efficiently. The staff there really are quite friendly, accommodating and patient. The security, document checker, cashier, and interviewing officer were all patient and receptive. Your nerves quickly dissolve in this atmosphere, a surprisingly pleasant and straight forward experience.
 
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james mathers said:
Hello, just joined up but been lurking on the forum for a long time. Had my interview at the Sydney embassy today [CN 5xx] and was approved. My interview was at 8.30am. Crawfusa has an amazing blog that prepped me as to what to expect from arrival procedures to potential questions to exit.

I walk in at 8.10am and see a couple with a small baby called up to the interview window, must have been CC Hessie and her husband, baby in tow. I listened in on there interview with apprehension, but soon realised he was being very friendly and conversational. There interview was much longer than mine, i guess because processing 3 people. Another lady was called up and approved, and then me. As i was waiting, in walks a lady in her 20's with striking long blonde hair with her partner, must have been Suicide Blonde. :) It's nice putting faces to these names after reading there posts on this forum. LOL.

The interview itself with the friendly interviewer that CC Hessie had was quite straight forward and pleasant, rather conversational in nature, yet direct and thorough. The awesome feeling of relief when you hear that phrase "youve been approved" is really quite magical. Actually for me, the only stressful part is the scary lift up to 59, [popping ears], and somehow missing the 9-10 button on the way down [it is written in tiny numbers.......lol]. Most people this morning seemed to get approved through the interviewing officers in the time i was there. The wait was short and the interviews itself were processed very efficiently. The staff there really are quite friendly, accommodating and patient. The security, document checker, cashier, and interviewing officer were all patient and receptive. Your nerves quickly dissolve in this atmosphere, a surprisingly pleasant and straight forward experience.
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Glad to read an account from a lurker - congrats.

Also glad to hear that SuicideBlondes avatar is pretty accurate. I don't know why but I suspect some people might not be being honest with their avatars!
 
When we finally have our OC2015 Shindig, we will all know what everyone looks like!

Quick question for everyone. It's hopeful / potentially likely that we will go current in the next VB. So we're going to call KCC to make sure all is ok with our forms.

Any hints / tips on the call? I remember someone mentioning that, if you press '0', you can bypass the menus etc.
 
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EmilyW said:
When we finally have our OC2015 Shindig, we will all know what everyone looks like!

Quick question for everyone. It's hopeful / potentially likely that we will go current in the next VB. So we're going to call KCC to make sure all is ok with our forms.

Any hints / tips on the call? I remember someone mentioning that, if you press '0', you can bypass the menus etc.
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Yep press zero and have lastname, dob and cn ready....
 
I was successful and have until may 1st to activate my visa, I'm looking at flying into LA around the 26/04/14. Is that enough time is it all activated once you land is it all done at the airport? If I flew over before to activate next then came back so I could have more time to arrange things here, how long to you have till you can go back? Basically I have no idea what happens next, Only I have till May 1st to activate. Then can you start working straight away or do you have to wait for the physical card and SSN? Any help would be appreciated thanks.
 
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tamwothcountry said:
I was successful and have until may 1st to activate my visa, I'm looking at flying into LA around the 26/04/14. Is that enough time is it all activated once you land is it all done at the airport? If I flew over before to activate next then came back so I could have more time to arrange things here, how long to you have till you can go back? Basically I have no idea what happens next, Only I have till May 1st to activate. Then can you start working straight away or do you have to wait for the physical card and SSN? Any help would be appreciated thanks.
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Why such a short time before your visa expires?
Activation happens on entry...
Technically you can start working immediately but in practice you probably need your ssn.
 
CCHessie said:
SuicideBlond was walking in just as we were leaving so got to say a very quick hi!! I hope her process was just as smooth as ours!!
Our mimosas will have to wait until lunch...had to take our daughter back to hotel for a nap.
Thank You to everyone on here for all the great info,it has helped us so much along the way :D:D:D
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Congratulations Tuesday people!

I'm jealous and can't wait to have my post DV drinking session.

But there are no regulars in my number range - @connectedspace maybe? Feel like a beer in seven months mate?
 
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