RejectedSpark
Member
So jumps for joy were held off until you were out of the elevator? Hehe certainly sounds awkward, but congrats on your positive outcome!
DV 2017 OC Selectees
- Thread starter MattWatt
- Start date
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- Tags
- dv 2017 dv-2017 oc selectees
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
Welcome and congratulations @AppleBound! Tuesday is such an awesome day in OC land. If you need any help ahead of your move, just message me and I'll do what I can.
Britsimon
Super Moderator
Being properly prepared makes all the difference. So when we say it's easy, we mean for those people that have read here (and my own humble site) and are prepared. No doubt the AP could have been avoided, and the European with Australian citizenship would have been an obvious catch for us.
OnTheGo
Registered Users (C)
Congratulations, NewYorkBound
Just a question....I assume the European with AU citizenship was declined because he put down Australia as country of eligibility, while he was actually born in Europe, is that correct? That was a terrible mistake. of course the chances are higher to be selected in the OC region but that's not the point.
We are dual EU/AU citizens living in Australia, but we put down EU as region of eligibility (DV 2018) because we were both born there.
Britsimon
Super Moderator
Congratulations, NewYorkBound
Just a question....I assume the European with AU citizenship was declined because he put down Australia as country of eligibility, while he was actually born in Europe, is that correct? That was a terrible mistake. of course the chances are higher to be selected in the OC region but that's not the point.
We are dual EU/AU citizens living in Australia, but we put down EU as region of eligibility (DV 2018) because we were both born there.
You did it right. The others mentioned did it wrong.
JessicaElle
Member
Hi all, thought I'd pop in to share my heart attack of the day, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has experienced this...
So, being the eager beaver I am, I decided to check the status of my visa issuance on CEAC. I want that piece of paper in my hands! Anyway, I headed to the CEAC website, entered my CN, finally got past the captcha (my eyesight is shocking) annnnd then I see it.
Administrative Processing.
AP.
The death knoll of my hopes and dreams.
A million things start going through my mind and I feel sick. My shaking fingers quickly type "CEAC showing AP even though they said I was approved" into Google... and it was then that I realised that every case states it's on AP for the first day or two after verbal approval. Phew! I got my happy ending tonight though - my status changed to "issued" a few hours ago.
~ The End ~
So, being the eager beaver I am, I decided to check the status of my visa issuance on CEAC. I want that piece of paper in my hands! Anyway, I headed to the CEAC website, entered my CN, finally got past the captcha (my eyesight is shocking) annnnd then I see it.
Administrative Processing.
AP.
The death knoll of my hopes and dreams.
A million things start going through my mind and I feel sick. My shaking fingers quickly type "CEAC showing AP even though they said I was approved" into Google... and it was then that I realised that every case states it's on AP for the first day or two after verbal approval. Phew! I got my happy ending tonight though - my status changed to "issued" a few hours ago.
~ The End ~
Britsimon
Super Moderator
Hi all, thought I'd pop in to share my heart attack of the day, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has experienced this...
So, being the eager beaver I am, I decided to check the status of my visa issuance on CEAC. I want that piece of paper in my hands! Anyway, I headed to the CEAC website, entered my CN, finally got past the captcha (my eyesight is shocking) annnnd then I see it.
Administrative Processing.
AP.
The death knoll of my hopes and dreams.
A million things start going through my mind and I feel sick. My shaking fingers quickly type "CEAC showing AP even though they said I was approved" into Google... and it was then that I realised that every case states it's on AP for the first day or two after verbal approval. Phew! I got my happy ending tonight though - my status changed to "issued" a few hours ago.
~ The End ~
There is also a FAQ entry on that very thing in my site.
JessicaElle
Member
There is also a FAQ entry on that very thing in my site.
I did refer to your site first Simon (the CEAC page with explanations of the different statuses) but I obviously missed that!
Britsimon
Super Moderator
I did refer to your site first Simon (the CEAC page with explanations of the different statuses) but I obviously missed that!
Easy way to find stuff on my site is to add "Britsimon" to the search term. So - search for "Britsimon CEAC showing AP even though they said I was approved" and you would get the FAQ entry.
allabouttonight
Member
Hi guys,
I've got my activation trip at the start of March, I'm planning to return back to the US in 6 months. However it seems like I might be pushed into coming back in 11 months. Do you think this might cause trouble returning back to the US? I know the political situation has changed and need a recommendation.
I've got my activation trip at the start of March, I'm planning to return back to the US in 6 months. However it seems like I might be pushed into coming back in 11 months. Do you think this might cause trouble returning back to the US? I know the political situation has changed and need a recommendation.
Hi guys,
I got into a discussion with an Australian expat on Facebook that kind of freaked me out. I currently have an activation trip planned for next month. Basically our visa medical expires sooner than we were able to make the permanent move. There's a lot to tie up at home first. We need to arrive in the States before April 1, so I booked a cheap return Jetstar flight for two weeks to Hawaii before we come back permanently later in the year. I'm sure the Facebook commenter is not a visa law expert, but she's saying that if you come into the states on a DV with a return flight booked, you'll run into trouble at the airport and they'll refuse to issue your Green Card - and then you cannot return to the States without that green card. I thought it was common for people to make a brief activation trip. For instance, the DV winner in an article on the Age Traveller site went to Hawaii for "a couple of days" as she wasn't ready to move (sorry this forum won't let me post a link for some bizarre reason. The article is titled "How I won the US Green Card Lottery"). Please tell me I won't run into trouble at the airport in Hawaii for having a return trip booked! We're hoping to eventually settle in LA, however our closest friend is in Boston and we put his address as our contact address for delivery of the Green Card, which he can hopefully send on to us - or can we re-enter during the first 12 months after first activation without the Green Card if it hasn't arrived yet? Sorry for the ramble, the conflicting advice is making me panic a little.
I got into a discussion with an Australian expat on Facebook that kind of freaked me out. I currently have an activation trip planned for next month. Basically our visa medical expires sooner than we were able to make the permanent move. There's a lot to tie up at home first. We need to arrive in the States before April 1, so I booked a cheap return Jetstar flight for two weeks to Hawaii before we come back permanently later in the year. I'm sure the Facebook commenter is not a visa law expert, but she's saying that if you come into the states on a DV with a return flight booked, you'll run into trouble at the airport and they'll refuse to issue your Green Card - and then you cannot return to the States without that green card. I thought it was common for people to make a brief activation trip. For instance, the DV winner in an article on the Age Traveller site went to Hawaii for "a couple of days" as she wasn't ready to move (sorry this forum won't let me post a link for some bizarre reason. The article is titled "How I won the US Green Card Lottery"). Please tell me I won't run into trouble at the airport in Hawaii for having a return trip booked! We're hoping to eventually settle in LA, however our closest friend is in Boston and we put his address as our contact address for delivery of the Green Card, which he can hopefully send on to us - or can we re-enter during the first 12 months after first activation without the Green Card if it hasn't arrived yet? Sorry for the ramble, the conflicting advice is making me panic a little.
Pierre82
Well-Known Member
Hi Gharrison,
There is no problem to return back home and finish up any pending items. Just make sure you are not outside of the U.S. for more than 1 year or you will need a reentry permit. Here is the link of USCIS with more info on this topic https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident
Hope it helps and best of luck in your new life in the U.S.
Britsimon
Super Moderator
Don't listen to clueless people. It will be fine.
Thanks Simon.
I actually read a few pages on your blog that clarified things. Guess I was just worried at being denied a Green Card due to having a return flight. Facebook is a minefield of bad advice.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
That's complete nonsense. I entered on a return ticket for my activation trip and i know many others did too - for the same reasons as you need to. To refuse you a green card they would actually have to refuse you entry on your immigrant visa, as you become an LPR the second they stamp your passport on entry. Remember a physical greeen card is just proof of LPR status, not the be-all and end-all by itself.
If you try to live elsewhere and keep entering every 6 months or something on a return ticket each time then yes, you'll run into problems. Just the first time - you'll be fine.
Thanks!
After a bit of back and forth it turns out the person who gave me this "advice" hasn't even entered the US themselves yet! Honestly...
Yes we're hoping to settle toward the end of the year, or at the latest first thing next year. Before our 12 months is up in any case. I would've thought there's some understanding that to pack up houses and wind up jobs etc that people may need to go back for a period before finally settling.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Sadly, that never stopped anyone on the internet before....
Hello everyone. I, too, am a long time reader and first time poster.
I also wanted to thank this page for all its guidance and support throughout this process. I had my interview on Valentine's Day and it was very smooth.
I work in the same building as the embassy, so it was a relatively easy morning. I dumped most of my non-essential belongings at my desk and took the elevator to level 10, about 20 minutes before my scheduled interview at 915am. It was surprisingly an efficient and relatively quick process. I was back at my desk by 10am.
The interview was straight forward. The consular official asked me basic questions about my marital status, whether I had any children, the longest time I spent out of Australia and my highest level of education. Before the interview commenced, I was asked to swear an oath that the information in my DS-260 application was true to the best of my information, knowledge and belief. I said that I wanted to take the opportunity to correct an answer, as I recently discovered that I have ancestral citizenship through my father's side of the family. The consular official just waved his hand and said "well, apart from that, is everything else true and correct?". I laughed and said yes.
I was approved on the spot and had my passport back by Friday with my visa and sealed packet.
This has been an incredibly long journey, but at the same time it feels like it is only just beginning. I have leave booked for the middle of the year and that is going to be my activation trip. The plan is to move to NYC but when that actually happens is difficult to say.
I will definitely be reading up on the other threads for all the info regarding entry, finding a job, obtaining health insurance, tax implications etc.
This place has been a God send! Thank you all so much!
Ms N
I also wanted to thank this page for all its guidance and support throughout this process. I had my interview on Valentine's Day and it was very smooth.
I work in the same building as the embassy, so it was a relatively easy morning. I dumped most of my non-essential belongings at my desk and took the elevator to level 10, about 20 minutes before my scheduled interview at 915am. It was surprisingly an efficient and relatively quick process. I was back at my desk by 10am.
The interview was straight forward. The consular official asked me basic questions about my marital status, whether I had any children, the longest time I spent out of Australia and my highest level of education. Before the interview commenced, I was asked to swear an oath that the information in my DS-260 application was true to the best of my information, knowledge and belief. I said that I wanted to take the opportunity to correct an answer, as I recently discovered that I have ancestral citizenship through my father's side of the family. The consular official just waved his hand and said "well, apart from that, is everything else true and correct?". I laughed and said yes.
I was approved on the spot and had my passport back by Friday with my visa and sealed packet.
This has been an incredibly long journey, but at the same time it feels like it is only just beginning. I have leave booked for the middle of the year and that is going to be my activation trip. The plan is to move to NYC but when that actually happens is difficult to say.
I will definitely be reading up on the other threads for all the info regarding entry, finding a job, obtaining health insurance, tax implications etc.
This place has been a God send! Thank you all so much!
Ms N