DV 2017 OC Selectees
- Thread starter MattWatt
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TwilightGal
Member
Hi, did Australian DV winners here create an online profile? Just stumbled across this:
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/pk 3 supplements/SYD - Sydney.pdf
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/pk 3 supplements/SYD - Sydney.pdf
- ONLINE PROFILE
In order to communicate with the Consulate regarding your visa application, register and create a profile at: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/
BenCreswick
Member
Yeah, I did, but after signing in, I note there's not an option for a DV applicant, only other PR visa classes. It seems that as KCC assigns the date and time of the interviews, they don't have them entered into the Australian site. I've been meaning to contact the consulate, but I've not got round to it.
socialcasualty
Member
I noticed this too, but didn't create a profile because it didn't seem to be relevant for DV... Please correct me if I'm wrong!
BenCreswick
Member
I can't see a function, but I can't confirm or deny. Hmmm... Lemme give them a call!
BenCreswick
Member
Okay, so I called (1300 139 399) and they stated that the purpose of the website is to identify where to return the passport. Though, we have to provide a self-addressed 3kg envelope as part of the process, so I'm not sure the consultant fully knew what she was talking about haha.
She also stated that her helpline and others don't have a lot of information about the Diversity Visa (funny that), and to email further inquiries to support-australia@ustraveldocs.com
I'd have to say these folk are a bit disorganized considering they work for the govt... I'm not too concerned though.
socialcasualty
Member
Brilliant, thanks Ben!
Government department being disorganised... how unusual
haha!BenCreswick
Member
So I just went into my profile on the website, entered in all the details, but it mentioned the K1 and K2 visas', which that tool allows you to schedule for. Better be safe than sorry seeing the embassy specific instructions tell you to set one up. Definitely bringing the return mail bag though aha.Brilliant, thanks Ben!
Government department being disorganised... how unusual
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
From memory, DV2015 were the first to use that UsTravelDoc thing. Shame to see they still haven't made it relevant for DVers.
From memory, I chose K1 just so I could set up up my profile. Sydney consulate were happy with that.
Don't fret all. This is the easiest part of the process. The interview is, in Sydney anyway, an administrative page turn. Our CO yawned during ours! That's how dull it was.
From memory, I chose K1 just so I could set up up my profile. Sydney consulate were happy with that.
Don't fret all. This is the easiest part of the process. The interview is, in Sydney anyway, an administrative page turn. Our CO yawned during ours! That's how dull it was.
Pog
Member
Cost me $570 with two vacinations, without it would have been $485
TwilightGal
Member
Thanks, Pog. It's $570 here in Perth without vaccinations. $370 for children.
Can anyone point me toward information or have experience they can share on credit scores and insurance. Firstly, I'm wondering if your credit history transfers with you to the States or if you start out at 0? Secondly, being in the U.S. without insurance is a scary prospect. If you're permanently immigrating, can you get travel insurance for the trip over until your arrange proper insurance, or should you arrange proper insurance before you leave? Thanks for your help!
MattWatt
Active Member
Check out previous year's threads - credit scores and getting your first credit card have been covered quite well previously.
In short though - no, you cannot transfer your credit score from AU to US. There are however various methods to "hack" your credit score once you become a LPR (like get a credit card on your activation trip, and start improving your credit score if you come back to AU after activation).
EmilyW
Well-Known Member
In terms of insurance, we got incoming immigrant insurance. It's not Obamacare compliant but it's like travel insurance in that it covers you for emergencies. We had to use ours (ear infection) and it worked out well. We kept that insurance in place until my work insurance kicked in.
Health insurance is expensive here if you are paying for it yourself: that's why it's good to get a full time job asap as your employer is likely to cover a fair proportion of your health insurance (my company pays two thirds of my premium).
Health insurance is expensive here if you are paying for it yourself: that's why it's good to get a full time job asap as your employer is likely to cover a fair proportion of your health insurance (my company pays two thirds of my premium).
Superjazzed
New Member
Hi all,
Firstly, thank you all for your responses to my previous questions. It's all very useful reading everyone's experiences, especially as it seems like such an ambiguous process from the beginning (hence my questions!!) I have a couple more questions and would love any input!
1.My number is in the mid 500's and I submitted my DS 260 in mid May so based on trends I am expecting to receive the 2NL for next month. But I was just looking over my application and realised I may have accidentally given some info that's not 100% accurate. I split my time between two cities, but because I was uncertain how to explain this I put the end date of one of my residences (secondary, but am on the lease) as ending May 2016. Do you think this will cause problems? Would it be worthwhile for me to unlock my form and update this or just explain in the interview? I'm only worried that if it takes a week or two for KCC to respond it might overlap with the 2NL's being sent out and will cause a hassle (not concerned about pushing interview back another month)
2. I am "single" in that I am not married/engaged/living with my partner, but we're pretty serious and my partner would obviously like to move with me. Short of getting married in the next week so I can add him to my application, what are our other options? He is going to apply for the next lottery (obviously not foolproof), but once I receive the green card, am I able to sponsor him as a defacto ? I am a bit clueless on this account.
Firstly, thank you all for your responses to my previous questions. It's all very useful reading everyone's experiences, especially as it seems like such an ambiguous process from the beginning (hence my questions!!) I have a couple more questions and would love any input!
1.My number is in the mid 500's and I submitted my DS 260 in mid May so based on trends I am expecting to receive the 2NL for next month. But I was just looking over my application and realised I may have accidentally given some info that's not 100% accurate. I split my time between two cities, but because I was uncertain how to explain this I put the end date of one of my residences (secondary, but am on the lease) as ending May 2016. Do you think this will cause problems? Would it be worthwhile for me to unlock my form and update this or just explain in the interview? I'm only worried that if it takes a week or two for KCC to respond it might overlap with the 2NL's being sent out and will cause a hassle (not concerned about pushing interview back another month)
2. I am "single" in that I am not married/engaged/living with my partner, but we're pretty serious and my partner would obviously like to move with me. Short of getting married in the next week so I can add him to my application, what are our other options? He is going to apply for the next lottery (obviously not foolproof), but once I receive the green card, am I able to sponsor him as a defacto ? I am a bit clueless on this account.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
You'd have to be married anyway at some point if you want to sponsor him. Doing so before your interview to get him a DV visa will be the fastest, easiest, cheapest way.
G'day folks,
Finally got around to checking my DV-2017 application this morning (tried a month or two back but got an error retrieving the confirmation number) and discovered we have been selected with a case number in the 200s !
Spent the morning trawling around a few websites trying to understand the process and timings from here, as for personal reasons (new babies + nearby grandparents) we would want to delay our permanent move as long as possible (though we have previously lived in the US for a couple of years). So, a couple of questions that hopefully can be answered quickly and easily:
Q1. Is being "selected for further processing" essentially a rubber stamp, or is it really just entering another lottery with better odds ?
Q2. Related to Q1, should I do the DV-260 immediately to ensure we are in with the best chance of final approval, or is there no worry in delaying completing it until sometime next year to be interviewed and approved as late as possible ?
Q3. Is this sort of timeline (give or take a month) feasible ?
1. Delay submitting DV-260 until late April or May 2017, to get an interview ca. August 2017.
2. 6-month (ish) visa issued after interview (hopefully). Enter US for the first time near the end of that 6-month period, say Feb 2018 (or do we need to enter the first time in 2017 ?).
3. Stay for a couple of weeks, get GCs, submit I-131 to get a 2-year re-entry permit. Return to Australia.
4. Approx two years later (say, January 2020) relocate to US permanently to take up GC.
Finally, Q4. What are the possible consequences of going through far enough to get the GCs, but then not returning permanently to the US at the beginning of 2020 - ie: "abandoning" them ? Would this mean a future DV lottery win might see us denied at the interview stage ? Similarly, are there consequences for applying for DV-2018 after having been selected in DV-2017 ?
(Also found BritSimon's blog and posted these there before I found this thread - I see he posts here as well.)
Finally got around to checking my DV-2017 application this morning (tried a month or two back but got an error retrieving the confirmation number) and discovered we have been selected with a case number in the 200s !
Spent the morning trawling around a few websites trying to understand the process and timings from here, as for personal reasons (new babies + nearby grandparents) we would want to delay our permanent move as long as possible (though we have previously lived in the US for a couple of years). So, a couple of questions that hopefully can be answered quickly and easily:
Q1. Is being "selected for further processing" essentially a rubber stamp, or is it really just entering another lottery with better odds ?
Q2. Related to Q1, should I do the DV-260 immediately to ensure we are in with the best chance of final approval, or is there no worry in delaying completing it until sometime next year to be interviewed and approved as late as possible ?
Q3. Is this sort of timeline (give or take a month) feasible ?
1. Delay submitting DV-260 until late April or May 2017, to get an interview ca. August 2017.
2. 6-month (ish) visa issued after interview (hopefully). Enter US for the first time near the end of that 6-month period, say Feb 2018 (or do we need to enter the first time in 2017 ?).
3. Stay for a couple of weeks, get GCs, submit I-131 to get a 2-year re-entry permit. Return to Australia.
4. Approx two years later (say, January 2020) relocate to US permanently to take up GC.
Finally, Q4. What are the possible consequences of going through far enough to get the GCs, but then not returning permanently to the US at the beginning of 2020 - ie: "abandoning" them ? Would this mean a future DV lottery win might see us denied at the interview stage ? Similarly, are there consequences for applying for DV-2018 after having been selected in DV-2017 ?
(Also found BritSimon's blog and posted these there before I found this thread - I see he posts here as well.)
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Q1 is hard to tell exactly without knowing your case number and DV progress (which, 4 days into the fiscal year, we have no clue about). If your number is current AND you haven't made any serious mistakes on entry AND you meet all eligibility criteria AND they haven't hit the annual quota and run out of visas, then pretty much a rubber stamp.
The rest is kind of as you have it, though some might find heart attack inducing territory in only submitting in May, as any delays in processing then would probably mean you miss out. Also you'd probably need to stay more than 2 weeks to file a re-entry permit. Remember you become liable to file (not necessarily pay extra) with the IRS once you get a green card even if you are living abroad. Abandoning your green card won't affect future selections should you be lucky enough to get selected again, but remember you'd need to abandon it formally so as not to end up in breach of your obligations to the IRS.
BenCreswick
Member
Hmm, yesterday was the first Tuesday in October, I wonder if any of our OC '17 pals had their interview, or if next week is the first session?