DV 2021 Oceania Selectees

[OC2USA]

Yeah, Burbank can certainly cater for that- very suburban. The no commute is the biggest win imo, I take it you are working in the area?

I think that’s the biggest mistake people make when they move to LA, you need to be close to your job or it’s going to drive you crazy…e.g., they google map their location to their job and see it’s only 20-25km but, 20-25km in LA traffic can be 2+ hours lol.

We’re still working for our Australian organisation, they asked if we’d stay on once we moved and just work remotely for them so we jumped at the chance.

On the plus it means no commute, complete flexibility and keep our Australian perks and benefits. Downside is we have to organise health insurance ourselves and taxes might be a nightmare (but will have an accountant for that).

We’ll see how it goes. Completely agree with commuting as from what we’ve seen in LA we’d only live somewhere close to work, spending hours on those freeways would be just nuts.

 

[Ckb]

We’re still working for our Australian organisation, they asked if we’d stay on once we moved and just work remotely for them so we jumped at the chance.

On the plus it means no commute, complete flexibility and keep our Australian perks and benefits. Downside is we have to organise health insurance ourselves and taxes might be a nightmare (but will have an accountant for that).

We’ll see how it goes. Completely agree with commuting as from what we’ve seen in LA we’d only live somewhere close to work, spending hours on those freeways would be just nuts.

Oh that’s awesome! I’m glad my work pays for my health insurance… it’s ridiculously expensive here, which is frustrating! The tax part gets easier the more you do it.

Yeah, the 405 at 3pm (well anytime really, that freeway sucks) is a nightmare.

 

[Sophia89]

Hi All,

I was wanting to see if anyone had advice or experience with selecting private health care? I don't plan on having a job when I first arrive for the first few months but I want to ensure I'm covered until I do. I'm not sure if its best to go with a private health fund or if travel insurance is also a good option for the first few months until I get a job that hopefully has health cover?

Thank you =)

 

[OC2USA]

Hi All,

I was wanting to see if anyone had advice or experience with selecting private health care? I don't plan on having a job when I first arrive for the first few months but I want to ensure I'm covered until I do. I'm not sure if its best to go with a private health fund or if travel insurance is also a good option for the first few months until I get a job that hopefully has health cover?

Thank you =)

Hi Sophia,

We had a similar issue, and as there was a travel ban in Australia we couldn’t get travel insurance.

We ended up going with IMG Global (US based who offer visitor/new immigrant health insurance). We went for their top cover package and it cost us about $1,100 AUD total (as a couple) for 3 months. While IMG Global is the company, our health insurance is provided by United Health and is a PPO network.

The site for IMG is https://www.imglobal.com/

Once we arrived we started looking around as we have to organise our own. It’s so confusing and to be honest a mess, so we ended up contacting a health insurance broker that deals with people moving here all the time (Think it was set up by an Australian). They have been so helpful in explaining everything, looking for the best deal for us and walking us through every option etc. They made it make sense.

That company is http://www.beachfinancialgroup.com/

You might have better and cheaper options for your travel/initial insurance with borders now open.

Edit: Also just to add, make sure you read the PDS and see what’s right for you. We only got the IMG one as that’s all we could get as you can’t actually get the normal health insurance here until after you arrive, and even then when you get it it’s not valid until the 1st of the month after you get it (who comes up with this?).

Some states also have a fee/tax you pay if you don’t have a proper type of insurance.

For example here in California, so while our IMG will cover us if any issues it doesn’t meet the criteria to avoid the fee/tax that California has so that’s why we are getting normal health insurance sooner rather than later. Just make sure you check everything, but with borders open you’ll have more options for travel insurance.

This is just based on our experience and everyone’s circumstances would be different.

Good luck!

 

[Ckb]

Hi All,

I was wanting to see if anyone had advice or experience with selecting private health care? I don't plan on having a job when I first arrive for the first few months but I want to ensure I'm covered until I do. I'm not sure if its best to go with a private health fund or if travel insurance is also a good option for the first few months until I get a job that hopefully has health cover?

Thank you =)

My work covers my health insurance and depending on where you plan to live i'd suggest looking into HMO plans from places like Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, or Cedars Sinai. HMO plans are cheaper and in-network, you can still buy PPO plans from these places but, pretty much every doctor you see, every blood test, operation etc., are done at Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, or Cedars Sinai hospitals (and there a plenty), you are essentially buying health insurance to use every resource the hospital has to offer, you can still pick your PCP (Primary Care Provider) but if you wanted to go to a place that wasn't who your HMO plan is with, you would pay out of pocket.

I'm with Kaiser, YMMV but I've had no issues with them and I have been with them for 5+ years, I see specialists, PCP, i've had multiple procedues done- you name it. Best part is it's all in house, I can see my PCP, get a blood test, go see my specialist all in the same place. Although HMO plans are cheaper, I will say this... If my work didn't pay for it, there's no way I could afford it. My plan runs arond $650 a month.

 

[OC2USA]

For anyone wondering how long it is taking to get the physical green card, ours seems to be on its way already and looks like we’ll get it before getting our Social Security Numbers.

Entered the US first week of Oct, fingerprints were not taken at POE (LAX) but we had provided them before (at the consulate interview).

Last week our USCIS status changed to “Card Is Being Produced”

Yesterday our USCIS status changed to “Card Was Mailed to Me”

So fingers crossed that means the green card is on its way. We have an appointment with the Social Security Office this month as they never sent our SSN despite ticking the box on the DS260.

We set up a USCIS account when we originally paid the immigrant fee so have been able to track the status.

 

[Ckb]

For anyone wondering how long it is taking to get the physical green card, ours seems to be on its way already and looks like we’ll get it before getting our Social Security Numbers.

Entered the US first week of Oct, fingerprints were not taken at POE (LAX) but we had provided them before (at the consulate interview).

Last week our USCIS status changed to “Card Is Being Produced”

Yesterday our USCIS status changed to “Card Was Mailed to Me”

So fingers crossed that means the green card is on its way. We have an appointment with the Social Security Office this month as they never sent our SSN despite ticking the box on the DS260.

We set up a USCIS account when we originally paid the immigrant fee so have been able to track the status.

No doubt you want the actual GC and SSN card but honestly, if you want to be proactive… besides your DL (which if you still have your AUS one, driving will be fine) but, nothing to stress about. Just because you don't have the actual physical cards, doesn't mean you can't start setting up your banks/phone/ insurance/ applying for apartments etc., I mean, you can even start working and after 6 years my bank still doesn't have my SSN on file...

A lot of the forms that ask for your SSN you can add at a later date, as long as you have proof of residency. Depending on what state you settle, it’s not hard to prove (there’s a list of what counts towards proof of residency, certainly in CA) and you can always just apply for an ID card with the DMV rather than a DL (not sure where you are living but in CA you can apply for an ID without your SSN, if its taking too long) for an extra proof of residency.

Most of those forms want your i94/ A number (which is in your passport anyway along with a photo of you). I’m DV2022 and although I don’t have my GC yet, I’ve been here for several years. I’ve had friends win the DV lottery and move over, and this kind of stuff comes up. They all keep their GC/SSN card on them like it’s a Holy Bible lol. I’m sure there’s some info written on a website out there saying you should always keep them on you but from my experience living here…In a day to day, no one is ever going to ask to see your green card, besides a place like the DMV (I’d even go as far as saying your 2 forms of ID could be your US visa page and AU passport page, that’s what I used when I first arrived to get one) you’re also never asked for your SSN card (only number), and I wouldn’t want to keep either of them on me regardless.

I don’t think I’ve had to use my SSN card in years (not like it’s much of a card anyway, more so a flimsy piece of cardstock). I just know my number and for my visa/ proof of residency- I do have my DL but when I need my i-94 (so in your case A number I think) I just print my i-94 and highlighted the number and bring my passport.

 

[KiwiToo]

Hey There,

Just wondering if anyone here has moved over to the states very recently and would like to share their experience with border control, id be keen to hear if they ask about anything relating to covid?

Also, I am planning on entering the US and leaving after one week (to finish my school year), before going back over. I would be keen to hear from anyone who has left and re-entered. What was your experience going through border control etc?

 

[Ckb]

Hey There,

Just wondering if anyone here has moved over to the states very recently and would like to share their experience with border control, id be keen to hear if they ask about anything relating to covid?

Also, I am planning on entering the US and leaving after one week (to finish my school year), before going back over. I would be keen to hear from anyone who has left and re-entered. What was your experience going through border control etc?

I flew to Mexico in September from LAX, and returned after a week. They don’t care, didn’t ask me one question related to Covid, in fact I don’t think she asked me any questions besides “take my hat off” for the face scan.

I had to have proof of a negative Covid test upon re-entry into the US but, that was checked in Mexico at the airline check in counter. I just showed the email from the hospital where I had the test done. They barely even looked at my phone. Covid restrictions/ enforcement are night and day compared to what’s been happening in Aus.

 

[kimpolley]

Hi everyone. I made a last ditch attempt to ask the Medical office in Sydney (where we had our appointment booked) if they have had any of the DV2021 applicants called in for Medicals following cancelled appointments due to lockdown (post the Sept 30 deadline). They said no . Has anyone else followed up with the Embassy?

 

[Samfj]

Hi, no worries at all:

1. We paid prior to arrival. You do it on the USCIS website, you also have the option to create an account there (but don’t have to). You’ll need the details from your visa to pay the fee/create an account. Instructions for the website etc and how to do it all will be in the email the Sydney consulate sends with the subject “Notice of issued visa” that explains the details of your visa and the fee etc.

2. We were curious too what was actually in this envelope we couldn’t open for months and had to keep safe. The Border officer opened it in front of us and all that it was were copies of our documents we’d provided (education, birth certificates, police clearance etc) and our medicals.

No idea why it’s not sent electronically or already on their system, bringing a sealed envelope seems a bit backward and weird but it’s a preview of how some things are done here.

Thanks, enjoying the new life so far. Will post an update in a few days as we’ve managed to get a rental, bank account, utilities, internet and about to get a car and also first US credit card, all without having a US credit rating or receiving our social security numbers yet. It wasn’t as a difficult as we expected and everyone we’ve dealt with has been great.

Hi @OC2USA Did you also post an update on how you got rental, internet, credit card, car etc without having US credit rating? Very curious as we are arriving usa next week. Appreciate your feedback