So glad that you Australians who interviewed in Suva are receiving positive responses on your interviews. My family just got our visa issued yesterday...YAY!! After almost 2 months being on AP. Such a relief and a blessing! Many thanks to all of you moderators on this forum and all regular contributors who have provided such fantastic advice through our journey. I have learnt so much from this forum and have been recommending it to others. Blessings to you all!! From a Fiji selectee!!
DV 2022 OC Selectees
- Thread starter Melb2021
- Start date
Cieletoile
Member
If anyone else is in Suva for an interview this coming week (11th+) feel free to DM me and join our telegram convo.
Hi Gang,
Long time no speak, hope everyone is doing well and getting thier DV Visas approved!!
** Immigration related query here **
I obtained my DV Visa in Suva early May, 2022.
Travelled to the Usa about a week later, 'Activated my visa' stayed for about 3 weeks to start searching for work, then returned to Australia to start tying loose ends before moving permanently.
About 4 weeks later (Now) I returned to the USA, for training course at short notice, and hopefully an employment offer.
Upon returning, I received a really hard time from the TSA officer, stating travelling back and forth from the USA on a DV Visa, is grounds for it to be cancelled, as there is an expectation I will be relocating immediately upon entering. He further stated, if I was to leave again, I would most likely not be allowed to reenter under my DV.
Has anyone else encountered anything like this? I cannot find any information online suggesting this advice to be correct, aside from the 'Not to be absent for longer than a year' rule.
I appreciate any help anyone can provide, as I need to temporarily return to Australia again before my permanent relocation and do not want to lose my DV.
Thank you
Long time no speak, hope everyone is doing well and getting thier DV Visas approved!!
** Immigration related query here **
I obtained my DV Visa in Suva early May, 2022.
Travelled to the Usa about a week later, 'Activated my visa' stayed for about 3 weeks to start searching for work, then returned to Australia to start tying loose ends before moving permanently.
About 4 weeks later (Now) I returned to the USA, for training course at short notice, and hopefully an employment offer.
Upon returning, I received a really hard time from the TSA officer, stating travelling back and forth from the USA on a DV Visa, is grounds for it to be cancelled, as there is an expectation I will be relocating immediately upon entering. He further stated, if I was to leave again, I would most likely not be allowed to reenter under my DV.
Has anyone else encountered anything like this? I cannot find any information online suggesting this advice to be correct, aside from the 'Not to be absent for longer than a year' rule.
I appreciate any help anyone can provide, as I need to temporarily return to Australia again before my permanent relocation and do not want to lose my DV.
Thank you
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
the general advice is one absence after you enter to activate (can be lengthy as long as under a year), then return for good. Yes, traveling in and out repeatedly can make it look like you’re trying to treat it like some kind of super tourist visa. Make sure the next time you return to the US, it is on a one way ticket and be prepared to explain that you were organizing stuff but this is the final move. If necessary bring proof to show you’ve wrapped things up in Australia. Ideally, if you haven’t already, while you are currently in the US get a US DL (if you have time, some states have long waits) and open bank accounts, whatever you can to show at least some ties to the US - if you do get and accept that job offer now that would be perfect. Ideally you’d sign a rental lease now too but I’m guessing from what you’ve said, you’re not ready for that step yet.
also look at this link
International Travel as a Permanent Resident | USCIS
What documents do I need to travel outside the United States?In general, you will need
www.uscis.gov
Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.
Awesome reponse!!the general advice is one absence after you enter to activate (can be lengthy as long as under a year), then return for good. Yes, traveling in and out repeatedly can make it look like you’re trying to treat it like some kind of super tourist visa. Make sure the next time you return to the US, it is on a one way ticket and be prepared to explain that you were organizing stuff but this is the final move. If necessary bring proof to show you’ve wrapped things up in Australia. Ideally, if you haven’t already, while you are currently in the US get a US DL (if you have time, some states have long waits) and open bank accounts, whatever you can to show at least some ties to the US - if you do get and accept that job offer now that would be perfect. Ideally you’d sign a rental lease now too but I’m guessing from what you’ve said, you’re not ready for that step yet.
also look at this link
Note specifically this:International Travel as a Permanent Resident | USCIS
What documents do I need to travel outside the United States?In general, you will needwww.uscis.gov
Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.
Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it!
aussiechris
Member
Hi there! I arrived yesterday, I'm here until Sat. Would love to hang out!
Getmeouttahere
Member
which city did you enter the second time for this line of questioning?
LAX.... was super stressful
090521@0411
Active Member
Are you sure it was TSA? and not CBP?
If it was TSA what (if any) authority do they have giving advice on immigration matters? Aren't TSA responsible for security screening passengers travelling DOMESTICALLY within the US?
------------------
2022OC5XX
1NL received 9 May 2021
DS 260 submitted 2 November 2021
No documents requested or submitted
Ready to be scheduled for interview 24 December 2021
Current as of 1 January 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
City doesn’t matter. I’ve heard similar experiences (and been through one of my own) in at least 4 different POEs. Yes, it is super stressful.
LuckyOneTwo
Member
Good to know as I live and work in the US and just re entered on my new DV, but planning a couple short vacations to Mexico which might be before I get my green card. Assuming I can show payslips, work contract, bank account, Cali DL, and previous work visas I’ll be ok.the general advice is one absence after you enter to activate (can be lengthy as long as under a year), then return for good. Yes, traveling in and out repeatedly can make it look like you’re trying to treat it like some kind of super tourist visa. Make sure the next time you return to the US, it is on a one way ticket and be prepared to explain that you were organizing stuff but this is the final move. If necessary bring proof to show you’ve wrapped things up in Australia. Ideally, if you haven’t already, while you are currently in the US get a US DL (if you have time, some states have long waits) and open bank accounts, whatever you can to show at least some ties to the US - if you do get and accept that job offer now that would be perfect. Ideally you’d sign a rental lease now too but I’m guessing from what you’ve said, you’re not ready for that step yet.
also look at this link
Note specifically this:International Travel as a Permanent Resident | USCIS
What documents do I need to travel outside the United States?In general, you will needwww.uscis.gov
Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.
My POE was Honolulu and they were incredibly nice and excited about the DV, sorry you had that stressful experience. It’s stressful enough getting the DV.
One question re working status. I was on an E3 which is now cancelled without prejudice, does my employer need to make any change or business as usual?
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
TSA security screening is not limited to passengers traveling domestically within the US. TSA vets all passengers into, out of, and within the United States.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
If you’ve entered on your DV you do already have a green card, just not a plastic one. (Read the bottom of the visa, its been endorsed - stamped by CBP - and is therefore now a temporary green card valid for one year).There is nothing wrong with short vacations when its clear you’re based in the US. The difference with maximum and others is continued long absences in the home country, and entering the US on the out (not home ) leg of a return ticket.
Yes, you should inform your employer you are now a LPR.
Got my interview on the 14th at 9:30am, might see you there!
Von_Vaugn
New Member
Keep me posted on your interview outcome -- my interview is August 30th
Von_Vaugn
New Member
How was your interview outcome?
Depends on the embassy and his case number. They normally interview in order of case number so he is OC and 2000+ then yes it is pretty normal. If he has selected the Sydney embassy then that could also be why as the Sydney embassy was closed since last year until a month ago so have only just recently started to send out the 2NL. Hard to give an answer without more information (ds260 submission date doesn't impact when you get an interview as long as it is before you become current). Assuming he is Sydney then he can't do much other than wait and hope Sydney schedules him, or try and transfer to Suva in Fiji like a lot of us did due to Sydney being closed at the time (and only processing some now).
Karimasager
New Member
His case # is 56113. He is in Morocco. Last email he got from National Visa Center saying his case is ready to be scheduled for an interview and that was a month ago.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Please don’t enter full case numbers on a public forum