DV 2022 OC Selectees

[Sm1smom]

Hi all, quick question about paying the USCIS fee for the greencard here… hopefully there are still people checking this thread.
Has anyone else had trouble paying for the USCIS immigrant fee? They won’t send your greencard unless you do. I never received instructions on how to do it when I went through customs here and got my visa stamped. I was also told that they would send me instructions in a letter with information on how to pay it within 2 weeks, it’s now been 3 weeks. If I attempt to pay it online it won’t accept my DOS number, and I spoke to the lady on the phone who said there’s not much she can do about it on her end.
So I’m kinda stuck. If I can’t get my physical greencard I’ll have to keep getting my visa stamped every year. And there seems to be no avenue for help.

I’m wondering if anyone else has a similar experience/any advice.

Cheers.

The instructions should have been provided by the embassy, it does not get mailed in after arrival. You’re probably inputting your DOS number wrong, that’s why the system is rejecting it. The payment can only be made online. Take a look at the below link for instructions on how to make the payment:

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/F4en.pdf

 

[Xarthisius]

Most common mistakes are also listed on USCIS page:

• Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A” and before the first digit to create a 9-digit number. For example, “A12345678” would become “A012345678.”
• Your DOS Case ID is identified as the IV Case Number on your visa stamp. However, please note the IV Case Number has two additional numbers at the end, such as 01 or 02. When entering the IV Case Number as the DOS Case ID, do not include the last two numbers. For example, if your IV Case Number is “ABC1234567801,” you would enter your DOS Case ID as “ABC12345678” (do not include the “01”).

Note on the first bullet: they implemented a js validation for that field a while ago, but it takes some time to trigger. If your A-# has 8 digits and you wait few seconds it should auto-add that missing 0.
[1] https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-...tips-on-finding-your-a-number-and-dos-case-id

 

[Kevin2022]

So I’m kinda stuck. If I can’t get my physical greencard I’ll have to keep getting my visa stamped every year. And there seems to be no avenue for help.

I don't think it works like that. The stamp on your visa foil in your passport serves as a temporary green card for 1 year. Before that 1 year is over you need to have sorted things out and received your physical green card.

Link to the USCIS Fee procedure is here: https : // my . uscis . gov / uscis - immigrant - fee (remove the spaces as I can't past a link in the forum)

 

[Qld2usa2022]

2022OC16xx

Hi all

Yet another thank you to the helping members for assistance in navigating the paperwork and making sure that we don’t trip up on something. @Britsimon @Sm1smom @SusieQQQ

Interview 3rd Aug with my wife in Sydney
Left powered off phones and watches in security (you are only allocated a small locker that won’t fit a iPad or laptop)
Got lift to the consulate
Queue for document handover - only interested in documents to satisfy the DV visa requirements! So no degree’s, no i134, no bank statement at this stage. She took all originals and copies (ps make sure that there is a copy of the marriage certificate in each applicant’s documents)
Called to cashier for payment
Then wait to be called to “interview”, face to face through bullet proof glass

The interview - all the usual (vow etc) checked on how we were going to earn and that was when my degrees were taken (hand over original plus copy saves time and hassles for the CO)
The CO then said that once our medical arrived he did not see any issue with issuing us with a visa
He then handed over the originals and passports as we had no medical.

A mistake happened here, we did not verify everything that he handed over and some consulate copies were accidentally picked up and handed back to us. We did not find out until we were back in the hotel. By then the only way to find out what to do was to email the consulate. The response was please send the copies back. We decided to send back at the same time as the passports.

Medical 16 August - all easy, as back when the 1NL occurred we had worked out the blood tests required and at 2NL started the vaccine requirements
Medical was posted to us 3 days later arrived 3 days later, in the medical was a sealed packet that we sent to the consulate with our passports and the consulate copies ( as time was running out we also sent the originals as a “just in case”)

We posted Monday, delivered Wednesday, mail processed and visa issued by the consulate on Friday, passports back in our hands with visa by Monday (yes seven days). USA here we come!

For some reason we received another appointment for sept ( we emailed a carefully worded response saying that we had already had our interview as we did not want to jeopardise our existing processing) and it included a very smart checklist for the primary and secondary applicants.

I hope that the checklist will help others in their preparation. It may only apply to Australia but would be a great start for other countries

For us the hardest part was getting the overseas police certificates. I would strongly recommend that this process was started before receiving your 2NL especially near the end of the issuing year.

 

[CTNZ]

Well after 3 months to the day of my interview Suva emailed me this afternoon advising AP of my DV case has been completed and to send them my passport.

Seeing Suva is now mentioning a Visa Packet can I assume this is an approval? as CEAC updated my case status today from Refused to Ready for an interview.

------------------
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
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022

If you don't mind me asking why did they place you in AP for so long? Was there anything you could have done to avoid this? I'm DV2023 but just trying to learn all the things to do and not to do for when I (hopefully) get an interview.

 

[BrisOC22]

If you don't mind me asking why did they place you in AP for so long? Was there anything you could have done to avoid this? I'm DV2023 but just trying to learn all the things to do and not to do for when I (hopefully) get an interview.

Based on his previous posts it was due to not having proof of high school education (though had completed high school). To avoid it, make sure you have all of the documents listed and you won't have any issues if you have everything they ask for.

 

[Shezza85]

Well after 3 months to the day of my interview Suva emailed me this afternoon advising AP of my DV case has been completed and to send them my passport.

Seeing Suva is now mentioning a Visa Packet can I assume this is an approval? as CEAC updated my case status today from Refused to Ready for an interview.

------------------
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
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022

good to hear that it came good for you in the end

 

[aussiechris]

Hi there!

Couple of quick questions. On my ds260 I elected to have a SSN number assigned to me.
As soon as I arrive through customs in NYC will this be activated? Roughly how long does it take for SSN to be sent to me?
Further to that, can I change the address of where I want this sent to? Thanks

 

[SusieQQQ]

Hi there!

Couple of quick questions. On my ds260 I elected to have a SSN number assigned to me.
As soon as I arrive through customs in NYC will this be activated? Roughly how long does it take for SSN to be sent to me?
Further to that, can I change the address of where I want this sent to? Thanks

Usually under 2 weeks. You can change the address at entry (for this and green card), just inform the CBP officer who processes you (they will often proactively ask if the address is still valid too).

 

[090521@0411]

good to hear that it came good for you in the end

Thanks @Shezza85, and all the others who have publically and privately congratulated me on here, as some of you know I'm back over here in Suva right now. As soon as I found out last Friday afternoon I had cleared AP I booked my flights as I didn't want to risk sending my passport through to post and having it lost/stolen in transit, not with a month to go in DV2022 and the documented delays at DEFAT issuing new passports. Some of you may recall a few weeks back workers at Brisbane airport were caught in secure areas stealing international mail.

I emailed Suva embassy late Friday asking if I could redo my medical as I lost 3 months to AP and Suva with their predictable speed replied first thing Monday morning allowing a 2nd medical. I actually replied to them while I was on the plane at Brisbane airport on the tarmac about to takeoff advising I was on my way.

I have to have surgery in a couple of weeks so decided for a second medical to reset the full 6 months on my DV, that gives me time to recover from surgery, and finalize my affairs in Australia, before landing in the U.S. , even if it is just an activation trip.

Did the 2nd medical at Epworth yesterday and collected it today.

A heads up to anyone still to interview at Suva, at their request, Epworth are now not only asking during the medical if you use alcohol or drugs, like they did at my 1st medical in May, now they get you to sign your name next to your answer.

Dropped 2nd medical off at the embassy today about 4.30pm, super fast, super friendly, even had one of the security guards walk out to Princess Rd (in the rain) and hail me a taxi. Checked CEAC 2 hours later and status has changed to ISSUED. Suva said on Monday it's a 72 business hour MINIMUM wait.

I've only run into one (1) "employee" from the Fijian "ministry of tourism" wanting me to visit his "shop" so far on this trip, but the week is still young.......

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 10 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2022

 

[getty399]

Glad you got out of AP that must’ve been a long few months for you! Cheers for the info too. We’re interviewing in Suva tomorrow and have flights booked out for next Thursday. Did they mention anything about national holidays on Monday and Wednesday or give you an estimate of when your passport would be ready for pick up?

 

[090521@0411]

Glad you got out of AP that must’ve been a long few months for you! Cheers for the info too. We’re interviewing in Suva tomorrow and have flights booked out for next Thursday. Did they mention anything about national holidays on Monday and Wednesday or give you an estimate of when your passport would be ready for pick up?

They didn't say anything about public holidays, so hopefully my passport will be ready by Friday.

Attached is what they sent me Monday morning, 3 business days.

Make sure you have every possible document you need for your interview, you don't want to be in AP in September!!!!!

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2022

 

[getty399]

They didn't say anything about public holidays, so hopefully my passport will be ready by Friday.

Attached is what they sent me Monday morning, 3 business days.

Make sure you have every possible document you need for your interview, you don't want to be in AP in September!!!!!

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2022

Ok cool yeah I received the same thing saying minimum 72hrs. Let us know when they tell you it’s ready so I can get an indication. Cheers!

 

[090521@0411]

Ok cool yeah I received the same thing saying minimum 72hrs. Let us know when they tell you it’s ready so I can get an indication. Cheers!

Will do

Don't stress over the interview, if yours is a standard case your interview will be over in 3 mins, mine interview questions were have I ever been married?, do I have any kids? and have I ever studied in the U.S.?

No, no and no (Ive never been to the U.S.)

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2022

 

[090521@0411]

Ok cool yeah I received the same thing saying minimum 72hrs. Let us know when they tell you it’s ready so I can get an indication. Cheers!

Dropped passport and medical off at 4.30pm 31 August 2022

Suva emailed me this morning advising passport and visa packet will be available for collection from 11.30am

That's four (4) business hours turnaround time for a printed immigrant visa.

Absolutely amazing !!!!!!

How did your interview go? Interview room was full when I collected my passport around 12.30pm

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2021
Diversity Visa in my hand 1 September 2022

 

[getty399]

Dropped passport and medical off at 4.30pm 31 August 2022

Suva emailed me this morning advising passport and visa packet will be available for collection from 11.30am

That's four (4) business hours turnaround time for a printed immigrant visa.

Absolutely amazing !!!!!!

How did your interview go? Interview room was full when I collected my passport around 12.30pm

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2021
Diversity Visa in my hand 1 September 2022

Oh that’s amazing they’re good aren’t they. Congrats on getting the visa in hand!. We waited for about 4 hours then finally had the interview which was quick and got approved by the CO. The people before us all said they were flying out on Sat so she said they can pick up their passports tomorrow but we aren’t leaving until Thursday so can collect ours on Tuesday.

 

[090521@0411]

We waited for about 4 hours then finally had the interview which was quick and got approved by the CO.

Well done

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2021
Diversity Visa in my hand 1 September 2022

 

[090521@0411]

Bye bye Suva

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2021
Diversity Visa in my hand 1 September 2022

 

[getty399]

Bye bye Suva

------------------
2022OC5XX
Entered DV2022 8 October 2020
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
Placed into AV queue 14 April 2022
2NL received 19 April 2022
Interviewed at Embassy Suva 26 May 2022
Placed into Administrative Processing 26 May 2022
Cleared Administrative Processing 26 August 2022
Diversity Visa issued 31 August 2021
Diversity Visa in my hand 1 September 2022

Bula Vinaka Enjoy the US!

 

[negiuttam]

Oh that’s amazing they’re good aren’t they. Congrats on getting the visa in hand!. We waited for about 4 hours then finally had the interview which was quick and got approved by the CO. The people before us all said they were flying out on Sat so she said they can pick up their passports tomorrow but we aren’t leaving until Thursday so can collect ours on Tuesday.

Yes. We were all from Nepal and have fiji visa validity till saturday. We were interviewd yesterday and got out passport , visa printed today at 2 PM. They are super fast and amazing.