DV 2022 OC Selectees

[SusieQQQ]

Not simon btw different person. But yeah you have 6 months from your medical date, so Jas has until like January 19th ish (depends when their medical is) to enter. Not too late to cancel flights, better to activate later than earlier since youll have tax obligations etc once you activate it.

Edit: didnt see the above post when commenting, sorry for duplicate answer

Just a note that occasionally (it happened to us) an embassy will issue a visa where the expiry is not exactly the same as 6 months from the medical. And in some instances (less likely in OC but still possible) the expiry is actually 3 months from the date of the medical. The expiry date on the visa is what matters. People don’t have to calculate x months from the medical, just look at the visa.

 

[Britsimon]

IT’S HAPPENED! I’VE RECEIVED MY INTERVIEW DATE!!!!
I recieved an email to check my status from KCC and my interview has been scheduled for 19th July in the new US embassy building in North Sydney! Honestly didn’t think it was going to happen. Now time to get to work and get everything organised.

If my calculations are correct and everything goes well (no reason it shouldn’t) I should be in the US by the 1st Jan 2023.

Very exciting, feel great to see some movement from the Sydney Embassy.


2022OC8XX
DS 260 submitted JUNE 2021
No documents requested or submitted
Ready to be scheduled for interview 24th December 2021
Current as of February 2022
Interview date received 9th June
Interview date 19th July 2022

Book your medical asap if you haven't already. I am already hearing the Aus physicians are heavily booked, which will cause some delay.

 

[LuckyOneTwo]

I interviewed at Suva on 26 May and there was was no required COVID test to get into the embassy, all that was required is you had to wash your hands at a hand basin on the outside of the front building in the carpark in front of security. You don't even have to wear a mask inside the embassy.

When i flew out of 21 May from Brisbane on a Fiji Airways flight, you needed to produce printouts of the following:

Vaccination list to prove your COVID vaccination

Evidence of pre-booked Supervised COVID RAT test appointment within 72 hours of landing in Fiji (when you book this online your confirmation is immediately emailed to you, it's this email you produce at check in)

Evidence of travel insurance with COVID cover (when you pay for this online a certificate of cover is emailed to you, it is this certificate you produce at check-in) Fiji Care is the cheapest.

If you can't produce printouts of ALL 3 of the above you won't be permitted to board the plane in Australia, unless as you say it has changed, which absent of official notification I doubt, take it from someone who went through all of the above, you dont want to be refused boarding, and therefore miss your interview, because you didn't have a piece of paper, and you need additional documents to get back into Australia.

-----------------------
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

Thanks! I see it's not needed at the consulate anymore, just needed for entry to fiji in general within 72 hours.

TWI - cards will work in major areas but there's always some places that are cash only. I'll be taking USD for the consulate, getting some FJD for roadside stalls, smaller food places, tipping locals (used to it now in US/MX), but resorts and larger restaurants etc your card should be fine. Living in the US already it's going to be nice to be back in Aus and converting to AUD. Not so nice for those converting AUD to USD.

 

[Larora]

Hey all
My number is OC2366 and im waiting for an interview date in Sydney. Just throwing it out there, what are your thoughts on me getting an interview before the end of DV period (September).
Thanks!

 

[getty399]

Thanks! I see it's not needed at the consulate anymore, just needed for entry to fiji in general within 72 hours.

TWI - cards will work in major areas but there's always some places that are cash only. I'll be taking USD for the consulate, getting some FJD for roadside stalls, smaller food places, tipping locals (used to it now in US/MX), but resorts and larger restaurants etc your card should be fine. Living in the US already it's going to be nice to be back in Aus and converting to AUD. Not so nice for those converting AUD to USD.

Does the consulate want to be paid in USD?

 

[Syd2022]

Hi, where are you seeing this information? I googled and https://www.fiji.travel/covid-19/travelling-to-fiji still shows that you need to pre-book a test. Multiple sites still have this same info, I cant find anything at all saying its not required anymore

Smarttraveller - says normal precautions. Hubby transited through Fiji last month and ended up there an extra 13 hours so booked a hotel room to get sleep and he didn't need a Covid test.

Also as of today no covid test required to enter the states. - Also on Smarttraveller.

I hope this helps.

 

[090521@0411]

Does the consulate want to be paid in USD?

The Suva embassy accepts cash only, either $330 USD or 726 FJD

------------------
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

 

[Syd2022]

Hi Everyone,
We travel to Fiji end of June for an early July interview. If all goes well, Hubby has an interview for a job at the end of July, that he has already delayed twice because he did not want to enter the USA for an interview on a tourist visa and risk the green card.

For anyone still on forums or who has an answer...How are people getting medical insurance before they leave for the USA so that they are covered from Day 1 in the USA? I am not sure whether we can use Aussie travel insurance if from the daywear arrive we are considered LPRs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Also, hoping to purchase a car as soon as we get to the states, if anyone has experience with this I would love your input through the forum or inbox is fine. I don't wish to clog the page, but there are probably others with the same questions.

Cheers
Charli

 

[090521@0411]

View attachment 3563
Smarttraveller - says normal precautions. Hubby transited through Fiji last month and ended up there an extra 13 hours so booked a hotel room to get sleep and he didn't need a Covid test.

Also as of today no covid test required to enter the states. - Also on Smarttraveller.

I hope this helps.

Smart Traveller is an Australian information service, not Fijian

Personally I'd be researching official Fijian information, cause if you are wrong you won't even be allowed to board the plane in Australia, and I personally saw people refused boarding in Brisbane. Arguing with airline staff at check-in will just get you banned from that airline and likely AFP escorting you from the airport, all of which you don't want prior to your 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

 

[BrisOC22]

View attachment 3563
Smarttraveller - says normal precautions. Hubby transited through Fiji last month and ended up there an extra 13 hours so booked a hotel room to get sleep and he didn't need a Covid test.

Also as of today no covid test required to enter the states. - Also on Smarttraveller.

I hope this helps.

From fiji.travel it says "This test must also be taken by travellers transiting Fiji for more than 48 hours." He wouldnt of required one if he was only there for 13 hours. It also says you can get the test done anytime within 72 hours but a majority of sites state it has to be between the 48-72 hour mark. So on your 3rd day there.

 

[BrisOC22]

Hi Everyone,
We travel to Fiji end of June for an early July interview. If all goes well, Hubby has an interview for a job at the end of July, that he has already delayed twice because he did not want to enter the USA for an interview on a tourist visa and risk the green card.

For anyone still on forums or who has an answer...How are people getting medical insurance before they leave for the USA so that they are covered from Day 1 in the USA? I am not sure whether we can use Aussie travel insurance if from the daywear arrive we are considered LPRs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Also, hoping to purchase a car as soon as we get to the states, if anyone has experience with this I would love your input through the forum or inbox is fine. I don't wish to clog the page, but there are probably others with the same questions.

Cheers
Charli

Regarding the car purchase stuff, not sure if you are looking for brand new or what. I got mine second hand from just a private seller (dude selling his car). It was super straight forward, he had the pink slip for the car (ownership) and had whatever (cant remember as this was like 3 years ago) transfer documents were required already signed ahead of time. So once I had all that I basically just had to take it to the DMV the next day to get it transferred into my name, then got it insured and good to go. When getting your insurance they'll want your aus driving history as well since itll impact the cost if theres any at fault stuff etc, this cost me like $26 or something from the department of transport in QLD, was online and instant.

Main issue I guess is since we arent familiar with the documentation you are just putting a bit of faith in the other person that's selling it, so best to just do some research on what the documents you need from them are. I did the research back then before getting mine (but again it was 3 years ago so dont remember the exact documents).

Theres a few other steps that vary state to state, in California your car has to pass a smog test before it can be registered as well. The previous owner is supposed to do this before selling it (mine didnt, so I had to get this done, was another $35-50 or so).

List of what you need (in CA as an example) - https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehic...ing-a-vehicle-purchased-from-a-private-party/

 

[Fiji5]

Hi,
Is there any chance for scheduled interviews to be moved earlier....as we can see Sydney has re-opened which means less tranfer of cases for suva...June/July was mostly occupied for sydney interviews in suva....has these occured before where scheduled interview dates were moved back to an earlier date....

Thanks.

 

[BrisOC22]

Hi,
Is there any chance for scheduled interviews to be moved earlier....as we can see Sydney has re-opened which means less tranfer of cases for suva...June/July was mostly occupied for sydney interviews in suva....has these occured before where scheduled interview dates were moved back to an earlier date....

Thanks.

Less will be transferring but the ones that have transferred already are already scheduled. The only way some dates would become available would be if some of the Suva cases cancelled to try and transfer back to Sydney, which as far as Im aware the only ones that are trying to do that are the ones that weren't scheduled yet or had only just gotten scheduled. Just means there will be more August slots available since no more will be transferring, but no one will get moved to an earlier date

 

[Syd2022]

Regarding the car purchase stuff, not sure if you are looking for brand new or what. I got mine second hand from just a private seller (dude selling his car). It was super straight forward, he had the pink slip for the car (ownership) and had whatever (cant remember as this was like 3 years ago) transfer documents were required already signed ahead of time. So once I had all that I basically just had to take it to the DMV the next day to get it transferred into my name, then got it insured and good to go. When getting your insurance they'll want your aus driving history as well since itll impact the cost if theres any at fault stuff etc, this cost me like $26 or something from the department of transport in QLD, was online and instant.

Main issue I guess is since we arent familiar with the documentation you are just putting a bit of faith in the other person that's selling it, so best to just do some research on what the documents you need from them are. I did the research back then before getting mine (but again it was 3 years ago so dont remember the exact documents).

Theres a few other steps that vary state to state, in California your car has to pass a smog test before it can be registered as well. The previous owner is supposed to do this before selling it (mine didnt, so I had to get this done, was another $35-50 or so).

List of what you need (in CA as an example) - https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehic...ing-a-vehicle-purchased-from-a-private-party/

Thank you so much for the advice. Getting a copy of your driving record is a great idea.

 

[Syd2022]

Smart Traveller is an Australian information service, not Fijian

Personally I'd be researching official Fijian information, cause if you are wrong you won't even be allowed to board the plane in Australia, and I personally saw people refused boarding in Brisbane. Arguing with airline staff at check-in will just get you banned from that airline and likely AFP escorting you from the airport, all of which you don't want prior to your 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

As most others on this site, we always do our due diligence in checking everything before leaving and making sure there haven't been any changes. Everyone knows things can change quickly. We will be checking everything before we leave. Plus airlines themselves are usual very helpful at providing current information and requirements and let you know if you need to be at the airport prior to checkin times to queue for testing.

I don't know anyone on this forum that i have previously spoken to that would be argumentative with airline staff. All the people i have previously spoken to on this forum have always been polite and respectful.

 

[Larora]

Hi Melb2021, I am a similar situation to you: high case number (20XX) and struggling to justify a trip to Suva with regards to cost and time off work. But..... I have decided to do it - received 2NL last week for July. What made me go for it was the realisation that this is an opportunity, and with that comes with difficult decisions such as these. Added to that is the fact that if the Sydney office is not yet open, and if it does open, it's still not a guarantee that I'll receive an interview there. I realise that there is a significant cost to head to Fiji (for both my wife and I it will be around $4k including airfares, medicals, fees and accommodation), but without wanting to sound too philosophical (or convince you otherwise), many things in life require some degree of effort.

Finally, the experiential posts of people who have already gone through this process have proven so valuable.

Hi- im new to these forums and am trying to determine if I should transfer my case to Suva from Sydney. My case number is 23xx and I'm a little nervous that I won't get an interview (even though I know that Sydney has just opened their office). Do you mind if I ask what your case number is, and how long it took to transfer over and get an interview date?

 

[Larora]

Hey all
My number is OC2366 and im waiting for an interview date in Sydney. Just throwing it out there, what are your thoughts on me getting an interview before the end of DV period (September).
Thanks!

Also any recommendation on if I should transfer my case to Suva?

 

[BrisOC22]

Also any recommendation on if I should transfer my case to Suva?

Guess Ill give my 2 cents since no one else has responded yet. Fiji tends to send out all of their 2NL's like once a month in one big group (usually a few days after the bulletin comes out). So if you transfer before whenever the next batch is, then you should be scheduled for an interview. Pretty much everyone in the last group received an interview between July 4th-end of july. So I assume the next batch will be for august or september probably.

As for Sydney, no one can really comment on what they are going to do. They scheduled one big batch at first and did OC 42-816 (skipping over a few for whatever reason) + some other region ones. Seems like over the past week or so they've also silently been sending out some more (few reports of people receiving them, but none of the statistics are showing these for some reason). So its really hard to gauge how many they are doing. Since they only just started up again we dont really know if theyll do one big group every month, or how fast theyll go since who knows what their priorities are (hasnt been DV at all this year...). So I guess they are up to roughly OC8xx, but we have no clue at what pace theyll continue, or how many people are between OC8xx and you. Since a lot did transfer to Suva, maybe there isnt that maybe in between, or maybe theirs a tonne. Maybe Sydney will ramp up as sept gets closer and start doing mass scheduling's, its anyone's guess so I dont think anyone here will really be able to give you much advice.

Suva will probably "guarantee" you an interview in Aug/Sept - but theres also a good chance that you transfer then Sydney ramps up and does a tonne more. So I guess it just comes down to whether you want to gamble on Sydney or not. I made the choice to go to Suva like 2 months ago, and now im finding out I would of got scheduled in Sydney (even sooner than my Suva interview). It sucks, but at least I have an interview even though it cost me more. Would hate to be the other way around where I gamble on Sydney and then miss out. So one you risk spending money you didnt have to, the other you risk your green card entirely. So your call, but again, Sydney could also go schedule 200 people next week for all we know so don't want to suggest going to Suva unless you can afford it easily.

 

[valmal]

Hi all!
Just got my passport back with my temporary Green Card Visa. So excited!
Was meant to have an interview in Sydney, but moved to London and got my case transferred. If anyone has any questions about the US Consulate in London and the interview experience, feel free to dm.
Best of luck to everyone.

Hi, how soon did you get you passport back since the appointment please? I’ll need my passport to travel after interview so wondering how soon the documents get returned ?

 

[SusieQQQ]

Theres a few other steps that vary state to state, in California your car has to pass a smog test before it can be registered as well. The previous owner is supposed to do this before selling it (mine didnt, so I had to get this done, was another $35-50 or so).

Smog tests are only required in CA if cars are 8+ years old (and obviously, not at all if an electric vehicle). Plus some other nuances https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/smog-inspections/

if you’re worried about the faith of the seller, you can always go through a registered dealer - the car will cost a bit more but you’ll have more purchaser protection too.

as an aside, most car insurers seemed to ignore our prior car insurance history but Geico accepted it and gave us a discount based on that. So definitely shop around for insurance quotes.