First Post for me here. Only found this wonderful forum today too. I'm still trying to understand everything, so please excuse any newbe silly questions.
First time DV entry and I was selected for further processing. Case number is 2023OC17xx. Like I said, I'm still trying to understand everything, but from what I can tell that is a reasonably high number for OC? I know no-one can guarantee anything, but doesn't anyone have any feel for if that will will make the cut off (or whatever it is called).
I'm currently working in the US on an E3 visa, and now I've got myself worried. My E3 expires in August and I hadn't decided how I was going to renew it this time, but I was thinking of doing it either in Canada or Australia (if I can get an appointment at an embassy). I've already renewed twice previously, the first time thru the Melbourne embassy and last time thru USCIS. It took nearly a year for USCIS to process it last time. It was right in the middle of Covid, so that was the the only option available to me.
I was also hoping for a trip back to Australia later this year regardless, but I have just come to realize that I would stand a good chance of being denied re-entry due to intent.
I've seen mention of the AED card. Is that something I should be looking at? And if so, at what point should I be looking at submitting an I-765 given my visa is fairly close to expiring. I did see the note about losing my current E3 status as a fallback if I go this route.
My other thought at this time was to just attempt to renew my E3 thru USCIS again, and hope that it doesn't get processed before get I get my GC? Or maybe a combination, submit E3 renewal thru USCIS, then after a "while", submit the I-765?
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.