Oceania OC 2026 Winners Thread

[DAP2]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 7xx
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: Confirmed on 15 August 2025
2NL received: 18 August 2025 via noreply@state.gov
Interview date and location:
- 28 October Hong Kong Consulate
- Email received from visahk@state.gov 15 September changing appointment time to 24 October "due to the administrative schedule".
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hey there got approved Friday in HK consulate. Will update when I get passport back Friday 31 October.

Ok got my passport and package back Monday 27th October in the afternoon. Super quick given the interview was only the Friday morning before. Another thread about how to pay the USCIS fee coming as the instructions online don't work and there is a workaround I found on Reddit

 

[21Miner]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 10XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: Unsure
2NL received: September 23 2025
Interview date and location: November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences in this thread, it’s been incredibly helpful.
I have an upcoming interview and wanted to ask a few questions about the process and how best to prepare.
Specifically, for demonstrating financial self-sufficiency, should I bring documents such as bank account balance statements, my CV, and an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) from family members currently living in the U.S.?
What were the nature of questions that were asked and that I should prepare for?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DAP2]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 7xx
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: Confirmed on 15 August 2025
2NL received: 18 August 2025 via noreply@state.gov
Interview date and location:
- 28 October Hong Kong Consulate
- Email received from visahk@state.gov 15 September changing appointment time to 24 October "due to the administrative schedule".
Visa issued in passport: 27 October

 

[DAP2]

No

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 10XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: Unsure
2NL received: September 23 2025
Interview date and location: November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences in this thread, it’s been incredibly helpful.
I have an upcoming interview and wanted to ask a few questions about the process and how best to prepare.
Specifically, for demonstrating financial self-sufficiency, should I bring documents such as bank account balance statements, my CV, and an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) from family members currently living in the U.S.?
What were the nature of questions that were asked and that I should prepare for?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Nothing to add. I had my own financials and proof of self sufficiency ready as I haven't worked for three years. They didn't even ask. Didn't even ask about getting a job. Depending on the address you have given in the USA and who that is, that might trigger questions.

 

[gratitudealways]

hey all! does anyone know the process with the name and fingerprint check which is $113.00?

consulate have come back saying i've sent the wrong one and need to fill out the "offline" form and hand it in

i'd be grateful for any assistance on this front!

 

[gratitudealways]

that's amazing! that means you can head to the states now right?

Ok got my passport and package back Monday 27th October in the afternoon. Super quick given the interview was only the Friday morning before. Another thread about how to pay the USCIS fee coming as the instructions online don't work and there is a workaround I found on Reddit

 

[DAP2]

that's amazing! that means you can head to the states now right?

Yep it does. Probably go early December

 

[Happy2BeHere]

hey all! does anyone know the process with the name and fingerprint check which is $113.00?

consulate have come back saying i've sent the wrong one and need to fill out the "offline" form and hand it in

i'd be grateful for any assistance on this front!

Hi @gratitudealways ,

Go to AFP URL here (scroll down past online application section to the section "By post - If you prefer to apply by post, or if you need to include a fingerprint check")

Download offline form here

Fill out details. For purpose of check, select option 33, Immigration/Citizenship – for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs.

Take to local police station and get fingerprints. You will also need to provide your own Australia Post envelope addressed to AFP. The local police will take that envelope and send off your prints with the completed AFP offline form.

Good luck.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

 

[gratitudealways]

Hi @gratitudealways ,

Go to AFP URL here (scroll down past online application section to the section "By post - If you prefer to apply by post, or if you need to include a fingerprint check")

Download offline form here

Fill out details. For purpose of check, select option 33, Immigration/Citizenship – for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs.

Take to local police station and get fingerprints. You will also need to provide your own Australia Post envelope addressed to AFP. The local police will take that envelope and send off your prints with the completed AFP offline form.

Good luck.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

thank you so much for the response! for further context i've attached what they came back to me saying! its all so confusing, i wish they were so transparent from the start. could you please guide me thru this? when i get my medical the lady was kind enough to give me a referral letter as she even recognised i needed one!

 

[gratitudealways]

what were some of the questions asked?

Yep it does. Probably go early December

 

[Happy2BeHere]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 10XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: Unsure
2NL received: September 23 2025
Interview date and location: November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hi everyone,
Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences in this thread, it’s been incredibly helpful.
I have an upcoming interview and wanted to ask a few questions about the process and how best to prepare.
Specifically, for demonstrating financial self-sufficiency, should I bring documents such as bank account balance statements, my CV, and an I-134 (Affidavit of Support) from family members currently living in the U.S.?
What were the nature of questions that were asked and that I should prepare for?

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Hi @21Miner ,

A current bank statement with savings should be sufficient.

If you are a student and have no work history or savings, that would require more proof. The US Consulate in Sydney does not usually request I-134, but if you have little savings, it could help boost your case against becoming a public charge.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

 

[gratitudealways]

@Happy2BeHere i hope this makes more sense! i've already done the name check, finger print and medical but i did the medical without the referral however, they ended up giving me a referral letter! would it be best to to my local doctor and have them process it for me?

thank you so much for the response! for further context i've attached what they came back to me saying! its all so confusing, i wish they were so transparent from the start. could you please guide me thru this? when i get my medical the lady was kind enough to give me a referral letter as she even recognised i needed one!

 

[Happy2BeHere]

thank you so much for the response! for further context i've attached what they came back to me saying! its all so confusing, i wish they were so transparent from the start. could you please guide me thru this? when i get my medical the lady was kind enough to give me a referral letter as she even recognised i needed one!

Hi @gratitudealways ,

Don't stress. Go through it step by step. I will address each of the points one by one.

1. DS-260 Confirmation Page: Go to CEAC page here. Login to CEAC with your details. Click on "SIGN" at top of page. Then Click "Print Confirmation". That will open your DS-260 Confirmation page. Save as PDF from browser, or "Print" out.


2. One (1) Express Post satchel LARGE size. Self-addressed: Go to Australia Post. Buy the plastic LARGE size satchel. You write your address on the front of satchel. They will use this to send you your passport and immigration pack back to you after the interview.

3. Qualification Documents - a. Education Certificate, Original HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE: Did you finish 6 years of High School in NSW? If so, you would have been issued a HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE. Make a copy of the original. Send both original certificate and copy to US Consulate.

4. Medical Exam Appointment Confirmation from the Panel Physician / Sealed Medical Report / eMedical information sheet. You need to use an approved panel physician, the one you scheduled is not and approved location.: You must use one of the following physicians:

• Dr. Celina Rappaport:
  • Clinic: MedClinic CBD
  • Address: Ground Floor, 70 Pitt St, Sydney, NSW 2000
  • Phone: (02) 9235 0099
  • Email: doctor@sydneyvisamedical.com
• Dr. Rosemary Aldous:
  • Clinic: MedicalOne
  • Address: 31 Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
  • Phone: (02) 9235 4444
  • Email: usvisa@medicalone.com.au

Book with one of them. If you cannot complete the physical before the interview, send in the Appointment Confirmation Email once you have booked a time.

4. Birth certificate, Original New Zealand Birth certificate: Self explanatory.

5. Australian Federal Police certificate - Receipt showing have applied for the correct one. The one you sent is not correct. You must complete the offline application form! Section 1: Select "Name and Fingerprint Check (Fee:113.00)" Section 8: Select (Code Number 33) "Immigration/Citizenship - for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs.": This was explained in my previous post


Step by step..

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

 

[gratitudealways]

Hi @gratitudealways ,

Don't stress. Go through it step by step. I will address each of the points one by one.

1. DS-260 Confirmation Page: Go to CEAC page here. Login to CEAC with your details. Click on "SIGN" at top of page. Then Click "Print Confirmation". That will open your DS-260 Confirmation page. Save as PDF from browser, or "Print" out.
View attachment 6771

2. One (1) Express Post satchel LARGE size. Self-addressed: Go to Australia Post. Buy the plastic LARGE size satchel. You write your address on the front of satchel. They will use this to send you your passport and immigration pack back to you after the interview.

3. Qualification Documents - a. Education Certificate, Original HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE: Did you finish 6 years of High School in NSW? If so, you would have been issued a HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE. Make a copy of the original. Send both original certificate and copy to US Consulate.

4. Medical Exam Appointment Confirmation from the Panel Physician / Sealed Medical Report / eMedical information sheet. You need to use an approved panel physician, the one you scheduled is not and approved location.: You must use one of the following physicians:

• Dr. Celina Rappaport:
  • Clinic: MedClinic CBD
  • Address: Ground Floor, 70 Pitt St, Sydney, NSW 2000
  • Phone: (02) 9235 0099
  • Email: doctor@sydneyvisamedical.com
• Dr. Rosemary Aldous:
  • Clinic: MedicalOne
  • Address: 31 Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
  • Phone: (02) 9235 4444
  • Email: usvisa@medicalone.com.au

Book with one of them. If you cannot complete the physical before the interview, send in the Appointment Confirmation Email once you have booked a time.

4. Birth certificate, Original New Zealand Birth certificate: Self explanatory.

5. Australian Federal Police certificate - Receipt showing have applied for the correct one. The one you sent is not correct. You must complete the offline application form! Section 1: Select "Name and Fingerprint Check (Fee:113.00)" Section 8: Select (Code Number 33) "Immigration/Citizenship - for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs.": This was explained in my previous post


Step by step..

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

thank you so much! will this be okay even if i've already completed the medical exam? i was given a referral letter that i assume i would then take to the physician?

 

[Happy2BeHere]

thank you so much! will this be okay even if i've already completed the medical exam? i was given a referral letter that i assume i would then take to the physician?

I am not understanding the context.

Did you book and complete, the medical exam with either Dr. Celina Rappaport or Dr. Rosemary Aldous?

You do not need a referral to book an appointment with either.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

 

[Sm1smom]

@gratitudealways,
It seems to me like the confusion you’re experiencing is due to not having read or paid attention to the instructions provided in your selectee notification letter to start with. That letter has a link to this page full of step by step instructions on how to proceed.

I recommend you settle down and start by going through that link, be sure to also click through other links referenced within the first link as you go through. Doing this will enhance your understanding of the process and help your succeed with your DV selection IMO.

 

[21Miner]

Hi @21Miner ,

A current bank statement with savings should be sufficient.

If you are a student and have no work history or savings, that would require more proof. The US Consulate in Sydney does not usually request I-134, but if you have little savings, it could help boost your case against becoming a public charge.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

Ah okay thank you for the steer.
I've got a decent amount of work history and savings so should be all good then.

Cheers!

 

[Sm1smom]

Ah okay thank you for the steer.
I've got a decent amount of work history and savings so should be all good then.

Cheers!

Actually, having an I-134 on hand as a backup financial document is never a bad idea. So if you have US based relatives willing to provide you with an I-134, I would say go for it. Have it on hand “just in case”.

 

[sevenstars]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 12XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: TBC
2NL received: TBC
Interview date and location: TBC, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if this has already been answered. I'm currently in the States but am planning to return home (Sydney) before my interview. However I am trying to prepare as much as possible in the mean time. I am looking at getting the AFP Police Check complete but I am unsure how to go about with the fingerprints given that I am currently in the States. Is there any way I can get this done in the US or would I have to wait until I go home for this?

Also does anyone know how to go about the DS-1810?

Cheers

 

[sevenstars]

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 12XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: TBC
2NL received: TBC
Interview date and location: TBC, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if this has already been answered. I'm currently in the States but am planning to return home (Sydney) before my interview. However I am trying to prepare as much as possible in the mean time. I am looking at getting the AFP Police Check complete but I am unsure how to go about with the fingerprints given that I am currently in the States. Is there any way I can get this done in the US or would I have to wait until I go home for this?

Also does anyone know how to go about the DS-1810?

Cheers

I should also add I called the AFP in Los Angeles and they told me they don't do fingerprints and I don't need them. Very confusing