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Oceania OC 2026 Winners Thread

We had our interview this morning at the Sydney consulate, so I wanted to share our full experience while it’s still fresh (and yes… I’m writing this after a celebratory glass of bubbly, so apologies in advance ).

We arrived around 9:00am, about 15 minutes earlier than the required time. Sydney has a separate waiting room where you can sit without checking in, which was really convenient. At 9:15 we went to the main entrance and were brought inside for admissions.

Admissions:
They took our passports along with our DS-260s and photos — though the photos turned out to be unnecessary because they already had the ones we mailed in. Everything gets put into a coloured file, which they hand back to you. This part took maybe five minutes.

Security:
Very similar to an airport check. Phones are allowed, but laptops and iPads must be checked in. Nothing stressful.

Up to Level 5:
You hand your file to the first counter, they check it, and then send you to the cashier to pay your fees. After paying, you take the receipt back to the first counter. All very quick and straightforward.

Then you sit and wait while they actually assess your case. I’m now convinced that the whole “send documents 20–30 days ahead” thing is just to make sure nothing obvious is missing — the real assessment seems to happen on the day. We waited about 45 minutes even though the consulate wasn’t busy.

The Interview:
We were called around 10:30am. The questions were almost entirely based on our DS-260s and supporting documents, with just one extra topic about our plans for life in the U.S. — nothing tricky, just “where are you heading?” and similar follow-ups.
There were also questions about previous U.S. travel and any visits to “international hotspots,” which were easy to answer.

No questions at all about finances or work plans. I think we presented as a capable family and that probably helped.

We did the standard oath and fingerprints, and that was basically it. The consular officer was absolutely lovely — really warm, and added a personal touch at the end that we’ll always remember.

Approval:
At around 11am she smiled and told us we were approved! I’m pretty sure our beaming reactions were impossible to miss.

Overall, if you’ve prepared properly and ticked all the boxes, you’ll be fine. It felt much less like a job interview and more like confirming that your application is accurate and complete.


I can’t express enough gratitude to BritSimon. After following his channel for four years, I can say with complete honesty that this journey would not have been possible without his dedication and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
 
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Hi fellow 2026 winners,

Time to update my first post and kick-off-thread starter from September of this year.

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

For those awaiting their interview, I wish you success.

If you have prepared, and followed the instructions, you will have a wonderful experience :)

Regards,
Happy2BeHere (Green Card Winner)
 
Last edited:
Happy2BeHere said:
Hi fellow 2026 winners,

Time to update my first post and kick-off-thread starter from September of this year.

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 2XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: June 2025
2NL received: September 2025
Interview date and location: November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: November :) View attachment 6796

For those awaiting their interview, I wish you success.

If you have prepared, and followed the instructions, you will have a wonderful experience :)

Regards,
Happy2BeHere (Green Card Winner)
Click to expand...
Congratulations
 
Happy2BeHere said:
Hi fellow 2026 winners,

Time to update my first post and kick-off-thread starter from September of this year.

Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 2XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: June 2025
2NL received: September 2025
Interview date and location: November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: November :) View attachment 6796

For those awaiting their interview, I wish you success.

If you have prepared, and followed the instructions, you will have a wonderful experience :)

Regards,
Happy2BeHere (Green Card Winner)
Click to expand...
Brilliant!! Congrats :)
 
Update for those still waiting; we had our Interview this morning, everything in order and approved!! Not much to add to @AUMatt's post, They'll let you into the building 10 min prior to your interview time, any earlier and you'll have to wait in the waiting room.
The process itself was amazingly quick and efficient, we were all done 39 minutes after our interview time. (But there was only 3 other people in the building waiting with us so I assume that's not normal) They told us to expect about 1 week to get our passports so hopefully that's accurate! Congrats to the others who are done already, and good luck to those still waiting.
 
Country of chargeability: Australia
Case number: 9XX
DS-260 submitted: May 2025
DS-260 confirmed processed: yes
2NL received: September 23 2025
Interview date and location: 19 November 2025, Sydney Consulate.
Visa issued in passport: TBC

Update: had my interview today, very quick and easy process at the Sydney Consulate. I had my medical on Monday (17th) and was told my case was online submission. My medical docs didn’t arrive at consulate in time so was given an ‘Administrative Refusal’. Lady at the consulate said she was ‘inclined to grant the visa pending seeing my medical report’ and told me to leave my passport with them. Sharing this so others can see the process if the medical is not received in time, not a big deal at all- lady was very understanding that booking them is tricky and said it was common for them not to be at the consulate on time!
 
Hi all,
Just want everyones opinion on whether I'm crazy or not. My number is OC11XX and it is very possible that the number becomes current in the next visa bulletin (Feb). However, Feb is the only month I'm able to travel all year.
Is it stupid if I am overseas for the whole of Feb assuming the number becomes current? Or if I come back on the 28th Feb/ 1st of March would I still have enough time to do the medical etc. I have already got my police check and everything.

Thanks
 
Maybe we should do a little celebration in December for all those who have gotten their greencards... could be fun.
AUMatt said:
We had our interview this morning at the Sydney consulate, so I wanted to share our full experience while it’s still fresh (and yes… I’m writing this after a celebratory glass of bubbly, so apologies in advance ).

We arrived around 9:00am, about 15 minutes earlier than the required time. Sydney has a separate waiting room where you can sit without checking in, which was really convenient. At 9:15 we went to the main entrance and were brought inside for admissions.

Admissions:
They took our passports along with our DS-260s and photos — though the photos turned out to be unnecessary because they already had the ones we mailed in. Everything gets put into a coloured file, which they hand back to you. This part took maybe five minutes.

Security:
Very similar to an airport check. Phones are allowed, but laptops and iPads must be checked in. Nothing stressful.

Up to Level 5:
You hand your file to the first counter, they check it, and then send you to the cashier to pay your fees. After paying, you take the receipt back to the first counter. All very quick and straightforward.

Then you sit and wait while they actually assess your case. I’m now convinced that the whole “send documents 20–30 days ahead” thing is just to make sure nothing obvious is missing — the real assessment seems to happen on the day. We waited about 45 minutes even though the consulate wasn’t busy.

The Interview:
We were called around 10:30am. The questions were almost entirely based on our DS-260s and supporting documents, with just one extra topic about our plans for life in the U.S. — nothing tricky, just “where are you heading?” and similar follow-ups.
There were also questions about previous U.S. travel and any visits to “international hotspots,” which were easy to answer.

No questions at all about finances or work plans. I think we presented as a capable family and that probably helped.

We did the standard oath and fingerprints, and that was basically it. The consular officer was absolutely lovely — really warm, and added a personal touch at the end that we’ll always remember.

Approval:
At around 11am she smiled and told us we were approved! I’m pretty sure our beaming reactions were impossible to miss.

Overall, if you’ve prepared properly and ticked all the boxes, you’ll be fine. It felt much less like a job interview and more like confirming that your application is accurate and complete.


I can’t express enough gratitude to BritSimon. After following his channel for four years, I can say with complete honesty that this journey would not have been possible without his dedication and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Click to expand...
Thanks for providing all of this detail Matt, and congrats to you all! Where are you off to?

Sadly I do not present as a "capable family", I present as one person who has been travelling for a while, so I'm a little more concerned about getting questions about the financial side of things.

If any single folks wish to chime in about what they've been asked by Sydney, it would be appreciated! At this stage I'm thinking I'll just take bank statements in to prove that I have savings.

Hope everyone is doing well.
 
michimiau said:
Maybe we should do a little celebration in December for all those who have gotten their greencards... could be fun.

Thanks for providing all of this detail Matt, and congrats to you all! Where are you off to?

Sadly I do not present as a "capable family", I present as one person who has been travelling for a while, so I'm a little more concerned about getting questions about the financial side of things.

If any single folks wish to chime in about what they've been asked by Sydney, it would be appreciated! At this stage I'm thinking I'll just take bank statements in to prove that I have savings.

Hope everyone is doing well.
Click to expand...
Another congrats to those who have received their Green Card (myself included)

I applied as a single. My experience was much the same as Matt’s. Few questions, none of which were on the financial side of things.

I took a bank statement proving money on hand but got asked zero questions about it nor did they request any evidence to prove my savings. I’m in no way saying this is the norm, so go prepared for all outcomes. Just sharing my experience whereby no financial questions were asked.

Good luck to you and everyone else who has their interviews upcoming.
 
michimiau said:
Maybe we should do a little celebration in December for all those who have gotten their greencards... could be fun.

Thanks for providing all of this detail Matt, and congrats to you all! Where are you off to?

Sadly I do not present as a "capable family", I present as one person who has been travelling for a while, so I'm a little more concerned about getting questions about the financial side of things.

If any single folks wish to chime in about what they've been asked by Sydney, it would be appreciated! At this stage I'm thinking I'll just take bank statements in to prove that I have savings.

Hope everyone is doing well.
Click to expand...

Don’t worry, you will be fine!
My “interview” was perhaps 3 questions?
I’ve travelled extensively too and was not asked about finances at all. She just approved it immediately.
My entire process from arriving to leaving was less than 30mins. If that.

They seem far more strict about short term non-immigrant visas than immigrant visas. I had to interview for a short term visa and was asked maybe 7 questions? Significantly more than this green card interview.
I’m actually shocked how easy it was to become a permanent resident. I’ve had to provide far more documentation and background checks to get a job!

Also, it was sooooo much more relaxed on this green card day than when they are doing other visas.
I absolutely assure you that you will be fine!!
If you have ever been to the USA the border guards there ask far harder questions than this.
 
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