Oceania OC 2026 Winners Thread

[SusieQQQ]

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!

You don’t provide background checks but they do them. There’s a reason these visas are harder to get in countries whose authorities don’t cooperate with the US.

 

[HSD123]

Has anyone been able to pay their fees via the USCIS website yet? Stating my A-number does not exist. USCIS states it's recommended to pay prior to arrival into the US. Anyone else having issues paying this fee?

Cheers,

 

[Happy2BeHere]

Has anyone been able to pay their fees via the USCIS website yet? Stating my A-number does not exist. USCIS states it's recommended to pay prior to arrival into the US. Anyone else having issues paying this fee?

Cheers,

Hi @HSD123 ,

What browser are you using? (they recommend Chrome). Are you using the correct A number? (it should be 9 digits) and DOS Case number? (remember to remove the last two digits).

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

 

[SusieQQQ]

Has anyone been able to pay their fees via the USCIS website yet? Stating my A-number does not exist. USCIS states it's recommended to pay prior to arrival into the US. Anyone else having issues paying this fee?

Cheers,

Hi @HSD123 ,

What browser are you using? (they recommend Chrome). Are you using the correct A number? (it should be 9 digits) and DOS Case number? (remember to remove the last two digits).

Regards,
Happy2BeHere

I seem to recall we had to put a 0 in front of our A number to get it to 9 digits - if yours is 8, try that.

 

[HSD123]

Thanks all,

I have tried both of those things and unfortunately it is still saying the below:

We could not find the A-Number or Department of State Id you entered​

Contact the USCIS Contact Center for assistance.

Looks like I'll be contacting the USCIS contact centre for assistance.

Thanks for the tips regardless.

Cheers,

 

[Xarthisius]

Thanks all,

I have tried both of those things and unfortunately it is still saying the below:

We could not find the A-Number or Department of State Id you entered​

Contact the USCIS Contact Center for assistance.

Looks like I'll be contacting the USCIS contact centre for assistance.

Thanks for the tips regardless.

Cheers,

That validation has been too eager forever. Ignore that message and proceed with the 2nd field (DOS id, just remember to skip last two digits of you're copying it from visa stamp). Once you have both numbers in, message will most likely disappear and form will let you hit next button.

 

[HSD123]

Thanks for that - that worked.

Appreciate the assistance on this.

Cheers,

That validation has been too eager forever. Ignore that message and proceed with the 2nd field (DOS id, just remember to skip last two digits of you're copying it from visa stamp). Once you have both numbers in, message will most likely disappear and form will let you hit next button.

 

[OnTheGo]

We are also in the states at the moment. We got our fingerprints done at the local sheriff's office and sent the physical prints along with the printed offline form to Canberra. We got a link to download our approved certificate about 2 weeks after they received our documents.

As a side note, Fedex, UPS and DHL don't directly deliver to the locked bag address provided on the form. We used DHL and received tracking to Canberra, but a third party completes the delivery so you won't actually get confirmation it has made it all the way. I emailed for an alternate address in case it had to be diverted, and they suggested;

AFP Criminal Records
Level 1, 53-73 Alinga St
Canberra City ACT 2600

You should get tracking the whole way with that address, but ours made it to the locked bag eventually so maybe not necessary.
Good luck, postage from the US isn't cheap!!

Hi there. I am surprised they provided you with a download link - as they ask for a postal address for the certificates.
But that's good, because it seems to take many weeks for our mailed forms and fingerprints to arrive in Canberra from Switzerland (we mailed it off on Oct 14 and the last tracking scan by DHL was from Oct 19, just indicating that the letter was being exported).

Can you tell me if you were able to track your letter containing the completed forms and fingerprints all the way into Australia? Was your credit card charged successfully? How long did it take for your letter to arrive in total?

Thanks

 

[aususa2026]

Hi there. I am surprised they provided you with a download link - as they ask for a postal address for the certificates.
But that's good, because it seems to take many weeks for our mailed forms and fingerprints to arrive in Canberra from Switzerland (we mailed it off on Oct 14 and the last tracking scan by DHL was from Oct 19, just indicating that the letter was being exported).

Can you tell me if you were able to track your letter containing the completed forms and fingerprints all the way into Australia? Was your credit card charged successfully? How long did it take for your letter to arrive in total?

Thanks

We were only able to track ours through DHL to the Canberra distribution centre, but it was then handed off to Australia post to be delivered to the locked bag address so we didn't get any further notifications after it was handed over to AusPost. Credit card was charged fine, a few days after I assume it was delivered to the AFP, certificates were available approximately another week after that.

 

[michimiau]

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 imme diately.
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.

Thank you so much for the reassurance, I really appreciate it!! My interview is tomorrow, I'll let you guys know how I go!

 

[AUMatt]

Thank you so much for the reassurance, I really appreciate it!! My interview is tomorrow, I'll let you guys know how I go!

How did it go?!?