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Oceania OC 2026 Winners Thread

AUMatt said:
I just came here to post the same thing about this email - I received mine around the same time today as the others.

Apart from the return address (Sydneyvisas@state.gov), it doesn't appear particularly legit does it?.
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Feels like with the @state.gov it is legit. Everything that I am reading from the US government website, anything with that .gov suffix makes it legit. The fact that many people got there's on the same day at roughly the same time says to me its a little more legit too. Either that or we've been scammed by the prince of all princes.

Happy2BeHere said:
Yes, that threw me as well. I am not sending any originals until I have a chance to speak to consulate staff to confirm. You have up to 30 days before your interview date to 'send' them the requested documents, so there is some buffer to clarify from Sydney consular staff.
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I tried buzzing them today but getting on to anyone there is ni-on impossible. It was a curve ball seeing the "send documents 30 days prior".
 
I have to say what they’re asking for is confusing too. Are they saying they want the documents noted in the DV1 plus DV2 & DV3 Document Coversheet documents?
 
So apparently the supplied police clearance needs to be "Name and Fingerprint No 33" - which you have to Mail into the AFP and takes a minimum 15 days to process. According to online forms this is a new requirement from 1st August 2025 onwards. I thought I was so onto everything and organised. If this takes 15-20 days and my interview is the 10th November are they asking that all my supplied information needs to be mailed 30 days before my interview? what a nightmare.
 
Oh no, we got ours done months ago before that change. We're going to have to do them again now...
 
AUMatt said:
Oh no, we got ours done months ago before that change. We're going to have to do them again now...
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I have no idea how this is enough time to organise this. I have to go to a police station and get prints done then mail the forms off tomorrow also. I don’t care about the money it’s just the time. It’ll be at least October 25 before they come back with paperwork.
 
DropBear said:
I have no idea how this is enough time to organise this. I have to go to a police station and get prints done then mail the forms off tomorrow also. I don’t care about the money it’s just the time. It’ll be at least October 25 before they come back with paperwork.
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Yeah, you're right. I just hope they're aware & can give some leeway with this. Will you just send what you have & follow up with the rest later?
 
Hi everyone! I also received that same email today a few questions:
- are fingerprints required for the AFP check- can someone provide me a link of the details of this requirement/how we know it is required?
- did you respond to the email you received and confirmed it noting that it is pending a 2NL?

I managed to speak to a person today at the US Embassy (not consulate) and they gave me a generic answer that they would escalate my case and let me know. I told them the urgency of the 24hour requirements but I am considering replying and saying I will update once known as has been suggested above! Worried about timelines as everyone else is!!
 
From the reciprocity page: (https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/australia.html)


Police Certificates​

Available

Fees: Refer to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) website for the current fee.

Document Name: Digital National Police Certificate

Issuing Authority: Australian Federal Police

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Various security features, Contains the AFP emblem in top left corner and a QR code in the top right corner titled “DIGITAL NATIONAL POLICE CERTIFICATE”. Digital certificates include a unique QR code you can scan to validate your certificate.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Refer to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) website.

Exceptions: None – applicants must apply via the Australian Federal Police.

Comments: All Australian Federal Police certificates must be on Name and Fingerprint Check fingerprints and include all aliases ever used.

Applicants must complete the offline application form. On Page 3, Section 8: Purpose of Check, applicants must select Code Number “33 Immigration/Citizenship – for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs.”
 
I just received confirmation from KCC that my interview is scheduled for November 19 - bit concerned about the timelines with getting fingerprints done and all the documents to the consulate at they have to be received 30 days before the interview. Unsure whether I should reschedule.
 
aususa2026 said:
How on earth are we supposed to get our fingerprints done if we're not currently living in Australia!?
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On the postal application form (found on the AFP site) it says: Fingerprints can be taken by your local police jurisdiction or the AFP.

I made an appointment at a nearby Met office here in London and was able to get them done there.
 
AussieInLDN said:
On the postal application form (found on the AFP site) it says: Fingerprints can be taken by your local police jurisdiction or the AFP.

I made an appointment at a nearby Met office here in London and was able to get them done there.
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Ok great! Do you know if they were accepted/approved yet? We can get that done easily enough, but would hate to find out in 2 weeks time that it wasn't acceptable and not have the documents in time for the interview!
 
aususa2026 said:
Ok great! Do you know if they were accepted/approved yet? We can get that done easily enough, but would hate to find out in 2 weeks time that it wasn't acceptable and not have the documents in time for the interview!
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Not yet, I sent the package off a couple of weeks ago. I'll report back when I do.
 
AussieInLDN said:
Not yet, I sent the package off a couple of weeks ago. I'll report back when I do.
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Excellent, thank you! Are you getting your hard copy mailed back to you in London? Or forwarded to an address in Australia to pick up before the interview? I'm struggling to see how we can get fingerprints done, wait 15-30 day for a response, and then somehow send copies to the consulate 30 days before an interview...
 
aususa2026 said:
Excellent, thank you! Are you getting your hard copy mailed back to you in London? Or forwarded to an address in Australia to pick up before the interview? I'm struggling to see how we can get fingerprints done, wait 15-30 day for a response, and then somehow send copies to the consulate 30 days before an interview...
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Yep, I asked for it be posted here as it's where I plan to have my interview. I'm worried about the turnaround time too - I can see via tracking that my posted application has been in stuck in Sydney and undelivered since last week!
 
AUMatt said:
From the reciprocity page:

Police Certificates​

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Hi @AUMatt and others seeking Federal Police Checks,

I suggest you choose the option to get both the digital version and the paper version (why risk not having both?)

It took 10 working days to complete my AFP Check in August 2025, and that was with the "we are experiencing larger than usual volume of requests" warning at the top of the page. There is still time to pop down to the local police station and get them done.


aususa2026 said:
How on earth are we supposed to get our fingerprints done if we're not currently living in Australia!?
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You may have to get them done with ink and have those sent directly to AFP who will scan them. Or depending where you are, the fingerprints will be taken digitally and then printed by the police onto paper, then sent directly to AFP.

Regards,
Happy2BeHere
 
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