DV 2013 Australian Winners Post Here

[AusGirlAbroad 1]

Hi everyone!

I've been perusing several threads in this forum since finding out I was 'selected further processing' in the DV 2013 lottery and thought I'd start a thread specifically for DV 2013 winners from Oz. There's lots of invaluable information on this site related to various visa processes and experiences, but I think there's always room for more info, so please feel free to share your experiences on your journey to get the elusive greencard for the upcoming US fiscal year.

About me: I'm a Melbourne girl who's had a fascination with the USA since my first visit to California when I was 16. Since then, I've been lucky enough to travel there numerous times, even living there twice on temporary visas. I've entered the greencard lottery so many times I've lost count (on-and-off since 2000) and was pretty much in shock when I logged in to check my application status on the morning of May 2, 2012 and saw a notification letter instead of the familiar 'based on the information you have entered, your entry has not been selected for further processing'... What?! I won?!! Honestly, I think I'm still in shock. Since then I've been scouring the internet trying to absorb as much information as possible on the what/when/how of organising my application.

Are there any other Australian DV 2013 winners out there? How is your application going? Are you overwhelmed yet (or is that just me)?

[together4evr 360]

Congrats!!

Edited May 30, 2012 by togetherforever13

[Sandra G. 5,079]

Congrats!!!! Welcome to America!

[cappucino boy 29]

Congradulations girl, I hope you make it here. Any idea of what you are going to do once you get here? You are unusal and not relying on the change through a spouse so no real support system. I'd be interested in your plans.

Hi everyone!

I've been perusing several threads in this forum since finding out I was 'selected further processing' in the DV 2013 lottery and thought I'd start a thread specifically for DV 2013 winners from Oz. There's lots of invaluable information on this site related to various visa processes and experiences, but I think there's always room for more info, so please feel free to share your experiences on your journey to get the elusive greencard for the upcoming US fiscal year.

About me: I'm a Melbourne girl who's had a fascination with the USA since my first visit to California when I was 16. Since then, I've been lucky enough to travel there numerous times, even living there twice on temporary visas. I've entered the greencard lottery so many times I've lost count (on-and-off since 2000) and was pretty much in shock when I logged in to check my application status on the morning of May 2, 2012 and saw a notification letter instead of the familiar 'based on the information you have entered, your entry has not been selected for further processing'... What?! I won?!! Honestly, I think I'm still in shock. Since then I've been scouring the internet trying to absorb as much information as possible on the what/when/how of organising my application.

Are there any other Australian DV 2013 winners out there? How is your application going? Are you overwhelmed yet (or is that just me)?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Congratulations!! I'd also be interested to know what you plans are when you get here. Do you have friends/family to stay with while you get set up? Do you have a state in mind?

[Xanax 349]

Congratulations!! I'd also be interested to know what you plans are when you get here. Do you have friends/family to stay with while you get set up? Do you have a state in mind?

Me too.

Congratultions!

[Travis and Meghan 24]

Congratulations!!

I wouldn't advise moving to Arizona, tooooooo hotttttt, lol

[Hedi 24]

Congratulations, and welcome to America.

[Mitexi 8]

Congratulations! My fiance looked into this a few years ago. It's really neat to see someone who was actually selected. =)

I'll echo everyone else wondering what your plans are. I guess it would be kind of hard to even HAVE plans because you never know when or if you will even win the lottery...

[AusGirlAbroad 1]

Thanks for all the congratulatory messages everyone! In relation to the queries about where I'll be living in the US, I have friends in Utah, so I'll probably move there initially. I actually just got back from Utah in March 2012 after spending a year studying there, so I'm really familiar with the area. Eventually I'd love to move to New York, but the thought of trying to find an apartment in NYC is quite terrifying. Luckily I've got quite a while before I need to worry about the big move from Oz. They don't start diversity visa interviews for my draw until October 2012, and based on my case number I probably won't get an interview until January 2013. If approved, I have 6 months to enter the US to activate my residency status, so I'm planning on being over there US summer 2013. Can't wait!

On a separate note, just wanted to give a shout-out to Vanessa&Tony. I've read a lot of the information in your K1 visa thread related to medicals and interviews and found it really helpful. Even though I'm applying for a different visa, the info was really comprehensive and some of it still applies to my situation so I just wanted to say 'Thanks!'.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

On a separate note, just wanted to give a shout-out to Vanessa&Tony. I've read a lot of the information in your K1 visa thread related to medicals and interviews and found it really helpful. Even though I'm applying for a different visa, the info was really comprehensive and some of it still applies to my situation so I just wanted to say 'Thanks!'.

No probs! Thanks for the shout-out

Have you been to the site www.ustralian.com? There's a msg from an expat with a "how to find an apartment in NYC" article.. I'll try and find it.. here: http://ustralian.com/apartment-hunting-in-new-york-city/

[bextavaz 4]

Don't move to Colorado just yet. It's on fire

Congratulations though, I have a bunch of friends that missed out

Edited June 29, 2012 by bextavaz