US Greencard Through Diversity Lotto

thenobody · 01-05-2011 9:44pm

You will have enough time.
Sit tight. And when the interview is depends I'm your case number.

Do not go near the embassy until your number has become current in the monthly visa bulletins and that you have receive the instruction letter. They don't have anything to do with it until your case if transferred to them which could be a year away depending again on the case number
High case numbers above 27000 are unlikely to get an interview

Jager Man · 01-05-2011 10:57pm

Congrats and commiserations to all. I checked this morning and was soooo happy to see my confirmation. I'm a reasonably low number (below 2000) so should I expect the interview to be in May or do they not process until the 2012 DV until September onwards?

Also I'm currently working in the US on an A2 (government visa) so is it better and faster to adjust my status here in the US or should I waiting to here from the Embassy in Dublin and fly back for the interview??

So many questions!!! Would people recommend getting legal advise or is that not necessary?

Thanks in advance

thenobody · 01-05-2011 11:07pm

Your interview will probably be in sept or October - it doesn't start til september but you need to check for the visa bulletins.
You need to fill out forms now and in it you need to specify where you will do it. If you're in the us already just do it there. Makes no difference. Dublin embassy will not be involved.
You will need to get a police report for the us and Ireland - and any country you have lived in so plan in advance for this.
n
No need for anything legal. It's all simple and straight forward - if you easily meet all requirements and don't have a dodgy history.

There are better forums on the internet about all of this and you go check them and follow them. Some good info there - but all the points have been covered in this thread really.

little lady · 01-05-2011 11:42pm

thenobody wrote: »

Your interview will probably be in sept or October - it doesn't start til september but you need to check for the visa bulletins.
You need to fill out forms now and in it you need to specify where you will do it. If you're in the us already just do it there. Makes no difference. Dublin embassy will not be involved.

Is the US Embassy in Dublin not where the interviews take place. I was looking through the forms and one of the questions is to specify where you want the interview to take place. You can just enter your city if you don't know but I presumed that's where it would be!!

My number is 930 :-) Hopefully I'll get it. Watching paint drying will be more interesting than my background check so tht bit will be fine and I've done a fair bit of time in college so that will be good. Here's hoping!!!

thenobody · 02-05-2011 12:02am

It's in Dublin for those in Ireland. Put down Dublin embassy on the form.
For those already in us can do it in the us - somewhere.

930 which I presume is a EU case number your interviw would be sept this year.
Your leaving cert would count (basic minimum)- time spent in college without getting a degree will not.
Get your forms completed and sent in ASAP.
Make sure you get enough money above poverty line - something like $13000 I think, look it up. And show it's a kept balance not just one transfer of money.
Or get a us job offer or affidavit of support.

Sept interview is great but doesn't give much time if these are issues.
If you do get it you will have to have it activated by February and have to have moved to the states by august next year at the latest. Exciting eh!!

I'm just advising from what I know of me getting through it and knowing three people who were turned down for it at the interview.

PeakOutput · 02-05-2011 11:43am

congrats to everyone who got it, no luck for me but i still have 18 months of easy work visas to use so maybe next year

baltazar · 02-05-2011 8:41pm

Hi,

I am also in the group of Lucky people who logged on yesterday to find out that my application had been randomly selected for further processing. I have applied every year since 2004 and have been disappointed every year until this year. My Fiance applied also and she has been randomly selected too. I have bought a lotto ticket for Wednesday night's draw...good things come in 3's and all that.

We are getting married in August and will be away for 3 weeks in September on honeymoon. Is the embassy accommodating on rescheduling interviews if you can't make the designated date?

Also, my case number is up around 15000 where as my fiance's Case number is around 10000. Does this have a big part to play in when you are called for interview?

thenobody · 02-05-2011 9:11pm

The case number will determine when your interview is.
Id expect them around december/jan or feb for your two numbers.

Rescheduling the interview is not advised.

But.... if you are getting married you should only use one and will have to pick which person application to go with. At this stage and send back both application forms and treat as separate and single - not married yet!!

But after you get married you may have to cancel the application of one - but its no big deal as the other partner can be added to the others application so it will work out fine - but this has to be done before the case is transferred to the embassy (before your number comes current - which may be october). You will need to send revised application forms and a copy of the marriage cert to KCC. If you miss this date and it is transferred to the embassy should still be ok but they are awful to deal with and better to get it sorted before this. They could also transfer it over without updating the application so be sure to check.
This all happened to me.

Or you can probably do both separately but better chance to combine to one application.

baltazar · 02-05-2011 9:42pm

Thanks for the advice I was wondering what I'd do about sending off 2 applications and I think the best way to go is like you said, submit two applications for now and then combine to one once we're married.

Do you find out shortly after the interview whether you have been successful or not? say for arguments sake that we get our Interview in January would we find out we'll say in february whether we have been successful?

thenobody · 02-05-2011 9:45pm

They will tell you there on the day.
They keep your passport and send it out to you within about a month with the temp visa included and the sealed envelope you need to give to immigration (still sealed) when you go on the activation trip or moving to the US.
You will need to give them a stamped envelope for this too (with about 6 euro of stamps if i recall).

davymc31 · 02-05-2011 11:10pm

i just cheked and was picked number 2600 when will i get interview we are family of 4 ,do i fill out form and photos certs etc and send asap what are the steps we need to do

thenobody · 02-05-2011 11:13pm

you need 2" x 2" photos for the application. not many places do them.
send the forms back as soon as possible.

The forms and information you got should tell you everything you need to do. you shouldnt need extra information from anywhere else.

Jager Man · 03-05-2011 7:44pm

Hi All, FYI the Emerald Isle Immigration Center will help you if you run into any trouble - I just talked to them to make sure I was doing the process right. http://www.eiic.org/

For the files for the Kentucky Office we just need:
Photos
Form DSP-122
Form DS-230, Part I and II

Is that correct? Leaving Cert and Birth Cert etc don't need to be sent? I'm number 1500 so hope to be called in Oct, is that realistic?

thenobody · 03-05-2011 7:55pm

Yep. Oct sounds right.

For the application you just need to send those forms plus two 2" x 2" photos. Not normal passport photos. You need to go to a specialist place to get them.
The forms explain it all. There is nothing hidden and nothing that is not explained so there is no need to go anywhere for any further information. Be very careful with that if you do.

You will need all the other documentation for your interview.
If you have a degree you dont need any leaving cert stuff.
Best to pay in cash (dollars) at the interview. Have exact amount.
Make sure to allow enough time to get all your police certificates for all the countries necessary - they can take a long time - but also make sure they are dated within around 3 months of the interview.
And make sure the medical is no longer than 4 to 6 weeks of the interview. It can take over a week to get the results back so factor that in too. Do not open the result envelope.
And important to show that you have a history of enough money in your bank account - if choosing that option. Four to six months of it in your account. It cant be money dumped into your account for the interview and then plan to send back after. I know someone who didnt get it because of that. For one person it is over $10,890. For 2 persons it is over $14,710. See Here - you need to have at least 125% of these figures given though.

Or that the job offer is recent to the interview - if you can get that (may need the money as well depending on the job type and how it relates to your degree).
Or affidavit of support from a US citizen - if you chose that. That may take a while too and is a huge huge as of someone as it is very very personal.

baltazar · 03-05-2011 8:20pm

Does anyone know where in Dublin you can get the 2" x 2" photos to submit with the DSP-122 and DS-230 forms?

thenobody · 03-05-2011 8:23pm

I got them in the camera shop in blanchardstown.
There is a place on henry street and grafton street. - I presume they are still there!

Try calling Boots and ask. They are sometimes called visa photos.
The camera shops mostly do them.

They are very expensive too. I think i paid 15 euro

Suppose you could do them yourself - just make sure you get the head and shoulders to fill the right amount. You should have the guidelines with the forms.
Or look here

newbeginnings · 03-05-2011 8:32pm

Hi all,

I hope someone can give me solid advice on the educational requirement for the DV Lottery.
The requirement is that you must have a Leaving Cert. I was in the same secondary School from 1st year to 6th, done my Junior Cert but left just Before my Leaving to persue a career in Construction.

When the Boom ended i went back to college and Completed a Level 6 BTEC-EDEXCEL Higher National Diploma in Business Studies with great results.

I have this education, but will this be enough as, technically ive no Leaving Certificate as such, but have a Higher award than the Leaving Cert. Will this be enough???

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,

Warm regards.

thenobody · 03-05-2011 8:41pm

The requirement is

The law and regulations require that every entrant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or have, within the past five years, two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years’ training or experience. A ―high school education or equivalent‖ is defined as successful completion of a twelve-year course of elementary and secondary education in the United States or successful completion in another country of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a high school education in the United States. Only formal courses of study meet this requirement; correspondence programs or equivalency certificates (such as the G.E.D.) are not acceptable. Documentary proof of education or work experience must be presented to the consular officer at the time of the visa interview.

So you have to have the leaving cert. But sounds like your job may give you the experience.
Just go through with it and bring your diploma and ignore the leaving cert and not mention it. Should be ok - if you have everything else ok.
But you need to decide if you want to risk that and spend about 1200 euro to see - thats what the process will about cost.

davymc31 · 03-05-2011 8:48pm

i have property if i get them valued and show the small morgage left would this do as means

newbeginnings · 03-05-2011 8:49pm

Thats an option going through the process not saying anything, but id like a definite answer because if i do apply and get refused, ill have to mention this everytime i go for a holiday.
Im going to apply anyways and if need be ill sit the leaving cert next June and get the results in August, cutting it short for the September 30th deadline, id prefare a stress-free option lol
were you successful in the lottery

thenobody · 03-05-2011 9:52pm

davymc31 wrote: »

i have property if i get them valued and show the small morgage left would this do as means

Nope. I thought the same and had my place valuated. They said that that was not necessary and not taken into account.
I guess if anything it will be more of a problem if you have loans cos that will eat into any money you have when you get over and have no job or place to live.

thenobody · 03-05-2011 9:57pm

newbeginnings wrote: »

Thats an option going through the process not saying anything, but id like a definite answer because if i do apply and get refused, ill have to mention this everytime i go for a holiday.
Im going to apply anyways and if need be ill sit the leaving cert next June and get the results in August, cutting it short for the September 30th deadline, id prefare a stress-free option lol
were you successful in the lottery

Call the embassy and see what they say. No one else can tell you otherwise.

You dont strictly have until Sept 30th 2012 to get everything sorted. At your interview you will been given a certain amount of time to correct the things missing (usually a few weeks) - which would be mostly getting missing documents or further proof. Not really going and getting an education.
All the visas for europe will most likely be gone well before sept comes around.

davymc31 · 03-05-2011 10:00pm

so if i have a house with only 80000 morgage and valued at 200000 would that not mean i have 120000 when i sell it was it the interviewer that told you it was no good

thenobody · 03-05-2011 10:03pm

Yep. you dont have the money at the time of interview or moving. You actually have a significant debt.
If you sold it before the interview would be ok or if you had a sale in progress at the time would be ok I believe (just need supporting documentation on that).
Crazy I know.

I had everything else so it wasnt an issue. I just thought Id get everything done that might help.

Holsten · 03-05-2011 10:35pm

Any way to get the confirmation number re-sent?

Cannot find it!

baltazar · 04-05-2011 10:44pm

I have started filling in the forms and I was hoping somebody could shed a little light on section 35 of DS-230. It asks you to list dates of all previous visits to or residence in the united states. I have been to the states probably close on 20 times in total and would find it very difficult to try and list each visit. Do I really need to list every visit?

thenobody · 04-05-2011 10:56pm

Yep. You need to list them all.
I had to use an additional blank page as I too had something like 30 trips to list.
I think i just put down the months and not the exact days for going and coming back.
For trips where i traveled around the country i just picked the first city.

baltazar · 04-05-2011 11:03pm

Wow, time to get out the current passport and expired passport and start listing my trips so from the faded stamps. As always 'thenobody' thanks for the help.

thenobody · 04-05-2011 11:10pm

Oh, btw I think you have to bring your old passports too.
I am not sure but I remember having to bring current and old ones for something. Not sure if it was this though - just make sure to look into.
Or maybe i just brought it along in case.
Just bring everything you think of and keep the definite stuff in a main separate folder.
Be very organised as if you dump a load of crap at them and have to spend time searching through all your stuff for a birth cert etc, it wont do you any favors.

Some more advise. Get more 2" x 2" photos to have handy at the interview and at the airport when you leave and process the greencard at US immigration.
I was never told about needing these photos at the US immigration and she asked for one and I just by chance had a spare in my carry on bag. Who knows what delays it would have caused if i didnt have a photo with me. Some may ask for a photo, some may not.

Greencard aint green by the way. Looks pretty cool though. But i think they may be pink nowadays, glad i didnt get one of those.
Dont look it up. Wait for the surprise!!

little lady · 05-05-2011 9:10am

Just wondering oif anyone knows how much savings you have to have or an approximate amount??

I read somewhere (could have been on this thread) that you have to be at least 100% over the poverty line as per this link

http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/povertytables/FY2010/popstate.htm

I will have enough saved if this is correct but just wondering if anyone has first had experience.

Thanks
LL

thenobody · 05-05-2011 3:14pm

I've told that multiple times already. Read the thread.
You do need it and have to show a history of it.
If you don't it's highly probable to be turned down. This would be the biggest thing to make sure you have right.
Actually you need to have 125% of the poverty line amount. The 100% is requirement is only for military people in the US sponsoring their family members.

little lady · 05-05-2011 3:52pm

thenobody wrote: »

I've told that multiple times already. Read the thread.

I did read the thread but couldn't find what I was looking for.

thenobody wrote: »

Actually you need to have 125% of the poverty line amount. The 100% is requirement is only for military people in the US sponsoring their family members.

That was the bit I wasn't sure about. Thanks for the clarification.:)

Jager Man · 06-05-2011 12:21am

Is there anywhere it says that to obtain a green card you must have that amount of money? Surely somebody from Somalia couldn't be expected to have that amount of cash on hand (that's a generalisation of course).

I met somebody yesterday and he said the Embassy in Dublin requested to see at least 5k euro in a bank account but not the equivalent of $11k.

I sent the forms to the Kentucky Consulate today. Also rang the assigned doctor in Dublin and was told to call back in august as they don't take appointments for Oct : /

thenobody · 06-05-2011 12:50am

This describes the affdavit of support and the income requirements.
If you dont have a sponsor or someone to support you, you have to meet the income requirements - you are your sponsor.
And yeah, they need it too.

I know someone who was turned down for it with 7.6k euro in their account - and it was cited that over the poverty line is needed.
But if you have a degree and masters etc this maybe looked upon you having better chances of getting a good well paying job when you get over than someone with none skilled experience or just a leaving cert.

Oh, and the statements apparently cant be internet printed - have to actually from the bank so make sure to save them each month from now on, or order some.

Anyway, you are gonna need a hell of a lot more than that when coming over here.

Ha. I see here that they will be changing it to green.

silja · 06-05-2011 2:18am

Does anyone have an official site that links the 125% poverty level/ Affidavit of Support form to the DV lottery?

I am actually having a discussion about the DV and Affidavit of Support on another site, because all we can find is from travel.state.gov/pdf/T1026V-DV-2010bulletin(3).pdf:
"If you are selected to apply for a DV visa, you will be required, before you are issued a visa, to provide evidence that you will not become a public charge in the United States. This evidence may be in the form of a combination of your personal assets, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from a relative or friend residing in the United States, and/or an offer of employment from an employer in the United States."

which seems to indicate you must show that you are not pennyless, but not that you need a certain amount.

thenobody · 06-05-2011 4:22am

Forget the DV lottery. Once you are selected you are now on the greencard application process. Lottery bit is over and there is nothing special in the process for dv selected people.

So, the links in my previous posts give you that information and how the poverty guidelines is specified.

This isnt something new this year and is the same every year.
All the information is there and been discussed many times and many years on many forums. I've been through it all too - as have many.

I guess it's your first taste of the bullsh!t processes and forms you'll experience for everything in the US.

silja · 06-05-2011 10:12am

Actually thenobody, I went through the IR-1 spousal visa process so am very familiar with the I-864. I, too thought the 125% was required but like I say, this was discussed on another forum and cannot find any actual mention- and the I-134 mentioned in the quote above only requires 100%, not 125%.

Aprilmay · 06-05-2011 1:33pm

Actually we only did the DV Lottery for 2010 - And at our interview they didn't want to see any of my qualifications for college (I was the the DV1)My husbands qualifications weren't looked at either and he'd be more qualified than myself - They just said can we have a copy of your Leaving Cert and that's all you need on the qualifications end for that visa,but I was a bit surprised as I had spent time trying to get certs etc together and I didn't need them.We brought evidence of savings etc.
Other types of visa I can't say what the qualifications are but I met someone else there and they were on a different type visa and they were getting grilled about work at their interview.

thenobody · 06-05-2011 3:42pm

Well I guess do what you want. Just trying to best prepare people not to be caught out at the interview and when come over.

But it's best to just everything you can and bring it and get everything that helps.
They do seems to be inconsistent and as I said I know people who were turned for various reasons - not enough money, not completed leaving cert etc.

Its just best to be really prepared. And you will need all that stuff for when you get over looking for a job anyway - you need transcripts of your results rather than just your degree and for te interview and over here you need a translation of all docs to English eg. Trinity degree is in Latin and you need then to provide a translation letter.

Oh and it is 125% - read the official guidelines. 100% is military families only.

baltazar · 06-05-2011 7:50pm

well I got the forms and photos sent off today. Registered post with good old 'An Post' so it's up to them now.

When I got my photos taken the guy in the camera shop didn't cut them, he said that embassies in general prefer the photos that way. I posted them off like that but my fiancé (who was selected on the lottey also) had the photos cut to size to send with her forms. Will this matter?

thenobody · 06-05-2011 8:20pm

No.
Its probably better to cut them. I couldnt think why they would want them not cut.
I am not sure if you had to sign them too. Hope you did.

I presume you sent it to the consular center and not the embassy. Embassy has nothing to do with it at this stage.

BTW. registered post from an post is useless. The tracking only tracks it until it leaves ireland and then nothing.
I rang them up and the guy could tell me when it was delivered at KCC but online it doesnt tell you anything - unless it has been overhauled since. Took about 3 weeks though.

Aprilmay · 06-05-2011 8:24pm

baltazar wrote: »

well I got the forms and photos sent off today. Registered post with good old 'An Post' so it's up to them now.

When I got my photos taken the guy in the camera shop didn't cut them, he said that embassies in general prefer the photos that way. I posted them off like that but my fiancé (who was selected on the lottey also) had the photos cut to size to send with her forms. Will this matter?

I don't know whether it will matter or not - we had ours cut, you guys were very lucky to be both picked.Did you guys put each other on your forms??? it will be interesting to see who gets their interview assignment first. Congrats
We sent ours by An Post it has changed I have sent parcels to the U.S and always tracked them -they have come on a bit in last couple of years

shadowcomplex · 06-05-2011 8:27pm

Do you only have to pay the $775 and do the medical once you know you have been selected for a green card, I can't imagine having to pay $775 and the cost of the medical and then its just pot luck whether you'll actually be picked after that

Aprilmay · 06-05-2011 8:30pm

shadowcomplex wrote: »

Do you only have to pay the $775 and do the medical once you know you have been selected for a green card, I can't imagine having to pay $775 and the cost of the medical and then its just pot luck whether you'll actually be picked after that

You pay the fee the day of the interview in the embassy- you get a copy of the medical results for your own records - so no worries about failing the medical you will know beforehand.To be honest once you have everything with you with regard to your paperwork its pretty straight forward - we were a family of four and I was expecting a grilling and in the end the embassy officer told my husband we got the greencard and that we'd have all our passports in x amount of days.

thenobody · 06-05-2011 8:40pm

Really?
we never got a copy of the medical results. I dont think you are meant to. You are meant to get a sealed envelope to give to the embassy. You dont get to see the results. the instructions from the embassy when your interview is scheduled is explicit about that. You get the x-rays and need to bring them to the interview (we were never asked for them).

But it is pot luck whether you will be picked after you pay.
The medical (in 2009) is 390euro.
You pay $775 dollars before you have your interview on the day of the interview. Then you have the interview. If you get it its money well spent. If you dont you dont get the money back.
It is all like a bank with teller windows and that is how it all happens. You arent brought into a room or anything.
You wait outside for a while. They let a group in at a time, go through security checks and check in your phone and other stuff. Go up to another room. Get a number. Get called to the window. Pay the money. Get another number. Get called to a window to give your documents and stuff to a person. Wait a while longer. Get called to a window for the interview. Takes 10 - 15 minutes. You know then when over whether you will get it or not. They keep your passport and send it out with the temp visa within a month.

Aprilmay · 06-05-2011 8:44pm

thenobody wrote: »

Really?
we never got a copy of the medical results. I dont think you are meant to. You are meant to get a sealed envelope to give to the embassy. You dont get to see the results. the instructions from the embassy when your interview is scheduled is explicit about that. You get the x-rays and need to bring them to the interview (we were never asked for them).

But it is pot luck whether you will be picked after you pay.
The medical (in 2009) is 390euro.
You pay $775 dollars before you have your interview on the day of the interview. Then you have the interview. If you get it its money well spent. If you dont you dont get the money back.
It is all like a bank with teller windows and that is how it all happens. You arent brought into a room or anything.
You wait outside for a while. They let a group in at a time, go through security checks and check in your phone and other stuff. Go up to another room. Get a number. Get called to the window. Pay the money. Get another number. Get called to a window to give your documents and stuff to a person. Wait a while longer. Get called to a window for the interview. Takes 10 - 15 minutes. You know then when over whether you will get it or not. They keep your passport and send it out with the temp visa within a month.

Yes you do get a copy of your results for your records - I asked the doctor what if you failed the medical and he said we'd know because we get the copy - you don't get the copy of the x-ray thats in the sealed ones for the embassy.They don't even do the HIV test as part of the medical anymore -they test for syphillis only. I don't think its pot luck if your picked after you pay with the DV -I think if you have everything that they ask for its seems its given, to us it was anyway and we had four times the paperwork and the expense.

thenobody · 06-05-2011 8:46pm

Well it seems to have changed in the last year cos it was strict that the medical results were only to be opened and seen by the embassy. And they just tell you you failed the medical and nothing more.
X-rays were given to use to give to the embassy - which they never asked for.
Maybe depends on the doctor. Anyway its nothing to worry about.

Oh, i think the vaccinations may cost more. Some are included i think.

Aprilmay · 06-05-2011 9:00pm

thenobody wrote: »

Well it seems to have changed in the last year cos it was strict that the medical results were only to be opened and seen by the embassy. And they just tell you you failed the medical and nothing more.
X-rays were given to use to give to the embassy - which they never asked for.
Maybe depends on the doctor. Anyway its nothing to worry about.

Oh, i think the vaccinations may cost more. Some are included i think.

Yes our vaccinations where included but I think there were certain vaccines that would have cost more if we needed to have them -one of them was chicken pox (if I remember correctly ) but we had all had them so it was ok.The embassy gave us back our X-rays. We had our medicals last year. I mean they could change their criteria whenever they want as I said the HIV was one test but they have stopped doing that, but who knows they may include it again down the line.

baltazar · 06-05-2011 10:18pm

Aprilmay wrote: »

I don't know whether it will matter or not - we had ours cut, you guys were very lucky to be both picked.Did you guys put each other on your forms???

We have been submitting separate applications since 2004. Submitting two applications each year doubled our chances I suppose but we never thought that we'd both get selected in the same year. For now we are submitting separate forms but we are getting married this summer so once married I think we will cancel one application and add a spouse to the other.

Im presuming not cutting my photos to size won't rule me out but I'm going to make sure my Fiance's photos are cut to size and signed at the back just in case!!

Jager Man · 07-05-2011 12:53am

Submitted my docs today too! The photos were cut out, didn't really have much say in it as I asked for passport photo's and that's what they gave me. Didn't sign the back of them, can't find any direction saying that must be done. Used Fed-x for the post, so I will know when it has been received.

I'll ring in 2-3 weeks to confirm they got the forms and everything is ok. The doctor is 320euro. I rang yesterday to book an appointment in Oct and was told to call back in August....they don't take reservation that far in advance. There's only one doctor per country as far as I can see. Interestingly enough I checked the price for the doctor in Amsterdam and Brussels - both below 100 euro....

In terms of the poverty line issue, I think I'll get my cousin and girlfriend (both in NYC, as am I at present) to fill one out to cover the threshold.

US Greencard Through Diversity Lotto

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