After winning the Green Card Lottery, it’s important to track the progress of your application to ensure that all necessary steps are completed in a timely manner. The U.S. government provides several ways for you to track the status of your Diversity Visa (DV) application and stay informed about your case. Here’s how you can monitor your status throughout the process:
1. Checking Your Selection Status
- DV Lottery Entrant Status Check:
- Where: The first step is to check whether you’ve been selected in the Green Card Lottery. You do this by visiting the official DV Lottery website here.
- How: Enter your unique confirmation number, last name, and year of birth. If selected, you’ll see your case number and instructions for the next steps.
- Important Dates: The results for the DV Lottery are typically announced in May each year. It’s crucial to keep your confirmation number safe, as it’s the only way to check your status.
2. Tracking the DS-260 Form Processing
- Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC):
- Where: After submitting your DS-260 form, you can track its processing status through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website here.
- How: Log in using your case number and the principal applicant’s information. The system will show whether your DS-260 form is under review or if further action is needed.
3. Monitoring Your Visa Case Status
- CEAC Visa Status Check:
- Where: You can check the status of your visa application at any time through the CEAC Visa Status Check here.
- How: Enter your Immigrant Visa (IV) case number. This tool allows you to see whether your case is still processing, has been scheduled for an interview, or if a decision has been made.
- Status Updates: The status might show as “In Transit,” “Ready,” “Administrative Processing,” or “Issued,” depending on where you are in the process.
4. Following the Visa Bulletin
- Monthly Visa Bulletin:
- Where: The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin here that indicates which case numbers are currently eligible for interview scheduling.
- How: Compare your case number with the numbers in the Visa Bulletin to determine when you might expect to be called for an interview. The Bulletin lists the cutoff numbers for each region, and only those with numbers below the cutoff are eligible for that month.
- Monitoring Progress: This is particularly important as interviews are scheduled based on case numbers, and the Bulletin will help you anticipate when you’ll be called.
5. Communicating with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC)
- Inquiries About Case Status:
- Where: If you have questions about your application status or need to update your contact information, you can email the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) at KCCDV@state.gov.
- What to Include: When contacting KCC, include your full name, date of birth, and case number in the subject line or body of the email. Be sure to ask specific questions to receive clear and helpful responses.
6. After the Visa Interview
- Post-Interview Status:
- CEAC Visa Status Check: After your interview, you can continue using the CEAC Visa Status Check tool to see whether your visa has been approved, is undergoing further review, or has been issued.
- Issued Visa: Once your visa is issued, the status will change to “Issued,” and you’ll receive your visa packet and passport with the visa stamp shortly thereafter.
7. Tracking Your Green Card After U.S. Entry
- USCIS Case Status Online:
- Where: After entering the U.S., you can track the delivery of your green card through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Case Status tool here.
- How: Use the receipt number provided when your green card application was processed. This will help you track when your green card is being produced and mailed.
- USPS Tracking: Once your green card is mailed, you’ll receive a tracking number to monitor its delivery through the United States Postal Service (USPS).