After being selected in the Green Card Lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery), the processing time to actually receive your green card and move to the United States can vary significantly. This time frame depends on several factors, including when you submit required documents, the volume of applications, and your case number. Here’s an overview of the typical processing timeline:
1. Initial Steps: DS-260 Submission
- Filling Out and Submitting the DS-260 Form: After learning of your selection, you should promptly fill out the DS-260 form, the Online Immigrant Visa Application. It’s best to submit this form as soon as possible, as delays can impact the scheduling of your visa interview.
- Processing Time: Once submitted, the processing of the DS-260 form can take several weeks to a few months. This is because the form must be reviewed, and your case must be prepared for the next steps.
2. Scheduling the Visa Interview
- Case Number Importance: Your Diversity Visa case number plays a crucial role in determining when your interview will be scheduled. The U.S. Department of State schedules interviews based on case numbers, with lower numbers typically being processed earlier.
- Visa Bulletin: Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which indicates which case numbers are eligible for interviews. Monitoring the Visa Bulletin helps you anticipate when your interview might be scheduled.
- Timeframe: Depending on your case number, your interview could be scheduled anywhere from a few months after submitting the DS-260 to over a year later. Interviews generally begin in October, shortly after the fiscal year for the lottery starts, and continue until September of the following year.
3. Visa Interview and Medical Examination
- Interview Preparation: After receiving your interview appointment, you’ll need to undergo a medical examination by a U.S.-approved physician in your home country. You’ll also need to gather all required documents.
- Interview Timing: The time between receiving your interview notice and the interview itself is usually about 4 to 6 weeks.
- Post-Interview Processing: After the interview, if all goes well and your visa is approved, it typically takes a few weeks to receive your immigrant visa.
4. Visa Issuance and Entry to the U.S.
- Visa Issuance: Once your visa is issued, you have up to six months to enter the United States. This six-month period is usually based on the validity of your medical examination.
- Port of Entry: Upon arrival in the U.S., your documents will be reviewed by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, and you’ll be admitted as a permanent resident.
5. Receiving Your Green Card
- Temporary Status: After entering the U.S., you’ll receive a stamp in your passport that serves as temporary evidence of your permanent resident status.
- Green Card Mailing: Your physical green card is typically mailed to the U.S. address you provided in your DS-260 form. The green card usually arrives within 2 to 4 months after your entry into the U.S.
Total Processing Time
- Overall Timeline: The total processing time from selection to receiving your green card can vary widely. It can take anywhere from 6 months to over 18 months, depending on your case number, how quickly you complete the required steps, and other factors like the volume of applicants.
- End of Fiscal Year Deadline: It’s important to note that all diversity visas for a particular lottery year must be issued by September 30 of that fiscal year. If your visa processing is not completed by this deadline, you will lose your chance to obtain the visa.