Being selected in the Green Card Lottery, also known as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, is an exciting achievement. However, winning the lottery is just the beginning of the process. To successfully obtain a green card, there are several critical steps you need to complete. Here’s what happens after you are selected.
1. Receiving the Selection Notification
- Once you check your status through the official DV Lottery website and find out that you’ve been selected, you’ll receive a notification on the website with further instructions. This notification is referred to as the “Selection Notice.”
2. Submit the DS-260 Form
- Online Immigrant Visa Application: The next step is to fill out and submit the DS-260 form, also known as the Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. This form is submitted electronically through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
- Accurate Information: Ensure all the information you provide is accurate and matches the details from your original lottery application. Inconsistencies can lead to disqualification.
- Family Members: If you included your spouse or unmarried children under 21 in your original application, they will also need to fill out their own DS-260 forms.
3. Collect Required Documents
- Passport: A valid passport is required for both you and any accompanying family members.
- Birth Certificates: Obtain certified copies of birth certificates for yourself and all family members included in your application.
- Marriage Certificate: If you are married, you’ll need to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
- Police Certificates: You must obtain police certificates from every country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 16. These certificates show that you have no criminal record.
- Education and Work Experience Documents: You’ll need to provide proof of your education (high school diploma or equivalent) or work experience if you qualify through work experience.
- Financial Documents: You may be asked to provide evidence that you will not become a public charge in the U.S., such as an affidavit of support from a sponsor, bank statements, or proof of employment.
4. Pay the Visa Fee
- You’ll be required to pay a visa application fee before your interview. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid whether or not the visa is issued. The current fee amount can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
5. Attend the Visa Interview
- Interview Scheduling: After submitting your DS-260 and gathering the required documents, you will be scheduled for a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Medical Examination: Before your interview, you must undergo a medical examination by a physician approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate. The results of this exam will be sent directly to the consulate or provided to you in a sealed envelope.
- Interview Preparation: Bring all required documents to the interview, including your passport, DS-260 confirmation page, photographs, medical examination results, and any other supporting documents requested.
- Interview Process: During the interview, a consular officer will review your documents and ask questions about your background, education, work experience, and reasons for immigrating to the U.S. They will assess whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the Diversity Visa.
6. Visa Approval and Issuance
- Visa Approval: If the consular officer determines that you meet all requirements, your immigrant visa will be approved. You will be given a visa packet (sealed) and your passport with the immigrant visa stamp.
- Visa Denial: If there are issues with your application, such as missing documents or eligibility concerns, your visa may be denied. In some cases, you may be given an opportunity to provide additional information.
7. Prepare for U.S. Entry
- Travel to the U.S.: Once you receive your visa, you must enter the United States before the visa expiration date (typically within six months).
- Port of Entry: At the U.S. port of entry, present your visa packet to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. The officer will review your documents and may ask a few questions before admitting you into the U.S. as a permanent resident.
8. Receive Your Green Card
- Temporary Evidence of Status: Upon entry, you will receive a stamp in your passport that serves as temporary evidence of your status as a permanent resident.
- Green Card Issuance: Your actual green card (Permanent Resident Card) will be mailed to the U.S. address you provided in your DS-260 form, usually within a few weeks of your arrival in the U.S.
9. Settle in the United States
- Social Security Number: If you requested a Social Security Number (SSN) during your DS-260 application process, it should arrive shortly after your green card. If not, you can apply for one at a Social Security office.
- Finding a Job: As a green card holder, you can legally work in the United States. Start exploring job opportunities and settling into your new life.
- Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities: Familiarize yourself with the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. permanent resident, including paying taxes, obeying laws, and eventually renewing your green card.