Were you lucky enough to win the Diversity Visa lottery and get a chance to move to America? Congratulations! For your dream to eventually become a reality, you need to prepare carefully for your embassy interview: it is on this that final success depends.
Important note:
You should not make risky financial expenditures, such as selling your home, car, or possessions, quitting your job, or taking non-refundable flights or other trips until you get an immigrant visa.
How will the interview take place?
Before your interview, make sure you have followed the U.S. Embassy’s instructions for preparation. Pass the medical exam according to these instructions. Arrive at the embassy on the appointed date and time. A consular officer will interview you (and accompanying family members) and determine if you will receive an immigrant visa.
Who should be present at the interview?
You, your spouse, and any unmarried children traveling with you must participate in the interview. If they migrate later and are traveling separately from you, they are not required to participate in your interview: they will be scheduled for a separate one.
What should I bring to my interview?
- Confirmation of your DV Lottery winnings
- DS-260 confirmation page
- A passport valid for six months after the proposed date of entry into the United States.
- Photos that meet U.S. visa photo requirements. Note, this is basically the same requirements as for the DV Program photo, which you should have done when you applied for the lottery.
- Medical examination results. If your doctor has given you sealed envelopes containing the results of each applicant’s medical examination, please bring these envelopes without opening them. Some doctors send the results of medical examinations directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Consular fee
Frequently Asked Questions:
I need to reschedule – If you cannot make it to your scheduled interview, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. U.S. law requires that all visas under the Diversity Visa Program for the reporting year be issued by September 30. Available visas for certain countries and regions may be used before that date. If you delay your appointment, you may lose the opportunity to immigrate based on your DV application.
Can my family go to the United States immediately after me? – Yes, but if your spouse and children delay obtaining a visa, they may lose the opportunity to emigrate based on their DV application. If this happens, you will need to file a petition to move your family to the United States at a later date. If they do not receive it by September 30, your spouse and/or children may have to wait several years to join you.
Can my spouse or children get a Green Card even if they were not on my initial application? — If you are married, or your child was born or adopted after you applied for the DV program, you may add them to your case and they may be eligible for a visa.
If you were married or had children before you participated in the DV program and did not include your family members in your original application, your case will be disqualified. Neither you nor your family members will receive visas. Fees will not be refunded.
My child is about to turn 21. Can we move to the U.S. together?
Children must be single and under the age of 21 to qualify to move with you. In addition, they must use their visas to enter the United States while they are still under the age of 21.
If you have a child who is about to turn 21, you should contact the U.S. Embassy where your interview is scheduled immediately. If your child did not qualify to emigrate with you because of his or her age, a separate petition must be filed for the child after emigration. There may be a significant delay before your child becomes eligible for a visa.
Need more tips? Find out how to prepare for your Green Card Interview here!