Won the DV 2007 Lottery. Am legally working in the US (have an H1B) so was planning to apply for adjustment of status. Its my understanding that I can only apply when my "visa number" is ready. Am concerned with the time it take to process this paperwork within the US, especially as all applications must be completed by Sept 07. At what time can I send in my paperwork i.e. must I wait for my visa number to come up, or do I send in the paperwork now and they will contact me when my number comes up???
It depends on your Case Number that you can find on your notification letter that you received from Kentucky office. The number starts from AS.... if your native country is in Asia, AF... for Africa, and so on. If your number is low (say under 10 thousand, your chances of getting a second letter is higher. This letter notifies you about your interview date. If you have lower number, it is better to stay here and process for AOS when your number becomes current. If it is higher, I would personally chose for counselor processing. Counselor processing is safer, because you do not have to go through name check, and such which takes longer to get here in USA
I was also selected in the DV 2007 and was confused about the "when your number becomes available" bit. I'll tell you what I went through so far. I recieved notification back in April and after scheduling an appointment with Infopass, I was told by the officer to apply immediately. I did, and within no time (maybe 2-3 weeks) i was called for fingerprinting. Then I heard ntohing for about 6 weeks and then one day got a letter in the mail saying my application was denied because I applied too early! Therfore my $395 went down the drain! I freaked out and called the Kentucky consular center who told me not to worry because the time for 2007 winners to apply is Oct 1- Sep 30 07. So yesterday I once again filled out the I-485 packet and will be mailing it out today or tomorrow. By the way, regarding how long it takes - the Kentucky Consular people told me not to worry because I have a very very low number "which is one of the best numbers to have" according to them. I just pray that this time everything goes well. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
That definetely sheds light on things. Thank you Sgo and SA. That confirms that I have to wait for my number to become current. Sgo, congrats on the low number and all the best with your application. My numbers higher (19,000's) so am torn between consular processing which would mean having to fly out of the country for my interview or doing AOS here. Looking at previous bulletin archives, my number probably wont be available till about March-May next yr.
What is your "region"? Yes, 19,000 is quite high. DV2006 was a luck year, because all regions' case number became current by Sept 06. DV2005 was pretty bad, because only 10 thousand plus for Asia became current. If I were you I would go for consular processing just to be on safer side. By the way, I was also a DV winner for DV99 and my number was 1000+. My region was Asia. I went through consular processing.
dragonslayr, if you opt for consular processing, that means you will apply for your green card through the US consulate in your country, instead of applying for an adjustment of status in the US.
Thanks! 19000 for AF does not look bad at all based on the prior visa bulletins. Hopefully your are not from one of those African countries that has very high migration numbers to US. Good luck!
My DV-2007 # is AS 6000+. I am her ein US under F1 status right now. Can I go to USCIS office and fill out i-485 for AOS right now? Or do I have to wait for my number to be current?
UDI, it all depends on what your number begins with. Check out the DV-2007 processing times table in the October Visa Bulletin and it will tell you what numbers may apply this month. If its not your turn - don't apply! I did and i basically threw $395 down the drain...
yeah! I am waiting for my # to become current but my wuestion is: how long will AOS take? Will it be done before sept 30, 2007? If AOS takes longer than that, then I am screwed.
Try to estimate when you think your # will be called. 6000+ doesn't seem so bad if you're from Europe or Africa. If so, you stand a good chance of adjusting your status within the deadline rather than consular processing. I say try to do AOS AS SOON AS your # becomes current. Good luck!
Great information. I have some questions please: What does AOS mean? My number in less than 800 for 2007 and the rep in the DV told me that is always better to go to your own country to make the process faster, and you have no risk with all the INS pills of worj within U.S. I live in US and I have H1B visa. What is the best thing to do with the number I have? To go to my country for the interview or stay here and do everything here? I already sent the first answer to the Kentucky office and I chose to go to the embassy in my country, can I change it? They said I will receive a letter with all the documents and all the exams I should pass before the interview. Any info will help Thanks
SGO, I am fro asia. My # is 69xx. What should I do? I flled in forn DS422 (reply to first notifiation) with request to do CP. Can I change it now? should I change it?
Please help me out here. I don't wanna lose this oppurtunity to get GC.
you # is less than 800, you should ave your passprt stamped from your coutry CP by now. If you haven't received your second letter with interview date yet, I suggest you to cal KCC and find out.
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