Edz

Hi

I'm a winner of the DV-2005 (Diversity Visa) Lottery and I'd like to
share some of my experience. It's quite complicated, and I think it
might help answer a lot of common questions to the diversity lottery.

Firstly, you DO NOT need a lawyer to help you enter the lottery! As
long as you read every instruction carefully and do exactly what they
ask for, you should be fine (with just a bit of lucky winning the
lottery)

A bit of introduction, I'm going to rather give examples here, but it's
based on my actual experience. My parents were born in Country A, I was
born in Country B, I grew up in Country C (which is also my home
residence) and I studied (and am currently working) in Country D. I
entered the lottery online using my citizenship under Country A (thus
the country my parents were born in). NOTE: Make sure that the name you
enter online is EXACTLY as it is in your passport (I have omitted my
second middle name - and when they processed this at the interview,
they noted the error. Though it did not cause any problems, they could
only issue the visa 2 days after the interview as they had to correct
my name on the system)

While I was studying in Country D, I was informed (9 months after I
applied - in July, 2004), in Country C that I had been selected for
further processing. In my information packet, I had instructions to
send photos and the completed forms back to the KCC. NOTE: This
information packet is just the first packet they send you, you have
prepare your photos, fill in the forms and send everything back to the
KCC as soon as you can - If they receive everything from you, they will
process your application and reserve a visa number for you. Make sure
you read all the instructions in this packet and do what they ask you
to. It's extremely important that you follow the instructions
carefully. Your photo's should conform to their specifications.

I had not heard from the KCC for another year, until June, 2005 (6
weeks before the actual interview date). I received my second packet
from the KCC informing me of my visa number and interview date. I
received this packet in Country D (the country I am currently working
in - I changed my address based on the forms I sent back the first
time). If you have received information about the interview, this means
they have reserved a visa number for you - there's NO ONE competing for
this number. If you satisfy all the requirements, the green card is
yours. Each application is considered individually, they will not
compare you to anyone else. Basically, once you have received the
second packet, you'll need to prepare all your documents, go for the
medical checkup at the designated hospital they mention (at least 3
weeks before the interview date), prepare additional photo's (at least
3). TRIPLE check that you have everything. As far as I understand, if
you are missing some documents, you still have a chance after the
interview to send them all missing documents and still be issued the
visa.

The actual interview went fine... It's very informal, but it's best to
be as presentable as possible. They check all your documents. Make sure
you have all the originals plus one copy of everything. In my case, I
was claiming under my parent's country - so I brought my parent's birth
certificates and copies of their passports to prove that. They also
asked me where I had been, in which countries and for how long - they
wanted to make sure that I had a police certificate for each country
that I had been in for longer than 6 months from above the age of 16.
In that case, it was Country C and D. I was prepared and I had both
country's police certificates. AND, they will CHECK the other country
even if they are not familiar with it - they have specimen copies and
they'll absolutely verify everything is correct. Make absolute sure
that the names on your police certificates, birth certificate and
passport are all the same (and of course, when you first enter the
lottery online). Most of the time they did document checking (roughly
30-40 minutes checking documents, 1-2 hours of on and off waiting).
After they checked all the documents, I had an interview with the
actual immigration officer. He scanned everything again - All he asked
was, how long have I been in Country D, what is my current
occupation... then he asked something like "Do you swear that
everything here is true and correct", and I replied "I do". Then he
told me, there was absolutely no problem and all they had to do was
correct my name on the system and they'd courier everything to me a few
days later. 4 days later, I received my immigration visa in my passport
and my brown envelope - I'm ready to go to the USA! Everyone at the US
Consulate was friendly, I had no experience of them trying to tie me
down or prove I wasn't qualified. It was more of a formality process
where they check that everything you have given them is true, and that
you are qualified to go. Note: About the financial evidence - I believe
they check each person individually, according to qualifications, work
experience, occupation, age etc. As long as you won't become a public
charge you should be fine. I will say, personally, it's only been a
year since I graduated from university, and I only had about US$6,000
in TOTAL assets. Another thing, bring any employment certificates if
you have, it will definitely prove your work experience. I also brought
my tax certificates, my stock certificates... anything that I had that
I could show them. But, do be prepared for questions like "Why did you
enter the lottery", or "Why do you want to go to the USA", or "What
will you do when you arrive there"... etc. Back up your answers with
past experience if you can.

So, after all this... it IS possible to claim a green card under your
parent's citizenship, it IS possible to have the interview in another
country, and it IS possible to have less financial evidence than the
poverty line (I heard that "enough" would be at least the poverty lines
indicated by the UCSIS).

My advice is:
1) Make absolutely sure you have everything they want
2) Make sure your names are all correct
3) Be absolutely confident and honest when they ask you questions,
don't hide
4) Bring the documents they ask for (and more, if you can, just in
case)
5) TRIPLE check the instructions and everything you have.
6) It would be great if you have an address in the US, they'll ask you
for one (so they can send you the green card)

That's it, feel free to contribute to this posting or ask questions if
you still have any. Good luck for the next lottery!

EdZ

Jacobson00

thanks and congrat.