What a roller coaster of emotions the Green Card process was. Here’s how it all played out for me… Green Card Lottery Winning Process
- May 8, 2015: Found out I was one of 80,000 selected at random for further processing out of the 14,397,781 applicants who registered for the DV-2015 program during the 30-day application period back in 2013.
. - Submitted form DS-260 to confirm my decision to proceed with my DV selection under an Adjustment Of Status (AOS). An AOS is for those already living/working in the USA on a work visa (in my case, this was the E3 visa).
. - Received an email from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) to confirm my intention of wanting to move forward with an AOS.
. - Paid my administrative fee to the Department of State (DoS).
. - Received a receipt in the mail from the DoS confirming that my payment had been made and accepted.
. - Waited for the DV 2015 visa bulletin to come out online and show the first batch of processing numbers for each continent. Luckily I was #182 of ~2,000 from the Oceania region which placed me within the first DV group to be processed.
. - August 17, 2015: Had a civil surgeon conduct my DV medical exam/shots.
. - Started putting together my AOS package. This consisted of:
.- Form I-485
- Form G-325A
- Form I-693 (my medical exam results)
- Form G-1145
- Form I-131 (Advanced Parole – in case I needed to leave the U.S. during the Green Card process for work travel)
- DV Lottery Winning Letter
- Email/Confirmation notice from KCC
- Copy of DV administrative fee payment receipt
- Money order totaling $1,070 USD – made up of two parts, the filing fee for the I-485 ($985) and a Biometrics fee ($85)
- 2 recent passport photos (taken according to American passport photo standards)
- Copy of expired International passport photo page (I needed this as I had recently acquired a new Australian passport, however my valid E3 visa was still located in my expired passport)
- Copy of current I-94 card (this can be obtained online and shows all your entries into and out of the U.S.A.)
- Copy of my visa (in my case, my E3 visa)
- Copy of my high school certificates
- Copy of my university degree
- Copy of my social security number (SSN)
- Copy of my most current letter of employment (in my case, this was showing a recent promotion and new title I received earlier that year).
- Copy of pay stubs (these should be from the last 3 months)
- Copies of W-2s (1-3 years worth)
- Bank statements
- Copies of tax return transcripts (Past 1-3 years)
.
- September 28, 2015: Posted my AOS package off to the Chicago Lockbox.
. - October 6, 2015: Received text that my AOS package had been accepted and had my I-485 and Biometrics check cashed.
. - October 10, 2015: Received my Notice of Action (NOA) letter.
. - October 17, 2015: Received my Biometrics scheduling letter/date in the mail.
. - October 26, 2015: Had my Biometrics appointment.
. - November 19, 2015: Received my interview letter/date in the mail.
. - December 15, 2015: Attending my Green Card interview.
. - December 16, 2015: Received online notification that my interview was successful.
. - December 21, 2015: Received my welcome letter in the mail.
. - December 23, 2015: Received my Green Card in the mail – officially a permanent U.S. resident!!!
I did not bring on the services of a lawyer for this process. The paper work is fairly straight forward and since I am single with no spouse or children, this made it even easier so I handled it all myself.
I highly recommend checking out the Immigration.com message boards. There are certain threads within that forum that helped me from beginning through to end with my AOS – the people on there made it possible for me to complete this process on my own, especially one of the board moderators known as Sm1smom – she’s an absolute rockstar. You can find the DV Lottery 2016 AOS thread that I used to get myself through this here.
I was so overcome with emotion when I found out my interview had been successful. I was actually sitting at my desk at work when I found out and I burst into tears. I have never wanted something so badly after years and years of trying. I am so happy and proud to call myself a U.S. permanent resident. Next up – dual citizenship, baby!
.Green Card Lottery Winning Process
Green Card Lottery Winning Process
Congrats Lynda,
What questions were you asked at the green-card interview.
Nothing too frightening – they mainly just went over a few of the papers I submitted and made copies. They then asked a bunch of standard questions like “Have you ever been convicted of a crime in the U.S.” etc. Very basic, the whole interview lasted for maybe 5 minutes. It was more of them checking my papers than interviewing.
Thanks and once gain congrats.
Congrats Lynda… Finally!!!!
Thats awesome Lynda and congrats. I am waiting for my results( in 2 weeks) and pretty confident about it. Will keep you posted.
Keep sharing the positive vibe 🙂
I have my interview in 2 weeks. What did they say after the interview? You weren’t approved in the interview? Also, I did not submit any of my W-2’s, pay stubs or anything like that? I didn’t know it was required. Did you do this just in case or because you were told to? I’ve done everything myself also, so I’m nervous that I’ve missed something. Did you take copies of everything to you interview? I have all my original mail, but should I take copies? THANK YOU!!
Hi Lynda,
I am on an E3 and won the diversity visa and actually have a very similar case number to you so I should be able to apply in October.
I was wondering how long you have to stay with the company you are on the E3 visa for? I read somewhere once they confirm that they have received your application that puts you on a bridging visa and basically gives you the rights of a green card. Do you know anything about that?
Thanks.