DV2015 selectee and complicated case

[Deco20 7]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie on this forum since I just found out that I got selected for further processing in DV2015, frankly I wasn't expecting it because it's my first and only participation in this lottery.

My case is a bit complicated that's why I'm posting here to get the max of advice possible: I'm originally from an african country, and currently a permanent resident of Canada and I'm awaiting my oath of citizenship (should be a citizen by the end of this year). My questions regarding my case are as follows:

1- I'm an undergrad student (just completed year 2 out of 4, expected graduation in april 2016), given my case number is AF42***, when do you expect me to have the interview? And is there a way I could delay my permanent move to the US till after April 2016 without endangering my "future" permanent resident status there?

2- I'm participating as a national of my country of origin, does this mean that my permanent resident status will be "linked" to that passport (i.e could I present a Canadian passport on the day of interview to get the visa label on it)?

Thanks in advance for all your contributions, much appreciated!

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie on this forum since I just found out that I got selected for further processing in DV2015, frankly I wasn't expecting it because it's my first and only participation in this lottery.

My case is a bit complicated that's why I'm posting here to get the max of advice possible: I'm originally from an african country, and currently a permanent resident of Canada and I'm awaiting my oath of citizenship (should be a citizen by the end of this year). My questions regarding my case are as follows:

1- I'm an undergrad student (just completed year 2 out of 4, expected graduation in april 2016), given my case number is AF42***, when do you expect me to have the interview? And is there a way I could delay my permanent move to the US till after April 2016 without endangering my "future" permanent resident status there?

2- I'm participating as a national of my country of origin, does this mean that my permanent resident status will be "linked" to that passport (i.e could I present a Canadian passport on the day of interview to get the visa label on it)?

Thanks in advance for all your contributions, much appreciated!

Interview will probably be May next year. So you could enter the US just before your visa expires - usually 6 months after issue - to activate your permanent residence, then delay the actual move over for up to a year after that. This is your only option really. They won't change the visa expiry date etc to suit you. Remember this is a privilege and not a right... Be aware though that once you have activated your green card, any absence of longer than 6 months leaves you open to some interrogation at entry.

Doesn't matter which passport your use, your permanent residency isn't linked to your passport at all, your country of birth is just to determine eligibility for the lottery, no more, no less.

[Deco20 7]

Thank you Susie for your input,

I've been skimming through USCIS' website and I found out about something called "re-entry permit", does this thing apply to my case?

And actually my Canadian place of residence is about 35mins away from the US border, would it be a problem if I move out to the first US town right after the border and commute everyday to school in Canada?

I would also ask you about the documents I should gather from my home country back in Africa since bureaucracy over there makes getting basic docs a super lengthy process.

Thanks again!

Edited May 3, 2014 by Deco20

[vladek15425 7]

Thank you Susie for your input,

I've been skimming through USCIS' website and I found out about something called "re-entry permit", does this thing apply to my case?

And actually my Canadian place of residence is about 35mins away from the US border, would it be a problem if I move out to the first US town right after the border and commute everyday to school in Canada?

I would also ask you about the documents I should gather from my home country back in Africa since bureaucracy over there makes getting basic docs a super lengthy process.

Thanks again!

Sure is does apply to you as well!

Re entry permit is also called a white passport allows you to stay 2 years out of the usa ...

But I would suggest you to go without it since its an extra procedure you don't really need !

Once you get your visa you have about 6 months to enter ! After those 6 months you just enter and activate your GC and get out for a year with no complications ...

[vladek15425 7]

Oh yeah ! You need to get your birth certificate full version from your home country and a police certificate !

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Thank you Susie for your input,

I've been skimming through USCIS' website and I found out about something called "re-entry permit", does this thing apply to my case?

And actually my Canadian place of residence is about 35mins away from the US border, would it be a problem if I move out to the first US town right after the border and commute everyday to school in Canada?

I would also ask you about the documents I should gather from my home country back in Africa since bureaucracy over there makes getting basic docs a super lengthy process.

Thanks again!

You can get a re-entry permit, but given your timeline I don't think you really need one. You will also need to file (and there can be long delays in these forms being filed) and to do biometrics as well as a fee. Unless you are planning to be out for two years or more it's really not necessary. Especially as if you are so close it's quite easy to hop across the border for a bit so as not to break the one year rule if necessary.

I don't personally know the legalities of a daily commute across the border but from other threads I have seen it would be a problem, so I would not advise that.

Re the documents you need: please - I can't emphasize this enough- please READ the instructions for selectees very carefully, every year people get denied for completely avoidable reasons just because they didn't read the instructions properly. The pages will tell you exactly what you need and there are also "country reciprocity" pages which give specific details on getting the documents from your own country (as an example Sudanese often can't get birth certificates so they give acceptable options, etc). If you think it's going to take time, start early. Just bear in mind police certificates have an expiry date so try not to get that too early!

[Deco20 7]

Thank you vladek15425,

For the birth certificate and police records, I believe I won't need them till the interview stage, right? If so what do I need for the completion of DS-260?

Cheers!

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Thank you vladek15425,

For the birth certificate and police records, I believe I won't need them till the interview stage, right? If so what do I need for the completion of DS-260?

Cheers!

Nothing. Just photos. (Or at least you used to, not sure if that has changed with online system)

Please..... Read the instructions. They are very clear on what you need when.

[Deco20 7]

Thanks again Susie, I just want to know where to find those instructions?

[vladek15425 7]

Susie is right ! You have to read the instructions, because sometimes cases are different, some needs military records some not ! Some lived in other countries as they own which forces them to get a PCC for that...and especially the translations of the non englsih docs...

So the best is read first the instructions and enquire help if need.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Thanks again Susie, I just want to know where to find those instructions?

Is there not a link to a website on your letter telling you of your selection?

They've changed it all since we won but if not do a search for dvselectee.state.gov -should be there still

[Deco20 7]

Is there not a link to a website on your letter telling you of your selection?

They've changed it all since we won but if not do a search for dvselectee.state.gov -should be there still

Oh sorry i just figured it out, it's the same one you mentioned.

I believe there's a need for a US address on DS-260, right? (Could it be a PO box?)

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Oh sorry i just figured it out, it's the same one you mentioned.

I believe there's a need for a US address on DS-260, right? (Could it be a PO box?)

You need an address for your green card to get sent to, and it must be a street address. You can change this address at the interview or at the port of entry so don't get too hung up on what you put down.

You don't need to put an address where will you stay (we didn't, so I know this for a fact! Also unless they've changed it the form does say "if known" for this question)