Applying for ESTA before or after DV Lottery results

[thomas303 0]

Hello everyone!

 

I'm Thomas from Belgium and I was an exchange student on a F1 visa in the US a couple of years ago. Ever since, I have been really motivated and determined to eventually move to the US and this has prompted me to participate in the DV Lottery (DV-2019). I am, however, also planning a holiday of one month to visit all my friends and host families but obviously have no intent on staying in the US longer at this time because I still have to finish my studies here in Belgium. I was wondering if applying for an ESTA would be better before the confirmation of DV Lottery winners or after in order to avoid any problems with immigration intent or ineligibility for a DV visa. I know the chance of me being selected for the DV Lottery is small but I just wanted to know, just in case.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, thomas303 said:

Hello everyone!

 

I'm Thomas from Belgium and I was an exchange student on a F1 visa in the US a couple of years ago. Ever since, I have been really motivated and determined to eventually move to the US and this has prompted me to participate in the DV Lottery (DV-2019). I am, however, also planning a holiday of one month to visit all my friends and host families but obviously have no intent on staying in the US longer at this time because I still have to finish my studies here in Belgium. I was wondering if applying for an ESTA would be better before the confirmation of DV Lottery winners or after in order to avoid any problems with immigration intent or ineligibility for a DV visa. I know the chance of me being selected for the DV Lottery is small but I just wanted to know, just in case.

As you realize you have a tiny chance of winning (and quite frankly right now I think even a smaller chance of DV2019 being completed) but it doesn’t matter anyway as you only show immigrant intent when you submit a DS260. Just winning is not immigrant intent. If you want to be super cautious, apply for the ESTA before the draw, but it really won’t make much difference. 

[thomas303 0]

7 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

As you realize you have a tiny chance of winning (and quite frankly right now I think even a smaller chance of DV2019 being completed) but it doesn’t matter anyway as you only show immigrant intent when you submit a DS260. Just winning is not immigrant intent. If you want to be super cautious, apply for the ESTA before the draw, but it really won’t make much difference. 

Thank you so much for answering and the advice. I think I was not very clear about my DV Lottery participation but I'm already participating. I know the entry period was in October-November and I submitted my entry in November so hopefully I get selected. Anyway, I will apply for my ESTA before the draw then.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, thomas303 said:

Thank you so much for answering and the advice. I think I was not very clear about my DV Lottery participation but I'm already participating. I know the entry period was in October-November and I submitted my entry in November so hopefully I get selected. Anyway, I will apply for my ESTA before the draw then.

I understand, I'm just sceptical DV2019 will even happen given current discussions about immigration.  As far as I understand they are under no obligation to complete the program just because they had entries.

Edited January 25, 2018 by SusieQQQ