DV Lottery. Made it. Experience

[doshambe 6]

Hi all,

 

I want to share my experience on how I won the DVlottery and made it to the USA with a Green Card.

Applied for DVlottery in 2016 Oct; a couple of months later(in May) I wake up to a congratulations message and couldn't believe it. Anyways, I start preparing all the documents right away which was not the right way to do it. But I completed the DS260 form as accurately as possible immediately which is suggested. After that waited until Dec when I got the 2nd notification asking to schedule an interview at the embassy in Abu Dhabi in Feb 2018. Followed the instructions from the embassy checklist which required a medical test and police certificate(Good Conduct Certificate). So scheduled my medical test in Dubai NMC, got my police clearance (Good Conduct Certificate). Took 2 days off went to Abu Dhabi a night prior to avoid being late or any other unforeseen situations that may arise. Embassy had a small queue, went through the security clearance, submitted documents and paid the fee for the application which was around $350.The lady called out my name, took me to a separate room with glass partition. She asked me a couple of questions about my certificates, IDs, travel history and granted me the immigration visa. At this point I was so happy, I went to the hotel where I was staying and immediately prayed. The next day the postal services send me my passport along with a package from the embassy to be handed to the Custom and Border Control Officer at the Point of Entry. So, I didn't waste much time and booked my ticket at the end of Feb. The visa is just for a couple of months and I had to go to a POE to make sure I am processed through. I arrive in Seattle at the end of Feb. The immigration officer sends me to the side where they check my documents and stamp my passport. They did require an address to where they could mail the Green Card and I had a friend who agreed to receive it if I am not there. I went back to UAE and waited for the green card to arrive. It was shipped to be by my friend after which I quit my job and moved to the United States at the end of June. Now, living a little south of Seattle city in a small room and temporarily working in a warehouse. Once I get a more permanent position in my field I will get my own place and move to wherever the job takes me. I also got my driving license which is also my state ID in the first attempt. Overall, its okay and lonely as its hard to make friends and people live in their own worlds. But I guess that's everywhere. So wish me luck on a better future. 

 

For all those thinking the process is complicated and things are easy afterwards. Its not that complicated and its not all butterflies and rainbows afterwards. You just have to camp it out and things will fail into place. Trust in God, in yourself and work hard.  Wish you all the best and a belated Eid Mubarak.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Congratulations and thanks for the description of the process!

Yes, it can be hard moving especially on your own and adjusting to new...well, everything really.  I'm sure you'll find it easier to make friends once you've been around a bit longer. You may also want to search VJ for the forum "Moving to the US and your new life in America", where people often discuss topics like meeting people, finding work and general settling-in stuff. But the right attitude goes a lot of the way and seems you have that. Good luck with the rest of your US journey!

[Mohd_NazmiSaeed 7]

well congrats in your journey and thanks for sharing.

 

and hope you would have a better life very soon with no complications 

[my-angel 1]

Hi, doshambe.

 

When you arrive in Seattle at the end of Feb.  (I don't know may be you stay in USA about 1-2 weeks). after that you said, You went back to UAE and waited for the green card to arrive. It was shipped to be by your friend after which you quit your job and moved to the United States at the end of June.

 

My question is, You have to go to USCIS office near your house for stamp your passport for valid 1 year or not? before you go back to UAE. because you did not to received your green card yet.

 

Thank you.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

56 minutes ago, my-angel said:

 

My question is, You have to go to USCIS office near your house for stamp your passport for valid 1 year or not? before you go back to UAE. because you did not to received your green card yet.

 

 

 Not if you enter on an immigrant visa. The bottom of the visa has a printed line saying it becomes a temporary I551 (green card) when it is endorsed (stamped on entry), valid for a year. It is as valid as a plastic green card for all the same things you need a green card for. 

[my-angel 1]

SusieQQQ, Thank you for your answer.

 

More question about,  valid for a year is on the visa issue from my country already, right? OR

I have to enter to USA first after that POE is endorsed for valid 1 year on the visa?    Thanks.

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

21 minutes ago, my-angel said:

SusieQQQ, Thank you for your answer.

 

More question about,  valid for a year is on the visa issue from my country already, right? OR

I have to enter to USA first after that POE is endorsed for valid 1 year on the visa?    Thanks.

 

It’s printed on the visa but the endorsement only happens at POE. 

[my-angel 1]

SusieQQQ, I'm sorry, I have question again.

 

Can I use valid 1 year + after that, I have to apply for re-entry premit 2 years.  Total 3 years. 

Can I do it.  OR I have to choose only one? Thank you.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, my-angel said:

SusieQQQ, I'm sorry, I have question again.

 

Can I use valid 1 year + after that, I have to apply for re-entry premit 2 years.  Total 3 years. 

Can I do it.  OR I have to choose only one? Thank you.

I think you are confusing two issues.

The temporary green card is proof of your green card status for a year, it is not some kind of permit allowing you to leave the country for a certain period.

as a green card holder you are assumed to have abandoned it if you are absent for longer than 12 months - but this is any 12-month period. If you are expecting to be gone that long you should apply for a re-entry permit,allowing up to 2 years absence. (Note that this does not guarantee you entry - it is proof however that you didn’t intend to abandon your green card so you are most likely to be ok with it.) You need to be physically present in the US to apply for a re-entry permit and to do the biometrics involved.

i suggest you read (google for) the uscis pages on maintaining permanent residence, international travel as a permanent resident, and how to apply for a reentry permit.

[my-angel 1]

SusieQQQ.

 

Thank you very much for your help to answer.

[abum 324]

On 8/30/2018 at 12:47 PM, doshambe said:

Hi all,

 

I want to share my experience on how I won the DVlottery and made it to the USA with a Green Card.

Applied for DVlottery in 2016 Oct; a couple of months later(in May) I wake up to a congratulations message and couldn't believe it. Anyways, I start preparing all the documents right away which was not the right way to do it. But I completed the DS260 form as accurately as possible immediately which is suggested. After that waited until Dec when I got the 2nd notification asking to schedule an interview at the embassy in Abu Dhabi in Feb 2018. Followed the instructions from the embassy checklist which required a medical test and police certificate(Good Conduct Certificate). So scheduled my medical test in Dubai NMC, got my police clearance (Good Conduct Certificate). Took 2 days off went to Abu Dhabi a night prior to avoid being late or any other unforeseen situations that may arise. Embassy had a small queue, went through the security clearance, submitted documents and paid the fee for the application which was around $350.The lady called out my name, took me to a separate room with glass partition. She asked me a couple of questions about my certificates, IDs, travel history and granted me the immigration visa. At this point I was so happy, I went to the hotel where I was staying and immediately prayed. The next day the postal services send me my passport along with a package from the embassy to be handed to the Custom and Border Control Officer at the Point of Entry. So, I didn't waste much time and booked my ticket at the end of Feb. The visa is just for a couple of months and I had to go to a POE to make sure I am processed through. I arrive in Seattle at the end of Feb. The immigration officer sends me to the side where they check my documents and stamp my passport. They did require an address to where they could mail the Green Card and I had a friend who agreed to receive it if I am not there. I went back to UAE and waited for the green card to arrive. It was shipped to be by my friend after which I quit my job and moved to the United States at the end of June. Now, living a little south of Seattle city in a small room and temporarily working in a warehouse. Once I get a more permanent position in my field I will get my own place and move to wherever the job takes me. I also got my driving license which is also my state ID in the first attempt. Overall, its okay and lonely as its hard to make friends and people live in their own worlds. But I guess that's everywhere. So wish me luck on a better future. 

 

For all those thinking the process is complicated and things are easy afterwards. Its not that complicated and its not all butterflies and rainbows afterwards. You just have to camp it out and things will fail into place. Trust in God, in yourself and work hard.  Wish you all the best and a belated Eid Mubarak.

Congratulations.

 

the move might have been difficult, but hopefully everything will turn out okay for you. might be good to find a career at either a big city, or cities where you know there are a lot of immigrants from your country - it could help with the homesickness and adjusting.