Consular Processing FAQQ: How much time do I have to complete the DV procedure?A: Persons selected in the DV-2009 lottery may only apply for an immigrant visa during fiscal year 2009 (from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009). The visa must be issued prior to September 30, 2009. There is no carry-over of entitlement for the DV visa into the next fiscal year. Accordingly, it is strongly suggested that applicants complete the documentation requirements as soon as possible. Q: How many DV visas will be 2009 issued by September 30, 2009?A: A maximum of 50,000 DV visas are available for issuance by the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2009). Q: Am I assured one of these 50,000 DV visas if I have received a notification letter from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC)?A: No! 110,000 people actually receive notification letters from the KCC (more than twice the number of available visas). Thus, applicants are essentially placed in a competition to accurately complete their documents and promptly submit them to the KCC. Q: Assuming I accurately complete my documents and promptly submit them to the KCC, am I now assured one of the 50,000 DV visas?A: No. One reason why this might not occur is that the KCC will not schedule a date for your DV immigrant visa interview until the DV regional lottery rank number is reached. A second reason is that DV applicants are subject to all the grounds of ineligibility for immigrant visas including (for example) health-related grounds, criminal related grounds, and security-related grounds. Kan-Tor & Acco will review and discuss with you possible grounds of ineligibility during our initial assessment of your documentation. Q: OK. I have received the KCC interview notification letter. Am I home free?A: DV applicants must successfully pass the personal interview with a U.S. Consul. KTA will help prepare you for this interview. Q: What are the requirements for Education or Work Experience?A: Every applicant for a DV immigrant visa must have one of the following: (1) at least a U.S. high school education or its foreign equivalent; OR (2) two years of work experience (acquired within the past 5 years) in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience. Q: What is " U.S. high school education or its foreign equivalent?"A: "High school education or its equivalent" is defined as either one of the following: (1) successful completion of a twelve-year course of elementary and secondary education in the United States; OR (2) successful completion in another country of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a high school education in the United States. Q: How do I know if my job requires two years of training or experience?A: Take a look at the definitions from the US Department of Labor's O*Net OnLine database - these are the definitions which the Consul will use in making a determination of eligibility based on work experience. The O*Net OnLine database can be accessed from the following link: Q: Do my forms have to be typewritten or can it be completed by hand?A: The forms may be typewritten, and may also be prepared in black ink pen. Q: When do I need to present all the required original personal documents?A: All the original personal documents, such as birth certificates; marriage certificates, passports, etc. must be presented at the consular interview. Please do not send them to us! Q: What if I don't have a birth certificate or other required original document?A: Different procedures apply to each given country - please contact your KTA representative for specific instructions. Q: Should I inform you if I move to a new address?A:Yes. It is extremely important that you keep us informed of any changes to the information you provided previously including change of address. Q: Should I inform you if I get married?A: Yes! It is important that you inform our office as soon as possible of any changes to your family situation. Q: If I was married after sending in the DV 2005 application, will my spouse be eligible to apply for a DV Green Card as well?A: Quite possibly. Please send photocopies of all the personal documents listed at Stage 4 above for your spouse. Q: Should I inform you if I have a new baby?A: Yes! It is important that you inform our office as soon as possible, of any changes in your family situation. Q:Will my new child be eligible to apply for a DV Green Card too?A: Your new child may also be eligible. Please send photocopies of all the personal documents listed at Stage 4 above for your child. Q: How do I schedule an interview date for my DV immigrant visa application?A: The KCC will set the date, once your DV regional lottery rank number is reached. Q: What questions are typically asked during the consular interview?A: The consul's questions are generally aimed at verifying eligibility for a DV immigrant visa, while also ensuring that no grounds of inadmissibility apply to the applicant. For example, it is at this point that the consul will examine whether you indeed have 12 years of high school education or its equivalent; and/or two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training within five years prior to DV application submission. As an additional example: the Consul may also question whether you have the financial means to support yourself in the U.S. PLEASE NOTE: Since 9/11 the State Department has instituted a series of new security clearance requirements which can delay processing of visa applications, including DV immigrant visa requests. For example, requests by people born in one of the countries listed by the State Department as a sponsor of state terrorism are automatically subject to sometimes lengthy delay. There is no way to process these security clearances in advance of the actual visa interview. To the extent possible (given the classified nature of this process), KTA will try to identify whether security clearances will be applied in your case. It stands to reason that a prolonged delay arising from a security clearance request may endanger one's ability to complete DV processing on time. Q: How long after the interview will I receive my immigrant visa?A: Depending on procedures and work loads at the individual consulate, the immigrant visa will be obtained within a few days to a week of the visa interview. Q: What is the validity of the DV immigrant visa?A: The DV immigrant visa is valid for admission to the U.S. within 6 months of issuance. You must travel to the U.S. on the DV immigrant visa during this period. Q: Will I be authorized to work as soon as I arrive in the US?A: Yes. Q: Will I be required to present original documents to the Consul?A: Yes - you must bring the original (or certified copy) of all relevant documents, such as birth certificate and marriage certificate.
NOTE: Please do not send Kan-Tor & Acco original documents - photocopies only! |