can diversity lottery visa be extended

[justojai 53]

Am asking this on behalf of a friend who's visa will expire in 3 weeks time, due to financial issues they want to know if they can extend their visa.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

No.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

FYI this is from the Brazil US embassy but it will be standard:

In general the Immigrant Visa is valid for 180 days. Only in exceptional cases we will be able to issue another visa if you do not enter the United States before the expiration date. This does not apply to Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Winners. DV winners must enter the U.S. before the expiration date. Failure to do so will result in the Visa being forfeited and there will be no possibility of having another DV Visa.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If the primary winner can get to the US then they will get the green card. Not sure what happens to the rest of the family they may need a new petition as family of LPR and wait the 2 + years Otherwise they are out of luck and Nigeria no longer is a country that can enter future lotteries.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

Each visa holder must enter before expiry. If there are any family members (not sure if there are, OP did not mention this) and they do not enter, their visas expire and as you say the principal - if he has entered and got his green card - then needs to petition for them under the usual process. If the principal enters alone only he gets the green card.

[S_R 148]

They need to get in touch with family or friends and raise an affidavit of support . Waiting till this late in the game is cutting it pretty close ... DV visas have a "stand by" list because the US govt is very much aware that not all winners will meet the requirements. Your friend stands to loose this slot with the way things are going unless they can turn this around asap.

Edited July 30, 2014 by S_R

[onye uwaoma 131]

Am asking this on behalf of a friend who's visa will expire in 3 weeks time, due to financial issues they want to know if they can extend their visa.

Maybe this person in need should make frantic effort to reach the U.S soil before the 3 weeks expires. Many people have financial challenges but if the finance matter in question is just flight issue and that this person have a place to live when he/she arrives U.S, I would suggest asking help from family and friends and pay back later if necessary... Don't let this opportunity to slip by please..................Very sorry to hear this........................I pray and hope there's truly a way.

[justojai 53]

If the primary winner can get to the US then they will get the green card. Not sure what happens to the rest of the family they may need a new petition as family of LPR and wait the 2 + years Otherwise they are out of luck and Nigeria no longer is a country that can enter future lotteries.

This can be another avenue if they cant come up with the required money to board the whole family. Thanks for your input.

Each visa holder must enter before expiry. If there are any family members (not sure if there are, OP did not mention this) and they do not enter, their visas expire and as you say the principal - if he has entered and got his green card - then needs to petition for them under the usual process. If the principal enters alone only he gets the green card.

Thanks SussieQQQ, its for a family of 3.

[justojai 53]

They need to get in touch with family or friends and raise an affidavit of support . Waiting till this late in the game is cutting it pretty close ... DV visas have a "stand by" list because the US govt is very much aware that not all winners will meet the requirements. Your friend stands to loose this slot with the way things are going unless they can turn this around asap.

Yes I agree with you that they are on the verge of loosing the slot.... just hope something postive comes their way + this is summer and fares are really expensive.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

This can be another avenue if they cant come up with the required money to board the whole family. Thanks for your input.

Thanks SussieQQQ, its for a family of 3.

Just bear in mind that fares may be expensive but petitioning for the family later will be a much longer and much more expensive process than them going now.

Also just to check that your friend has checked all fares and made sure to check return fares, even if they don't use the return leg, for many airlines a single one way ticket is more expensive than a return.