F-1 Visa needed - DV Selectee who submitted DS-260

[LetsGoBo 7]

Hi! I was selected for further processing in DV2023 and immediately submitted my DS-260 back in May 2022, for consular processing. However, my case number is very high EU34XXX and it is still not current even for the month of July and there is only August and September left.

 

Anyways, I have been accepted to a Master's program at the University of Virginia and I require an F-1 student visa as the program starts in early August and I probably wont even get my DV interview. I have already applied for the F-1 visa. As I am a citizen of Belgium, which is part of the Visa Waiver Program, they made me send the documents (such as my passport, I-20, etc.) by courier because I was found eligible for the "Student Interview Waiver". However, they "reserve the right to request an interview" after reviewing my documents.

 

I am really stressed out that I will be denied the F-1 visa because of my submission of a DS-260 over a year ago. The only family I have in the US is my brother who is also on an F-1 visa doing a Master's, otherwise my entire family is in Belgium and UK, so I have strong ties here. I have also shown more than enough financial support on my I-20 and I have a valid ESTA with which I have traveled to the US numerous times without any issues. I currently live in the UK as a resident (EU Settlement Scheme before Brexit), if that makes any difference, and I just finished a Law undergrad.

 

I know that I have shown immigrant intent with the DS-260, but does anyone know of any instances where people have been granted the F-1 Visa despite having a DS-260 application from the DV on file? If I get called to an interview what can I say and what evidence can I show to convince them that I genuinely just want to do the Master's program and return to Europe right after? I submitted the DS-260 because I got selected for the DV, yes, but I genuinely don't feel any need to move to the US for economic/financial/etc reasons. So I would never even think about overstaying my F-1 visa or using it in any way that isn't intended to, such as illegally working, as I am not going to be financially stressed. And even if I got a DV interview (unlikely) in September, it is through consular processing so I would leave the US and come back to Belgium for the interview, meaning that at no point will I have entered the US with my F-1 with the possibility of converting it to a green card.

 

This situation is stressing me out so much I am finding it difficult to sleep. I have no clue what I am going to do next year if I can't get this visa. I have already paid my deposit to the school as well as the off-campus student housing I am going to live in. 

[Redro 4,601]

30 minutes ago, LetsGoBo said:

Hi! I was selected for further processing in DV2023 and immediately submitted my DS-260 back in May 2022, for consular processing. However, my case number is very high EU34XXX and it is still not current even for the month of July and there is only August and September left.

 

Anyways, I have been accepted to a Master's program at the University of Virginia and I require an F-1 student visa as the program starts in early August and I probably wont even get my DV interview. I have already applied for the F-1 visa. As I am a citizen of Belgium, which is part of the Visa Waiver Program, they made me send the documents (such as my passport, I-20, etc.) by courier because I was found eligible for the "Student Interview Waiver". However, they "reserve the right to request an interview" after reviewing my documents.

 

I am really stressed out that I will be denied the F-1 visa because of my submission of a DS-260 over a year ago. The only family I have in the US is my brother who is also on an F-1 visa doing a Master's, otherwise my entire family is in Belgium and UK, so I have strong ties here. I have also shown more than enough financial support on my I-20 and I have a valid ESTA with which I have traveled to the US numerous times without any issues. I currently live in the UK as a resident (EU Settlement Scheme before Brexit), if that makes any difference, and I just finished a Law undergrad.

 

I know that I have shown immigrant intent with the DS-260, but does anyone know of any instances where people have been granted the F-1 Visa despite having a DS-260 application from the DV on file? If I get called to an interview what can I say and what evidence can I show to convince them that I genuinely just want to do the Master's program and return to Europe right after? I submitted the DS-260 because I got selected for the DV, yes, but I genuinely don't feel any need to move to the US for economic/financial/etc reasons. So I would never even think about overstaying my F-1 visa or using it in any way that isn't intended to, such as illegally working, as I am not going to be financially stressed. And even if I got a DV interview (unlikely) in September, it is through consular processing so I would leave the US and come back to Belgium for the interview, meaning that at no point will I have entered the US with my F-1 with the possibility of converting it to a green card.

 

This situation is stressing me out so much I am finding it difficult to sleep. I have no clue what I am going to do next year if I can't get this visa. I have already paid my deposit to the school as well as the off-campus student housing I am going to live in. 

Your actions don’t quite match your words. No one enters the DV lottery just for fun? if you only intended to study in the US there was no need to apply for the DV lottery. They might call you for an F1 interview. They might not. If they do- tell them what you said here- but they might then question why you applied to move to the US if you had no intention of living there.  
Have you investigated schools in other countries in case you are not accepted? Also, be aware if you are refused the F1 visa this puts your ESTA at risk. 
Good Luck! Keep us updated… 

[LetsGoBo 7]

28 minutes ago, Redro said:

Your actions don’t quite match your words. No one enters the DV lottery just for fun? if you only intended to study in the US there was no need to apply for the DV lottery. They might call you for an F1 interview. They might not. If they do- tell them what you said here- but they might then question why you applied to move to the US if you had no intention of living there.  
Have you investigated schools in other countries in case you are not accepted? Also, be aware if you are refused the F1 visa this puts your ESTA at risk. 
Good Luck! Keep us updated… 

Thanks for the reply! When I applied for the DV I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after finishing my undergrad. It was my first DV application and I did it because, yes, I would like to live in the US, but what I meant to say was that I don't feel compelled to move to the US for any economic or financial reasons. If I am given the opportunity through DV, then I would seize it because I like the country, but it isn't something I see as I "absolutely must figure out a way to move there". So if I got the F-1 and no green card then I would just study there and come back to Europe, I wouldn't use the visa with the intention of immigrating there. I applied for the Master's program an entire year after I applied to the DV2023, so a lot had changed since then as well. I guess I really didn't think about the immigration law implications when I submitted the DS-260. I understand what you mean with my actions not matching my words but I guess what I am trying to emphasize is that while I would live in the US given the opportunity, it isn't something I would ever violate any visa conditions for given that I have a good life and strong family ties back home.

[Redro 4,601]

Well by completing the DS260 you’ve demonstrated immigrant intent. And applying for the F1 with a pending immigrant visa could lead to the officer thinking the F1 is a way for you to live in the US in case you don’t get the immigrant visa… but you will only find out once they adjudicate your student application. 

[powerpuff 5,910]

So, what is the question? Couldn’t find one in the post.

 

2 hours ago, LetsGoBo said:

otherwise my entire family is in Belgium and UK, so I have strong ties here.

That is not a strong tie or tie at all. The only family that’s considered a strong tie is a spouse and/or a child.

[LetsGoBo 7]

11 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

So, what is the question? Couldn’t find one in the post.

 

That is not a strong tie or tie at all. The only family that’s considered a strong tie is a spouse and/or a child.

 

2 hours ago, LetsGoBo said:

I know that I have shown immigrant intent with the DS-260, but does anyone know of any instances where people have been granted the F-1 Visa despite having a DS-260 application from the DV on file?

 

2 hours ago, LetsGoBo said:

If I get called to an interview what can I say and what evidence can I show to convince them that I genuinely just want to do the Master's program and return to Europe right after?

 

[Redro 4,601]

12 minutes ago, LetsGoBo said:

 

 

 

 

[LetsGoBo 7]

3 minutes ago, Redro said:

 

Thanks for sharing! Gave me some hope.

[powerpuff 5,910]

So the main question is, how likely is it that they will issue an F1 with a pending DV/DS260.

 

I have to agree with @Redro, it’s pretty much impossible to tell the likelihood of approval. Usually, we see pending F-1 questions from someone who has a pending I-130 for a spouse. Not sure if the chances are better for a DV selectee as it’s not a sure thing you’ll be selected for further processing.

Not sure which ties you can present to convince them, usually it’s a well established career or spouse/child, obviously that’s not usually the case for student visa applicants. I believe the CO will evaluate your situation and decide at the interview. 

 

 

 

[retheem 553]

3 hours ago, LetsGoBo said:

Hi! I was selected for further processing in DV2023 and immediately submitted my DS-260 back in May 2022, for consular processing. However, my case number is very high EU34XXX and it is still not current even for the month of July and there is only August and September left.

 

Anyways, I have been accepted to a Master's program at the University of Virginia and I require an F-1 student visa as the program starts in early August and I probably wont even get my DV interview. I have already applied for the F-1 visa. As I am a citizen of Belgium, which is part of the Visa Waiver Program, they made me send the documents (such as my passport, I-20, etc.) by courier because I was found eligible for the "Student Interview Waiver". However, they "reserve the right to request an interview" after reviewing my documents.

 

I am really stressed out that I will be denied the F-1 visa because of my submission of a DS-260 over a year ago. The only family I have in the US is my brother who is also on an F-1 visa doing a Master's, otherwise my entire family is in Belgium and UK, so I have strong ties here. I have also shown more than enough financial support on my I-20 and I have a valid ESTA with which I have traveled to the US numerous times without any issues. I currently live in the UK as a resident (EU Settlement Scheme before Brexit), if that makes any difference, and I just finished a Law undergrad.

 

I know that I have shown immigrant intent with the DS-260, but does anyone know of any instances where people have been granted the F-1 Visa despite having a DS-260 application from the DV on file? If I get called to an interview what can I say and what evidence can I show to convince them that I genuinely just want to do the Master's program and return to Europe right after? I submitted the DS-260 because I got selected for the DV, yes, but I genuinely don't feel any need to move to the US for economic/financial/etc reasons. So I would never even think about overstaying my F-1 visa or using it in any way that isn't intended to, such as illegally working, as I am not going to be financially stressed. And even if I got a DV interview (unlikely) in September, it is through consular processing so I would leave the US and come back to Belgium for the interview, meaning that at no point will I have entered the US with my F-1 with the possibility of converting it to a green card.

 

This situation is stressing me out so much I am finding it difficult to sleep. I have no clue what I am going to do next year if I can't get this visa. I have already paid my deposit to the school as well as the off-campus student housing I am going to live in. 

Sir/Madam, you will lose 100% of the shots you never take. So it's either you take your chances or you listen to some advices i see here. Your choice.

[Redro 4,601]

21 minutes ago, retheem said:

Sir/Madam, you will lose 100% of the shots you never take. So it's either you take your chances or you listen to some advices i see here. Your choice.

We aren’t really giving advice to not go forward with the application as OP has already submitted both student visa and completed DS260… but I will follow this with interest because the question of applying for student visa with pending immigrant visa comes up often but most people do not return to update us… 

[LetsGoBo 7]

5 minutes ago, Redro said:

We aren’t really giving advice to not go forward with the application as OP has already submitted both student visa and completed DS260… but I will follow this with interest because the question of applying for student visa with pending immigrant visa comes up often but most people do not return to update us… 

I will make sure to follow-up with the outcome.

[Chancy 6,233]

1 hour ago, retheem said:

Sir/Madam, you will lose 100% of the shots you never take. So it's either you take your chances or you listen to some advices i see here. Your choice.

 

Where do you see people advising OP not to apply?  I don't see it.  The other posters said the CO will decide at the interview.  There would be no mention of interview if the advice is not to apply.

 

[Crazy Cat 39,312]

5 hours ago, LetsGoBo said:

Hi! I was selected for further processing in DV2023 and immediately submitted my DS-260 back in May 2022, for consular processing. However, my case number is very high EU34XXX and it is still not current even for the month of July and there is only August and September left.

 

Anyways, I have been accepted to a Master's program at the University of Virginia and I require an F-1 student visa as the program starts in early August and I probably wont even get my DV interview. I have already applied for the F-1 visa. As I am a citizen of Belgium, which is part of the Visa Waiver Program, they made me send the documents (such as my passport, I-20, etc.) by courier because I was found eligible for the "Student Interview Waiver". However, they "reserve the right to request an interview" after reviewing my documents.

 

I am really stressed out that I will be denied the F-1 visa because of my submission of a DS-260 over a year ago. The only family I have in the US is my brother who is also on an F-1 visa doing a Master's, otherwise my entire family is in Belgium and UK, so I have strong ties here. I have also shown more than enough financial support on my I-20 and I have a valid ESTA with which I have traveled to the US numerous times without any issues. I currently live in the UK as a resident (EU Settlement Scheme before Brexit), if that makes any difference, and I just finished a Law undergrad.

 

I know that I have shown immigrant intent with the DS-260, but does anyone know of any instances where people have been granted the F-1 Visa despite having a DS-260 application from the DV on file? If I get called to an interview what can I say and what evidence can I show to convince them that I genuinely just want to do the Master's program and return to Europe right after? I submitted the DS-260 because I got selected for the DV, yes, but I genuinely don't feel any need to move to the US for economic/financial/etc reasons. So I would never even think about overstaying my F-1 visa or using it in any way that isn't intended to, such as illegally working, as I am not going to be financially stressed. And even if I got a DV interview (unlikely) in September, it is through consular processing so I would leave the US and come back to Belgium for the interview, meaning that at no point will I have entered the US with my F-1 with the possibility of converting it to a green card.

 

This situation is stressing me out so much I am finding it difficult to sleep. I have no clue what I am going to do next year if I can't get this visa. I have already paid my deposit to the school as well as the off-campus student housing I am going to live in. 

The Visa Officer will have to be confident that you will return to home country after your studies.  What are your long term plans if the DV Lottery doesn't materialize?

[LetsGoBo 7]

21 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

The Visa Officer will have to be confident that you will return to home country after your studies.  What are your long term plans if the DV Lottery doesn't materialize?

My degree will be an M.S. in Business Analytics so my plan is to find a job in business consulting in London. I have pre-settled status in the UK meaning that I have full living and working rights, but I lose the status if I leave the UK for more than 2 years.  I would tell the CO that I do not wish to lose this status as I want to work in London and eventually become a British citizen.