brill

I am completing the DS-260 which calls for details of my last 5 visits to the US. I am currently studying in the US on an F1 visa and left on a very short trip recently. i assume that my last entry on returning from the trip counts as a visit. If i include it I need to stipulate the length of stay, which would imply that I subsequently left. As I am still in the US and will be for some time as I continue my studies, I'm not sure what I should enter on the DS-260. Do I include the current "visit" and if so how do I treat with the "length of stay"? Or does "last 5 visits" mean previous to the current on-going visit? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

You can submit the $330 fee to the State Department anytime, use this http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/instructions-for-selectees/adjustment-fee.html

I did a cut and paste in to Word and printed it out, sent that and a cashier's check on May 19 and received the receipt after about 2 weeks, when you get the receipt it is your word document with a 'received' stamp on it, doesn't look official at all.

Thanks.

I apologize for the typos. My post should have read:

"Are we talking about the same thing? I am referring to the initial Diversity Visa Lottery Fee payable to the US Department of State, not the filing fee ($1,070) payable to the Department of Homeland Security which must accompany the application for Adjustment of Status (I-485). I should have mentioned that I intend to apply for AOS.".

Are we taking about the same thing? I am referring to the initial Diversity Visa Lottery Fee payable to the US Department of State, not the filing fee ($1,070) payable to the Department of Homeland Security which must accompany the application for Adjustment of Status (I-485). I should have mentioned that I intend tro apply for AOS.

I am a DV-2015 selectee in the US on an F1 visa. As I had to travel out of the US last month and because of the 30/60 rule I have not submitted the DS-260 as yet in order not to jeopardize my status. Can I in the meantime send in the Lottery Fee of $330 to the Department of State or must I wait until after I submit the DS-260?

KCC have historically taken between 1-2 months to process forms, the upper end of that being at particularly busy periods. Interview schedules are compiled around 7-8 weeks beforehand. Interviews are only scheduled for people whose forms have competed processing. So all in all 3-4 months before an expected interview date has been the "safe" period. However... I would think that with the switch to the DS260, this time must surely shorten. There is simply a physical delay that arises from 30000 or 40000 physical envelopes arriving at KCC, having to be signed for by poor T Campbell, moving to the right desk, getting the envelope slit open... I'd guess there must be some positive impact on lead time from the switch to it all going electronic, but not sure how much.

But filing your DS at the beginning of September is almost certainly too late for a November interview, as the Nov schedules are probably already being finalized (if they haven't already been earlier) at that stage. Don't forget that for DV there is "advance" notification, so the numbers current for November are published in the bulletin that comes out in September. (Last year the October bulletin, which included November DV numbers, was published on Sept 9). Interview letters will be posted to the website a few days after that bulletin is published. KCC just won't have time to review your case and schedule the interview. You might squeeze in for a December interview.

Even if it turns out to be a January 2015 interview, based on past trends can I take it that it is still "early" enough in Fiscal 2015 that the visa allocation would not have been exhausted?

Is there a general yardstick one can use in terms of what is a safe period of time between submitting DS-260 and when the CN is likely to become current based on historical trends in the Visa Bulletins? For example, filing the DS-260 at the beginning of September when the CN is likely to become current in November (October 15 Visa Bulletin).

You may not be able to get back into the US on your F1 visa if you leave after submitting DS-260 which is you outrightly declaring your immigration intent. F1 visa is not a dual intent visa, requesting to be let back into the US on that visa is telling them at the POE that you have no immigrant intent.

I emailed the US Embassy in my home country and asked them if I would be able to re-enter the US on my F1 visa if after submitting DS-260 I need to travel out of the US and their response was "your F1 visa will not be cancelled unless the immigrant visa is issued, therefore you will still be able to use the visa to travel as long as you are still enrolled in your education program". I really don't know if that is answering my specific question and my experience so far has been that none of the government agencies have provided definitive and specific answers to specific questions. In fact I asked the embassy if DS-260 is required when applying for AOS and they advised that I should call USCIS.in the US.

Sorry to be dragging this out, but from your response I take it that even if I opt for AOS I still have to submit the DS-260. I was thinking that I would have to submit just the I-485 when my CN is current. Your help is appreciated.

Thanks again. Maybe I should consider trying via AOS. In that regard you had posted a link to a spreadsheet on another site that no longer appears to be available. Any chance you might be able to provide it? It looked to have really useful info about AOS.

Thanks Sm1smom. Do you think filing a Form I-131 for a re-entry permit would help? Does anyone know if there is a way around this?

I am studying in the US on an F1 visa and was selected in the DV-2015 lottery. If I opt to apply for a green card via consular processing and submit the DS-260 how will this affect my F1 standing? Would I be able to travel out of the US to attend a conference and return without problems? If I am unsuccessful in getting the green card will my F1 visa be cancelled?

Thank you for the response. What about the other documents such as passport-style photos, birth certificate, copy of passport page etc? Do I submit them with the Form I-485 or also take them to the interview?

I am currently studying in the US and am fortunate to be a DV-2015 winner. I am contemplating proceeding on the basis of filing an Adjustment of Status. In terms of the Affidavit of Support, which I understand to be Form I-134 for diversity visa winners, does it have to be filed separately by the sponsor or do i file it and supporting documents with the Adjustment of Status Form I-485? Also, would my sponsor, who lives in another state, have to attend an interview with USCIS?