CaliforniaDreamer

Hi SusieQQQ, thanks so much for reading and answering my questions. I'll definitely check out the US poverty guidelines and thanks for all of the info and good luck!

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I have applied for the DV 2016. We each submitted an application as I understand that is acceptable. If successful we'll be bringing 1 young child along with us even though we have 2 older teenage children from previous relationships who will remain.

There are a few things that I'm unsure about and I'm hoping that someone here can help. I've been a lurker for a wee while and the knowledge and helpfulness from one member to another is fab!

We added our 3 children to the applications as it stated to do so even if they weren't coming with us if successful. I was wondering then if this is a question that would be asked at the interview stage as it didn't give the option on the application to state who would be moving or staying? The children are late teens so are able to choose if they wish to move or not and they've chosen to remain with their respective parents due to further study, friends and just not wishing to move really. Things we have to respect and accept as even though they are our children, they are adults in their own rights.

Is there a set amount of savings that they'd like to see you have at the interview before they consider approving a DV? I can't locate any official information on that from the DV information. We will be staying with my husband's cousin and family until we find jobs. They have a huge home and are kindly willinging to open up their home to us for as long as we need, but we do not want to sponge off them and will be actively seeking jobs/further education as soon as our feet land on US soil...if we're successful haha

We are also students at present. My husband will have finished his university degree by the time interview dates come around and he'll also have two years experience in his chosen field. He also has about 15 years experience in a similar field before he commenced higher education. Our cousin has been sourcing jobs within her area for him and it doesn't appear that he'll have any real issue getting a job but we are prepared for it not to just fall into his lap overnight.

I will have 1 more year of my university degree to complete by the time we leave for the US (again, if successful). I was hoping to move to the US as a family within our allocated timescales after receiving an approved DV, being there for approximately 3 months during my university holidays, coming back for 3 months to complete a semester in uni, going back out to the US for a month (again during uni hols), back to uni for another 4 months to finish semesters and exams, then finally back to the US for good. I know it won't be easy but I want to finish my degree and possibly go on to do a Masters equivalent in the US depending on costs and how much the hubby is earning haha. I guess my question there is, do you think the above plans to travel back and forth to complete my degree would have a negative impact on our application being approved?

I know it's all hypothetical at the moment but it helps me to write this stuff down and to hopefully get some answers so as I can prepare for things or save harder, make certain changes etc.

Thank you to anyone who has completed the task of reading all of the above! I didn't intend for it to be a story haha.

Good luck to everyone on their journeys!