What Next After Winning The DV-2024 Lottery?

In this article, we will learn about what next after you checked your DV Entrant Status and realized you have been selected for the DV-2024 lottery. Winning the Green Card, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start a new life in the United States.

Once you have been chosen as a winner, you must understand the steps you must take to successfully navigate the process and realise your dream of living in the United States. Because the process is lengthy, it is critical to remain calm and avoid making rash decisions, such as selling personal property before being granted a travel visa. What we are trying to say is you will go through all the emotions you did not even know you had in you.

What Are The Next Steps After Winning DV Lottery?

1. Confirm Your Selection

The Entrant Status Check on the U.S. State Department’s website: https://dvprogram.state.gov/is the only official means of communication for the Green Card Lottery Visa. Check your selection status and confirm that you have indeed won the lottery by using your unique confirmation number.

2. Gather All Required Documents

Once you have confirmed your selection, it’s time to gather the necessary documents for the application process. The required documents typically include;

Principal Documents

• Birth certificate and copy
• KCSE certificate and copy
• Police clearance certificate(PCC)
• Marriage certificate (Church/Muslim/other religions and certified with a copy for each or AG certificate)
• Travel Passport (both old and new)
• IOM medical certificate

Spouse Documents

• Birth certificate and copy
• KCSE and copy (NOT A MUST)
• Police clearance certificate and copy
• Marriage certificate (copy of Church/Muslim/other religions and copy of certified or AG certificate)
• Travel Passport (both old and new)
• IOM medical certificate
• Passport photos

Children Documents

• Birth certificate and copy
• KCSE certificate and copy (NOT A MUST) if between 18 and 20 years old
• Police clearance certificate and copy (for 16 and above)
• Travel Passport (both old and new)
• IOM medical certificate
• Passport photos

In the case you have a deceased family member it is also vital to have the death certificate. It is highly advisable to start gathering these documents early to avoid any last-minute delays.

3. Fill out the DS-260 Form

Don’t be in a rush to fill out the DS-260, this part of the application is thorough and will determine whether your pass the interview or not. Make sure you have all the host’s information as you will be asked on the DS-260, make sure you have your passport, and your parent’s date of birth, and also your names should match the names on your passport.

4. Get your Case Number

That will be your everything. Memorize it. You should know that number more than you know your phone number. The case status number will help you project when your interview will be. The lower the case number the earlier your interview. Suppose your case number is high check the DV Lottery website to ensure you are not on the cut-off. Any number under 35000 is usually considered safe.

5. Pay the Visa Processing Fees

Once you have submitted your DS-260 the first mail which now comes to your email address is they will ask you to send a copy of your passport, passport photos(clear) and a copy of your police clearance certificate. Have those three after filling out the DS-260 as you can be asked of them anytime before your interview. Once accepted they will send you an email notifying you, if rejected the same, if no answer write to them through the same email and they will respond.

Next, you must pay the necessary processing fees for the diversity visa programme. The fee is non-refundable and covers the cost of processing your application. The U.S. Department of State provides payment options and instructions. Keep a copy of the payment receipt for future reference.

The hardest part is the waiting. The higher your case number the longer the wait. Don’t stress you are almost there. Please don’t quit your job, you’ll need the money plus it helps make the waiting bearable.

6. Undergo Medical Examination

You receive your mail which will come through your DV Lottery page. It has where you’ll go for your medical and the interview date which is usually two months away. Book your medical as soon as you can preferably the same week. Remember they have a specific hospital where the medical has to be done, you cannot just go there you have to book your appointment.

The medical is two days, usually, you pay on your second day. They check for TB, syphilis and gonorrhoea, TB being the most serious. Here you’ll meet your fellow green card winners, a lot of advice know which to take and which to leave with the owner. By the time you leave, you’ll be in at least two WhatsApp groups for Green Card Winners. Once you pass now go to the Examination Council for certification of your high school certificate and just tell them it’s for the embassy. Pay the required amount to their account number and go with the receipt from the bank. No cash or Mobile Money Transfer is allowed.

7. Attend the Visa Interview

It’s a big day at the Embassy. You don’t get any sleep. Arrive early. There are like 100 people at the same time during the time they give you. The gate closes and reopens, followed by the usual security and another wait. You will be assigned a number. First, a counter of your nationality requests your documents, including an affidavit, tax returns from your host, passport, police clearance certificate, and so on. Make copies. He/she will direct you to another window with another counter of your nationality for payment. You are once again sent outside to wait.

This time you’re called for an interview. They will primarily inquire about your relationship with the host and the most recent time you saw them. They will remain with your passport, which contains your visa. You’ll have it in 3 days.

8. Wait for Visa Approval and Prepare for Travel

The consular officer will decide on your visa application after the interview and medical examination. If your application is approved, you will receive your passport with the immigrant visa stamped on it. Congratulations, you are now officially a U.S. permanent resident. Read the instructions that came with your visa carefully and make the necessary preparations for your trip to the United States.

9. Plan your Travel to the United States

Consider important factors like finding housing, researching schools or universities, and exploring job opportunities as you plan your trip to the United States. It is advisable to prepare a plan for your transition to your new life in the United States. To help you integrate into U.S. society, learn about the local culture, laws, and customs.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content are designed for general information only and are NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any Diversity Visa and is not the official site for the DV Lottery program. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice.

If you have any questions about the DV lottery, please contact an immigration professional/officer or a licensed attorney.