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2013 DV Winners from Srilanka

Hi guys. Can you share some of your DV2013 information. My details are in the signature below.

I'm Raja From Srilanka
case number : 2013AS000023XX
I recieved my 1st NL 2012/05/12
Form to KCC 2012/07/03 (by Aramex)
KCC confirmation 2012/08/16
waiting for my 2nd NL
 
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Hi Raja,

What kind of information's you wanted to know? I still waiting for my 2nd NL :(

Hi Perera Nice to meet you..

Do you know any other DV winners from srilanka.. if you know please let them to join with us.

I need some information regarding the sponsor letter, kindly advice me

Thanks
 
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Good Luck!!

Good to see that the DV 13 ers from SL are getting together!

There was a healthy forum with DV 11 ers but not from 12 ers. (see next message #11 for the links to those threads)


Read the advice that I am repeating below from what I gave 11 ers, and also read the past threads.

I BET YOU WILL FIND MOST ANSWERS TO YOUR SL SPECIFIC Q S in those.

My advise below is 'old' ( I did try to revise), and some info 'may' have changed with the embassy. Clarify with current info if in doubt.

Good Luck!

PS: Direct 'newbies' later in the year to my this message with this link;

forums (dot) immigration.com/showthread.php?550053-2013-DV-Winners-from-Srilanka&p=2588437#post2588437

============================

Notes to Sri Lankan DV Winners (CP & AoS);


Congratulations that you won !!

MOST of you should not have any problem in getting your visas. (especially via CP)

Colombo DV-CP process is very straight forward and if you follow their simple 'advise' and 'directions' you will be alright. They are good at answering most of your questions via email or by visiting the embassy (I blv you can go there for 'information' on Tue and Thu afternoons after 1pm).

BUT REMEMBER THIS RULE OF THUMB....Until and unless you pay the visa fees, present your documents and face the CP intvw. (when your 'time' comes)....NO ONE AT EMB (or KCC) COULD GIVE YOU ANY 'Guarantees'. Nor would they do any prior evaluation of your documents. Do not ask for those 'facilities' either. DO NOT think that you can depend on 'Oh but..they said so!' type answers either at the intvw. Unfortunately that is how the US Visa issue 'system' works worldwide, you sure can blame the heck out of them for that, but that doesn't help!

If you think you have a 'complicated' case, then the burden of proof is up to you. They will help you with prior info short of actual documents review (before the intvw). But....... paying for visa fees/medicals and going ahead with intvw. is a 'risk' that you need to take. HOWEVER, that risk can be lessened by being well INFORMED about your chances, and there are a heck of a lot of info and support out there (this excellent forum is one of prime eg. for that) As I said the CMB embassy is very good at answering with info, but pl do not overwhelm them with 'trivial' stuff that is very obvious and in this cyber age answers could found by yourself with little or no effort.

If you're doing AoS it all depends on how USCIS FO/IO handle your case. Follow the AoS only threads (current and old) there's a treasure trove of info. See below for some of my SL specific advise for you.

ALL of you, if you lived/worked in a foreign country (Than US) for more than 6 mos, you need to get police reports from there. (Chk this for info http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html)

****CP Specific Advise**** ( most reqmts are for principal applicant and some apply to family members as well)

1. Your birth and marriage certs need to be 'originals'. They do not accept 'certified copies' issued by land/district registry. BUT if you do not have them IT IS NOT THE END OF STORY!!. Sure the 'process' will become bit complicated and bit risky. One of the the primary/sec. school/s you attended 'may' still have your original Birth Cert!, go knock at them and chk. Most schools keep them for a long time safely. If nothing, get from the last school the original school leaving cert., which should have your B'day and parents' info. as was registered with them.

Alternatively, go to the embassy for 'info' (after 1pm Tue/Thu ?) and talk about it. Follow specific instructions given for your case by the embassy prior and/or after the intvw. then you will be fine. (again, any info you get before the intvw are not binding, visa officer has the last say at or after your intvw, so be careful in saying ..but he/she said so type answers)

2. If you have a 'recognized' local degree, you sure do not need O/L and A/L certs. BUT to be on the safe side obtain them before intvw, as per embassy directions.

3. If you have some A/L and job experience, but for your O/L you DO NOT have Math and 1st Language passes....there were some cases in prior years who were refused visas. (If only good O/L and job experience, you may want to have 'assets' evidence and an I-134 ready)

4. Get your SL police report. Chk this link for info http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/visas/...learances.html. (note that for US Imm. purposes , usually the police report has to be dated as issued under 1 yr, so DO NOT get it as soon as you won, it may be too early)

5. Principal app. youngsters who have only O/L and no job, you are qualified per DV requirements but all will depend how the CO would look at the 'whole picture'. To be safe you may have to go with good evidence of 'assets' and an I-134.

6. In general, CMB embassy do not 'require' that SL DV ppl have an I-134, just a 'I/We am/are ready to give initial support to the DV applicant to settle in the US' type personal letter from family/friends is enough. BUT if it is not difficult for you, get an I-134 from family/friend in US and keep it just in case, do not give if not asked specifically for it. Take your own evidence of 'assets' (bank balance, deeds with assesed values of land/house etc., those will be helpful) [ For DV 13 this seems to have changed, clarify with the embassy]

Re: I-134 read this also;

http://forums.immigration.com/showt...ers-from-Srilanka/page2&p=2594952#post2594952

7. Your CP intvw. appt. will be either Tue or Thu 1pm, don't go in there before 1pm.
The security booth wont allow you into it even if it is pouring rain (like what happened to me, but I protested and let the 'Marines' monitoring the security cameras know my disappointment, I was let stay in the booth till 1pm, mere 10min extra!) Don't take that chance nor the 'indignity' of staying outside on the pavement in scorching sun or rain. Its not worth 'cos DV process is so smooth.No need to think to be 1st in line etc. Just get into a wayside 'kottu/saivar' joint near the Kolla junct. and sip a cuppa till 1pm or just chill it out at the Lib Plaza (no...not the 7th floor for heavens sake!!) and take a walk down near to 1pm. Plan to stay in the embassy ~2 Hrs the max.


****AoS Specific advise*****

1. Follow the AoS threads ! (Duh!)
2. If you plan to go to USCIS field office (or Call them) just 'cos your 1st NL asks you to do so, just forget it...DO NOT go there or Call. What you'd get from them more often than not is a 'Mis-InfoPass' !!. Its useless, you get more valuable info in the AoS forums here. Save that journey for later when your case is some what down the road in their 'system'.
3. If you got a recognized US or SL degree/transcripts then no need to get O/L and A/L, but why take chances when it can be easily get now from exam dept. in 1 day. Ask family/friend to go there and get it for you for a 'foreign job/education' purpose, they'll tell what to do and how to get.
4. If you are F1/J1 student (OR 'some H' like post doc w/family) and IF income is not enough to satis I-864P reqmts., then you MUST get an i-134. Chk with the AoS only thread for may be some FO specific current info on this. Don't send it w/ i485. Take it to intvw and give only IF asked for it!
4. Get your SL police report. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO do this, but I would recommend this. This will be very helpful in case you have to transfer from AoS to CP in the latter stages, then the embassy will ask for it (Chk this link for info http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/police-clearances.html) (note that for US Imm. purposes , usually the police report has to be dated as issued under 1 yr)

****Chk the 1st post on this 'old' thread by 'BabaraLamb' for some grt AoS related info. http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?229911-My-Aos-Experience-Tips-Guide

I think I covered most aspects.

If you have Q s , try looking for info on the net or other country CP specific forums, chances are that your Qs has been addressed already. If not post here. I suggest that DV SL ppl (AoS or CP) actively participate here in this thread and help out one another. It sure take time helping/advising others BUT just as myself.............. if you have a will..........!

May the God and the Triple Gem Bless You All !! and I wish you ALL......SUCCESS !!!

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Some more useful Info & DV Facts
=========================================

**Winner Families with kids currently Aged 20 or 21 Yrs, read the following carefully.

http://forums.immigration.com/showt...ue-Please-read-and-help&p=2623395#post2623395

==================================================================================

**Marriage before Intvw., after receiving 1st NL (Mainly for CP but AoS take note too!)

Very few of you will have this issue. But it is not a 'big issue' as such and many ppl in other countries has successfully faced it. Chk this out.
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?310624-Marriage-before-DV-interview-please-help
http://forums.immigration.com/showt...!-Re-Marriage-before-DV-interview-please-help!

***This advise is for those who have won and are currently single and are 'eligible' Bachelors/Bachelorettes !***

The no nonsense way of getting your visa is going through the rest of the process 'as is' AND then think about the marriage after min. of 5 yrs when you become a citizen.
However if you are looking at marriage after DV and before 5 yrs, you may have a hard time obtaining a visa for her/him to get to US.
If that happens, she/he can 'easily' ask for their own non-immigrant, dual-intent visa to go there, like H, L etc. BUT obtaining a 'no immigrant intent' visas such as B, or F will be difficult. (F will become a dual intent soon, if law overhaul pass the congress)

You also can marry after the DV and sponsor the spouse to get GC as an 'immediate family member' , but that process can drag any where from 2-5 years!!

IF YOU UNDERSTAND ALL PROS & CONS, my advise for those in a 'hurry' is to go ahead and get married BEFORE the intvw !!

Those who plan to do AoS, and if your prospective spouse is in SL, you may have to go home BEFORE sending i485 and get marry. Come back get DV approval and later do the FtJ (follow to join) process to get spouse for CP intvw. This is v complicated process and takes time. Due to Sept. 30 deadline. The best no nonsense way is to get home marry and BOTH do CP together. A 'consummated marriage' before intvw. is MUCH better than just a registered one.


If your prospective spouse is a one whom you've known as your 'sweetheart' for sometime then it wont be a problem for you to prove (with photos, mail/emails, greeting cards etc) at the intvw. that your marriage is NOT FRAUD, not a one done for money to get the other party a GC (remember this is a pesky problem for US embassies in some African and East Asian countries)

Even if you want to go ahead with a 'good faith' arranged/proposal marriage now, my guess is you should be alright. Because....the local US embassy staff are well aware of the local 'customs' and they know well how hard it is (time wise) for a US PR to sponsor a family based GC for a spouse.

And hey!, if you are not committed now and do not want any trbl, just get you DV , get to US and then just 'look around'......there are many a 'good' SL or US 'hearts' here that you can try your luck with !!

Best!
===================================================================

**Read the first few posts of the following thread (by 'Catseyes') for some grt. info on the DV process.

http://forums.immigration.com/showt...is-first-!-General-Info&p=1440851#post1440851

===================================================================

**Some Info on Medicals (mainly for CP, but AoS take note too)

For vaccination, you need ONLY (in general) the ones in yellow in the following, in the fig 1. (dbl chk for latest yr info)

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5901-Immunization.pdf

Dr may try give more but show this and ask for less.
They should have the latest US-CDC guidelines but sometimes the Dr do not have those!!
Also, if you have had Varicella (chickenpox/papol), you do not need that vaccine. Drs normally accept patients' verbal confirmation on this and write 'immune' there.

I recommend Asiri for the medicals.

In my understanding the CO does not go item by item in the medical report. They just go by the Dr's final confirmation that all is Ok. So try convince Dr if they want you to do/take anything more than the minm reqmt.

Another issue is that most think that you need to wait for the 2nd NL for medicals. Generally that is true but not a MUST.
Medicals are valid for CP/AoS for 1 year, in general.
But if one's CN is high and if any unknown yet resolvable complication come up in medicals, then what? (for eg. more tests for TB)
So, 4-5 mos before you think your high CN is current go talk to embassy (get medical forms) and/or go talk to Dr (they should have med forms too)
I do not think that 2nd NL or embassy letter is a must (it should not be though, IMO). talk to them and see.

More for ref; (dbl, trpl chk these and above info for current validity...pl!)

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/vietnam/8621/pdf-forms/DS-2053.pdf (you will need the latest from Dr or emb.)
OR http://www.immihelp.com/immigrant-visa/ds-2053-medical-examination-immigrant-visa.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/2009-ti-vaccination.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugee...chnical-instructions-panel-physicians.html#ti

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** Official DV related facts from DoS 9 FAM

(Verify the most current versions of the following 9 FAM numbers here http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam/)

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87837.pdf
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87838.pdf
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87840.pdf

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86986.pdf
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86988.pdf

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NuvF [was F1 in US, Wife won DV May '08]

DV 2009
Initially: AoS in US
Was Current May '09
AoS Intvw at MSP MN: end of June '09
Delayed USCIS processing/decision in US.
Aug. '09 1st Week : Abandoned i-485 AoS & asked KCC for CP in CMB.
Aug. '09 2nd Week: Travel home to SL
Aug. '09 3rd Week : Medicals & CP Intvw.
Sept. '09 1st week - visas issued/ 2nd Week POE !!
 
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Read these past SL specific threads from start to finish and you will get A LOT OF INFO!! (But do not post in those, use this thread for current info/advise sharing)

DV-2011 winners from SRILANKA

http://forums.immigration.com/showt...LANKA-Report-here/page6&p=2213674#post2213674


Successful CP in Colombo Sri Lanka

http://forums.immigration.com/showt...CP-in-Colombo-Sri-Lanka&p=1897418#post1897418


Best!


Hi Nuvf,

Thanx a lot for your reply

I have checked with US embassy in srilanka

They said.. "You must submit affidavit of support I-134 form from your sponsor, including the financial documents and recent tax papers attached. This is a mandatory requirement now for Diversity Visa program 2013.

But my friend is in US, he is a taxi driver (self employment), he said he paid a very law tax amount for past year, so he unable to give the affidavit of support, but he can give the welcome letter.. I don't know what to do.!!!

What is the meaning of CP and AOS?

cheers!
 
Hi perera,


Hi Raja,
Did you get the affidavit of support form I-134 from your sponsor?

I have no idea what is affidavit of support form I-134. I have a friend in US, he said he will give sponsor letter.
That's the only thing I know at this moment. Where I can find ffidavit of support form I-134 details? Please let me know.

Thanks
 
I have no idea what is affidavit of support form I-134. I have a friend in US, he said he will give sponsor letter.
That's the only thing I know at this moment. Where I can find ffidavit of support form I-134 details? Please let me know.

Thanks

Hi perera,

click below links

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134.pdf
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf

I checked with US embassy,they said, this is a mandatory requirement now for Diversity Visa program 2013.

if u can please check with US embassy again to confirm it.
 
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