DV 2026 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

[Sm1smom]

Thank you!
Quick follow-up on question (1):

If I need to extend my J-1 and obtain a new visa stamp (for example, if I have not yet finished my studies), or if I am on Academic Training after graduation and want to travel internationally, would applying for a new visa stamp be treated as a completely new visa application? In that case, could the prior green card filing create an issue? Or is it viewed more as a continuation of my existing J-1 program with the same university, such that the prior DV adjustment filing would not significantly affect it?

(2) Statistically speaking, in situations like this, how common is it for a new nonimmigrant visa to be denied because the applicant previously initiated a green card process? I understand that it depends on the embassy and the individual officer, but in general are denials relatively common, or are most cases still approved? I am just trying to better understand the level of risk in order to make an informed decision.

Thank you again for any insight you can share.

1. Yes, your demonstrated immigrant intent can impact any new visa application from the embassy. A J-1 application requires the applicant to not have an immigrant intent. The onus will be on you to be able to convince the CO you no longer harbor an immigrant intent and you plan on departing from the US at the end of your program.
2. I’m sorry I don’t do statistical analysis of approved or denied visa applications by US embassies.

 

[DVMA26]

I am a derivative currently in the US under F1 status, and will be doing AOS. My husband (principal) is overseas and will process through CP. I have several questions:
1. For the AOS DV Payment Form ($330) - Do I write my name or my husband's (principal) name for Selectee surname/given name?
2. From my understanding, he has to be approved for the green card first before I can process my AOS? Should I pay the fee now to save time, since it will take some time to get the receipt?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Sm1smom]

I am a derivative currently in the US under F1 status, and will be doing AOS. My husband (principal) is overseas and will process through CP. I have several questions:
1. For the AOS DV Payment Form ($330) - Do I write my name or my husband's (principal) name for Selectee surname/given name?
2. From my understanding, he has to be approved for the green card first before I can process my AOS? Should I pay the fee now to save time, since it will take some time to get the receipt?

Thank you for your help.

1. Principal selectee’s name.
2. He not only has to be approved first, he actually has to enter first and be admitted as a LPR before you can file for AOS. Based on this, I wouldn’t recommend making the payment at this point.

 

[Britsimon]

Hi,
I might be a bit confused, but the ones who want to do AOS and participate in the ongoing lawsuit only have the option with Red Eagle, as ImmpactLitigation is not targeting USCIS; nothing's been mentioned on their website either.

Need help here ??

That is correct.

 

[2026SA22xx]

Hi,
Does joining the lawsuit mean a show of immigration intent?
Thanks.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi,
Does joining the lawsuit mean a show of immigration intent?
Thanks.

Being a DV selectee + formally joining a lawsuit challenging the DV pause = harboring an immigrant intent. This therefore could be argued as showing an immigrant intent, depending on who is making the argument.

 

[2026SA22xx]

Being a DV selectee + formally joining a lawsuit challenging the DV pause = harboring an immigrant intent. This therefore could be argued as showing an immigrant intent, depending on who is making the argument.

Got it, and yea this is from the perspective of a DV 2026 selectee whose number becomes current in april in the new bulletin. So it is showing immigrant intent.

 

[KISS2025]

Hi, @Sm1smom,

Hope you are doing great.

If my number became current in April, can I file my docs right now (6-7 weeks before April 1) according to the information from the uscis official website:

"...Section C contains a chart showing the Diversity Immigrant category rank cut-offs for the following month, which represents the advance notification of Diversity Immigrant visa availability. As soon as a monthly Visa Bulletin is published, anyone with a lower rank number than the rank cut-off number shown in Section C is eligible to file for adjustment of status. This provides lottery winners the opportunity to file for adjustment of status up to six or seven weeks before a visa number can actually be allocated. This gives USCIS additional time to determine your eligibility for adjustment of status before the end of the fiscal year..."

Or please correct me if my understanding is wrong.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi, @Sm1smom,

Hope you are doing great.

If my number became current in April, can I file my docs right now (6-7 weeks before April 1) according to the information from the uscis official website:

"...Section C contains a chart showing the Diversity Immigrant category rank cut-offs for the following month, which represents the advance notification of Diversity Immigrant visa availability. As soon as a monthly Visa Bulletin is published, anyone with a lower rank number than the rank cut-off number shown in Section C is eligible to file for adjustment of status. This provides lottery winners the opportunity to file for adjustment of status up to six or seven weeks before a visa number can actually be allocated. This gives USCIS additional time to determine your eligibility for adjustment of status before the end of the fiscal year..."

Or please correct me if my understanding is wrong.

Yes, you can. That is known as “early filing”. I recommend you take a look at the FAQ tab of the AOS process spreadsheet to ensure you have a good understanding of early filing.

 

[marko_polo]

Hi everyone,
I am a DV-2026 selectee (EU region) currently in the United States preparing to file for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). My F-1 status was terminated, and approximately 60 days later I filed Form I-589 (asylum application), which resulted in a short period out of status before entering a period of stay authorized by the Attorney General (pending asylum).
I am trying to evaluate AOS eligibility, potential risk factors, and the best filing strategy within the DV timeline.
Has anyone here had a similar situation? If so, I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience and whether you worked with a specific attorney you would recommend.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi everyone,
I am a DV-2026 selectee (EU region) currently in the United States preparing to file for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). My F-1 status was terminated, and approximately 60 days later I filed Form I-589 (asylum application), which resulted in a short period out of status before entering a period of stay authorized by the Attorney General (pending asylum).
I am trying to evaluate AOS eligibility, potential risk factors, and the best filing strategy within the DV timeline.
Has anyone here had a similar situation? If so, I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience and whether you worked with a specific attorney you would recommend.
Thank you in advance.

Having been OOS at some point in time makes you ineligible to file for AOS. There’s also the fact that you currently have no valid status to AOS from. Having said that, there’s no special or best strategy per se for ensuring a successful filing. I recommend you take a look at the AOS process spreadsheet to help you better understand the process and the steps involved.

 

[nepali]

Hi @Sm1smom, I’m an F-1 student filing my I-485 for AOS on April 1st (my case is current in the April Visa Bulletin). Because of the current DV pause, I’m thinking about joining Curtis Morrison's DV26 lawsuit, which is being filed on March 14th. Since they are filing before I submit my AOS application (April 1), do you think joining the lawsuit makes sense, or would it help my case? I want your opinion.

​

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi @Sm1smom, I’m an F-1 student filing my I-485 for AOS on April 1st (my case is current in the April Visa Bulletin). Because of the current DV pause, I’m thinking about joining Curtis Morrison's DV26 lawsuit, which is being filed on March 14th. Since they are filing before I submit my AOS application (April 1), do you think joining the lawsuit makes sense, or would it help my case? I want your opinion.

​

Sorry I have no opinion on any of the lawsuits being filed.

 

[KISS2025]

Hi @Sm1smom,

Hope you are doing well.

My civil surgeon asked for my Alien Registration Number (A-Number). My husband, who is my derivative, filed for a U-visa, and our each family member was assigned A-Numbers in the Notice of Action. Should I provide the civil surgeon with those A-Numbers, or is there a different number I should use?

Thank you very much for your guidance.

 

[KISS2025]

Hi @Sm1smom,

Hope you are doing well.

My civil surgeon asked for my Alien Registration Number (A-Number). My husband, who is my derivative, filed for a U-visa, and our each family member was assigned A-Numbers in the Notice of Action. Should I provide the civil surgeon with those A-Numbers, or is there a different number I should use?

Thank you very much for your guidance.

@Sm1smom,

Personally, for me as a principal applicant should I indicate that number from the notice of action from U- visa application or the one that I receive on my EAD card that I get while I was on my F-1 opt? Currently, I am still on F-1.

Thank you so much an your guidance will be much appreciated.

 

[Sm1smom]

Hi @Sm1smom,

Hope you are doing well.

My civil surgeon asked for my Alien Registration Number (A-Number). My husband, who is my derivative, filed for a U-visa, and our each family member was assigned A-Numbers in the Notice of Action. Should I provide the civil surgeon with those A-Numbers, or is there a different number I should use?

Thank you very much for your guidance.

Yes, provide the A#.

 

[Sm1smom]

@Sm1smom,

Personally, for me as a principal applicant should I indicate that number from the notice of action from U- visa application or the one that I receive on my EAD card that I get while I was on my F-1 opt? Currently, I am still on F-1.

Thank you so much a your guidance will be much appreciated.

Either one is fine.

 

[lamine123]

Hello:
1. Is this what we mean by 2NL email, I received this email in August 21, 2025 with subject: 2026EU00020XXX Diversity Visa Adjustment Letter ?
2. I am moving to a new address within the same state, should I make changes to my already submitted DS26O or just make the electronic change of address at my USCIS account ?
3. My case number is 2026EU00020XXX. April cut off is 20,000. Should I go ahead and do early filling or just wait until my CN actually become current ?

 

[Sm1smom]

Hello:
1. Is this what we mean by 2NL email, I received this email in August 21, 2025 with subject: 2026EU00020XXX Diversity Visa Adjustment Letter ?
2. I am moving to a new address within the same state, should I make changes to my already submitted DS26O or just make the electronic change of address at my USCIS account ?
3. My case number is 2026EU00020XXX. April cut off is 20,000. Should I go ahead and do early filling or just wait until my CN actually become current ?

1. Probably. Hard to say with you providing just the email subject line.
2. No need to update the DS260 form.
3. EU20XXX is clearly above the EU20,000 cut-off number. Your CN needs to be at or below the listed cut-off number in order for it to be considered current.

 

[lamine123]

1. Probably. Hard to say with you providing just the email subject line.
2. No need to update the DS260 form.
3. EU20XXX is clearly above the EU20,000 cut-off number. Your CN needs to be at or below the listed cut-off number in order for it to be considered current.

1. Email subject line is:

"2026EU00020XXX Diversity Visa Adjustment Letter,​

Attached is the Adjustment Letter.

In order for the Kentucky Consular Center to assist with inquiries regarding a specific Diversity Visa (DV) case, you must provide the Principal Applicant's full name, complete case number, and date of birth in the following format (MMDDYYYY) as entered on the original entry. Please remember that the Kentucky Consular Center does not have the authority to tell you whether or not your specific case will be disqualified. Only a consular officer can do that at the time of your visa interview. Do not send any paper documents to the Kentucky Consular Center."
2. Okay thank you.
3. I asked because I thought this is what early filling means: when your CN is close to becoming current by a month. In my case, the cut-off number is 20,000 and my CN is 20,XXX.