NuvF
Member
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).
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 THERE (or KCC) WILL GIVE YOU ANY 'Guarantees' Nor will they do prior evaluation of your documents. Do not ask for those 'facilities' either. DO NOT think that you can depend on the 'they (KCC or emb. info. ppl) 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 answer can be found by yourself (for an eg. What is English translation of No. 6?, What is English translation of No. 8? !!)
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 USA) 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. Go to the embassy a 'infor hour' (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. (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. 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.
5. In general, CMB embassy do not 'require' that SL DV ppl have an I-134, just a 'ready to give initial support to settle in 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)
6. 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' 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 ask you to do it, just forget it...DO NOT go there or Call. I call that '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 have 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. Write to CMB embassy, give your DV case # and ask them to get your SL police report. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO do this, but since they provide this facility free, 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 already have the police report than asking for it anew. (Chk this link for info http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/police-clearances.html)
****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 i'net or other country CP specific forums, chances are that Q has been addressed already. If not post here. I suggest that DV 10/11 SL ppl (AoS/CP) actively participate here in this thread and help out one another. It sure take time helping/advising others BUT if you have a will..........!
May the God and the Triple Gem bless you all and I wish you ALL Success !!
========================================================================================================
PS: Marriage before Intvw., after receiving 1st NL (Mainly for CP)
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 !!
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 trabl, just get you DV , get to US and then just 'look around'......there are many a good SL or US 'stuff' you can try your luck with !!
Best!
===================================================================
PS 2 ! :
Read the first few posts of the following thread (by 'Catseyes') for some grt. info on the DV process.
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?215048-DV-winners-please-read-this-first-!-General-Info
===================================================================
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.
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 I remember last year the Dr did not have those with her and I gave those to her!!
Also if you have had Varicella (chickenpox/papol), you do not need that vaccine also. 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 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 2nd NL or embassy letter is a must (it should not be though, IMO). talk and see.
More for ref;
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
==================================================================================
DV 2009 Winner.
Initially: AoS in US
Was Current May '09
Intvw: end of June '09
Delayed USCIS processing/decision in US.
Abandoned i-485 & Changed from AoS to CP in Aug 09.
Sept. '09 1st week - visa issued.
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).
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 THERE (or KCC) WILL GIVE YOU ANY 'Guarantees' Nor will they do prior evaluation of your documents. Do not ask for those 'facilities' either. DO NOT think that you can depend on the 'they (KCC or emb. info. ppl) 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 answer can be found by yourself (for an eg. What is English translation of No. 6?, What is English translation of No. 8? !!)
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 USA) 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. Go to the embassy a 'infor hour' (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. (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. 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.
5. In general, CMB embassy do not 'require' that SL DV ppl have an I-134, just a 'ready to give initial support to settle in 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)
6. 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' 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 ask you to do it, just forget it...DO NOT go there or Call. I call that '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 have 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. Write to CMB embassy, give your DV case # and ask them to get your SL police report. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO do this, but since they provide this facility free, 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 already have the police report than asking for it anew. (Chk this link for info http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/police-clearances.html)
****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 i'net or other country CP specific forums, chances are that Q has been addressed already. If not post here. I suggest that DV 10/11 SL ppl (AoS/CP) actively participate here in this thread and help out one another. It sure take time helping/advising others BUT if you have a will..........!
May the God and the Triple Gem bless you all and I wish you ALL Success !!
========================================================================================================
PS: Marriage before Intvw., after receiving 1st NL (Mainly for CP)
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 !!
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 trabl, just get you DV , get to US and then just 'look around'......there are many a good SL or US 'stuff' you can try your luck with !!
Best!
===================================================================
PS 2 ! :
Read the first few posts of the following thread (by 'Catseyes') for some grt. info on the DV process.
http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?215048-DV-winners-please-read-this-first-!-General-Info
===================================================================
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.
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 I remember last year the Dr did not have those with her and I gave those to her!!
Also if you have had Varicella (chickenpox/papol), you do not need that vaccine also. 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 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 2nd NL or embassy letter is a must (it should not be though, IMO). talk and see.
More for ref;
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
==================================================================================
DV 2009 Winner.
Initially: AoS in US
Was Current May '09
Intvw: end of June '09
Delayed USCIS processing/decision in US.
Abandoned i-485 & Changed from AoS to CP in Aug 09.
Sept. '09 1st week - visa issued.
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