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DV 2026 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only

@Sm1smom
First of all, thank you so much for your guidance, it really helps.
My family and I seem to have a bit of a special relationship with the DV program. We were selected in DV2018 with a relatively adequate number (~28k), but that year the cutoff stopped around 25k, so we unfortunately missed out. Luckily, we were selected again for DV2026.
We’re currently in the US and were planning to file AOS in January once we become current. Given everything that we know so far, my question is: for AOS cases is the best approach simply to file as soon as we’re current and see how things go, or are there other tactics you’d recommend in this situation?
 
Mantuok said:
@Sm1smom
First of all, thank you so much for your guidance, it really helps.
My family and I seem to have a bit of a special relationship with the DV program. We were selected in DV2018 with a relatively adequate number (~28k), but that year the cutoff stopped around 25k, so we unfortunately missed out. Luckily, we were selected again for DV2026.
We’re currently in the US and were planning to file AOS in January once we become current. Given everything that we know so far, my question is: for AOS cases is the best approach simply to file as soon as we’re current and see how things go, or are there other tactics you’d recommend in this situation?
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Under the current circumstances, my recommendation would be not attempt early filing (for now), rather plan on having the Lockbox receive your AOS package no earlier than the first day of the month in which your CN becomes current. I feel like if the “pause” gets lifted, IOs will be encouraged to super scrutinize cases and deny as many as they can. Yes, the shouldn’t be denying cases filed within 60 days of when an applicant’s CN becomes current, we however have seen cases denied under such circumstances in the past, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a surge in denial based on the same.
 
Hi Mom,

Thank you so much for your guidance throughout the program and for your thoughtful responses in this thread.

I am currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa and was selected as a winner in the DV2026 program. My case number is current for January. As of now, I have not paid the DV processing fee and have not completed the medical examination.

I would appreciate your advice on the following questions:
  1. Do you think I should go ahead and pay the DV processing fee now so that I’m ready with the receipt and able to file AOS if permitted? Would paying the fee be considered an expression of immigrant intent that could negatively affect my F-1 nonimmigrant status (for travel purposes) if the pause continues for an extended period and I ultimately lose the chance to obtain a green card?
  2. Should I complete the medical examination in advance so I’m prepared, or is it better to wait until things settle and the program is clearly continuing?
Thank you very much for your time and guidance
 
smadusankha805 said:
Hi Mom,

Thank you so much for your guidance throughout the program and for your thoughtful responses in this thread.

I am currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa and was selected as a winner in the DV2026 program. My case number is current for January. As of now, I have not paid the DV processing fee and have not completed the medical examination.

I would appreciate your advice on the following questions:
  1. Do you think I should go ahead and pay the DV processing fee now so that I’m ready with the receipt and able to file AOS if permitted? Would paying the fee be considered an expression of immigrant intent that could negatively affect my F-1 nonimmigrant status (for travel purposes) if the pause continues for an extended period and I ultimately lose the chance to obtain a green card?
  2. Should I complete the medical examination in advance so I’m prepared, or is it better to wait until things settle and the program is clearly continuing?
Thank you very much for your time and guidance
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1 & 2. These are calls you’ll need to make on your own, I really can’t help you decide unfortunately. One one hand, yes, making the DV administrative fee payment is a form of abhorring an immigrant intent which may or may not negatively impact your current status depending on who is digging or looking for a reason to find you in violation of your status. On the other hand, taking the above enumerated steps puts you in a position to timely file for AOS, all things being equal.
 
@Sm1smom
Hi, regarding the filing fee, I'm trying to figure what my total amount should be.
This is what I understood so far:
- In the case of AOS (DV), the filing fee is $1,440 per applicant.
- I'm planning to include my spouse in my application. This means that the total fee would be $2,880 (excluding the $660 administrative fee).
- In the submitted package, I'll need to file two separate G-1450 forms, one for each applicant, with its own portion of the total fee amount.

Is this correct? Are there any other fees that needs to be added?
Have I missed anything?

Thanks again, and merry Christmas :)
 
lc87 said:
@Sm1smom
Hi, regarding the filing fee, I'm trying to figure what my total amount should be.
This is what I understood so far:
- In the case of AOS (DV), the filing fee is $1,440 per applicant.
- I'm planning to include my spouse in my application. This means that the total fee would be $2,880 (excluding the $660 administrative fee).
- In the submitted package, I'll need to file two separate G-1450 forms, one for each applicant, with its own portion of the total fee amount.

Is this correct? Are there any other fees that needs to be added?
Have I missed anything?

Thanks again, and merry Christmas :)
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Yes, that is correct.
 
@Sm1smom thanks for the quick reply!
I noticed that there's an option to submit I-485 electronically via my.uscis.gov
Is that a valid option (for DV cases) instead of sending the petition to the lockbox as described in the spreadsheet?
I wonder if there could be downsides to doing that (following the instructions in the spreadsheet feels safer, but I assume that submitting online could be a bit quicker?).
Does anyone have experience with that? I'll be able to submit my entire petition packet when submitting online?
 
lc87 said:
@Sm1smom thanks for the quick reply!
I noticed that there's an option to submit I-485 electronically via my.uscis.gov
Is that a valid option (for DV cases) instead of sending the petition to the lockbox as described in the spreadsheet?
I wonder if there could be downsides to doing that (following the instructions in the spreadsheet feels safer, but I assume that submitting online could be a bit quicker?).
Does anyone have experience with that? I'll be able to submit my entire petition packet when submitting online?
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I’m not aware of an option for filing I-485 online.
 
Hi,

Merry Christmas and Happy new year! Thank you for all your precious advises and help.

I have paid the administrative fee for my whole family and received 2NL confirming our intention to do AOS. My case number is EU 12 ***. I am in the process of gathering all the documentation, and not sure if my AOS could be processed until the end of the fiscal year considering the current hold. Due to the recent news, I was thinking would it be safe to submit DS 260 and initiate the CP process?

To the best of my knowledge, AOS process is entirely on the hold, but for CP applicants even though are being sent to AP at least they are being scheduled for the interview. So, to keep the place in the line for CP, would it be reasonable to file DS as well?

thank you as always.
 
KISS2025 said:
Hi,

Merry Christmas and Happy new year! Thank you for all your precious advises and help.

I have paid the administrative fee for my whole family and received 2NL confirming our intention to do AOS. My case number is EU 12 ***. I am in the process of gathering all the documentation, and not sure if my AOS could be processed until the end of the fiscal year considering the current hold. Due to the recent news, I was thinking would it be safe to submit DS 260 and initiate the CP process?

To the best of my knowledge, AOS process is entirely on the hold, but for CP applicants even though are being sent to AP at least they are being scheduled for the interview. So, to keep the place in the line for CP, would it be reasonable to file DS as well?

thank you as always.
Click to expand...

I think it is not true to assume CP is any better than AOS in terms of processing.

USCIS (Noem) were first to publish their policy to explain a hold and in that policy they say "1 A “hold” allows a case to proceed through processing, up to final adjudication. A “final adjudication” refers to theissuance of a final decision on a case, such as an approval, denial, or dismissal."

DOS on the other hand published their policy later BUT it applied within a few hours of USCIS. Their statement read "DV applicants may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no DVs will be issued. Existing diversity visa appointments generally will not be rescheduled or cancelled."

Now - it is far too soon to know if either DoS or USCIS are actually continuing processing or have stopped work completely. I can tell you that February CP interview 2NLs are strangely absent. So I'm not convinced the scheduling is continuing or not.

BUT in general common sense and legal options should tell you that you are usually better off on AOS than CP. If they were really worried about the safety of Americans, it makes more sense to keep people out of the USA than mess around with people already here. Additionally in AOS you have certain legal avenues open to you to force processing, that CP cases do not have.

So - if I were you I would NOT file a DS260 to switch to CP - at least not yet. There is just not enough evidence that doing so will help. Patience.

Lastly, I do actually think the pause will be relatively short...
 
KISS2025 said:
Hi,

Merry Christmas and Happy new year! Thank you for all your precious advises and help.

I have paid the administrative fee for my whole family and received 2NL confirming our intention to do AOS. My case number is EU 12 ***. I am in the process of gathering all the documentation, and not sure if my AOS could be processed until the end of the fiscal year considering the current hold. Due to the recent news, I was thinking would it be safe to submit DS 260 and initiate the CP process?

To the best of my knowledge, AOS process is entirely on the hold, but for CP applicants even though are being sent to AP at least they are being scheduled for the interview. So, to keep the place in the line for CP, would it be reasonable to file DS as well?

thank you as always.
Click to expand...
In addition to Simon’s spot on response, a person who is currently based in the US who decides to process CP will most likely not be re-admitted back into the US with their existing NIV while the immigrant visa application is on AP after the CP interview. So you might want to think carefully as to how far you’re willing to disrupt your current life (and that of your family) in the US by going the CP route. Remember, an approval is not guaranteed for anyone, be it via AOS or CP.
 
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