how long after winning the green card lottery can i enter the states?

[Princessava]

lets say i win the green card lottery ( i am applying this year)

- can i go to the USA and get the interview there?

- how long after winning would i get the interview?

- how long after the interview would i be issued it?

- will it be within 6 months? I win in may and I go by the end of the year?

or does it take longer?

thank you!

 

[Britsimon]

It's a long process with many delays.

DV2015 may or may not happen, there is legislation being considered to stop the DV lottery, but if it does happen...

You would submit your entry around October 2013.
The draw selectees would be notified May 1, 2014.
Each selectee is assigned a case number.
Processing (in case number order) starts in October. With a low case number you could in theory be interviewed in October 2014 and you could get the green card and enter the USA by the end of 2014 - but that would be the best case scenario. Your case number could mean getting an interview as late as September 2015 - and not getting the GC until late 2015 or perhaps early 2016.

If you qualify for another type of non immigrant visa you might be able to enter the States earlier and then transfer onto the Green Card WHEN you win it.

Just remember some people have been applying every year for many years and never been selected - the chances are around 50 to 1. Of those selected, less than half ever get the green card.