How to calculate CSPA for DV?

[earlfox]

I searched and read a lots of things about CSPA (Children Status Protection Act), but still can't figure out how to correctly calculate it. I am myself son of Diversity Visa applicant (biological age: 21 years old + 10 months), and for me these calculations was performed by forum member in other thread.

I want to be able correctly calculate CSPA myself. I spent really long time for browsing the Internet for information about easy instructions for calculation, and tried to do it myself, downloaded different ready to use xls files, etc and still can't figure out how to do it manually.

Could anyone please explain as much detailed simple instruction on how to calculate CSPA for DV?

As I understand, first of all I should figure out length of period of processing. I know when it ends - at the date specified in Visa Bulletin (I am from Moscow, so I should watch numbers for Europe)

Our DV number is 235**, so I suppose I should watch this: http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5424.html (the month when our number is activated 27,800)
Here appears a question - which date should be counted as processing period end date - May 30 or May 1, or the date which specified in our 2nd letter? (invitation to interview) In our 2nd letter specified date is March 8.

My birthdate is: October 3, 1989.
Dates specified on stamp in 1st letter: May 7, 2010 (on stamp), April 28, 2010 (in the context of [white A4 paper] letter)

Totally I don't know what is (1) the beginning of the processing period; (2) what exact day I should use as an ending of the processing period; (3) for which event I should be of specified age? (for the date of interview? for some other event in DV lottery?)

Glad for any details, as I would like to have in my mind full picture and exact data on counting CSPA for Diversity Visa Lottery. Thanks

 

[Prandin]

no

 

[raevsky]

Are you DV-2011 winner? Or DV-2012 winner?

 

[raevsky]

As far as I understand, you were talking about DV-2011, because your mom got her visa in August 2011. So, your rank number was current on May 1, 2011.
Your letter was dated April 28, 2010. Start of submission period was October 2, 2009. Your birthday is October 3, 1989. So, on October 2, 2009 you were 20 years without 1 day. Your age was frozen on that day and was unfrozen on April 28, 2010. So, on April 29, 2010 you were effectively 20 years old. And on April 29, 2011 you were effectively 21 years old.
By May 1, 2011 you were already 2 days older than needed for you to get a visa. That is why you cannot get a visa.

 

[raevsky]

And on April 1st 2011 your number was not current yet. The current number was 23,200, but yours was 23,5xx. So, your number really became current only on May 1st.

 

[raevsky]

(1) the beginning of the processing period;

October 2, 2009 is the beginning of submission period. That is the date when you submitted your immigrant petition

(2) what exact day I should use as an ending of the processing period;

April 28, 2010 is the end of frozen period, the date when your immigrant petition was approved.

(3) for which event I should be of specified age? (for the date of interview? for some other event in DV lottery?)

For May 1st 2011, the day when the rank number becomes current.