DV Lottery... the next step

[A.B.]

Hi,

My girlfriend participated in the DV-2009 lottery and received a
package yesterday indicating that she had been selected. While we were
obviously happy about it, we are also concerned in making the
application as quick as possible, and as solid as possible to
guarantee she gets a greencard.

I would like to know if people who lived the same situation could
share their experience. Here are some relevant facts :

- She is currently studying in the US with a F1 visa and will probably
be for the next years.

- She was born in Brazil (which is ineligible) but applied on the
basis of her parent's nationality (both French, she is French too) who
were not resident of Brazil at that time. Her parents are not resident
of France at this time though. The Office of International Students
told her that this made it likely that although she qualifies, they
wouldn't even bother sending her an appointment. That's scary, can
anyone confirm, infirm ?

- The paper she received give the address of doctors in Brazil. Does
she have to make a check-up there or can it be made in the US ?

- What about the appointment.... should it be taken in the US ? In
France ? In Brazil ? I've heard taking it in the US was perilous,
especially in NYC where we live, since the center were crowded and
unaware of dv rules.

- The Office of International Students recommended she take a lawyer.
Did you? Does it help? How expensive is it? Can anyone recommend an
immigration lawyer in NYC with experience in processing DV documents?
Most of the lawyers I've found are mostly dealing with employment/
family green cards.

Please share ( in details would be great ) any experience you had with
DV paperwork once you're selected.

Thanks in advance!

[Andy]

Hi AB, I'm a DV2008 applicant and will try answer your questions as best as
possible.

Yes, the medical will need to be done in Brazil.

Re the appointment, you can choose where you want it - write the location of
the consular office on i tihnk it's form DS230.

If she is already in the country on a visa, you may be better going for AOS
rather than CP.

For more info, try http://www.immigrationportal.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38
and http://www.clalar.dk/dv-lottery/
there is piles and piles of info there.
the questoon relating to her eligibility, she may not be eligible as she is
brazil born.. i don't know if you can enter DV basd on your parents
nationality... i culd be wrong though.

GOOD LUK! It's a slow process. To give you an idea, We received our initial
NL in March 2007, and our interview is next tuesday.

"A.B." <a...@mytrashmail.com> wrote in message
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[A.B.]

Thank you for your kind help. Isn't CP a faster process than AOP,
hence ensuring more chances of success ?

[Andy]

I wouldn't be sure to tell you the truth... I didn't have the option of AOS,
however since the initial NL, it's taken a year to get to here, and our
interview is next week..

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