Tweet
Every year people who are selected in the "green card lottery" face a long wait before their case is heard for interview at their local consulate or embassy.
Here in Australia, the wait can be greater than one year from the date of notification of being selected. In general the safest way to predict when your number may be up for interview is to look at the last four digits of your case number. If you happen to have 0001, you likely will get an interview in January(despite being notified in June the previous year). It seems to be that the American consulate in Sydney processes roughly 75 a month. So, if you happen to have a case number that ends in somthing like 0450, then expect an interview around June(or about one year from being notified). and if you have something like 600, think August.
Although not unfriendly, the staff can appear rather cold at the interview. It is best to have things all in order, and make it as easy as possible for them, then you will most likely sail through. Do not forget to get a police certificate from everyplace you have lived since your 16th birthday.
One final note, they will not correspond with you directly. So if you need a change of venue(as we did from Tokyo to Sydney), be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks for a response from either a letter or a fax.
Thanks
Steve
Here in Australia, the wait can be greater than one year from the date of notification of being selected. In general the safest way to predict when your number may be up for interview is to look at the last four digits of your case number. If you happen to have 0001, you likely will get an interview in January(despite being notified in June the previous year). It seems to be that the American consulate in Sydney processes roughly 75 a month. So, if you happen to have a case number that ends in somthing like 0450, then expect an interview around June(or about one year from being notified). and if you have something like 600, think August.
Although not unfriendly, the staff can appear rather cold at the interview. It is best to have things all in order, and make it as easy as possible for them, then you will most likely sail through. Do not forget to get a police certificate from everyplace you have lived since your 16th birthday.
One final note, they will not correspond with you directly. So if you need a change of venue(as we did from Tokyo to Sydney), be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks for a response from either a letter or a fax.
Thanks
Steve
