How it happened
The story of our successful obtaining of immigrant visas to the United States:
- DV-25, Case 30**, two adults
- Warsaw (applied from Russia)
- Interview 19.12.2024, passports with visas received 23.12.24
- DS-260 submitted 21.05.24
- Interview appointment received 15.10.24
No specifics — an extremely simple and transparent case.
I had been dreaming about America for the last five years. Every New Year and birthday I wished to win the lottery. We entered for 4 years. In 2023 the move became a goal and I started working on a petition under the EB-1A program. I spent almost a year writing the petition; I filed it in March, and it’s still under review (already 9 months).
I filed the petition in March, and in May, on my husband’s birthday, we learned that he had won the lottery! And with a number that meant we could move already that year.
Because I had long studied the entire immigration process, I immediately found relevant chats and we began preparing. In a couple of weeks we completed the DS. Over the summer we gathered and translated all documents, got the vaccinations, and obtained second passports. By autumn we were fully ready and were waiting for the interview appointment.
Schengen
In May we applied for Italy for October. But in August we took our passports back, realizing that the Italians keep them until the last minute and the outcome is uncertain. We lost 50,000 rubles (fees and payment to a helper).
After receiving the appointment we immediately applied for Greece. My husband spent a week writing the travel plan, booking tickets and hotels — everything was done properly. On October 23 we submitted the documents; on November 1 we received visas for 12 days with a three-week entry window.
IOM
Part 1: laboratory at the address
9 Ludwika Waryńskiego street.
We arrived at 7 a.m. In one room they took an X-ray; in another we gave blood. We left at 7:40. At 11 a.m. we picked up the results.
Part 2: we went for an appointment with Dr. Gaer at: Wilanów Family Practice
37 Kosiarzy street, unit 90.
Half an hour for the exam and 15 minutes for paperwork. They handed us one envelope for both of us.
At the lab we paid 420 zloty, and to the doctor another 800 zloty. In total 32,000 rubles for the two of us.
The IGRA test was not required; a COVID test is not required for Russians in Warsaw. Gonorrhea testing is not required over age 24. Each person needs four photos — one for the X-ray and three for the doctor. We had all missing vaccinations done in advance and also tested for antibodies. They didn’t request any additional samples or send us for sputum testing — everything was clear on the X-ray.
Interview
On December 19 we arrived at the consulate at around 8 a.m. Everything was standard: at the window outside we showed the barcodes from ustraveldocs, and they let us inside. They didn’t allow us to bring anything, not even phones. Immediately at window 13 we got a number; we were fourth in line. After half an hour we went to submit documents. There were standard questions based on the form to determine which documents to request.
Main applicant: birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, military ID, university diploma, police clearance certificate, two cut-out signed photos.
Derivative: birth certificate (duplicate, original lost), marriage certificate, divorce certificate, police clearance certificate. She voluntarily offered a name-change certificate (from her first marriage) — they accepted it, photos — 2 pcs.
We spoke to everyone in English throughout; they praised us for being well prepared.
They sent us to pay at the cashier — 2706 zloty for both.
Author of the story
Yuliya Melnikova (@Juliya_Melnikova), from the chat @talentvisahelp. Original message in the chat.
Useful resources
All information about O-1 / EB-1A / EB-2 NIW
More success and refusal stories: channel @o1eb1