After you have completed the steps on the Diversity Visa Process on usvisas.state.gov, including submitting the required immigrant visa application form (DS-260), you may receive an email from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) to let you know that an interview has been scheduled for you. The e-mail will instruct you to log into the Entrant Status Check on the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website, using your DV entry confirmation number, to view the date, time and location of your interview.

You can learn more about the interview process on usvisas.state.gov.

Interview Preparation for Diversity Visa Winners

Congratulations on being chosen to have the opportunity to apply for a Diversity Visa. Please read the following information to prepare for the interview at the U.S Embassy in Budapest. Effective May 1, 2014, DV applicants who view their selection notification online at the Entrant Status Check (ESC) website are directed to travel.state.gov. The instructions for the visa application tell the winners to fill out the DS-260 application, which is available from May 19, 2014, at the Consular Electronic Application Center. This form, the DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, is completed on-line and allow for more efficient processing of DV program applications.

Appointments: All appointments at U.S. Embassy Budapest for Family and Employment-Based Visa application interviews are scheduled by the National Visa Center. Diversity-based visa application interviews are scheduled by the Kentucky Consular Center. In all other cases, including requests for information packets for pending cases, visa/passport/document pick-up, to submit additional documents, to abandon LPR status or to request a boarding letter, please visit the Contact us page on Visa Information and Appointments and send an e-mail.

Interview

Please prepare thoroughly and carefully for the interview. Failure to be fully prepared for the interview at the U.S. Embassy can result in delay or denial of the immigrant visa. Carefully follow the instructions provided by the Kentucky Consular Center. Please notify the Embassy through our website if you cannot keep the appointment.

Fees

The total fee for a Diversity Immigrant Visa is $330 per person. The fee is payable in U.S. dollars or in its equivalent in Hungarian forints. You may also pay the fee with a card. Learn more about Fees.

Important

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $220.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee after the issuance of the immigrant visa, but before traveling to the United States. The USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions.

Required Documentation for the Interview

Each applicant will be required to present the following:

Appointment information printed from the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website
DS-260 confirmation page. You can print this from the Consular Electronic Application Center any time after you complete your DS-260 application.
A Passport valid for travel to the United States and valid for at least six months beyond the issuance date of the visa.
Birth Certificate: The original birth certificate or certified copy must state the date and place of birth and the names of both parents. Applicants who are unable to obtain a birth certificate must present secondary evidence of birth, e.g. baptismal certificates, school records, notarized statements from relatives, etc.Important note: If you had a spouse or children prior to submitting your original entry, but you did not include them on your original entry form, then your case will be disqualified at the time of your visa interview. Neither you nor any of your family members will receive visas. For more information, see the DV instructions (PDF 430KB).
Marriage Certificates: Married persons are required to present the original marriage certificate. Proof of the termination of any previous marriage must also be submitted (e.g. death certificate of spouse, final decrees of divorce or annulment).
Police Certificates: All applicants 16 years of age and over are required to furnish a police certificate (certificate of good conduct) from all countries where the applicant resided for at least one year. Police certificates are also needed from the police authorities of the country of the applicant’s nationality and current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months. The information how to obtain the police certificate from Hungary is available on the State Department website. Please read carefully the instructions.
Court and Prison Records: Persons who have been convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and of any prison record, regardless of the fact that they may have benefited subsequently from an amnesty, pardon, or other act of clemency.
High School Diploma or Work Experience: The law and regulations require that every entrant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or have, within the past five years, two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years’ training or experience (the occupation must have Job Zone 4 or higher according to O*NET Resource Center).You should not continue with your DV application if you do not meet the qualifying education or work experience requirements explained above. You will not be issued a visa, and any fees you pay will not be refunded.
Military Record: A certified copy of any military record, if applicable and obtainable, is required.
Evidence of Support: DV visa applicants must show evidence that they are not likely to become public charges while in the United States. This evidence may be in the form of a combination of your personal assets, an Affidavit of Support (Form I-134) from a relative or friend residing in the United States, and/or an offer of employment from an employer in the United States.
Original Documents: All applicants must be prepared to present the originals of all documents and a photocopy of those.
Translations: All documents not in English or Hungarian must be accompanied by certified English translation. Translations must be certified by a competent translator.

Medical Exam

Before the interview, diversity visa applicants will need to complete the required medical exam, including required vaccinations. The Embassy does not schedule medical exam appointments. Applicants are responsible for scheduling their own appointments. Please review medical information for a list of required panel physicians in Hungary and instructions for the medical exam.

Do not send the documents to the Kentucky Consular Center; the documents must be presented to the Embassy at the time of your immigrant visa interview. Failure to submit complete documentation may cause delays and refusals in Diversity Visa applications.

How to Contact the Embassy and receive your passport with the visa

In all cases, including questions, appointment reschedule requests, visa/passport/document pick-up and submission of additional documents, please contact the Visa Unit through our webpage: Visa Information and Appointments.

If your immigrant visa application is approved, the Embassy will put your visa into your passport and will send the completed visa packet and your passport to you by courier at no extra charge. Prior to your appointment date, please go to our webpage Visa Information and Appointments and follow the steps to register your address and arrange for delivery of your visa and documents. Please register your delivery location BEFORE going to your interview.

For additional information about the interview please visit the Diversity webpage of the Department of State.