Is it normal time to keep my passport at the US embassy for 5 months since my interview as DV2007 winner?

Question

I am a green card lottery winner in DV2007 all the paper work has gone fine and they set me an interview appointment at the US embassy in my country. The conseular officer didn't ask much, took my signature and finger prints, and gave me a paper indicating that an administartive process will be going and they will notify me when done. They aslo took my passport so they will send it back with visa when done. This was 5 months ago and still no news since then and still keeping my passport. Every time I call they tell me that they still working and all I have to do is to wait. Some friends told me that it is normal to take all this time and it is ok, can anyone tell me if this is ok and if there is still a hope to get a visa. Note, my case number is 10xx, while the current announced case numbers cut off on the state department visa bulletin website is much more so my case should have been processed months ago.

Answer 1

Some US embassies do take a very long time to finish a case, but it should not take five months and they certainly should not have kept your passport. Contact the Immigrant Visa Unit (not, of course, American Citizen Services) and ask for it back.

Unlike other immigrant visa categories, you can lose your opportunity to immigrate on the DV if the year ends before your visa is issued.

Answer 2

It would seem that there is a hangup somewhere. If you are a legitimate applicant, with legitimate documents and paperwork, contact the embassy's non Non Immigrant Visa section, inquire about the status of your case, and request the return of your passport - they should be able to work off a copy.

Answer 3

Sounds that there is something they are still investigating or waiting to get clearance. You will not lose your passport, though.

Give it another month or so, before you WRITE to them for explanation.

All the best!/