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PLEASE make sure you read the FAQ (linked at the menu at the top of this page), as most questions are already answered there.
Please note I periodically have to archive posts from this page to attempt to keep the performance acceptable. That means comments over about 3 months old could be deleted at any time.
May 8, 2024 at 22:37
Hi Simon!
I have a straightforward question about likelihood of success in terms of AoS vs Consular Processing.
To recap, I’m on E2 non-immigrant visa 2025OC4xx. I’m from Australia.
I don’t care about convenience, I care about likelihood of success with whichever route I take.
I have the option to go and do Consular or AoS, neither makes a difference to me.
Purely from a likelihood of success point of view (not convenience etc), if you had the choice, would you opt for AoS or Consular in Australia for a DV?
I have checked out sm1smom AoS sheet already, but keen to hear your thoughts too.
What has more likelihood of getting a green card provided documentation is all filled and sent correctly?
Thank you very much! (:
May 9, 2024 at 00:18
Both ways work.
May 9, 2024 at 03:32
Hi Simon,
Ok thank you, it sounds like you’re saying that they have roughly an equal chance of success.
My other question is more general about the lottery and it’s actually issuance process.
Once you have a low number (OC4xx), your paperwork is correctly filled, current non-immigrant visa still in status correctly, financially stable with US tax return proof, medical no problem (no disease) and AoS package sent with overnight shipping on day of number becoming current, is there any other reason I’d get denied?
In other words, for the AoS Field Office do they treat you like:
1. You are getting the green card, unless they find
a glaring reason to deny you
Or
2. You have to prove that you’re appropriate to be given a green card and you have to try and convince them
Thank you! 🙂
May 9, 2024 at 07:41
Option 1.
May 9, 2024 at 11:33
Awesome thank you!
May 8, 2024 at 22:48
Hi Simon!
What’s the process when my passport just expired (have less than 6 months) and my interview in month and half from now, I’m gonna renew it this week so how I should send it with documents before interview with the other papers? Is this gonna delay me in interview day because the new passport has different number than my original one that I filled in ds260?
May 9, 2024 at 00:19
Take the new passport to the interview.
May 9, 2024 at 01:40
Hello sir I have a question regarding filling the DS260 form that the address they have asked as we where will be living there in the USA so my question is can I put other addresses rather than the sponsor’s address?? Waiting for your reply
May 9, 2024 at 07:37
Yes
May 8, 2024 at 23:55
Hello, mr. Simon. Please tell me when the ds-260 was sent, and if one of the family members did not receive a confirmation number by email after sending the ds-260, what will happen, is it dangerous or not?
May 9, 2024 at 00:20
No
May 9, 2024 at 02:47
Thank you so much! I really appreciate!
May 8, 2024 at 23:57
Dear Mr Brit
Good day to you
I am the winner of 2025 DV from Africa. By chance, I was also the winner of DV 2020. I had full DS 260 at the time. My case number was high. Due to the covid outbreak, the embassy was closed, and I missed my DV opportunity as I was not hired for the interview. My question is, should the DS 260 I’m filling now be the same as the previous DS 260? Can their system detect that I won in 2020?
Thank you
May 9, 2024 at 00:21
Just complete the DS260 honestly.
May 9, 2024 at 00:10
Hi Brit!
Given the last VB from yesterday, how likely do you now think they will hit the full quota this year ? Do you still think they’ve run a bit out of time to schedule enough ?
May 9, 2024 at 00:22
We have to wait and see.
May 9, 2024 at 00:27
Good evening Simon!
Do we need to do the vaccines before or after the medical appointment ?
Thanks!
May 9, 2024 at 00:31
Before or at the medical.
May 9, 2024 at 00:37
Hello there, i have a pending F1 student visa interview in June whilst i won the DV lottery with a high case number though, AF8XXX. Do i have to file the DS260 as yet or i ought to wait on the outcome of the student visa interview?
May 9, 2024 at 07:35
That number is not high.
Submitting the ds260 before the F1 could create more risk of denial for the F1, so consider waiting.
May 9, 2024 at 00:59
Hi Simon, after a little analyse I found that there was much more selectees in my country in the past compared to recent years (2011 up to 2023)… Is there a specific reason for that or its totally random ? (Mauritius, AF)
May 9, 2024 at 07:35
More entries means more winners.
May 9, 2024 at 01:05
hello you said that the 2NL for the visa bulletin has been sent my number is in this visa bulletin I have not received 2024AF47549 my embassy is Dakar according to your analysis I have a chance of receiving before the month of September.
May 9, 2024 at 07:36
I have told you to wait and see. Please don’t ask every day.
May 9, 2024 at 01:11
my question is to know if Dakar has started the interviews for the VB 2024 of May and June like the 2NL for its two months were sent
.
May 9, 2024 at 01:47
Hello Simon,
My case number is AS202422XXX. I remain hopeful for the interview. I have encountered a slight issue while gathering documents. I realized that there is a one-day difference between my date of birth on the passport and the certificate (I was born on the 23rd, but the passport states the 24th). I have started the process of issuing a new passport before my interview, in case it is scheduled soon. Would you recommend that I unlock the DS-260 once I receive the new passport? Also, I am not the principal applicant; my husband is.
also is issuing a new passport correct ?
Kind regards,
Rim
May 9, 2024 at 07:38
Yes get a new passport and simply take that to the interview.
May 9, 2024 at 03:17
Hey Simon,
I am a DV 2024 winner from Tanzania and I am currently on F1 visa in Dallas Texas. I reassigned my interview to Doha Embassy. I didn’t want to do adjustment of status because I had a wife and kids living in Tanzania and I wanted all of us to do Consular processing at the same time. I heard somewhere that I can order police clearances from all countries I lived just by using the Interpol in USA to send my biometrics to those specific countries. Do you have any knowledge about this procedure of ordering police clearances from other countries basing in USA? So far I have not located any Interpol offices in Texas, The only one I see is in Washington DC? I lived in a couple countries and I might not have enough time and resources to visit each one of them physically to process the police clearances. Thank you
May 9, 2024 at 07:40
I answered you already on this same topic
May 9, 2024 at 11:15
Simon, I can not find your answer/ Comment. Please, Kindly answer again.
Thank you
May 10, 2024 at 05:45
https://britsimonsays.com/ask-questions/comment-page-789/#comment-352298
May 9, 2024 at 07:09
Hi Simon!
I am selected for DV 2025.
Since I don’t have any relatives or friends in the USA,what address should I put in my DS260? Could it be a hotel? Someone told me about some mail forwarding services (viabox for example). Is it possible?
Thank you so much
May 9, 2024 at 07:45
Find a friend of a friend.
May 9, 2024 at 08:03
Hello Simon.
My comment was disappear. Idk what’s wrong with the system. I have the same question in your YouTube channel, I tip you super thanks.
It is about my case, the case number is EU205xx (Russia) which shows in bulletin as current status today (July). However, I’ve unlocked my ds260 2 days ago and I re-submit my DS260 immediately (less than 6 hrs before my status become current) Will it cause any issue for my interview? (I have interview in BNK (Bangkok is not busy embassy as i understand
Thank you for your answer.
Elena
May 9, 2024 at 08:08
I can’t be certain, you have to wait and see.
May 9, 2024 at 08:15
Thank you very much. I will give you an update
May 9, 2024 at 08:24
Hi BritSimon!
For the DV2024 I submitted a picture that was less than 6-month old and everything on my entry was perfectly accurate. But I entered again for DV2025 as I wasn’t sure my number would get current and I mistakenly submitted a picture that I had submitted a few years ago, possibly in 2020 or 2021 (because I had named them same and I only realized after submitting). But very different from the DV2024 picture.
I just got current and will have my interview for DV2024 in July (I have not been re-selected for DV2025). Do you think that can cause me a denial ?
Thank you
May 9, 2024 at 09:03
No
May 9, 2024 at 08:50
Hello Simon,
Bula from the Fiji Islands. Iam staying hopeful and enquiring if 2024OC2051 will have any chance of becoming current in the next visa bulletin? Basically does my case number have any chance? Feeling very restless. Thanks. God bless you for always guiding people.
Regards, Neha.
May 9, 2024 at 09:03
You have a chance.
May 9, 2024 at 11:20
Hi Simon do u have a chance at Nairobi AF000307** am from Uganda
May 10, 2024 at 05:46
Yes.
ALWAYS provide the year as well as region and number.
May 9, 2024 at 08:55
Hey Simon, after the 2NL is sent and you are scheduled, is the date for the interview after a particular time? Like how long after the 2NL does your interview happen?
May 9, 2024 at 09:04
2NLs sent in May will be for some date in July.
May 9, 2024 at 09:46
So 2NL’s sent in June would be for August interviews?
May 9, 2024 at 09:24
Hi sir,
I couldn’t find my comment’s answer, maybe it is archived.
According to the recent VB, the VB for Asia is 13000. How much chance do I have to become current, with CN 2024AS1609×?
May 9, 2024 at 09:41
I replied “good”.
May 9, 2024 at 09:44
Thanks a lot.
May 9, 2024 at 09:39
Hello Sir,
Please base on your experience do you think Accra Ghana Embassy will be able to reach 8k? the embassy want to give some of us heart attack
May 9, 2024 at 09:40
I think so.
May 9, 2024 at 11:11
Hello Sir,
Please base on your experience do you think Accra Ghana Embassy will be able to reach 18k? or find another country
May 10, 2024 at 05:43
In DV2024 it is unlikely to get to that range.
May 9, 2024 at 11:57
Hi Simon!
Great content, really helpful to combat the initial anxiety.
I’m reposting as my previous comment did not go through, unfortunately.
I was selected on 2025EU19000. It isn’t as low as I would prefer it to be, but I have medium expectations given that it seems to be on the first half.
My question relates to the medical. I understand that, best case scenario it won’t happen for another 12 months, but unfortunately a few years back I had syphilis. I was treated to the highest standards of Western Europe, but my physician no longer practices medicine. As far I understand from the official website I need some document signed from a physician attesting I was treated and do no pose a risk to society. Any idea how this should look like? Is it “legal” to contact the physician panel that will perform the check in advance in order to know which document is acceptable? Have you ever know someone that needed to have this done? Were they refused?
Sorry for all the questions
Best
May 10, 2024 at 05:49
Get a clear from another physician.
May 9, 2024 at 14:09
Hey Mr Simon
I’m the iraqi one with refused B1 at Lebanon while waiting for my AS169XX and I looked to the baghdad Embassy it has request submission for emergency cases, If I send it and was refused again does that hurt my DV if was current?
TIA
May 10, 2024 at 05:50
No.
May 9, 2024 at 14:44
Hi Mr Simon
in the ds-260 formular at my mother given name i wrote her married name not her birth name, how bad is it?
Thank you!!
May 10, 2024 at 05:51
Unlock and correct
May 9, 2024 at 17:54
Hey Mr Simon,
This year selectee – EU case65XX
I have a question about education, I have 12years of complete education but I paused in the middle school for 2 years then I finished as non-regular student ( didn’t attend classes – just had to finish a final exam for the subjects to get the whole year diploma), is that something I should be concern and go with work experience instead?
Also, I live with my girlfriend, we’re not married yet. If I get married, will she be issued Green Card as well?
Thank you and many blessings.
May 10, 2024 at 05:54
1. THat can be a problem, you should prepare to show BOTH methods. https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
2. Yes
May 9, 2024 at 21:34
Hello Mr Simon
Thanks for your priceless efforts in responding to these questions which will end up helping families.
Am a DV 2025 winner
I have few questions
1. In the have you used any surname names before on the DS260 form, I checked YES because I had used my step father’s surname since I was a child but in 2019 I switched surnames to my biological father’s surname. Our immigration office can issue an affidavit of name change document. I hope this won’t affect my case while I bring along the affidavit of name change at my interview?
2. Must I include the temporary address I used on my registration form on the DS260? Will checking (No) to the previous address box affect my case ?
3. Am having error message in completing the previous address section.they keep saying “there is more than one month gap in the dates you entered” when in reality those are my real information of previous address history since I turn 16yrs. Any solutions?
Kind regards
May 10, 2024 at 05:59
1. You have t provide the paperwork evidence, and use the “other names” section of the ds260
2. You provide address history of residences (not temporary stays at hotels etc)
3. Remove the gap. The dates have to make sense.
May 9, 2024 at 21:34
hello I wanted to know if the Dakar embassy has started to work very well like the other embassies.
May 10, 2024 at 06:03
No it hasn’t. You ask daily.
May 9, 2024 at 21:57
Hi Mr. Simon
Help regarding passport
dv25 winner
Asia 10876
I won the DV-2025 lottery and I need to fill out the DS-260 form, but my passport expires in August. I have an appointment to renew my passport in 4 days, and it will take about a month to get the new one. Should I wait until I receive the new passport to fill out the DS-260, or submit it with my current passport details?
and should I bring both the old and new passports to the visa interview?
Any advice on the best approach would be really helpful!
May 10, 2024 at 06:04
Just take old and new passports to the interview. No need to update the ds260
May 10, 2024 at 10:31
Dear Mr Britsimon
I am from Addis , For Month of may 2 NL not send right now other embasy in alphabetically send 2NL for july interview but addis in ethiopia not send .
Do you think they will jump 2NL this month.
May 10, 2024 at 11:53
Which Embassy has sent 2NLS so far ?
May 10, 2024 at 14:52
2NLs since 2024-05-05 (Scan 05/10/24 12:16)
| Con | AF | AS | EU | OC | SA |
|—–|——|——|——|——|——|
| ACC | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ATA | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| BDP | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| BGH | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BNK | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CSB | 319 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DHB | 0 | 1 | 59 | 0 | 0 |
| DJI | 5 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FRN | 3 | 3 | 64 | 0 | 0 |
| GUZ | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GYQ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| JAK | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| JRS | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| KDU | 0 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| KGL | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| unk | 127 | 91 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
|—–|——|——|——|——|——|
|TOTAL| 512 | 402 | 239 | 0 | 6 |
May 10, 2024 at 14:51
It’s the 10th of the month. Be patient. 2NLs could be sent out anytime over the next 3 weeks.
May 10, 2024 at 02:11
Hello Mr. Simon,
I hope this message finds you well.
How many days does it typically take to receive a green card after entering the USA?
Thank you for your patience and response.
May 10, 2024 at 06:06
Up to 3 or 4 months.
May 10, 2024 at 08:34
Greetings Brit!
I would like to ask you a question. During the green card lottery I put my child (I didn’t know I had to put my ex-wife’s child).
But then I indicated this on the DS260 form. Does this make me ineligible for the interview or is it at the discretion of the embassy officer?
Thank you
May 10, 2024 at 08:42
It means you will be disqualified if you attend the interview.
May 10, 2024 at 09:17
Dear Simon, first of all, thank you very much for all your help, it helped us a lot since the beginning of our application.
We would like to change the address where to receive the green cards (initially we put an Airbnb where we stayed at and now have an address at friends residing in NYC). As we have our interview end of June (Paris), do you think it is better to contact KCC to open the DS260 or to do it after the interview ?
Also we were thinking that it would be the opportunity to add one country (Algeria) which my husband has visited since the application-> is that an issue if it is not mentioned ?
thank you so much for your help and fingers crossed for our interview
All the best, Ines
May 10, 2024 at 10:14
No need to unlock the DS260. Simply change the address at the interview.
No need to update the travel history.
May 10, 2024 at 10:17
Good day Simon,
I am a DV24 winner stuck in Accra with case 8k. I tried my luck to transfer my case to Freetown by reaching out to the Freetown embassy with reasons of relocation to Freetown based on work reasons/requirements.
They responded that I provide proof that my case is with the Accra embassy so they assist in the transfer. However, if I don’t have any proof I should contact KCC to do the transfer.
I’m reluctant to contact KCC because it is a risk to reach out for transfer but rather go for case unlocking instead, as you keep guiding us. But KCC cannot unlock now.
Please what do you advise?
May 10, 2024 at 10:25
Probably your only hope is if Accra get to your case number.
May 10, 2024 at 10:41
That’s unfortunate.
Thank you.
May 10, 2024 at 10:54
Hi Simon, is the single applicant has bigger chance to get AP or 221g than a married guy?
May 10, 2024 at 14:52
Well, the chances of 221g increase for married people because there are two people rather than one.
May 10, 2024 at 11:57
HELLO BS?when do expect 2NLS for July interviews to be out?Again are 2NLS sent out Alphabetical order?
May 10, 2024 at 14:02
Hello simon, I entered US on 22 Feb,2024 from DV.When i landed in US at JFK airport,they didn’t aske me for my yellow sealed envelope(Immigrant Data Summary).Then, after contacting the customs & border protection,jfk airport about it,they told me to submit it at nearest airport which was Newark.
I subitted the envelope at deferred inspection,Newark on 29th March. Now, its been more than 75 days of me entering US and still the case status has not updated yet.I tried calling USCIS but they responded saying “You have to wait till 90 days”. So, what should i do??? Anyone has any suggestions??
May 10, 2024 at 14:53
You should wait until at least 90 days after March 29th.
May 10, 2024 at 14:55
By the way, the greencard is not that important. Your SSN is more important in a sense – so if you don’t already have that, you should go to the SSA office to obtain it.
May 10, 2024 at 17:19
Mr simon, isn’t the visa on the passport works same as the greencard for work permit purpose?
May 10, 2024 at 17:25
Yes, but the SSN is important.
May 10, 2024 at 17:07
Hi Simon
When some embassies are heavily backlogged and KCC keeps increasing the VB to give their chances to higher cases numbers, does it mean that KCC ”assumes” the lowest numbers at backlogged embassies will never receive their visas and gives them instead to higher numbers ?
But then, if the lowest numbers eventually manage to change embassy or do AOS, does it mean their visa is no longer available ? Or does KCC take into consideration the possibility that the backlog get worked through when choosing how far to increase the VB ?
thank you Brit
May 10, 2024 at 18:03
The issuing of visas gives lower case number a preference, but only to some extent. But on issuances it’s first come first served.
May 10, 2024 at 18:29
Is that to say that I we have an interview in August or September and are not approved right away at the interview or shortly after, we are very much at risk of running out ?
May 10, 2024 at 18:37
We will see. Prior to DV2022 and particularly DV2023 they built in some breathing room by not assigning too many interviews (at a cost of wasting some visas). Their strategy changed in DV2022, so we have to wait and see what will happen. But in general you do everything you can to get approved at the interview.