Ask questions here
To ask me questions you can obviously post on any blog post.
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 20, 2017 at 20:55
Hello.Can i apply for green card online 2 month before i go in usa?And generally how time need green card to come?
May 20, 2017 at 21:44
No – you enter the USA to activate your status. The card itself usually arrives in 3 to 4 months.
May 21, 2017 at 19:56
Hi Brit
I asked you a question about my marriage name and maiden name and you told me to put my marriage name on the ds260 form because it is my legal name. So the thing is my passport has my maiden name and I can only change the last name once the passport expires. Should I continue with the names on the passport?
Thank you
May 21, 2017 at 00:50
Hello Simon,
Question.
I received my GC in my passport last week.
My first name in my passport reads like: Firstname Middlename-Middlename (with an hyphen) Last name but in the GC there’s no hyphen anymore.
I already called the embassy in Paris, they told me that it wasn’t added because it was not an important part of the name and that it was fine, but I just wanted to make sure. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Thank you.
May 21, 2017 at 18:08
Yes others have had that experience. But the embassy already asked you, so why ask again?
May 21, 2017 at 18:11
Hi Simon. Well I Just wanted to make sure that it went ok for other people.
May 21, 2017 at 19:40
So if I read you correctly it has not been a problem for other people either? Thank you for you time Simon.
May 21, 2017 at 02:15
my son is US born, He is a citizen. 2 year old. I added him as my family member when i did first entry. now i see his name in my case for ds260. i completed mine and my wife ‘s ds-260, but my son’s stays incomplete. i tried to complete it, but there are weird questions that does not apply my son. should i leave it incomplete, if i stay it incomplete does KENTUCKY process my case. SINCE they see it incomplete, they may not process it.
May 21, 2017 at 18:05
You don’t need a DS260 for the child as he is a citizen.
May 21, 2017 at 04:01
Hello everybody I just need a help and I am a little bit shocked .When I filled my DS 260 I only mentioned my last school I attended not all from primary school for the question ‘ Previous Education Institutions Attended ‘ is this will denied my visa .my interview is on June 1
May 21, 2017 at 18:04
No it won’t normally cause denial, but in future, be more careful in filling out forms.
May 21, 2017 at 04:38
Hi Brit thanks for you support
1.During the interview I will bring only the principal applicants educational level and work experience? Or also we will provide both of mine and my spouse?
2. Is the derivative applicant/my d
Spouse / will provide only birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate,medical Examination and police clearance?
May 21, 2017 at 18:03
1. Just PA
2. Read the instructions to make sure you don’t miss anything specific to YOUR case.
May 21, 2017 at 05:34
Hi,
I have a question regarding permanent and mailing addresses.
I have an office in New York to work there when I am visiting US.
Can I use my office address as permanent + mailing address?
Thanks
May 21, 2017 at 18:01
No. It needs to be a residential address.
May 21, 2017 at 18:07
So can I use mailbox service like shipito?
What options i have of I don’t have residential address?
May 21, 2017 at 18:13
No PO Box or mailboxes
May 21, 2017 at 18:27
Can I use hotel as permanent address and office as mailing address?
May 21, 2017 at 19:18
Oh wow. You are making this hard work.
You need to provide a real residential address where your GC will be mailed. If it gets lost because you used an address where you won’t be known, the card replacement will cost hundreds of dollars. Just find someone you can trust with a residential address.
May 21, 2017 at 05:37
If a want to return in my country before taking green card can i?
May 21, 2017 at 18:00
Yes
May 21, 2017 at 06:06
Hello Brit!
I am DV Selectee for 2018 and my CN is AS 46**. I am planning to adjust my status as I am in USA as a Student. How long will it take to adjust the status? I have my families in Nepal (Since I am from Nepal) and they will be appearing interview in Consular/Embassy in Nepal. USCIS says it takes 6 months for AOS and after my successful AOS (If everything goes right) then only my families can appear in the interview in Nepal. I want your gut-feeling thoughts on this if I could be able to cash my luck this time or not! Anticipating your best thought.
Thanks a lot and lots of love to SOFIA !!
May 21, 2017 at 17:59
THat is technically possible, but risky. It would be far safer to plan on CP interview together.
May 21, 2017 at 22:11
Thank you so much for your response!!
Is it risky for my family that they might not get time for an interview ? or both of us ? I am in OPT now and ends in Feb 2019 but before that I might get OPT STEM extension (If situation not changes). In this case, if I want to proceed for CP, when should i leave the country for CP Interview? What happens to my F1 status if i leave for CP? Would i be able to back to the country on F1 again?
Thanks a lot !!
May 22, 2017 at 03:54
Yes it is a risk they won’t get it in time.
I don’t consider myself an expert on temp visa matters so – check here
http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2018-aos-only.336256/
May 22, 2017 at 21:50
Thanks a lot again Brit!! one more question for your best thought. If I bring my spouse and child here and do AOS for all as my CN is AS46**, Do you see any possibility from your past experience? My field office is SLC and from the link above I got spreadsheet where I did not see any time line for SLC to guess. Anticipating your best thought on this.
Thanks!!
May 23, 2017 at 02:31
I gave you my best thought. Process CP
May 21, 2017 at 06:31
Hi , firstly congratulations on your job here , i have a question :
1- i have made a mistake at surnames at birth , i filled with current surname of my mother . What should i do ?
May 21, 2017 at 17:57
Unlock and correct.
May 21, 2017 at 08:32
Hi, thanks for answering questions and helping us understand it better, my hubby got selected for 2018 with AF00022xxx, has already filled in the DS260 forms and submitted, I have a few questions and I would really appreciate if you can give any advice.
1. I noticed that in other names section on DS260 – only my marriage name is indicated, the name on my high school diploma isn’t added yet there are 2 names different from my other certificates, as a derivative can I ask KCC to unlock the form so that I can add the other name or wait to explain why names on all my other papers/documents are different from the high school one? I have an affidavit stating that I am one and the same person. (I’m in the medical field and I had already applied to be licensed in one of the states to practice in USA, and in the applications I had stated all my names)
2. Will it affect the interview considering I’m not the PA?
3. Now that the DS260 forms have already been submitted, I hold a B1/B2 visa still valid till 2021, just came back a week ago from the USA, I travel often to USA because of my work, will it be more difficult now that there’s intent to migrate yet I mostly go to US for work related issues? My hubby also is supposed to be traveling in 2 months time to USA also for work purposes will it affect his entry?
4. My hubby lives in Kenya which is our home country which is also the country of chargeability, on the other hand I live with our kids in the Middle East, hopefully the CN is a good number and he gets the 2NL…can he request for us to be interviewed where we live or we have to all go back home and have the interview with him?
Thanks
May 21, 2017 at 17:55
1. The PA can ask to unlock your form. You should list legal name and any oither names used.
2. Not typically.
3. No and no.
4. All interview together.
May 21, 2017 at 10:47
Hi morning
May 21, 2017 at 11:01
I submitted my Ds-260 on 9th may 2017. However,on 20th may 2017 I sent a request to unlock to correct some mistakes. How long will it take to get response from kcc.Am a Dv 2018 selectee.
May 21, 2017 at 17:49
Up to 2 weeks.
May 21, 2017 at 11:10
Hi Simon,
I need to get a UK Police Clearance as I lived in the UK for more than 6 months over the age of 18. my understanding is that they’re only valid for about 6 months and we submitted our DS260 about 2 weeks ago – so we’re assuming no interview til November.
At what stage should I apply for the clearance?
Also with the vaccinations, do we just organise these and make sure we’ve had them all?
Thanks
May 21, 2017 at 17:48
Wait until September to apply for police cert **IF** your case number is low.
Vaccinations will be sorted out in the medical.
May 22, 2017 at 04:15
Thanks so much. Our number is low 600’s for OC so I think we should be okay.
Would you happen to know how much time there usually is between being informed of the interview and an actual interview time i.e. is it 2 weeks, 2 days etc?
Thanks heaps.
May 22, 2017 at 04:16
About 6 weeks
May 21, 2017 at 11:28
Hey there! I have been digging search engines but I failed to reach an accurate info about the number of issued gc so far. I am a Turkish citizen, although my case number was relatively low, I had to reschedule the interview because my husband and I decided to split up and this way I was not able to ensure the Embassy that I had money (I am a student). Turkish civil law restricts divorce cases to be formally accepted (the final decision of divorce by the courts) in a short period of time to marriages that last more than a year, before that, the trials may last for over two years. Today is the anniversary of us, so tomorrow I will be able to file for a divorce. Until the divorce is finalized, I have two surnames, thus my green card will be issued using those two surnames but I plan to enter USA with my maiden name, after the divorce. I myself have been interviewed on May 11 (thankfully my family helped me about the monetary issues), and after I explained the situation to the Consulate, they gave me the white paper asking me to re-send some original documents (divorce decree and a passport on my name and maiden surname), so they’ll issue my GC with that name. Ok, here comes the question: Everything about our divorce may be finalized on late june. I will send the documents to the Embassy on the first week of july. I fear about whether until that time, all of the 50k green cards would be issued. For Europe, all numbers are current now, and it is not very different for the whole regions. The other option is that I will send them my passport without the divorce decree and get my gc issued with my both surnames and go to USA, a lawyer in Turkey takes my case and sends me the divorce decree and I apply for a new gc in USA- which will cost 450$. What would your advices be? When were the 50k gc distribution finished in previous years, and do you know how I can reach to that info? SORRY for asking a billion questions, but I am like, I really do not want to miss the opportunity of getting a green card after getting too close! Thanks a lot!
May 21, 2017 at 17:47
The reason the regions went current is because there are more than enough visas in DV2017. So – relax and make your plan.
May 21, 2017 at 12:11
Sorry for asking more question. Since my documents are still with d embassy will they called me for them.
May 21, 2017 at 12:39
Hi simon.
What is the minimum time required for the first time traveller? The best flight i have has 1:40 hours transit at DFW. Will this time suffice for the first time entry?
May 21, 2017 at 17:36
No. Allow 3 to 4 hours transit.
May 21, 2017 at 13:14
hi simon, i hjave made a mistake in ‘surnames at birth’ , i filled in with current surname of my mother, what should i do ? ( i have unlocked ds 260 once)
May 21, 2017 at 17:36
Unlock and correct your DS260
May 21, 2017 at 15:12
Hi simon,
I am single and recieved a diversity visa with status “single”.
But now I am going to be married.
My question is
1.Will there be any problem if i travel to the US (alone)with status “single” on my Visa even if i have already get married.
2. What procedure can I follow to get my wife Visa after i get into US?
May 21, 2017 at 17:31
1. No
2. I-130 family based sponsorship – it takes about 2 years.
May 21, 2017 at 15:51
If my visa is approved, how could I change the address where green card mailed? this is a link i can access it,isn’t it? https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do
May 21, 2017 at 17:30
You can use that link after entry BUT it will not change where your GC is mailed. Your LAST CHANCE to change that address is at the POE (arrival airport).
May 21, 2017 at 16:29
Hi Simon, I hope you’re well! I have a question about avoiding public charge grounds. I was selected in the DV2018 in the OC region and with a fairly low case number (2xx’s.) I’ve read that if I submit my DS-260 now or anytime soon, an interview can be scheduled for as early as October this year. This doesn’t give my wife and I much time to boost our bank accounts though. Will the interviewer always ask for financial statements? Does an applicant’s educational background and in turn likelihood of gaining employment in the United States help with avoiding public charge grounds? My wife and I have both have University Degrees. We have a lot of semi liquid assets, but I’m reluctant to part with these just yet. Do you think we should hold off on processing the DS-260 until we can save up a sufficient amount, like $15,000-$20,000+. Cheers, Stephen
May 21, 2017 at 17:28
If you are interviewing in Sydney, they rarely ask for financials. Don’t “Part with” anything prior to an interview. If you want to cover all bases – get an I-134
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
May 21, 2017 at 17:06
Hello britsimon
Good evening,
My first submition was 23 August 2016 , last submition was March 15 and my case number is 63XX from Nepal…. will I receive 2NL within this month or not? ….I studied many Post and comments from your site but can’t judge by itself…… how can I confirm because Visa bulletin already published…. please sir can you give tentative or approximate answer?
May 21, 2017 at 17:25
2NLs haven’t been sent yet. When they are – in the next week or so, you will see whether you are getting yours this month or not. Patience.
May 21, 2017 at 18:10
Hi simon , My case is 3*** Europe region . If i correct ds260 for second time , does it influence in the interview date , i mean the interview date postpone ?
May 21, 2017 at 18:13
Who cares. Inaccurate DS260s can cause denial. Would you rather be delayed or denied?
May 21, 2017 at 18:13
Hi brit
I have passed m’y interview last week and thé CO told me to send 1040 form and i have sent it, and today i have received a call from thé embassy and told me to sens the IRS TRANSCRIPT not 1040 form because m’y sponsor is a self-employed.but i have no idea about it..i want you to explain it please.
Thank you
May 21, 2017 at 18:16
Contact your sponsor and explain what you were told.
May 21, 2017 at 20:40
Hi Brit
Please help me
I have a child but am not married and am a winner of lottery and I never include my child during the electronic entry. Is they any problem if I include her now in the Ds260 form
May 22, 2017 at 02:52
You will be disqualified.
May 21, 2017 at 21:12
Hi.I’m very grateful to u.you help us thank.
I ve a questions.
I didn’t submit ds260 up to now,because I miss some info like the address where I want to send correspondence in USA.
1-am I late my cn AF00003xxx?
2-can I submit without this information and after I come back complete it?
May 22, 2017 at 03:55
WHAT YEAR??????
May 21, 2017 at 21:22
Hi Simon
DS 260 THE WORK/EDUCATION/TRAINING INFO on education part do we really need to describe elementary school ? I thought the leading question was about education at a secondary level or above. Thanks.
May 22, 2017 at 03:55
Describe schooling above age 12 or so.
May 21, 2017 at 21:55
Hi. I was selected this year for the green card. Now I have a concern because I come to the United States in January of this year, I marry an American citizen and expect a baby, but my stay for migration ends on July 19 this year. To become illegal I do not qualify anymore?
May 22, 2017 at 03:54
DO NOT overstay your visa.
May 22, 2017 at 14:01
the stay is until july, my wife lives here and I can not her alone pregnant.or I lost the lottery in a few words?
May 22, 2017 at 14:09
I don’t understand your problem. Speak to a lawyer about your status and to extend your stay legally.
May 21, 2017 at 22:30
Greetings Brit! Sorry how do i unlock form 260, i need to make correction the form was submitted on 9 May 2017. I won for Dv2018. Your assistance please….
May 21, 2017 at 23:31
Sorry I just got the answer from your article.thanx
May 22, 2017 at 04:54
Dear Sir
I won dv lottery in 2014 and there was a conviction which was my past 22yrs and when i filled the form in 2014 i said no criminal records but in my police clearance it showed up and this year again i won DV LOTTERY 2018 but my record is clear know.Sir know what should i tick yes or no.I really dont want to lose this chance please help me.
May 22, 2017 at 18:12
ANSWER HONESTLY!!!!!
May 22, 2017 at 05:57
Hi Simon,
Sorry for bothering you that much regarding permanent and mailing address, but two last questions.
Can I write an address of a friend in Florida as permanent and mailing address?
Do I need to have my name on his mailbox for the GC to arrive to this address?
Thanks.
May 22, 2017 at 18:09
Add your friends name. Some postmen look for the name on the mailbox – others don’t.
May 22, 2017 at 18:26
Anything I can make to be sure that my mail will arrive to him?
Its not better to give a virtual real address in shipito?
May 22, 2017 at 06:16
Hi, is it possible for iranians dv lottery winners to be interviewed?
May 22, 2017 at 18:08
Yes
May 22, 2017 at 07:40
Hello BritSimon,
I’ve read through your guide for filling in the DS-260, but I’m wondering if you could give me some further opinion on the following?
My passports are set to expire during the DV processing period. My case number is OC400s. I would like to submit the form ASAP, and you recommend that if the case number is ‘low’, to submit the form and then correct it at interview by bringing both sets of passports, but that the preference is to add the new passport details if time allows.
Which path would you take in my case?
Thank you for your help!
-Lucas
May 22, 2017 at 18:01
It doesn’t matter which way you choose. Just choose what you want.
May 22, 2017 at 08:15
Sorry Brit please I don’t get your answer well . Means if I put my child now I will be disqualified? So will it be ok if I don’t include my child?
May 22, 2017 at 17:53
I am not going to say it is OK to lie. It isn’t.
May 22, 2017 at 10:22
Hi Simon. I have a question please
after my interview my case was put on AP. And I’ve been getting updates almost everyday since 3 weeks ago. Does it mean that it is close to clearance? Or not really
Thanks for your help as always
May 22, 2017 at 17:50
People try and interpret the meaning of updates, but there is no “pattern” that means anything. So – patience.
May 22, 2017 at 11:54
Hello Mr. Simon, we live in Ireland my wife and i and kids, winner of green card lottery 2018AF
will the interviewer in usa embassy dublin always ask for financial statements?? i m a bit worried beacause we don’t know anyone in usa and we dont have asset or money to proove / avoid public charge requirement. can my honour degree of law help in this??
May 22, 2017 at 17:48
I am not certain about Dublin – but it is likely they ask for an I-134.
britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
May 22, 2017 at 11:59
Hey Brit,am a 2017 Dv winner I played as single, but one month later I got married.My husband has been added on my case cos my status has changed to married instead of still been single.Can I add my husband sur name to my last name when am filling my DS 260 or it doesn’t matter?
I also want to know if unlocking ur DS 260 to make some corrections on ur form could cos delay in processing ur form for appointment?
May 22, 2017 at 17:38
If you changed your name by marriage – then your DS260 should have the new name AND list the maiden name in the other names used section.
Unlocking typically doesn’t cause delay.
May 22, 2017 at 12:24
Dear Brit,
You made a post in 2014: “Long term impact of the introduction of the DS-260”. Do you think that the processing problems that plagued DV2015 have been ironed out? Particularly, have processing times increased, or are we at a point where minimum four-month processing should be expected?
Thank you for your insight.
Kind regards,
Dorothy
May 22, 2017 at 17:17
I expect the backlog to occur again this year. We have a lot of selectees this year (more than last year) so a lot of people will be submitting their DS260s at the same time – so waiting time is inevitable.
May 22, 2017 at 12:36
Hi Simon, my husband’s DV 2018 selection number is EU179**. I looked at the visa bulletins for 2017 and if I am interpreting the data correctly, we should be invited to an interview sometime in March 2018. Am I reading the bulletin correctly? The reason I am asking is because initially I was left with the impression that these numbers are usually interviewed in February, but now I am thinking that it is more like March…It is important for me to figure it out with as much accuracy as possible, because I was supposed to be in the USA for an externship in April and the DV lottery win is really making it hard for me to make plans. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
May 22, 2017 at 17:15
You cannot predict accurately at this point. There are many variables that could change the pace of the progress from one year to another.
May 22, 2017 at 12:47
Hi Simon
Is there a difference on DS 260 for DV and IV?
Thanks!
May 22, 2017 at 17:14
Some questions on the DS260 are not important for DV cases. But anyway – just answer the questions you see.
May 22, 2017 at 12:50
It’s me again -I saw a DS 260 sampler their is a part for petitioner but I haven’t seen any When I was feeling my DS 260?
May 22, 2017 at 13:10
In registration of my appointment online , what is meant by priority date
May 22, 2017 at 14:17
You don’t have a priority date.
May 22, 2017 at 13:13
ABRAHAM
May 22, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Reply
Hello I am Abraham Bartuah i want to find out if when the counselor inform us that she has no problem with my I and my wife case she said our paper work is ok and because we met from high school days so she dont have problem . she give us AP and said that we should not worry because the time is neatly she will get to us very soon. So normall how long doe AP take and base on her statement when do you think that she will called us our interview was on the 16th of may 2017.
May 22, 2017 at 14:16
AP times vary I cannot predict it.
May 22, 2017 at 13:20
Dear Brit,
Regarding the last ten years of employment section in the DS-260, are they interested in ONLY JOBS that were held over that period or how I ‘occupied my time’? For example, I studied for two of the 10 years (which would show up in the education section) but was looking for work in one of the 10. Without including these instances, the timeline would have gaps (especially for the period of unemployment).
Thanks again for your assistance.
Kind regards,
Simon
May 22, 2017 at 14:15
Between education history and job history, they will have a history – don’t overthink this – just list the reality.
May 22, 2017 at 13:33
DEAR SIMON,
I HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR DV 2018. BEFORE WE MARRY AND HAVE KIDS WITH MY WIFE . MY WIFE HAS BEEN LEGALLY MARRIED WITH SOMEONE AND LEGALLY SEPARATED. BUT HER EX HUSBAND HAS WON DV 2014 AND SHE HAS BEEN HIS SPOUSE. THE RESULT WAS REJECTED. THE REASON I HAVE STATED THIS ISSUE IS. WILL THIS CASE STILL BLOCK US FROM GETTING VISA. WE ARE ALREADY MARRIED AND HAVE KIDS. WHAT IS THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME. QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED DURING INTERVIEW OR DOCUMENT SHOULD BE JUSTIFIED.
THANKS IN ADVANCE !
May 22, 2017 at 14:14
She will probably have to show the divorce papers from the first marriage. Other than that there is no problem.
May 22, 2017 at 14:10
Hi Simon, my Aunt won the 2018 DV, she is married but she play single because her husband was not around during the entrance. she played alone with the three (3) kids. and she played with her husband name. she has been at the embassy previously as married by then she apply for visiting visa and was denial. we are worry about the process, can you please help me? thanks ..
May 22, 2017 at 17:10
She will be disqualified because she lied about her marital status and failed to include her husband. There is no solution.
May 22, 2017 at 14:48
HI BritSimon, sorry for the repeated questions. i fill ds-260 yesterday i leave the information from grade 9-12 and i submit only the the higher institute (degree) information. should i unlock and submit the information? or no matter. thanks in-advance.
May 22, 2017 at 16:44
Yes you should correct it.
May 22, 2017 at 14:59
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE IN 2WEEKS OR 3WEEKS TIME . AND HOW DO THEY DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK . DO THEY CALL YOU ON PHONE?
May 22, 2017 at 15:10
hi Brit i used 1 mail address for me,my spouse and my children, after i finished the ds-260 form i request mail conformation for my derivative applicants, the system looks like Application error even we got the conformation code with PDF. should i unlock and change the email to get the 2NL notificatio?
May 22, 2017 at 16:33
That won’t change anything.
May 22, 2017 at 15:18
Hi Simone please answer my question, some people are telling me that iranians cannot be interviewed because of the political problems iran and america are having is it true?
May 22, 2017 at 16:33
No
May 23, 2017 at 05:44
Hi simon,
As being 68** CN from Nepal i want to check that how many visas has been issued or how many
people are waiting for interview; how can i check that ?How many visas are left? secondly, Am i in risk because all the other countries are being current? since 6400 CN has got 2nl. what should i do?
Thank you
May 23, 2017 at 13:55
We don’t know how many visas are issued. You just have to wait and see.
May 23, 2017 at 14:59
in your earliest prediction , you said that upto 6800/7000 is pretty comfortable. so, hoping for the next visa bulletin. since 2 vbs are left i’m hoping for the atleast one second last vb. when can i check the number of visa issued from ceac website because 2nl of may has just sent??
May 23, 2017 at 23:06
The 2NLs just sent are interviews in July – so you cannot get issued counts until after July. SO – wait and see.