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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.
June 2, 2017 at 12:13
Hi brit,i need your advise regarding my form which i filled during dv lottery in sept 2016 i mentioned there my highest level of education ‘master degree’ but during 260 filling i choose there my highest level of degree is’university degree’ and i mentioned my degree name Master in business admin MBA. Do i need to unlock my form to change the option from university degree to masters degree
June 2, 2017 at 13:35
No
June 4, 2017 at 23:15
Dear Simon
I won DV lottery and i submitted the Ds260 forms for me and my wife. I have a bachelor degree and all of my papers are ready and certified . My wife has bachelor degree also she studied in private university, but when i looked at her secondary education certificate it was failure (the last year before university).
Will that be a problem to us
June 4, 2017 at 23:32
He academic record won’t be questioned, since you are the winner.
June 2, 2017 at 13:50
hi brit
i reached USA since last saturday, my question is how can i pay green card online may you please give me direction to follow i want to pay it today thanks.
June 2, 2017 at 14:02
The embassy provided instructions. I don’t have a guide. But you can create an account on USCIS Elis system and follow instructions using some common sense.
June 2, 2017 at 14:59
Dear Simon ,
What does it mean , my case (that under AP more than 3 month ) regularly updates .
Case Created: 21-Oct-2015
Case Last Updated: 02-Jun-2017
Is that mean they are working on it ?
Thank you in advanse
June 2, 2017 at 15:37
There is no way to know exactly what the updates mean, so it is best to not try to understand or anticipate their significance.
June 2, 2017 at 16:08
Hello Brit I have a friend who was selected but she is hair dresser does that qualify her she is in Cameroon
June 2, 2017 at 17:19
Her hair dressing experience does not meet the standard to qualify her. She might be qualified through education.
June 2, 2017 at 16:46
Hi Brit, if I Check my DV result the first time and not selected should I still keep checking to see if I will be selected later?
June 2, 2017 at 17:11
You can try one more time around October – but I doubt anyone else will be selected in DV2018.
June 2, 2017 at 16:48
Hello, I saw a post regarding an experience at the Caracas embassy, and I was hoping someone can help me. My interview is coming up soon, and I have some questions I am hoping can be answered.
Medical exam: Some of the doctors say its about Bs. 80,000.00/ Bs. 15,000.00 (how much is this in USD). Was it hard to exchange money there? Where can I find accurate exchange rates since there is a difference between the Bs. and BsF?
After the interview: Also, how long after being approved do you receive your passport back and how does this process work?
Political climate: Is it really as bad as the media portrays it to be? Was it safe when you were there and did you feel safe? Any advice?
Please if anyone has any experience at the Caracas embassy, please help!!
June 2, 2017 at 16:50
Can I play with the same photo I used for the 2018 DV?
June 2, 2017 at 17:08
Considering the instructions say not to do that, it would be stupid to ignore the instruction.
June 2, 2017 at 18:08
Hi Brit. Am Jaymi. Thanks for your advice here. I have a question. When filling for the DV lottery in Nov 2016 I used education qualification that translates to 12 year US basic elementary schooling. I got selected this May 2017 for further processing. While filling the DS 260 form I maintained that my highest qualification of study is high school certificate that still translates to the 12year basic elementary schooling in US. I however have a bachelors degree n currently doing a masters. I only did so so that it matches what I qualified with to be sekected for further processing. Do you think this is appropriate or should I change this to be the actual truth. What would I need to do to change it? If I dont change it, what could happen during the interview?
June 2, 2017 at 18:29
The truth. Just the actual truth. It’s a very simple rule.
Unlock and correct.
June 2, 2017 at 18:38
Thanks for your quick response Brit. Will do! God bless.
June 2, 2017 at 18:46
Hy brit, one final question i made a spelling mistake while writing my degreeMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMNISTRATION i.e skipped i’ in administration is that ok or need to correct thx…..
June 2, 2017 at 19:01
No need to correct that. Please don’t overthink things.
June 2, 2017 at 19:16
Ok i got your point thx…
June 5, 2017 at 12:38
Hello Brit,
I am DV2017 winner from Nepal. My visa interview is not yet scheduled. Can I check my visa application status? If yes from where can I do that?
Thanks in advance!!
June 5, 2017 at 13:23
Status? I don’t know what you mean.
You submit your DS260 (if submitted, it says complete)
Then you wait to be scheduled for interview. I assume you are not scheduled because your number is not current. So – what other status do you want to check???
June 5, 2017 at 15:35
I submitted DS260 last year in may and waiting for the interview to be scheduled. Many people were talking about status check, so I thought if I could check that before interview is scheduled.
One more thing that I want to ask is :I had also applied for graduate studies in different universities. A good ranked university has confirmed my admission with scholarship and sent me i20. My classes will begin from August 11. In this case will you suggest me to wait for the dv interview which will probably be scheduled in August or to go for student visa? Or may I write to the university explaining that I would be late due the mentioned reason? I know that going as an immigrant has many perks but waiting is a tough task.
Thank you!!
June 5, 2017 at 18:34
It doesn’t make sense to start a student visa process. However, it’s your choice.
June 2, 2017 at 21:05
Hi Simon ! the sponsor that i choose is not working and the paper says that need a work authentication., but he is living with insurance .He can handle me . Is there any problem that he is not working ?
June 2, 2017 at 21:53
The sponsorship is based on the sponsor having income above the federal poverty guideline – so the sponsor is probably not a good option.
June 2, 2017 at 22:18
The sponsor have enough incomes , but im worried because of he is unemployed , is living with accident insurance .
June 2, 2017 at 23:52
Find another sponsor
June 3, 2017 at 08:19
Final question. He won big insurance . And he can handle me based on his incomes based on poverty guidelines . The sponsor should be employed ?
June 3, 2017 at 14:42
Yes.
June 2, 2017 at 21:21
Hello Brit. I am a 2018EU selectee with a case number around 20xxx. Based on your websites FAQ (great job, by the way) my interview should be scheduled around March/April 2018. The question is:
1- Lets say, I submit my DS-260 form now (June 2017), with my case number (20xxx) and someone else with a lower case number (for example 01xxx) submits it in September 2017. WHO GETS INTERVIEWED FIRST?
2- Does my case number 20xxx mean that even if my DS-260 can be processed earlier than March/April 2018 my interview will be at that time anyway?
Thanks in advance for your support, keep up the good work!
June 2, 2017 at 21:52
1. The lower case number.
2. Yes.
June 2, 2017 at 21:33
Hello BritSimon,
I guess my question was already asked many times. Im currently filling out DS 260. I live in Eastern Europe and my name uses special characters (accented letters)…. for example name Tomáš. Does the system actually accept those characters ? or can I just write Tomas ? Thank you.
June 2, 2017 at 21:50
No special characters – so just write Tomas.
June 3, 2017 at 05:43
Hi brit,can you please send me the link of the new i-134 form .
June 3, 2017 at 14:44
I am Britsimon, not Google.
June 3, 2017 at 07:44
Hi Simon,
What kinda documents would I have to provide at the DV interview if I were to plan on becoming an entrepreneur in USA?
Thank you very much for your assistance and help already in advance and thank you for a very informative page!
June 3, 2017 at 14:43
YOu don’t have to show documents about future plans.
June 5, 2017 at 06:57
Thanks mate!
I’m submitting my DS-260 this month, but we have two trips booked and paid already for later this year: a Caribbean cruise in August(which means we’ll travel to U.S., Fort Lauderdale) and in December a Xmas family vacation in Cancún; we don’t have layovers in U.S., but most likely the flight route will cross U.S. airspace we will have to write down our names on the passenger information list for the U.S. officials. (I had to do so on previous time I flew to Cancún straight from Finland). So;
– should I list these(or at least the Caribbean cruise/Fort Lauderdale) trips to my DS-260 as previous trips to U.S., even though they’re still in the future when I’m submitting my DS-260? I mean because at least the first trip will be in past by the time we will be interviewed.
– I’m a Finnish citizen and therefore under the visa waiver program; will my DV process affect my travels before the interview and vice versa?
– if we’ll be interviewed and granted the one-time visa before our Xmas vacation trip in December, will that trip cause any problems with my one-time visa if our flight route crosses the U.S. airspace and we will have to write down our names in the passenger information list for the U.S. officials?
Cheers
June 5, 2017 at 13:48
1. No
2. No
3. No
June 3, 2017 at 09:33
Dear Brit,
I have been selected for DV2018. Me and my wife birth day is correct in birth certificate and passport but on marriage certificate our birth dates are both wrong and it is difficult to correct it. Does it has an impact on our interview?
Thank you.
June 3, 2017 at 14:41
No
June 3, 2017 at 09:38
Hello Brit,
We entered the U.S. on 5/9/16 and have subsequently received our Greencards however the SSN never came through. Is this an automatic processes upon entry or does it require a visit to the SS office?
Thanks,
Ahmed
June 3, 2017 at 14:40
Visit the SSA office.
June 3, 2017 at 09:40
Hello Simon.I am filling my ds-260 form.My questions ;
1.Can I include in my education qualifications short courses I have done online and don’t have certificates yet.Due to long processing periods?
2.My addresses I have lived at dates won’t match my education dates because the short courses were done online concurrent with my degree.Will that be an issue during my interview?
Thanks In Advance ,God Bless.
June 3, 2017 at 14:39
1. Normally, don’t include those unless you really need to. So – in that case include relevant (important) courses that you can prove.
2. No
June 3, 2017 at 13:43
Hi Brit in my passport where they have profession I put there Law Enforcement because I am a Police officer will that affect me during my interview because there are many talks by people who don’t have any clue so please I need your advice. Thanks a lot
June 3, 2017 at 14:10
No problem
June 3, 2017 at 14:54
Hi Brit Simon!
I am a DV lottery winner of 2018. My case number is 2018AS000066**. Can you please help me it is safe or not. If yes, then when will my 2NL come? Also, when will I be interviewed? Please provide me some tentative dates.
June 3, 2017 at 15:21
britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
June 3, 2017 at 16:03
I have submitted the form ds 260 dated May 5, 2018 if I now ask for unlocking for reasons to make some changes, such as addresses, profession and employment, or have the effect of postponing the date of the interview with case number 2018EU10 ***?
June 3, 2017 at 16:22
Would you rather be delayed or denied?
Most DS260 changes don’t cause delay, but inaccuracies in the form can cause denial.
June 3, 2017 at 16:29
Do we have to unlock Ds260 if a parent dies, or we finish our master’s degree, or if we move and change address?
June 3, 2017 at 16:45
Use your best judgement about whether the DS260 needs to be updated.
June 3, 2017 at 16:36
Can I be penalized by these changes I am doing?
June 3, 2017 at 16:44
NO!
June 3, 2017 at 17:03
My son turns 21 this October. my case no is as12***. So my son will age out on interview date.
1.So should I participate to the interview with my son. (5 member family). (I already added him to the ds260 and entry form because he is not yet 21)
June 3, 2017 at 17:24
Always include your year with your case number – so I am assuming your case is 2018AS12***.
In that case, yes, your son will have aged out, because your case won’t be ready until August or September next year (if ever). You leave him on your DS260 for now, but he won’t need to attend an interview.
June 3, 2017 at 17:05
can I use 2 email address to get the 2nl?
June 3, 2017 at 17:25
They only email to one address.
June 3, 2017 at 17:56
I already submit ds260 form for all family members. (Included my 21 year old son)
1.What happen if I take him(21 year son) to the interview?
2. Will he get a chance to enter the embassy or interview room to meet a interviewer?
June 3, 2017 at 18:00
1. Assuming he has aged out, he won’t get a visa.
2. Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter whether he enters or not – the CO has NO discretion on this matter.
June 3, 2017 at 18:25
How to identify my case is current or not?
June 3, 2017 at 18:27
How to identify my case is current or not?
1.Does it according to the visa bulletin number?
June 3, 2017 at 19:12
You need to read the numerous posts I already have such as these links.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-faq/
June 3, 2017 at 18:49
Hi Brit,
Hope you are well, and once again, you are doing a fantastic job running this blog solo:)
I’ve been in the US now for a couple of months and wanted to know what is the protocol if you move location. Obviously one needs to update their address with their banks, health insurance etc, but does USCIS or any other department need to be notified?
Cheers.
June 3, 2017 at 19:13
Yes – google USCIS address change
June 4, 2017 at 04:05
Cheers Brit:)
June 3, 2017 at 20:35
Hi Brit. Pls advice. When getting a birth certificate for my baby, the officials of the department tgat handles this in the country she was born in (not her parents country) insisted that according to their regulations, she must take up her father’s surname to be her surname as well. The baby now has five names as follows:-
First name-English name
Second name- name of the person she was named after
Third name- a nickname we picked for her from the country she was born in
Forth name -her dads second name (this should have been her surname as per how we name back home)
Fifth name- her fathers surname which niw was forced on her as her surname too!
In her passport, the names are as above too.
Now to my querry, in the DS 260 form, I filled her surname as the above forth name (which should have bn her surname) n not the actual surname (fifth name) that appears in both her birth cert n passport. I then added the rest of the other names including the forced surname under Alias names..
Is this going to be a problem in the interview? What should I do? Am confused because I only find it hard to call her the same name her dad uses as his surname. Must the surname clearly match what is in her documents or can this be explained at the interview?
June 3, 2017 at 22:48
It should match her documents – but this is not a big problem for a child – just discuss at interview.
June 3, 2017 at 21:09
Hi brit..my case.number is AS000073xx.how much i wait for my interview….
June 3, 2017 at 22:52
YEAR???
June 3, 2017 at 22:57
Yes my case num is AS000073xx 2018
June 3, 2017 at 23:02
Then you have a long wait.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
June 4, 2017 at 20:12
HI BRIT…I READ UR ARTICLE…BUT STILL M CONFUSED DAT MY CASE NUM IS LOW..BUT STILL I HAV TO WAIT SO LONG…WHTS DA REASON…
June 4, 2017 at 20:41
The article explained it. Your number is not low. You will wait.
June 3, 2017 at 21:22
hello simon !
i am studying for master degree , when i filled DS 260 i made number of education completed 2 , high school and bachelor degree , and i mention the master degree at primary occupation as student . Is that ok?
June 3, 2017 at 22:53
Yes
June 3, 2017 at 22:18
My orginal dv entry middle name was mohomed and passport second name is mohAmed the difference is only O and A
Please tell me what to do before submitting my ds 260
June 3, 2017 at 22:53
Make sure the name is correct on the DS260.
June 4, 2017 at 04:23
Hey sir i wand to thank you for your help i am a 2018 winer and i have no one to sponsor me in usa exept my bf father but he is retiree and i dont know what to say when i be asked for relationship with the sponsor please help
June 4, 2017 at 04:45
You tell the truth!
June 4, 2017 at 06:26
hello Brit !
If my parent’s day or month of birth is unknown, enter as shown in their identity cards ? plz advice
June 4, 2017 at 12:52
Yes
June 4, 2017 at 11:04
hi sir Brit, i am green card holder , and i am outside of the state now. i am student and i wll graduate by july but i wanna go to somalia to see my family for two months this summer. my first entry was nov. 2016 and i left march 2017 . as i read yr post endorsed visa will expire 1 year for the first entry so do think it’s save to go . i read yr post u can not be outside of the state for one year after yr first entry . thanks yr help
June 4, 2017 at 13:05
It should be safe – but if you have your Green Card it is no problem.
June 4, 2017 at 11:32
Hello Brit,
I was married and separated when I applied for the DV 2018 and included my spouse on all documents, as we are not legally divorced.
I have been invited for further processing.
Do I need to involve my ex husband on the DS 260 or interview, as he did not apply for a DV?
Thank you.
June 4, 2017 at 13:05
No. You can process without him.
June 4, 2017 at 12:51
Hi Brit, I won the 2018 dv but I was not married now that i am married can I add my spouse on the program? (2) Can I go for interview along and if am successful file in for my wife latter because we do not have enough money for the both of us.
June 4, 2017 at 13:07
1. Yes
2. You could do that, but applying for your wife later will be expensive and slow (about 2 years).
June 4, 2017 at 13:41
hi, brit,
my wife and I went for interview 2013 as married couple. My wife was involve in a car accident 2015,which led to her death. I play the 2018 DV as single and won. Will the CO have problem about my status during the interview?
June 4, 2017 at 13:54
No. But you may be asked for her death certificate at the interview.
June 4, 2017 at 16:53
Hello Simon, I am A DV2018 selectee AF10***
When filling my original dv entry my highest education qualification was a degree as I was not yet done with my master’s degree which I was doing online at a college in the U.S.I was supposed to graduate this year May in the u.s and consequently collect my certificate while there.I went for a visa interview but was denied a non-immigrant visa.The college since then has not yet communicated on when and if they will send my master’s certificate.
1)Should I include this master’s degree in my education qualifications seeing as I don’t know if they will send me the certificate?
2)Do embassies keep a record of failed visa interviews and purpose of travel?Should I stick with the education qualification(degree) I provided in the original entry?
Thanks In Advance and God Bless.
June 4, 2017 at 16:58
1. If you have some other proof of passing such as transcripts etc, then yes.
2. Yes, they keep records. Use your judgement about the degree.
June 4, 2017 at 17:08
hello Brit !
If my parent’s day or month birth is unknown, enter as shown in their identity cards ?
in their identity cards just like this 1950 >> but i selected 1/1/1950
should i correct before i submit the form ???
June 4, 2017 at 17:09
1/1/1950 is fine.
June 4, 2017 at 18:21
Hi
I won the 2018 DV but my fear is my photo i play with has shadow in it and it look a little dark. but you can see me and know it is me,but am thinking if I will not face problem with the Interviewer ? Because a friend of mine told me photo with shadow in it are disqualify for the DV program is it true.
June 4, 2017 at 18:53
That is not a big risk. Don’t worry about it.
June 4, 2017 at 22:34
Hi brit
i’ve been selected for dv2018..
and i have been refused for a us tourist visa on july 2016
what i should write in the ds260 form about that regard the CO didn’t explain why?
June 4, 2017 at 23:30
Just mentioned the Tourist visa denial. No need to explain why.
June 4, 2017 at 22:47
Hello Brit. First, I would like to thank you once again for the great job you keep doing. After long months spent reading your blog, I am now in the USA, trying to live my american dream. The first months are not easy but I like this country of opportunity and I am hopeful.
Now, I would like to submit you a concern. A friend of mine (also 2017 winner) wants to bring his 2 children through family based immigration. The problem is that he didn’t declare the children while applying. I told me his LPR could be revoked. But he says some people told him there will be no problem because the two processes are different. Can you please give me your point of view about that? I mean can he be deported or not?
June 4, 2017 at 23:30
Yes he could be deported.
June 5, 2017 at 00:10
Hi Brit, my green card was recently approved which is fantastic (thanks for all your advice over the last 18 months!) and I have a question regarding a visa for my partner who did not win the lottery. What is the best visa for him to join me? He has a degree in engineering and teaching, is 28 years old and holds a valid Australian passport. I’ve been doing a little bit of research online but don’t feel very hopeful its going to be a straightforward process.
June 5, 2017 at 02:01
You would have to be married to him and then do a family based sponsorship. It takes around 2 years.
June 5, 2017 at 00:33
Hello Britsimon,
I have a family member who won in the DV lottery 2018, he submitted his DS260 and he put his home adress on it but the problem his is AF region and now he is an illegal immigrant in europe although his interview will be in his home country, can he change his inteview location in europe despite that he is an illegal immigrant? if yes could he face some difficulties? what do you suggest?
Best Regards.
June 5, 2017 at 01:57
No – I would not suggest he interview in a country where he is not legal.
June 5, 2017 at 05:41
Our interview was on 1st june thursday we got approved but ceac status still shows ap is it normal? kathmandu Nepal
June 5, 2017 at 13:49
Yes
June 5, 2017 at 05:52
DEAR MR SIMON,
i am facing a problem while am trying to check entrant status check. I am worried that i havent copy or print my interview letter.
“The system is unable to process your request. Please try again later. ORA-28001: the password has expired” this is what am getting from the website. can you please help me what does it mean and what is the solution.
Regards
June 5, 2017 at 13:49
It is a system problem, nothing to do with your case. Try tomorrow.
June 5, 2017 at 06:05
If you a principal applicant and with your high A-level/ high school diploma but you failed two subjects and passed two because it is usually four subjects in my country Uganda but you got the two principal passes as a requirement to join university. Would that be a problem since they say successful completion of 12 year in USA. Am worried in need to know early before I put my hopes high.thanks
June 5, 2017 at 13:48
I don’t know the specifics for Uganda.
June 5, 2017 at 06:58
hi
I won the 2018 lottery and i retained a lawyer but he was of zero help to me and i wanted to cancel the agreement “there is a clause to cancel with a penalty” which is fine with me, but how can i inform the KCC that he is not representing me anymore? since when we first started i signed a power of attorney to him, just in case. Thanks
June 5, 2017 at 13:46
KCC don’t care who is representing you. They assume everyone is representing themselves.