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.
September 5, 2017 at 17:19
Hi brit , i’m winner in dv 2018 there was typo error in the initial application which has been submitted in Oct 2016, that the line of foreign State chargeability mentioned
ECUADOR by mistake instead of EGYPT . taking into consideration that all remain address was placed in EGYPT.
In ds-260 I submit my place birthday Egypt .
So I have wrong case number 2018SA15xx instead of 2018Afxx
From your experience this low risk or high risk in interview ?
September 5, 2017 at 17:27
It is certain denial – not a risk – CERTAIN.
September 5, 2017 at 18:01
Hello Brit Simon!
We are a couple of couples winners of 2018.
The main applicant is my wife. the country of Uzbekistan!
I have doubts about her education.
1. My wife graduated from 9 classes, a school of basic education, after she entered the college where she studied 3 courses and because of family circumstances she could not attend the final exams, thus she could not get a diploma.
At the moment, the DS-260 form is being processed in the KCC. Our case number 2018EU4 *** and I seem to be interviewing will be appointed for November.
2. We are from my wife’s study place, received a certificate that she really studied 3 courses from 2004 to 2007 and for family reasons she could not pass the exams thus could not get a diploma. (In the form of DS-260, I indicated a HIGH SHOOL, NO DEGREE)
3. Through the state of Uzbekistan, through the Ministry we have reinstated our studies for the third year and my wife is currently a student of the third year of college.
Question .- Do you think that the certificates from the 1st college on the completion of 3 courses of study without obtaining a diploma + certificate that my wife is studying at the third year of college at the time of the interview !?
For earlier I have been thankful for your detailed reply! P/s I write through an translater if something could not understand, let me know!
September 5, 2017 at 18:29
The embassy in Tashkent mentions a requirement of graduating from a college or Lyceum. Graduation normally means passing final exams – but you know the education system there better than I do – so you should decide for yourself whether she meets the requirement or not. If she does not meet the requirement, the case will be denied.
September 6, 2017 at 15:04
If it fulfills the requirements before the end of the fiscal year and we prove it in an interview. Can this be the basis for issuing a Visa?
September 5, 2017 at 19:17
I read as if i unlock and if i have 4 month time till interview. Unlocking will not effect to my interview date. Is this right?
September 5, 2017 at 19:42
Yes
September 5, 2017 at 22:30
Hi Brit. My wife and kids pass the interview and it was approved. Their status was READY now it change to ADMINISTRATION PROCESS. Do you have any idea what that mean? Should we be worry. We only have till 30 September. SOUTH AFRICA. Johannesburg. Wait process time is how many days?. Thanks
September 6, 2017 at 00:21
Hi Brit,
I have been going through the internet a lot for an update on travel ban. Are Iranians going to continue being affected by the travel ban (without having to prove their bona fide USA relation)?
Iranians and Nepalese are majority of selected candidates in Asia region… Can this also mean that Asia region can go current and probably sooner.
The travel ban could also be the reason why huge numbers are selected for 2018.
September 6, 2017 at 02:01
The travel ban doesn’t affect DV2018 – and would not mean any change to DV2017 numbers.
September 6, 2017 at 00:40
A friend wants to apply in October with his wife but the problem is that he hasn’t completed high school and he asked me if his wife gets selected and wins can he qualify to win through his wife, even though he doesn’t have high school diploma?
Thanks
September 6, 2017 at 02:00
Yes
September 6, 2017 at 04:56
Hi Brit
thank yo so much for your kind information.
I have interview on October in Tokyo, I would like to ask is it important to contact with embassy or not for registration before my interview. or don’t need just I should go to the embassy on specific date for attending my interview.
I am asking this question because some embassy need to registration.
thank you so much.
September 6, 2017 at 14:43
You follow instructions from the embassy in question – I don’t know all the embassy specifics.
September 6, 2017 at 05:50
Hallo brit,my status has changed I had submitted ealier enough and now I have a baby,can I write an email to Kentucky to unlock for me?
September 6, 2017 at 14:43
Yes – check the FAQ on how to request the unlock.
September 6, 2017 at 07:38
Hello brit
I got my visa yesterday,
I wanted to ask can I change my port of entry ?
when the officers asked me where will u go I said Fairfax Virginia, I will be travelling to US on October 6
but since my sponsor (my relative) will be going on a vacation for a month and will return to US on October 23
till then can I live with my uncle who lives in Utah ?
September 6, 2017 at 14:44
Arrive anywhere, live anywhere.
September 6, 2017 at 09:21
Hi Simon!! My case number is OC5##!!
1. Is this one of the lower numbers?
2. And when should i expect an interview date?
3. And when we do go for i interview do we change our currency to USD330 or i pay in my currency equivalent to USD330?
Thank you
September 6, 2017 at 14:46
1. It’s OK.
2. A few months time
3. Either.
Please read the FAQ to answer some basic questions.
September 6, 2017 at 09:28
hi mr simon. greetings to you.
from your experience and from your survey do you think the american embassy abu dhabi put more note on affidavit of support??
September 6, 2017 at 14:46
Yes
September 6, 2017 at 11:18
hello . it is possible to be selected once again whereas your visa has been denied before some years? thanks .
September 6, 2017 at 14:49
Yes
September 6, 2017 at 15:25
pls what is the meaning of 2NL
September 6, 2017 at 17:28
Interview notification.
Please read the FAQ
September 6, 2017 at 15:30
Hi Bri, hope your doing great, I’m in Cameroon. And my case number is 2018AF28XXX. And I am a Secondary school teacher. I was wondering if you know when my interview will be scheduled and if I will receive an email. Also are my chances slim or high? Thanks a million
September 6, 2017 at 17:29
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions
September 6, 2017 at 17:51
Can you delete the case number in my last question please? Thanks Sir
September 6, 2017 at 16:11
Hi
Thanks in advance
I have three questions, which are following:
1. After my interview,they asked to make a profile in ustraveldocs.com/np. I made profile in 5th September 2017 but i made a mistake about mailing address 1 and city which i update now. Will it create a problem, updating my profile?
2.If CO give the visa approved card for further processing,does it mean the visa is sure?
3. My passport is with them and said that “Collect it from the refered bank. Is there any chance of getting visa?
Thanks a lot. I feel blessed if you answered these question.
September 6, 2017 at 17:31
1. I don’t think so – but use your own judgement.
2. No. Having the visa in your hand is when it is for sure.
3. See 2.
September 6, 2017 at 19:02
Hi Brit
My case number is 2018SA14XX, can be considered low for the region?
knowing that this year the number of selected was of 4995 for my region, according to your experiences you think that I have real opportunities to be called for an interview in the next months (2018)
Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience
September 6, 2017 at 19:54
No that is not a “low” number – but has a good chance for interview late in the processing year.
September 6, 2017 at 22:50
Thanks for your answers,
since my case number is not low, it can be considered Good or bad
thx
September 6, 2017 at 19:31
Hi Brts,am a participant,my no.starts with 2018REZTA1…….,l have been checking and it’s always give me lnvalid information,but l no is valid, l no people HV been selected from my country Ghana. Pls should l just forget it,or have not been selected at all! Dinah Thanks
September 6, 2017 at 19:55
You are probably not following the instructions correctly. Enter the LAST NAME ONLY which is before the comma.
September 6, 2017 at 20:49
Diana am also a winner from Ghana and i think there is something odd about your case num,all winners from Ghana(Africa) case number starts like this 2018AFxxxx, make sure you dont get scammed.
September 6, 2017 at 20:54
This would not be a case number – it’s (hopefully) a confirmation number from the original entry.
September 7, 2017 at 00:39
Hi there, thanks for the great blog, it is very helpful. I have quite a specific question – I am in the process of adding a spouse to my application and have to upload a marriage certificate. We were married last week and only received what is called a place holder marriage certificate, we have applied for the official one but apparently it will take a month or so to arrive and I wanted to get the application sent off asap.
I was wondering if the place holder one will suffice for the DS-260 or whether it’s best to wait…Our number is fairly high (2018OC1944) so maybe it’s not a problem to leave the application for another month or so? Thanks for your time mate!
September 7, 2017 at 00:45
Well as you said – waiting will not make any difference – so I suggest you wait for the real certificate.
Having said that – you may not have read my analysis regarding OC numbers. I’ll not dress this up for you. The hard reality is that is extremely unlikely that you will get a chance of interview. Your case number is significantly over what I would project as a possible final number for OC – and OC is relatively easy to calculate/project. Given that reality you may want to reconsider adding your spouse since doing so declares immigrant intent for her. Your own DS260 has already done that for you rather pointlessly – but at least you can not compound the error in her case.
Unless something dramatic happens, your best idea is simply both enter DV2019.
September 7, 2017 at 01:06
Thanks for the reply…man I don’t know whats worse – getting selected with an unrealistic number or not getting selected at all! I guess I can apply and just see if anything dramatic happens haha
September 7, 2017 at 01:37
Sorry – just wondering if you can clarify what you mean by this…
“Given that reality you may want to reconsider adding your spouse since doing so declares immigrant intent for her. Your own DS260 has already done that for you rather pointlessly – but at least you can not compound the error in her case”
September 7, 2017 at 02:47
Non immigrant visa applications can be affected if the embassy believes the applicant has “immigrant intent”. The submission of the DS260 is evidence of that intent. So – some people are better off not submitting the DS260 if their numbers are never going to be called for interview.
September 7, 2017 at 04:36
Thanks for clarifying that, I had no idea it could affect a later non immigrant visa application….I guess it wont hurt entering and (hopefully) winning the lottery again as that’s intended immigrant…
September 7, 2017 at 06:07
Entering a lottery is not considered “immigrant intent”. Submitting the application form (the DS260), is.
September 7, 2017 at 07:00
Oh yes of course, so it would really become an issue if we apply for tourist visas or something if we have filled out the DS260 – hopefully not too much of an issue for us in Australia? I had no idea this was so fraught haha
September 7, 2017 at 01:07
Thanks for your answers,
my case number is not low 2018SA14XX, but you can be considered Good or bad
what number you would project as a possible final number for SA.
you recommend me to apply to DV19 or wait for my interview
thx
September 7, 2017 at 02:49
There is no harm in applying for DV2019. As for your number – I answered already. But read this:
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-selectee-numbers-published/
September 7, 2017 at 06:31
What will be the upcoming visa bulletin for dv which will be published on September ?? Any idea??
September 7, 2017 at 07:08
No
September 7, 2017 at 07:40
Hello Brit,
I had an information on a forum like what for africa, we stopped sending 2NL to CN = 2000, please have you an information of this kind?
thank you !
September 7, 2017 at 14:38
I have heard that rumor – but it is false.
September 7, 2017 at 20:58
thank you very much ! Mr. Brit
September 7, 2017 at 07:51
Hi Brit
My interview has been scheduled for early October (DV 2018) and as per previous posts the second set of DS260 forms should be ignored. I have however already filled these in and submitted them again. Will this be a problem?
September 7, 2017 at 14:41
I don’t think so.
September 7, 2017 at 08:10
Hey Brit, thanks for your all helps to us. Have you heard something about new visa bulletin number like last month? Thanks.
September 7, 2017 at 14:41
No
September 7, 2017 at 08:22
Hi Sir,
Just want an explanation about 2018 interview case.
Look For exemple the first visa bulletins or VB For october Is 8500 but only under 3000 got there 2NL and the Dates of interview are 2/9/16/23/30 october.
How Can You explain the others from 3000 to 8500?
Are they going to have their interviews in Novembre instead of october ?
Is it the Same with all the comming VB?
September 7, 2017 at 14:42
How can I explain something you are telling me without any evidence to support your claim?
I can’t.
September 7, 2017 at 08:28
Hi Brit, hope you are doing great.
We filled DS260 on July 5. CN 2018AF77XX .At that time our newborn didn’t have a passport yet. It will be issued in a few days. As chances of getting an interview in november are high, do you recommend unlocking DS260 in order to update passport number, or should we just leave it like that and present it to the CO at interview.
Thanks in advance.
September 7, 2017 at 14:43
Either way – it doesn’t matter.
September 7, 2017 at 14:46
Thanks Brit
September 7, 2017 at 14:28
Hello Brit
Is there still any more hope to receive letter of appointment of interview for Dv 017 ( Sept )
Your opinion please
September 7, 2017 at 14:50
Almost none. Why have you not received your 2NL? Did you check?
September 7, 2017 at 14:55
You are on AOS aren’t you. You need to make that clear – I cannot be expected to remember YOUR case!!
You must have an infopass NOW and tell the FO you need to be interviewed prior to the deadline. Take responsibility for your case! Get on with it! If you don’t do this today I assume you are not serious.
September 7, 2017 at 14:29
Helo brit in ethiopia we will get a degree which is temporary until we pay a cost sharing from our salerry so should i have to pay all the cost sharing to get ma permanent degree paper which will be seen by the CO.?? 10 Q
September 7, 2017 at 14:49
It depends whether you can meet the education requirement without that.
September 7, 2017 at 17:08
Hi Brit, Could you please provide me your expectation about the next Visa Bulletin, My Case number is 2018AF720X, is there any chance to be the next Visa Bulletin
September 7, 2017 at 17:12
That number is already less than the October interviews number of 8500 for AF region
September 8, 2017 at 13:32
i`m from Egypt ,is there is any chance to be on the upcoming Bulletin or next.Thanks
September 8, 2017 at 13:44
Wait and see.
September 7, 2017 at 23:33
Hi Brit! My DV has been granted this last June and expires in November. Based on your experience and knowledge my question is: When I enter to the US, how many days should I wait to go out from US? Im in SA region and I can travel to the US in this period, however I havent finish some things in my country and I need to go back
September 8, 2017 at 00:02
There is no minimum time you need to spend in the USA
September 8, 2017 at 04:38
Hi Simon
I’m dv2018 winner
I’ve filled permanent address in DS260 since May. But now I would like to change it. Do I have to unlock DS260 or something?
My case ,5500, is still at KCC.
Thank you
September 8, 2017 at 04:49
YEs you would have to unlock. Read the FAQ
September 8, 2017 at 06:14
Hi Brit from some comments on your blog it looks like out of the 8500 visa bulletin number for Africa in the month of October only about 3500 received the 2nl.1. Can you personally confirm this as true?
September 8, 2017 at 14:01
No. It is not true.
September 8, 2017 at 06:44
Dear Brit
Thanks god we finally could get our visa. My wife as the principle applicant got her visa 2month before me because i had to undergo some AP.she has not yet traveled to US but he is going to travel next week alone and i am planing to join her in one month. Usually there is an annotation on the derivatives visa saying “valid only if acc/ftj father/mother/spouse. But there is no such annotation on my visa (as her derivative)
is that a problem? can my wife travel one month sooner than me and then I join her one month later.
-What should i show to the immigration officer to prove that my wife is in US soil and i am following to join by the time i arrive at the POE? Even for those who has not such annotation (“Valid only if acc/ftj…” ) still have to prove that their principle applicant is in US soil, if so, How?
Thanks
September 8, 2017 at 14:00
No problem, they know who has entered. Take copies of your wife’s visa.
September 8, 2017 at 08:07
Hi Brit,
When I fill the DV lottery form it asked about the number of children.But both of my children were above 21 and so I mentioned (0).
But when filling the DS 260 form under the section Family information:Children it asked that do you have any children?
Can you please tell me how to answer this (yes or no) because both of them were above 21 and also I didn’t mention them in the DV lottery form)
Thanks.
September 8, 2017 at 13:56
Include the adult children
September 8, 2017 at 16:10
Can you please explain it little bit more?
September 8, 2017 at 20:48
Answer yes – and include their details.
September 8, 2017 at 08:40
Dear Simon.
Greetings!
I have one question.
Do u think that case numbers in the 2018AF19xxx from Ethiopia are safe?
Regards,
Solomon
September 8, 2017 at 13:52
Yes
September 8, 2017 at 11:03
Hello Sir,
I have a urgent question to you. Me and my wife wanted to printout Ds260 form which was filled before , becouse of Consulate interview. But when we login the Ds260 website , there are still unfiiled Ds260 form for my and my wife’s name again and Ds260 website informs it ends 30 th of September.. So we are confused that do we need to re-fill the forms again? Meantime we already completed DS260 forms and have the authorization number.
September 8, 2017 at 13:51
No need to complete the second set of forms.
September 8, 2017 at 12:19
Hi Brit I want to ask u if with your knowledge of the raise act bill the congress will vote on it this september.i am just nervous cause I heard Donald trump is reaching a deal with the democrats on immigration, tax cut and daca. So just wondering if raise act bill will be voted on this september
September 8, 2017 at 13:48
It will not be voted on.
September 8, 2017 at 15:01
Hello sir
Regarding the travel ban you mentioned that it will not be voted on this September , does that mean it will stay in action and it will affect the 2018 selectees?
thanks for every thing,may God reward you for your help.
September 8, 2017 at 15:57
You are confusing two things.
You asked about the Raise act. That is a new bill – nothing to do with the travel ban. It will not see a vote before October and therefore cannot impact DV2018.
The travel ban is a different matter. It currently is due to end before October. I cannot predict what will happen after that.
September 8, 2017 at 12:53
Hello Brit,
I follow your all posts and comments. Thanks for your helps. My question is I know that we need to show bank account in order to live in usa in case we do not have a job there. Me, my wife and my doughter, we need to show about 45K dollars, right? So, during interview, if we can not afford to show this money but all documents are allright, how the visa progress move? It will terminated that time or they will wait us to show some money for some period?
September 8, 2017 at 13:47
You would be on AP until you satisfy them. Read this https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
September 8, 2017 at 13:02
Good evening to you Dear Brit Sir,
hope you are doing well and have a great time.
i would like to ask question about the appointment request. my interview is on October in Tokyo. I check the site of Us embassy in Tokyo, there is a form by the name of (OF-169) for appointment request but in side the form the ask about visa type and there is just two type(family based, employment based) the mentioned.
it means that Dv wineer no need for appointment request.
am i wright ?
thank you sir
September 8, 2017 at 13:45
I don’t know the procedures at that embassy.
September 8, 2017 at 13:57
Hello brit
I am a winner of dv 2018 from nepal..My cn is AS 10**.I want to know that does it affect the 2nl if the sponser is now in nepal.He will return US within month
Thank you
September 8, 2017 at 14:06
No problem.
September 8, 2017 at 15:17
Good day,
while filling the DS260 form, i put my current job as an Administrative Assistant because of my rank at my job side though i was employed as a Clerk. The difference is that my recruitment documents has the position of a Clerk except my appointment letter that raised me to the rank of Admin Assistant. Is there any problem as i filled Administrative Assistant?
2. please can you rate my case number if its safe and how soon can i be called for interview? my number is AF30xxx.
Thanks
September 8, 2017 at 15:59
1. No problem
2. Wait and see
September 8, 2017 at 15:21
Hi Simon,
hope you are doing great.
massive thank you for running this site.
winner EU201810XXX
in your opinion and previous years what is the estimate for an interviews for region and number?
many thanks.
September 8, 2017 at 16:01
I don’t have a prediction – read this:
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
September 8, 2017 at 18:24
Hello Sir
thank you for your good work . i made a 5 year passport now i have my visa on it a firend said that it needs to be a 1 year passport is that a problem ?
Thanks
September 8, 2017 at 20:52
Your only problem is not having smarter friends. 5 years is OBVIOUSLY better than 1 year.
September 8, 2017 at 18:59
Dear Simon,
Hope you doing good and thank u so much for all precious time answering our questions.
First off i am a 2017dvLoterry winner with a number of 10XXX. I had my interview date scheduled on the 6th of September. I went to US Embassy earlier that morning and just had a 5min talk with the visa Officer telling me to go to specific clinik to do the Med Check-up and he as well added that there are few days remaining. I went straight after to the clinik to make sure to complete my check up. It will be delivered to the embassy on next monday the 11th september and most probably will be called for the final interview the same week. My questions is to know if my visa approved: will be the lenght of my approved visa will be upto the end of th 2017 DVLottery or shall it be 6month. Please i need a clarification on that. Many thanks
September 8, 2017 at 20:54
6 months.
September 8, 2017 at 19:00
Hi Simon
I need your confirmation please.
A certain country has almost 4500 winners. There are some of them (who nows how much) that got married after been selected. What is the possibility of a winner with cn 38… to take the 2NL and been qualified for a visa?
Thank you in advance
September 8, 2017 at 20:56
The case numbers are allocated within a region so your question doesn’t make sense. It would help if you would be clear about what country we are discussing, and be clear about the 38XXX number – do you mean 38XX or 38XXX?
September 8, 2017 at 23:04
The country must be Albania since there are 4484 winners. I don’t understand this number in such a small country.
September 8, 2017 at 23:07
A lot of entries means a lot of selectees. It’s not mysterious.
September 9, 2017 at 07:29
Sorry, you’re right. It’s about EU38xxx and the country is Albania. There are 4484 winers that got 1NL in Albania this year
September 9, 2017 at 11:39
So, the answer is that it has nothing to do with Albania. Through people that decide not to process their win, or refusals etc, Albania won’t come close to the country limit. So – the only question is how high is that number within the EU region. It’s high, but not hopeless.
September 9, 2017 at 14:02
I have read somewhere about the 7% of general number of visas. If there are 4484 winners, how many of them (pretending they are all qualified for further procedures) will have the 2NL?
September 9, 2017 at 14:21
Again. Many won’t proceed, some will get refused.
In 2014 for instance, Albania had 3300 selectees, and ended up with 1571 GCs (including derivatives). So forget about the 7% limit.
September 8, 2017 at 19:11
hello simon, please, I need your help:
– is there another way besides the email, to find out if the kcc process the ds260 and if I already granted the appointment?
– In the ds260 where it says -work / training education- says primary ocupation: I wrote” other “espicify other” administrator of my own restaurant “because I own a restaurant afterwards says- present employer- I wrote the name of my restaurant. Is this okay or should I put my own name as a present employer?
– in the part that says – job title- I wrote “general manager” and that this job requires at least 2 years of training wrote “yes”
– in the ds 260 where he says – have you attend any educational institution? wrote “yes” university no degree “because I studied 3 years of university
I want to apply for the visa for my education that is easier and not for my work.
I am from South America and my number is 2018 and it is less than 90.
Do you think all this is good or should I correct my ds260?
thanks for your help
September 8, 2017 at 20:57
1. You don’t need the email at all – you just check the ESC site -0 that is where the interview details are shown.
2. That’s OK.
3. Fine
4. OK
Nothing to correct.
September 8, 2017 at 20:10
Dear BritSimonSays
Greetings
I’m green card holder, I have a question about trip out USA. Should absences be under 6 months each year or each trip? Can I stay out USA for 5 months and return to USA, then stay in USA for 1 month and travel again for 5 months. I want to stay in USA forever, but I do n’t have enough money to establish my life in USA. I need time to collect money for settle down (start living) in USA forever. So I need to work for less than 1 year out USA to collect and save money to start living my life in USA.
September 8, 2017 at 20:59
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/timeline-of-first-entry-and-absences-from-usa/
September 8, 2017 at 20:32
What filling my step 1 form my email address rejected that it is invalid what is the cause for it
September 8, 2017 at 20:59
I’ll take a guess that the email address wasn’t valid.
September 8, 2017 at 23:44
Hi Brit
A doubt the KCC processes and revises all the DS-260 requests that are sent, however does not assign the interviews to all those selected? ,
or to persons who do not assign the interview, the KCC does not process the request DS-260
it’s like this
September 9, 2017 at 01:39
Scheduling and even the visa bulletin numbers are set based on how many cases have finished ds260 processing.
September 8, 2017 at 23:54
Hi do you think there will be a second draw for the DV2018?
September 9, 2017 at 01:41
There is one report that a small second draw has happened for EU region only. But because all regions are already over selected, there is no point to add more people.
September 9, 2017 at 02:04
Dear mr simon,
Is possible to use my green card or permanent resident permit to enter European and other countries to visit some families and friends till I get a passport of a US citizen ?
Many thanks
September 9, 2017 at 04:22
No.
September 11, 2017 at 16:28
so what documents must he supposed to use to travel to the Europe instead of the green?
September 11, 2017 at 16:49
The passport. The GC does not increase the travel options outside of the USA.