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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.
September 23, 2017 at 12:33
Hi simon
In the DS-Form it says in which occupation do u intend to work in USA,IF i SAY nurse then at last ask does this job require at least 2 years of training or experience .And i have been working as a nurse for 10 years while i was in my country.and about 2 years no job now ,.Is there any problem to my process,I have with me high school certificate and my nursing DIPLOMA.DV2018AF
September 23, 2017 at 14:14
No problem.
September 23, 2017 at 13:42
Hi Brit,
I’m currently in the US studying and I traveled to my home country for about 3 weeks on vacation. This happened after I submitted my DS260. Do I need to unlock and state this or is it only necessary for persons living outside the US and traveling to the US?
September 23, 2017 at 14:14
It won’t matter – you don’t have to update every small trip.
September 23, 2017 at 13:46
sorry! does the co will ask me work experience or just concern only the high school certificate,THANKS SIMON.
September 23, 2017 at 14:15
https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
September 23, 2017 at 15:22
Hey good morning precious friend Brit. You know when we go to the interview thu consular expect me to prove financial situation that I won’t be public charge and there are a few ways for it. I think the some of them is to get job offer from de USA. I am wondering is there any differences in between these ways to show financial proof in terms of suffeciency ? The other question is that have you ever published any sample for the job offer ? How it would look like ?
Thanx tremendous friend Brit.
September 23, 2017 at 15:28
https://britsimonsays.com/ask-questions/comment-page-148/#comment-85080
September 23, 2017 at 19:04
Hello !
I have arrived in the US beginning of September on a J1 visa for 16 months with no 2 y home policy. I won the lottery and want to apply for a AoS. My number is pretty high EU00026XXX.
If I have well understood, I need to fill the DS260 form, is it ok to fill it now knowing that I have arrived to the US beginning of September?
September 23, 2017 at 19:21
I suggest you wait a couple of months. You have to wait anyway because of your case number – no need to rush
September 24, 2017 at 00:07
Hello brit ,
I did enter u.s 3 days ago but i didnt pay the $220 fot the GC yet i will tomorrow it was due to money problem but am willing to pay tomorrow my question is the siocal security number have to pay the money to receive it or it dosent matter ??
September 24, 2017 at 14:49
The SSN will be issued anyway.
September 24, 2017 at 21:36
Should i go to the nearset SSN office and fill the paper work or dont go ?
September 25, 2017 at 04:43
It depends whether you selected the option in the DS260 for USCIS to apply for your SSN or not. If you don’t get the card within 2 to 3 weeks, go to the SSA
September 24, 2017 at 00:47
Hello!!
My husband, won the DV18, and we will apply all, my husband, my 15 year old daughter and myself.
The interview of the embassy will be interviewed all ?, or the minors are not interviewed ?.
Thank you very much.
September 24, 2017 at 14:48
All will attend the interview.
September 24, 2017 at 01:27
HI brit
Thanks for ur tireless effort.
My wife is one of the successful applicant in the 2018 DV, what I want to understand is that (1) we don’t have much money at the moment to process all of our documents right away , will it cause any problem if we Don’t summit our DS260 in time or wIl the expires date of the DV 2018 checking period cause any problem to our program?
September 24, 2017 at 14:48
The DV2018 processing will end September 30 2018. Your case cannot delay past that point – so you must submit the DS260 around May 2018 at the latest.
September 24, 2017 at 07:11
Dear Brit
Hi, hope you and your family doing well.
I am planning to fly to the US this week, but my address in the US has changed and i want to change it at the port of entry. is there any other step i should take for address changing such as any online website? or any office ?
i noticed a web site in a paper that the embassy gave me giving some detail about green-card fee and so on. there was a site within that telling if you are going to change your address submit it in this site. whats that? would your please kindly tell me what should i do
Thanks a lot
September 24, 2017 at 14:45
Just change at the POE
Pay the fee after entry.
September 24, 2017 at 10:07
Dear Brit,
I have finished the medical examination for DV Lottery and I want to know,
Which is the difference between sending the medical results from physician to US Embassy and
taking it from the physician to send by myself to the interview date?
Thanks a lot
September 24, 2017 at 14:40
It is simply a matter of local procedure. NO difference.
September 24, 2017 at 10:14
hello sir . i am from iran . main applicant is my wife and my son and she live in united states .because she and my son could keep the visa on jun . my processing is completed on august 21th and i went to ankara but i could not recieve the visa on september 13th .so in wes site of embassy my status was close until september 21th but and my status case is pa issued . my wife and my son have green cart . what s your opinion about this change . my status case .
thx
September 24, 2017 at 14:39
I don’t understand the question.
September 24, 2017 at 11:07
Dear simon, a permanent lock has been placed on my case and I didn’t request for that and the information the kcc have is not mine so what do I do,do I wait until the interview day so I present the original information cause I believe the person interfering with my case requested for the permanent lock,please help me
September 24, 2017 at 14:37
There is nothing I can say that would help. If the data in the DS260 is not yours then you are likely to be refused on the day of interview. I assume you (if the case IS actually YOUR case) made a foolish choice to work with an agent, and that person is exploiting you. Ghana?
September 24, 2017 at 22:14
Hello simon,thanks for the advice but on my husband side the data in the ds260 is accurate,will that still refuse as a visa
September 25, 2017 at 04:42
I don’t know
September 25, 2017 at 12:27
That means I shouldn’t go ahead with the processing, but if I explain the reason of the difference in the data wouldn’t the counsellor understand on the day of interview
September 25, 2017 at 13:48
This is your decision.
September 24, 2017 at 12:54
hello
in my 260 form i answered no to this question “have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above?” since i have diploma degree and finished universtiy the day i registered for lottery and my case number is around 6000 do i have to inlock my form and currect it or no? and if yes, is it going to effect on my interview date?
September 24, 2017 at 14:10
No need to unlock
September 24, 2017 at 13:13
Hi Brit
my father registered my DOB later and wrong (he had terrible memory) the day and the month is correct but the year is 3 years younger.the problem is my educational documentes show that i have graduated from high school degree at 17 years of old, but my passport , my BC and form DS216 show that i graduated at 14. the educational documents from elementary to university are mine 100 pro no doubt.
my question is that DOES THIS AFFACT the chance of getting visa?and the municipal registerd me and knows me only by younger DOB. I am DV2018 winner my case AF25**’ currently rside outside of my country no way to correct my BC
September 24, 2017 at 14:07
Yes it could cause a problem.
September 24, 2017 at 13:15
Dear Brit, Thank you so much for your help and suggestions. It helped me a lot. My daughter ( DV Lottery winner) is scheduled for interview in October. We found a mistake in her original birth registration document and was amended. We were provided a duplicate copy of birth registration from Registrar’s office ( Nepal). Will this impact in her interview? Do we have to get any more supporting documents.Looking forward to hear from you soon. Thanks again. Best regards
DeulaP
September 24, 2017 at 14:06
I don’t think it will cause a problem.
September 24, 2017 at 14:47
so isnt the officer going to ask me why i didnt fill the education forms in 260 since i already have them?
September 24, 2017 at 15:40
Hello,
after i submitted DS 260 i have noticed that i didnt listed my previous work (selected No instead of Yes);
and another thing is that: “Name in native language” i selected Does non apply.
based on your experience these type of errors does risk the Visa?
should i unlock ds260 and complete correctly this 2 steps?
Thank you
September 24, 2017 at 15:43
Unlock and correct.
September 24, 2017 at 16:53
Hi simon. Thx for what you are doing , my qs is at the ds260 in ” work and education, I’am working right now for 2 places, in agricalture,i mean i devide my time to both . when i fill the form i mentioned only one ,and the past jobs. I tried to fill both actyal work but it wont let me saying u already mentioned agriculture . shoud i unlock and correct ? (I meet the educational require
September 25, 2017 at 04:48
Use your own judgement.
September 24, 2017 at 18:02
dear simon
please help me with the following questions:
– at ds 260 where it says “do you have all the necessary vaccines?” I wrote “yes” because I plan to do it before the interview.
– in ds 260 where “course of study” I wrote in both cases “academic” I have a high school diploma and I have another diploma of technician in administration because I studied 3 years in the university.
I have the interview for next November you think: should I make corrections in the ds 260? can I unlock the ds 260 to correct this if necessary?
thank you so much for your help
September 25, 2017 at 04:47
I don’t think you need to correct it.
September 26, 2017 at 00:55
Mr Simon, thank you so much for your replies.
I have another question: President Trump put new sanctions on citizens of certain countries to enter the United States, Venezuela is in these countries and I am from Venezuela. Do you think that this affects the obtaining of the visa and the entrance to the United States? or in the case of Venezuela compared to the other countries that were also sanctioned is different?
Thanks again
September 26, 2017 at 02:52
Venezuela is being treated differently.
https://britsimonsays.com/old-travel-ban-expires-new-travel-ban-implemented/
September 24, 2017 at 19:07
Thanks again for your replies Brit. Does my wife need to attend the interview with me? She is already a US permanent resident but I did mention I was married on the DS260…
September 25, 2017 at 04:47
No.
Learn to click reply to keep the conversation together!
September 24, 2017 at 22:57
15 years ago. I was 10 years old. I had a holiday in Switzerland for a month. I did not mention it in ds 260 form. would that be a problem?
September 25, 2017 at 04:42
No
September 24, 2017 at 23:24
when is the last day of dv2017 visa issuing end date ?
September 25, 2017 at 04:41
September 30
September 25, 2017 at 00:32
Hi Simon, it have been a long time since I left this page. To Amit you help me a lot in preparing me and my wife for interview in may of this year.
(DV 2017). We didn’t had a child for the two and and half years together.
Anyway, before getting marry in 2015 of December, I entered the DV 2017 as single and before the result got married in December 2015. ( DV 2017 RESULT MAY OF 2016). We got all required documents from authorized agencies and ministries in my country (Liberia). We had all documents that the consular ask for during the interview including wedding photos, join account, Receipt from our landlord, and others.
But simon I and wife was denied for not having a child. The US consular told us that was impossible for couple to live together married and don’t have a child. I and wife explained all we could, yet we were denied our visa for having a child.
September 25, 2017 at 04:41
So you were denied because the CO found some reason to be suspicious that the marriage was not real. That is a sad story.
September 25, 2017 at 01:22
Hi brit i ve been in the us now and have not yet paid for my green card and uscis has actually mailed me two times requesting i pay as the last mail about a week ago is the final notice but i actuall intend paying this wednesday. Our visa expiry date is november 23 2017.. is there like any stipulated time frame for anyone to pay for his green card upon entry as am a little worried over the fact that they ve sent me two notice and this last one indicates its the final notice… Though i would actually pay this wednesday coming as the delay is actually not of my own will bt financial shortage as we actually a family of three.. thank you…
September 25, 2017 at 04:36
Pay it as soon as possible.
September 25, 2017 at 06:18
The last notice came on 14 this month and i will pay this wednesday coming 27th. I hate last minute options as it puts me in a worried state of mind but in this case i had no option. Hope am still within a deadline sir..
September 25, 2017 at 06:23
Hello Simon, Some questions:
1.I am Spanish and my interview for DV 2018, will be in the embassy of Madrid, the interview will be in Spanish or in English?
2. I know that I have to pay some fees at the embassy for doing the interview, once you have the green card, you have to pay something more for it? If so, how much?
Thank you for existing 🙂
September 25, 2017 at 13:23
1. English if you can manage it, Spanish if not
2. You pay $330 for the interview and later pay $220 if approved
September 25, 2017 at 06:25
Hi brits l have some questions here for you.1.You asked about the returns l meant TAX,PAYE and SSN.do l have to clear before the interview?if yes does is applying to my spouse?2..do children age 8,4 and 1yr need the police certificate? 3..incase of a family is the appointment letter one or every family member will have?the other is a request,kindly if you get any information regarding the using of 2017 photos let us know,you will safe many.Thanks for the assistant God bless you.thankyou.
September 25, 2017 at 13:25
1. What do you mean exactly?
2. No – but you would know that if you had read the instructions. PLease do that!!
3. One appointment.
September 25, 2017 at 06:31
Pls I won the dv lottery for 2018. And it was sent since May 3.. but I didn’t check till now. Will that affect my process. And also I made a mistake with d date of birth.. instead of 3 I made it 10.. will dat also v a significant factor n ma denial..
September 25, 2017 at 13:26
No problem on the timeline. THe DOB problem is a small risk, but make sure you enter it correctly in the DS260
September 25, 2017 at 07:30
Hi! I hope you’re doing well. I’m a nurse from the Philippines. My agency just filed my petition and I’m currently waiting for my priority number. I would just like to ask if I decided to work abroad while waiting for my PD to be current, and if it becomes current and I’m still abroad, what should br my best options to do?
September 25, 2017 at 13:27
I have no idea – I only answer DV lottery questions.
September 25, 2017 at 08:19
Hello.
I have a higher national diploma (HND) which i obtained after my GCE ADvanced level, on the DS260,i filled vocational studies because HND is neither a university degree nor no university degree.
1- should i unlock and fill no university degree, since HND is equal to 2years university?
2- will the vocational studies be considered in the US context or in the context of my country where i obtained the HND
Thanks
September 25, 2017 at 13:29
1. That would be better.
2. I don’t think the HND is purely vocational – but in any case you must show the education prior to the HND, as that is what you need to meet the requirement.
September 25, 2017 at 22:21
Hello Brit,
Your answer to my first questionbis was not clear.
1. Should i unlock the ds260 form to change “Vocational studies ” to “No university degree”?
2. If the change is effected, will there be space to include the HND?
3. After submitting the DS260 form, how can i check its status?
thanks
September 25, 2017 at 22:35
1. As I said – it would be better to unlock.
2. Yes
3. You just wait.
September 27, 2017 at 23:51
Hi Brit, thanks for your response.
1. Can you help me with the procedure to unlock my ds260 and that of my spouse to enable me effect the changes as mentioned above.
2. Once the changes are affected should i submit it again and print the enfire confirmation or just the page concerned ?
I am grateful.
September 28, 2017 at 00:56
1. https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
2. You resubmit the form.
September 25, 2017 at 08:23
hallo brit, am a div 2018 does my 6 months require to pay ticket and $33 visa processing fee.
September 25, 2017 at 13:30
There is no $33 processing fee. Do you mean $330? If so that is paid at the interview.
September 25, 2017 at 08:26
sorry brit above question i meant my 6 months baby need to pay ticket fee and $33 visa processing fee? tnx again brit
September 25, 2017 at 13:30
The baby will pay the $330 fee, plus medicals and depending on airlines may pay a fee for travelling.
September 25, 2017 at 08:48
due to the new trumps travel ban what do u think will happen for those countries that are having interviews up coming since travel.state updated no immigrant or diversity visa for those issued countries
September 25, 2017 at 13:32
I will post about the new ban later
September 25, 2017 at 09:23
HI BRIT, I am 2018 dv winner,, my DOB filled in DS260 and my pass is the same(1976), and DOB in eDV and in my BC is 1979, BUT day and month are the same,place of birth in all is the same.the problem is the year on the BC has wrongly registered, The munisipality told me there is no way to correct my BC BECOUSE i am out of the birth country and i am not the national or citizen of the country ,THEY CAN NOT correct it by agent
MY question is that is it OK to make interview with the above information? denial or has chance? thanks
September 25, 2017 at 13:40
Yes there is a chance of denial with that paperwork.
September 25, 2017 at 10:03
Hi dear friend Brit. We’re really appreciate what you’ve done for us. Think you’re blessed one. I would like ask a critical question for the interview. For the financial proof which option would be the best one among the choices other than bank account presentation. Job offer or I-134 form from an legal wealthy immigrant who makes 80.000$ per year ??
Appreciate it.
September 25, 2017 at 13:43
I-134
September 25, 2017 at 11:12
REALLY WORRIED
Hi
we won the dv 2017 and went to the US 7 of us 2 parents and 5 kids
but unfortionatlly my wife(principal winner) and kids prefered to go back in 09/2016 to our home country as they didn’t like it in the begining BUT I have stated(father)
now they want to come back in June 2018 after school which means they will staying outside the US for 20 months
they have all their green cards and social number
would they let them in the US?
thanks
September 25, 2017 at 13:47
No. Thay cannot stay out the country longer than 12 months UNLESS they applied for a re-entry permit before they left.
September 25, 2017 at 11:33
Hello,
I am a DV2018 main selectee from EU. My husband is a British Egyptian born in Lybia. Could this be an issue at the interview as far as the travel ban restrictions go?
Thank you very much indeed in advance.
September 25, 2017 at 13:48
The new ban describes exceptions for people holding dual nationality of another country that is not banned (while travelling on that passport).
September 25, 2017 at 12:26
hallo brit, does the person where am residing to live in the US need to submit any documents to NVC?
September 25, 2017 at 13:48
No
September 25, 2017 at 12:59
Hi Britsimon, President Trump has issued a presidential proclamation for restricting travel from eight countries, nad has added Venezuela to the original list of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
I wonder if Venezuela will be ousted from the list of countries to participate in the 2019 DV Lottery program.
September 25, 2017 at 13:49
No. The banned countries will still be in the program
September 25, 2017 at 13:09
Hi Simon,
I have checked your FAQ post regarding checking the ESC page. I have the original digital version, along with the 2NL notification interview confirmation letter. The ESC site is asking for a 16 character long number but mine is only 14 characters. I have tried adding an extra two 00’s and removing all 0’s to no avail. Is anyone else experiencing this issue any other suggestions to resolve?
Message:
‘Invalid Confirmation Number: Please enter the correct confirmation number that is 16 characters long (example: 20181O0DZWY3DOV9)’
Thank you for your amazing work, this site has been the best discovery as I go through the DV-2018 process.
September 25, 2017 at 13:50
You need to use the CONFIRMATION NUMBER. That is not the 14 digit case number. You are using the wrong number.
September 25, 2017 at 13:56
Hi brit;
i received an interview date (2NL) thanks for your help. I have some questions please;
1. At the time of our ds260 fillout, my wife was pregnant and we didnt include the baby by the time of the fillout, but in late august i she gave birth. Then later the following week i requested for the unlock of our ds260. the reply we got from KCC was it was currently under interview scheduling. So now my question is will the baby require a passport or not because its too late to get the passport since the interview date is 21-nov-2017. So can we use my passport or wife’s passport to represent the baby.
2. The embassy asked for police certificates. Is it me the principal applicant or all of them should get the police certificate too.
thank you brit
September 25, 2017 at 15:37
1. The baby will need a birth cert and a passport
2. All adults. You would know that if you had read the instructions. Read the instructions!!!
September 25, 2017 at 14:17
hallo brit, wanted to know about the status of my case, how can i check? tnx brit be blessed
September 25, 2017 at 15:36
What status? You are presumably waiting for interview – right? Is your number current yet? Patience is important.
September 25, 2017 at 14:44
Thanks brit for your response.now what l mean by returns it is kind of tax paid to the gorverment especially if you are working and registered.
2..NSSF here are retirement benefit l guess its the same with ssn in america.for my case l have not been working for a while so have not cleared.can it cause a visa denial?thankyou.
September 25, 2017 at 15:29
That has nothing to do with your DV case.
September 27, 2017 at 07:33
florida please if you see this contact me +2567024982810 am from uganda . we can share information thanx.
September 25, 2017 at 15:02
Hello Brit, I would like to ask that do we need I-134 form for each of my family ? Or if the form is done only on behalf of me would it be ok ?
September 25, 2017 at 15:28
One form, that covers the principal selectee and all the derivatives.
September 25, 2017 at 15:48
Oh thank you for clarifying this. I was certain to have read somewhere that each member of the family should have their own.
September 25, 2017 at 15:14
HI,
I am a green card holder from Libya. Am I affected by Trump new ban?
September 25, 2017 at 15:27
No. Because you already have your Green Card
September 25, 2017 at 15:21
If someone win in the lottery and after he win he add his wife or child .
This add reduce the chance to someone have a high case number in this country because the number of visa available is reduced
September 25, 2017 at 15:28
Yes, that is how the process works.
September 25, 2017 at 15:52
Hi Brit, my wife won the DV lottery and she and I are now in the US but I later get to know that my previous relationship the girl was pregnant and she left and she just inform my parents about this how can I send for my daughter in the USA?
September 25, 2017 at 15:56
I have no idea. Speak to an immigration lawyer.
September 25, 2017 at 15:55
Hi Simon! Do you know how the lottery will be dealt with, in regards to the travel ban being extended indefinitely? It seems Venezuela has now been included and they have over 2,000 selectees, which means my chances may have increased now? I am SA20XX. Thanks mate
September 25, 2017 at 15:58
Only certain government workers in Venezuela are affected by the ban. So probably little or no impact on the region as a whole.
September 25, 2017 at 17:06
Hi Brit
Please, how long does a police certificate take to expire.
Thanks
September 25, 2017 at 17:11
Typically 6 months.
September 25, 2017 at 17:39
Hello,
My apologies but on the UK/US’website, it states that whilst most police certificates are valid indefinitely, the UKs one is valid 12 months. I went on the reciprocity page but I couldnt find more clarification (France/UK)
I am now confused..
September 25, 2017 at 17:44
This isn’t hard to understand. Think about nature of a police report. It should be recent. If it isn’t, get a new one.
September 25, 2017 at 17:48
Thanks a lot.
I have been able to secure a police certificate from China pending translation from the notary public in China. Considering the visa bulletin trends, its likely I maybe scheduled somewhere in February to May. Do you think its advisable to get the translation now since my friend helping out would be leaving China in November and may not have anyone to assist later.
September 25, 2017 at 18:21
Yes if you want.
September 25, 2017 at 17:42
I appreciate for your help mr brits…regards.
September 25, 2017 at 17:55
Hello Brit,
I’m a DV 2018 selectee and wanted to ask two questions that I tried to find out more info about (including the AOS forum), but hit a bunch of dead ends. I have completed the DS 260 and waiting for my number to go current to start the AOS process sometime in April or May 2018.
1. With that being said, what does the 2NL look like for AOS folks and does it typically arrive after the number goes current?
2. Since I’m in my last year of studies on an F1 visa, I am planning to apply for OPT in February 2018 to hopefully secure a job for next year. Does my filing of DS260 this August, affect the potential approval of my OPT? Or does OPT gets affected once one submits the AOS packet?
Would it be a better idea to submit the I-765 form with the AOS packet when my number becomes current instead and hoping it will get approved?
Thank you in advance for all your help!
September 25, 2017 at 18:24
1. The “2NL” for AOS folks is a simple letter that says KCC received your DS260. It doesn’t have the same meaning for AOS. The timing of your interview is up to the Field Office (FO).
2. Mom is the expert on AOS. Ask her.