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PLEASE make sure you read the FAQ (linked at the menu at the top of this page), as most questions are already answered there.
Please note I periodically have to archive posts from this page to attempt to keep the performance acceptable. That means comments over about 3 months old could be deleted at any time.
October 18, 2017 at 12:36
hi brit,
I am a dv 2018 winner and I am filling my ds 260 form along with my wife,but each time I click on, Add applicant a box appear asking for my spouse information thou I always provide them including our wedding certificate,but when I click on summit a bounce back telling me to correct the following error (s). The size of our wedding certificate is 119 KB and is in JPG photo file.
I really need your help because that is the only problem am facing to add my wife on the ds 260 form.
October 18, 2017 at 13:12
I don’t know what error you are having. Read the error message and think about what the message is saying.
October 18, 2017 at 13:42
Hi Simon,
i won lottery of 2017 and my interview was scheduled on 08 Nov 2017. my question is that my sponsor is a US citizen by porn, and he was living in Sudan but he moved permanently to the US before two years, but the problem is that his income for the past year is 16,000$ because he worked only for four months last year which is not satisfying the minimum requirements for green card sponsor, but his income for this year till oct is 42,000 $.
should i look for another sponsor or i should submit his W2 form for the past year along with statement of account from and employment letter from his current company ?
Thank you.
October 18, 2017 at 15:06
If he has payslips of $42k – that would be OK.
October 18, 2017 at 13:44
Hello
can u tell me why you said i’m in risk but i have in my case number 49000 it’s less than 55.000
The DV program has 55,000 visas allocated each year.
can you explain why you said that ,
October 18, 2017 at 15:05
Your understanding is very wrong.
Each region has its own numbers (so there could be AS1 aand AF1).
Each case includes derivatives.
People with lower numbers than you getting married or having children are in front of you.
However, there are holes in the numbers too. The point is – you are not 49000 out of 55000. You are one of well over 115,000 people selected.
Read this.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-selectee-numbers-published/
October 18, 2017 at 13:49
Hello Brit!
In the DS260 form i’ts a question: “WHAT WILL YOU DO/WORK IN THE USA?”, I answered “Psychology” because I’m graduated in Psychology, but outside USA, and I don’t know if I qualify for that job in USA.
1-Should I unlock and change my answer to a more acceptable one, for example “Any legal job that I find in USA”?
Thank you in advance, you are great!
October 18, 2017 at 14:56
It doesn’t matter, no need to change.
October 18, 2017 at 14:02
Hello again Simon,
Not sure if this question was ever raised on here but I will go ahead just in case otherwise please direct me to the right place.
I wish to ask you that, does coming from certain regions in the world come into play which could affect your chances of winning the lottery whether it improves your chances or decreases your chances. Say comparing the AF region against the Oceania region which is where i’m from, does it matter which region you come from or it does not?
Despite the whole idea of this DV-lottery is it is completely random as they say, I look forward to hearing back from you regarding this this issue, Thanks
October 18, 2017 at 14:32
The regions each have their own lottery draw process. So, the chances are the same within each region BUT one region can have better chances than another region. OC entries are around 10 times more likely to be selected than AF regions for instance. Additionally there are some countries that have a limited chance because those countries have a crazy number of entries. OC has none of those countries.
October 18, 2017 at 15:19
Ahhh so that’s how it all works, it is certainly a blessing then for OC entrants in terms of it’s chances in the region, Thanks again Simon
October 18, 2017 at 15:13
Dear Brit, I have just read that the Travel Ban was stopped just hours before it being activated by a hawaiin judge . Is thst true?
October 18, 2017 at 17:21
Always check my latest posts.
https://britsimonsays.com/latest-travel-ban-fought/
October 18, 2017 at 16:26
if i’m based in thailand due to work but country birth country is singapore – can i set interview in thailand or better singapore
October 18, 2017 at 17:16
You interview in your present country of residence.
October 18, 2017 at 16:33
hi simon
in the 2016 dv lottery i won but during my interview consular told me iam not the rightful applicant then later i was deniel visa. in this time around can play with my real name which is Abraham kamara but i did finger print in 2016 with the name i won with.
i am kindly asking for advise.
thanks
Abraham kamara
October 18, 2017 at 17:15
If they found you to have committed fraud on the earlier case, they might have banned you for life. So – it depends on what you did.
October 18, 2017 at 20:25
What was the name you used?
October 18, 2017 at 16:41
Dear Simon,
I have 4 questions:
1. We just came back from our medicals, and our last name is Medical but in the forms that we’ve been given to submit on interview day, they spelt the (same) last name on mine and my son’s correctly, and spelt my husband and son’s as Medacal for instance. One letter wrong. I’ve written to them via email to request them to correct it, but they seem to be taking it for granted. I can’t go physically as they are in a different country. Could this in any way affect the process on interview day which is 9th November, 2017?
2. My family and I plan to travel around March/April 2018, and spend a week with our family in the US and return. We’ll wrap up a few things and hopefully leave by January 2019. Do you have any advice with regard to this, and does it in any way affect your ability to re-enter the US?
3. Is there an alternative to the US sponsor? Like maybe an amount of money?
4. What are the best documents to supply in order to qualify through work experience?
Thank you for your support.
October 18, 2017 at 16:45
Hey Simon, in the post above I meant that on my husband and daughter’s forms they got our last name wrong by one letter. We are a family of four and we all went for our medicals.
October 18, 2017 at 17:14
1. I don’t know for certain. Keep proof of your correspondence with them about the misspelling (take that to the interview)
2. No problem.
3. Yes – some embassies will accept proof of a large amount of money. At least $10k per person
4. That varies by case. Read this https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
October 26, 2017 at 20:30
Dear Simon, I don’t why you do this, what you do, bothering with people you don’t know. And I don’t know if you believe in God, but God bless you anyway… may the grace of God CHASE you (though I know from studying in Britain that you may absolutely roll your eyes at this, I’ll say it anyway). Thank you so much. Even if you’re not doing it for God, He approves 🙂
October 26, 2017 at 21:42
This gave me a chuckle. Yes – I am from a country where few people still believe in God – so I know exactly what you meant by the eye rolling. That is not why I do this, but everyone is free to believe whatever makes them happy. For me – it’s just about “one love”.
October 18, 2017 at 17:47
Thank you for the insightful comments. I did play DV 2018 when the DV 2018 portal was active and few days later, the portal began to undergo maintenance. My question is what becomes of the applicants who played when the DV-2018 portal was up and running?
October 18, 2017 at 18:25
You needed to re-enter.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-entry-period-restarted/
October 18, 2017 at 18:42
This about correctly fulfilling all the e-DV requirement.
I have I child (born without marriage), and we live separately, having little contact with him and his mother. I’m currently married. I do not plan to bring the child into the US in case I’m selected and I’m not sure I’d be able to obtain a proper photo of him.
What should I do in this situation? Providing both the information about the child AND his photo fitting into the format requirements is noted to be mandatory, under the risk of disqualification. Is there a solution for me in this situation, given I only can provide information, but not a properly made photo at the moment?
I feel the situation should be quite common as people get separated and divorced, which can make it very hard to obtain photos of your former spouse and/or children – yet I wasn’t able to find an answer in the FAQ.
Thanks!
Best Regards,
Oleg
October 18, 2017 at 19:38
You MUST list the child, and that means you need the photo. If you cannot get the photo, you should not apply.
October 18, 2017 at 18:43
Received 2NL today EU region for December interview
October 18, 2017 at 19:32
Hello Simon thank you for the all information you gave to us my 2nl received for December interview
October 18, 2017 at 19:35
Thanks!
October 18, 2017 at 19:37
Britsimon please I have already submitted my online applications and a friend who knows my case number has entered the complete application, add participant without my concern so what should I do
October 18, 2017 at 19:45
You really should not have made your information available. You can contact KCC, but the only thing they can do is lock the DS260 permanently. So you could ask for that, but be sure your data is correct before you ask for that, because they won’t then unlock it for any reason.
October 18, 2017 at 20:01
hi bro Simon
in the form ds260 we used the old passport number of my husband but now we renew the passport so what shall we do
we changed date of birth according the first entry in the new passport so is that ok to take the new passport to the interview or what shall we do
October 18, 2017 at 23:24
Either update the DS260 or just take old and new to the interview.
October 18, 2017 at 21:01
Brits,
I Kindly Need Further Clarification On The Earlier Questions I Asked.
When My Wife Won The Lottery, I Filled My DS 260 As NOT Having Children. The US Embassy Has My Details As Not Having Kids.
1. What Then Happens When I NOW Add The Children From The Previous Relationship As My Children?
2. What is the implications on me at the embassy in the future?
October 18, 2017 at 23:38
Lying causes problems. I don’t know what will happen now – but for goodness sake don’t continue the lying now.
October 18, 2017 at 21:07
Do you have documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with U.S. law ? i am said yes for this question is that necessary question if i say no
October 18, 2017 at 23:38
It doesn’t matter.
October 18, 2017 at 21:32
Brits, two Cousins on is 17 Years Old This Year And Wil Be Writing The High School Diploma Next Year Which Qualifies Him Using Education at the inter.
1. Can He Apply The Lottery This Year?
2. The other is 18 Years Now Old And Yet To Write The High School Diploma Next Year, Can He Apply This Year? Grateful Brits.
October 18, 2017 at 23:41
Anyone can apply.
October 18, 2017 at 21:39
Hello Brit! If a person has a dual citizenship with different names in each country, Could he register in both countries if he meets the requirement or it’s better to register from just one of the two countries?
October 18, 2017 at 23:41
Each person can only register once.
October 18, 2017 at 21:44
Received 2nl for December today
October 18, 2017 at 22:05
Hi Simon, so I had already interview and my visa was approved. Everything seems to be OK just one little thing. I have read on the internet that after arrival I still can have denied entry and cancelled visa by CBP (Custom and Border Protection) – people to who I will show my passport, sealed not opened envelope from embassy and my health checks, X-ray scan.
Do you know for what reasons CBP might be refusing entry of this already people which were approved and given visa?
Just planing to go to Thailand and do some contact sports before going to USA. Just wanna know in case that some injury will happen to me (broken leg as example) if that can be reason for them to refuse my entry as it will not be stated in my health check documents.
October 18, 2017 at 23:44
In the years I have been studying DV cases I have never heard of a case refused at entry. No need to worry about stuff that never happens.
October 18, 2017 at 22:44
Hello sir
My case number is AF49500 ,this is problem or not? i have chance to get interview? , i heard when visa bulletin says ”Current” all candidate will get interview right?
55 thousand visas are distributed by case number or people?
October 18, 2017 at 23:45
Your number is high. You have to wait and see.
The visas available include derivatives.
October 18, 2017 at 22:45
Hello Simon,
I wad reading an earlier blog of yours regarding marrige and the dv lottery ans would like some clarifacation.
I’m a UK citizen and my Swedish girlfriend and our baby entered the dv 2019. Obviously she checked the single option but we are planning to get married before the results are published in May.
So hypotheticaly if she wins a place would I be eligible to be put on her visa as we would be married when filling out the ds-260. Or would I be ineligible as I am not from eligble country at the point of the initial application.
October 18, 2017 at 23:46
You could be added once married.
October 18, 2017 at 23:16
Hi Brit.
I trust that you are doing well.
Please i have just submitted my entry for the dv 2019 but unfortunately i wasn’t able to save the confirmation page when my laptop went off. How can I retrieve my confirmation number?
Thanks.
October 18, 2017 at 23:47
Once the entry checking site is available (in May) you will be able to retrieve the number with “lost confirmation number” link.
October 18, 2017 at 23:22
Hi There,
I entered my DV data and submitted but I was not aksed to fill in the Derivtives (My children), How do I add my children into the process?
October 18, 2017 at 23:49
WHERE???
October 19, 2017 at 00:18
Hi Brit, hope you are doing well.i have questions regarding of tax file.
So, i have been employee since 10th July 2017 in my country and i moved to USA in 23rd of June. And started to work here from 1st of August.
Question is, while i will filing the tax file for 2017, do i need declare my income and tax report from 1st January to 10th July which i worked in my country?
October 19, 2017 at 01:44
That will vary depending on your circumstances. Check with a tax accountant.
October 19, 2017 at 03:11
Hi brit,
I have arrived at USA a week ago. And I paid green card fee. Should I apply for SSN? Or when can I expect to receive? Thanks.
October 19, 2017 at 03:19
You selected an option you your DS260 to apply yourself of have USCIS do it for you. So – if you asked for them to do it – just wait a week or two more.
October 19, 2017 at 04:41
Hello Brit,
I have some questions my case numer is 2018SA16xx , Will you know approximately when is my turn? I’m in US because I have a Work Visa, I want to know if I have priority o any special treatment ? otherwise ,can you explain me what means current?
October 19, 2017 at 04:58
Your number is quite high, so you won’t be eligible for interview (current) until very late in the DV year. Since you are planning AoS, that will be risky and stressful. You don’t get “special treatment”.
Read the link below for AOS cases.
http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2018-aos-only.336256/
October 19, 2017 at 05:21
Dear Brit,
I have question regarding the including of number of children in my DV Lottery application form.I have 2 children and So it asked to mention ”all living unmarried children under 21 years of age”. But both of my children were over 21. But DV Lottery asked to include ”all living natural children”.
So in the section asking about number of children what should I mention? ”0” or ”2” ?
Thanks!!!
October 19, 2017 at 12:47
0
October 19, 2017 at 06:31
Hello sir,
In the ds260 I have misspelled the name of my father in the graph of parents, interview in 4 weeks.
Is it not a problem or should I change the ds260?
Thanks
October 19, 2017 at 12:40
You can’t change the DS260 now. It should not be a problem.
October 19, 2017 at 06:36
Dear Brit
My wife and I entered the lottery in 2016 as a married but as at then we didn’t have a marriage certificate because our marriage was by means of payment of bride price/traditional marriage.
Now that we won, we tried to legalise our marriage according to the marriage law. The issue now is that we now have a marriage certificate but the date on it is a date in 2017 after we have already won the lottery. But in ds260 form we filled the date of bride price payment as the date of our marriage. Do you think this can pose any problem? Thank you!
October 19, 2017 at 12:39
No – they will understand.
October 19, 2017 at 06:42
hi how do i check my photo is valid or no for USA DV LOTTERY 2019t. Earlier there used to be a website where you could see whether the photo was correct or not.
October 19, 2017 at 12:39
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/photos.html
October 19, 2017 at 07:08
Hi Simon… I have submitted my application for the new dv2019.. now that we have to re-submit the application again because of the website error can I upload the same photo I uploaded in the initial submission or do I have to take a new one???
October 19, 2017 at 12:38
You can use the same photo that you used a couple of weeks ago.
October 19, 2017 at 08:35
Hi Simon,
I’m dv2018 selectee and i have scheduled Dec 18 for the interview in nairobi, I’m Somali national lives in addis ababa for couple of months, so how do I transfer may case to Addis ababa US embassy.
thnks alot
October 19, 2017 at 12:36
You would have to contact Addis embassy, ask them to accept the case to be transferred and then ask Nairobi to transfer the case. That will cause delay, and risk that they don’t do things right.
October 19, 2017 at 09:17
Hello Brit
I’m already scheduled for the interview and i have written a wrong passport ID, how can i modify this problem before the interview, where do i have to contact.
October 19, 2017 at 12:33
You cannot unlock the DS260 now. You should inform the embassy – but otherwise correct the error at the interview.
October 19, 2017 at 10:04
Hello simon !
Does it happen to be denied for mistakes in DS 260 ?
Thanks in advance
October 19, 2017 at 12:28
Depending on the mistake, yes, that is possible.
October 19, 2017 at 12:40
For example , state/ provimce of birth for my parents , i put do not know instead of does not apply .
Mistakes like –the date that i finished high school . I put 9 july because i finished high school in that date but the diploma says 13 august that is the date of release .
And i have my interview in november .
October 19, 2017 at 12:48
No problem.
October 19, 2017 at 10:20
Dear Brit
1- I was born in Saudi Arabia but I am Egyptian and my Saudian birth certificate is lost should I get a new one before the American Embassy interview.
2- if the birth city is not written in my passport and the Egyptian birth certificate should I know it or only click on birth city unknown box.
October 19, 2017 at 12:27
1. Yes
2. It is better to know it.
October 19, 2017 at 15:25
If I am student at college 2nd year what should I choose in the highest level of education
October 19, 2017 at 16:12
Use your own judgement.
October 20, 2017 at 14:11
If I am student at college 2nd year and in the interview I will be finished from the third year what should I choose in the lottery in the highest level of education
October 20, 2017 at 14:25
High school.
October 20, 2017 at 14:53
If I choose high school i Will continue normally years left for me to be graduate or i will start form the beginning
October 20, 2017 at 15:47
I don’t understand your question.
October 20, 2017 at 16:39
If I choose in the lottery form high school do I continue normally years left for me to graduate in America or I will start from the beginning
October 20, 2017 at 16:40
Your choice on the form doesn’t affect what you do in America in any way.
October 19, 2017 at 10:32
Hi Brit,
Please help me clarify this doubt on my mind. I have three kids. The elder one has first and middle name which I have no problem with. Now, the other two have first, middle and other names. My question is can I add the other names to the middle name column since there’s no provision for other names ? Or I should just fill in the middle name? I ask because the other names are on their passports. Thanks
October 19, 2017 at 12:26
If there is enough space put all the middle names in the middle name field. If not – don’t worry about it.
October 19, 2017 at 12:05
Hi,
I submitted my DV2019 just 5 minutes ago.
My full name on the passport is:
Michael John Mark Rowlands
I entered my name on the DV2019 application as below:
First Name: Michael
Saleh Name: Rowlands
Middle Name: John Mark Rowlands
I entered my last name (Rowlands) in the middle name section of the dv2019.
I understand this is a mistake on my part.
I released my mistake as soon as I printed the confirmation page.
So my name on the confirmation page is
Entrant Name: Rowlands, Michael John Mark Rowlands
instead of Rowlands, Michael John Mark
So can I edit my application to correct the mistake?
If not, can this be used as a reason for disqualification if I ever win?
I read the FAQ about minor and major mistakes, will this be considered minor or major mistake?
Bahy
October 19, 2017 at 12:23
No you can’t edit it. If you win, you will not normally be disqualified for that.
October 19, 2017 at 12:36
Hello dear
My case number is 48000 , i want to know if i can register in dv2019 or not
October 19, 2017 at 12:49
Anyone can register. No problem.
October 19, 2017 at 12:57
I mean what do you think , i need to register or There is no need , i’ll take the interview?
October 19, 2017 at 13:07
Register. There is no reason not to.
October 19, 2017 at 12:52
low level of knowledge of English influences receipt of a visa? whether can for this reason refuse the visa?
October 19, 2017 at 13:07
No
October 19, 2017 at 13:12
Hello Dear Brit
My case number 2018EU…30509
Perhaps you got lots of questions like this but please I need your information.
I did not get any mail or phone for interview
Is this number safe for intervidew or no possibility
Thanks a lot
October 19, 2017 at 13:46
You have to wait your turn according to your number. It will be some months before that happens.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
October 19, 2017 at 13:34
HI
MY question is that ,i try to apply the 2019 but they did not sent the confirmation number.why is that?when i try to send it back they say, it is the same data with the previous that we receive.
October 19, 2017 at 13:45
I don’t know what you have done – so I cannot advise you.
October 19, 2017 at 13:52
Dear Brit Simon,
How does one obtain US currency after selling his properties, cars, insurance, pensions plans etc. in his home country before migrating to the US permanently?
I ask this strange question because here in the Caribbean, we have a severe shortage of US foreign currency.
Many thanks for any ideas you may have.
Ionis.
October 19, 2017 at 13:59
https://britsimonsays.com/move-money-usa/
October 19, 2017 at 14:12
Thanks Brit.
October 19, 2017 at 14:33
Dear britsimon
I submited my 2019 dv entry
I heard that the confirmation number with
(X) alphabet are normaly wil be disqualified because the (x) alphabet
That means (cancel) as they told me
So is it true that
October 19, 2017 at 14:36
Utter nonsense.
October 19, 2017 at 14:39
don’t we need to give our passport details at dv application filling process ??
October 19, 2017 at 16:13
No
October 19, 2017 at 15:32
I am Dereje Teshome from Addis, I already sent DV lottery 2019 application entry form on October 5/2017 after I registered & gate confirmation the program is blocked, know it is open can i need to register again or not ? Thank you.
October 19, 2017 at 16:11
You need to register again.
October 19, 2017 at 15:46
Hi Brit, my sponsor is preparing my affidavit of support but we’re concerned about the way of sending. Do we have to put them in a stamped folder or just mailing as hard copy is enough ??
Thank you
October 19, 2017 at 16:11
Your choice.
October 19, 2017 at 16:17
Please… I received my interview date message yesterday evening and I was logging into my case number account and I realised that a family friend who knows my case number has added a Participant without my concern, intention is to spoil the application …so what should I do to delete the addition before the interview?
October 19, 2017 at 18:46
You cannot delete the additional person. It will stay on the application. However, you will attend the interview without that person and explain what has happened.
Life Lessons – be more careful with your private data and choose better friends.
December 20, 2017 at 13:38
Hi Brit. I’m a winner of dv 2018 and I submit my ds260 on June 26 2017 and still I’m waiting for my interview. My case no;- is 2018AF16xxx. Can you imagine when I have an interview?
December 20, 2017 at 15:17
Yes. I’m imagining it right now. But you will need to wait and see.