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.
January 20, 2018 at 19:39
But we sure about that it wont be referred dv 2018 ? I mean dv lottery 2018 will continued til the end ?
January 20, 2018 at 20:46
Yes.
January 22, 2018 at 21:43
Dear Simon
Greetings
I am dv2018 winner..
Do i have to unlock my DS260 if i changed my passport ? If yes will dat defer my interview ?
Knowingly my interview supposed to be after 3 months
January 22, 2018 at 21:46
You don’t HAVE to change, but doing so won’t delay your interview.
January 21, 2018 at 04:16
Hello, I am living in America from almost 2 years holding greencard. recently, I got married in my home country and planning to fill the form i130 for my spouse. Should i have to wait or go on? Is that gonna matter if i file a petition early since i am in america from just last 2 year. Heard there may be chance of getting conditional greencard instead of permanent resident. Is that true?
January 21, 2018 at 04:20
I only answer DV lottery questions
January 21, 2018 at 04:29
I went america through dv
January 21, 2018 at 17:11
OK – but your question is NOT DV.
January 21, 2018 at 06:43
Dear BritSimon how you doing man greeting you from Somalia my question is I want to transfer my Interview Appointment to a new Embassy so what I should do and is that affects my Case . Thanks a lot for help.
January 21, 2018 at 17:09
You have to contact the new embassy to agree they will take the case then ask the current embassy to move it.
January 21, 2018 at 06:47
Hi Simon
We know the Trump admin . is working hard to stop the DV programme …he still could not have done it…I just heard …Democrats are giving it up in the name of compromise …let’s say they decided to stop the programme
..do u think they will stop DV 2018 & 2019
January 21, 2018 at 17:08
I have written many many times, it does not affect DV2018. DV2019 could be affected.
January 21, 2018 at 08:07
Somali selectee must stop to proceed their case coz they will not get visas until their country remove from the ban .please don’t waste ur time and ur money .I have information for that .dear abdikarim dualle don’t waste ur time bro
January 21, 2018 at 17:08
Everyone who has been reading what I wrote already understands that.
January 24, 2018 at 12:47
Dear Mr.Saimon greetings
My husband is a dv2018 Syrian selectee ,an orthopedic surgeon ,who can proof that we can support ourselves in the US
We heard that the Co can (according to his point of view)consider our case an exemption
1-Do you think that could be possible?
2-Did you hear of cases from banned countries like us who were lucky to get visas.
3-Do you advise us to go ahead and take our chances?
Your response is highly appreciated,thanks.
January 24, 2018 at 14:54
1. Not for those reasons.
2. No
3. It is up to you. The only real chance is if the ban is removed.
January 25, 2018 at 08:16
Thanks for the advice sir and their reply was exactly like what you said
(The choice is yours,maybe if policy changes in the future or if you qualify based on a waiver then you may qualify)
Now my question
1-can we reschedule our interview (it’s on February 27th)and how?
2-Do you think that will help us some how?
Thanks in advance.
January 25, 2018 at 17:08
1. You can ask the embassy to do that.
2. Only time will tell.
January 21, 2018 at 08:37
one of 0ur selectee dv2018 has been interviewed last month consular show him presidential procalanation it affect his vis
January 21, 2018 at 17:07
Make your questions clear – and only ask if you have taken some time to read what I have already written.
January 21, 2018 at 09:51
Hello Simon.
I’m checking the EU lotery historic records for February, this is what we get in the previous years:
2018: 10700
2017: 18000
2016: 19000
2015: 20500
2014: 16700
…
2007: 10400
The last time that was so slow than in 2018 was in 2007, and the final count reached only 23000.
Do you think it is possible that this year the total number only reach approximatively 23000?
January 21, 2018 at 17:06
You must have not read anything I have written in recent weeks. Please do so, otherwise you will simply waste your time.
January 21, 2018 at 19:47
I read everything.
But I just saw the records today and i’m wondering why the hell this is so slow, much much slower than previous years
January 21, 2018 at 20:05
I have explained that in great detail in several articles, so I can’t understand why you are confused.
January 21, 2018 at 20:27
OK OK Brit. + I’m stressed out about the shutdown… Thanks Simon, have a good Sunday.
January 21, 2018 at 21:33
The shutdown isn’t relevant at all to what you wrote. Just relax.
January 21, 2018 at 12:44
Happy Sunday Brit.Thanks for all the help you are rendering to us each day.may the good Lord continue to bless you. Please I wish to asked some questions.
1)is it expected for one to have the various vaccines that are required for interview before going for medicals?.
2)what will happen if you go for interview that u have not completed the vaccines? Will you be required to take it all before entering the USA?
3)please could you help me with the various vaccines that are needed to be taken (please don’t be upset if u have posted it.I can’t find anything of that sought).
Thanks very much for your kind reply.
January 21, 2018 at 14:59
1 & 2 No, the physician can normally give what is needed.
3. No – the physician decides what is *needed*.
January 21, 2018 at 17:35
Okay thanks very much. I really appreciate your efforts.
January 21, 2018 at 16:03
Hi Simon,
Can we travel to the Usa as a holiday for a week if we won the dv lottery but not yet invited for interview?
Thanks.
January 21, 2018 at 17:03
Yes
January 21, 2018 at 16:11
Hi Simon, maybe I missed some info. I wanted to ask, suppose you get a low case number, so you should be safe right? Now, you only get the 2NL if you sent the ds260 right? What happens if you delayed the ds260 to get married?
I guess my question is about the time line, marrying can take up to month, what happens if you haven’t submitted your ds260 and case numbers near yours are being called?
January 21, 2018 at 17:02
Your case will be scheduled only after you submit your DS260. So – you have to marry and submit by April/May.
January 22, 2018 at 21:49
Thanks you!
January 21, 2018 at 17:07
Hi Simon,
I’ve got the visa two months ago, and I’ll move to the US in 3 weeks. I tried today to pay the immigrant fee at uscis.gov/uscis-elis and followed the guides carefully on how to fill the form (A-Number and DOS Case ID) but I keep getting the message:
“ERROR: We could not find the A-Number and/or DOS Case ID you entered. If your immigrant visa was approved recently, please wait five days before attempting to pay. If the problem continues after five days, please contact the Customer Contact Center for assistance.”
Is this a common thing that happens? I tried to contact them with their system, but they keep asking for a US number, which I currently don’t have and therefore can’t submit my issue. What can I do?
Kindly,
January 21, 2018 at 17:13
Well try again in a week or two.
January 21, 2018 at 17:15
So this is a known issue? I have the visa for a while now, and it’s the first time I’m trying to pay the fee.
January 21, 2018 at 19:19
It’s a known issue for your case. You might have to pay the fee after you arrive. That is ok.
January 21, 2018 at 17:11
Dear Brit,
At the time of interview CO asked me that i have changed address of me and my parents in DS-260 which i have not, i promised with CO, then he said they have got tracking of address change, actually i have never touched DS-260 once i have filled, after interview i came home and reviewed DS-260 which i saw there was nothing change, why did they said that, later i was issued 221g white form to proof my relationship with my spouse, why they could say that??
Thanks in advance
January 21, 2018 at 17:12
I don’t know anything about your case.
January 21, 2018 at 18:12
Hello Simon, hope i can enter the USA through any port despite choosing New York for my initial address.? I have found a host in North Carolina(NC) and want to enter the USA through Charlotte Douglas, NC
January 21, 2018 at 19:17
Any port is fine.
January 21, 2018 at 19:57
Hello Mr.Britsimon have a nice time I have two questions: 1. I am going to Email the Embassy to Reschedule my Interview Appointment so do I need to Write the case number , Name , and Date of Birth ? 2. Can they Reschedule my Interview two months ? Thank you so much .
January 21, 2018 at 20:03
1. Yes
2. Ask them.
January 21, 2018 at 20:47
hello if my initial entry was primary level I choose primary but of my ds260 wrote high school diploma I have now high school could couse disqualification ????
January 21, 2018 at 21:31
No. Please don’t start repeating all these very obvious questions. Use some common sense.
January 21, 2018 at 23:43
My question for Brit and Xarthisius.
I just saw in xarthisius graph(moscow russia) and noticed that a case number in 12x/13x range collected a visa. How could be possible?
January 22, 2018 at 00:21
AF region candidate interviewing in Moscow.
January 22, 2018 at 01:09
I know once you get the green card or the visa endorsed you can travel freely in the states but can you use the green card to enter Canada without obtaining Canada visa?
January 22, 2018 at 02:24
I don’t know the rules about that.
January 22, 2018 at 08:11
Hello
I’m citizen of Uzbekistan but living in Russian when I feel dv260 my status was divorced, but still not married.my interview in February in Moscow. My questions is
1. Should I get certificate from Russian, that I’m not married now?
2..I got certificate of my home country that I’m not married, I got this certificate from village chairman, is it normal or I should receive in the central registry office?
January 22, 2018 at 15:00
1. I don’t know local procedures.
2. Same answer.
Read the instructions and follow local procedures.
January 22, 2018 at 08:46
Hello sir,
Please I have a worry my case is current for march interview,but I have this worry. I am still in the final class for my high school certificate exams to written in June and results may be out by august.my concern here is, what can you advice me to do now sir. I need your help.
January 22, 2018 at 14:59
You will have to delay your interview to after August. Risky, but you have no choice. Once scheduled, asl the embassy for the reschedule,
January 22, 2018 at 12:50
Shallom Simon, me and my wife will have an interview on February 9/2018 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We do have two concerns before the interview.
1) My wife is the principal and she registered both dv lottery & DS 260 as having MSc assuming that she would finish everything and receive the certificate before the interview. Unfortunately, she couldn’t defend her thesis till now. Of course, she will qualify through high school diploma and BSc degree at hand. But,when she will be asked at interview “what is the highest education”, what will be appropriate answer for the sake of geneunity? A) Msc with explanation or B) BCs with explanation?
2) She was single by the time of registration and married me before the DV result announcement and filled the first one as single and married for DS 260. We do have plenty of proofs for our marriage(i.e. 9 months of pregnancy during interview, Marriage certificate, mutual bank statement, friendship pictures and so on. Do you think will we have the chance to show all the evidence at the interview for reinforcement?. What shall we do if not and things going in the z wrong direction? Waiting your kind and prompt response!!!
January 22, 2018 at 14:00
Hi Girmachew, I am also an Ethiopian winner may have interview in March. If you don’t mind please contact me using my email [email protected] for experience sharing.
January 22, 2018 at 14:35
1. The truth.
2. Take the proof. It should not be a problem.
January 22, 2018 at 15:15
Hi Brit
My interview is tomorrow and my father is working out side the country that the interview is he made a crimnal record in the country that he is working in only has he to Anthor one in his own country and will this effect in taking the DV visa
Thank you
January 22, 2018 at 17:00
I have no idea what you are asking.
January 22, 2018 at 17:03
hehehe sure won’t have no idea ,where’s the question did u guys see the question , even me i couldn’t get it :p
January 22, 2018 at 17:09
hello mr. brit ope you are doing well, when will you give a link like this you gave out 2015 for DV 2014.
https://britsimonsays.com/africa-estimate-example/
January 22, 2018 at 17:55
I already have. Please always check recent articles.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-some-further-analysis/
January 22, 2018 at 18:46
Hi Brit, Thank you for all hard work !!!
I have a question, maybe for some will sounds stupid but for me is important…me and my wife already got our visas. Should we worry about something like this shut down or agreement for stop DV lottery..? Or once we got visas, no worries for us ?
January 22, 2018 at 19:36
No worries.
January 22, 2018 at 20:21
Hi Brit, thanks for your previous response, your comments are very valuable to me. Do you think it would be prudent to unlock my wife’s DS-260 to just under 3 months of the interview to add information about her university studies? I answered NO in the question and she attended dentistry school. my case is 9xx
January 22, 2018 at 21:00
I think, if the information is essential for the obtention of the greencard, add it. If no, don’t add it, even if 3 months should be fine.
January 22, 2018 at 21:13
Full disclosure is always better, but as she is not the principal selectee, it won’t matter. However, changes like these do not cause delay – so why not add it?
January 24, 2018 at 00:03
Thanks Brit, they say that unlocking the DS-260 could delay the arrival of the notification letter.
January 24, 2018 at 00:12
“They” are wrong – but feel free to believe them.
January 22, 2018 at 23:13
Hello,
I’m a little confused and was wondering if you may be able to help. I’m an Australian and my case number is over 2000. As far as I can see they are currently up to 800, do you know the likelihood of being assigned an interview with a case number of over 2000 in Australia?
Thanks!
January 22, 2018 at 23:14
Sadly, that is EXTREMELY unlikely.
January 22, 2018 at 23:50
Hello,
I’m an Australian with a case number over 2000, do you know the likelihood of me receiving an interview? I’m a little confused and can’t seem to work it out..
Thanks,
Lisa
January 22, 2018 at 23:52
Sorry I just saw your response. Thanks for your speedy reply. Bummer..
January 23, 2018 at 05:13
Sorry for you… Keep trying, you will have a better number in the coming years.
January 23, 2018 at 07:24
Dear Brit
Did the gov shutdown afect GC printing and delivery from USICS
If i come out from USA b4 i get my gc do i need boarding letter to come back or. The immigrant visa will enough
January 23, 2018 at 18:00
Shutdown is over.
January 23, 2018 at 08:57
Am a Liberian Citizen and a DV-2018 winner with case number 2018 AF00043531.As early as June 21, 2017 I fillied out the DS-260 and submitted it to KCC and received a confirmation immediately following the submission.Sir your idea about my interview appointment date from KCC.
Thanks.
January 23, 2018 at 17:58
Your number is quite high, so it will be months before you are scheduled. Be patient.
January 23, 2018 at 11:13
Hi Brit, good morning. I know you’ve said it before that there’s no appeal built into the DV lottery process but permit me to find out in there’s a way to very a claim by a consular officer who denies me and my family of 4 visas with ‘multiple entry’ as his basis when I’m very convinced that such a claim is false.
1. Can I request KCC to very the multiple entry claim for me?
2. Is there any other way you know of that can help verify such a claim?
Many thanks for your help to this community.
David
January 23, 2018 at 15:07
so sad to hear that! :(. this could happen to everyone.
January 23, 2018 at 17:54
1. You can ask, but they do not have to prove anything to you.
2. No.
COs don’t just refuse DV cases for fun. They have a reason for their decision. Someone else may have entered your details. In any case, there is no appeal, as you know.
January 23, 2018 at 18:45
Hey David. Im sorry this happened to you. May I asked at which embassy you had your interview?
January 24, 2018 at 08:59
This happened in Accra.
January 24, 2018 at 09:01
Thanks once again Brit. You’ve been very helpful.
January 23, 2018 at 12:03
Hello , I have interview scheduled for the DV and I wanted to ask can I contact the embassy and ask an earlier appointment? Because the date they gave me is still far away at the end of March.
Thank you for your time and help
January 23, 2018 at 17:52
You can try, but you should probably just exercise some patience.
January 23, 2018 at 12:16
Sir
My son in law H1b visa & DaughterH4 visa Attended stamping interview at Chennai India consulate on 27/11/17.At the end of interview they were told visa approved&took their passports.On 30Nov recieved communication to submit additional docs 221g blue which was submitted & acknowledged by consulate.But from 28/11 the CEAC status is showing only Admin processing for son in law & for daughter it is showing issued & under final processing till to day( 42 days).Can you give your views ON THIS CASE .Got yr contact from web.SON IN LAW IS A PERMANENT EMPLOYEE OF A LEADING AMERICAN CORPORATION.How long will it take for case to resolve.?& to recieve the visa.Your reply will be useful as we are very anxious.
Thanking you
N.Padmanabhan
9448135942
January 23, 2018 at 17:34
I only answer DV lottery questions.
January 23, 2018 at 12:16
sorry, my comments dont seem to post. David, may I ask you in which embassy you have made that expirience?
January 23, 2018 at 17:34
Best if you use reply when you are continuing a conversation.
January 23, 2018 at 18:42
agreed.
January 23, 2018 at 12:44
How long can we expect after the 2NL to the interview.
January 23, 2018 at 17:30
The interviews being scheduled now are all through March.
January 23, 2018 at 14:37
hi Brit what Is our chances of 2018 dv lottery entrant since Trump had put an end
January 23, 2018 at 14:52
Hi Brit
I got a notification in my email id stating that:
You have received this email notification to inform you that you have updates available at https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC . Please log in using your confirmation number from your original application to complete further processing.
But when I logged into ESC site it shows 1NL.
Does it take some time for update??
Thanks in advance…. ???
January 23, 2018 at 15:10
I got my answer from your previous posts:
Some people that receive the email will find the ESC site is not ready, those people should try again after a few hours.
January 23, 2018 at 17:24
Patience.
https://britsimonsays.com/2nls-march-2018-interviews-sent/
January 23, 2018 at 15:17
Dear Eerest,
I also get the same thing. But there is no 2nl.
January 23, 2018 at 16:17
Please try again after few hours.
January 23, 2018 at 15:32
..
January 23, 2018 at 16:48
Thank you Simon for your uninterrupted support, I have got my 2nl for March interview.
January 23, 2018 at 21:08
Hi mr. Brit
I’m dv2018 winner
My father has been judged for misdemeanor and he was imprisoned for 2 months, is that will causes to refuse my visa?
January 23, 2018 at 21:35
No
January 23, 2018 at 21:39
Hello Simon,
My brother in law is a dv2018 winner and he just receive today the update email after DS260 completion. He entered into ESC link but the confirmation number he has is with 10 digits (without 2018 in front, so 14 together with 2018) not 16 digits as it is requested. Could you please advice how he can overcome such situation?
Thanks in advance
January 23, 2018 at 21:48
He should use his CONFIRMATION number – not CASE number.
January 23, 2018 at 22:07
Thank You for fast reply but in fact he is using CONFIRMATION number which is having also 10 characters. Could you please help? Thanks
January 23, 2018 at 22:31
NO. The confirmation number is the code generated when the person entered the lottery. THOSE NUMBERS START 2018 AND HAVE A TOTAL OF 16 CHARACTERS.
January 23, 2018 at 22:48
unfortunately he doesn’t have that number. Is there any way how to find it? I tried the recovery option on page but didn’t help. Thanks
January 23, 2018 at 23:08
There is no other way.
January 23, 2018 at 22:41
I have been trying to download the chart many times , but I can’t for some reason. Maybe it’s my phone. I wanted to check how many visas were given until December.
January 23, 2018 at 23:11
Use the displayed charts then
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY18.html
January 23, 2018 at 23:26
Hello again Brit. Thank God we’ve got an interview date finally. But I cant register for my interview. Cause it says “it is not ready for an appointment” and I checked it from the ‘Ceac’ page and its written as “In Transit”. Can it be related with it?
January 24, 2018 at 00:13
Yes, Try in a few days.
January 24, 2018 at 18:31
Thank you Brit. I have another about birth certificate. My wife’s birth country is different then her citizenship country. And she is not a citizen of her birth country. And also we are living in a 3rd country. I mean we don’t have interview at our own country bec. of my business. We both take our birth certificates from our own country. But I am not sure should my wife have her birth certificate the country where she were born. Do you have any information about certificates?
January 24, 2018 at 18:46
Birth certs would normally be produced by the birth country. In some very limited cases they are produced by another country, but give the accurate place of birth.
January 24, 2018 at 04:09
Hi,
I am applying from New Zealand and just received my interview time. The email says that my police clearance form requires the three letter and ten digit case number. I have not received this number and only have my original case number (2018OC00000XXX). Where do I find this number?
Thank you for your help.
Emma
January 24, 2018 at 04:26
Use the case number you have.
January 24, 2018 at 05:18
Hello Brit, I am from Nepal and my case is in range 2018AS58XX. I got married on last December so I unlocked my DS260 form and update my Spouse details and resubmit it on Jan 19. I am expecting my second letter on April or May.
Is there any possibility of delay in issuing second letter as I have recently Submitted my DS-260 form ?
Thanks in advance
January 24, 2018 at 06:00
No
January 24, 2018 at 06:35
Thanks Brit. You are Great.
January 24, 2018 at 06:20
Hi Simon,
KCC sent me 2NL but I lost my confirmation number and the person submitted the form for me doesn’t remember the email she filled out. How can I get my confirmation number again? or check the date of my interview. Please advise. Thanks you.
January 24, 2018 at 15:14
There is a lost confirmation link, but you need to know the email address used. There is no other way to get the confirmation code. KCC might give you the interview details.
January 24, 2018 at 06:29
Hi Brit,
Thanks in advance for your time! Here is my question.
I married in 2015. All the documents to be issued by my home country include both my maiden name and my husband’s surname. But I have not changed my passport yet, so it shows only my maiden name. Hence, I filled out eDV and DS260 according to my passport (only maiden name). It is perfectly fine for me to get my GC in my maiden name.
1) Do you suggest me to unlock my DS260 for any change on my surname?
2) Do you suggest me to apply for a new passport that reflects the surname change?
Cheers!
January 24, 2018 at 15:12
This is your choice. Did you change your legal name or not. If you did, then you should have a passport in that name and proceed with that name.
January 24, 2018 at 07:16
Hello Berit,first of all i would like to thank you for your fabulous suport, i want leave my dv update status info for all winers for african it’s be released 2NL from kcc on date 23/1/2018 as figure of march visa bulletin, my C.N AF15×××
my apointment date on murch 3’rd week, please check it the status check page with patience, please let us avoid boring and repeating ?, before we ask let us refer the older comments. good luck for all of you meka from ethiopia.
January 24, 2018 at 10:56
Brit, do you know which embassy tht is? I cant figure it out! Thanks!
January 24, 2018 at 15:04
I can’t figure out what you are talking about because, again, you are not using reply to keep messages in context.
January 24, 2018 at 15:08
Sry Brit, but I wasnt actually replying to anything this time 😉 I was wondering which embassy uses the shortform THT. I went through pretty much all european capital cities and couldnt figure it out. However, I now belive it is usbekiztan.
January 24, 2018 at 15:20
I read tht as a typo for “that”. Please be clear. Tashkent.
January 24, 2018 at 11:18
My sister is a principal 2018 DV applicant. Her husband who’s a beneficiary to her Diversity Immigrant Visa application did not have a passport at the time of filling his DS 260 form so he selected other travel document. Fortunately, he has been able to acquire a passport now.
I want to enquire if his DS 260 form can be unlocked by the embassy for him to fill his passport details before the interview date (01/31/2018) or that can be done at the time of the interview.
Kind regards,
January 24, 2018 at 15:03
At the interview.
January 24, 2018 at 12:47
hallo brit
i have two questions
1 i Facebook messages screenshot can i print in paper is it better on paper?
2 as u have experience at the time of interview can i give this screenshot before final interview(co) or at which step? your advice ?
January 24, 2018 at 13:15
Yes print in on paper
January 24, 2018 at 14:52
1. Yes
2. At the interview if asked.