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.
October 4, 2018 at 18:04
Hello Brit,
I have recently realized that my address is not the same as I have written in my documents (the entry, the ds 260, and in one document I have already sent to the embassy). It only changes by 1 letter, for example apartment 22 is apartment 24, so not a big change. Apparently there was a change in the addreses name this year and I didnt know.
My interview is in november. I plan on writting apartment 24 as my address (the new, true address) on my other documents that I have to get ready.
Is this a problem? That the address wont match the original one? That the address is different in some of my documents?
Thank you a lot.
October 4, 2018 at 18:16
No problem. Change it as needed.
October 4, 2018 at 22:45
Hi Brit. I am trying to enter the draw for 2020 on my mobile phone, but the website continued to tell me that there is an error on the photo and explaining that the photo need to be square in 600×600 and 1200×1200. What does that means, can you please show me an example?
October 4, 2018 at 22:53
There are examples and a photo tool linked in the official instructions. Use that.
October 5, 2018 at 09:05
I am not contradicting Simon; but in my opinion photo manupilation is easy with your computer. Use the official cropping tool on the same website and submit your application.
Good lucky
October 7, 2018 at 12:10
Hi sir iam from nepal and I want to know it was possible or not that I was applying for edv visa 2020 even tho I was processing for edv visa 2019 because my case number is very high so that it was possible or not thank u
October 7, 2018 at 14:00
Anyone can apply for DV2020.
October 7, 2018 at 14:57
Dear Brit
I have some very important questions regarding dv lottery 2020
i want to attend this lottery but im also getting prepared for grad school entrance exam and my degree wont be given no sooner than september 2021if i win the lottery it will be a great chance for me to get into phd degree that i want but im so worried that if get in to the proccess of lottery and get interviewd very soon by what year do i have to enter US and it is possible to enter and receive greed card and return to complete my degree?????
best wishessss
October 7, 2018 at 15:01
For goodness sake. It’s a LOTTERY. Your chance of selection is once in 200 years. If you win, you can ask these questions.
October 8, 2018 at 03:34
Brit,
I heard from an immigration lawyer that if some one is not sure that if he/she can certainly get in to the proccess and receive his/her green card if accepted,she/he’d better not try even this little chance because he/she may emotionally get hurt
Thats why I asked these questions in advance
October 8, 2018 at 13:58
If the lawyer really said that, then the lawyer is an idiot.
October 4, 2018 at 23:58
Hi Simon. In my police certificate the embassy has written my passport number wrong. So my passport number starts with the litter O then 00 but in my certificate it’s written 000 all are zeros and the rest number are same. Would that make any problem for me in my interview?
Thanks
October 5, 2018 at 00:12
No.
October 4, 2018 at 23:59
Hi Brit, thanks again for your help.I am selected Dv2019AF26XXX. I just realized that on the Ds 260 of my two year old daughter, already sent, the date of the current address is not the same as the one I wrote in our Ds260 with my wife. (instead of writing September 2018 I mistakenly wrote May 2018) .can this affect the data of my daughter? what should I do. thank you again for your assistance.
October 5, 2018 at 00:12
No problem.
October 7, 2018 at 21:03
My boyfriend won the dv lottery 2019 with my child but played as single in Dubai since we were not married by then. but already submitted his form and want to come to Cameroon to get married to me this October so that he can update his status for me to included in the interview since I’m the mother of the child and he cannot take care of the child alone over there..
Please sir I wish to ask if that will be possible .
October 8, 2018 at 03:05
Yes – read the FAQ.
October 5, 2018 at 00:08
When adding a new born baby to da 260 i must write name and upload birth certificate. Right? I do jot need to upload a photo of a baby?
October 5, 2018 at 00:14
The DS260 itself may prompt you for a birth cert, but not a photo.
October 5, 2018 at 00:31
Hello brits im a dvd 2017 winner snd already travelled to the u.s with my 4 kids but o1 of the kids was already in the us and he processed his documents in august 2018 which the service incharged acknowledged receipt. To my surprise he received a letter today that his file was supposed to be processed before 30 September 2018 and can’t be considered again. What then can l do as followup because the delay and fault is not on his part but the service concerned? Please I really need your advice.
October 5, 2018 at 03:37
I am confused about what you are saying. Do you mean you were a DV2018 winner? If so, what you have been told is accurate. There is no way to process a DV2018 case after the year has ended.
October 5, 2018 at 04:33
This case has been processed since july 2018 .All the requirements has been fulfilled ie the medicals done, interview and visa fees paid and even the thumb print taken in august. What we were expecting was the visa. So now that the delay isn’t on my part but because they didn’t consider the time interval that caused the delay. Can I not forward an appeal letter or look for a lawyer.
October 5, 2018 at 05:11
That would be a waste of time and money.
October 5, 2018 at 07:49
Well brits I was expecting you to at least see the objectivity in it that that the delay isn’t on my part but the authority concerned and consequently calls for sppeal.
October 5, 2018 at 14:48
It doesn’t matter who was at fault – no visa for DV2018 can be issued after the end of the year. Its a law, and won’t change, no matter how much time and money you spend on it.
October 5, 2018 at 14:50
By the way, it seems you obtained your visa through CP and then tried to adjust status for your son – is that correct? If so, that was a BIG risk to have taken, and you really never should have tried – especially so late in the year.
October 5, 2018 at 09:35
Jane, there is no “appeal” from co’s or embassy decisions, so Boss told you so. Doesn’t matter what lawyer says – that will be wasting of money.
October 5, 2018 at 00:33
I am 2019 winner. Can i now take part in dv 2020 lottery? Will this effect my current winning in dv 2019?
October 5, 2018 at 03:39
No problem.
October 5, 2018 at 02:03
Hello Brit,
I hope this message finds you all well, Sofia included of course 🙂 !.
I am Marianela from Buenos Aires, Argentina. DV 2019 6XX
I came across your Blog in May 15th and since then I read it almost every day.
I really admire your work and your answers!
In May I did not know much about the DV process and you answered me some basic questions I adsked.
I have a private question now that I would like to ask you, can I ask it to you by mail?
Thank you so much Brit,
Incredible work!
Marianela
October 5, 2018 at 03:41
britsimon3 at gmail
October 5, 2018 at 02:17
hi, I am a dv 2019 winner and I am currently in the US with my F1.
I already submitted DS-260 and paid the diversity processing fee $330.
But my number is AS4xxx and I might need to move and my address would be different to the one that I wrote on DS-260 and the receipt of the fee before I submit my 485.
Would it be a problem? Do I need to change my address on the USCIS?
October 5, 2018 at 03:43
No problem about the DS260.
October 5, 2018 at 02:31
Hello Britt. I hope this message finds you all well. Thank you for helping everyone out with their cases and giving them a advices to solve their issues that they have. I would like to ask you something that it is bothering me a lot. I will very appreciate your help. I am currently living in Us For 13 years. I came here with my family because I was under 21 when we came here in United State. My brother didn’t come because he had already 21 when we came to live in Us. My parents applied for family reunion. He had an interview a year ago in Albania embassy but his visa was not been approved. They didn’t trust him because he didn’t know that we have an apartment or private house. The second thing they didn’t trust it was that they said for me that I didn’t travel to Albania to meet him. But in real I was in Albania and I have the airport report that I Left Us and traveling out to Albania. The last thing it was they said that he tried out to have a marriage here years ago. The truth is that they were wrong. At the end, we decide to Made a writing request for apology through the lawyer. Our inquiry case is called I-130. I need your help in giving an advice. Do you think he is going to be approved to come in United States. Please I really need your help. God bless you!
October 5, 2018 at 03:44
I only answer DV lottery questions.
October 5, 2018 at 04:50
Morning Brit. I have a question. What gonna happen if my son picturepicture was uploaded in my spot as well in the dv 2020? Can I submit a new dv 2020 entry as the first entry got only my personal details but not my photo? Please help
October 5, 2018 at 05:09
No.
October 5, 2018 at 06:39
Hi britsmon me is dv 2019 winner my case is27xxx when does it scheduled for interview????
October 5, 2018 at 14:37
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
October 5, 2018 at 07:33
Hi brit.
My wife and i went to the ambassy yesterday, after being called on their service line,They allow only my wife inside the ambassy and requested her passport, after words they issued her a card informing her to return on the 9th to pick up her visa.
Now my questions are:
1. What happen to my status as her husband?
2. Can i call the ambassy to find out why it should be so?
October 5, 2018 at 14:43
1. I don’t know anything about your case.
2. Yes
October 5, 2018 at 17:29
Thank you for the response brit.
The ambassy have already make me to understand.
But what I want to know is that, how long will it take for my wife to file in for me when she shall have gone.
October 5, 2018 at 18:13
Filing for a spouse takes around 2 years.
October 5, 2018 at 10:51
Hi Simon,
I am going to submit the DS-260 in the coming days (for DV-2019).
If for some reason, i don’t get to the end of the process (i change my mind, or my number doesn’t get current) can I still go to the US on an ESTA to visit ?
Thanks
October 5, 2018 at 15:03
Yes
October 5, 2018 at 15:29
Thanks a lot Simon. You have no idea how useful you are in such a stressful process!
Cheers
October 5, 2018 at 11:36
Another question please,
If I change jobs after submission of DS-260, do I need to unlock and update ? or not a big deal
Thanks a lot!!!
October 5, 2018 at 15:03
Not for a job change.
October 5, 2018 at 15:31
Great, thanks!
Is being unemployed at the time of the interview something that can negatively impact the outcome ?
Thanks again
October 5, 2018 at 15:55
Normally no.
October 5, 2018 at 12:27
Hello sir simon, Please I need you to help me to help someone. A mother wants to apply for the 2020 dvlottery and she has three kids. As of now the three kids are under 21 but the first child of the three will turn 21 in july 2019 which i know that even at that time they still will be in their country untill 2020 before the can move to the US If she is selected in the draw. Now my questions are 🙁 1) should she go ahead to mention him during her application or shouldn’t she?( 2) Can the her son apply for the same lottery as a primary applicant, so that in case he is selected too, he might also follow up the process for himself only? Thanking you so much in advance for your reply
October 5, 2018 at 13:25
1) Yes
2) Yes
October 5, 2018 at 15:05
1. She MUST.
2. Yes
October 5, 2018 at 13:52
I would to ask a question. My friend upload her son picture in Dv lottery 2020 in part 1 for main applicant and part 2 in children derivative part. She want to know if she can resubmit a new application since the application submitted does not have her own photo. Is it okay, or must she leave even though she didn’t apply with her own photo just her name? Does the dv lottery gonna see that she got 2 application even though it got two different faces just having samesame details? Please help
She is really confuseconfuse because she think she rather submit a new application because her photo was not yet submitted
October 5, 2018 at 15:13
She should not enter again as that will cause a double entry and will affect future entries. So – she should forget about DV2020.
October 5, 2018 at 15:17
Hello brit,
I’m a winner dv2019 but my case number is so high (AF23xxx) , can i entry dv2020?
October 5, 2018 at 15:19
Yes
October 5, 2018 at 15:49
Good day sir ,
The message below is what i received when i submit my entry. what mus i do now.
(Secure Connection Failed
The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.
The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the authenticity of the received data could not be verified.
Please contact the website owners to inform them of this problem.)
October 5, 2018 at 15:55
Close all your windows (on your computer, not your house), then try again.
October 29, 2018 at 11:02
Have you solved the problem?? I have the same issue
October 5, 2018 at 18:34
Sir ,i registered my dvlottery2020 application successfully but my email id was wrong can i change it ?
October 5, 2018 at 19:24
No. But anyway, you don’t need to, as they won’t send you any email.
October 5, 2018 at 18:36
Hi Brit, How are you today?
My sister who is 58 years old she wants to apply for DV-2020.
She has 3 Children who is 27, 29 and 31 years old.
All of them are over 21 years old.
What should she fill for Number of Children in no.14?
Should she fill 0 Children or 3 Children?
Thank you so much and looking forward to hearing from you.
October 5, 2018 at 19:25
Zero. That is clear inthe instructions. She should read the instructions…
October 5, 2018 at 21:21
Hi brit,
How soon can i know my ssn? Just the number, not the package?
Tnx
October 5, 2018 at 22:20
Usually a couple of weeks after entering.
October 5, 2018 at 23:34
Hi Brit .
Is there a problem if my sponsor makes small mistakes in his i-134 form?
October 5, 2018 at 23:44
It depends on the small mistakes.
October 6, 2018 at 06:36
Hi simon
My q is my wife born in K.S .A SAUDI ARABIA
SHE IS SUDANESE
WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR (eligibility) I should write she claim from SUDAN ?
October 6, 2018 at 14:21
If her place of birth on birth cert is Saudi Arabia, then that is what she should enter.
October 6, 2018 at 06:44
Hey,
Is it okay for someone to travel abroad after submitting ds260 without mentioning it in there ?
October 6, 2018 at 14:21
Yes
October 6, 2018 at 12:00
Dear Sir/Madam
I have registered for 2020 diversity visa lottery and received confirmation number.
Unfortunately after registration I realized that the photo of mine which I’ve uploaded did not exactly according to the requirements. I read in the website that failing to comply with any of the following requirements may result in disqualification from the lottery. I am worried about it. I would like to uploaded a new photo but I don’t know how to deliver my new photo by email to USA DV lottery department. I would be appreciated if you can help and tell me how to correct this mistake of mine. Thank you very much indeed for your attention
October 6, 2018 at 14:31
You cannot correct the mistake.
October 6, 2018 at 14:43
Hi Simon,
Thank you for your wonderful and much needed help. I have a GC DV1, my daughter took it as my derivative DV3. she is in the US am back home, if I abandoned or for some reason my GC got revoked, will hers be revoked too?
October 6, 2018 at 19:54
No
October 6, 2018 at 15:18
Hi,
I submitted my DVL 2020 application today and was successful. But I just checked the details of the pictures used and realized they’re not up to the standard 600×600 size. Will this affect my chances? Really confused
October 6, 2018 at 19:55
Probably.
October 6, 2018 at 17:27
Hello Simon;
You know sometimes taking a photo of little ones(1 year old child) is a pain in the …!(Sorry), so I would like to know if a derivative photo may result in disqualification of the principal applicant.
Thanks;
Regards,
Umwimukira
October 6, 2018 at 19:59
The official site has suggestions of how to take a photo of a child. That won’t cause DQ for the adult.
October 6, 2018 at 19:01
Hi Brit , I’m a dv2018 winner and i got my visa already , I plan to travel to us after a week .
I have a question for you or anyone can answer it from the blog members ,
I booked a flight to Boston because my friend is there , my flight route is Riyadh➡ NewYork ➡ Boston with connection 3 hours and 40 minutes at NewYork ,
I want to now where i will be checked in at NewYork or Boston ?
and thanks .
October 6, 2018 at 22:19
NY
October 7, 2018 at 15:51
Thanks a lot .
October 6, 2018 at 19:57
Hi Simon
I’m winner of 2019, and i submitted also for 2020,
I uploaded in 2020 the same photos of 2019,
1- is this will effect on my case as winner of 2019.?
2- will they disqualified me from 2020 lottery?
October 6, 2018 at 22:21
1. No
2. Possibly.
October 7, 2018 at 06:49
Hi Brit, how is it possible to detect previous picture used.. meanwhile some photo studio make a passport photo same way … am saying this bcoz i usually use same studio to get my pictures and mostly look alike since its still same me
October 7, 2018 at 13:53
They have advanced facial recognition technology.
October 6, 2018 at 20:15
Hey simon cs.2019af17***a quick one on the ds260 where they asked if u ever been refused visa i said yes and my answer was i wasnt able to convince the interviewing officer might that be a problem?kindly reply
October 6, 2018 at 22:21
No problem.
October 6, 2018 at 20:59
Heyy Brit, thanks for you blog!
I’m applying for the DV-2020 along with my family (from Italy).
I’m 18 y/o, high school graduated and currently college student, I have a younger brother who is 13 and my parents are married.
Will I have to apply for my mother and father listing me and my brothers as children AND THEN apply myself as a new entry, or once I add myself as children of my parents I am already registered?
Thanks I’m advance!
Tommy
October 6, 2018 at 22:24
You can have an entry of your own, AND be listed on your parents entries (one each).
October 6, 2018 at 23:18
Thank you!
October 6, 2018 at 21:50
Hi Simon,
Is there a minimum duration a DV holder should stay in the US (when first entered) before leaving for the country of origin? Thank you.
October 6, 2018 at 22:25
Yes.
5 minutes.
October 8, 2018 at 11:48
Ha..ha..thank you for your ‘Brit humour’!
October 7, 2018 at 01:00
Gud day sir,am a 2019 winner,my case is 2019AF000***,am yet to fill ds-260 foam for some reasons,I want to know if d form will require uploading my certificate and other documents which my spouse and child.
October 7, 2018 at 01:21
No.
October 7, 2018 at 06:52
omolola sorry to ask which country are you from? sounds like a Nigeria name (Yoruba pricisely) and i ques Nigeria is no more on dv lottery
October 7, 2018 at 03:18
Hi brit if we uploud our photo that is old not new how the know this photo take year ago
October 7, 2018 at 13:43
They don’t. Unless you give them the same photo you gave them before.
October 7, 2018 at 05:57
Hello BritSimon. I won the Dvlottery2019. And then made another entry for DVlottery2020. Does that make my win invalid? Because I cannot access my Ds260
October 7, 2018 at 13:52
No it does not affect the DV2019 case. THere are others unable to access their forms, it’s a system problem. If you need to make changes, you have to contact KCC.
October 7, 2018 at 08:29
Mr brit.good morning.pls my husband is already in the states n we are grateful for allthe the help given but I ve ano question.
At the time of his interview 2017 I was pregnant though I am a beneficiary I didnt go to the interview since on the Ds 260 he stated I will join later.
1.When can I join my husband as a beneficiary
2.How can our new baby be part of the process
3.He is at fault by not telling the C.O that I was pregnant though he was not asked.
October 7, 2018 at 13:55
1. Once your husband is settled he can sponsor you and the baby through family based immigration – it takes around 2 years.
2. Same answer.
3. No
October 7, 2018 at 15:23
Hi Simon! I was drawn for DV2019, I’ve submitted by DS-260, and am awaiting communication for my interview date. I just logged in to check the status, and when I hover over where it says ‘COMPLETED’ , it has a little box that says;
‘The IV form (DS-260 form) has been submitted for this applicant. It will be reviewed when you have submitted all supporting documentation’
Am I missing something? I haven’t been prompted to submit any documentation – I thought this all took place at the interview? Not sure if I need to action anything, or if I should sit tight and be patient.
Thanks!
October 7, 2018 at 18:33
No need to do anything. Just wait for your case number.
October 7, 2018 at 17:05
IS AF36000 safe?
October 8, 2018 at 03:00
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
October 7, 2018 at 18:12
hello receive a cordial greeting, I need your help, mistakenly add my partner without being married yet, we have a marriage date on November 20, I am dv 2019, try to eliminate it as a derivate by placing myself single but still there what should I do?
October 8, 2018 at 03:01
Well if you are interviewing after you are married that should be OK.
October 7, 2018 at 18:14
I want to add it as a derivative in my ds260 and I would like to know if I will have a problem with it for including it before we got married?
October 8, 2018 at 03:01
Get your story straight.
October 7, 2018 at 18:51
Hi sir Brit, please base on facial recognition, I want to ask this question if its okay! A person may have same face without any bad plan of doing fake and having same nose,eye,mouth,etc but sometimes pictures got edited from photo studio managers to make it looks big or small or short or long or clear etc will this also be affected wrongly by the facial recognizer ?
October 8, 2018 at 03:03
Facial recognition is more sophisticated that you seem to understand.
October 7, 2018 at 19:58
Have inlaw living in USA but not supporting his children and wife,where do we report
October 8, 2018 at 03:03
I only answer DV lottery questions.
October 8, 2018 at 08:30
Hello Brit
Thank you very much for your great help to everyone. I hope that this email finds you in good health.
My name is Ernest. I am a Ghanaian currently resident in south Africa for the past 6 years.
I got married last year to a Ghanaian lady in south Africa in September 2017.
Together we decided to relocate to the USA so we have just applied for the DV 2020.
There is a worry on my path after we submitted the applications.
We are both eligible as we both hold degrees.
My wife had a new passport after we got married because her old passport expired. She changed her surname to my surname In her new passport.
Originally her surname is Quaye but now it Is Adarkwah indicated in her passport.
My worry is that she has the Quaye on her academic qualifications, as well as our marriage certificate.
Will this name change be a problem for us should any of us be selected?
Finally where do you think will be advisable to go for our interview if selected? South Africa or our he country Ghana.
Thank you so much in advance for your response.
Best Regards
October 8, 2018 at 14:04
No problem.
Interview where you live.
October 8, 2018 at 17:26
Thank you
October 8, 2018 at 09:19
Hi, Brit!
I have a question related to entering the lottery after reading the instructions and FAQs. More specifically, I need to know whether or not my future wife`s application or mine will be disqualified. The issue is that we`ll get married on November 10, 2018, which is right after the submission process ends. My wife`s last name will change on the mentioned day (now I cannot mention her as my derivative since we`re not married at the moment). So, If we submit separate applications now, and then our status changes to ‘married,’ will we get disqualified?
I`ve already sent this question to The Kentucky Consular Center. But I`m bot sure whether they will reply, they process case-specific queries. The KCC is all I`ve found so far.
Maybe you could refer me to someone who could give me an official reply?
October 8, 2018 at 14:05
This is not a problem. If you had read the my FAQ you would have seen that question and answer.
October 8, 2018 at 09:35
I won in the diversity visa lottery for year 2018
I prepare all the document and medical tests required and fill all the ds 260 honestly and pay the visa fees
but unfortunately my case did not approved and the officer ask for more document and information
I do my best and answer all question and provide all the extra information about me and my family and relative but my case still not approved nor rejected officially and still in hold or administrative status
now my case is expired
October 8, 2018 at 14:08
You will not be approved now as the DV2018 year has ended.
October 8, 2018 at 11:02
Hi my family name begins with ü on my passport(sirname is ÜNLÜ) but application doesnt accept ü can o use u instead of ü is it a problem
October 8, 2018 at 14:12
Use U.
October 8, 2018 at 11:06
Hi, Simon,
Thank you for a great blog. My question – I keep noticing in a few places/advices/blogs that both ears must be visible in Green card picture. Is that true? Even Travel State Gov website features a few pictures of woman (easier for man :D) that have their ears covered by hair. So, I wonder if that has any truth behind it or is complete bogus.
October 8, 2018 at 14:13
Read the OFFICIAL photo instructions.
October 8, 2018 at 11:40
Hi sir, is there no problem that I have added my partner as a derivative in my ds without being married? We got married on the 20th I wanted to advance their data but the 260th sent it after we were married. my question is if they can take as a lie that I have added it as a derivative by seeing the date that I entered it as a derivative with the date of the matrimonial act?
October 8, 2018 at 14:14
No problem.