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January 7, 2019 at 19:39
Good evening Britsimonsays,
I am writing you because i have a relative who is currently living in Chile, but he won the lottery visa when he was living in Venezuela. He is from Venezuela, actually he has his Chilean identity documents. Can he continue the lottery process from Chile? I know you can choose the location of the interview when you fill the ds-260 but i dont know if there are changes about this. I appreciate your help. Time is value. Thanks
January 7, 2019 at 19:51
It does not matter where he was living when he applied or where he interviews.
January 7, 2019 at 21:44
Hello,
Please inform how to add part time employment records which lasted not more then 1 month in the DS-260 form – additional to the primary job which was added already at the same time in parallel for the last 10 years?
BR.
January 8, 2019 at 00:15
Just capture the main history.
January 7, 2019 at 21:54
Hi,
Should I add Names which were used in the Social Network? Or which was used on the passport only?
Thanks.
January 8, 2019 at 00:16
Not in the DS260, no.
January 8, 2019 at 16:32
Hi Brit,
I asked these questions from the Consular via email, but they did not respond to these questions, but they only forwarded a sample of DS-260 and said it is out obligation to provide answers to the questions. Was it OKAY asking such questions from the Consular? Feeling that it was not good to ask…
January 8, 2019 at 17:07
Asking is no problem.
January 7, 2019 at 23:14
Dear sir, Thank a lots for your support n help. recently we arrived usa from DV VISA, we are trying to settle here . We have one baby of 6 years and we have to admit school. today we went school for admission, everything is fine, they advice me to fill-out form for free meal via website. i am confused that sombody advice me not to take free meals or anything that will effect for GC or citizenship in future so i come to with you for the real advice . Please simon sir ? advice me
January 8, 2019 at 00:18
You need to have a plan to pay your way. Free school meals may not cause a problem later – but really – is it really necessary?
January 7, 2019 at 23:53
Hi Britsimonsays,
Im one of selected winners for dv lottery and my case number is 2019EU19XXX.I have submitted required DS-260, and recently i saw it on your website that KCC did ask for some other additional documents, but i didnt recieve any email for that.Does that mean that my application might have any dealy or not be scheduled for an interview or KCC do not need any additional document from me.
I have checked the CEAC data and it says ” At NVC”.
If i’m scheduled for interview can you know and approximate date based on my case number 2019EU19XXX.
Thank you very much for your infos.
Regards.
January 8, 2019 at 00:23
Apply a little patience. In time you will be scheduled. If you want to submit your documents before they ask, you are free to do that.
January 8, 2019 at 00:18
Hi Simon,
Once (and If) I get my visa, I am planning to arrive to the US, stay for one week and then return back to my home country for 5 months then move permanently back to the US.
I have a few of questions about the activation trip.
1- Is there a to-do list during the activation trip ?
I heard I need to open a bank account, get a state ID etc. to establish residency. Problem is I’m not doing the activation trip in the state where I plan to be living, so state ID seems difficult. Plus opening a bank account and then keeping it empty for 5 months while paying fees doesn’t sound great.
2- Is it better to wait to get the SSN card, or it doesn’t matter ? (my friend in the US will receive it for me as well as the GC and can send them by post to Europe or keep them with him till I’m back)
3- After the activation trip and the permanent return, can I go to the US for work trips (I will need to go to the US for work)
Many thanks, again!!!
January 8, 2019 at 00:58
1. Up to you to plan according to your situation.
2. Doesn’t mater.
3. Huh – that doesn’t make sense.
January 8, 2019 at 11:03
Re -3, indeed that doesn’t make sense, i forgot one word:
After the activation trip and before the permanent return, can I go to the US for work trips (I will need to go to the US for work) ? (So during these 5 months)
January 8, 2019 at 14:40
Yes
January 8, 2019 at 01:05
Hi Brit,
I am dv 2019 winner and have an interview in 2 days. I am currently living in USA and filed an Adjistment of status form. I am here on a student visa now and I have sent a wrong document in my AOS package. I sent a copy of one of the I-20 ‘s I had from school which was discarded before because of a mistake. I just sent a copy of it and didn’t have any original. I sent the copy thinking of I can find it. But now I realized that it was actually discarded and I was given another one.
Should I correct it with IO officer prior to interview or just ignore it?
Thanks in advance
January 8, 2019 at 01:54
I am not an aos expert, but honesty is important.
January 8, 2019 at 05:52
Hi Brit, Do you know how many people from Argentina applyes for DV2019?. I saw 81 were selected but I want to know how many participates… Thanks in advance
January 8, 2019 at 06:18
No.
January 8, 2019 at 19:33
Hi Emi, i’M Argentinian also. We’ve a group. Tell me if you want to join us. Regards
January 8, 2019 at 06:28
Dear Simon ,question here,can the bank loans affect on the dv processing?shuld i pay all of them to be safe or it doest matter?
Thank u.
January 8, 2019 at 14:29
No impact
January 8, 2019 at 07:44
Hi Brit, I just want to ask, why there was 34,463 issued visas (instead of 50.000) in DV2012?
January 8, 2019 at 14:31
That year was a total mess with a screwed up selection and a complete redraw.
January 8, 2019 at 08:39
Hi Brit,
My question is: Can the current shutdown in the US affect the DV?
January 8, 2019 at 14:36
Possibly.
January 8, 2019 at 08:49
Hello dear Britsimon!
1. If i change my sponsor address at POE, will my GC only or both SSN and GC will be sent to my new changed address?
2. If i intended to change my new sponsor address at POE, can I pay my GC fee before I travel to US or after I travel to US and change my new sponsor address at POE?
January 8, 2019 at 14:37
1. Both hopefully.
2. Either.
January 8, 2019 at 11:30
Hello Brit please I want to ask how much cash do I need to show without a sponsor for only me and my wife at the embassy
January 8, 2019 at 14:43
It varies – but at least $10k per person.
January 8, 2019 at 14:01
Thank you BritSimon,
I am appreciating your effort to eliminate the confusion of DV cases. Especially at the article of 2019 CEAC analysis you clearly mentioned the cases.
2019AF28419 case number is looking for the email from you.
January 8, 2019 at 14:48
Keep waiting. I am not emailing each case!
January 8, 2019 at 15:30
Greetings Mr Simon,
I’d like to ask you about the possibility of refusing my dv case the day of the interview because of the photo I submitted in the entry period and how may this happen ?
January 8, 2019 at 17:04
Simple answer. Did you follow the instructions or not?
January 8, 2019 at 16:56
Hi Brits. My case nb is as11xxx I wonder when should be the best time to process i134? Is there any expiry for this form ? Many thanks for your response. Maria
January 8, 2019 at 17:07
Do it shortly before the interview so that supporting documents are up to date.
January 8, 2019 at 19:47
Hello dear … my case number is 21××× and i still not received any emails from kcc for asking about sending my documents … what do u think dear i send my documents or i waiting for the mail first …
January 8, 2019 at 21:14
It’s up to you…
January 10, 2019 at 00:46
I dont know what i can do .. i need ur help … i send the documents nw or i wait the mail from kcc first … i need ur opinion
January 10, 2019 at 01:07
Really – you can decide.
January 8, 2019 at 21:09
Hi Simon,
Please, I have got some dubious questions concerning our case and situation. I am a selectee of DV-2019 and 2 weeks ago our new baby was born. I live far from my home country and as we do not have embassy etc. and other long stories, here in this country, getting the passport for him will take 1-2 months. Now, can you guide me with my questions:
1- Is it possible to unlock the DS-260 now and add the newborn baby in the case with other documents such as local birth certificate, and in interview we present his passport to the consular officer? Could it have negative impact on our case?
2- As per the email communication from KCC, I have sent them the scanned copy of our documents. What should I do now with the newborn baby!? Should I send another email once we update our birth certificates including retranslation? Plus the documents of the baby?! Or we can explain the matter in the interview?
3- I need to renew my passport, do you think is better to unlock the DS-260 for this matter or I can explain the matter in the interview, considering that I will not travel with the new one, except for the interview trip. My concern is delaying the interview due to unlocking the DS-260, I do try to avoid any delay.
Thanks,
January 8, 2019 at 22:14
1. Do that. Use the passport of one of the parents.
2. Email KCC.
3. You can update the DS260 OR take old and new passports to the interview. Either way.
January 8, 2019 at 22:21
Thank you man!
Regarding question 1, do you mean that I put the passport information of myself for the baby’s DS-260?
January 9, 2019 at 01:01
Yes.
January 9, 2019 at 08:29
Hola. How do you think may I request for unlocking my DS-260 after the KCC will ask to Submit Supporting Documents? Given that my number is pretty high EU23*** I have a long time at my disposal. Or is better to unlock right now in order to do not to delay the procedure.(After KCC receives and processes the DS-260 application form for you and your accompanying family members, you will receive instructions….) I’m worried about this…
January 9, 2019 at 17:00
If you have changes to make – making them earlier is better.
January 9, 2019 at 08:50
One more question pls about DS 260 and sorry gain to disturb you:).
– Do you hold a passport from the country/region of origin (nationality) above?
Yes or No. They ask for the Passport Number (a secondary citizenship). So I have a Roumanian passport but it expired. I use a valid ID card. What should I answer: 1. the number of expired passport or 2. the number of my ID card??
January 9, 2019 at 17:02
2.
January 9, 2019 at 14:49
Hi Simon,
I’m one of the Diversity Visa winner for the
year 2019.
I got married after DV result was out when I was waiting for second letter. I sent an email to unlock my DS 260 to update my marital status but I mistakenly wrote
that I got married after second letter in that email. will it convey negative
message to consular at the interview or become the matter of refusal ?
January 9, 2019 at 14:57
Sorry, I missed to mention I sent an email to embassy after I got my second letter.
January 9, 2019 at 17:18
I cannot be certain what their reaction will be.
January 10, 2019 at 02:46
I am so worried about their reaction. Will the consular also review our email correspondence as reference or they focus on just DS 260 form at the time of interview ?
January 10, 2019 at 03:32
They have access to the emails too.
January 10, 2019 at 04:56
So Simon, Please suggest Shall I send the consular an apology email with correct information ?
January 10, 2019 at 14:32
That is up to you.
January 9, 2019 at 16:04
Good morning BritSimon
Selected DV-2019SA4XX with appointment scheduled for February 6, 2019, you can help me with a question.
DO I NEED TO REGISTER THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED BY CO IN LINE?
Thanks for your help.
January 9, 2019 at 17:24
Some embassies ask that you register with their courier service. The instructions vary by embassy – so look for and follow their instructions.
January 9, 2019 at 18:10
Hello brit,
Do you think there would be any problem if I travel to the USA 2 month before the medicals expire? Or should I leave as soon as I can?
Thanks!
January 9, 2019 at 20:41
You have until the visa expiry date 1 day before that date or 2 months before that date is the same…
January 9, 2019 at 19:24
Dear Simon,
I am a DV-2019 candidate and I just received an email from KCC asking for digital copies of certain documents including the biodata page of my passport. Here is my question:
I recently heard that having traveled to many countries may pose a risk for getting the green card. I am a traveler, who has been to 40 countries within the last several years and about 70% of my passport is full of visas and stamps. Do you think it is worth getting a new clean passport? The new passport process may take about 15 days, so I will have to email my documents to KCC with 15-20 days delay, if I apply for a new one. Thank you in advance for your reply!
January 9, 2019 at 20:46
Even with a new passport, you still have to answer honestly about travel history. So, don’t do something that tries to hide the travel history.
January 9, 2019 at 19:50
HELLO BRIT.
AN INQUIRY I AM REGISTERING MY APPOINTMENT FOR THE INTERVIEW ON FEBRUARY 6, 2019 WHERE I SEE
1) THE FILE NUMBER
2) THE NUMBER DS-260
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
January 9, 2019 at 20:48
1. Your case number (eg2019ASXXXXXXXXX)
2. On the confirmation page of your DS260
January 9, 2019 at 20:52
Thank you
January 9, 2019 at 21:40
Hi brit,
2NL for DV process is released based on the sequance of case number.and what about I-130 visa please? And are you willing to connect me with somebody that know better about I-130 process please because i was got married soon and i wanna start the application for my spouse she was living back home
Thanks
January 10, 2019 at 01:02
I only answer DV questions
January 10, 2019 at 01:04
Hi Britsimonsays,
I am an Australian who was selected for the DV Lottery program. I am filling out the DS 260 and also filling out the form for my spouse. At the question “Is your spouse immigrating to the U.S. with you? ”
Do I answer yes to this for both of us? I’m getting conflicting info on the net and your website has been so solid for info but I can’t find this question answered.
January 10, 2019 at 01:19
The questions are not “trick” questions. If you are emigrating together the answer would be yes.
January 10, 2019 at 01:21
Thank you!
January 10, 2019 at 02:07
Hello Simon. I am a Dv 2019 selectee case number SA4XX. After a sucessful interview we already have the migrant visas in our passports and the sealed immigration package 🙂 For work reasons we were planning to travel to the US to activate our status in April (our visas expire in May). Now, due to the shutdown, we were wondering if we should do this earlier. What is your recommendation? Will new migrants be somehow affected if this shutdown continues? (we are not seeing any sign that the government is going to open soon…). Thank you for any insight you or any reader might have on this matter
January 10, 2019 at 03:31
No impact.
January 10, 2019 at 03:17
Hi,
My case number is Eu13xxx and i still didn’t receive an email to submit documents so i am planning to do it anyways. I sent an email to KCC and their answer was- We are currently processing your documents please allow several more weeks for processing.
I sent my DS form in May and dont know why there is such delay.
I have a question- i am studying in Canada as an International student but i still didn’t spent more than 6months in Canada(5 months at the moment) and i have applied for police clearance certificate which i still didn’t receive, police certificate from my home country i have so i am missing just this one. So i am not sure should i submit my other documents to KCC and bring this one to an interview or wait for this Canadian clearance certificate and submit it too?
Thank you 🙂
January 10, 2019 at 03:34
If you submit now, the Canadian police cert won’t be need for documents, but WILL be needed for the interview. So, make a decision.
January 10, 2019 at 03:45
OK thank you.
One more thing because i wasn’t able to find answer for that too: I was in Canada already before(visiting) so i don’t know if that also counts. Those 5months studying now+ visiting before or just this period now when i actually live here?
If it doesn’t count. decision is made and will submit documents asap
January 10, 2019 at 03:53
Well if in doubt, count it as one longer period.
January 10, 2019 at 03:49
How are you? First of all thank you for your advice. I have question my question is if I have wife in Africa but I living in America but I want to take my wife in America can It takes long time?
January 10, 2019 at 03:52
Yes – around 2 years.
January 10, 2019 at 05:29
Hi Simon,
I activated my visa in Sept 2018 and returned to my country in October.
Could you please clarify a couple of re-entry requirements for me;
– after the initial 1 year (Sept 2018- Aug 2019) allowed absence- do I have to spend 6months of each year (US financial year) in US OR does a trip back re-start the counter?
– if I cannot re-enter to permanently live by Sept 2019 can I apply for the I-131 Re Entry Permit. To do so would require me to fly back to US submit application and then wait (30-90 days) or leave then return again for biometrics.
appreciate your guidance.
thanks
January 10, 2019 at 14:35
The rules aren’t as “precise” as you seem to think. The GC is a permission to LIVE in the USA. If you are using it as a visitors visa you can lose the GC. REad the FAQ about that.
January 10, 2019 at 06:53
Hi at DV2020 I used the same photo as my F1 visa which was issued at 2016, even if I got selected there were be no chance that I can pass the interview right? Thanks!
January 10, 2019 at 14:37
It is not that black and white – but anyway – see if you get selected.
January 10, 2019 at 08:42
Hello simon i am from nepal but currently working in south korea in a working visa .. the thing is i dont have any relatives or friends in USA who can sponser me so i got one sponser from the side of my agent and i worried about it because the consular might ask about relationship between me and he. Does having a unknown guy who is sponsering me for my visa affects or not?what should i do?
January 10, 2019 at 14:40
If they ask questions about the sponsor it cause a problem.
January 10, 2019 at 14:43
So what can i do on this situation how can i increase the chances
January 10, 2019 at 14:47
Sponser is not a outsider he is also a nepali
January 10, 2019 at 16:02
Get another sponsor.
January 10, 2019 at 09:46
Hello
I have submitted my documents(Passport, Birth certificate and Police report) in November 19,2019. And I am waiting for my 2NL update hoping may be in feb. But I have found one mistake in my police report made by police office. In this situation what should i do???
January 10, 2019 at 14:41
Get a new police cert.
January 11, 2019 at 02:58
Thanks, now I have to re email all 3 documents??? And should I email kcc of that mistake or not???
January 11, 2019 at 03:58
1. Resend a complete set.
2. Your choice.
January 10, 2019 at 10:17
Hi Mr. Simon,
My question is ” Is it possible that the ongoing US government shutdown affects DV 2020?
January 10, 2019 at 16:00
The draw for 2020 is not until May.
January 10, 2019 at 15:08
Hi, the government shutdown, will it affect the DV processes?
January 10, 2019 at 16:04
Possibly.
January 10, 2019 at 15:30
Dear sir
Could they order to open the 2 packets (that are 2 be submitted at port of entry)in transit or airport?
If they ordered yo do,what ahosho we do?
January 10, 2019 at 16:05
Use common sense.
January 10, 2019 at 19:18
Hi Simon,
I have a question about activating the Green Card. Let’s say, I don’t know anyone in the US and don’t have an US-address yet.
When I succeed on the interview, latest time to tell my future address is at POE.. –> Well, I can’t rent a place, without visiting it first. And I also have seen that the GC will take a few months to arrive..
Is it possible to enter the US on an ESTA first, to find an apartment? I do understand that I have to reenter then..
Or can the government store it a while for me?
(Are there any special agencies for newcomers that you could recommend for this case?)
Thank you for your help! 🙂
January 10, 2019 at 19:43
No, no and no.
You need to find someone in the USA (that you can trust) to receive your GC. That needs to be a REAL address (not PO Box). There is a USPS delivery service where they can hold post for you, but you still need a valid address (and frankly I would not trust USPS to not screw it up anyway).
January 10, 2019 at 22:59
Can this also be a future employer? Like sending it to HR-department.
January 11, 2019 at 00:53
No. A residential address.
January 10, 2019 at 21:45
Hello BritSimon!
I’m not sure if I need to mention parking or speeding fines in DS-260. It seems they are not crimes of moral turpitude, but do they expect us to add this information? I have a concern because my Policy Certificate will be empty and I won’t be able to provide any documentation regarding these cases. What are your thoughts on that? I don’t think parking or speeding fine can be a cause of denied application, do you?
Thank you for your hard work!
January 10, 2019 at 21:59
Generally you don’t normally list those as long as they were “simple” non criminal. But the choice is yours…
January 10, 2019 at 22:01
In your case numbers data analysis u have given up to around 8000 case number. Wen r I reaching 15000
January 11, 2019 at 00:52
I don’t understand.
January 10, 2019 at 22:19
Thank you for your prompt response, Simon! I appreciate it!
January 11, 2019 at 08:25
Dear BritSimon,
I have couple things I want to clarify.
1. After several years, I changed a school. As it was clearly asked about institutions “at a secondary level or above”, I included only second school where I got my GCSE, and the university, and set the number of institutions to two, as at my first school I got only incomplete primary education (and I even don’t have any documents from that school anymore). What confused me is when I printed out DS-260, in this document there’s nothing said about “secondary level or above”, and it looks like I studied at school only for 6 years. Was I correct filling only the second school, or it’s better to include complete history?
2. It is totally fine to say in my wife’s DS-260 that I, her spouse, assisted her, right?
Thank you very much in advance for your help, and I wish you a great day and a great weekend!
Sincerely yours,
Max
January 11, 2019 at 15:13
1. No need to change.
2. Yes
January 11, 2019 at 15:57
Dear BritSimon,
Thank you very much for your time!
January 11, 2019 at 15:18
Hi!
I was refused an non immigration visa but later that day I recieved an DS 5535, what does this mean?
January 11, 2019 at 16:24
I only answer DV lottery questions.
January 11, 2019 at 16:23
Hi Simon,
In case I had my final exam for bachelor, and by the time I completed my Ds I didn’t have my bachelor degree yet.. should I mail them to unlock my DS to be able to change my highest educational level or I should just leave it like this and mention it at the interview if they ask me..?
January 11, 2019 at 16:31
No need to unlock, unless you want to. The reason it is not on the DS260 makes sense.
January 11, 2019 at 19:24
Hi,
My number has come up under the March 2019 VB. 2 questions, does that mean I interview in March or April?
And also my number is the exact cut off number, the VB says all numbers BELOW that get interviews, does that include the actual cut off number too or would I need to wait until the following month?
Thanks,
Laura
January 11, 2019 at 22:13
The latest VB is for MARCH interviews. But your number will not be current until it is BELOW the VB number.
January 11, 2019 at 19:46
Hello Brit? We are DV 2018 winners but my wife is the principal applicant and we just move to the US but my question is 1. Can I as a beneficiary apply for my Green card first without providing my wife information. 2. Do I have to provide her information to USCIS first before providing mine?
January 11, 2019 at 22:22
When you entered the USA you became an LPR (as did your spouse) and they will have applied for the GC (assuming you have paid the fee).
January 11, 2019 at 23:17
Hello Simon,
For the interview, if the applicant has a second passport, is it required to present both passports?
If so, should supporting documents and proofs related to the second passport shall be presented to the CO?
I mean for instance someone has been living for more than 5years in another country and hence he’s got a second passport. Is it required to provide all the related visas and other documents to prove that he has been there for more than 5 years?
January 11, 2019 at 23:20
It would not normally be a requirement, but you can “over prepare”.
January 12, 2019 at 03:13
Hy Simon,
I am a DV 2019 winner preparing for the interview, Could you please suggest me what are the documents we need from sponsors, My sponsor have 3 family members and we are two, what should be the annual income to show ? Also sponsors has taken the insurance facility from the government. Does it effect ?? Please suggest..
Thanks in advance
January 12, 2019 at 04:07
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
January 12, 2019 at 04:13
hi Mr Brit
with the march VB and according to your analysis AS region highest CS Number what can be ?
January 12, 2019 at 05:16
I wrote an article about that a few days ago. Read that.
January 12, 2019 at 05:43
Thanks lot Mr Brit
I read it its mean that AS may be over 11000
January 12, 2019 at 12:29
Dear BritSimon,
Sorry for taking a bit more of your time, but there’s one more question I’m thinking of.
In my wife’s form in native alphabet she has my last name now. Then there goes “other names used”. In passports in my country we have names in native alphabet too, but on the last page there’re our international, transliterated versions. So, the day we were completing the DS-260, we put only transliterated maiden name there. But today I woke up and realized that there are documents (e.g., birth, marriage certificates) where her maiden name is written only in native alphabet. Even though the documents are going to be translated according to the passport (and my wife still has her old passport with her), there’s a version of maiden name in original documents in native alphabet which is not specified in DS-260, and I thought that it can enforce checks, and it’s worth to unlock the form and put her maiden name in native alphabet to other names, too, to eliminate any possible background checks. Considering our Case No. is over 20k in the EU, we still have time to have our form processed. Am I right, or I’m just starting thinking too much?
Thank you very much in advance!
Sincerely,
Max
January 12, 2019 at 21:19
Thinking too much.
January 12, 2019 at 22:52
Dear BritSimon,
I am sorry, but can I just ask why you think so? No documents even have connection between maiden and current last name, except marriage certificate, where it’s said that she changes [old last name] to [new], but even here (as in any other document) her maiden name is written only in native alphabet, and there’s no documents (except the old passport) indicating her transliterated maiden name. Why do you think it’s enough to leave only transliterated version of maiden name in DS-260, not adding the one in native alphabet? Should we also submit scans of the old passport to KCC then?
I’m very sorry for being bothersome, it is, probably, one of the most important forms in my life. Just want to understand your answer.
Thank you very much in advance!
January 13, 2019 at 03:48
Because all of what you describe is very normal. But – if you want to worry about it – feel free. It’s your right.