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.
August 13, 2019 at 12:04
Hi BritSimaon,
I do not remeber my adress in India during my education year which is 15 years ago. Can i write University address?
Thanks
August 13, 2019 at 13:56
Your choice.
August 15, 2019 at 20:43
What to answer the immigration officer when he ask whi i changed the sponsor ?
Im a diversity visa lottery winner . my interview is next week
when i emailed the one who supposed to sponsor me the i134 to fill it for me he apologized and said that since he is out of the States. exactly in Asia he cannot provide me the documents that he must accompany with i134.
this is why i asked another friend who agreed to sponsor me and he did sent me the i134 w9 and 1040 forms.
now my worry is how to answer the immigration officer when he will ask why i changed the sponsor . i want to say the truth but im afraid that my ex sponsor was not telling the truth , maybe he just did not want to sponsor me.
other DV applicants before me were asked this question the day of interview so im worried .
i dnt want to seem like a liar if my ex sponsor did lie to me.
thank you
i hope this makes sense
August 16, 2019 at 03:06
I very much doubt that will be asked, if it is you must not lie, so just explain the simple truth.
August 13, 2019 at 12:20
Sir,
I want to change the address where USCIS will send my GC, it is difficult for me to know how it works. Now can I write the address where and paste it on my envelop so that they will make the update there ?
I will pay the fee once I enter the US after few days
August 13, 2019 at 13:56
Yes – you change the address at the POE – make sure to discuss this with the IO.
August 13, 2019 at 12:33
Dear Brit, please permit some of our clumsy questions but this opportunity is not to be taken lightly so everyone wants to get things done perfectly.
I realised on my DS 260 instead of passport expiry date being 26 Feb, I wrote 29 Feb. Is this something I need to unlock to correct? Thank you AF24xxx
August 13, 2019 at 13:58
You will be waiting for a few months anyway – so correct it.
August 13, 2019 at 12:41
Hey Brit,
Am a DV2020 winner, submitted my DS260, have received an email from KCC.
Now on submitting the DS260, I used a friend’s address as my sponsor and now i have a cousin who also wants to sponsor me (willing to provide i-134 & returns) though from a different state.
My query here is can i have two sponsors just incase one doesn’t meet the ‘criterias of a sponsor’……am just thinking aloud.
Please advise and regards
August 13, 2019 at 13:59
Yes. Although only one I-134 is necessary if it meets the income standard.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
August 13, 2019 at 13:22
Good morning sir,
What do you think why this month visa bulletin is late?
August 13, 2019 at 14:07
It’s not late until the 16th.
August 13, 2019 at 14:01
Sir,
When i checked my status it is shown as ready and case last updated is 1July.And 14 august i have interview and when i checked my status again it is shown again ready but case last updated is 13 august.What does it mean?
Best regards,
August 13, 2019 at 14:04
It means you are checking it too often. Try yoga.
August 13, 2019 at 14:26
I do sir:) but why last updated is 13august?
August 13, 2019 at 15:58
We cannot possibly know – so stop watching the kettle boil.
August 13, 2019 at 16:00
Sir you mean when you check the status of your case they will know?
August 13, 2019 at 14:54
Hi brit, cn 2020af11*** ,submitted D’s 260 in june,.still haven’t received mail from kcc
August 13, 2019 at 15:59
Patience.
August 13, 2019 at 15:58
Hi Simon!
I have a few questions about the required police certificates.
In the instructions says that they are valid for one year.
1. How they count this one year?
2. The count starts after they receive them or from the date that they were issued? I need to have them from 3 countries and one of them is valid for 3 months from the issue date and another is valid for 6 months.
My case number is 2020EU20*** and I already sent the ds260 and now I am trying to time correctly these documents which will take about 2 weeks to gather and I don’t know when they will request them.
3. Any suggestions of when I should start gathering them?
Regards, D
August 13, 2019 at 16:06
Hi Brit
Do you know how much money can we take to USA since we will be moving ther permanently. Is it same as for tourist visa.
August 13, 2019 at 16:11
Hlw sir is comulsary to speak with english in dv loytery or can we choose our native language
August 13, 2019 at 16:33
Hey Brit, I am looking on FAQ page how to fill ds260 and you didn’t mention anything on the previous US travel Section. I was denied B2 visa in 2017 and I am stacked on how to answer “have you ever been refused a Us visa been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port f entry?” Should I have to answer Yes or no? Can you pls be clear about this? Tnx
August 13, 2019 at 17:45
You were denied a visa – that is “refused” so answer “yes”. These are not trick questions – just apply some simple common sense.
August 13, 2019 at 18:26
Does 90 days rule apply for F1-OPT? Considering, I received OPT in August and if my CN goes current in November. Can I submit and pay for the DV AOS fee within 90 days of approval or have to wait? Thanks!!!
August 14, 2019 at 01:28
If in doubt – wait.
August 13, 2019 at 19:21
I watched/listened to the video about the recent public charges.
I was successful in my processing and was approved as part of DV19
I am due to go to the US beginning of Nov for my initial entry, as the immigrant visa deadline is end of November/ ( I will return to my present country to tie up my affairs and hope to return and settle by early 2020)
My questions are :
1- might I encounter an issue regarding the new pub charge from the immigration officer at port of entry ?
2 – Once I return in early 2020 and am settled – is there a chance within the future 5 year period that my green card can be cancelled if there is evidence that I used a public charge such as Medicaid ?
Thanks
August 14, 2019 at 01:38
1. No
2. In a changing political landscape, why risk it, come with a proper plan to succeed.
August 13, 2019 at 23:07
Ho Brit i am Dv winner. Please i want to ask you. Can i change place of birth in DS260 because in my first Entery i but wrong city in my birth place other than my city that writen on my passport. Thank you.
August 14, 2019 at 01:53
Well yes – the DS260 should be accurate – but I assume you are only talking about two places within the same country.
August 14, 2019 at 01:36
Does checking case on ceac too often affect the Processing ?
August 14, 2019 at 01:54
No.
August 14, 2019 at 03:57
Sir, i got an update today also still in AP, is it always before issued we always get an AP? I kept thinking to myself if this updates would get me Good ending lol.
my AP : 1 august ( day after interview ) updated to AP ,asking Proof of relationship, CO told me only by email, i sent it right away.
2 august updated to AP again and then i emailed them ( ive sent my documents etc , Have you reviewed it blabla ).
5 august they emailed me, Please sent all of Relationship to the appointed courier agency. so they’d want it by printed not email.
6 august i sent it right away in the morning, courier said tomorrow will be arrived to embassy.
7 august i got update AP again.
12 august 13 august 14 august today, got AP updates everyday.
August 14, 2019 at 04:32
Oh my.
Yoga.
August 14, 2019 at 04:16
Hi Mr. Simon, DHL Express cannot locate the letter containing high school certificate that was addressed to me and the tracking update has stopped for more than 2 weeks, what can i do to prove my education qualification. The exam body will not reissue another one when contacted. Thank you.
August 14, 2019 at 04:31
I have no idea of procedures in your country.
August 14, 2019 at 04:52
I live in the UAE but my country of chargeability is Ghana and so i had them send it over via DHL to the UAE and somehow it got lost on its way to me.
August 14, 2019 at 04:59
Again – I have no experience of that…
August 14, 2019 at 22:06
You could get someone (your teacher or tutor or school principal) who knows you well enough to provide a reference stating that you attended school there.
August 14, 2019 at 05:42
Hi Britsimon, I have a question regarding DV2021 application. My brother is 19 years old and would like to apply independently, as well as be a derivative in my mother’s application as her son. Would this qualify as double registration?
August 14, 2019 at 06:20
No – that is OK.
August 14, 2019 at 08:59
Thanks BritSimon
August 14, 2019 at 07:38
Just asking the same question with different issue. please refer the quoted text.
“Dear Sir
I’m a selectee from DV2020 for further processing. but i’m struggling with my current living locations because i have two physical locations. one was my permanent address(as my passport contains) and second one was a rented anex for my educational purposes. so here is the summary.
Permanent Address – Galle, Sri Lanka (lives in friday to sunday)
Rented Address – Negombo, Sri Lanka (lives in monday to thursday)
When filling the DS260, i have added my permanent address as Galle and was been there since 2006 now. then after i have add another section for add my rented address details, i have marked it date of living from 2014 to 2019 with respective months and when trying to save the sectional updates it occurs a error indicating invalid date range. I think it was happen because of overlapping the time.
What am i do now sir? how i add rented address in my DS260? is it necessary? please let me know your thoughts in detail.
Thank You and GOD bless you.”
AND YOUR ANSWER IN THERE IS “USE THE PERMANENT ADDRESS”.
I have added only the permanent location in my DS260 no previous addresses and submitted. :). So my new question is, is it okay to to take the police clearance certificate from both (Galle, Negombo) locations for more transparency? is it can be a matter because i have only added my permanent address only in DS260.
Thanks and looking forward a reply please don’t get angry 🙁
August 14, 2019 at 10:08
Use your own judgement based on how you obtain police certs in your country.
August 14, 2019 at 09:26
Hello Mr. Simon,
Can another person fill the i-134 application, other than the person mentioned in the DS260 (the mailing address). or does it have to be the same person to be our sponsor?
August 14, 2019 at 10:22
Can be another person.
August 14, 2019 at 11:12
Am still awaiting your response to my question
August 14, 2019 at 11:20
No. I responded. You just didn’t read it.
https://britsimonsays.com/new-document-submission-procedure-update/comment-page-5/#comment-196039
August 14, 2019 at 13:00
Hello Mr Simón
DV 2020 SA000003xx
1-On my birth certificate the Place of birth is La Habana(Havana) but in my passport is Ciudad de La Habana (Havana City). Do you think I must change my passport
2-In DS 260 the name of where I am employee must be written in English? and the rest of the fields?
August 14, 2019 at 14:41
1. No
2. Normally English.
August 14, 2019 at 13:24
Hi Simon
I have applied fir DVL 2019 and I just checked the status by exactly following your instructions but I still receive “Entry is not valid” , can you please support?
Thanks.
August 14, 2019 at 14:43
DV2019 is almost over. Explain exactly where you are checking.
August 14, 2019 at 21:36
https://www.dvlottery.state.gov
It says in thier website & the confrimation page “DV-2019 Entrants have until September 30, 2019 to check the status of their entry”
August 15, 2019 at 04:14
OK – well it is pointless you checking. If you check, and find you are a winner, it is too late to apply and process your case.
August 14, 2019 at 13:50
My visa status has been Administrative processing and now Ready.
What’s mean?
August 14, 2019 at 14:43
Wait and see.
August 14, 2019 at 14:50
After Ready come Issued? Or its not sure.
August 15, 2019 at 02:24
It’s not sure. It’s either refused or issued.
August 14, 2019 at 13:57
Dear Brit, again I have couple of questions.
1. In my DS260 I mentioned not only last 10 years work experience, but also mentioned the work that I was doing 15 years ago while studying, is that ok ?
2. Military Service: I was assigned in XXX place but was detached to an Y department, as there was no space to put department full name I just mentioned the Ministry name: it is like this XXX detached to Y, (no space for department name)
Do you think I should do anything? Or can just tell them at the interview?
Am I overthinking?
Thank you very much, will appreciate your answer.
August 14, 2019 at 14:44
1. Yes
2. Fine
Overthinking – yep.
August 14, 2019 at 16:05
Thank you Sir, you are doing great job.
I need Yoga ASAP 🙂
August 14, 2019 at 13:58
Hi Simon,
I am a 2019 DV winner. Received visas by early June but lost passports of my two children (under 8 years) with visa stamps.
Immediately reported the incident to the US Embassy and presented new passports.
The status turned to Ready and today changed to AP. Do you think they will issue new visas before end of september?
Thank you!
August 14, 2019 at 14:45
Probably.
August 14, 2019 at 15:21
Hello Mr Simon
Dv 2020 SA000003XX
1- IN MY PASSPORT THE PLACE OF BIRTHI IS HAVANA CITY AND IN MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS HAVANA. DO I NEED TO CHANGE MY PASSPORT?
THANKS
August 15, 2019 at 02:25
No
August 14, 2019 at 16:25
Hi Simon, quick question here. I received my passport with the immigrant visa and all looks great. However, during the interview the CO mentioned that they will cancel a Tourist B1 visa I had.
The B1 visa is still there without a mention “Cancelled without prejudice” as they usually do. Do you know if they forgot or if it’s a problem ?
Thanks!!!
August 15, 2019 at 02:26
No problem.
August 15, 2019 at 08:29
Thanks a lot.
They don’t stamp them as cancelled anymore ? Or did they just forget?
August 15, 2019 at 17:07
Probably just forgot.
August 14, 2019 at 16:38
Hi Simon,
I was randomly selected for the DV2020, now I have a few concerns.
My passport expires on April 2020, I believe I entered the information about it onto the DV Application. I am planning on renewing it in the coming month. Should I be wary of such a change? Would it affect my application?
My passport (a common thing with Indian passports) doesn’t have a surname but on the DS260 my last name shows as my surname (which is okay). While my passport gets renewed should I proceed with them removing my last name from the given names section and add it to the surnames section?
I know you are not a lawyer, but with your shared knowledge and experience, I thought you might be the best person for advice.
Thanks!
August 15, 2019 at 03:58
1. Updating your passport is not a problem. Sooner the better.
2. You should decide.
August 14, 2019 at 16:49
Dear sir thank your kind information.
Now I want to edit my ds form . My question is given below .
1) Is necessary passport of my spouse When edit the form?
August 14, 2019 at 18:41
Will signing the former i134 affect the sponsor if he had got the green card through asylum? my sponsor is afraid to sign form i134 saying we can’t live without public charges in the USA….is it true? what are the public charges?… if signed will sponsor lose his medicaid?can he or she be sued in any circumstances…. what are the disadvantages of signing form i134
August 15, 2019 at 04:13
He must decide for himself. As it is, no he should not access those benefits, but if he does his income must be very low so he is probably not a great sponsor anyway.
August 15, 2019 at 19:02
our interview will be held end of August. My sponsor whom I mentioned in DS260 is not willing to give form i134. saying it can be harmful to him in future.
1. So can I change to another sponsor? whom I don’t know but he is my husband friend’s friend
2. Should I will have to change the address which I mentione in ds 260 where the green card to be delivered.
August 15, 2019 at 03:59
Yes
August 15, 2019 at 19:04
how can I do it? please guide me
August 14, 2019 at 17:03
Dear brit my Case no is As72** and i am from Nepal i havent received any mail regarding sending documents till now am i late? I am worried because after reading comments i came to know that people of case number 8*** have already got their mail.
August 15, 2019 at 03:59
No problem. Relax.
August 15, 2019 at 09:20
Hello, Kushal,
which year 2019 or 2020
August 14, 2019 at 18:51
Hello sir.
I want to ask if u have an idea about the highest EU case number that kcc has requested doc email until now.
Thank you
August 15, 2019 at 04:13
No
August 14, 2019 at 20:26
Hi,
I am DV2018 winner, activated green card in 31 Aug 2019 (left USA in 8th Sept), but has not traveled there since than. Should I expect problems, due to new immigrant inspection procedures, from border officers on entry that will be before the end of this month? I will stay for two weeks, in order to rent apartment, open bank account etc, before I move permanently by the end of the year…
Thanks!
August 15, 2019 at 04:13
No
August 14, 2019 at 21:50
dear brit, to get usa citizenship the green card holder must have stayed in usa for 5 years. i got my green card in jan i came to activate it in august stayed in usa for 2 weeks then left then came back after 6 months. my question is if i want to count the 5 years for citizenship it start counting from the first date i came to activate the green card or from the date i came to stay permanently in usa
August 15, 2019 at 04:15
I don’t advise on matters outside of DV lottery.
August 14, 2019 at 22:18
Hi Brit.
When do we have to get our medical report?
A few months before the interview or will they email us about when or where to get it done?
Thanks
August 15, 2019 at 04:17
You book it once you get the 2NL and take the report to the interview.
August 14, 2019 at 23:11
Dear BritSimon,
I attend my interview and refused due to my country police Certificate and given refusal code number 221(g) I am processing Police certificate my question is
1) If I will send this Certificate and passport by next week how log it takes processing time and passport return back expected date ?
2) Is refusal causes can be checked if Yes How I can check it?
Thanks
August 15, 2019 at 04:18
1. It varies.
2. You know the cause – but you can google it if you want.
August 15, 2019 at 04:00
Hello Simon! Firstly, many thanks for the work you are doing in this blog!
I have got 2 questions:
1) I am from Russia, case EU00018XXX. I am planning to get married in October 2019, in your opinion would that affect my chances of getting the visa? In the worst case scenario, if they think that our marriage is not genuine (which is really genuine!), will they disqualify only my future wife or both of us?
2) I had a read through your blog, gov travel state website and US embassy in Moscow website, and I have got an idea that at some I will need to upload documents to the ceac website and send an email with documents 10 days before the interview (that what the US embassy in Russia says) to speed up the process. However, I am still not sure at what point I will need to upload the documents to the ceac, could you please clarify that for me please?
P.s. I have submitted DS-260 in June, I know that I can unblock my form via emailing to KCC.
Thank you in advance Simon!
—
Kind regards,
Almaz
August 15, 2019 at 04:31
1. No problem. You should have held off submitting your DS260 so you can add your spouse immediately after the marriage. Now you need to delay your interview by NOT sending documents (see 2).
2. The process has changed. You will be asked for documents by KCC before even being scheduled.
August 15, 2019 at 16:32
Simon, thank you! Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am 2020 dv applicant. Was your comment about 2020 or 2019 dv?
August 15, 2019 at 17:36
The context made it clear you were talking about 2020. But it is always better to include the year with your case number.
August 15, 2019 at 04:02
Hlw sir is compulsary to speak with english in or can we use our native language in interview of dv 2020
August 15, 2019 at 04:32
No compulsory, just smart.
August 15, 2019 at 18:03
Tq so mch sir
August 15, 2019 at 04:46
Hi Mr. Simon, please i have attached some personal documents and mailed you a question via email so please if you are still awake can you please check it out for me? britsimon3 Thank you
August 15, 2019 at 09:18
Dear brit
my Case no is As 5900 and i am from Nepal i havent received any mail regarding sending documents till now am i late? I am worried because after reading comments i came to know that people of case number 8*** have already got their mail.
August 15, 2019 at 17:07
Relax. There is plenty of time.
August 15, 2019 at 11:28
Hi this is from ethiopia
I just want ur advice how i can correct the date of birth i fill during Dv regiestration
August 15, 2019 at 17:09
You can’t correct the original entry, but you can (and must) enter the correct date on the DS260.
August 15, 2019 at 14:11
Hi Simon
Please can you give us an explanation of the recent Visa Bulletin For Septemb, specially African region , it is “2.500”. It’s very low compared to last years!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
August 15, 2019 at 14:33
what are the causes of visa refusal?
August 15, 2019 at 17:24
Please look at my recent articles and videos.
August 16, 2019 at 04:23
ok, thank you very much
August 15, 2019 at 14:36
hello brit what do you think of the first SA 250 visa bulletin DV 2020 is very low
August 15, 2019 at 17:24
I posted a video with my thoughts.
https://youtu.be/QGV9NDCb4Nw
August 15, 2019 at 16:22
Hi Brit, I have a couple of questions:
1) I already submitted my DS-260 and found a mistake. I’ve put the wrong address for the school I got my high school degree from. I’ve accidentally put the University address wich followed afterwards. Would you recommend to unlock for that?
2) I left University without a degree. The field for degree I left blank, which worked. I was just unsure afterwards, because the description said, no field should be left blank.
3) For the field where the name of school degree was asked I’ve put both the official name in my language and a proper English translation with a hyphen in between. Do you think that’s ok or should there only be the English translation?
Thanks a lot for your help!
August 15, 2019 at 17:33
1. Unlock and change if you are not already scheduled.
2. That’s ok
3. OK.
August 15, 2019 at 17:35
Dear sir,
is it okay to add internship period under work experience?
August 15, 2019 at 17:36
If it is paid, yes.
August 15, 2019 at 19:01
Hi! May I ask why it matters if it was paid or not? Learning about the process.
August 15, 2019 at 19:48
“work” is paid. Otherwise it’s a hobby/volunteering/education, not work experience.
August 15, 2019 at 20:10
I listed my unpaid US internship in the employment section? Should I remove it? Do I have to unlock for that?
August 16, 2019 at 03:02
No need to overthink it – it’s not that important.
August 15, 2019 at 18:28
Hlw sir I had filled wrong surname of mother in law in ds 260 is it need to unlock ds 260
August 15, 2019 at 23:36
Hi there,
I have a my dv 2020 no. is OC16x. Based on the cut off of 175 for OC in October and my no. being very close to it, will my interview likely be towards the very end of the month? Wanted to know for preparation as I plan to leave asap. Thanks.
August 16, 2019 at 03:33
No – it does not work like that. Your interview could be at any time over the month. I assume you have sent in documents?
August 16, 2019 at 09:58
Oh thanks for the tip. I guess it makes planning a little harder then. Yes I’ve submitted all required documents and have had email confirmation of that.
August 15, 2019 at 21:27
Hello Simon,
The following is for info only. I’m an NZ-born UK citizen and a 2020 selectee, 2020OC1XX. I got the family’s DS-260s completed nice and quickly given the low case number and called the KCC the other day as I hadn’t heard anything. They said the 260s were processed on July 2nd and I should have received the document submission email. I hadn’t, so they ‘resent’ it. My point is: it seems the glitches prevalent with the new procedure still have not been fixed, as I certainly never received the document submission email until I chased it. If in doubt, ask.
Thanks for your time, efforts and information you provide. Take care of you!
August 16, 2019 at 03:25
Yep – that’s a fair point Rich – there probably still are some bugs in the system, but compared to the first few months of the system there have been improvements.
August 15, 2019 at 21:54
Hi BritSimon,
I got selected for further processing DV2020 in May and I filled out the DS160 as required. I haven’t heard anything as yet is there a way to check status or just have to wait for the email about an interview date. I live in the US on an E3 visa currently. One of my patients said I had a high number OC1511.
Any advise?
August 16, 2019 at 03:27
Well are you planning to process in the USA or in your home country?
August 15, 2019 at 22:08
Hello Brit, nice to meet you. I’ve noticed you don’t receive a lot of information from South America. This is Leandro from Uruguay, lottery winner in DV2020. Your posts are very useful to me so I would like to help you by keeping you updated from this side of the world. My case number is between 2500 and 2800. I’ve sent my DS260 in mid June, and KCC asked me for my documents last Monday. I replied back Monday night, and yesterday (Wednesday) I received the confirmation that they have processed my documents correctly and everything is now ready for the interview that will be appointed at any time during this FY.
Please feel free to contact me any time if you need any other info.
Best regards.
Leandro
August 16, 2019 at 03:28
Thanks for the info. Did you supply police certs with your documents?