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.
March 20, 2017 at 19:55
hi brit simon how are you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am from oslo norway and have question,i did interview in sweden usa embassy stockholm before three weeks and they told me they will send my visa and passport within two weeks and i am waiting more two weeks almost two weeks and 4 days but i am still not recived yet and i am worried.
my question is, does it takes more than two weeks?
or is there anything can i check my visa and possport like tracking and trace ?
March 20, 2017 at 20:12
It can take longer. Check CEAC to see your case status.
March 20, 2017 at 21:27
Dear brit, What is cut off number of Nepal ? is there any possibilities for second draw numbers?
March 20, 2017 at 21:40
I don’t know what the final number will be.
March 20, 2017 at 22:32
Hi Brits,
I First Submitted Our Ds 260 (AF 90xx) On Sept 24. We Unlocked In October And Finaly Submitted Last Week Of Feb 2017.
We Called KCC today To Check On Our Case And We Were Informed that they have started processing our case
1. Will we Receive Our 2NL In April for June interview?
2. Can the DS 260 Be Unlocked Now?
3. My Wife’s ( Principal Applicant) Date Of Birth On The First Dv Entrance 1NL and DS 260 Are The Same As The old and new Passports, Birth Certificate And School Certificates. This DOB Is Entered Wrongly On The Country’s Voters ID Card during registration. We wrote a letter to the issuing authority to change it but we were told they cant change it until in about 3 years.
Can This Be A Problem during interview?
Thank You Brits
March 20, 2017 at 22:50
1. I doubt it.
2. Yes
3. Probably not a problem (particularly since you won’t need to show the card)
March 20, 2017 at 22:56
Dear Brit,
I came to USA in DV lottery Visa last year , within this short period of time lot more happen my wife want to get divorce with me and want to get marry her ex-boyfriend who is in homecountry (NEPAL) , she want to go back to country to get divorce and at that time she want to merry her ex-boyfriend . \My question is
1. Can she get merry right after her divorce with me?
2. Will her ex-boyfriend will know about her first marriage (With me) .
3.will it effect on processing time to get her ex-Boyfriend(2nd Husband) to USA?
4.And do i need to loose my Green card if she gave me divorce?
Regards
Ramanai
March 20, 2017 at 22:59
I only answer questions pertaining to DV lottery.
March 21, 2017 at 01:31
Hi Brit. I filed for AOS recently and my 1-20 for F-1 student visa is going to expire on May 17 plus the extra 60 days allowed after.I have a few questions to ask. Judging from my case number AF000035xxx
1) Is it possible to change from AOS to Consular Processing. I read CP is faster than AOS
I am not yet sure if I will still be able to stay in the US for the whole duration of the AOS process
2)And if so how long does it take to change from AOS to CP.
3) Is it possible to do Consular Processing here in the US
4)If am not able to do CP here in the US and do it in my home country, do I need to travel back to the US for medicals or I could do it in my home country.
Thank you for your kind assistance
March 21, 2017 at 01:35
1. It is possible, but it would be slower for you since they will take a couple of months to process your DS260.
2. See 1
3. No
4. CP cases are required to have medicals in their home country.
March 21, 2017 at 01:44
Thank you very much for the response. So if I decide to unlock the form, can I still be able to get a 2nl on time before the visa process expires i.e before September?.Like by a couple months can you give an estimate number like say 2 or 3 months?
March 21, 2017 at 02:48
Yes you could get it done in time.
March 21, 2017 at 04:20
By the way. I am pretty sure you are making a bad decision in switching to CP, based on a misunderstanding of the process. AOS is faster than you think, and your case only needs to be in status when you file. However, I don’t advise on AOS specifics and prefer you check the thread below for sound advice.
http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2017-aos-only.331328/
March 21, 2017 at 01:58
Dear Brit,
I am a 2nd draw winner EU28***
All numbers became current.
My father passed away last week.
Do I need to unlock my form and indicate his death?
When I was feeling the form there was a question: Is your father alive? I answered- Yes.
March 21, 2017 at 02:47
You don’t need to update that.
March 21, 2017 at 02:47
dear brit.i m from nepal&..i m little bit confusion on police clearance certificate ..indian embassy issued pcc ..without my photo on it..??is it really cause any problem at the time of interview??
March 21, 2017 at 04:29
I don’t know.
March 22, 2017 at 21:37
No it should not create problem as i too had PCC from Embassy without photo.
March 21, 2017 at 09:25
Hello Brit, I have three children, two born in USA, one in my home country,(I included the home country one in application)I won the lottery 2016, should I mention my two USA children at interview,?
March 21, 2017 at 13:08
Yes.
March 21, 2017 at 09:57
Hi Brit Simmons,when checking your status in the ESC and you experience so many ”session time out” does it mean you have been selected?If Yes/No why is it that the result is not able to display ?
I am saying this because the status is being checked in a high speed internet environment.
March 21, 2017 at 13:07
No it does not mean that. It means you have too many browser sessions started.
March 21, 2017 at 10:25
Hi, I won in dv lottery and soon I am coming to US. Can you tell me how long you wait for green card to come after your arrival? And can I travel around US when waiting for card, or should i stay at the address i gave in the form?
Should i personally pick up the card or somebody can do it for me? Thanks for answer.
March 21, 2017 at 13:06
The GC typically arrives within 3 to 4 months. It is sent to the address on your DS260, but you are free to travel anywhere.
March 21, 2017 at 10:50
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the guidance.
We had our interview last week and was placed on AP.
Your comments and experience form other people helped us a lot during our interview.
Your site provided us with adequate information that helped us faced the CO.
We are confident, we will be call for our Visa once the necessary checks are done by the embassy.
Congratulations to the Consular Section at the Liberia Embassy for the level of professionalism exhibited during our interview.
Thanks for the support thus far as we wait patiently for our Visa.
You will be informed when we received our Visa.
Regards,
Abdul
March 21, 2017 at 13:04
Good luck.
March 22, 2017 at 02:18
Hi Abdul, why your case was placed in Ap? Regards
March 21, 2017 at 13:05
Hello brit ,
I have been living in Saudi Arabia until 2 years after i turn 16 meaning until 18 year so then i moved to cairo egypt to study there since this i was visiting my parents there maybe once a year however i dont live there anymore am living in cairo for past 9 years so regarding my police certificate i get one from egypt since i live in cairo but there couldn’t get one from sudi arabia for the 2 years i lived there after turning 16 year old and I couldn’t because u must be there for this process but i cant go there the question is would it cause my problem in the interview?? Do u think because my interview is on 28th this month and am concern ??
March 21, 2017 at 13:15
If you are not a national of Saudi Arabia, that is OK.
March 21, 2017 at 13:18
Yes am not in fact am Sudanese ! So its cool i only have to get the egypt one right ?
March 21, 2017 at 13:42
Right.
March 21, 2017 at 14:31
Hey simon hw ar u .
I have one question for u bro
Im frm ethiopia my case num is 22xxx
Nd my interview is on 6 april
But the problem is i didnt get Reappointment letter
I cant sign up
It says my case number is not ready ..
Tnku
March 21, 2017 at 14:47
You only need an account with the courier site – not an appointment.
March 21, 2017 at 20:48
Off course I can’t creat an account
It says there is a problem with my case number.
March 21, 2017 at 14:36
Hi Brit, I entered US in february with my diversity visa, yesterday I got a letter from uscis, form I-797C – code 2 , saying that “to process your application, petition or request, Uscis must capture your biometrics. Please appear at the below application support center at a the date and time specified.”
Have you ever seen a such a case before? What should be the reason? My biometrics were already taken in my interview at us consulate 3 months ago.
March 21, 2017 at 14:48
Yes it happens sometimes. No problem – just do as instructed.
March 21, 2017 at 15:04
Hi simoni really appreciate your support. God bless you
I am from Ethiopia and CN AF41***.Africa is now current but Except Ethiopia. Cut off Number for Ethiopia affects me? I mean will Ethiopia also becomes CURRENT ?
March 21, 2017 at 16:43
I don’t know when Ethiopia will become current. Wait and see.
March 21, 2017 at 15:51
Hi brit,
I First Submitted Our Ds 260 AS 65xx On 24 AUGUST 2016. We Unlocked on 4th march and Finaly Submitted Last 2 days ago of march 2017.then when 2NL comes and will unlocking effect on delay?
thanks you very much for great work …..thank you very much.
best regards,
March 21, 2017 at 16:41
I doubt that your unlocking will have affected scheduling if the correction was minor.
March 22, 2017 at 14:37
sir/madam
can you say if unlocking will have affected scheduling then when my 2NL comes.please tell me the approximate time when my 2nL will be came.
March 22, 2017 at 14:57
I had already answered you.
https://britsimonsays.com/does-unlocking-cause-delays/
March 21, 2017 at 16:23
HI M. /SIMON I WON DV IOTTERY 2017 i am from eritrea Nd my case no 28xxx and stil I did not APPOINTED TO INTER VIEW . I registered on 2018 DV DOES IT HAVE ANY EFFECT. .
March 21, 2017 at 16:38
No affect from DV2018, whether you are selected again or not.
March 21, 2017 at 16:43
hi bro .simon I am 2017 DV winner and I summited the ds form 260 on 03/11/2016 .i never unlock . my c/ no 28xxx when will i get interview
March 21, 2017 at 16:46
May or June
March 21, 2017 at 16:44
Hi Brit,I have a question, Thursday is my interview day which is the 23rd,but my question is,my sponsor send my affidavit but it is not sign,so I want to know if that will be a problem during my interview?
March 21, 2017 at 16:45
Well the form is useless without a signature.
March 21, 2017 at 17:09
Hi Brits, I need your Urgent advice please,
I submitted my Ds260 on September and when i checked it again today i found that i didn’t mention my current working place and company which am working now for two years outside my country Ethiopia. Instead i filled a previous work place and company name based in Ethiopia. I was confused that thought current working place means the time initially when original entry was done . So is it a must to unlock ds260 and correct it now since my case number is not current this time bcoz am from Ethiopia.
regards
March 21, 2017 at 17:17
Yes unlock and correct it.
March 21, 2017 at 18:14
Thank you Brits,
But how could i know its unlock or not to continue correction
March 21, 2017 at 18:40
Had you checked the FAQ??
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
March 21, 2017 at 19:17
hello Mr simon how are you? if you can remembered my case I I talk to you in the frist March I submitted my ds260 in 22 November my case number AF68XX and I contact the KCC in the frist of march and he answered me with this ” Your forms have been received and pending further embassy review for the continuation of your visa processing. ” and today I cantact the KCC again and he answered me with this ” Your case number is now current for interview processing. Once the interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. ” but I checked it and I don’t received the second letter and I checked also the CEAC and I found it NVC
1)plz can you tell me when I will receive the second letter??
2) when I will have my interview??
Thanks Mr simon
March 21, 2017 at 19:40
Wow you are really impatient huh.
2NLs for May interviews will be sent out in the next week or two.
Patience!
March 21, 2017 at 19:48
Hhhhhh I can’t wait for this new experience but only thing it make me inconfortable is I travel to work in kuwait in 22 January I scare if we will ask me about the police certificate from kuwait? ?
March 21, 2017 at 20:17
Have you read the rules about when you need police certificates?
March 21, 2017 at 20:41
No I didn’t read the rules about that can you help me plz ??
March 21, 2017 at 22:00
Well if you didn’t read that, then you might be missing something else too. So – read it.
http://dvselectee.state.gov/
March 21, 2017 at 19:51
HI Birit , thanks for your everything and for your kindness
I had interview in STOKHOLEM embassy on 06/03/2017, the consular officer didn’t give any said Congratulations! Your case is approved, you will receive passport with visa and packet in 7-10 days.
When checked status on CEAC, it was showing 13/03/2017 date with status as Administrative Processing with detailed part as follows:
Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Immigrant Visas for “Diversity Visas” cannot be issued after September 30th of the year in which you were selected to apply for a Diversity Visa. For example, entrants into the Diversity Visa Program in Fall of 2011 were selected for Diversity Visa 2012 Program, and selectees MUST apply and receive their visa prior to September 30, 2012 otherwise they lose eligibility to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa, regardless of additional administrative processing. In addition, please note that some immigrant visas may not be able to be issued if the annual numerical limit for that category has been reached.
For more information, please visit TRAVEL.STATE.GOV.
1 Please tell me if it is to get worried about? Why is it showing on ceac website as in AP when CO approved the case and returned my original documents? Thanks in advance. Seriously very stressed out at the moment.
March 21, 2017 at 20:21
OK – so you are on AP. Without knowing why you are on AP I cannot say how long it will take. For some people it takes a few weeks, for others it takes months. All you can do is wait.
March 21, 2017 at 20:01
Hi Simon,
when we unlock ds-260, does it requires to enter the confirmation number that we got previously from ds-260?
thanks.
March 21, 2017 at 20:18
read the FAQ.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260
March 21, 2017 at 20:22
Will the dv 2018 results be announced at once or in two rounds?
March 21, 2017 at 21:59
Some years are one, some are two. If they under selected (less than 90,000 selectees) a second round is a possibility.
March 21, 2017 at 22:02
Hello Simon,
a week ago I applied & received a duplicate passport (I work in sales and travel quite frequently, so the second passport is in case the first one is at an consulate to get a visa).
I finished my DS260 month ago, but cannot recall that there was even a possibility to list a second same nationality passport. Do I recall that right?
March 21, 2017 at 22:16
Heyyy Mr simon can you send me the rules of police certificate because really I don’t have any idea about it after how long you stay in second country you will need it police certificate
Thanks for your help
March 21, 2017 at 23:42
I gave you a link. You need to read it.
March 23, 2017 at 00:34
Thank you sofiya thanks so much the rule say if you stay more than 6 months you bring a police certificate
Thanks for your help
March 21, 2017 at 22:33
Hello Simon
In the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/interview/after-the-interview.html
It says:
X-rays – You must hand-carry your X-rays with you, not pack them in your luggage.
I only have my passport with my visa approved, the sealed packet and the vaccination documentation worksheet. BUT I DON’T HAVE ANY X-RAYS
What should I do?
Thank you
March 21, 2017 at 23:41
There may be a CD in the pack. But regardless, they normally don’t care about the x ray.
May 18, 2017 at 02:01
I hope not to have any trouble by the x-ray at the BCP. I am going to travel the next very few weeks. Thanks Simon, but if you have any new advice related to the x-ray, please let me know. Thanks in advance.
May 18, 2017 at 03:04
My only advice is to relax. It’s no problem.
March 22, 2017 at 04:01
Hi Brit thank you for your and support. i had interview at the US embassy in kabul afghanistan 10 january 2017 everything was good i am military they gaved me yellow card with AP sign still i didn’t received any email from them thank you.
March 22, 2017 at 04:16
Hi brit thanks gain i had my interview at the US embassy in kabul afghanistan 10 january 2017 the co gaved me yellow card with AP sign because I am at the military but still it’s about 10 weeks i didn’t see any changes do you know when will end up AP.thank you.
March 22, 2017 at 05:31
I don’t know how long that will last.
March 22, 2017 at 11:18
Hello simon
Lottery winners In Iran that are current for interview in April have not recievieved 2NL.
we are too worried. what is the reason?please help us.
thank you
March 22, 2017 at 13:53
Well probably the travel ban caused delays.
March 22, 2017 at 12:04
Hi simon cuold you tell a day for may ok is released
March 22, 2017 at 13:52
May 2NLs will go out in the next week or two.
March 23, 2017 at 08:42
thank you simon
March 22, 2017 at 13:31
Hi, My case number is 2017*****28***
My current marriage is a void marriage, I’m going to divorce and marry again to same person to do my marriage valid.
I send to KCC email to unlock my dc-260 which I completed last week( We won in September but I just know about winning).
Question is:
If a resubmit my ds-260 form on may or june is it risk that we not be invited into interview?
Thank you beforehand.
March 22, 2017 at 13:48
Yes a submission that late could cause you to not be scheduled. THe final interviews are scheduled in July. It takes at least 3 or 4 weeks to process the DS260. So, whilst I have seen June submissions make it in time, it is risky. May is less risky. April submissions would be safe.
March 22, 2017 at 19:06
Thank you very much Simon.
Sure we will try to speed up our process as much as we can. Now we wait when KCC unlocks our applications. Can you advice should I place a call if we already sent email to them?
March 22, 2017 at 22:49
No. Just wait.
March 22, 2017 at 14:38
Hi dear Simon
Do you think why kcc doesn’t clear anybody those have been included AP, do you think what’s going on? All Iranian and I are very stressed that maybe they don’t want to clear us and issue no visa for iranian
March 22, 2017 at 14:55
KCC don’t clear cases. That is not their role.
Iranians can expect AP to last a LONG time. No doubt the chaos caused by the travel ban made that worse. No one knows any more than that – so you must simply calm down and be patient.
March 22, 2017 at 20:21
Hi Brit,
Can u say anything about dv 2018? Will it continue as usual?
March 22, 2017 at 22:46
Yes.
March 22, 2017 at 21:47
Hello Sir,
Because of your valueable suggestion, i came to USA last week and received my SSN as well.I am disable by birth with thumb finger missing in my both hand, so i want to know whether there is any disable benefit provided by US government for Physically Disable person, for which i can apply as i am Green Card holder of DV 2017 from Nepal. Please help me by providing your valueable suggestion and guidance.
Thanking You in Advance Sir
March 22, 2017 at 22:44
No. SSDI is for people who cannot work due to some disability, BUT they must have paid in to the system by working for at least 5 years in the last 10 years. You must be able to financially support yourself.
March 22, 2017 at 21:53
Hi Brit , when you write to KCC to unlock your DS260 form would they reply you through your email, because I had wrote them to unlock my form since 19 / 2 / 2017 but I didn’t receive any reply in my email yet .
March 22, 2017 at 22:40
yes, they let you know when it is unlocked. BUT in your case that is far too long – so perhaps you did not ask correctly.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
March 23, 2017 at 02:49
Hello! Do the visa winners need to do their first entry in the state where their green cards will be arriving or any where in the states is fine?
Thank you! 🙂
March 23, 2017 at 03:05
Anywhere.
March 23, 2017 at 08:15
Hi Brit I followed the right procedure, as you have indicate in your blog ,should I write to them and ask the reason they didn’t unlock it for me
March 23, 2017 at 09:43
Hi brt, sorry I wrote to them to unlock my form on 19 /3 / 2017 not 19 / 2 / 2017.
March 23, 2017 at 13:50
So show some patience. And in future – use REPLY so I don’t have to search all over the place to know what you are talking about!
March 23, 2017 at 10:08
Hi BritSimons , how are you? PLEASE I am very concerned about my ds-260 ,, I have graduated from high school in 2014 ,, in 2015 I enrolled at university but I never I never frequented it.. so in ds-260 I didnt specified that.. I just fill info of my high school .. please Simon should I contact kentucky ds-260 submitted in December ..
March 23, 2017 at 13:46
No problem. No need to change anything. Relax.
March 23, 2017 at 14:11
Hi Simon pls am from Ghana I submitted my dv forms on October but I have checked and I have not been schedule and pls when am I going to receive my interview date. Thsnks
March 23, 2017 at 17:24
https://britsimonsays.com/2nls-for-april-2017-interviews-being-sent/comment-page-3/#comment-64120
March 23, 2017 at 14:13
Thanks to you Brit,i made it today in my interview, the CO told me that my visa is approved and he give me my chip to pick up my package on next Thursday at 3:00pm…thanks to you again for all of your help,may GOD bless you
March 23, 2017 at 17:24
Great!.
You might see your CEAC status change to AP for a day or two – that is normal when they are printing the visa.
March 23, 2017 at 19:51
Mr Simon, I am current from Iraq, my CN is 79**, I submitted my DS260 on July 20, re-opened and submitted on October 5. Do you think I will have a chance to be scheduled for May interviews?
March 23, 2017 at 21:03
Maybe.
March 23, 2017 at 23:55
Hi Brit
First I want to thank you so much for your helpful website. My sister in law has an interview scheduled for the end of this month and I wanted to know if she can use another sponsor other than the person that was listed on the dv application
March 24, 2017 at 00:06
Yes she can.
March 24, 2017 at 01:35
Hi Simon,
I submitted my DS 260 in November and entered my first name as John Joe as it appears on my passport and 1NL. However, I recently lost my passport and had to reapply for a new one. My name is formatted as JohnJoe Smith on the new passport. Is this going to cause any problems during the interview? I have a scan of my old passport that I can bring to the interview just in case. Please advise.
Thanks!
March 24, 2017 at 02:50
It sounds like a mistake on the new passport – so it should be corrected.
March 24, 2017 at 03:30
I am traveling out of the country for work in April. I will try and get it fixed but do you foresee any issues if I don’t get it done in time?
March 24, 2017 at 05:21
Well yes, because your future documents will be issued with the incorrect name. Get it fixed.
March 24, 2017 at 14:37
Will do. Thanks for the advice!
March 24, 2017 at 05:51
Hey Brit..hope you are fine..
I had my interview on 20th of March and was granted a visa.
Before the interview the officer who arranged my documents looked at my passport and towards me and scolded me rudely as I had beard on the photo. He even said that because of the present circumstances I am going to get a lot of troubles at the airport. I am from Nepal. Is this true??
And it has been four days that the CO have issued my visa but on the CEAC site it still shows AP..Does it take that long??
Thanks for your time Brit!!
March 24, 2017 at 15:21
Beard is no problem. 4 days waiting is NOTHING.
March 24, 2017 at 06:06
when is the visa lottery draw normally done.not the release date i mean the draw itself
March 24, 2017 at 15:20
I don’t know and it makes no difference.
March 24, 2017 at 07:23
Hi britsimon, so my family and I are heading for our medicals. We don’t yet have an address in the US is this important to know before we get to the medical?? We actually need the green card before we can apply for jobs in the US so just a littler confused as to what to do?
March 24, 2017 at 15:20
You don’t need the US address for the medical but will need it at the interview. You need to find someone you trust in the USA to receive the GC for you.
March 24, 2017 at 07:23
Hi Mr. Simon
Thank you for your help worldwide. I found many useful information by reading and questioning your web site. But now, we come across another difficult situation which could be solved by your side and we rely on your help.
1.We had interwoven by Consular Officer on February 16th at the US Embassy and he congratulated us by successful interview and approved visa for WHOLE family and told us to come back on February 22th (after a week) to pick up passports. On February 22th while I receiving passports I have been told that ONLY my visa suspended under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Told by local Embassy worker who was distributing passports). The rest of visas were OK. When I check my Status by CEAC’s web site, there is “Ready” sign every time when they update our case. The rest of my family has “Issued” signs.
a. What does it mean?
b. More than a month passed and your opinion please?
c. How long it may take?
d. Does it refusal?
P.S. I entered to US with B2 visa then changed it to F1, stayed for four years. Seven years ego from now.
2.Is there any way that DV2 (or DV3) enters to US first than DV1? If so, what should we do?
3.If DV1 and DV2 (or DV3) enters to US in same time and after activation ONLY DV1 leaves the US in a week or ten days, will it be a problem in the future or does it possible? DV2 will take care of all documentations/all kinds of payments on behalf of DV1.
Because of one of my kid is seriously ill and she cannot immigrate at the moment and she needs good care.
Appreciate your help and have a nice day!
March 24, 2017 at 15:19
1
a. 221(g) is AP. AP is a period of additional background checks.
b. Opinion about what?
c. It varies.
d. Sometimes.
2. No
3. No problem.
March 24, 2017 at 17:50
Hi Brits
My first and middle name arrangement is the same on edv, ds260 and passport (Fiifi Gideon Yeboah) but different (Gideon Fiifi Yeboah) on other documents. Will it cause any problem at interview??
March 24, 2017 at 18:22
Possibly. The DS260 has a section for other names used – so that is where you will have listed the variations.