NOTE: – Because cases above the VBs could not have changed I save myself some time in not running a full extract every time. So – AF stops at 18700 in this file, and AS stops at 4900 – so that reduces the NVC counts.
Today I am publishing the end of month file for January 31, 2016.
Please take a look at the file and use filters on the file to work out specifics on any country/region you are interested in – I don’t have time to do that for everyone that requests specific data to their interest. You can learn how to filter here.
To explain what the status codes mean.
The first status for every case is “AT NVC”. You can ignore the text on the case – the case has not been passed to NVC. What this status means is that the case is in one of the following situations.
- The case is not yet current.
- The case is current, BUT the DS260 has not be submitted at all, or it was submitted but not processed yet – and therefore not scheduled.
- The case is current, the form is processed, but it is waiting to be scheduled (typically because the cases have not yet been sent to the embassies yet).
“In Transit”
This status is shown for a brief period when KCC has scheduled the interview, and transferred the case to the embassy. However, the embassy has not yet updated CEAC to acknowledge they have received the case.
“READY”
This is the next status after in transit. It means the case has arrived at the embassy for interview. Sometimes a case will continue to show ready even after the interview.
“Issued”
Pretty obviously – this is the status we all want to see! The interview took place, was successful and the visa has been approved/issued.
“Refused”
This is the status no one wants to see, meaning the interview took place and the selectee was denied. A derivative can be refused, while the principal is approved. However, if the principal is refused – all the derivatives are refused also – even if the embassy fails to update CEAC.
“Administrative Processing”
This is when someone did not have all the documents at the interview OR some additional checks are needed before the case can be adjudicated. AP can last a few days or several months. The status updates during that time are meaningless.
Here is the file itself.
January 31, 2016 at 20:48
hello sir
you was saying that there is a speed up in cases for AS region so i was looking at my country numbers and the last one is AS4652
just wondering about my case number 2016AS66xx if it still on AUG or something and if it will effect the date of my interview if i change the address for the person who is going to recite my green card if i pass the interview cuz im going to unlock it mid of February ,, sadly i still cant understand the process of the interview letter and the timing for it cuz im out of my country and i wish i could know how soon i can know my interview time so i can go back and make my papers ready and if i have to send the papers a week or 2 weeks earlier to the embassy
can i know also how many people won it in my country ( Jordan )
please please help
thanks
January 31, 2016 at 23:29
You have time to unlock your form – as you won’t be interviewed until August (possibly July).
Check the June 2015 visa bulletin for winners.
January 31, 2016 at 23:44
thanks sir
i was thinking not to do so so even i won i can just go to there and get the green card my self if that possible or i have to just change it ?
and just two more thing can you just give a link regarding the time they call for interview im sure you explain that before i cant find it
plus i saw that i have to send my papers with my sponsor papers to the american embassy in jordan 2 weeks before my interview is that right
i know you are so busy but please answer my 3 questions and i wont bother you till world ends 🙂
January 31, 2016 at 23:49
I think you should change it – its up to you.
You check the interview at the ESC page where you saw the “selected” letter.
If the embassy want something once you are scheduled they will email you.
January 31, 2016 at 21:05
thank you very much for these information.
January 31, 2016 at 21:34
Thanks for the info Simon. Very interesting to see the progress compared to 15 days ago. Looking forward to check the progress again on 15 February. Great job!
January 31, 2016 at 21:34
hi brits , CNV Party will not cause an error in the Africa zone? it went from 25310-6989 ???? it is correct?
January 31, 2016 at 23:31
It’s a partial file – stops at 18700.
January 31, 2016 at 21:45
Why number of family member of AS reduce 10655 to 7178 in 15 days ?sir.
January 31, 2016 at 23:31
It’s a partial file.
January 31, 2016 at 22:00
hi dear brit i just ant to ask hy africa shos only the 18700 cases and not all the cases ?
January 31, 2016 at 22:12
I stopped the extract early, because nothing could have changed above 18700
January 31, 2016 at 22:40
Ok now i understand i was worried that somthing is going on with af region especialy because the number of at nvc was about 25000 and now only 6989.thank you so much for all things you do for us.i got my police record from italy once again thnks alot and wish to meet you one day in us if i get my visa
January 31, 2016 at 22:25
hi brits , CNV Party will not cause an error in the Africa zone? it went from 25310-6989 ???? what is correct?
February 1, 2016 at 02:38
Hi! Brit. Are you fine? I have a question.
1.why AF region case stop at previous ceac? After this not current?
2.If it will can current when it start?
3.Example 2016AF22xxx current in which month?
4.If current in which month my case release and for which month interviews?
THANKS BRIT!
February 1, 2016 at 03:04
Do you mean why does the CEAC file end at 18700 – because I stopped it there to save myself time. No case above 18700 can have any status other than NVC.
2. I don’t think AF will go current.
3. April or May interview.
4. see 3.
February 1, 2016 at 04:58
It is averaging 922 visas per month for AF region,and if we assume that all the ready and AP cases will be issued then it will be 10003 visas in 6 months. So half way for the VB means half the visas issued. Just a layman’s observation.
February 1, 2016 at 06:37
Sorry i forgot to factor in the ” transfer” and “in transit” around 990 making the total in 6 months to be 10993 for the AF region.
February 1, 2016 at 15:54
None of this calculation really makes sense.
Not all the ready cases will be approved.
Same for AP.
The In Transit cases have family members that will be added when the embassy receives them.
In the end you are simply adding up people who became scheduled – which is not a good way to estimate anything…
February 1, 2016 at 06:48
hey Sir, i see the expiration date on the DS260 as 01/31/2016 which was yesterday, does that mean that the form can not be edited after that date??
February 1, 2016 at 15:55
No – you can ignore that date – it is about the form – not YOUR case.
February 1, 2016 at 06:55
I resigned my work last January and applied new job. Should i unlock ds-260 to update my work information ? or not necessary ? Thanks for your advise 🙂
February 1, 2016 at 15:55
It’s up to you – it won’t matter if you do or don’t update in that case.
February 1, 2016 at 11:08
hi sir, how can I get only ceat file of nepal from above data.
February 1, 2016 at 16:09
Read the instruction on how to filter AS region for KDU embassy.
February 1, 2016 at 11:38
Dear Simon
still there is many case number IN TRANSIT please explain why the Embassies not yet response to that case since 25.01.2016 the date of 2 NL and other embassies did.
February 1, 2016 at 16:09
Some embassies are slower than other embassies.
February 1, 2016 at 15:46
Hello, my question is when filling out the questionnaire to selected put my passport number happens that date was valid, but since my passport expiration date less than six months.
Now I have a new passport but not if I have to write to the consulate to change my passport number or just go with my two pasarportes when they give me the interview
February 1, 2016 at 16:11
It is best to unlock and change the passport details, but if you cannot do that you simply take both passports to the interview.
February 5, 2016 at 08:45
Hi Brit!Please,I will like to know how long it takes to do background check on renew passport?Like I fill in the form with a passport with validition period less then the six month require and got a new one,unlock the form and change old pp number to new pp number.
February 5, 2016 at 14:52
Almost no time.
February 1, 2016 at 15:54
Dear Brit!
I wrote to KCC and asked about the status of the case. Today they answered me that my case EU23… is pending further embassy review, that is not current yet. Do you think that means that in April visa bulletin won’t be current yet, and there will be a short cut-off in April, and the rest numbers will go to May as current ones?
Thank you so much!
February 1, 2016 at 16:12
It simply means your number is not current yet. It doesn’t MEAN or IMPLY anything more than that.
February 1, 2016 at 17:38
Please
February 1, 2016 at 18:50
Hello Simon, I have emailed the US Embassy with two different questions and I was informed that I will receive an answer in 5 working days. However it has been 10 working days, I did not receive any response. I read at some forums that Embassy replied some questions which was asked after me. Is that normal to wait that long?
February 1, 2016 at 18:56
Embassies are different. They have busy periods during the month. Your questions might be different.
How can we say what is “normal”.
February 1, 2016 at 19:09
Yes you are right. For example I finished my High School in a different country, Is that enough to show my high school diploma(which is equivalent to US high school diploma) to the Embassy or do I need additional apostille to my diploma? That was one of my questions.
February 1, 2016 at 19:20
I have been living in Poland for one year and I will return to home country on 11th of February in 2016. In this case I will need a police certificate from Poland to show to the United States Embassy in my home country. If I obtain Police Certificate in Warsaw before leaving Poland, for example on 10th of February(one day before leaving Poland), would that be enough to show at the interview in my home country? Or should I apply for certificate after I left Poland? I mean that do certificates should cover all the period which I have lived here or obtaining in Poland one day before leaving is enough? and do I need apostille to my police certificate?
Thank you very much Simon
February 1, 2016 at 19:46
Don’t worry about things to be so exact. Getting it a week or so before you leave – or you can obtain it by mail later. It should be “recent” when you go for interview – but generally there is no issue with police certificates less than 6 months old.
February 1, 2016 at 19:45
Salut. Moi jai passé entretient le 3 janvier et jai depose mon compliment dossier le 12 janvier 2016 et toujour jai aucun signe de embassade mon cas statut AP
February 1, 2016 at 19:48
English please.
February 1, 2016 at 20:44
Please I hope you will help me for clarification.please if I change my address where my green card will be sent to another address at the POE.
1.how many months or years does it take before receiving the green card after changing my address at the POE? For example if I pay the green card fee on 8 January 2016.
2.how many months or years does it take for receiving green card without changing the address? For example if I pay the green card on 8 January2016
Thank you and waiting for your usual quick response
February 1, 2016 at 21:37
Your GC is sent to the address on the DS260 or the one on your paperwork at the POE. Later changes to your address will not change where the GC is sent.
February 1, 2016 at 20:52
Hi Ispend m’y interview Jan 3 and I deposited m’y compliment record jan12 sign of them and IHave no has sufficient compliments and that thé informations are sufficient or add information or else are good ?M’y statut AP
THANK YOU
February 1, 2016 at 21:35
I cannot understand what you are asking. What are the compliments you are talking about?
If you are on AP the only thing you can do is wait. Status updates are meaningless, the only one that matters is the ISSUED update.
I re-read your post in French also – and cannot understand your point either.
February 1, 2016 at 21:52
I finished my High School in a different country, Is that enough to show my high school diploma(which is equivalent to US high school diploma) to the Embassy or do I need additional apostille to my diploma? That was one of my questions.
Thanks Simon!!
February 1, 2016 at 22:03
You have posted this a couple of times. You have asked the embassy – so wait for their answer.
February 1, 2016 at 22:09
Okay, sorry for that, I will wait for the answer
February 1, 2016 at 23:13
Hello,
I am Malawian. I left my country on 13 November 2014. I got a police certificate from my country to travel to Denmark. I currently live in Denmark. I was also living in Zambia for two years, from 2012 to 2014. when I won the dv lottery2016, I applied for the police certificate in July 2015 – from Zambia, and I got it in August 2015. Can I present the two police certificates to the embassy since I have never gone back to Zambia since June 2014 and to Malawi. Or they are out-dated? Thank you. I will appreciate your answer.
February 1, 2016 at 23:33
You can “try” to use them. If the CO is convinced you have not re-entered the country in question, they have been known to accept older police certs – but it is up to their discretion. If you want to avoid the possibility that they refuse the certificate – apply for new certificates. Your choice.
February 2, 2016 at 00:30
is it just me or the refused rate in AF region is higher this year comparing with the previous one ?
February 2, 2016 at 01:15
It’s just you.
February 2, 2016 at 04:07
is the rate of refusal in Cameroon similar to that of Ghana?
February 2, 2016 at 07:12
No. Ghana is worse.
February 2, 2016 at 08:23
Good morning Mr. Simon,
can we expect a big jump for AF cut-off in the next bulletin ? as I noticed the NVC numbers came down from 25310 to 6989…is it how we can explain it?
February 2, 2016 at 09:25
Dear.
Mr.britsimon extract only cases up to 18700 . So this number is related to NVC cases up to 18700, Not all cases of Africa as before.
February 2, 2016 at 14:48
Correct.
February 2, 2016 at 10:03
Hey Brit,
I noticed the NVC numbers came down from 25310 to 6989 ist it a mistake?
What numbers in Africa region you consider as safe?
Mine is 4460*
February 2, 2016 at 14:48
No, not a mistake – the file stops at 18700 (as the article explains!)
Yours should be safe.
February 2, 2016 at 14:57
hey dear mr ,birtsimons
the totals of the issued showing 11937 Is the past six months toll or only January
thanks alot
February 2, 2016 at 15:10
Year to date (which is 4 months)
February 2, 2016 at 15:51
if so this means that there is an abundance of visas in the coming months or Is it possible to translate to reality view The misfortunes of some people are advantages to others
thanks lot mr britsimons
February 2, 2016 at 16:51
This is “normal”. The early months always start slow as the embassies are finishing off the previous year. In month 1 the AP cases start building up from nothing – so in later months, along with new interviews, there are approvals from AP. So – in short – don’t read too much into it….
February 2, 2016 at 18:52
Hi brit
My no is af 4757* is this safe or still it’s early to predict. Thanks simon
February 2, 2016 at 19:36
Well it is too early to be precise….
February 2, 2016 at 19:59
Hello Mr Brite my wife was diagnosed hepatitis B lasts two months and also we just had our 2NL and going for medicals next week plz can that cause refusal of visa at the interview
February 2, 2016 at 20:01
No.
February 3, 2016 at 11:08
hello brit,i just want to ask something with regards to the facebook conversation between me and my husband.i open my face book account with my maiden name and changed my face book account to my marital name.now i want to print the conversation on facebook between my husband and.is it okay if i print out the conversation with my marital name on it or should i change my account name to my maiden name and then print?
thanks in advance.
February 3, 2016 at 15:55
I don’t see a problem with that but I assume you have listed that name as a name you use on your DS260.
February 3, 2016 at 15:12
good day sir. will the vb for February be above 18000. will there be speed in the processing for april? greetings to your daughter.
February 3, 2016 at 15:52
The latest VB was 18700 (March interviews) so being above 18700 is a certainty! 🙂
I actually see it getting to 21500 to 22500.
February 3, 2016 at 17:20
Hi Birth,
My case number Is 218xx (Egypt), yesterday I had sent email to KCC asking about my application status after I had resubmit the same two days back because of changing my family address (as they will join me at UAE) and they replied with the following
(Your forms have been received and pending further embassy review for the continuation of your visa processing)
What does this mean Please , does this mean I’m on track or not. I had opened the form three times during the last four months because of address changing and asked to change the interview location on 8th Jan.
Thanks in advance Dear and waiting your valuable advise
February 3, 2016 at 17:54
It means your forms are processed and you will be scheduled once your case number is current (probably for April interview, and if not, then May).
February 3, 2016 at 17:57
Thank you Dear , we really appreciate your personal time used for advising and helping us. Greeting to your lovely daughter
February 16, 2016 at 19:43
Dear Brit,
I sent email two days back to KFC asking about my application status (218xx egypt) and they replied with the below
(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. If you need to make changes to your DS-260 you should contact the consular section where you will be interviewed, or bring the information about your changes to your interview appointment. Because your case is ready to be scheduled, KCC can no longer unlock your application)
Can you please advise what this mean ,many thanks Dear
February 16, 2016 at 19:59
Check the FAQ (link in menu above). Look for “What does this KCC email mean” in the DV Process section.
February 16, 2016 at 20:15
Thanks Dear, I checked the wonderful FAQ and I think the message considered under stage 3
. That is mean I should be patient and wait the 2NL within two weeks 🙂
Hope I’m correct and didn’t misunderstand the beautiful and organized FAQ, please correct me if I’m wrong
I think u should be hired in KCC as service excellence Manager/ Director
Thanks Dear for all your support
February 16, 2016 at 21:32
You understood it well – and now you know how to use the FAQ, other questions will be easier too! 🙂
February 22, 2016 at 17:32
Dear Brit,
I had received my 2NL now , thanks for all your support. I have two question
1. How to pay the interview fees
2. During the lottery submission I wrote my duthger and son name wrongly for example
My name is
-Fawzy Aly Mohamed
So I wrote my son name
-Maged Aly Mohamed
Instead of
-Maged fawzy Aly Mohamed
I forget to add fawzy before Aly I the middle name : (
When I checked with you , you had advised to correct the same in the ds-260 without worry
Now I had received the 2NL letter with the incorrect name of my son and duthger
Shall I be worry or they will goes with the names in the ds-260
Regards
Fawzy
February 22, 2016 at 17:49
1. At the embassy on the interview day.
2. The 2NL comes with the names from the original entry – so that is normal.
February 3, 2016 at 17:22
This is completely unrelated but I am curious for a friend’s sake. She has unsuccessfully applied for DV twice since 2014. Now she is applying for a tourist visa to the US. Will this affect her chances of getting the tourist visa? Some people have told her that the visa consular’s quick assumption will be that she might not return once she gets an opportunity to land in the US, the country she has been trying to migrate to. But how would they know that she applied for DV? Do they keep these records and continue referring to them for everyone applying for an American visa?
February 3, 2016 at 17:53
Applying for the DV lottery does not increase the suspicion that she will overstay.
February 3, 2016 at 18:24
Thanks.
February 3, 2016 at 18:37
2016AF29XXX. I want to get all my documents in time and in order to avoid last minute rushing. Going by my case number, can I chase for my Police certificate and Affidavit of Support NOW (February)? Will the documents still be “recent” by the time of my interview or I wait a little while to get them?
February 3, 2016 at 18:51
That will be fine – good timing if you think the documents will take some time to obtain.
February 3, 2016 at 19:21
The Police certification takes about two weeks to acquire. Affidavit of Support has to be posted to me from the States. Not sure how long that will take. I just don’t want to have any pending documents.
February 3, 2016 at 20:31
Hmmm…. I would wait on both documents then. You won’t interview until May or maybe even June – so getting these documents in Feb is too soon.
February 3, 2016 at 22:38
Hello à near record deposits compliments if there is stille à lack of informations as time to take consulates to informé him?
February 3, 2016 at 22:56
I don’t understand your question.
February 4, 2016 at 05:20
Please I want to be clear on something, wen u go back to review ur forms without making any changes on it does it mean u ve unlock the forms?
February 4, 2016 at 07:02
No. Unlocking is done for you by KCC. You cannot unlock yourself.
February 4, 2016 at 06:38
Good day brit. please is the interview location base on the location of the principal applicant and is there a way to indicate two interview location for the principal applicant and derivatives if the family leave in two seperate countries.thanks.
February 4, 2016 at 07:01
That is technically possible – but not a good idea. Because it is “unusual”, it is likely to get messed up.
February 4, 2016 at 12:34
Thank you Sir
February 4, 2016 at 12:54
THANKS BRIT
February 4, 2016 at 16:52
hello mr simon
thank u on behalf pf my continent af africa my question is ? is there a sponsor necessary for the selectees of egypt ? 2/ the no af 25xxx when in your good judgement will be about ?
thank you again . hesham helal egypt
February 4, 2016 at 17:33
It isn’t possible to answer with 100% certainty – it depends on the case and the CO. If it were me, I would want a sponsor/I-134.
February 4, 2016 at 17:44
Hi sir my case number is 2016AF33xxx
Can you tell me probably if my case number is safe and when’s my number will be current.
Thx for u help.
February 4, 2016 at 17:53
Yes it is safe. Probably June/July.
February 4, 2016 at 20:14
Hello, Simon!
Could you, please, support me in explanation. I looked into the file. My case number has “1” in the line “Including Family”, but there are two of us. Should I do something, write to KCC, for example?
February 4, 2016 at 20:24
Is your status at NVC – if so – that is the explanation. For cases that are not yet scheduled, we do not see the derivatives at all – so the number of family members could be understated.
February 4, 2016 at 20:27
Yes, our status is At NVC! Thank you! Now I understood!
February 5, 2016 at 05:40
Dear Simon,
1. When we say Ethiopia and Egypt are limited, what makes them differ from the rest of African countries?
2. Why have they been limited most of the time?
3. Does it have advantage for selectees I mean when limited?
4. When it is not limited, does this mean there is fast process for case numbers?
5. AF region shows slow process this time; can it be faster to reach 50,000 in September with this slow pace?
Thanks!
February 5, 2016 at 06:47
1. It Ethipoia, Egypt and some other African countries have such high numbers of entries that they are limited during the draw and then might be limited during processing. The latter tye of limit is when you see on the Visa Bulletin a different number for those countries than the rest of Africa. It simply represents KCC spreading their selectees over a longer period of time because their selectees all have low case numbers (due to the draw process)
2. Read this https://britsimonsays.com/the-lottery-draw-process-holes-theory-and-so-on/
3. No.
4. Sort of.
5. Density drops in later numbers, and when it does, VB pace can be faster.
February 6, 2016 at 01:06
How long does it take to know whether you are issued a visa or not?
February 6, 2016 at 01:07
They tell you at the interview.
February 6, 2016 at 09:57
Hi Britsimon What Is The Winning Chance Percentage For Cameroon And I Wish To Know If The Rate Of Disqualification For Cameroon Is High As Compare To Other African Countries And If Cameroon Is Among The African Countries With High Entery Rate During The Entery Period Pls Reply
February 6, 2016 at 16:09
Cameroon has the same chance as a normal country in Africa – it has medium high entries.
You can check the current CEAC file for disqualification rates, or look at this data.
https://britsimonsays.com/embassy-league-table-statistics-refusalapissued/