Completing the DS260 for DV lottery entrants
Completing the DS260 for DV lottery entrants
*** Note***
Upon submission, some people are getting an error message that the confirmation number doesn’t match. In that case – the solution is here:
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/ds260-case-number-doesnt-match-case-number/
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OK – so the main task to process your DV lottery win is to complete a form online that is your “application” for immigration benefit. That form is the DS260.
The form itself might seem daunting, and it may take about 2 hours to complete. It is important that you prepare your information, and enter the details as accurately as possible. You will be able to make changes later on, but it makes sense to spend a few extra minutes early on to get this right.
You will some documents to complete the process and mostly you will need those now so gather them now and create a special file to start creating your DV lottery paperwork:-
- Passport information for you and your family members.
- Birth certificates for you and your family members.
- Your education history
- Your work history
- Your address history
- An address in the USA of a friend or family member. This is where your Green Card will be sent.
Ready? OK now let me guide you through completing the form:-
Enter the form for the first time.
You need your case number which will be in the format of YEAR-REGION-CASENUMBER. For example 2016AS00001234. This is the FULL case number including the “leading zeroes” in this case before the 1234. (In online forums we suggest hiding the last 2 or 3 digigits and dropping the leading zeroes – so when quoting your case on a forum you would state this number as 2016AS1XXX or 2016AS12XX. This protects your identity.)
The form will expect your date of birth in day/month/year order. This is odd because Americans write date in month/day/year order.
Once in the form you will go through a number of sections where you will enter your details. Most of the information is self explanatory – but here are screenshots for each section of how the forms will look for a simple case – and some comments about some of the questions. Please remember it is important to make sure your answers are YOUR answers. Don’t just copy what I am suggesting if the answer does not agree with your circumstances.
1. Summary.
Here you will see a list of applicants attached to the case (based on the eDV entry). Click the link under “IV application” to complete the details for each applicant.
You can also add applicants from this page (if you have married since the original entry or had a child). Once you have added an applicant you cannot remove that applicant or change their name. So – please be careful about name spelling etc. It is also important to note that if you are adding a spouse or child that you already had prior to the original eDV entry but failed to mention in the original entry you will most probably be disqualified, as that is a critical error.
If you do have to add a child or spouse because of a birth or marriage while you are waiting to be interviewed, remember you will need to add an applicant AND in addition your own form will need to be unlocked so that you can add the new family relationship to your form.
2. Personal Information 1.
This is where you will enter your name information. It is a useful page to capture your name in English, but also in Native alphabet.
The names entered on this page should be as listed on your passport – but also use the “other names used” section to make sure you have covered combinations that appear in your documents. For example, if you have an education certificate that includes an additional family name, use the alias section to include that name. Also, use the alias section if you entered your name differently on the eDV entry. Entering your other names used here means USCIS have early notice to perform name checks on your various names used and therefore you can make sure your background check is comprehensive – which is exactly what you want to reduce the chances of being placed on AP or even refused for incomplete name information.
Complete the other details such as date of birth. If you somehow made a mistake on the eDV about your date of birth (for example during conversion from a different calendar) THIS is your opportunity to correct that mistake – please pay attention to that. This would normally agree with the date of birth on your birth certificate, but if that is not known, then use the date shown on your passport.
About city/state/country of birth. ON the eDV entry (where you entered the lottery) you will have entered something for your city of birth. The three levels are related to each other – so a CITY is sometimes denoted as being in a STATE (or province) and that STATE is within a COUNTRY. People sometimes are not sure what to enter so let me gives some examples.
You could have been born in Richmond which is a city/town in London, United Kingdom. So an acceptable answer (which should agree with the information on your birth certificate) would be:
CITY: Richmond
State/Province: London
Country: United Kingdom
Your passport should be valid for 6 months beyond the point of entry, but if your passport will expire during the DV process, you might be better submitting now with the current passport and updating later once you have the replacement passport. This is especially true if you have a low case number, and are therefore expecting an early interview. If you do need to renew your passport during the DV process, in many cases people have taken old and new passports to the interview without unlocking the form, but the preference would be to add the new passport details if time allows.
OK – hope that makes sense. Check what it says on your birth certificate. It is important that this information agrees to the birth certificate and the passport. By the way – your country of birth may not be the same as your nationality (which is on the next page). But your country of birth is what should have driven your entry into the lottery (eligibility is based on your country of birth, NOT your nationality).
The finished result should look something like this:-
3. Personal information 2
This page is about your travel documents (passport). Make sure you have the passport in front of you when you complete this page – accuracy is important as this will enable background checks.
Note, if you do not have a passport at this time you can complete the entry using another state issued ID, and then later unlock your forms to add the passport details. You WILL need a passport prior to interview as will any derivative (family member) of yours.
4. Present and previous address information
Try and complete this as accurately as possible. Provide all the address that you have LIVED at since the age of 16. If you stayed at a holiday home for a month or two, that does not need to be entered, but if you LIVED at an address for a few months then you should enter that address. You enter past address in reverse date order – meaning going backwards in time, one address at a time. Be as accurate as possible with the date you started living at each address (you can guess the dates within a month or two).
5. Mailing and Permanent Address Information
This is information about where you expect to stay in the USA OR the address of someone you can trust to receive your Green Card on your behalf. Most people can think of someone within their family or friends that could receive the GC for them. You should also know that you can change this address during the process – right up to the day your arrive in the USA for the first time.
6. Family information: Parents
OK – self explanatory information. I only show the top of the page in the screenshot below but you add your parents details and their addresses. THe data here should be accurate, but if you don’t know their birthdates etc. it is not a huge problem. Do the best you can.
7. Family information: Spouse and Previous Spouse
Enter the details as appropriate to your case. Remember, the information should be correct on the day you enter it. So, if you plan to marry in a month but want to submit your form today then you are SINGLE today. YOu can either delay submission of your form until you are married, or submit now as single and unlock your form later after the marriage. There is some information about marriage during the DV process here.
A previous spouse is entered when you divorced of a spouse passed away. You will be required to produce a divorce certificate or death certificate during the interview to tally with what you enter here.
8. Family information: Children
Fairly obviously you will need to enter information about each child you have, making sure their information ties with birth certificates and passports.
If your child is nearly 21 there may be special considerations for you. Please read this article on children aging out and their status under the CSPA.
If you are expecting a child to be born during the DV lottery processing period there are also procedures in place to obtain a Green Card for that child. I will address that with a new article.
One thing I would say, it is ESSENTIAL that you listed all your children in the eDV according to the instructions. If you made a mistake about that you may have caused yourself a problem. If you have a concern, contact me and explain your situation.
In the case shown in the screenshot below the applicant did not have any children.
9. Present work/education/training information
OK so this is important as education OR work experience are requirements of the DV lottery. Please read this article for more information about meeting the requirement. I cannot stress enough. You are only required to meet the education OR work experience – you do not have to prove BOTH. Of the two routes, education is the simplest and most reliable method, but some people cannot meet the education requirement – and although this may surprise you that includes me. I have had a very successful career in the IT field and have demonstrated my skills to earn a H1 visa (which is category of visa for highly educated or highly skilled workers), BUT I could not have met the DV lottery requirement on education! So – think carefully whether you do or not – and act accordingly.
Enter the information about work and education based on what you are doing at present. If you are entering work experience and hope to qualify through work experience you should consider carefully the question about “does this job require 2 years of training or experience”. Again, read the article above to understand that better.
10. Previous work/education/training information
OK – so this will vary depending on what you did before your present occupation. Maybe you had a different job, maybe you studied. Whichever is true you must enter that information here and create a complete history of your work, education and training. Try and get the dates to be accurate and make sure that those dates make sense with the address information you gave previously.
This page can end up being quite long and for the screenshots I have had to break it into two pieces. Just take your time and make it make sense. You can add another occupation (work or edication). Again, you enter going “backwards” in time.
11. Additional work/education/training information.
Answer the questions truthfully on this page. If you answer Yes and a box opens for further details there will be instructions of what further detail they want.
12. Security and Background: Medical and Health information
Answer these questions carefully and truthfully.
The second question (about vaccinations) causes some debate. Truthfully it WILL NOT MATTER whether you choose Yes or NO for that particular question. The right answer for 99% of people is NO, because you do not have “documentation to establish…”, even if you do have records of vaccinations. So, it is a subtle point but whether you answer yes or no it will not matter. The vaccinations you actually need will be decided by the panel physician at the time of your medical. So by all means gather whatever vaccination documentation you have.
13. Security and Background: Criminal
Answer these questions truthfully. Most criminal convictions will not cause disqualification, and you will have a chance to explain at the interview. The crimes that can cause disqualification are called “crimes of moral turpitude”. It is a vague term and perhaps one that I will write about to clarify but most people by far will not have a problem even if they have a criminal conviction. Previous immigration fraud is not surprisingly one of the crimes that can cause an issue which is why it is essential you always tell the truth on these applications.
14. Security and Background: Security 1
Again – answer these truthfully.
15. Security and Background: Security 2
Again – answer the questions truthfully.
16. Security and Background: Immigration law violations
As I mentioned earlier – they take immigration law violations seriously!
17. Security and Background: Miscellaneous 1
Again answer truthfully.
The skilled or unskilled labor question has sparked some debate. In reality if you intend to work in the USA then the answer to this is Yes – but this is another question that will not cause a problem no matter which response your choose.
18. Security and Background: Miscellaneous 2
Again these just need truthful answers.
The healthcare professional one is another question that really doesn’t matter how you answer it. If you are a healthcare worker don’t be afraid to admit that.
The public charge question should be answered NO. Public charge means financial assistance from the government. You must realize that the Green Card lottery winners should not be claiming “public assistance”. There are some exceptions to that statement, but in general you are expected to support yourself. The USA is a land of opportunity, not free gifts.
19. Social security number
Answer these three questions as shown below unless you already have a SSN from a previous period in the USA. USCIS will (in theory) forward your details to the social security administration (SSA) to apply for your SSN. In practice many people find this does not happen correctly and delays are caused in getting the SSN after you enter the USA. Since the SSN is so important for many purposes here in the USA that is a nuisance, so I always suggest people visit the SSA office after a couple of weeks to make sure your SSN is “in the system”. You should receive the SSN card itself about 2 to 3 weeks after entering the USA.
Submitting the form.
OK so you have completed your form. You do the same for each derivative (family member). Check all the forms carefully, take screenshots if you like and when you are ready, submit the form. You should then print the confirmation page. You will be able to review the form later in review mode and can also take screenshots at that point.
You may also be prompted to fill out a form for “selected service”. Any us resident male under 26 years old is required to register for selective service. This does not not mean you will need to serve in the military, but if there was some crisis that required additional military men under 26 years old will be picked by a lottery to be inducted into the military.
The form will become “locked” so that you will not be able to edit it although you will be able to review the information after you submitted it. If you need at any time prior to your interview to unlock the form you can do so by emailing KCC who generally respond within a few days. Once unlocked you can make changes.
Once KCC have your form they will “process” it. They conduct background checks based on the information you have told them and access to official records. The processing period in DV2015 took around 4 to 5 months because of the volume of forms submitted around the same time. So, if you have a very low case number and you delay the submission of your DS260 there is a chance you could delay the interview date – BUT don’t worry, you will simply be interviewed later. Interviews are conducted based on case number order but only from a pool of cases that have completed their DS260 processing.
June 14, 2020 at 18:59
This is not filling application.. But I want to know about sponsor.. My sponsor already sponsor to other person last year.. But he coudn’t enter USA because of pandemic situation.. If he sponsor to me is that problem to me.. His salary ok for at least 4 person
June 14, 2020 at 19:27
Get a different sponsor.
June 14, 2020 at 19:59
Hallo Simon
my name is David i won the dv 2021 lottery and am qualifying for work expirience.
While filling the DV i did’t include my fiance because we r not ligaly married, she gave birth amonth after i filled the DV
Qsn 1…..Adding my fiance and the child will it cause me trouble.
2…..Can i fill the DS 260 before i get the marriege certificate.
3…..My CN is 2021AF417xx is it high or low.
June 14, 2020 at 20:06
1. You have to marry your fiance before adding her. The child could be added immediately.
2. You could but it is far easier to marry first then submit for all three of you.
3. Medium
June 18, 2020 at 10:36
Hi thanks so much for the wonderful work u doing……now my question is do I have to pay for the invoice number before I could start filling the DS 260 or I can start filling out the DS 260 straight away
June 18, 2020 at 19:49
You don’t pay before the medical & interview.
June 14, 2020 at 20:50
Hi, i’ve been selected to te dv2021. I’m Algerian, lived my whole life in Morocco, and currently I’m studying in France, I filled the ds260 with my current adress in France. But by the end of my residency card in France ( September 25th 2020) and unless i find a job or another school in France, i’ll have to come back to my parents home in Morocco. If it’s the case, will I be able to change my ds260 and put my parents adress and choose the US embassy in Morocco as my interview location instead of the US embassy in France?
Thank you for all your advices.
June 15, 2020 at 02:53
Delay submission of the DS260 for a while – there is no need to rush anyway.
June 14, 2020 at 21:04
Mr Simon, please help, my case number is 29xxx and I having difficulty filling Ds 260.my question is do i still have time or I am running out of time?
June 14, 2020 at 21:36
Sorry the case number is AF29xxx
June 15, 2020 at 02:53
Is that DV2021 – if so – you have plenty of time.
June 15, 2020 at 07:44
Hello I have a question about if I ever issued a visa. When I was a student I went 3 summers with J1 visa should I choose yes in the form ?
June 15, 2020 at 17:24
A J1 is a visa – so yes.
June 15, 2020 at 10:05
Hello
I added my fathers name according to his citizenship but i later noticed his middle name was missing in my passport and birth certificate . Is it a serious mistake and should i correct it or i can explain in interview ?
June 15, 2020 at 19:11
Trivial.
June 15, 2020 at 10:28
Good day Simon
2021AF25xxx
Thank you for the comprehensive resources published on your blog. My questions:
1. Can i submit ds260 while awaiting unabridged birth certificate of wife, should i hold back on submission until i have all supporting documents or will this only be required at the time of interview. Based on historical data, i dont expect my interview to take place before Mar/Apr 2021.
2. Passports for all 3 children expires in the next few months, do i wait for new passports or proceed with ds260 with expiring old passports. New passports might take a while in SA given Covid
3. Our government archive is becoming more and more of a challenge. Is there any other way to proof birth details. We have historical identification documents and passports. I managed to get my unabridged certificate but are struggling to retrieve this for my wife (we requested this in Aug19). I do remain hopeful that the documents will be found (using agency) but i want to prepare for plan B.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. devan
June 15, 2020 at 19:19
1. You don’t need documents to be able to submit your DS260. At some time after the DS260 submission you can submit the documents.
2. Apply for passports now. Depending on when you get them you might update the DS260 or just presemnt old and new at interview.
3. You need the correct documents. No way around that.
June 15, 2020 at 10:44
In the first page of DS260 I filled that I want to be interviewed at the current country then I clicked continue, I did not submit my form yet because I am still modifying. I wanted to change the country where I can do the interview but when I tried to do that in “getting started” I cannot modify it!
What should I do now? should I just write the present address once I travel after few weeks and ignore that question that cannot be modified?
June 15, 2020 at 22:30
Yes – just make sure your address is correct. They will choose the embassy based on your address.
June 15, 2020 at 12:25
Good day Brit, my husband won the DV2021 with a case number AF31XXX. He applied for me as a derivative. My passport expired in April, it was valid during the initial application. We stay in South Africa, which is currently in lockdown. I am unable to get a passport renewal at this time, no one at our home affairs can give me an idea of when passports applications will open again in South Africa. Would I still have time to wait or are we in trouble? I read in this post that you will only need the valid passport when you go for the interview?
June 15, 2020 at 22:36
You have time to wait.
June 22, 2020 at 16:03
Thank you for the response. I also have a question related to the other documents, would we require an unabridged marraige certificate or would an abridged version be fine? (I know we need unabridged birth certificates).
Your help is much appreciated
June 22, 2020 at 19:56
I don’t know. It would depend what is “official” in your country. In general though the concern about abridged birth certs is that the shorter version does not contain both parents names. That is not a concern for marriage certs.
June 15, 2020 at 13:39
Dear BritSimon
My case number is AF2xxx. Currently I live in another country in Africa, originally I am from Ethiopia. Due to the pandemic issue I can not go to my home country. So, my question is till when can i fill the DS260 form? I think my case is a low case number.
June 15, 2020 at 22:38
Whenever you want.
June 15, 2020 at 14:13
my case is AF25295. please, when can i expect my interview for DV 2021 ?
June 15, 2020 at 22:40
Maybe spring 2021
June 15, 2020 at 14:15
Hello sir,
I’m wondering, since I do not want to risk my opportunity of getting a GC, my girlfriend and I decided to proceed with the DV process and after been approved a GC then we get a married certificate.
Is it safe if I do that?
June 15, 2020 at 22:41
Safe, yes.
Smart, no.
June 15, 2020 at 14:24
Hi Simon,
I hope you are doing well and many thanks for your kind help.
My questions are:
1). I have lived in the same city for long time but with different house numbers, and in some cases, with different street names. So, should I list them while filling my previous address history.
2). Under previous work experience, if previously employed, the form requires telephone number. So, what will be the appropriate telephone number to fill in here?.
kind regards,
June 15, 2020 at 22:48
1. Yes
2. The employer’s number
June 15, 2020 at 17:22
Hello Sir,
Since I have a work experience, Is it OK if I choose “Yes” to the section that says;
“Have u belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social or charitable organization” ?
June 15, 2020 at 23:02
No – they mean something else.
June 15, 2020 at 17:58
First of all, thank you so much for the work you do here.
I have been selected for the DV 2021 but, three months ago, I was also admitted to a Masters in the US.
My case number is 2021EU65XX, I was waiting it out to fill out the DS260 until we saw what is going on with the Executive Order and, if needed, what happens in November. The reason being that I fill the DS form and something happens, I will have a hard time convincing the CO that I do not have immigration intent for an F1; but if I do not fill the DS260, at least I do have that chance as a last resource.
What would you advice in this situation? I have all my information and most of the documents ready to go, and, besides your opinion and advice, I wanted to ask you how long would you wait to submit the form or how would you proceed if you were me.
Thank you so very much for your help
June 15, 2020 at 23:57
You know all the ins and outs – you need to decide for yourself.
June 16, 2020 at 06:27
I know, but I am really confused and worried and so I would like, if that is okay, your input.
Also, I understand I have a very low case number but how long could I (safely) wait to submit my DS260?
June 16, 2020 at 18:24
Look – you know why you should delay submission – so you can decide that. You don’t need me to explain anything about that. You can submit about March or April of next year even and still be safe.
June 15, 2020 at 18:23
Hi, I am Algerian but my passport was issued in the Algerian embassy of Morocco. What should I put in the coutry/authority that issued the document? Thank you
June 15, 2020 at 23:58
Algeria
June 15, 2020 at 21:51
Hello Mr Simon.
I reside in a different country from my home now. Unfortunately all my original documents are in another country. And there is no flight from where I am, due to the Pandemic, to go back home. …
Since my case number is 21AF2xxx …
What is the deadline to fill DS260 form please?
June 16, 2020 at 00:15
Months from now – March/April of next year will be fine.
June 20, 2020 at 15:12
Good afternoon please i need your help is there any way to modify the form after submitting it.
June 20, 2020 at 17:54
Yes – you ask to unlock. Read the FAQ.
June 16, 2020 at 04:46
Hi Simon, my CN is AS33XXX, I still haven’t submitted the ds 260 form. I believe it’s a high case number so there’s no need to rush. However, I do have few questions. I’m planning to qualify through education and my highest level of education completed so far is high school. But I have also worked in an audit firm for a year and working as a financial analyst, but planning to quit now. Combining both, I only have 1 year and 6 months of work experience. My question is,
a. Since both jobs are qualifying job, should I tick the box which says “does this job requires at least 2 years of training or experience”.?
b. If I tick the box? Will it be deemed that i’m planning to qualify through work experience rather than education?
Thanks in advance.
June 16, 2020 at 18:06
a. Yes
b. No
You are right to delay submission – wait until we understand more.
June 16, 2020 at 06:27
Hello Mr Simon.
I hope you are doing well and many thanks for your kind help.
My questions are:
1- my case number is 21af17xxx is it high or low
2- i used to have an error in my name and i correct it should i include it in my ds260 since i have no record of it in any of my documents but in my dossier in my country there is a sealed record of my name
3- should i include elementary should and secondary school also
June 16, 2020 at 18:25
1. Low
2. Your name in the DS260 should be the legal name shown on your passport
3. Secondary school and up.
June 21, 2020 at 08:35
Thanks a lot for your kind help
1-when i was a child i used to have a different name and my parents changed it to my current name .
my old names does not appear in any of my documents (birth certificate or educations paper or password ) but in my dossier in my country there court order that the two names belongs to the same person my question is should i include it in others names field since i have no documents supporting that i have used thanks
i know that my question is a bet ambiguous and bad phrased thanks for your understanding best regards
June 21, 2020 at 18:36
You need to provide some sort of paper trail or evidence of a name change, depending on procedures in your country.
June 22, 2020 at 15:15
I have no paper trail or evidence of a name change, except that i knows its exist in civil database, the authority would not provide it
June 16, 2020 at 08:05
now I am undergraduate student.. What I fill for primary occupation… I haven’t any job..
June 16, 2020 at 18:28
Student.
June 16, 2020 at 08:45
Hi Brit,
I don’t have my last name appear on my birth certificate and HS diploma. But my full name is written on my passport, BA diploma and master diploma so I inserted my full name on my GC application. On the question: ‘Have you ever used other names (i.e., maiden, religious, professional, alias, etc.)? ‘ Should I answer yes? If yes, should I write my first name as the surename and FNU as the first name? Thanks!
June 16, 2020 at 18:30
Your legal name on the DS260 should match the passport. Use the other names field if needed.
June 16, 2020 at 09:26
Hello !
I have issued SSN. Which says “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION ”
Do I have to submit that I need new SSN or this is fine?
June 16, 2020 at 18:34
You don’t need a new SSN – you will just get a new card once in the USA as an LPR
June 17, 2020 at 08:10
Thank you
June 16, 2020 at 11:38
Good morning and thank you for your email, paying the sum of 590€ is not a problem at all but I wanted us to discuss my chances of getting my US green. I will be happy if I can explain to my situation and you tell me my chances. Below I will give you an overview of my situation.
Good day Brit, i want to first of all appreciate you for the good job you have been doing. I am an asylum seeker in Germany who has been selected for the DV 2021 and i have some questions (1) in my initial entry i used my passort which only became expired on November 22 2019 after I have made my entry, now I have a new passport, I understand you said I should present both expired and new passport at the interview but it is not possible to lay my hands on the expired one because it is currently at the German immigration service which I know they might not return it to me, how ever I have a scan copy of the the expired passport so what should I do in this case? (2) is my pending asylum case in Germany going to negatively affect my interview at the US consulate? (3) In the passport which I used for the initial entry (now expired) my surname was put in place of my given names and my given names was put in place of my surname, I have however done this correction on my new passport just as it is on my birth certificate so will this disqualify me? Note that I made my initial entry with my name as it is on my birth certificate and the new passport. (4) my case number is 2021AF00025*** is it too high? When can I get to the interview?
Thank you and waiting for your reply
June 16, 2020 at 18:40
1. Show the scan.
2. Not normally, no
3. Should be OK
4. It’s OK. Early 2021
June 16, 2020 at 19:49
Hi Simon. Thanks for the amazing effort. Two quick questions
1. My wife is the primary winner. She has a hyphen in her first name Eg Kate-May When entering the draw the hyphen was fine, when completing the DS260 it regects the hyphen as a unrecognised character. Do we leave it out and simply put a space, doing so would mean it is not an exact match to her passport?
2.Whe have lived a few places since the age of 16. The system seems to time out or give an application error before we can compete this section. I am not sure if this is happening to others?
Again, thanks for the help
Sean
June 16, 2020 at 22:37
1. Yes
2. Save as you go, enter details quickly.
June 29, 2020 at 17:00
I have this problem when filling previous employment history. I’ve only been able to add 3 previous employment information. If I try to add more I get “can’t reach page”.
June 29, 2020 at 23:10
Save often, enter faster, don’t have multiple windows open.
June 16, 2020 at 23:16
hi Simon, I have only one question left 🙂 I want to go to New York and rent an apartment there, but my friend lives in another city, far from New York, can I enter his address as “The address of a friend or family member in USA “” And when he receives the green card, will he send it back to New York by DHL to me? or maybe unlock my DS-260 after entering the USA and change my friend’s address (which i wrote before in DS-260) to my new apartment address? Could I get a green card this way? Thanks
June 17, 2020 at 02:31
You can have the GC sent to you, yes.
June 17, 2020 at 00:57
Hi Simon,
my wife has been selected. I am currently unemployed with Bachelor of Law degree from EU country. My intention is to continue my legal education in US. Please advise if the current unemployment might reflect my chances. There are a lot of spaces in the Form to fill in reg. current employment
Thank you very much !
June 17, 2020 at 02:49
No problem.
June 17, 2020 at 11:01
Reg. the previous visitations to USA – I can list 4 entrances. My passport has been stolen back in 2008 and my fifth entrance is recorded in 2003 . That data is unreachable to me. Should I left the 5th entrance place blank in the form and state that my passport has been stolen ? Thanx
June 17, 2020 at 17:56
Just list the dates to the best of your recollecton.
June 18, 2020 at 10:43
Dear Simon , one more please – reg. Military service – is the question about active military participation ( I see further questions about rankings etc ), or just about the basic military training / prep in peaceful times. Thanks !
June 18, 2020 at 19:50
Use your own judgement about military service. If you had to wear a uniform and respond to people shouting at you, you were in the military.
June 17, 2020 at 10:46
I write wrong date of birth for my son
so i will correct this in the DS 260
is that can lead to disqualify
June 17, 2020 at 17:55
No problem.
June 17, 2020 at 19:39
Dear Brit,
Thank you for providing good and true information. I have been selected for the green card 2021. My case number is around 7000 (2021AS7000). I don’t have access to some information that I need for form DS-260 until the end of June 2020.
My question is do you think maybe it will be late to fill out the form DS-260 at the end of June?
I am looking forward to hear from you,
Best Regards,
Zhakav
June 17, 2020 at 19:47
No problem.
June 18, 2020 at 01:09
Hi mister simon
Thank you for all the informations you give
I have applied for ds 260 i have high school diploma and tourist diploma i finished this diploma in 2018 and i took it in 2019 but i fill it in ds 2019 is that ok or i have to correct it ?
Please forgive my english i hope you understand my question
Thank you
June 18, 2020 at 01:49
I would correct it – especially if you have time to wait anyway.
June 18, 2020 at 06:05
Hi mister Simon
I work in the public service of my country. but I don’t see this option on the DS260 form. I would like to know what should I put in the work section.
Thank you
June 18, 2020 at 18:55
Your job. Whatever that is.
June 18, 2020 at 12:46
Hi simon i have won the lottery green 2021 i am expecting to qualify through education and during my initial application to fill the lottery i chose the education level as ” some graduate” and i have attended and graduated as diploma however in ds260 form the choices of education level does not show anything like diploma. plz tell me do what do i fill.
June 18, 2020 at 20:25
Just pick the level you think is correct. It doesn’t matter!
June 18, 2020 at 13:45
Hi Simon,
Many thanks for your wonderful job.
My case number is AF84XX and I would like to be invited for an interview in March/April next year. Because my children are in school and I want them to finish the school year so that we can move together late June or beginning of July 2021. So, what is the ideal time to submit my DS260 application to KKC?
best,
Ahmed
June 18, 2020 at 20:28
November/December
June 18, 2020 at 14:58
Hello Mr. Simon
I had a question, I submitted my DS260 and according to the official website of US immigration, it said that after I submit my form, I would get an email telling me to submit my scan copy of the documents. I was wondering how long would it take to get that email.
My case number is 21AS7***
June 18, 2020 at 20:50
It might take some weeks. Patience.
June 18, 2020 at 16:25
Hey Semon,
I am a candidate of DV 2021 Winner, my question is I play with my wife and daughter, but now I do not want to carry my daughter with me now. so can I leave her out in filling in the DS 260 Form
June 18, 2020 at 20:55
List her on yours (and your wife’s), but don’t submit a DS260 for her.
June 18, 2020 at 21:53
Hi Simon. My case no. is 21EU00038***. Is that high or low ? Just submitted a form. Thanks !
June 19, 2020 at 00:09
Quite high.
June 19, 2020 at 05:12
meaning chances are low(er) ?
June 19, 2020 at 14:07
It is too early to know.
June 19, 2020 at 01:40
I got finished bachelor degree, and in the end of October I will finish master.
Should I wait till then to fill Ds 260 or to fill early and then ask for unlock and update the data ?
My case number is EU 8xxx
June 19, 2020 at 01:56
You don’t need to wait. Bachelors is sufficient.
June 19, 2020 at 11:12
Thanks for all the wonderful information you are sharing. I have a case number 2021AF77XXX.
1. Is this too ahrd for me.
2. Does each continent begins with Eg. AF001, AS001, EU001 or the number is continous for all continents
3. My child was born in another and because of my absence to sign on the birth certificate only my wife name is there and the father space is blank. should we submit it like that?
June 19, 2020 at 14:33
1. It’s a high number.
2. AF001, AS001, EU001
3. Yes
June 19, 2020 at 14:39
Hi Simon! Thanks for the great job and the help! Appreciate if you could answer my questions.
1)
I am the winner 2021, but I’m unemployed since end of 2019 (I was a manager before, hard to find somth decent in a current pandemic situation), so I do some online job like virtual manager for a small company, but it is not official – this would be considered freelance? And paypal payments would be enough to prove? Or what else should I show?
Or it is better to say that I’m unemployed and a housewife (I’m 33, no kids). (case numb EU 23xxx).
This worries me in terms of public charge, even though up to 2019 I have 10 years of continuous employment..
2) Also my husband is employed as financial analytic, but we are not quite sure what primary occupation to choose – business? or other?
3) I have a degree from Ukraine but back then it was called “specialist” and according to Ukraine’s law it can be evaluated as masters degree. Should I evaluate my diploma, or just put bachelor degree in ds260 to avoid any confusions on that matter? (The interview will be in the Dominican Republic, where I’ve lived for 10 years and the embassy here would not know the degree level of such diploma..)
June 19, 2020 at 14:48
1. Don’t try to dress it up. Just be honest.
2. Business is fine.
3. List all education.
Stop overthinking. Just answer the questions simply.
June 19, 2020 at 14:56
Thank you! I tend to overthink things..Specially about the online job as it is something new to me and I am not quite sure what documents are needed for that. All other employment I have proofs and work letters.
Should i bring my high school diploma too or with the graduate diploma it is enough?
June 19, 2020 at 15:34
“all education”
June 23, 2020 at 10:26
Hello Sir,
Regarding this;
Q1. Is it mandatory to include Primary Education?
Q2. If “Yes” to Q1, exact enrollment dates are likely to be forgotten . What would you advice?
Cheer!
June 23, 2020 at 13:53
1. No. Secondary.
2. Reading the instructions is always a good start.
June 19, 2020 at 20:39
Hello Simon,
Thank you for all you are doing here! Appreciate if you could answer my questions.
1. After several tries at “previous address information” page i got into conclusion that there is a maximal limit of 6 addresses and i have moved 9 times since i were 16, what should i do, contact KKC, fill out only the important places or anything else?
2. Same question about countries i traveled, seems like max limit is also 6 and i traveled to 8 different countries in last 5 years.
3. If in certain period of time i lived in boarding school (weekends at my parents home) does it matter if write parents address of school address?
4. I work for my employer more more than 10 years and did at another job 12 years ago, so for a question “were you previously employed” I answer yes, but the tricky part is that they ask to fill out all the previous employers in last 10 years and i do not have any in last 10 years.
June 19, 2020 at 21:07
1. It handles more than 6 addresses, but just enter the significant ones – leaving no gaps in dates.
2. Not sure if there is a limit. Save and try again.
3. No problem.
4. That’s ok – just detail the 10 years.
June 19, 2020 at 21:23
1 and 2. Tried again at chrome browser and it crashed my session, but when I tried with Internet explorer it worked just fine. Thank you
3. Sorry, i didn’t understand, if i specify parents home it is ok right?
4. So do i need to answer “No” on “were you previously employed?” question in this case?
June 19, 2020 at 21:54
3. Yes
4. The question mentions 10 years – right – just read the question and answer. It’s not a trick.
June 19, 2020 at 22:15
Good evening i have filles and review my DS-260 form but i have issue at the sign and submit step after puting my case number that’s 2021AF22XXX and checking the radio and checkbox button.When i click on sign and submit it doesn’t submit and there isn’t any notification only à red symbol beside my case number textbox as it was wrong but i check it’s really what i have in my confirmation form i don’t know what’s wrong.
June 19, 2020 at 23:16
https://britsimonsays.com/for-people-who-cannot-submit-the-ds260-for-dv2021/
June 20, 2020 at 14:26
Thanks very much. It has finally been solved by removing the leading 0 on the case number.
June 20, 2020 at 10:09
Hello Brit. Please what does the petitioner’s information on the DS 260 form means? After my spouse fill the form, at the end what is he supposed to choose from these three options: 1. applicant, 2. Attorney 3. Third party agent. My case number is AF53XXX
June 20, 2020 at 13:57
Hi Simon, my case number 2021EU6XXX, after submitting DS 260, how long you should wait until KCC send email for supporting documents?
June 20, 2020 at 17:48
You can send without being asked.
June 21, 2020 at 09:32
But in official website travel.state.gov, it says that after KCC processes ds form, you will receive notification for supporting documents. How long does it take them to process your Ds form after submission
June 21, 2020 at 19:01
It varies. And when they get high work volume they prioritize by case number.
June 20, 2020 at 17:42
1
June 22, 2020 at 13:25
Hello Brit. Please I asked a question earlier but you have not been able to reply. Please what does the petitioner information on the DS 260 form means? What do I write there? Also, concerning the work history, if I worked with a company that has since collapsed and I can not get the telephone number of the company, what do I do?
June 20, 2020 at 15:08
Dv2020, AF32K…. my stomach is in knots waiting for update.Hope the universe sends good news about dv EO.
June 20, 2020 at 15:26
Good evening Simon please if someone has done à mistake after submitting the ds 260 form is there any way to modify.
June 20, 2020 at 18:04
Unlock.
Please learn to use the FAQ
June 20, 2020 at 17:48
Hello Brit, hope everything is well! Thanks a lot for your great help, really!! I have some questions:
1) if I am a 2nd year university student, is the choice I have to make, “university, no degree” for the “highest level of education completed” option?
2) after I submitted my DS260, do I have to wait for an email from KCC asking for document submission or do I have to submit my docs right away? In my confirmation page of DS260, it said that if I haven’t submitted my doc, I have to do so right away. And it gave me a website: http://nvc.state.gov which tells how to scan and submit docs. What shall I do??
3) I edited my DS260 after requesting unlock and on the way, they asked me to write an explaining as to why I want to unlock and I have explained my mistakes. But after they unlocked it, while I was correcting it, I found out that for highschool, course of study should be said academic. But what I said was highschool, so I changed it to academic. Does doing another correction other than the one I told them will be any problem?
I am really really sorry for my bulky message. I don’t know who else to ask. Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!
June 20, 2020 at 20:19
1. That’s ok.
2. You can wait until asked, or submit anyway. BUT, your case number is quite high, so I would wait for a few months before submitting documents if I were you.
3. No problem.
July 2, 2020 at 06:47
Sorry Mr Simon I want to add one more question to my previous comment:
My case number is 2021AS29xxx; is there any problem if I submit my DS-260 now? I read one of your reply for a person with case number 2021AS33xxx which you advised him/ her to wait and not submitting his DS 260 form soon; could you please explain why?
July 2, 2020 at 22:10
We don’t know how many selectees have been chosen yet this year. If they have overselected (or other factors come in to play), high case numbers won’t get a chance for an interview. If you never get an interview, then the fact that you applied for the DS260 can cause problems with future non immigrant visas.
And finally – there is absolutely no benefit of submitting early – it just means you will probably rush, and make a mistake.
June 20, 2020 at 21:06
Ok! Thanks a lot again!!!!
they ask for documents via email, right? Not on the confirmation page of DS260?
June 20, 2020 at 21:32
Correct. Please start reading the FAQ.
June 20, 2020 at 21:46
Ok I will and thanks a lot
June 21, 2020 at 22:53
Hey Brit,
I have an certificate of completion from Udacity, Should I include it in Education DS form?
thanks!
June 22, 2020 at 17:13
I don’t know what that is – but include it if you think its worthwhile.
June 22, 2020 at 21:48
It’s an online nanodegree on Mobile developpement and other topics. I paid 200$ for each month in a 6 month period. IIf I want to add it in DS260, which type should I choose in Education ?
https://www.udacity.com/course/android-developer-nanodegree-by-google–nd801
June 22, 2020 at 23:04
Yes if you want. You won’t be penalized for listing it.
June 22, 2020 at 08:48
Hi Brit,
I am accepted now in the DV lottery for 2021 and i am waiting for the email to submit my documents my case number is 2021AF0002xxxx,
A.Should i submit the documents immediately or wait till my number is current?
B. When i submit the documents how do i know if they are accepted or not?
C. When should i do the medical exam?
June 22, 2020 at 17:54
A. Your choice.
B. You can call after a few weeks.
C. Once you receive your 2NL
June 26, 2020 at 11:11
Thank you so much,
another question, when should I expect the email that requests the documents
June 22, 2020 at 10:35
Hi,
1) Do I need to prepare cover letter to submit it with the documents explaining why i am applying for Green card or whatever?
2) When will I submit the documents, certificates and photo, since DS-260 does not have online submition. Will it be online or we will submit it on the interview day only?
3) There is a lawyer who said that the deadline to submit Ds-260 is October 2020, is it a true?
June 22, 2020 at 18:24
1. No
2. DS260 is online. Documents are sent via email some time after DS260 submission.
3. For DV2021?? NO!
June 23, 2020 at 04:52
Are u sure DV 2020 some coming interviews or scheduled interviews are canceled and some missed the interview, but kcc not saying like
June 23, 2020 at 05:08
Regardless of interviews, visas cannot be issued.