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:
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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 20, 2020 at 5:48 pm
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 8:19 pm
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 6:47 am
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 10:10 pm
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 9:06 pm
Ok! Thanks a lot again!!!!
they ask for documents via email, right? Not on the confirmation page of DS260?
June 20, 2020 at 9:32 pm
Correct. Please start reading the FAQ.
June 20, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Ok I will and thanks a lot
June 21, 2020 at 10:53 pm
Hey Brit,
I have an certificate of completion from Udacity, Should I include it in Education DS form?
thanks!
June 22, 2020 at 5:13 pm
I don’t know what that is – but include it if you think its worthwhile.
June 22, 2020 at 9:48 pm
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 11:04 pm
Yes if you want. You won’t be penalized for listing it.
June 22, 2020 at 8:48 am
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 5:54 pm
A. Your choice.
B. You can call after a few weeks.
C. Once you receive your 2NL
June 26, 2020 at 11:11 am
Thank you so much,
another question, when should I expect the email that requests the documents
June 22, 2020 at 10:35 am
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 6:24 pm
1. No
2. DS260 is online. Documents are sent via email some time after DS260 submission.
3. For DV2021?? NO!
June 23, 2020 at 4:52 am
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 5:08 am
Regardless of interviews, visas cannot be issued.
June 23, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Hi simon! If i never changed my document adress i must include every address where i lived. For example with a friend altought there is no record of that?
June 23, 2020 at 5:51 pm
List the main addresses (where you would have mail sent)
June 23, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Hello Brit. Please I’ve been selected for the 2021 visa lottery. My CN is 2021 AF53XXX. Please what does the petitioner information on the DS 260 form means?
June 23, 2020 at 5:28 pm
For a DV case, nothing. DV cases are self petitioned.
June 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Hello Brit, how are you doing? I hope everything is well! I have a few questions,
1) for dv2019, VB was current for the August and September. Does that mean all case numbers got interviewed?
2) if a region becomes current, will they simply schedule interview for any CN who have completed DS260 processing or they go by order of time when the DS260 was submitted?
3) if COVID continues in my country, will all the rest dv2020 selectees won’t be interviews? If so,will they never be interviews and miss their chance?
June 23, 2020 at 5:27 pm
1. Theoretically, yes. I practice, no.
2. Current means enough visas for everyone – so the order is not important normally
3. Yes they could miss their chance. Plus Trump has now implemented a ban.
June 23, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Ok, but why is it “no in practice” for que#1?
June 23, 2020 at 6:18 pm
Because not all cases get scheduled – they are late in submitting documents or DS260 or other reasons.
June 23, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Ok thanks a lot! Brit
June 23, 2020 at 6:38 pm
Thanks Simeon
1. My case is 2021AF76xxx, what is the highest CN in Africa
2. With this ban I have fears but am hopeful to get a visa.
3. My wife is in another country and am only with my 3yrs old son, can I drop her for now & only submit the DS260 form for my son and I?
June 23, 2020 at 7:07 pm
1. About 85XXX
2. OK
3. You don’t have to – it will be a year before you are interviewed at the earliest.
June 23, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Hello Brit,
1. Does the submission of the DS260 have impact on interview especially if your CN is 2021AF56xxx
June 23, 2020 at 7:06 pm
You must submit the DS260 to get an interview, so I don’t understand your question.
June 23, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Hello Brit
Hope you are doing well,
Recently I have been selected for DV-2021 and my CN is close to 2021AS25000
1. What do you Think about my CN is it a high or it’s ok for have a big chance to be interviewed ?
2. Should I fill DS-260 as soon as I can or wait for a while?
Best Regards
AbKenan
June 23, 2020 at 9:50 pm
1. It’s ok.
2. Your choice.
June 24, 2020 at 6:59 pm
Hello Simon my CN is 2021AF00013XXX
is low or high
June 24, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Low
June 25, 2020 at 5:59 am
So that means I have to submit in my DV 260 foam as soon as possible
June 24, 2020 at 7:18 am
hi brit
My case number is 2021AS14000 .is this low or high??
June 24, 2020 at 6:26 pm
Medium
June 24, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Hi, Brit! I have a question about the education page.
I only completed two years of University and dropped out.
What should I select in highest level of education completed? High School Diploma or University, no degree?
I’m worried because it says “highest level of education COMPLETED” in my case it is not completed but I have an academic certificate stating that I studied at this University for two years. What should I select? Hope for help…
June 24, 2020 at 7:53 pm
Some university courses
June 24, 2020 at 7:48 pm
HI Simon,
1.My case number is EU00008xxx is it low or high number?
2.When it says number of educatonal institutions attended-does it refer to all schools since primary school or all schools attended since high school and includinng high school?
June 24, 2020 at 8:08 pm
1. OK
2. Secondary level and above (so age 12 and older)
June 25, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Hi Brit,
I have been chosen for the DV 2021, at the time of application my and my wife passports were valid. Now they are expired and we have two new passports.
1- Which passport number and info shall I fill in the DS-260 application? I am worried that the new passport numbers will not match the numbers I applied with.
2- I still have the old passports but they are cancelled, shall I upload it with the documents? If yes, shall I attach a letter explaining that I have new valid passports?
Please advise.
Appreciate your time and help.
June 26, 2020 at 12:11 am
1. Use the new ones, and provide proof of old and new in the document step and interview.
2. See 1
June 26, 2020 at 1:39 am
Hi Brit,
I have a passport which is valid until Dec 2020. While filing DS260, should I renew and fill DS260 with new one or is it okay to fill with the current passport?
I have the other confusion too. Can a greencard holder obtained through asylum be a sponser to me?
June 26, 2020 at 2:33 am
Use the new passport, but be prepared to show the old one too.
June 26, 2020 at 4:56 am
Thank you Brit. Mine case number is 2021AS000064xx. Until when can I fill my DS260 form as per your suggestion in normal condition.
June 26, 2020 at 3:00 pm
You can decide. You can do it anytime from now or wait a few months.
June 26, 2020 at 2:35 am
A GC is a GC.
June 26, 2020 at 3:29 am
Hi Simon,
I’m about to click submit and it is asking for my KCC Case Number, which I have, but when I copy and paste the whole number it doesn’t submit. Do I need to remove the all the numbers before putting my case number in? This is what mine is: 2021OC00000XXX
Thank you 🙂
June 26, 2020 at 4:31 am
Yes – remove the leading zeros.
June 26, 2020 at 4:59 am
Okay great. Thanks. Do include the ‘2021OC’ as well?
June 26, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Yes
June 26, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Hi Simon. Found your website extremely helpful so far, I was rushing to submit and then only from your website realised this is not an advantage. Saved me months of my life that I wanted to stay longer here!
1) I added some of my addresses and employment history after adding other entries, so they’re at the end and not in reverse order for some. I had about 20+ jobs to list since I work freelance, so it was too much of a pain to go and redo line by line. So they’re both not fully chronological. Does it matter?
2) Address gap – I was traveling for almost a year last year without a permanent residence so have a large gap which it won’t allow me to submit; therefore I’ve put my parents’ address in NZ. Is this ok?
3) I got my passport renewed so it’s a different number to the one I entered the lottery with. Does it matter?
4) I am struggling to find exact dates for my education institutions, as well as some of my past employment. Is it okay to give rough months eg for high school Jan 2010 – Dec 2015?
5) When I called KCC office to help the woman said I needed to submit DS260 by July 20. But everywhere I read on your site it says I could submit next year. Was she giving me the wrong info?
Thank you for your help!!
June 26, 2020 at 4:25 pm
1. No
2. Yes
3. No – but you will need to show evidence of the old one as well as the new one.
4. Yes
5. Yes – assuming you are DV2021.
June 26, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Dear Simon,
Trump decided to not allow immigration till the end od the year 2020, So what is the advise right now?
1 – Shall we submit DS-260 now?
2- if we submit now we will be rejected due to Trump’s?
3- it was said that even if we submit DS-260 form now, the interview will be after December 2020?, is that true?
I mean I want to know when it is saved to submit DS-260? I am confused due to the news!
June 26, 2020 at 4:32 pm
1. If you want.
2. You may be delayed.
3. Yes
June 27, 2020 at 4:21 am
Dear Simon As correction to my comment, I mean he banned issuing the green card to people outside the US till the end of 2020.
Is it same your answer?
June 27, 2020 at 5:29 am
I don’t understand
June 26, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Hello,
I am in the 2021 lottery, and have already submitted my DS260. I have completed a law degree and business degree (as well as high school), which I obviously included in my DS260, but I am about to start (next week) a grad certificate in law as well that should be completed around Feb next year if all goes to plan.
1) Since I will have started it (so it is still an institution I’ve attended), if it is NOT yet complete, should I add it into my DS260 (I will need to unlock it anyway to add a new passport)?
2) If so, what date should I put as the finish date?
3) If I do not add it in as a work in progress (so wait for it to be complete), and then I do finish it before I interview, is there any harm in NOT including it, even if it is complete? I worry that if I do not complete it until Feb next year at earliest, I might be cutting it fine to be unlocking my DS260, especially with all the ban mess around.
Thank you so much for your help (with the ban stuff especially, you are truly incredible for all the work you do, and should be very proud that you are helping change peoples’ lives)!
June 27, 2020 at 5:01 am
1. Doesn’t matter.
3. It would be the current occupation.
3. No problem.
June 27, 2020 at 12:03 pm
Hello, thanks for your reply. Sorry I don’t think I explained it well – this isn’t an occupation, it’s a grad certificate, so like a degree at university, so there is no ‘current’ option, just a finish date.
Thanks again.
June 28, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Sorry, do you mean to put my current occupation as ‘student’, but not alter my education area? If I do that, and then complete the certificate before the interview but do not update the DS260 again to reflect that, is that an issue? Will be a current student be negatively looked at?
June 28, 2020 at 7:19 pm
Stop overthinking what they will think. Just answer the questions. Really.
June 26, 2020 at 7:08 pm
whats the highest case number you’ve heard in OC region for 2021 thanks
June 27, 2020 at 5:06 am
3250
June 26, 2020 at 8:19 pm
Hi, Brit
i have a question about the work experience in DS260. i have worked on cruise ships, for 13 years. Do I have to put each contract, start and end, or I can put 5 years for CCL? Do you have idea, how is correct to put it down?
Thanks,
best regards
case number EU 29XX.
June 27, 2020 at 5:11 am
List the main contracts
June 27, 2020 at 5:16 am
Thank you.
Main contracts are the those with home pors it USA, i guess…
June 27, 2020 at 4:31 am
Hii, I’ve lived between two countries, country A and country B, it is confusing what to write in the address part,
1- Will it be okay if I just wrote the current address which is the longest period away from my country (more than four years?
I’ve lived in my countrty since the date of my birth till 2014,
from 2014 till now I am in another country now.
2- in the previous address part in DS-260, shall I write down the date of my birth till 2014?
I am not sure if someone can answer this question.
June 27, 2020 at 5:30 am
List all addresses accurately
June 27, 2020 at 8:44 am
Hi Simon, I am DV2021 with case number 2021AF00004xxx, Am filling DS260 now and I have couple of questions seeking your assistance,
1- Is this lower number or higher?
2- When should be the best time to submit the DS260 form provided the extension of the ban?
3- If the ban will not be extended after 31st Dec 2020, when is likely should I be scheduled for interview?
4- We have been vaccinated in accordance with our country law and before the interview I know we have to go through medical check ups and receive extra vaccination that is required by the US law. In this DS260 filling form what should be the answer to the below?
Do you have documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with U.S. law?
4- Do you seek to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor but have not yet been certified by the Secretary of Labor? What is the perfect answer for this question? as due to my little understanding is they give us chance to come and work in US so was afraid it might be a technical question and wrong answer might lead to disqualification.
5-My spouse (derivative) is a medical graduate and might intend to practice in the US. sould she answer yes on the below question? What is the impact of answering vice versa to your opinion?
Are you a graduate of a foreign medical school seeking to perform medical services in the United States but have not yet passed the National Board of Medical Examiners examination or its equivalent?
June 27, 2020 at 5:11 pm
1. Low
2. Whenever you want. There is no “best time”.
3. Early 2021
4. “No”
4.b. It’s not an important question. Yes is the obvious answer – but the perfect answer is the truth.
5. Always the truth.
June 27, 2020 at 1:43 pm
What should I write for course of study:
Should I write ” Academic” or I name it as it as below, for example: the below is exactly how I filled this box for course of study.
Course of study: from grade 7th to grade 9th
Course of study: Secondary school /high school from grade 10th to gradd 12th
Course of study: Bachelor of business administration
Please correct me if I am wrong.
June 27, 2020 at 5:29 pm
That’s ok
June 28, 2020 at 5:34 am
Dear Simon,
Greeting to you
Primary ocuppation means they want the present one. The present one is that I am taking French language courses online/Udemy.
1) Should I select (others), school name: Udemy online-French Language courses?
2) or Select Education then write that it is online?
3) or select Unemployed.
Which one you advised me to write? 1,2 or 3
4) Does writing Unemployed affect my application?
P.S I am applying based on my education only.
June 28, 2020 at 6:35 pm
3.
4. No
June 28, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Hi, Mr. Simon,
My basic question is regarding How to write the name correctly into the DS-260:
if the surname in the passport was “X” and the first name was “Y” Father’s name was “W” and grandfather’s name was “Z”. In this case the Full name should be typed as: Y X (without the father’s and grandfather’s names?
OR
Y W Z X (including the father’s and grandfather’s names)?
June 28, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Just as shown in the passport.
June 28, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Hello! On the DS260, there is a question asking “Do you seek to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor but have not yet been certified by the Secretary of Labor?”
My understanding is that you are expected to say ‘No’ to all these questions, but does this just mean ‘are you intending to work?’ or am I interpreting it incorrectly?
If I select ‘Yes’, what explanation should I give, and could the answer to this affect anything?
Thanks!
June 28, 2020 at 7:42 pm
You should answer yes. You should not be answering what you think they want to hear. Answer truthfully.
June 28, 2020 at 8:45 pm
I found this extremely helpful.
This is just a message to thank you for all the help provided. My questions have been answered on the comments.
June 28, 2020 at 9:06 pm
Great
June 28, 2020 at 9:35 pm
I forgot to enter my work mail (I only entered my gmail account) that I used in the company I worked for, should I unlock ds260?
June 28, 2020 at 11:45 pm
No need.
June 28, 2020 at 10:18 pm
HI brit, i marked yes on “DO you have documentations to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance withUS law? and now i want to change it to no, but i don’t know how to do it, please help. When i sign in, i can’t see where to edit.
June 28, 2020 at 11:47 pm
It doesn’t matter, no need to change it.
June 29, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Hi Brit, I answered “No” on that question and on Explain comment box I wrote “I do not have documentations to establish…”, but I want to fix the answer to make it more clear that I’m in the process of reviewing of vaccination records etc. Is it possible?
June 29, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Just enter that you will have needed vaccinations at the medical.
June 29, 2020 at 1:06 am
Hi BritSimon
I found extremely helpful.
My sister is DV lottery winner of 2021000009xx. Still she is not fill the DS260 form. It`s better to fill the late or fast ? could you please give her some suggestions?
June 29, 2020 at 1:38 am
You did not give the region, so the number means nothing.
She can fill in the ds260 when she wants…
June 29, 2020 at 3:58 am
Dear Simon,
I will travel in around one month to another country but I still do not have an address over there.
1) What should I write for the current address for the interview purpose ? since if I wrote the current address I will not be able to attend the interview in the current address because I will be in the other country?
2) Is there any photo can be uploaded in DS-260? because signature and submitition button does not work with me.
June 29, 2020 at 6:26 pm
1. Delay submission until you move then.
2. No
June 29, 2020 at 4:41 am
I cannot click on this “I certify that I have received the U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)”
I cannot sign and submit Application.
please help.
June 29, 2020 at 6:27 pm
http://britsimonsays.com/for-people-who-cannot-submit-the-ds260-for-dv2021/
June 29, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Hi Brit. Please my CN is 2021AF53XXX. I’m a petty trader though I’m qualifying with education. Concerning the education, when I choose other and enter petty trader, it asks for name of employer, employer address etc. But for a petty trader like me, I’m not employed by another person. Please what do I do in this situation?
June 29, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Put “self” for employer.
June 29, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Sorry Brit, it’s concerning occupation not education. Thank you
June 30, 2020 at 5:16 am
I am ASIA DV2020 winner. In travel.state.gov website DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR HE MONTH OF JUNE visa bulletin in ASIA display ‘CURRENT’.
but in May ASIA display 18,450.
what does it mean?
June 30, 2020 at 7:19 pm
All numbers could be interviewed
June 30, 2020 at 10:55 am
Good morning Sir , I am a winner of dv2021 2021af27xxx, Currently I am a student in a university in my country. Between High school diploma and université no degree, What will I choose at the level of Highest Level of Education Completed
Thanks
June 30, 2020 at 7:46 pm
High school diploma or some univesity courses.
It’s not an important question.
June 30, 2020 at 12:03 pm
Hey Brit
Thanks for your info on various blogs.
CN 2021AF69xxx
Worked in another country for just 90days/3months on assignment ..does this qualify as living in that country for the question on ds260 about previous address?
June 30, 2020 at 7:51 pm
No – it’s a work location, but your address probably did not change
June 30, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Hi Brit, thanks for all the info you make available to the public on your website! I recently filled my Ds260 with help from your page. But the issue is i made a mistake and selected NO, on « Have you ever contributed to, or worked for any professional, social and charitable organization » my worry is I had to select yes, since I Registered for YALI last year and it is on the Embassy database as I always receive emails from them. and i also want to add my social media handles. Please how can I modify my DS260? All attempts to modify it has gone in vain. Thanks
June 30, 2020 at 9:30 pm
You have to email KCC to ask them to unlock the form. To be honest – it’s not an important question, so personally I would not worry about updating it.
June 30, 2020 at 7:24 pm
Hi Simon
1.My case number is 2021SA2XXX is it low or high number?
2.I sent the DS260 on June 19,but in the question about the address after 16 years, I did not put one, but it’s the actual address of my father the one I miss.,should I ask to KCC to unblock the ds 260?
Thanks very much for your help.
June 30, 2020 at 11:44 pm
1. Medium
2. You may as well do that.
July 1, 2020 at 4:47 am
Hi brit, are there any consequences or disadvantages in having KCC unblock the DS260 for modifications? if so, what exactly.
July 1, 2020 at 5:23 am
No.
July 1, 2020 at 10:03 am
Hi Brit!
my CN is 2021AS33XXX
1. Should I submit my DS260 already? Or is it too early (considering the current overall situation of the US/World)?
2. There are 2021 winners that have been emailed by the KCC, to submit documents! I was just wondering why the KCC is processing cases so early, if there won’t be interviews until January next year!
I apologize for the inconvenience!
Thank you!
July 1, 2020 at 7:29 pm
1. I would wait if I were you.
2. It’s normal.
July 2, 2020 at 6:17 am
Hello Mr. Simon,
Do you have any idea about the *Maximum case number* for Asia that were scheduled for interview in the previous fiscal year especially 2019, 2018, 2017 and before.
Thank you for your help
July 2, 2020 at 10:05 pm
Yes – but that has nothing to do with the numbers this year.
July 2, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Hi Brit.
My CN is AS31XXX. (DV2021) I have already submitted DS260.
1. What is the disadvantage of my early submission?
2. Will I be interviewed?
3. If I get interviewed, when will it be?
4. Do I have to check any portal regularly to see the progress of my application?
Please advise. Thank you for your time.
July 2, 2020 at 10:59 pm
1. 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.
2. I don’t know. It is too early to know.
3. See 2
4. No
July 2, 2020 at 6:13 pm
Hi Brit,
My CN is EU7xxx in DV2021. I submitted DS260 two weeks ago roughly. At Social Media Section in DS260, I provided my Facebook, Insta, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts identifier because these are the platforms that I share info, connect people and spend time. These platforms includes anything from personal life to professional life.
After submitting the DS260, I’ve realized that Reddit is on the list in DS260 too. I’ve got Reddit account for a while but I didn’t and don’t share anything there, I only use it when reaching some infos written on Reddit, nothing more. I don’t check it daily either!
Normally if I realized Reddit when completing DS260, I would provide my account info too. I feel sorry not to realize it when completing DS260 🙁
Would you suggest me unlock the DS260 for putting Reddit account? Or suggest me what?
July 2, 2020 at 11:24 pm
No.
July 3, 2020 at 10:24 am
Hello sir
Hope you are well,
Have a question about police clearance certificate. I am from Sudan and I have been in northern Cyprus for one year. Do I need to get a police certificate from there?
July 3, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Read the reciprocity page for Cyprus.
July 3, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Hi Simon, I submitted the form.
1- When will they start checking my social media? (now or after the interview)?
July 3, 2020 at 2:31 pm
I don’t know.