DV lottery guide
This presentation above should answer most questions for DV2016 applicants. You will find links to some important articles and a guide on completing your DS260.
I will update the presentation with additional detail as needed – so feel free to ask questions and give me feedback.
If you cannot see the version above please use this link to access the article directly.
October 10, 2019 at 4:47 am
good day sir if a fiend from usa want to help me and play my dv lotterry ,which current mailling addres is he going to use mine or his ?
October 10, 2019 at 4:56 am
sir i mean i want to do my application for the dv entry 2021 and a friend already in usa want to help me fill the form from there; please i wich to know which address is going to be use since he is applying for me but from usa?
October 11, 2019 at 3:16 am
Your address.
October 31, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Hi Brit many thanks for your blog. pls I am a 2020 selected and i have already submitted my D260 forms.
My case number is 2020AF00033xxx
my question was i supposed to add a picture to the forms and also when will i be interviewed
October 31, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Interview spring 2020. No photo for the DS260. PLEASE read the instructions.
October 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm
Hello Simon, How’re you!
I’m confused. look, I’ve been selected in The DV2020, when I applied, I put in “zip code” the code of the city where I live, and now, I’ve to fill out the ds260, and I think I’ve to put the zip code of the state/province not the city, I’m confused mate, so which is the right one?.
Thank you.
October 11, 2019 at 3:56 am
A zip code is part of an address. If you don’t use them, don’t enter it.
October 10, 2019 at 6:34 pm
Hi Brit,
I have been selected for the us lottery 2020.
Can I still apply for the us lottery 2021?
October 11, 2019 at 3:57 am
Yes
October 11, 2019 at 10:45 am
Hi Simon .
I tried many times to apply for new dv 2021 . after complete the application I can’t.. the web page is not available .
October 12, 2019 at 12:10 am
Hello sir. I want to play 2021 Dv with my girlfriend but we’re not married. Is it possible to play with her?
October 12, 2019 at 3:14 am
No. Enter as two unmarried people. If either of you wins, get married and process together.
October 12, 2019 at 12:47 pm
I have quetions that my name written in two types 1,on my passport SUFIYAN ALIYI AHMED 2, ON MY certificate SUFIAN ALIYE AHMED which one I prefer when I use entry form DV 2021 to apply?
October 12, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Whichever is your correct legal name. Normally passport.
October 16, 2019 at 10:59 pm
Hi sir, ill pls like to ask that what if my given name is not on my passport?
I mean i have my sure name as: Sadisou Sali
but my given name is: Nothing
Can i separate them or just follow it as on the passport?
Thanks
October 17, 2019 at 3:40 am
Use your own judgement.
October 12, 2019 at 12:50 pm
he sir? Yesterday evening in Europe, KCC received 17k 29k 32k emails and more about sending what happened. Thank you
October 12, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Nothing unusual.
October 12, 2019 at 7:45 pm
I have never heard of receiving emails in such great times CN 30K …….. So I think it’s something else the KCC is doing this year
October 12, 2019 at 7:57 pm
The documents process was only introduced a few months ago – so I have no idea what you think is “something else”.
October 13, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Hello Sir help me plz
Can you tell me how I can view this process?!
October 13, 2019 at 6:10 pm
View what process? What do you mean?
October 13, 2019 at 6:22 pm
The documents process was only introduced a few months ago!! where is it presented? where can i see it? thnx SIR
October 14, 2019 at 2:03 am
Click the link for ARCHIVE at the top of the page and start reading.
October 16, 2019 at 5:29 am
Hi Simon! We have EU00012**** number but we don’t have any email from KCC… Other applicants with higher and lower numbers recieved emails… I am a bit worried, whats goin on?
October 17, 2019 at 3:04 am
There is no need to worry. If you want – email them.
October 13, 2019 at 4:41 am
Hey Bris, I have tried feeling my form so many times and went I summit it doesn’t go saying ” can’t be reached “
October 13, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Try at a different time of day, different browser and so on.
October 13, 2019 at 5:11 am
Hi Brit
My wife’s won 2020 already, so I become beneficiary of her dv2020.
Do I need to apply for 2021 myself, ?
Appreciate!
Thanks
Pi Lon
October 13, 2019 at 3:18 pm
“need to” no – but no harm in doing so.
October 13, 2019 at 9:46 am
Hello, My wife wants to run for the American lottery, but there is not enough time to get the passport.
October 13, 2019 at 3:36 pm
OK – then she can try next year.
October 13, 2019 at 8:16 pm
I played as a legally separated applicant. Thereafter, I divorced my wife. Do I need to show both the legally separated and divorce document?
October 14, 2019 at 2:21 am
Yes.
October 14, 2019 at 6:26 am
I didn’t include my son. He isn’t with me. His mother has refused him from playing me.My father’s previously filed an application including my son in my application . Will that affect my process doing the interview?
October 14, 2019 at 4:27 pm
So I suggest you stop your process. The only way to continue would be to deliberately lie (fraud) and you are likely to be caught.
October 15, 2019 at 2:56 am
But I didn’t know he was my so when I played and won in 2016. Later, she came back and said the child is mine. I did a DNA test and it proves that he was my biological child. Should I still play with him?
October 15, 2019 at 4:05 am
Really?
October 15, 2019 at 12:24 am
I applied this year before coming across your blog with tips, and had foolishly used an old photo in my submission. Is there any way to retract my application and lodge a new one with a different photo, or is it too late?
October 15, 2019 at 3:56 am
Too Late
October 15, 2019 at 4:19 am
Yikes. Thank you. Do you know if this will 100% disqualify me?
October 15, 2019 at 3:46 pm
No, it probably won’t disqualify you. Up to now we have not seen a pattern of disqualifications from this. I’m not saying disqualifications won’t start – but so far it has not been the case.
October 15, 2019 at 12:27 am
Hello Brit, first of all I want to thank you for the blog.
I have a question, my spouse and I both meet the eligibility requirements. Each of us can enter applications separately or we going to get disqualified? Regards. Daniel.
October 15, 2019 at 3:57 am
Each person can enter.
October 15, 2019 at 7:25 am
Hello Britt,
Thank you for your efforts in helping us.
I have a question i was hoping you can help me with.
My wife and I are from/born in different countries. Although I am aware we are entitled to both submit separate applications, I was wondering if i can claim her birthplace on my own separate application?
This brings me up to my follow up question, my rationale in doing so is that my country of birth has a very large population, while my wife’s birthplace is less than 1/10th of it. I was thinking of we both enter the lottery under her country it would give us better chances. Would you agree with such rationale or did I misunderstand how they distribute the allotted amounts based on population/number of applicants?
Thank you for your time
October 15, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Yes you misunderstood. The chances of selection are the same for all the countries within a given region. So – both enter your own countries for a smoother process.
October 16, 2019 at 10:42 am
Thank you so much Simon. One small question, if my name is pretty long, about 4 names in between my first name and the very last name, do i have to put them all on there?
October 17, 2019 at 3:13 am
You should try.
October 15, 2019 at 9:54 am
Yes. Really, I didn’t know that he was my son. This is the African scenario. Should I still play with him?
October 15, 2019 at 4:07 pm
My questioning was amazement that you still think telling the truth is optional. It isn’t.
October 25, 2019 at 4:25 am
What will happen when I use country code instead of zip/ postal code in dv lottery?
October 26, 2019 at 1:48 am
Nothing bad.
October 15, 2019 at 11:01 am
Hello..it has any problem if i complete my ds260 now in october
October 15, 2019 at 4:08 pm
No
October 15, 2019 at 5:09 pm
My father has already including him while filing for me as son. What do I do? Should I still play with him when he is on my file as son from what my father did?
October 16, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Hello Britt,
Thank you for your efforts in helping us.
I have 2 question i was hoping you can help me with.
1- I have visited US in march 2018 on B1/B2 visa issued in 2016. Will this visit and visa disqualify or reject me in the later stages of processing of the DV 202o
2- Is there any problem with further processing if a person is having Canada PR or Work permit and have won DV 2020 or 2021.
Thank you for your time
With regards
Fuad
October 17, 2019 at 3:28 am
1. No
2. No problem.
October 17, 2019 at 6:22 am
Hi Brit,I’m held back with passport issues and i cannot move ahead and submit my DS260.Case number 37**** and I’m getting worried that i might be locked out.Any advice Brit ?
October 17, 2019 at 4:37 pm
There is plenty of time.
October 18, 2019 at 6:50 am
hi dear BritSimonsir If husband is winner of 2020 case no is around 5000 to 6000. (1). is wife or dependent may apply for 2021 dv application (2). Is any effect or not if dependent fill dv lottery application form for 2021
October 18, 2019 at 11:01 pm
1. Anyone can apply for DV2021, including DV2020 selectees.
2. No problem.
October 18, 2019 at 8:32 am
hey Brit i fild in dv 2021 my passport expiration date April 2020 is there any problem
October 18, 2019 at 11:08 pm
No
October 19, 2019 at 10:47 am
Good morning Sir, I have a small confusion in filling the form where there is last name /family name, first name and the middle name. We Africans have a different name order and its always confusing us. How do I go about it? Given that on my official documents my family name comes first and christian name comes second?
October 19, 2019 at 3:49 pm
http://britsimonsays.com/faq/name-confusion/
October 20, 2019 at 4:46 am
Hello sir,
I am from nepal and i recently applied for dv2021.
My question is :
I recently upload some terrorist photo in facebook as a fun. So that the facebook disabled my account .
The thing is my gmail account is linked with facebook which i had filled in dv form.
Is this incident gonna affect in lottery.
And more facebook is asking me to submit my identity proof i.e passport copy.
Is it okay to share such information with them.
Does these things create me difficulties .
I know it’s some sorts of weird question but i really need your thoughts on these.
Should i share or let the facebook be disabled permanently?
Waiting for positive responses.
Thank you.
With respect and a fan from Nepal.
Subarna Giri
October 20, 2019 at 5:12 pm
What is “fun” about terrorism?????? That was an extremely stupid thing to do! As for now – you can make your own decisions, but I suggest you act in a more adult manner in future.
October 20, 2019 at 8:57 pm
HI brit I’m the lottery winner of 2020 I won with my family but we are not living in the same country . Is it possible for me as a main applicant to do my interview in the country where I’m temporary living and my family conducts their in my home country?
October 21, 2019 at 3:54 am
No. You interview together.
October 21, 2019 at 2:29 am
HI dear brit
1 if husband is winner of 2020 case number around 5000 to 6000 then it is necessary to fill dv lottery application form 2021 from the side of his wife or dependent
2 is any effect or not fill dv lottery form again for 2021
October 21, 2019 at 4:03 am
1. Anyone can enter.
2. No affect.
October 21, 2019 at 4:22 am
Hello Brit,
First of all I want to thank you for the blog.I have a complicated scenario here as the closing date for DV 2021 is fast approaching.
Its traditional custom prevailing in some Arabs and muslim families to have more than one spouse(woman) legally.
So while filling the DV 2021, only one spouse and accompanying children details can be filled for the main applicant. The issues are
1- what is the way t fill the second spouse details
2- I was told that polygamy is illegal in US. So will they be disqualified in later processing stages??
3- if husband as main applicant , submit two DV application to include his two wives and children, is considered as duplicate and get disqualified.???
4- what about the other way around, can these two wives fill two DV application separately with common husband ( which I assume is possible) and
5- if one of the two wives wins the lottery ,can the other second wife join her husband for the interview??
Once again thank you for your views
With regards
Fuad
October 22, 2019 at 2:54 am
1. You can’t – you have to choose – which usually would mean the first marriage.
2. No – because you can’t include a second spouse.
3. Yes.
4. Likely to throw up fraud concerns because only one of the marriages is considered legitimate.
5. NO!
October 21, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Hello Brit, please i entered the DV lottery 2021 with my passport that will expire on 07/05/2020 i would like to know if the limited time i have on my passport will affect my application negatively. secondly if i would like to know when your application photo is 600×600 and is below the maximum file size, you’re good to go right? Thanks for your help.
October 22, 2019 at 3:24 am
1. No
2. Sort of. THe photo has to be accurate.
October 22, 2019 at 11:40 am
I applied for the lottery and won it but I am soon getting officially engaged. will this lower my chance of getting the VISA? What should I do to in order to get my future husband with me? is it better to apply for the visa with my last name or can I do it with my husbands last name?
NOTE: when I applied for the lottery I was not engaged just so this change in my status would it affect the possibility of getting visa?
October 22, 2019 at 11:22 pm
In order to add your spouse you have to get married. Your name will only change upon marriage.
http://britsimonsays.com/marital-status-getting-married-dv-lottery-process/
October 22, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Dear Mr Simon:
Thanks for your time for this blog .I have some questions regarding ds260 form:
1: I live outside US in an Asian country how should I answer the question of (is your mailing address the same as your present address?) .does it mean my future address in the US or the current address?.
2: if I was lived in a village since my birth how should I answer the question of (have you lived anywhere other than this address since the age of 16?). I mean the starting date of my living there is the birth date or from when I have become 16yrs age?
3: if I have bachelor degree, I should enter both bachelor and high school education or just bachelor is enough?
4: what does the number of institutions mean? I mean if my high school period is in a single school and my faculty period is also in a single faculty but I have entered number of institutions 2 is it ok?
5: if my supervisors of my previous employment do not know English or not available due to unavailability of telephone and internet connections in their residence area if I have entered other officials of the mentioned organization like human resources officer or provincial program coordinator who better know me as well and can deliver enough required information related to my previous employment, is it OK?
6: if I have recently unlocked for the 4th time just three days ago and I have sent documents to kcc as well, will it affect or delay my interview date? My case is 2020AS78XX.
7: If there is a few days difference between the actual dates of my documents I mean the starting dates of my high school or faculty because I have not the beginning dates records and not mentioned in my official attested documents as well, is it a problem?
Thanks for your time and excuse me for the very long and disturbing questions?
October 23, 2019 at 12:03 am
1. The question is about your current adress.
2. From 16
3. Both
4. Correct.
5. Yes (they don’t call)
6. No
7. No
Please make sure you check the FAQ.
October 22, 2019 at 8:01 pm
Dear,good morning? My case no is AF 2020 48xxx. When I fill the DS 260, I have answered ‘Yes’ for the question which says “Do you have a documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with U.S. Law? Yes or No?”
Is there any problem on my answer? If yes, Shall I unlock teh DS 260 and change it?
I haven’t received an email from KCC on document submission. Is there any problem?
Thanks!
October 23, 2019 at 12:16 am
It’s not a problem.
October 24, 2019 at 10:39 am
Hi Brits. During filing the application I did a mistake on Place of Birth, I entered district “Colombo” only instead of “colombo-8” on place of birth, that would be a problem?
October 24, 2019 at 4:10 pm
No
October 25, 2019 at 4:32 am
Thank you very much for your kind reply
October 25, 2019 at 10:03 am
Mr Simon,
If a sponsor has sponsored someone, how long can the person be under his sponsorship.
October 26, 2019 at 1:57 am
It is not time limited.
October 26, 2019 at 4:06 am
Does it mean that the sponsored will always come under the number of family members of the sponsor.
In the near future if the sponsor wants to sponsar someone, the sponsored person should be counted as number of his family forever or is there any time limitation.
October 26, 2019 at 4:19 am
Exactly what I said.
October 26, 2019 at 8:41 am
Thank you very much for clearifing it clearly..
October 26, 2019 at 12:44 am
Hi Simon , i have submitted DS including my son and daughter, in the family part the given name of the father i write for the son : Ihab MO SALAELDIN Mostafa ZAK and for the daughter FATHER GIVEN NAME : EIhab MO SALAELDIN Mostafa where i forget zak in the father given name for the daughter . again that was in the family part in the ds for the father but at there names part it was right till the last space for each one of them . so do i have to re open the ds to correct and add zak to my doughter or it isnot important .
October 26, 2019 at 3:10 am
Not important.
October 27, 2019 at 9:34 am
Hello sinon, I have applied for my passport and it haven’t been issued to me yet, can I still go ahead and play the DV Lottery? I want to know because they say I can still play without passport. Thank you
October 27, 2019 at 6:26 pm
No one is saying you can play without a passport! You can’t.
October 29, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Hi Brit,
Hope you are well.
I was hoping you could clarify the ‘Some Graduate Level Courses’ on the DV Lottery entry. I have 2 degrees and qualified as a CA (SA) (chartered accountant in South Africa.) Will I select the ‘some graduate level courses’ or the ‘University degree’?
Thanks so much!
October 30, 2019 at 4:26 am
Makes no difference. Just pick.
October 30, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Is any age limit to apply for DVLottery?
October 31, 2019 at 4:27 pm
No
October 31, 2019 at 5:13 am
Hello, Simon. Just found your blog. Thank you for the hard work you are putting in helping us! I’m considering to apply for DV-2021 since I’m eligible based on my country of birth. But my husband is not eligible based on his country of birth so … can we submit two separate applications (he claiming eligibility based on my country of birth) or it shall be just one application. Thank you!
October 31, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Two – one each – he claims your country. I show that exact thing in my video below.
https://youtu.be/CiGh0nkuQ6k
November 1, 2019 at 5:05 am
Hi Simon
my brother divorced and has son. He married again in his application will add his son but I need to know for his new wife application we should add the son or no.
Thanks & best regards
November 2, 2019 at 4:49 am
Yes – that is her step child.
November 3, 2019 at 10:57 am
Hello Sir.
I have applied for dvlottery 2021 just last night but I however couldn’t effectively submit as I ended up at the page where my data submitted was summarized and was asked to go through to effect a change where necessary or I submit which I couldn’t successfully do that. Do I have to start all over again? Or is it that my data has been effectively saved for which reason my re-registeration could lead to double submission/inputs especially when this last page I am referring mentioned I go ahead and print. Please advise. Thank you
November 3, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Unless you see a confirmation number your case was not submitted so you can try again.
November 4, 2019 at 11:45 pm
Many thanks. I have successfully done that now. I now have my confirmation number. Grateful for your response
November 4, 2019 at 8:47 pm
I have two step children that I can’t get passport pictures for because their mothers and my husband and myself are not in good terms. We have requested for the pictures but they have refused to send them. Will I be disqualified if I include the two children without pictures in the application?
November 6, 2019 at 2:27 am
You need the photos for the entry.
November 4, 2019 at 10:46 pm
My husband is already in the us as a permanent resident and he has already filled in for me and my Son, but the process is really slow(24 to 36months), can i still play the dv lottery with my son? Thanks in advance Sir
November 6, 2019 at 2:31 am
Yes
November 5, 2019 at 6:54 am
hello britsimon,i have already submitted my dv application but my names on id and passport are re arranged hence dont match.can they disqualify me based on that
November 5, 2019 at 11:43 am
Hello sir i have filled the dv lottery form but the website is not proceeding forward and is continuously saying not responding since yesterday evening so please reply fast
November 9, 2019 at 10:43 pm
Hi brit I didn’t fill any passport number on my forms can I be disqualified
November 9, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Yep.
That was clear in the instructions wasn’t it???