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.
June 11, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Hi britsimon your direction makes me to an end to complete ds260 form.it is the first time to me .my question is
1) Is their a form now we fill the selective service system ds 1810 here with ds260?
2) What are the cases that someone will not be reach for an interview?
June 12, 2017 at 12:25 am
1. No – you will it online once you move to the USA.
2. If they don’t become current, or don’t fill in their DS260.
June 11, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Hi…brit…..with lack of knowledge……i made electronicaly signing others application…..can i recorrect the signing of electronicaly…..?
June 12, 2017 at 12:24 am
I don’t understand.
June 12, 2017 at 8:02 am
Hi britsmon….i am finalizing ds 260 form with the help of you.i do have another question.
1) can i sign and submit ds 260 form for my brother by telling him all rules and regulations of ds 260 forms and selective service system ds 1810? i tell him rights and responsibilities him……,
2) Is thier a place in a form ds 260 that he definately puts his signature that fits with passport signature……? this question makes me to late to finish sign and submit ds 260 form?
June 12, 2017 at 2:14 pm
1. Yes
2. No
June 12, 2017 at 11:50 am
hello brit, i am a dv 2018 winner and i have filled up ds 260. Today i saw a post about ds 1810 and wanna ask you, do i have to fill up this too? Soon i am trying 27 on august..
Any Suggestion??
June 12, 2017 at 2:05 pm
No you don’t need it.
June 13, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Hello Brit i fill out the DS 260 and submited in the end of page what next i need to do i give them my email so how long its take my case is EU000XX do i need to call them thanx
June 13, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Now you just wait.
June 14, 2017 at 4:20 am
Hi britsimon…..
1) I just sign & submit ds 260 .next what i remaining….?is there another form now i fill?
2) Can i unlock my ds 260 form ,if there some modifications aftet sign and submit ds 260?
3)can i use my brothers email in my ds 260 for me because of network availability?
June 14, 2017 at 4:52 am
1. Refer to the guide.
2. Yes
3. Yes
June 12, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Please Mr. Simon i head that Ghana is not part of 2019 DVLOTTERY please is true
June 12, 2017 at 2:25 pm
I don’t know. We will have to wait for the formal announcement.
June 13, 2017 at 11:35 am
How winners are selected?
June 13, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Randomly.
June 14, 2017 at 1:49 pm
I live in Sierra Leone West Africa,what are the requirement for a sirra Leonean to be qualify for a visa through the D.V Lottery
June 14, 2017 at 2:06 pm
I don’t know country specifics.
June 14, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Hi Simon,
Wondering if I should include my middle name as a given name on the form? My middle name is not on my passport but on my birth cert. Also my dv lottery application form included my middle name.
Thanks
June 14, 2017 at 5:55 pm
It is odd that your passport doesn’t have the middle name. Normally the advice is to match to the passport – but that is because the passport is a good reflection of legal name as established by the birth cert. So – your call.
June 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm
hello MR Simon
im dv lottery winner
in the 1st application i wrote ( Cairo ) in the City of birht field but actually its (Kalyoubia ) in the birth certificate and i correct this mistake in DS260 i wrote it same as birth certificate
this could cause any problems in the interview ???
June 15, 2017 at 5:05 pm
the two cities that i wrote in the same country and the same region
June 15, 2017 at 8:59 pm
No
June 15, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Hello Mr Simon am dv winner 2018 and just got married resently. Please this are my questions:
1. Is it necessary to include my name on her passport
2. Will she be question the reason why she didn’t add my name to her names at the interview?
3. Will she attend the interview with me when it is my turn or we will enter one after the other
4. Can that call for a rejection at the interview
June 15, 2017 at 11:48 pm
1. That is up to both of you and laws in your country.
2. No
3. Together
4. If you married after the results were announced there is a little more risk. In that case you take evidence that the relationship existed (like photos emails etc).
June 16, 2017 at 9:30 am
Hello Mr Simon please I need your advice serious in this my case am from Ghana dv 2018 but I have been tested hepatitis positive and DNA is under the lower limit of detection my liver function normal. I went through the diseases link but am not all that OK
1. I need your advice if I will be disqualified base on that
2. I can it be possible that I may not be disqualified base on the disease
3. Please I want to know if that disease will disqualified me at the end
4 if you are to stay with some one in the U S what are the possible information that the will be in need from you about that person at the interview
5. When ask at the interview what type of work will you like to do when you get to U S? Please can you say schooling as you are a dv winner
6. Wouldn’t that answer from question 5 disqualified me
June 16, 2017 at 5:57 pm
1, 2 and 3 are all the same question! http://britsimonsays.com/faq/what-are-the-diseases-that-can-cause-denial/
4. They might ask relationship to that person etc.
5. Answer the truth. That’s all. It’s not hard.
6. See 5.
June 17, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Hello Mr Simon am DV2018 winner in Ghana I have just got married on January this year and I want to create a ds260 for her and am hoping to have a child very soon. Here are my questions:
1. Do i have a great chance of insurance of the visa
2. Since Ghana is more strict what documents should i go along side with me at the embassy apart from my educational certificate, birth certificate and marriage certificate
3. I hope when my wife give birth i can create a ds260 for my child
4. Is there any disadvantage of moving with your spouse in this lottery
5. Processing your case as single or processing your case as couples which one is more advantageous
6. Apart from the disease listed on the diseases link synphilis tuberculosis leprosy gonorrhea can you be disqualified because you we not able to vacinnated for hepatitis B only
June 17, 2017 at 3:04 pm
1. No, Ghana refuses a lot of cases. Your case will be judged on whether you followed instructions, were honest and meet the requirements.
2. If you want to have the best chance you will READ THE INTRUCTIONS!!!
3. Yes
4. No
5. Processing truthfully is best.
6. No
June 20, 2017 at 11:40 am
Hello and thank you for the good job you’re doing here!
I am a winner of DV-2018. I submitted my DS-260 and I am getting married two weeks from now. After KCC unlocks my form so I could add my husband, how should I complete for children, given the fact that he is divorced and has a daughter that lives with his ex-wife. How is a step child defined. If I marry him, his daughter automatically becomes my step daugher, so I should also include her as my child in my DS-260? Thank you! Kind regards.
June 20, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Yes, you then both list the child as your child, but if the plan is not to take her to the USA, you don’t create a DS260 for the child.
June 21, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Hello Mr Simon am a dv2018 winner from Ghana and I got married last year December my questions is as follows:
1. Please can I add my wife to my case without creating dv260 for her
2. Will my wife allow to join me later in the U S without facing any challenge? Since am financial in capable now to finance all of us
3. Hope adding her to my case without moving to U S with her at the same time will not disqualified me
June 21, 2017 at 2:10 pm
1. If you want her to have a GC, you create a DS260 for her. If you don’t want her to have a GC, you simply list her as your spouse on your DS260.
2. You can sponsor her later. It will cost a lot more money and take 2 years, rather than the easy and cheap DV process – but it is possible.
3. That is OK.
June 21, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Also if you are hepatitis B positive and you were not able to take the vaccine for it will the CO disqualified you base on that one alone. But you were vaccinated for the rest of the diseases, Many thanks to you
June 21, 2017 at 2:10 pm
That doesn’t cause denial.
June 21, 2017 at 4:19 pm
1.When moving to u s with less then one year baby will you pay for her visa fee at the embassy or children’s are exempted
2. Will the child also pass through all the medical examinations
3. Will my spouse also go through all the processes as a principal applicant do?
4. Please can i get access to my initial entries online at the website just to review my data
June 22, 2017 at 7:40 pm
1. Yes – everyone pays the fees.
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
June 21, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Hello! We applied for the lottery in 2016 and in May discovered we won. However, my number is 2272 in the Oceana region. Do I have a change of getting an interview/green card? I’m very anxious about my number being so high. Thanks!
June 22, 2017 at 2:12 am
Honestly, no there is no chance. Sorry.
June 23, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Even with the holes and possible photo disqualifications? ☹️
June 23, 2017 at 8:29 pm
The holes (about 7% of case numbers in OC region) are already accounted for. We don’t know what they will do about cases with DV2017 photos, BUT for your case to become current, you would need a MASSIVE number of cases to be disqualified. Previous comparable years (2014 and 2015) did not get above OC1490.
June 25, 2017 at 10:52 am
Hi Mr BrittSimon,
I got selected for the DV2018 this May…my case number is 17XX Oceania Region….have you come across case numbers like mine that have gone through to the interview and got their Green Cards?…wat you think of the odds?…
June 25, 2017 at 2:19 pm
It’s a risky number
http://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-selectee-numbers-published/
June 25, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Hi BritSimon,
Please delete the mention of my case number, my mistake….i dont think i should. Have mentioned full case number….plz put 17Xx…
Much appreciated brit… 🙂
June 22, 2017 at 3:37 am
Dear Brit,How long does it take to change an interview date for CP and how do I go about it?
Jus got my 2NL and realized am scheduled for August 10th in Harare Zimbabwe, Case Number AF35*** but wont be able to make the interview date as I arrive back in Zimbabwe on the 12th of August. Do I have enough time for processing if I change my interview date?There are a total of 106 DV2017 selectees for Zimbabwe.
June 22, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Changing the interview date would be a silly risk. If you have to do that and accept the risk – contact the embassy.
June 23, 2017 at 6:02 am
i am laura winner of lottery 2018 a Cameroonian i recently moved to China before the results so i which to know if i can choose china for my interview
June 23, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Yuou update your address in the DS260 (unlock first). The once resubmitted, email KCC and ask to change the interview location.
June 24, 2017 at 12:21 am
Hello Mr britsimon thanks for your awersome support
1. my wife name appeared on her passport, birth certificate and school certificate as Mahama Yidana Sadia but on our marriage certificate the name appeared as Sadia Mahama will the omission of the middle name Yidana on the marriage certificate cause for denial?
2. In Ghana the visa fees $330 per applicant from my research if you have less then one year baby will you as a parent pay the same amount for the baby? If you are going out of the country with the baby
June 24, 2017 at 4:24 am
1. If she is the winner, possibly a risk, yes.
2. Everyone pays the fee.
June 24, 2017 at 8:26 am
Hello Mr Simon she is not the winner am the principal applicant and will like to know if we can go for affidavit or she not been the principal applicant there is no need for affidavit we are from Ghana Thanks
June 24, 2017 at 2:04 pm
No need.
CLICK REPLY!!!!
June 27, 2017 at 6:33 pm
Dear Brit,
is there a rule that name in the DV application should be the same like in the international passport?
So, the name in the international paasport is prevailed on the names mentioned on any other documents? For example, in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus everyone is wondering if they should mention a name of their fathers in the application like a middle name or not (because birth certificates and other documents contain this name in the native language, but international passports contain only First and Last name in English)?
Please help to clarify this. Thanks!
June 27, 2017 at 6:50 pm
They typically expect the DS260 to match the passport.
“Other names used” can be used for extra names.
July 2, 2017 at 4:22 pm
hello , i am dv2018 winner i have filled up ds-260 myself, in the work/educatiom/training section i have filled as student because i just completed my bachelor. i just mention the bachelor college detail but not the secondary education detail.
i wanna ask you that is it okay to fill up bachelor education information only or do i have to fill all my education details.
July 3, 2017 at 2:42 pm
All the education since age 12.
July 3, 2017 at 5:10 pm
i went through the guide and i read there to fill up education information on secondary level or above that level so i filled up the bachelor information.
isnt that education information enough?
July 3, 2017 at 6:46 pm
No. Secondary level is around age 12 and above.
July 4, 2017 at 6:04 am
my case number is 45**
i have filled up only Bachelor detail information on education field
now i want to edit it
is it good to unlock ds 260?
can i know how much time does it take to be unlock?
and how will i know wether it is unlock or not?
what should i mail the KCC to request them to unlock my ds 260?
July 4, 2017 at 6:21 am
Read the FAQ.
July 4, 2017 at 9:04 am
Greeting brit!
I just wanted to know if the wife is in the United States and she has done the family petition or regrouping, it will take how long for the spouse then to take the case number?
July 4, 2017 at 2:59 pm
I don’t know what you mean – but I only answer DV lottery questions.
July 7, 2017 at 7:00 am
hi brit i win dv 2018 i have been married and have a child but i was register like single and also completed DS 260 form so what can do now i want to involve my wife and child please i want your comment
July 7, 2017 at 9:34 am
You mean you were married and had a child already at the time of entry but entered as single. Then you will be disqualified.
http://britsimonsays.com/easiest-way-to-get-disqualified-from-dv-lottery/
July 10, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Hi Brit Simon I discover late that I was a winner then my number is 51230 is it a risky number
July 10, 2017 at 6:23 pm
AF51230 is the number is it risquy
July 10, 2017 at 9:38 pm
Somewhat, yes
July 12, 2017 at 7:11 am
Hi Simon,
I have completed my DS260 and got a confirmation that with the case no. DV2018 case for reference.
I applied from the UAE. Now, do I need to register for an appointment as the PDF guide says so or wait for a mail confirming that I should schedule an appointment. I don’t have an Immigrant Visa appointment notice from the National Visa Center (NVC), KCC, or Consular Section. But isn’t the DS260 confirmation enough to go ahead with appointment or do I have to wait for an appointment notice?
July 12, 2017 at 7:17 am
Wait for the 2NL.
http://britsimonsays.com/DV2018-basic-questions
July 13, 2017 at 7:57 am
Hi Brist, my wife won the DV 2018, and she was born in 1992, but on her high school certificate the date of birth they mistakenly put is 1996 , can we proceeed to fill the D260 ? Because went to the exams office for correction but still some issue to obtain their information ….
July 13, 2017 at 8:17 am
The date of birth is normally established by birth certs and passports. I find it hard to believe they got her DOB 4 years wrong (so she was for example a 10 year old but they thought she was 6). A CO could find that hard to understand also.
July 14, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Thanks for your reply anyway, as I was saying all other documents are very well correct with the 1992 Date of Birth, but is only on her school certificate that was mistakenly written as 1996 which is wrong, can I explain this on the Ds260 form or to the CO during interview day?
July 15, 2017 at 6:30 am
The CO may ask about it at the interview.
July 14, 2017 at 11:22 am
hello, my number was not included in September Visa Bulletin , so is there any chance to be called if they reject some people after the interview
July 14, 2017 at 12:30 pm
No. It is over.
July 14, 2017 at 12:55 pm
HELLO MR britsimon
im dv September dv 2017 winner and my interview in September 2017 according to the last bulletin
first
i submitted the ds-260 in 24/9/2016 is this will effect my interview’s date ?
second
should my interview be scheduled in enough period before 30/9/2017 to issue the visa before this date right ?
July 14, 2017 at 5:34 pm
1. No
2. Correct.
July 14, 2017 at 6:45 pm
And if i reached interview and passed it my visa will be issued for sure or not?
Because i heard some people said that they passed the interview and there visa didnt be isuued because the. Embassy reachedThe limit of visas numbers
Is that correct or just rumors?
Thank you
July 14, 2017 at 7:53 pm
If you interview, it is because they have reserved a place for you.
July 14, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Dear Brit, thank you for all your help. I am preparing to start my DS-260 and have some questions. I would be very thankful if you could help me with them.
1. I have two foreign passports: one with B1/B2 visa and another one biometric. Which passport is better to enter in the DS-260 and to give on the interview?
2. My city of birth is actually not a city,but a village and it has long and complicated name which is difficult to translate in English.
If I have made a mistake in spelling while filling the initial form to take part in the DV-lottery,is it a big problem?
3. Full name in native alphabet: is it necessary to enter with symbols as in my native language?
4. If my full name in native language consists of 3 parts (Surname, Given name, Patronimiс name) should I enter in the DS-260 all the 3 parts in native language even if my passport contains only Name and Surname?
5. If I already had completed other application form (while getting B1/B2 visa) a few years ago, will they check for matching of all of the data with the old non-immigrant application?
6. Country/Region of origin (Nationality) should match with the country of birth?
7. I have been born in Russia, my country of citizenship is Ukraine, my wife is Ukrainian, I live in Ukraine and have all the Ukrainian documents. I have entered as a country of eligibility Ukraine. Is it correct ?
8. Is it possible to save information while filling the form and come back later to continue?
9. Should I put self-employed if my primary occupation is business and I am registered as entrepreneur in my country?
10. If I put business as a primary occupation should I put that this job doesn’t require 2 years of training?
11. If I am planning to do a business in the U.S. and not to be employed do I have a good chances to succeed the interview ( taking into account that job offer is one of the most powerful documents to present at the interview and I will not have it)?
12. If I plan to do a business how should I answer the question «Do you plan to work in the U.S.?»
You are doing a great work and really help people. Thanks!
July 14, 2017 at 9:09 pm
1. Either.
2. No
3. Up to you to use that section or not.
4. Enter all names. I would be more concerned with why the legal name doesn’t have all the names.
5. Possibly.
6. Nationality could be different.
7. You chose wrong, but it won’t be a problem.
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. Up to you.
11. It won’t make any difference. You over estimate the importance of a job offer.
12. Up to you.
July 17, 2017 at 9:27 am
Hi! Thanks for everything! I am a 2018 DV lottery selectee. I sent four DS260 for familly members. I am trying to send the last DS260 since 13 JULY, but the SIGN AND SUBMIT BUTTON is not responding. WHAT TO DO?
July 17, 2017 at 10:00 am
That one is probably a male aged 26 or less. In that case you must click the link about selective service on the last page before you submit.
July 19, 2017 at 5:07 am
Hello BritSimon,
Thank you so much for the important details provded.I learnt lot of new things here.I hope to meet you if i came to Califonia. Lot of things to learn from you because I am also doing IT degree in my country.
July 19, 2017 at 7:02 am
Hi Brit Simon,
Thanks a lot for this amazing blog !
I have a question concerning something I have read on travel.state.gov :
“If your spouse will immigrate at a later date and travel separately from you, they are not required to participate in your interview. They will be scheduled for a separate interview appointment. You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews, if needed.”
My question :
Can I first marry with my husband – then go the interview alone – and obtain another interview scheduled for my husband ?
I am asking this question because my CN in very low so I think my interview will be around Oct/Nov. I am afraid that if I add my husband in august after our marriage but before I receive my 2NL , my interview will be scheduled later than expected…
Thanks a lot, have a fantastic day
Jo
July 19, 2017 at 11:42 am
You would find it much easier to marry asap and delay your interview until later. Having a later interview is no problem. However, if you have already sent your DS260 then you might find it is complicated to add your husband, because despite what you read – it doesn’t really work that way in practice. Embassies don’t want to split up the interviews.
So – did you submit your DS260 – and if so – when?
July 20, 2017 at 10:38 am
Hi,
Thanks you for you reply.
Yes, I sent my DS260 on may 25th.
My CN is 2018EU1xxx.. quite low right?
Have a very good day !!
July 20, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Your early submission and low case number could mean an early interview as you said. That is going to make things more complicated. Move the marriage date forward if possible – you need to add your husband BEFORE the 2NL arrives.
July 19, 2017 at 10:18 am
Dear mr. Simon
Thanks for providing and guiding us through this DV program. I am one of DV2018 winners with CN: 2018AFXXX. As I am expecting to be scheduled for interview in October, here is my questions.
1. On the DS260, I filled the city where we were married as ‘the capital city’ where we had held the religious ceremony!! Later on when I took the official certificate from our authority where I currently live Which is a surrounding city(15 km from capital) to the capital, the authority gave us the marriage certificate stating the marriage is registered by the city I am currently living in. Therefore, in order to reconcile this should I unlock the DS 260 form or leave as it is and present the official certificate to the CO?
2. When I filled the Ds260 form for my child, I said ‘No’ to the question ‘ did any one assist you in filling out this application?’ Does this affect my honesty in the face of the CO? or do I need to unlock and correct it?
Thanks in advance for your help
Regards
July 19, 2017 at 11:37 am
Neither question needs an unlock.
July 19, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Thanks Mr Simon. I can leave the form as it is.
July 19, 2017 at 10:37 am
Hi mr. Simon
I am a winner of 2017 dvlottery. everything went good and i obtained visas for me and my beneficiaries. the visa will expire on 12 october 2017, and i planed to travel on 1 October. my question is am i safe to catch the opportunity of getting the green card? in other words is there a deadline for applying for GC for the fical year?
Many thanks
July 19, 2017 at 11:36 am
You are safe as long as you and beneficiaries all enter before the visa expires.
July 19, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Many thanks 🙂
July 19, 2017 at 7:54 pm
hello mr simon
my wife’s middle name in 1st winning letter is Mohammed
but in ds-260 and 2NL is (mohamed )
is this a problem
thank you
July 19, 2017 at 8:24 pm
No
July 20, 2017 at 10:52 am
Last question: if we marry as soon as we can, it is better to unlock my Ds260 and add him or wait to receive my 2nd NL to add my husband?
I am afraid that unlocking my DS260 will delay the process and the date of the interview…
July 20, 2017 at 1:38 pm
You WANT to delay the process!!!! In fact, your only problem is if the interview is scheduled before the spouse is added.
Stop worrying about delay – this isn’t a race.
Get married asap, unlock, add him.
July 20, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Hi, my wife won the DV lottery, we’ve already been living in the US for the last 4 years on my O-1 visa, she is on O-3. We filed the DS260 and indicated that we wanted to do adjustment of status as we already live here.
My O-1 visa ends in Sept 2018, the thing is at the time we went overseas to get our visa’s my wife’s passport only had till Sept of this year so they put her visa to expire at that date until she got a new passport with extended time. So after coming back to the US she got a new passport with longer expiry.
Her visa is in her old passport so we were planning to leave US to get her visa stamped in her new passport which would be the full length of my visa (expiration in Sept 2018). My question is, does she need to leave the country to get her visa stamped in her new passport and then come back to the US? Or is that confusing because she’s getting a non immigrant visa stamp while we’ve already sent off her DS260 form?
Or does she not have to leave at all because her visa really is dependent on mine and since mine technically expires only in Sept 2018, does she also have till then?
Kind of stuck, not sure what we need to do?
July 20, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I see you have posted your questions on the immigration.com forum – that is the right place for your question (as it is AOS) and Sm1smom is the expert. She will answer you there.
July 20, 2017 at 9:28 pm
Thanks!
July 22, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Hi Brit, could you please clarify, if I should worry about the next: some years ago I have received B1/B2 visa and completed non-immigrant application. Now I am DV-winner and should complete my DS. I am worry about matching of all of the data with my previous application. I really don’t remember some points I’ve entered there ( for example, name of my supervisor, because I have many supervisors and now I don’t remember whose name I’ve entered in the non-immigrant application).
The question: could it be critical for my DV-visa approval if some of the data between old non-immigrant application and DS-260 will not be matched?
Thanks for an answer.
July 22, 2017 at 10:44 pm
As long as you are honest and accurate to the best of your ability, you will not have a problem.
July 23, 2017 at 5:08 am
Hello thanks to your guide i completed My ds260 i applied for de lottery in cameroon but now lives in China where i will want to have My interview following your instructions i updated My present address on de ds260 so My question is do i stlil have to email KCC for them to update My present adress?
July 23, 2017 at 12:48 pm
No
July 26, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Hello Mr. Simon
My CN 2018AF14XXX
1.when the 2NL will be sent?
2.when will be my interview also?
July 26, 2017 at 7:39 pm
1 & 2. http://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions