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.
May 18, 2018 at 02:41
Hi Brits, i just received my 1nl, and i want to continue my ds260 form.
please can u guard me in the process by sending me one (ds260 from) that is already fill, like sample so that i can do mine please…
i will highly appreciate you if u do cause my case# is 15 thousand plus.
May 18, 2018 at 02:43
Go through the guide, and in there there is a link to an article about completing the DS260
May 18, 2018 at 02:47
thanks Sir. for your kind respond
May 18, 2018 at 04:27
You also have to fill in your last name and birth year to get a reply
May 18, 2018 at 04:38
Hello, i hv been selected, after filling de 260 what is the procedure and what are the chances of getting through, is it a lottery again
May 18, 2018 at 04:52
Follow the guide to understand.
May 18, 2018 at 14:10
Ok can you inform is there a list of profession which should match to get the visas i have all the minimum requisition on education and experience
May 18, 2018 at 15:39
No there is not such a list.
May 18, 2018 at 20:32
Hello BritSimon my sisters husband won the Dv lottery 2019 but he played as single and they did their traditional wedding in December but not legally married. Please what can he do so that he can travel together with the wife?..and moreover the wife is pregnant.
May 18, 2018 at 20:45
They need to get legally married, then submit the DS260.
May 18, 2018 at 22:37
Can I file AOS and ds260 at the same time ?
May 18, 2018 at 23:11
Yes
May 19, 2018 at 04:38
Hi, i am indian , have my passport, my wife is Kenyan citizen , i got the 2019 lottery on the basis of my wife birth in Kenya, all documents as mentioned by you are there accept my indian birth certificate as at that time there was no su h system in India 1954, but all my other documents have my birth place and date as per indian requirements , what should I do to get this document in accordance to indian law s book leaving certificate and college certificates are proof of birthday and place
What certificate will i require
May 19, 2018 at 05:23
I have no idea about the availability of Indian documents.
May 19, 2018 at 06:37
hi what is AOS,
May 19, 2018 at 14:52
Read the FAQ.
https://britsimonsays.com/consular-processing-versus-adjustment-status/
May 19, 2018 at 06:58
hi one more question is the DV 260 available offline, can I down load , if so give me the site
May 19, 2018 at 14:55
No – it is an online form.
July 7, 2018 at 19:21
Hi britsimon i have my confirmation that i hace been selected i have my ds 260 filled but havent submitted yet is that bad?
July 7, 2018 at 19:23
If that is for DV2019? No.
May 21, 2018 at 00:49
Hello Brit Simon!
I am Marianela, Selectee 2019, Mi Case number is 2019 SA 6xx Post: Buenos Aires , Argentina.
It was great to find your Blog and all the hard work you do. It brought me tranquility because I am new in this process!!!
It also got me emotional your words about Sofia, your daughter. My niece s name is Sofia too she is 4 years old.I will miss her a lot if I get lucky with the process……
1-I would like to ask your opinion for my case number, I just started reading and I can t find much information on my region. I am not in a hurry to leave my country, when would be safe to send the ds-260? I think Argentina only has around 100 DV visas each year.
2-I also would like to let you know that 27 years ago I commited a petty theft during a family trip in USA, I was 19 years old , that record was not an inegibility for my VIsas B1-B2 renewals through the years and several trips to the USA. Do you think that this could be a problem in the process for obteining the green card?
3-I was planning to visit USA this year for 2 weeks should I do it before filling up the DS-260? Could trips to the USA affect the process?
Thank you so much Brit Simon for your time and consideration, I would be glad to hear your opinion on this case
Yours sincerely,
Marianela
May 21, 2018 at 02:28
1. The number is fine. If you don’t want to move fast, delay your DS260 submission for some months.
2. No
3. It doesn’t matter – unless you need a new B1/B2. Again – delaying your DS260 probably helps (and there is no risk).
May 22, 2018 at 01:51
Thank you so much Brit! I will keep on reading and studying your blog and material. Muchas, muchas GRACIAS!!!
Best,
Marianela
May 21, 2018 at 10:54
Hi marianela we have a facebook group called lotería greencard venezuela. We are more than 100 people who were selected in dv2018. We help each other. We have people from ecuador cuba argentina spain and of course venezuela.
Te invito a que te unas.
Saludos
May 22, 2018 at 01:55
Hello Juan,
Genial ! Muchas gracias!!! Great , thank you!
Saludos,
Marianela
May 21, 2018 at 10:41
Hello BritSimon, Thank you for the great blog, I am selected with AS000064xx
1) would it be better i interview in South Africa ( i am a citizen here in SA too and all my work experience and education was done here). or should i go back to my native country to do interview in asia?
2) I have a valid ESTA till 2020, can i still enter USA on ESTA after i submitted my DS 260? ( I have to go back to do a exam)
3) Should I make appointment now for a doctors medical checkup ahead of time or should i wait for the interview date first and organise that ( does the medical examination have to be within 6 months of the interview)
May 21, 2018 at 14:01
1. Where you live.
2. Yes
3. Wait for the interview date – it will be a LONG wait (around 1 year).
May 22, 2018 at 09:50
Hi Simon, If you can offer any advice on my query, I’d be very grateful.
I, like you was born in the U.K, so too was my wife who I met in Ireland.
I claimed entry to the DV Lottery through my mother and fathers place of birth. (Republic of Ireland)
I grew up in Ireland, as did all of my family and I’m as Irish as the next guy. (my parents were visiting England when I was introduced, so to speak) My question is around whether to proceed with a full application. I don’t qualify for the DV because the U.K is not an applicable country eligible for entry to the lottery. Ironically, all other 6 siblings were born in Ireland. I put in an application using my mother and fathers place of birth. I guess my question is….how can I prove that my parents were not resident in the U.K? Many thanks. Gary.
May 22, 2018 at 13:52
From what you have said, it should be easy. Home ownership documents in ROI while they were in England, job records of ROI work. How about the siblings, were some born before and some after you? Your school records, vaccination records.
Use your imagination. Any proof is good proof – it builds a “preponderance of evidence”.
May 22, 2018 at 11:16
Hello Britsimon
I am fatima.I am selected with 2019Eu3***.
I was born in itly,but i havn’t Italian passport.my parent’s are persian and i have iranian passport.but i selected from Itly.
1.Country/region of origin(nationality):
for top question in Ds-260 , I should ansewer Iranaian or Ìtalian?
Tanke you.
May 22, 2018 at 13:42
The travel ban means Iranians cannot get the GC unless they have some second citizenship, Are you entitled to Italian citizenship, can you get it? If not, it may not be worth completing the DS260 at this time (unless the travel ban is removed)
May 22, 2018 at 19:13
Hi BritSimon
on the Ds 260
1) should i select yes I want a social security number and willing to disclose
2) there is no “petitioner” in my ds 260, i am not married and I have no children , is that why the Ds260 did not ask for a petitioner?
May 22, 2018 at 19:54
1. If you want, yes.
2. DV cases are self petitioned.
May 24, 2018 at 18:35
Hello mr simon, am george from ghana . Dose waec grade E8 in mathematics qualify me in the dv lottery 2018-2019?
May 24, 2018 at 20:19
Other Ghanaians may know better than I.
May 25, 2018 at 19:18
Hi!Simon:
My number is DV2019AS97XX,in your opinion,is it safe?And when will I get the 2NL.Thank you.
May 25, 2018 at 19:31
I don’t know if it is safe – it is too early to know – but you have around 1 year to wait – so there is time to know more.
May 26, 2018 at 08:40
Hi BritSimon,
If I get married after the announcement of DV results I know based on the blog that I can file the DS-260 as married. My quesiton is do I submit another DS-260 for the spouse? My entree was as single at the time of the application.
Thanks,
Bbd
May 26, 2018 at 14:19
Yes. Use add derivative
May 28, 2018 at 22:09
Sorry not sure what is ‘derivative’, please advise if I should submit a DS-260 for my spouse?
May 28, 2018 at 23:09
Your spouse and any children are derivatives. Each of them needs a DS260.
https://britsimonsays.com/completing-the-ds260-for-dv-lottery-entrants/
May 29, 2018 at 01:50
Thank You! Now I know how to add the applicant (spouse) under IV Application.
Wish everyone luck with DS-260.
Take care,
May 26, 2018 at 16:18
Hi Simon,
I seriously need your help. I was filling ds-260 form but after I enter my case number then my birth date,applicant and characters I clicked on submit button but it shows me
“Application Error
You have encountered an application error. Please try again later”.
What should I do?
May 26, 2018 at 18:45
“Please try again later”
May 28, 2018 at 20:57
Eleminate all zeros like EXAMPEL 2019EU000006789D WHEN YOU LOG IN , PUT LIKE 2019EU6789D
May 30, 2018 at 01:47
Dear Sir, I want to change my interview location from my birth country to my residence country. It doesn’t allow me to change. I have already filled my DS260 application form, but I didn’t submit it yet.
May 30, 2018 at 03:34
Once you submit, email KCC to ask them to update your embassy selection.
June 4, 2018 at 18:26
Hello Simon: I am from Argentina, but have been living in UK for 1 year and half. My number is 2019SA2XX. Please, I’d like to know:
1. I filled the form and sent it 1 week ago, then asked to unlock it to correct Education details.
CAN I wait, re-send it in a few months? Or do I have to do it SOON, as they indicate ?
2. WHEN do you think I will be interviewed, if I send my form now? ( I chose London )
3. If I am interviewed in October: SHOULD I make appointment now for Medical checkup or should i wait for the interview date ?
4. WILL I PASS the medical exam if I dont bring the vaccination records because I lost them ? I am very worried about that! I am 44..
5. How much money do I need to show in my Bank Statement ? ( I can’t get a sponsor.. )
Thank you very much Simon !! Blessings
June 4, 2018 at 18:39
1. You can wait for a little while – but don’t wait long.
2. October/November.
3. Wait for the 2NL
4. They will give you appropriate vaccinations as needed.
5. The traditional answer would be $10,000 per adult – but more would be better.
July 15, 2018 at 22:06
Do I understand you to say that each DV applicant has to have a minimum balance in your a/c of $10,000 ..?? Surely not?
July 16, 2018 at 00:49
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
June 4, 2018 at 22:29
Dear Simon,
Bothering you again☺
My wifis case # is 2019AF23×××
Kindly can you give me when could be our interview?
Thanks
June 4, 2018 at 23:01
Next year. There is time to wait and learn.
June 5, 2018 at 03:29
I thank you a lot! Dear Simon
June 8, 2018 at 06:32
Hello,
Thanks so much for this website.
My question is:
I won the 2019 lottery. I left out my middle name. Should I add my middle name when I fill my DS260 or I should just enter the exact name used. However all my documents has my middle name.
June 8, 2018 at 14:21
List your correct legal name.
June 8, 2018 at 12:53
what is the % over the poverty guidance thet my garanter need to have
June 8, 2018 at 13:53
Use the FAQ
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
June 12, 2018 at 16:42
Hi there
I am selected for 2019
Please (1)what documents do I need to provide for my work experience as heavy equipment operator,my occupation falls under the job family required for dv selectees(2)how long do I have to submit my application from today(3)do i stand the chance of getting the visa if I excluded my wife and step daughter from the process for now if am successful then the will join me later(3)do I need a guarantor from the state or financial proof myself
June 12, 2018 at 19:33
1. https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
2. You could delay for several months
3. I hope you included them on your DV entry (if you were already married). If you did – yes you can sponsor them later, although that is a much slower process.
4. https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
June 18, 2018 at 08:02
Hi! Brit am the winner of dv lottery 2019 but I have completed grade 10 and I have a diploma of chemical nerse but not completed grade 12. What shall I do with ,is that possible to fail or pass due to this grade 12 certification.
June 18, 2018 at 13:57
If you are still in school, have not completed High School (and passed) you cannot be approved.
June 19, 2018 at 09:01
Bro.simon when do the last date to apply ds 260 for dv2019
June 19, 2018 at 17:47
May or June next year.
June 21, 2018 at 22:05
hi simo thinks for all can you give me exemple letter for kcc about delay 2Nl because my CN is Af 29***
June 21, 2018 at 22:12
People are receiving 2NLs. Be patient.
June 22, 2018 at 02:39
Hey! So I have three questions:
1. I submitted my DS-260 form and the section “IV Application” it says when I hover my cursor over it “The IV Application has been submitted for this application. It will be reviewed once your civil documents have been submitted.” Am I suppose to submit physical documents? Because I’m sure I read somewhere it said if anything physical is sent to the KCC it will be destroyed.
2. I see you have 5 regions listed in your presentation when there’s actual 6 (North America – the Bahamas). It usually seems to go current (is I have the correct definition of what current means) but I’m not sure whether to feel comfortable or worried because I don’t think they pick more than 15 people from my region.
3. I’m currently on an F1 visa so I’ve been here studying for university does that make my process any quicker or easier because most information I’m reading doesn’t show anything for people that are currently living in the U.S.
Thank you so much! This has been the most helpful blog for when I start to freak out about something I don’t know!!!
June 22, 2018 at 05:20
1. No – you are supposed to ignore that.
2. I never talk about North America region because it is a handful of people. So if you are from there – relax.
3. People in the USA can do Adjustment of Status. You can read about that here – https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2019-aos-only.337772/
June 26, 2018 at 02:44
Hi, Simon I would like to get your advice on the issue i have.
i played DV lotter 2019 for my niece and she ended being selected for further processing. However, the issue is that some company got all her information from her college and played for her as well and that entery got selected as well. They found her and told her she won and wanted money for exchange for the code number. I saw the information looks like it not spam and looks legit. I know you can play one time per year otherwise they disqualify you. Do you have any suggestions in this case. Have there is been cases like this?
Thank you,
June 26, 2018 at 02:55
Both cases are likely to be disqualified if they continue to interview stage.
June 26, 2018 at 16:56
This is great info. I do however wonder if you have more information with regards to the process, if the ‘selectee’ already resides in the U.S. lawfully? I tend to get a lot of conflicting information with regards to the process. Form both online searches and talking to a number of immigration lawyers… In short – I’m confused! Some say that you need to complete DS-260 and the I-485 (AOS), others say that you only have to do the AOS if you meet the Eligibility Criteria. That is the first step that I’m unsure of. The other is (and this only applies if you do not have to complete DS-260), when do you get notified, and have to pay the DV lottery processing fee? Not only that, but what is the cost involved?
June 26, 2018 at 19:19
AOS procedures are fully explained on the link below. The spreadsheet linked from the first post in that thread has everything you need. Study that.
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2019-aos-only.337772/
July 1, 2018 at 06:04
Hi Brit, i won visa lottery 2019AS14xx , my country of birth is not eligible but claim my wife country eligbility(Malaysia), Please 1.are we both going to show educational certificate? 2. how long can i delay to summit DS260 bcoz i will have to visit my country to get my documents, 3. how will my documents be verified by the consular since i am getting it from my country of birth.. 4.. only document i ve with me is my passport and marriage cerificate..
July 1, 2018 at 14:20
1. Yes
2. Some months.
3. If needed they will check them via your home country US embassy.
4. That isn’t a question
July 1, 2018 at 14:55
Thank you brit for your supporting answers, please i will like you to be specific on duration month in summiting the ds260
July 1, 2018 at 17:16
There is no finite deadline. May of next year is about the latest you should leave it.
July 1, 2018 at 15:01
also please do i have to get police report from my country of birth? i have left the country for over 5 years and i won the lottery base on my spouse country of eligibility
July 1, 2018 at 17:16
Read the instructions!
July 2, 2018 at 05:32
Hi Mr. Brit, I just read your article “name confusion” because I have a question. I’m from Venezuela and I have my interview on July 13th, but on my 1nl appears my last name and my first and middle name, I mean, Rodriguez, Laura Andrea, but my mom’s last name does not appear there. My full name is Laura Andrea Rodriguez Paz, “Paz” is missing and it appears on my passport. Is that represent a problem Mr. Brit.??? Thank you sooooo much!
July 2, 2018 at 13:39
What is shown is what you entered.
You can add Paz on the DS260
July 2, 2018 at 18:41
But my case is current because my interview is in a few days.
July 2, 2018 at 18:57
Then you cannot make changes and will have to discuss at the interview.
July 16, 2018 at 00:58
1)Do I understand you to say that each DV applicant has to have a minimum balance in your a/c of $10,000 ..?? Surely not?
2) you just posted the DV numbers for 2019. Africa was 38,247. Does this mean that AF39000 (Algeria) will not make it for interview?
July 16, 2018 at 02:09
I answered both those questions already.
July 16, 2018 at 02:30
Thanks! Yes you did – I appreciate it. I did check the link to find and understand the difference between the Selectees number on the Visa Bulletin and the actual Case Number, and how this number of 38,247 relates to a case number of AF39XXX. I either did not see a full explanation or misunderstood it. I thought they were one and the same thing (in other words all case numbers selected are up to those numbers listed on the Visa Bulletin each month ? confused.
Thank u again – you sure have patience with all these wuestions!!
July 16, 2018 at 02:56
Also – read the link below – I added some notes that gives a lot more detail.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
July 16, 2018 at 03:10
Thanks again so much! I’ve read all the links and for the life of me, I cannot see the difference between the Selectees and the Case Number. As I understand it – Africa has selected cases up to 38,247 for the year 2019. If a Case Number is OVER that number, (AF39XXX) then you’re SOL.
(tried to watch the video – it wouldn’t play :-(. )
You don’t have to reply again – I will just continue researching until the light bulb goes on!
thanks again for your patience!
July 16, 2018 at 03:26
Oh my. 38247 is PEOPLE. One winner has a case number, and on that case number could have a spouse and one child. THree people, one case number. 3 of the 38247.
Keep reading.
July 16, 2018 at 03:41
you’re very patient 🙂 Thank you! In a way tho – that Case Number IS the selectee number – just two ways of looking at it – one Selectee could be 3 of 4 or more people all under the umbrella of that one case number. So…39XXX in reality could mean DOUBLE or triple the amount of actual Selectees. Wow! So .. 39XXX really is high because 39XXX could be used up waaay before 38,347, because of additional family members.
Thank you again. Really appreciate your good work and the time u spend answering all these pepples’ questions. It would make me crazy!
July 16, 2018 at 03:42
OK – so now you need to read about holes (density) to understand why CN39000 does NOT mean 39000.
July 16, 2018 at 03:47
yes….in reality – it could mean closer to 45+ instead of 39. (or more). Really a complicated system. So the “holes” as I understand it – are people that don’t get a visa even tho they had a case # because that quota (people/selectees) has all been used up before AF39XXX has a chance to win.
July 16, 2018 at 03:50
No. You are really confused. Just forget everything you think you understand and open your mind while re-reading my articles.
July 16, 2018 at 04:18
well I do know that “holes” are created by people who were given a CN number but for several different reasons they are unused because they either die, or are denied in the interview, or just don’t follow through etc. so these sre CN nimbers (prospective visas) that never get used.
I never understood if that was a good or bad thing though for other applicants (with a high number). Like I said, its a complicated system ….and I never was good at math 🙂
July 16, 2018 at 04:34
No, holes are people disqualified before the lottery results are announced – so they do not factor in to the 38247 selectee counts. Please read the info I directed you to.
July 16, 2018 at 04:44
I think the light bulb just went on. So in fact – the 38,247 selectees (people) have case numbers , and the Case Number of 39XXX could actually be in that 38,247! yaay – now I get that part!!
July 16, 2018 at 04:55
The highest AF case number in DV2019 is probably around AF50XXX
July 16, 2018 at 05:24
From one Brit to another.,,.Ta Luv! Really appreciate your patience with my questions!
July 17, 2018 at 20:34
Hi Brit,
what happens if I did not go to the interview and I not notify the embassy??? I lost my change or there are something that I can do?
July 17, 2018 at 22:51
You can ask them if they will reschedule – but there is no guarantee that they will.
July 18, 2018 at 13:15
hi bro simon, was the actual addidavit form for dv applicant a husband and wife is it i-134,i-131 or i-864?
July 18, 2018 at 15:16
DV ONLY uses I-134
July 20, 2018 at 00:45
Hi Brit, I would like to know if some documents have been asked to be added after our interview: medical exam and other proof regarding my husband and i’s relationship ( pictures, message from social media) so could we also add some others like proof of buying a compound together, bank account’s information cause we are having a bank account together, proof of rent? Is that armless by adding documents not asked like these? Best regards
July 20, 2018 at 01:47
It is wise to have extra documents you think might be needed.
July 20, 2018 at 03:06
Hello Simon, i have a problem, i forgot my confirmation number, i’ve received the email (2NL) to go to check in the DV Entrant Status. I click on the forgot confirmation number and filled out, but i cant enter.. i dont know what to do.. im crying
July 20, 2018 at 03:18
Use the lost confirmation number link on the ESC page.
July 25, 2018 at 17:35
Hi BritSimon,my case number is 2019AF00025XXX,then when will be my 2NL notified?
July 25, 2018 at 18:04
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
August 24, 2018 at 19:14
Hi brit im DV 2019 winner .my case no is 11 0XX pls tell me this round will be gone in current
August 24, 2018 at 21:03
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
August 25, 2018 at 12:12
Brit, sorry to tell you, but you have got a mistake in video rooster above.
Moving to USA within 6 moths after MEDICAL EXAMS not after Interview !
August 25, 2018 at 16:27
Yes – this is just an intial guide – as the case progresses I expect people to keep reading other info I have which explains the validity period.
August 26, 2018 at 09:01
hi i fiiled my first enrty with my nickname what and i was selected now what?
August 26, 2018 at 15:31
Complete your DS260 with your correct name (using the other names used field for the nickname).
August 31, 2018 at 11:25
Hello Brit..I’m from Nepal…I’ve one question regarding interview…so how can I msg u in email
August 31, 2018 at 14:41
Ask your question here.