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 13, 2019 at 09:46
Hello, My wife wants to run for the American lottery, but there is not enough time to get the passport.
October 13, 2019 at 15:36
OK – then she can try next year.
October 13, 2019 at 20:16
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 02:21
Yes.
October 14, 2019 at 06:26
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 16:27
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 02:56
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 04:05
Really?
October 15, 2019 at 00:24
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 03:56
Too Late
October 15, 2019 at 04:19
Yikes. Thank you. Do you know if this will 100% disqualify me?
October 15, 2019 at 15:46
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 00:27
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 03:57
Each person can enter.
October 15, 2019 at 07:25
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 15:57
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
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 03:13
You should try.
October 15, 2019 at 09:54
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 16:07
My questioning was amazement that you still think telling the truth is optional. It isn’t.
October 25, 2019 at 04:25
What will happen when I use country code instead of zip/ postal code in dv lottery?
October 26, 2019 at 01:48
Nothing bad.
October 15, 2019 at 11:01
Hello..it has any problem if i complete my ds260 now in october
October 15, 2019 at 16:08
No
October 15, 2019 at 17:09
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 18:01
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 03:28
1. No
2. No problem.
October 17, 2019 at 06:22
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 16:37
There is plenty of time.
October 18, 2019 at 06:50
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 23:01
1. Anyone can apply for DV2021, including DV2020 selectees.
2. No problem.
October 18, 2019 at 08:32
hey Brit i fild in dv 2021 my passport expiration date April 2020 is there any problem
October 18, 2019 at 23:08
No
October 19, 2019 at 10:47
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 15:49
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/name-confusion/
October 20, 2019 at 04:46
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 17:12
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 20:57
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 03:54
No. You interview together.
October 21, 2019 at 02:29
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 04:03
1. Anyone can enter.
2. No affect.
October 21, 2019 at 04:22
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 02:54
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 14:23
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 03:24
1. No
2. Sort of. THe photo has to be accurate.
October 22, 2019 at 11:40
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 23:22
In order to add your spouse you have to get married. Your name will only change upon marriage.
https://britsimonsays.com/marital-status-getting-married-dv-lottery-process/
October 22, 2019 at 16:00
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 00:03
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 20:01
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 00:16
It’s not a problem.
October 24, 2019 at 10:39
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 16:10
No
October 25, 2019 at 04:32
Thank you very much for your kind reply
October 25, 2019 at 10:03
Mr Simon,
If a sponsor has sponsored someone, how long can the person be under his sponsorship.
October 26, 2019 at 01:57
It is not time limited.
October 26, 2019 at 04:06
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 04:19
Exactly what I said.
October 26, 2019 at 08:41
Thank you very much for clearifing it clearly..
October 26, 2019 at 00:44
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 03:10
Not important.
October 27, 2019 at 09:34
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 18:26
No one is saying you can play without a passport! You can’t.
October 29, 2019 at 15:35
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 04:26
Makes no difference. Just pick.
October 30, 2019 at 20:27
Is any age limit to apply for DVLottery?
October 31, 2019 at 16:27
No
October 31, 2019 at 05:13
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 18:33
Two – one each – he claims your country. I show that exact thing in my video below.
https://youtu.be/CiGh0nkuQ6k
November 1, 2019 at 05:05
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 04:49
Yes – that is her step child.
November 3, 2019 at 10:57
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 16:45
Unless you see a confirmation number your case was not submitted so you can try again.
November 4, 2019 at 23:45
Many thanks. I have successfully done that now. I now have my confirmation number. Grateful for your response
November 4, 2019 at 20:47
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 02:27
You need the photos for the entry.
November 4, 2019 at 22:46
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 02:31
Yes
November 5, 2019 at 06:54
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
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 22:43
Hi brit I didn’t fill any passport number on my forms can I be disqualified
November 9, 2019 at 22:54
Yep.
That was clear in the instructions wasn’t it???
November 15, 2019 at 12:58
hello brit i completed my ds260 application and when i try to sign and submit it shows a red mark on the kcc case number (which means it is not correct) but i have been using this case number to sign in. what should i do
November 16, 2019 at 05:02
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
November 15, 2019 at 14:18
Dear sir,
I hade passed F.Sc 12 years course of high and secondary school but in dvlottery 2021 i choosed ( high school no degree ) is that clear or wrong.
November 16, 2019 at 05:05
It doesn’t matter.
November 16, 2019 at 16:59
Hi Brit,
I am selected for DV2020 and I have already submitted my DS260 form, few weeks ago there was an email that they asked me to send them some documents which includes my marriage certificate and military service record. The problem is that in our country there has been an ongoing war for five decades and there have been few regime changes and ongoing conflicts, and because of those wars I do believe I won’t be able to find my military service records. The question I have is that what should I do now, I have mentioned that I did serve in military since back then it was obligatory to do military service.
Also when I got married, there was no government so there was no official place that we could have wen’t and got our wedding certificate so we don’t have a marriage certificate as well.(it has been over 20+ years since I got married)
I;ll be waiting for your reply!
November 16, 2019 at 17:53
Read the reciprocity page for your country which details requirements for documents and procedures for obtaining them.
November 22, 2019 at 14:12
Hello.
I’m little bit confused, I obtained my high school diploma on July 25th 2015 (1), I remember, the close of the scholar year was on Jun 7th 2015 (2).
What should I put on “date of attendance to” in the DS-260?. (1) or (2)
thank you.
November 23, 2019 at 17:28
1 or 2. It won’t matter which.
November 27, 2019 at 21:12
Dear Simon
What is you opinion on 2020EU30000 as an interview month ?
July based on 2019 similarity ?
November 27, 2019 at 23:53
Sooner than July. Wait and see.
November 27, 2019 at 23:57
Hello Sir! How are u? Where you will post the next post
November 29, 2019 at 20:07
Hi Simon
What do you think about a 2200EU30000 number? When should it be expected in your estimate ?
November 30, 2019 at 00:33
Read my articles from July – then wait and see.
June 10, 2020 at 18:59
Hi Simmons,
Is AS185xx a higher number. Could you please give me an idea about the chance of calling for an interview?
Thanks a lot
June 11, 2020 at 00:54
It’s not too bad – but we have to wait until we know more. Wait a month or two.
June 11, 2020 at 01:12
thank you Simon.
If i plan to do adjustment of status, should I still submit DS260? Because I found an option in DS260 saying “please send my case to USCIS”.?
June 11, 2020 at 01:45
Not yet. Nearer the time when you can file the I-485 you can submit the DS260 then.
November 29, 2019 at 21:53
And what do you think is the chance of 2018 early cut off repeating again? Are the same factors in place or not would you know ?
November 29, 2019 at 21:55
Simon, what do you think the chance is for 2018 repeating? What factors make you feel 2020 is different to 2018 ?
Thank you!
November 30, 2019 at 00:28
DV2020 is nothing like DV2018. It’s completely different.
November 29, 2019 at 22:00
I mean the low EU cut off number above
November 30, 2019 at 19:47
Hi BritSimon,
Hope you are doing well!!
Actually in ds260 I have written my marriage date as 23/11/2014 which is correct as per marriage certificate but I have noticed that I made mistake in my spouse ds260 that I have written marriage date as 23/10/2014.
Its one month different 1-do I need to reopen ds260 and correct it?
Will that cause any thing?
My interview 27/01/2020
Waiting for your kind response
Many thanks in advance
November 30, 2019 at 20:03
You cannot unlock now as you are already scheduled. So – explain at the interview. It’s won’t be a problem.
December 1, 2019 at 00:33
Thanks very much
December 1, 2019 at 05:49
HI brit, i am dv2020 winner but i made a mistake when submitting my original entry by using my first name for my last name and my last name for my first name and i want a remedy to that
December 1, 2019 at 16:50
Enter the details correctly on your DS260. THat is the remedy.
February 21, 2020 at 08:10
Simon my host n I have a son (USA citizen) we are not married however his legally married in USA, just separated and not legally, am worried if I dnt change my host I will be denied a visa, interview in a week’s time, kindly advise me wats best to do. TIA
January 1, 2020 at 04:06
It does not matter. They will fix that up for you. I had thesame problem. I put my first name as middle, my Last as first and my last as middle and they fix it for me. I did not even explain why my names were all mixed up and I guess they had to figure it out and fix it for me on my documents. It’s no problem
December 4, 2019 at 08:21
GOOD Day Mr BritSimon
i want to first start by thanking you for you for all your time and all the answers of the questions we have be asking you. please my case 2020AF000294XXX when can i be call for interview and to submitted my document ..as i have not have any email about submitted of document.
second question is am not online all the time ,i just to know the case number they are woking on as the are in the month of Dec ,that can help me work on plan ,.WHILE
WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU AT YOUR CONVENIENCE,
December 6, 2019 at 03:21
I think you mean your number is 2020AF294XX (about 29400. In that case you are not current yet – so be patient. You may go current in the next VB.
December 7, 2019 at 22:05
YES mr Brit the case number is 2020AF0002948X, tplease the next VB Will be when next or this year
December 7, 2019 at 05:38
Hi Brit.
Please have a question concerning my situation…my husband worn a dv lottery for 2011 .his entry was in oct 2009 and at that time he was single and we had no kid..later on 2011 we had a kid out of wedlock but he had not yet attended his dv interview..his interview letter got lost so he never received any…so he decided to write a letter to kcc to ask about his case en he was told his interview had been scheduled long ago so he requested for another interview ASAP since they were almost closing dv cases ..so my question is will we have a problem because he did not add as after to his dv lottery form after the kid was born??the kids was born after his first dv lottery entry and also after he had completed his ds260….en we got married after his interview.. he is now a USA citizen ..thax in advance
December 7, 2019 at 06:01
No problem that I can see.
December 8, 2019 at 06:01
Ok thax I appreciate
December 9, 2019 at 18:24
Hi Brit,sorry for asking again concerning my situation..I read the dv lottery institutions and its state that if the winner situation has changed after the first entry (eg get married or get a child)he should inform the kcc..so in my situation my husband did not inform the kcc or consular officer during the interview ..will this lead to us being denied IR1and IR2 visa …he is a USA citizen now by naturalization and he has petitioned for us..Thax again for your response
December 10, 2019 at 03:29
As long as he did not lie during the process it should be OK.
December 10, 2019 at 04:14
I doh know if they will consider it a lie since the child was born some months before the interview and did not disclose it that time…. but all the other processes were over..
June 9, 2020 at 16:52
Hey Brit and Emma
I have a friend in the same situation like Emma. He got 2017 DV and is now in US almost 3 years ago. In the first entry he was single but got a kid after submitting his DS 260. The kid was born before the Interview is scheduled and he is not still legally married to the woman. He did not know that it was possible to add at least the kid or to inform about the embassy.
Can he file for the kid to join him in US?
June 9, 2020 at 21:21
Yes
December 9, 2019 at 00:51
Hi BRIT,
!)What if your case number is current and you haven’ recieved your 1NL from KCC? should you go ahead a send your documents or what?
December 9, 2019 at 01:51
You contact KCC
December 10, 2019 at 05:16
Hello,
I have to submit a court document for I 485.
To be clear, it is certified by the court of the originating country, but am I now sending this document sent to me or a certified copy of this certified document. ?
December 10, 2019 at 23:09
I don’t know what you are referring to.