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 19, 2017 at 16:22
Hi BritSimon! I want to ask you a question.Do they pick familys from Kosovo?It’s a small country in Europe?
May 19, 2017 at 18:11
Yes
May 20, 2017 at 07:59
Can you tell me more about the picking? How many times a day do I have to check? And how many numbers do they pick on a day?
May 20, 2017 at 14:19
It is not daily. All the winners were chosen already.
May 20, 2017 at 20:22
So they don’t chose anymore?Cause if so then tell me and I’ll stop checking
May 20, 2017 at 21:38
No more.
May 20, 2017 at 20:31
And I meant for DVlottery 2018
May 20, 2017 at 06:36
Hi BritSimon, i submitted my ds-260 last week and i want to unlock to added a middle name . so the question is , will unlock will affect the time schedule interview ? or i can just added the middle name later in the interview ? . i will appreciate your advice for my situation .
May 20, 2017 at 14:25
Just unlock. It should be accurate!!!
May 20, 2017 at 14:26
Hi BritSimon, i submitted my ds-260 last week and i want to unlock to added a middle name . so the question is , will unlock affect the time schedule interview ? or i can just added the middle name later in the interview ? . i will appreciate your advice for my situation .
May 20, 2017 at 14:30
Unlock and correct it.
May 20, 2017 at 14:31
first sorry for the repeat the same comment , second thanks for the advice . i will email to unlock the application .
May 20, 2017 at 16:17
Hi britsimon….i won dv 2018 but when i fill dv lottery form my age is now 17years and 9 months now.is there a problem to fill ds 260 form?
May 20, 2017 at 20:18
No problem.
May 20, 2017 at 22:22
Hi!
Many Thanks for your help!
I have one question, My number is 2017EU000225…I am living in USA right now, I already applied for adjustment of status- Ds260.I paid 330$ fee, and for Europe is current now. When I checked my visa status there is write IV application:complete, but for IV fee is :N/a, and my case is currently at KCC, do you know what does it means?Do I have pay other payment?
I am very confused, please advise what I have to do next?
thanks a lot! God bless you.
May 21, 2017 at 18:11
Did you file your I-485?
May 22, 2017 at 07:21
not yet, should I send it? I only completed it and I was waiting for my number from visa bulletin, to send it together with my medical exam.
May 22, 2017 at 18:04
You need to file it NOW. You have wasted time already.
Make sure you have compiled the I485 package as described in the link below.
http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2017-aos-only.331328/
May 22, 2017 at 07:31
But for Europe is ,,current,, so it confused me. That why I am waiting. Only you can tell me what should I do next. Thank you a lot.
May 22, 2017 at 12:57
dear Brits
I am not been selected Dv lottery 2018
Should i can throw my confermation Number or i take it (i will check the selection) until September 2017?
May 22, 2017 at 17:12
I don’t think any other cases will be selected – but you can check again in September if you wish.
May 22, 2017 at 16:47
Hello
This site is really amazing.
My wife was selected for further processing in 2017. we posted on Ds260 in this Month of May 2017. At what Month shall we expect a reply for Ken turkey?
May 22, 2017 at 18:15
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 23, 2017 at 00:37
Hello Simon
Please wants to ask you a question., i registered for DV lottery last year so am asking if the results has come out or will come out later? Thank you.
May 23, 2017 at 02:25
The results came out some weeks ago.
May 23, 2017 at 14:16
Hello, Jay here. I have an interview next two weeks. I have grown a lot of beard over the past two years. my picture is from the year i applied, which is 2015. i had almost zero beard then. can it affect me?
May 23, 2017 at 14:29
POssibly – it depends on how much your face is obscured by the beard.
Shave the beard off?
May 23, 2017 at 23:55
Hello Simon,
My wife and I were lawfully married but due to certain differences that developed between she and I rendering it undesirable to continue to live together as husband and wife, we agreed to live separate and then later on entered into a legal agreement two months prior to playing the DV, to legitimize our separation.
With said legal separation and realizing the need to respect and adhere to the terms and conditions therein to avoid any unforeseeable problem that may have risen thereof, I was constrained, compelled and thus played the DV as an individual without including my spouse
.
However, through the counsel of the church and our own inner convictions, we decided to and subsequently reconciled our differences this year, We are now living together as husband and wife as it used to be prior to our separation.
Now that I have been randomly selected for further processing for the fiscal year 2018 and with the situation indicated above, what do I need to do in this stead? Can I include her on DS-260 form? Kindly advise.
I have in my possession, all the legal documentations-Agreements of Separation and Reconciliation, to substantiate these claims.
Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards
John
May 24, 2017 at 00:10
If you did not enter “legally separated” on the eDV, you will be disqualified.
May 24, 2017 at 12:43
hi brit
l from Ethiopia ,i won the 2018,lottery, my case number is 2018AF00008107,i submitted my Ds-260 two weeks ago. when the KCC will probably send me 2N?
thank you
mahi
May 24, 2017 at 13:34
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 24, 2017 at 16:59
Hey Simon, I did not enter ” legally Separated”. This was an error. But with these legal documentations-Agreements of Separation and Reconciliation, substantiating the claims of separation and reunion, Is it not possible for them to cover up for not putting ” legally separated on the original entry? ?
May 24, 2017 at 20:11
No. I believe you WILL be disqualified. You lied about your marital status, and although you have documentation for a legal separation, that will be seen as suspicious since you now have reconciled. It will be seen as too “convenient” a story to explain the fact that you simply left your wife off the application in the first place.
May 25, 2017 at 09:42
hi simon selectee dv 2018 .i entered as married but presently still married but seperated but not legally with 2sons .issue filling ds 260 form .already on filling the form completed my section as applicant and chosed still living together with my spouse when we have been seperated 3yrs now and we collaborate together .is there
1 any risk of blowing away my chances with kids since we plan to divorce later after immigrating as a family
2 should i change or unblock my account and make ammends and do same on spouse form not yet submitted
3 drop spouse as not traveling together and proceed with kids?
thanks
May 25, 2017 at 20:33
1. That would be OK if you appear as a family you will get GCs as a family.
2. Up to you once you decide what you are doing.
3. No problem BUT they might want proof/permission from your spouse that he/she is OK with you taking the children out of the country.
May 25, 2017 at 19:23
Hi Simon!
I have a problem with retrieving my Confirmation number (was handwrited in notebook which got stolen with a bag it was in :(). I entered and re-entered all required data all over again and it keeps showing me that information entered is not valid. Do you know that the problem they had with online status checking affected also this?
Thanks in advance!
May 25, 2017 at 20:05
The problem is fixed. If you are still having a problem, it is because you are incorrectly entering information.
May 25, 2017 at 20:17
Thanks for replying. I am pretty sure that all information is entered correctly, there is no place for mistake (one surname, no middle name, all supersimple).
May 25, 2017 at 20:21
Is there any other way to retrieve it?
May 25, 2017 at 20:47
No
May 26, 2017 at 09:03
Hello,
I have an “é” in my family name, but didn’t write it when I did the lottery as there is no accent in capital letters.
Do I have to put the “é” in my DS-260 form?
PS: the accent appears on my passeport.
Thanks a lot
Camille
May 26, 2017 at 18:55
I don’t know if the DS260 will allow the accent. Try.
May 26, 2017 at 11:05
Hello!!
I am writing from Nepal. Nepal current visa bulletin is 6400 how is possible to come 2L with in two months up to 7000?? Do you have any Idea ??
Thanks
May 26, 2017 at 14:00
Wait and see.
May 26, 2017 at 14:08
Can you please predict looking history most of time they dont send more up to 7100??
Thanks
May 26, 2017 at 18:52
No. I am not predicting.
May 28, 2017 at 14:10
Mitra i am from nepal too . I won dv2018 i have filled up ds-260 … what should i do for further process ?
May 27, 2017 at 18:54
Hi Simon.
I have submitted form ds260 but I discovered that I had written my graduation date “June 2008” by mistake but the correct one is “October 2008” should I send to them so that I can make the correction or it doesn’t matter?
Thanks in advance
May 28, 2017 at 14:27
Doesn’t matter.
May 28, 2017 at 05:54
hi brit…
i have a question and hope you can help me , my name is ( Mardini bini mahbobi ) and this name where used in my passport , while my name in the birth certificate is ( mardini bini mahfoz @ mahbobi ) , could you plzz tell me how to put the two names in the ds260 application , will be appreciate if you help me . thanks
May 28, 2017 at 14:01
Use your passport name as your legal name. The birth cert version can be in other names used (IF that is part of the name).
May 28, 2017 at 14:09
thank you brit for your answer.
actually my name is Mardini , the ( mahfoz @ mahbobi ) is my father name , it is a combine name . thats y long time ago i chose to use only one the name (mahbobi) as my father name in all my documents such as id and passport. so that is only the father name effect . and how about the @ which i cant type it in the DS260 ? .
May 28, 2017 at 14:36
So add the name in other names used without the @ symbol.
May 28, 2017 at 14:54
i see .. thanks again .
i wish you can excuse me for asking again, the other name field have two raw , how i can put the name there what shall i use for the surname and what shall i put for the name ?
surname ( _____)
other given name used ( ______ ) .
and sorry for that remember the effected name is my father name not me as i mention to you above .
as always i appreciate all the effort you gave us in your website .
May 28, 2017 at 15:06
Time for you to use your own judgement…
May 29, 2017 at 15:46
hi brit, i am a dv2018 winner and i have submitted ds-260 form. my iv application is completed but iv fee is n/a how can i fill that iv fee?? do u have any suggestion for me??
May 29, 2017 at 20:11
You don’t pay a fee until the day of the interview at the embassy.
June 1, 2017 at 10:39
Am very happy to announce to the house that i went for my interview this week (30th May 2017) 9:30 Am and everything went well…i was so lucky the one who interviewed me didn’t ask me any question. i got there around 8 o’clock…they then called as around 9:15 for those who have their appointment around 9:30 to form a straight line for security check up….i entered the interview room and got seated around 9:28…i was there 12 o’clock when i heard my name to come to window 3…a young Ghanaian woman who told me to bring my document( birth cet, school cet, police report, medical report, my American passport picture and my confirmation page of the DS 260). she asked me whom am i going to stay with in USA and the address…she then gave me a white sheet to read what is on it and sign on it….it was two so she kept one and gave me one…she told me to go and come back around 2 o’clock for my interview…i went out and came back around 1:54. I took my seat and heard my name around 4 o’clock to come to window 7…i saw this white Man who told me to raise my hand and swear an oath… i did without him asking me any question again….he look in my document and told me that he don’t have any question to ask me because my document is set i don’t have any problem..i should go to DHL Accra in two weeks time for my visa…
June 1, 2017 at 12:49
Congrats Lloyd….I’m from Ghana too
Can i get your email?
June 8, 2017 at 17:08
Congratulations Llyod.
Is a must that one should take along the DS260 Confirmation or the winning Notification from KCC?
Thanks in advance…
June 1, 2017 at 15:12
[email protected]
June 2, 2017 at 08:28
Dear Brit
We have already read on your blog that it’s not a problem if you make a mistake for the year of birth in the DV and then correct it while filling the DS but it’s not possible to submit the DS with the new information, it’s keep saying that it’s a wrong case number. What can we do? help
June 2, 2017 at 13:42
It has nothing to do with the birthdate. READ THIS.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/ds260-case-number-doesnt-match-case-number/
June 21, 2017 at 17:00
Had the same problem. I contacted with the immigration office in US and they told me to leave the zeros before the number:
i.e: 2018EU00013256 ❌
2018EU13256✅
June 2, 2017 at 08:59
And a couple of more questions,
1. about the where have you lived by the age of 16 you start with the most recent adress? or ?
2. and for education you start first with high school or with university?
3. With the gymnasy and musical high school you’re academic riight?
4. and for the university, where it should stay major or concentration can you write Bachelor of music in viola performance?
i just don’t understand those american clasifications, Thanks so much
June 2, 2017 at 13:41
I numbered your questions – please do that!
1. Most recent first
2. University
3. Yes
4. Yes
June 4, 2017 at 14:41
Hello Mr. Simon,
If I open my DS-260 and correct an error and put my new passport, does it delay my interview date?
June 4, 2017 at 15:10
Not normally.
June 4, 2017 at 18:48
Hello Brit and nice to meet your blog. I just realize that my daughter DV entry surname was misspelled as Konneh, and her original surname name is Konnah which is reflected both in her passport and birth certificate. Therefore I will like to know what do I do to correct this?
June 4, 2017 at 19:57
It isn’t a problem. Just make sure the name is correct on the DS260
June 4, 2017 at 20:15
Hello Mr. Simon,
I am DV2018 winner please I want to remove my middle name from the dv because it doesn’t appear in any of my documents hope removing it will not affect me. If it has any effects can i add the middle name on my passport or going in for affidavit thank you
June 4, 2017 at 20:42
Your name is you legal name that matches your passport. Just make sure of that.
June 10, 2017 at 22:47
If you have a new passport different of the one you applied does it affects your ds 260?
June 11, 2017 at 15:45
No.
June 4, 2017 at 20:20
My DV260 has not been submitted yet but just want to know before processing it rather then making a whole lot of mistakes thank you very much for your advice
June 4, 2017 at 22:26
Hi Mr. Simon am from Ghana DV2018 winner in fact some thing worried me a lot which i need your help. When I was to apply for DV one guy did it for me with my details, last week the guy told me that i won but he said i have to pay $1600 before he release the case number to me can the be any alternative of getting the number because the amount is not small meanwhile he has shown the confirmation letter to me but has taking off the case number with the reason the when he release the number i will not pay him the $1600 please help me
June 4, 2017 at 23:29
I suggest you don’t pay and forget about the selection. You don’t know if the agent did everything right – but cases in Ghana are usually denied. So – you would be taking a big risk. Next time enter yourself!!
June 4, 2017 at 23:11
Please Mr.simon reply me so that i will know what to do am having the soft copy of the confirmation letter
June 5, 2017 at 00:55
Mr.Simon sorry for worring you with questions please the agent said if the are to provide me with a spouse then the will bear all the cost involve except birth certificate, passport and travilling far but if i want to add my own wife then I will bear the cost so please is it advisable to allow them to provide me a spouse since am not ready to bear the risk of $1600. Thank you
June 5, 2017 at 01:56
So they have suggested a fraudulent marriage. That is immigration fraud. You would be a FOOL to do anything with this agent.
June 5, 2017 at 07:53
Thanks a lot for the advise you gave to me
June 5, 2017 at 16:43
Hi,
My name on my passport is Karim Yousef Ibrahim Yousef
When i filled the dv application i wrote
First name : Karim
Middle name : Yousef
Last/family name : Ibrahim
Now the 1st confirmation letter my name is written Karim Yousef Ibrahim
In ds-260, they ask for surnames and given names
I wrote surnames : Ibrahim
Given names : Karim Yousef
I think it’s not correct right?
June 5, 2017 at 18:17
So – you have missed your additional lastname. You should unlock your DS260 and make sure it matches the Passport.
June 5, 2017 at 19:28
Thank you for replying,
So it should be written like this
surnames : Ibrahim Yousef
Given names : Karim Yousef
Then the DS-260 confirmation will be Karim Yousef Ibrahim Yousef
But on the DV winning letter it’s Karim Yousef Ibrahim
Is that Okay?
Besides i already unlocked the DS-260 before to change the US address
What i should do? Please help.
June 5, 2017 at 19:41
Always click reply to keep comments together.
You made a mistake on the initial entry. That creates a risk, but the risk can be reduced if you have the correct info on the DS260. So – what should you do? FIX IT!
June 5, 2017 at 19:47
Okay, i will contact them again to fix it.
I want to make sure the next changes will be correct
So my question is, Which answer is correct?
1 – surnames : Ibrahim Yousef
Given names : Karim Yousef
2-surnames : Yousef
Given names : Karim Yousef Ibrahim
Thank you
June 5, 2017 at 20:03
You surely know your accurate name better than I do.
June 5, 2017 at 20:22
Can you answer this question please?
Someone name is x y z y
So what is the correct answer?
1- surnames : z y
Given names : x y
2- surnames : y
Given names : x y z
June 5, 2017 at 21:03
Please stop asking this. YOU need to answer! Use your own common sense.
June 5, 2017 at 20:09
Mr. Simon,
I won the DV 2018 and about to fill in the DS-260 form. My children are above 21 and I did not include them on the entry. I have two children but they are above 21.With this, how do I answer the question on the form : Do you a have a child?
June 5, 2017 at 20:13
List the children, but you won’t create a DS260 for them.
June 6, 2017 at 00:25
I won the DV 2018 and yet to fill the DS260 when I was doing the first entery I indicated single and now am legally married can i add her when filling the DS260, also my name appear on my confirmation letter as Sumani Abdul-Fatawu Braimah but on my passport and birth cert it is Braimah Abdul Fatawu. My university certificate is A.Fatawu Braimah so please how do I do when filling the DS260 in order not to make mistakes many thanks to you
June 7, 2017 at 00:08
Names on the DS260 should match the passport and birth cert.
Yes you can add your spouse to your case. Add her to your DS260 and create a DS260 for her also.
June 7, 2017 at 06:35
Hi Mr Simon in this case my wife can add my name on her passport or she should just maintain with her usual names. In case she add it will not match with her birth certificate and school documents and am since from Ghana and the are strict what do i do about it please help me before I mess up things
June 7, 2017 at 13:54
When you change a name through marriage, it is normal to renew the passport with the new name.
June 8, 2017 at 08:24
Good morning Simon;
I am a bit confused so I ask that you kindly address these following concerns for me.
1. What is the difference between listing your spouse / children on the DS-260 form and creating DS-260 form for them?
2. Can you also list your spouse on the DS-260 form who was not included on the original entry as result of legal separation between you and her?
3. With respect to “listing” do you have to put in the person`s personal Bio data (name, place of birth, etc.) as requested for on the DS-260 form?
4. Does the Consular also give credence (look at) the original entry during the interview?
5. Does one who had been to the States on multiple times on visiting visa stand a good chance during the interview?
6. What does the instruction mean of saying that you should not add or include anyone who was not included on the original entry?
Please help me out.
Regards
Joseph
June 8, 2017 at 21:15
1. The DS260 is an application for resident status (a Green card). You listing derivatives on YOUR form is for information/accuracy, but they won’t get a GC unless they have a DS260 of their own.
2. If you were legally separated and correctly stated that on the entry, yes. If you simply missed a spouse from the entry, you will be disqualified.
3. You answer the questions.
4. Yes
5. The previous entries make no difference.
6. From your questions, you obviously missed your spouse from your first entry. You are facing disqualification. Read this. https://britsimonsays.com/easiest-way-to-get-disqualified-from-dv-lottery/
June 8, 2017 at 16:53
Hello Mr Simon help me up when i did the first entery amean the application my name appear as Braimah Sumani Abdul-Fatawu but now i want to eliminate the middle name when filling the ds260 please will that affect me in any way from getting the visa
June 8, 2017 at 20:44
Your DS260 name should match what is in the Passport.
June 9, 2017 at 14:28
Thanks a lot Mr simon may God bless you
June 9, 2017 at 15:10
Mr Simon I went through the disqualification link and am little bit confuse. From my initial entry I was single but legally married last year December 17th and my wife is five months pregnant.
1.If I add my wife to my DS260 form will I be disqualified?
2. When giving birth can I create a DS260 for my child?
3. Should I wait for my wife to give birth before I start filling the DS260 form or I should just start processing the form
June 10, 2017 at 14:54
1. No
2. Yes
3. Personally, I would wait – that is slower, but easier.
June 10, 2017 at 11:10
Good morning Mr Simon please I want to find out some thing, assuming you enter your place of birth on the DV application as Tamale but on your birth certificate it is written as Bugsah would that call for rejection
June 10, 2017 at 14:09
You must think I am extremely intelligent, that you could just give the names of two places anywhere in the world and I would instantly know exactly where those places are. Sadly, I am not that smart. Where are those two places (countries)?
June 10, 2017 at 16:24
Tamale is where I reside currently and Bugsah is my home town all in the same region in Ghana thanks
June 10, 2017 at 16:33
OK – so no problem since they are both in the same country. Having said that, in Accra, small mistakes like this are often the cause of suspicion for the COs so make sure your case is otherwise perfect.
June 10, 2017 at 20:32
Hello Mr Simon I hope if am slow in the filling the DS260 form I will not be affected in any way? Because am planning of filling it around October this year, my wife might have giving birth by then
June 11, 2017 at 15:48
There is no need to rush the DS260 submission.
June 11, 2017 at 16:57
Oh OK many thanks to you Mr Simon I really appreciate your advice
June 11, 2017 at 20:08
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 00:25
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 20:27
Hi…brit…..with lack of knowledge……i made electronicaly signing others application…..can i recorrect the signing of electronicaly…..?
June 12, 2017 at 00:24
I don’t understand.
June 12, 2017 at 08:02
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 14:14
1. Yes
2. No
June 12, 2017 at 11:50
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 14:05
No you don’t need it.
June 13, 2017 at 12:47
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 13:34
Now you just wait.
June 14, 2017 at 04:20
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 04:52
1. Refer to the guide.
2. Yes
3. Yes
June 12, 2017 at 14:20
Please Mr. Simon i head that Ghana is not part of 2019 DVLOTTERY please is true
June 12, 2017 at 14:25
I don’t know. We will have to wait for the formal announcement.