****UPDATE – please read to the end to see who is affected****
So – in the last week to two weeks people from EU and AF (and some signs of OC region selectees receiving the same warning). regions are starting to receive notices as shown below. The notice is being sent to people who had interviews prior to the present month, and were placed on AP for any reason.
“The Congressionally-mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas (DV) each year, drawn from random selection among all entries, to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
The Department of State in Washington informed U.S. consular sections worldwide to halt processing DV cases whose initialappointment was scheduled prior to July 2018 .
We regret at this moment we are unable to continue processing of your DV 2018 application, however in September 2018 please check the visa bulletin(https://travel.state.gov/contel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for information regarding DV visa number availability. Visa application and associated fees cannot be refunded. In September 2018 we will review all DV 2018 case files and return passports and original civil documents through the courier service.
Selectees for DV 2018 who did not receive a visa may enroll again for the DV 2020 program in the fall of 2018.
Regards,
Immigrant Visa Unit
U.S. Embassy London”
The explanation is this.
First, we need to understand how visas are allocated – so I am going to describe a hypothetical situation. When KCC schedule cases for interview (CP not AOS), they pre-allocate a visa for each person on the case. So – a family of 5 would have 5 visas allocated. If an embassy had 4 interviews scheduled with a total headcount of (for example) 20, they would have 20 visas to account for. During the month, let’s say they approve two cases, place one case on AP and refuse one case.
10 visas of the 20 are approved, 5 are refused and 5 on AP. At the end of that month, the embassy must send back the unused visas, so that they “account for” all 20 visas allocated – 10 approved, 10 returned to KCC. If another case from a previous month was cleared on AP for a family of 3, the embassy might use 3 of the 10 visas to be returned, and return the remaining 7 OR they might return the 10 visas and ask KCC to reallocate 3 visas to the clearing AP family of 3. That reallocation process takes time, and involves communication between KCC and the embassy.
So – now we understand how that works, we can understand how the message above might happen.
Let’s take AF region to start with.
KCC (with the Visa Office) scheduled nearly 2200 interviews for August – those interviews haven’t started yet. From Xarthisius’ CEAC data we can see that 13500 visas were issued up to July 19th – it will be higher by now, but we need people to scrape the data to know the numbers. But in any case – take the 13500, or call it 14000, and add the AF scheduled interviews for August – that would be around 19000. Assume they have another 4000 people scheduled in September (1800 – 2000 cases), and we would seem to be at the quota. However, of the 5000 people scheduled in August, there will be no shows, refusals and AP cases. Those allocated visas will be returned to the pool at the end of August, so there is a chance for people to get visas allocated in September (from August interviews) or in August (from July interviews).
Even with all that, I think there will be a shortfall under the quota in AF region. Therefore, AF selectees told they have to wait for a visa to become available may have a decent chance of getting a visa.
KCC are acting like visas will run out because they have to assume all people interviewed will be approved. That won’t happen, so there will be a shortfall in the end in AF region. The question is whether they have time to re-allocate the visas. The unused visas from August interviews can be reallocated by KCC, but the September unused visas can only be used by the embassy for its own cases from previous months.
EU has a similar story – but the numbers are tighter. Therefore it is much more likely in EU region that cases will miss out. NOT cases scheduled already for August and September, but cases clearing AP, and perhaps cases on adjustment of status. Cases that enter AP during August could be impacted if the AP continues to September. Cases that enter AP in September are unaffected because their cases would time out anyway if not completed by September 30.
Cases on adjustment of status are similar to AP, in that they don’t have an allocated visa. So – AOS cases are also at risk.
The same might happen in other regions too (with the exception of Asia, I believe) but I don’t know for sure. Overall, the number of visas issued globally will not reach the 50,000 level. But because processing was so slow this year, there are too many interviews that have been left until too late in the year. I will write another article explaining why the processing has been so slow this year.
PLEASE. Before you ask for explanations about your region, please read the example about AF region. The same concept applies to all regions. FURTHERMORE, do not ask me about XXXX country. This is not at the country level, this is about regional quotas.
About the CEAC data. This data gives us important understanding of the process, and the remaining visas. Not enough people are doing the scraping, so we have not had an update for a while. Please go to The scraping site and give some of your time to scrape the numbers.
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/login.html
Who is affected?
- Cases from AS region should not be affected since their region is not going to reach the quota. So – exclude AS region from the following comments.
- Cases scheduled for August CP interviews are not affected if their case is approved by the end of August.
- Cases scheduled for September interviews are not affected at all, because their cases cannot continue processing after September anyway.
- Cases that are already in AP from any previous month up to and including July are affected.
- Cases still going through the AOS process are affected
Questions I am being asked:
Q: Does this mean it is over for cases affected?
A: NO! There is a risk to the affected cases, but that does not mean ALL the affected cases will not get visas. Some will. Some won’t. I cannot tell you about *your* case. YOu have to wait and see.
Q: Can any DV2018 case be approved after September 30th?
A: NO – under no circumstances.
Q: Why is there a difference for different regions?
A: Each region has its own quota.
AF is NOT near it’s quota, but KCC are “assuming” all scheduled cases will be approved. There are nearly 10000 people scheduled in August and September. THOUSANDS of those 10000 won’t be approved – hence there will be a shortfall. The unused visas from August will be returned to KCC at the end of August, and re-allocated in September – but we don’t know whether there will be enough of those to satisfy all remaining cases by then. Same thing will happen with unused visas from July interviews – but there are a LOT less of those because fewer cases were scheduled in July.
EU is very near it’s quota already, and and there are not many interviews scheduled. Success rate in EU is higher than AF, so the quota will be met.
AS is nowhere near its quota and has few interviews scheduled, so quota should NOT be a problem for AS. The visas are only allocated to AOS cases at the end of the process (drawn down from a system called IVAMS), and I am assuming (hoping) that the system is smart enough to be able to see the numbers available by region.
OC and SA are near the quota and have enough cases scheduled to reach or nearly reach the quota.
July 31, 2018 at 17:16
Hi Britsimon
I am worried about AP after seeing the comment about Security Advisory Opinion. I have opted for CP and I have an interview scheduled for September 10. I am currently a biology PhD student at a top US university (My projects are somehow related to microbiology. Nothing sensitive. Just basic science). My name also changed twice because of changes in citizenship which were due to political reasons. Currently I have two passports with different surnames. I will have everything that shows the name changes, citizenships etc. ready for the interview. So, I guess these make me a perfect candidate for AP. I have only one year left for my PhD. My student visa has already expired but I maintain my status as I have a valid i-20. If I go home to get the green card and cannot get it I will have to apply for a new student visa to come back and probably won’t get it as I showed immigration intent. I don’t want to flush down 5 years of education and not get my degree because I cannot come back to the US. What do you think my chances of being approved on time? If it’s too little I will just give up on green card and won’t leave US till I get my degree.
ps: Also I thought about getting a i-134 affidavit of support from my boyfriend who is an American citizen but he is a nuclear engineer. I am wondering if it is better for me to just show that I am guaranteed a reasonable stipend for the next year as an instructor or research assistant.
Thanks
July 31, 2018 at 17:53
I can’t guess your chances. Really. I don’t know anything about you, and I don’t know the CO personally. You have to make your own decision.
The I-134 from the boyfriend is fine as long as his income meets the required amounts.
July 31, 2018 at 18:08
Thanks Britsimon. So are you saying a PhD in microbiology and different names in different passports do not automatically result in AP? It all depends on the CO?
July 31, 2018 at 18:30
It’s not automatic. Solid prep reduces the risk – but there is still some risk.
July 31, 2018 at 18:41
type in Google administrative proccessing, it is internal instruction for case workers, they will put you through AP, 99,9%. Also, you can’t prep anything, 2 passport and 2 surnames and you are a spy for them 🙂 primitive people 🙂
I hope all of them next life will be force to be born somewhere in Kazakhstan 🙂
July 31, 2018 at 17:57
Hi Michigander
well, you are in better position as you are in the USA. I have MS in nuclear physics, got 2 passports and 2 sets of different names. I’m under AP for 222 days. Looks like USA don’t need smart people but only uneducated. Yes, you are perfect candidate for AP. Hopefully, you are not Russian as I’m !!!
July 31, 2018 at 18:05
“I have MS in nuclear physics, got 2 passports and 2 sets of different names.”
“Russian”
And long AP was a surprise to you????
July 31, 2018 at 18:05
Hi there, do you know what happens when I reschedule my interview? Do I get moved back to the very end of the line or just to the month of the interview? We already had our DV2018 interview in July instead of May and they approved us but later told us there are no visa numbers left and we have to wait. Have you come across such a case? It’s for EU. Thanks in advance!
July 31, 2018 at 18:28
It is very unwise to reschedule. Yes you are at the back of the line – because your visa was for May.
August 1, 2018 at 05:51
Ok, but given that the interview was rescheduled and it even already took place and we were told we were approved, shouldn’t visa numbers have been allotted to us at the time of confirming the new interview date?
August 1, 2018 at 15:07
No.
July 31, 2018 at 19:11
Which country?
August 1, 2018 at 05:52
Bulgaria
July 31, 2018 at 18:14
Yes, because I believed in big data and almighty intelligence services in the USA, that they have access to all info and details! I have nothing to hide at all. Unfortunately, they know everything and very powerful only in the movies…In reality, CO was the most ignorant person I saw in my life.
July 31, 2018 at 18:31
OK – you believed what you had seen in the movies – but the CO seemed ignorant to you.
OK.
July 31, 2018 at 18:16
Hello!!! I’m green card 2018 winner. My CN is EU27XXX and my questions is: have I a chance to discuss my case number Or it can be posted new case numbers for Europe region? In August or in September? As we heard it’s possible to posted new case numbers or when the dv 2019 winners will began entrance An interview at this time it’s possible to add those people who has not received yet interview schedule date.
Thanks
Best regards
July 31, 2018 at 18:32
No. There is no possibility at all.
July 31, 2018 at 19:55
Hi brit i had interview at nov 3 2017 at that time the case is put on AP then july 19 is i send the document and the status is update on july 26 but still now not get the result so the case is risky or not risk
July 31, 2018 at 20:35
Yes – at risk.
July 31, 2018 at 20:02
My husband and I attended interview since January. I am main applicant. Our visas were approved by CO but when we went to pick our passports my hUSB and was put on AP and my status was Ready and it has been so since then.
When I write to the embassy, all they do is update da date on my status.
Do I have a chance of getting a visa.
Africa region. Dakar embasy
July 31, 2018 at 20:36
I don’t know about your specific case.
July 31, 2018 at 20:52
My number is bellow EU24300, my interview is in first days of September, and I did NOT receive any E-mail, and my 2nl page is still shows the same (an interview inviation). I hope I am NOT affected. But can I be effected later ? Pleaes, Simon, just answer, and not tell me to read the article, because I am so nervous and worried rn.
July 31, 2018 at 21:41
Really – read the article.
July 31, 2018 at 21:40
HI BritSimon,
I have a slightly different issue. When an interview is rescheduled, do visa numbers not get reallocated for the new month of the interview? My region is EU and my original date was May 9, but I pushed it back to be able to get married and include my husband. Our processing embassy is in Santiago, Chile. We had the interview on July 20th and we were approved. At the time, they said there were no problems but a few days later we received an email that there are no visa numbers for us and we need to wait if any get freed up. The reason they gave is because we moved the interview date. Do you think there was an error there not to get visa numbers allocated for us for July and should we insist? Or is it normal practice to move cases back to the end of the line when the interview is rescheduled? Since EU visa numbers are so tight, I am wondering whether we should be more insistent with the embassy. Thank you!
July 31, 2018 at 21:44
That is the normal practice, and exactly what the blog post is about.
August 1, 2018 at 05:54
Then why do you factor in people rescheduling their interviews for later when you explain how visa numbers are alotted and availability calculated? It just doesn’t make any sense and is also not informed anywhere…
August 1, 2018 at 15:11
I don’t know what is unclear to you. CP cases are allocated a visa for the original month of interview at the original embassy. At the end of that month the unused visa goes back to KCC. Then the second embassy would need to ask for a new visa once they have interviewed the case – and there may not be any visas available. If anyone ever asks me about rescheduling I warn them of the risks involved – especially toward the end of an oversubscribed year.
August 1, 2018 at 15:35
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-to-change-interview-location/
August 1, 2018 at 00:32
Hello Simon!
Thank you for your dedication to DV issues! You are really doing the GREAT JOB.
I have question about DV 2018 Quota. As I see the chart of previous years the actual results by quota can be slightly different then initial official quota and some regions can benefit from regions where the quotas were not exceeded. Can we hope that Europe benefit from other regions’ quota this time? From Asian quota probably? If yes when we can know about it?
Second question. So many people have been stuck in AP and it seems unfair that people who have cleared from extreme vetting and have earlier numbers will be losers in comparison to others. Will number of visa issue for AP same as the amount of last previous years or it will be much higher this time?
Regards,
August 1, 2018 at 02:15
1. It’s too late. The final VB was published and the numbers won’t change.
2. I don’t know.
August 1, 2018 at 01:59
Hi i talked to KCC about this9 however in September 2018 please check the visa bulletin(https://travel.state.gov/contel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for information regarding DV visa number availability. )
THEY SAID to me to be careful to any change or updates about dv 2018 which means there might be some updates that are surprising and no common
August 1, 2018 at 02:16
That is a false hope.
August 1, 2018 at 05:32
Hi Brit,
above you said “The visas are only allocated to AOS cases at the end of the process” does this mean if you are from AF region and did your interview in AOS. can you benefit from this? or is just for AOS citizens?
August 1, 2018 at 05:36
You seem confused. This is not a benifit
August 1, 2018 at 05:56
Hi Brit,
An inquiry please.
I’m gearing for interview come September, I did requested to unlock my (DS-260 form) for some revisions and was accepted.
Question:
Should I take both the CURRENT DS-260 form along with me and the PREVIOUS to the interview?
Thanks
August 1, 2018 at 15:12
No. Just the latest.
August 1, 2018 at 06:03
Also, an additional question, where do you get the information about how close each region is to its quota? Is there official information on that anywhere or are you extrapolating?
And finally, I am the principal applicant and i and from EU but my husband is Chilean. As I mentioned above, we already had our interview and were approved in July but we were later told we have to wait for visa numbers to become available. Do you think they might give us from the South America quota because of him if EU runs out? Or if that’s a definite NO?
August 1, 2018 at 18:40
Yes there is some official information available, but not quickly. So – we take data from the publicly available database of case status data and that is here: https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY18.html
Definite no on using SA quota.
August 1, 2018 at 09:22
I still can not understand. My friends from Africa got their visas after the order of washington department to halt…………… . My friends took the visa in the last ten days of July and their interviews were prior July. Their visas were under AP. Morevover I called KCC and they said the washington department did not ask consular centers worldwide to halt the processes prior to July. We always call the consulate in Casablanca and the consulate never says this at all. I can not understand your analysis , but I do believe that you did many good things to help us. Thank you.
August 1, 2018 at 18:48
I don’t know how I can explain this more simply.
August 1, 2018 at 09:30
Hi Brit
I am scheduled for an interview in early August. I have everything in order and as needed in the email sent by embassy.
1. Is there a risk in visa issuance since visa is running out.
2. If i meet all the requirements, can the CO refuse or put it on AP for no reason.
Looking forward to your reply.
August 1, 2018 at 18:50
1. The article makes that clear.
2. Cases go to AP for various reasons including required background checks. That means you prepare as well as you can, but there is still some chance of AP.
August 1, 2018 at 14:56
hi, any idea of anybody received interview call for 2019DV
August 1, 2018 at 15:51
15 august
August 1, 2018 at 19:19
Of course not. DV2019 won’t start scheduling until later this month.
August 1, 2018 at 15:28
Good day
I want to write the answers about the7 questions for AP how to start the messege?
August 1, 2018 at 19:22
I don’t know what you are talking about.
August 1, 2018 at 19:33
Hi Brit
What is your opinion about Kcc answer ; the department of state didn’t give any instruction to the consular sections to stop processing Ap? have you verify this in your side?
Thanks
August 1, 2018 at 20:19
Of course they don’t stop processing AP cases. Why would they do that?
August 1, 2018 at 20:25
because that’s what said in email from them…
August 2, 2018 at 07:02
What about the cases under investigation of Dr. Is it included in affected portion?
Thanks
August 2, 2018 at 13:57
If they have passed their original interview date – yes.
August 2, 2018 at 13:46
Hi Simon,
I am in the AF region and I received my 2NL with appointment date for mid September.
Am I at risk of there being no visas available?
Or if all my paperwork is correct and appointment goes well I have fair chance?
Thank you, great site!
August 2, 2018 at 13:49
Please read the article.
August 2, 2018 at 20:20
hello simon i am a diversity visa winner 2018 2018af2xxxx i had my interview yesterday.the oficial told that my visa is aproved y keep my passeport.but today i seeing my statut adminitrave processing.Is that normal or there change there mind about my case
August 2, 2018 at 20:21
AP sometimes shows for a day or two before issued. It’s in the FAQ.
August 2, 2018 at 20:23
ok thanks sir
August 3, 2018 at 01:17
If the consular told you your case need some more investigation. Is it normal they gave you back your passport?
August 3, 2018 at 01:20
It happens sometimes. You could assume that it shows that the CO expects the investigation won’t be very fast.
August 3, 2018 at 11:47
Hello Brit…was wondering weather you know of a person who have pass the DV twice before, I was droped due to my case number.
August 3, 2018 at 13:48
Yes
August 3, 2018 at 15:41
Hi Marvin. What was wrong with your case number?
August 6, 2018 at 11:27
It is 47*** and wont be call.
August 3, 2018 at 14:03
Does anyone have any idea about Afghanistan cases??
We all are in Ap since the beginning of 2018, it seems Afghanistan is in some kind of special travel ban…?
August 3, 2018 at 14:59
When cases are processed there is a certain assumption that the USA can and must gather information on the background of a person, often with cooperation of the foreign government, or trust in their standards of documentation. This concern is higher if the country concerned has been the location of military or terrorist activity.
For Afghanistan, there is high risk/concern of security, AND the ability to background check people is low. This leads to slower AP. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. No CO wants to be the CO that admits a person who intends to attack America. So – they are cautious.
August 3, 2018 at 19:22
Hi Simon,
1. Is this AP affecting Afghanistan after or before the interview? Is there such a thing as an AP before?
2. Other than country of interview, is this based on the information these applicants state in the ds-260?
Much appreciated
August 3, 2018 at 19:37
1. Mostly, AP occurs after interview.
2. Birth country, work and travel history or their own background checks.
August 3, 2018 at 15:22
Where are people checking the status of their cases after the interview? This page is not accepting my DV case number: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
August 3, 2018 at 15:25
Nevermind, it worked in the end. However, it still says Ready both for me and my husband even though we had the interview 2 weeks ago. What does this mean?
August 3, 2018 at 19:33
That the embassy hasn’t updated CEAC. If you don’t have the visas by now, you may well be in AP. Contact the embassy to check.
August 3, 2018 at 15:25
Take off the leading zeros. Its in the FAQ
August 4, 2018 at 09:59
Thanks Brit, our 5 visas were approved yesterday 3Rd Aug 2018 by us embassy nbi Kenya. Case number 2018AF29xxx.
Your advice made us be prepared adequately. May God bless you and continue advising others.
August 4, 2018 at 13:29
Great!
August 4, 2018 at 13:26
Hello, the interview was in May 3 (Europe), one family member (derivative) got rejected under 212 a2, while other members, whose status was Ready for over a month, were further informed by the embassy that at this time they cannot provide their visas. However, they informed that they will keep the cases active by the end of the program/Sep 30/ and in case of unused visa number, they will assign a visa number to them. What do you think if there are any chances?
August 4, 2018 at 18:37
I don’t know – it is hit and miss – and EU visas are scarce.
August 4, 2018 at 17:46
Hi Brit
I am still confused, when I check xartishius chart I saw that the number of cases under AP still the same and particulary in DKR consular since October, there is not updates on chart or any cases under AP were not cleared?
Thanks
August 4, 2018 at 18:22
Some cases have been in AP that long. To be clear check the file and check CEAC for that number.
August 4, 2018 at 20:47
Thank Brit I Checked but no Ap was cleared yet since October, What I want ask you if they start to clear it, will they begin to the small number or it depends on cases?
August 4, 2018 at 21:20
I don’t know.
August 5, 2018 at 01:42
Thanks you for Answer but It seems that Any cases Of Ap is cleared in AF region, the first small number put in AP still Ap since then, (50, 60)
August 5, 2018 at 02:45
Hey Brit,
I was reading the forums and found that a visa was issued yesterday above AF43xxx.
1. How is that even possible?
2. Do you think the quota will be exceeded for EU and AF? Historical data shows that mostly both regions exceed their quota in the past. Seeing that are a lot of scheduled cases for AF for the upcoming months. EU lots of cases are in AP and in “Ready” status. Just want to get your insight.
Awaiting your reply.
Thanks.
August 5, 2018 at 05:38
1. Because that case was scheduled for August when the region was current.
2. https://britsimonsays.com/thanks-for-the-scraping-effort/
August 5, 2018 at 13:13
brit you are ndem
August 5, 2018 at 14:41
I have no idea what that means.
August 5, 2018 at 16:50
If remain visas from Asia wlll be given to other regions on September
August 5, 2018 at 18:10
The final interviews are already scheduled.
August 6, 2018 at 05:35
One more Question, by the way, thank you for your patience and great job. As I explained in my previous comment, one family member got rejected, while others’ status was “Ready”, after which they were informed that they cannot provide the visa. The thing is the embassy in Armenia didn’t send that common email explaining that Department of State in Washington has to decided to halt processing of all DV 2018 cases. The email stated that they cannot approve their cases at the moment. They will leave the cases active till the end of the program with the hope that there will be unused visas to assign. I assume that their cases were suspended because of one family member rejection (INA 212 a2). The question is even if unused visas will be distributed after Sep 30, what do you think if visas will be assigned to similar “problematic” cases. As I saw in the file, there are very few “issued” cases with a refused member.
August 6, 2018 at 05:40
No visas will be issued after September 30. A case refused under INA 212 a2 is permanently refused.
August 6, 2018 at 07:28
Hi Britmon, I tried to search in your website if there is any second lottery for the current year Diversity Lottery selection. Do you think there will be any? Considering the recent change that some of the case selected is not eligible for Interview due to some ban. Are they going to have any more lottery to backfil those? Few months back you told , we have to come back some where around sep to check this.
August 6, 2018 at 16:52
“Few months back you told , we have to come back some where around sep to check this.”
It’s August.
August 6, 2018 at 14:52
Hi
I have an interview in two days (jerusalem)
They just called me to make sure im comming.
I was surprised that they told me they open my DS260 cause its older than a year and i need to go over it again and close it.
Do you think it can cause a delays?
August 6, 2018 at 17:43
No
August 6, 2018 at 18:29
Thanks
Is it common that they do it?
August 6, 2018 at 18:45
That embassy doesn’t have many DV interviews – so I don’t know.
August 7, 2018 at 09:26
hi brit
my case is cleared
and my passport has 3 months left to expire (visa needs not less than 6 months passport)
and i renewed my passport with 10years and cancelled old one.
also informed embassy.
embassy said that; because of your passport information changed, we will start re- ap
so what a dumb situation is that? you are embassy you know how many months to expire
maybe i shouldnt inform them in first place or not renewed
so my question is how many days my case will be ap? so long or days only. should i give up
embassy trolled me
August 7, 2018 at 13:47
I don’t know.
August 7, 2018 at 16:20
What about us that have reach nine (9) month on AP ?
August 7, 2018 at 16:27
The length of time on AP doesn’t mean any advantage or disadvantage.
August 7, 2018 at 19:27
Hy i am from iraq and my husband born dubia we applied for dv lottery luckly we gave our interview on 5 june.interview was good.visa office every thing is perfect.but we r putting ur case in administration process.i am main visa applicant.we check our status yesterday the website showed 31 july the last work update..but still in Ap .what is our chance..all document were perfect.no lie.how much time further they will take.its almost 60 working days.
August 7, 2018 at 19:28
Pls tell me
August 7, 2018 at 19:30
We are in risk?
August 7, 2018 at 19:33
They kept our passport on the day of interview.they kept our passport still
August 7, 2018 at 22:20
All you can do is wait and see.
August 8, 2018 at 03:46
Hi BritSimon,
I have the interview in September. My passport expires in September 2019. I got a new one that expires until 2028. Would it be a problem if I use the new one or should I use the old one (Used it to fill DS-260) in order not to have problems? I don’t want any mistakes or increase chances of getting AP status… I want to avoid getting to AP, since it’s going to be very close to Sept 30th.
Thanks!
August 8, 2018 at 03:54
Either way doesn’t matter.
August 8, 2018 at 13:35
Hello, does rejection of one family member who is a derivative affect the issuance of visa of other family member ? Thank you
August 8, 2018 at 17:45
No
August 9, 2018 at 03:36
Hi Brit,
After reading your posts I could not see any chance to obtain a visa through AOS as my region is EU. Should I still have hope? My interview is in mid August. Thank you!
August 9, 2018 at 03:42
I really don’t know.
August 9, 2018 at 12:12
Hi Brit , we had interview on July 17th and we added other required documents yesterday, but by checking our visa status, nothing is showing till now and we cannot even check the status, so what can we do?
August 9, 2018 at 15:08
Wait.
August 10, 2018 at 02:45
So are we at risk too?
August 10, 2018 at 03:11
Because We are in AP since yesterday
August 10, 2018 at 03:54
Yes. Your visa was allocated for use in July. Now, once your AP clears, the embassy will request visas for you – but there is a risk that there are no visas. Because I don’t know your region I cannot say how big a risk that is.
August 11, 2018 at 06:26
WE are from Africa
August 11, 2018 at 13:57
OK – so you must wait and see.
August 9, 2018 at 14:59
Hi Simon,
Had our interview a month ago – all went well. Interviewing officer asked us for 2 more documents to be submitted along with the passports – one of those documents was the police record of the country I currently stay in (living abroad). We left the embassy along with our passports and a green slip which states interview was succesfull, visa will be approved after submitting two further documents. Done that and sent the passports along with these 2 documents. Today we received our four passports back with a notice asking for further police records of other countries we stayed far less than 6 months in the past. Also they asked for passport pictures that we actually have submitted already at our interview. Do you have any advices what best to do – just doesn’t seem to be making sense.
August 9, 2018 at 15:20
Just do what they instruct you to do! If they say jump up and down on one foot, do that too. And do it all quickly.
August 9, 2018 at 15:00
Dear Britsimon,
I have been interviewed on 5 th August but I were put into administrative process, i dont know why! I lived in the US before and received a masters degree there. I answered the officer’s questions one bye one clearly. Finally, the officer us back our passports and said there was nothing we should worry about but they needed a little administrative process about me. Once they finished they will contact us to send them our passports back to the embassy. Do you think i should be worry about that ? Is that ok to contact embassy in case there is no answer?
Appreciate your help
Sincerely
August 9, 2018 at 15:16
You need to be patient.
August 10, 2018 at 18:03
What country if I may ask?
August 9, 2018 at 15:10
…forgot to mention that they are also asking us to provide a police record of a country which counts as “capricious” according to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/ … its says clearly there that police record is not available.
August 9, 2018 at 15:21
So print that out and provide that. But stop complaining about whether they are capricious or not – immigration is a privilege, not a right.
August 10, 2018 at 10:39
Hello M. Simon
I am an 2018AF selectee with interview scheduled on the 20th august, and altough that date is a holiday here, when contacted by phone the consulate still confirmed my interview date on the same day.
Today I received a phone call from the consulate informing me that my interview has been moved to the 6th of september….oh well i’ll try to manage !!! since I already took my vacation concording with the previous date :/
My question is : since my visa would be allocated with the august batch and sent back to KCC at the end of this month, wouldn’t having my interview moved to september put me on the same situation as people on AP pre-july ?
I tried to get more infos from the guy who called from the consulate but he was just reciting his lines before ending the conversation
I hope you can share with us your toughts on this matter
Thank you for you precious help
August 10, 2018 at 14:49
Yes they could be creating a risk for you. If your number is above 39500, that risk is especially great. Try and get the appointment moved back to August.
August 10, 2018 at 18:41
Yes I am from the 51k range who got scheduled
I will try to ask them to move me back to august but there’s a whole week off in my country (holidays) in the ramaining days of august,
Plus they probably wont answer my mail as they still haven’t answered my mails sent as soon as I received my 2nl concerning the same matter
For contacting them by phone, they just answer me whatever they want, just to get rid of me.
Nevertheless I will try contacting them.
Do you think I should use the reason that I am above 39500 to convince them, or it doesn’t matter for them and I should think of another more casual reason?
Thanks a lot for your precious help
August 10, 2018 at 18:45
You need to explain VERY VERY clearly, and exactly. You will not be entitled to a visa in September.
August 10, 2018 at 18:55
OMG !! that is a tricky situation :s
Can you please help me formulate my message (e-mail) to them? I don’t wanna take any risk or make any mistake, plus I would like to use more proof if available from your legal knowledge on the matter
may we continue trough your email? thanks
August 10, 2018 at 18:58
This mnust be handled by a phone call. If you want me to call KCC, I can but I will need your FULL details sent to my email. I need your full name, case number, date of birth, embassy and original scheduled date. If you have an email from the embassy regarding the reschedule, send that do. Do this immediately, as I am waiting to leave for the day with my visiting relatives. Britsimon3 at gmail.
August 10, 2018 at 18:59
And give me details on the holiday period when the embassy will close.
August 10, 2018 at 19:02
Oh god bless you you are of a great help
I am writing you an email right now
August 10, 2018 at 19:08
Done! I just sent you an email with all the details
They contacted me by phone, so i dpn’t have an email from them
August 13, 2018 at 09:57
Hello again Mr Simon
Today we got on the phone with the consulate and they agreed to move us back to a date during august.
We can’t thank you enough for all the help you provide to everybody.
You are the reason many selectees, including us, can still see this through.
God bless you
August 13, 2018 at 15:18
Marvellous news.
August 10, 2018 at 18:51
In fact – contact KCC also to get them to contact the embassy to ensure you have an interview this month. You may need to rush your medical and have the interview before the embassy closes for the holiday. Do this without delay. You can call KCC now – they are open for a few more hours today. Press ZERO to bypass the recorded message.
August 10, 2018 at 18:56
Will do imediately thanks
August 13, 2018 at 15:40
I have one last question concerning the Administrative Processing :
1. If our visas are not issued before august is over are we at risk in that case?
2. If so, should we let CO know about our special situatio , or it wont make a difference for his decision anyway?
Thanks
August 13, 2018 at 16:11
1. Yes. Take EXTRA care to make sure you are properly prepared will all documents required. That is not because of the retrogression – it is always the case.
2. Yes, discuss it.
August 13, 2018 at 16:34
Sure will do !
thank you so much
August 18, 2018 at 14:14
Hello again Mr Simon
We had our interview yesterday, unfortunately they put us on AP, gave us our passeports back and asked us to fill out a DS5535 form they’ll send us soon via email.
From the feed backs we’ve come to read this year, they have flagged a certain region in my country for DS5535, and my wife lived and studied there, so we were expecting it even if we hoped to avoid it.
The CO was looking at my wife when he said they’ll send an email with some questions to be answered then turned towards me and told me that since I was in the us for studies before, they’ll have a look at what I have been doing since then, plus on CEAC check status site my wife (principal is AP, but my case is still showing ready), so if they don’t precise on their email, should we both fill out the DS5535 or just her?
I have sent you more details on your email just FYI
thanks
August 18, 2018 at 14:21
OK – well it’s hard to know how fast that AP can be. I do believe DS5535 processing is the reason that we saw slow progress in DV2018, but this is the first full year of using the form – so there is no “normal” to compare against. All you can do is hope and wait.
August 18, 2018 at 15:00
indeed, it is a long shot but all we can do is hope.
Do you think we should just fill the form both of us or we should call them and ask if only my wife is concerned by this process? since wansn’t explicit
August 18, 2018 at 15:10
I would complete it for both.
August 18, 2018 at 15:45
I asked that question just because I wondered if we wouldn’t risk more time if we fill it for both of us while they only needed for one applicant.
But you’re right we’d take even greater risk if the opposite was true.
Thank you for all dear Mr Simon
August 10, 2018 at 15:58
Hello BritSimon, One question: When you said that some of the affected cases will get a visa, and others will not. What do you think if the embassy randomly selects the “lucky” cases, or they study each case separately and decide whether to assign unused visa or no. Thank you
August 10, 2018 at 18:33
KCC assign the visas, apart from those that the embassy re-assigns from their monthly allocation. What method they use to redistribute those – I don’t know.