We have many DV2020 selectees with very basic questions. Let me try and address the most frequent ones here in the hope that people will read this. If you ask a question and I give you a link to this page, it is to indicate that your question can be answered by reading this page and using some common sense. Please use the links in the title at the top of this page for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the DV lottery guide. There is LOTS of information available on my site – so a look through the FAQ and guide will take care of most questions.
Please read the ground rules at the bottom of this page.
Current Status of the ESC page
For the first few days each year the performance of the system is bad. Too many people are checking, the site gets overwhelmed and crashes. As of today, it seems to be behaving better most of the time – BUT it could still crash or be sluggish.
The site is accurately providing results. It is not broken for basic checking. However, the “Forgot Confirmation Number link is broken. It takes your info and bounces back to the start when you submit. So – if you have not got your details from the entry last year, you will have to wait until they fix that functionality. I have NO IDEA when that will be. You have to just wait. I have received MANY requests to recover confirmation codes for people, I have NO WAY of doing that, so your emails are being ignored.
Next, as usual, I have already had many people who swear they have followed instructions and the system won’t find their result. Every single case I have been sent so far that I have check I was able to get the result first time. That means people are not paying attention. The most common ways are entering the whole name (not just the lastname before the comma), or they mix up letters/numbers in the confirmation code. The system prompts people about the latter, but people ignore that, and assume the system is broken. It is not broken. YOU are making a mistake. The links below will help both with the checking AND with accessing the DS260 for winners.
However, I do want to urge people to NOT rush to fill out the DS260. There is no advantage to rushing, and many of you can actually cause yourself a problem by submitting a DS260 without thinking it through. So – wait. Read below and take your time.
Here are two links to help those still not able to check their entry:
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/checking-esc-page-check-without-mistakes/
And here is a video to explain how to check your entry result.
And for those that cannot submit their DS260
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/ds260-case-number-doesnt-match-case-number/
And those that cannot access their DS260 because of invalid immigrant case number message click this link
Now – some questions.
Is there a deadline to submit my DS260?
There is no official deadline to submit your DS260. People will continue to submit DS260s for DV2019 cases well into 2020. Submissions as late as April, May or perhaps even June of next year will still get processed in time.
How long does it take to process the DS260?
The way DS260’s are processed was changed for DV2018. In addition there was a change to the process at the beginning of this year about ubmitting documents to KCC AFTER the DS260. So – please be careful.
The actual processing time of the DS260 is quite short – probably 3 to 4 weeks. From 2018, KCC managed to prioritize the way they process DS260s to ensure DS260s submitted for lower case numbers are processed before higher case numbers that will wait anyway for their case numbers to become current. This was a good change – because in previous years DS260 caused scheduling delays for many cases.
Does every DS260 take the same time to process?
No. There is some background checks required on each case that vary according to the situation of the selectees. The precise details of the checks are not published, but we can guess they are mainly about ensuring security of the USA. That means they communicate with agencies and foreign governments about the details you provide on the DS260. Some countries co-operate with the USA, some don’t. In countries that don’t co-operate you can expect DS260 will take longer. So, some cases are very simple, and some not so simple. If a selectee was raised in Western Europe, works in an office and has never travelled to certain high risk countries we can expect the DS260 processing (once the case is ACTUALLY processed, not queued) to be quick. If on the other hand someone has travel history around certain countries in the middle East or lists their work as “Nuclear weapons specialist”, well they can expect the US government to take longer over those checks.
So – never assume that all DS260s submitted on the same day will complete processing on the same day. There will be variations.
When will I be interviewed?
Interview timing is mainly based on your case number, and where that number is ranked within each region. If you submitted your DS260 early, but have a high case number within your region, you will wait until that case number is ready to be interviewed. So – if you are case number 10000 in AS region for example you can expect a long wait before being interviewed. However regions have their own numbering, SO that same number in AF region (where the highest case number could be a lot higher) that 10000 number would be very low. So “low or high” number is relative within the region.
Is my number safe?
At this time we are already seeing some VERY high case numbers being quoted, these high numbers are FAR beyond the numbers that we have come to consider as safe numbers. So there can only be two explanations of that.
- KCC have selected FAR too many people and high case numbers will not get interviewed. That has happened before, and is somewhat “normal” which is why being selected is not a guarantee of getting a Green Card.
- There are more holes this year because KCC implemented some new technology/rule. This is a possible, but probably over optimistic idea. As I mentioned in my last article the case numbers are not consecutive. So – it is possible to have a massive increase in holes over previous years. But until we see the selectee numbers we will not know how many holes there are.
The point is, if point 2 is not correct (and I tend to believe it is not), then this year will see cutoffs at the end of the year so selectees with high case numbers will miss out. Again, until we see the selectee numbers we cannot say for sure what is high, or what is safe. Please understand I cannot answer the “am I safe” question for many of you.
Update July 2019 – since this article was published we now have more data and I have predictions here:
When will interviews start and how will I be told of my interview date?
No DV2020 interviews will happen before October 2019. DV2020 interviews will continue until September 30th 2020. So stop packing your bags. It’s a long process. Interview scheduled are notified in monthly batches about 6 weeks before the interview month. The notification is called the 2NL.
When will KCC send the first 2NLs?
The first 2NLs (the interview notification) for DV2020 will go out in mid/late August. That will be for cases that have been processed AND are current for October, AND have submitted their documents. Then 2NLs will come in a monthly schedule, also late in each month. So – late in September for November interviews and so on.
When are the visa bulletins published?
The visa bulletins are published around the 8th to the 15th of each month. If you call KCC they will always respond that it is released on the 15th. They are not “late” until the 16th. Usually I get people lamenting “the sky is falling” and “why are they so late” around the 10th or 11th. That will happen every month – and no matter how many times I explain, people are impatient. But please understand this is very predictable – there WILL be a new VB every month, between the 8th and the 15th. Every month.
“My case number is XXXX when will I be scheduled?”
Oh man. These questions are tiring. I really expect people to use some thought process about this, and if you can’t do that, then asking me to think for you is not going to be warmly welcomed by me. I have made available more than enough information to get an idea of how scheduling works, but remember, cases are scheduled according to ALL the following three things.
- The case number. No case will EVER be scheduled until the case number is ready.
- DS260 submission. Until the DS260 is submitted AND PROCESSED, you will not be scheduled.
- Submitted documents to KCC (new process). Until your documents are submitted to KCC you will not be processed. Read about the new procedure here.
How do KCC schedule the cases?
Roughly speaking all interviews are spread out over the year, starting in October and ending the following September. KCC release numbers via the visa bulletin to say which case numbers can be interviewed. Check out this article to understand how to read the visa bulletin.
KCC will increase the number made current on each region at a pace that ensures they have enough interviews to match the embassy capacity during each month.
So – to take an example. If OC had a highest case number of 1000, we could roughly expect to see that number increase by 100 each month. It might be 75 one month and 125 the next, but you get the general idea – it is a slow progression over the year.
Will there be a second draw?
In some years it is possible that there would be a small second draw around September/October. However, it would only be a small number of cases – so chances of being in that selection are very small. However, given the high case numbers we are seeing, there is almost no chance of a second draw for DV2020.
Please learn to be self sufficient about this point. This site has LOTS of information. Please apply some common sense and think before asking a question.
You can look at the historical visa bulletin numbers from previous years to get an idea how things work. However, every year is different, so I would suggest only taking a look at DV2018 to try and anticipate when your number will be scheduled for interview. **Please** do that rather than asking me to predict your interview date. Use some judgment and common sense to allow me to spend my time on people that need help with more critical questions.
Selectees, cases and case numbers
OK – so there is some confusion about this – so let me cover it here.
When the selectee numbers are published (in the July or August visa bulletin there is a number shown for each country within each region. That number is the number of *selectees – INCLUDING derivatives*. So – if a winner was single, that is one selectee on one case number. If the winner was married and had one child, that would count as three selectees. The global quota of visas is 50,000, so if the three person family were to be approved, that is 3 out of 50,000.
Each winner gets a case number. The derivatives are on that same case number. Each region has it’s on set of case numbers – so there can be an AF1, AF2, AS1, AS2, EU1 and EU2 ands so on. So when you tell me your case number is case number 12345 – it is meaningless. I need the year and region.
As I explain in this post about holes theory – the case numbers assigned have “holes” (or gaps between them). So – case number 2019EU20000 does NOT have 19999 cases in front of them. The number will be less. However, there may be less case numbers – but each case has the selectee and derivatives.
To understand your “place in the line”, you have to understand the density of cases, number of derivatives on each case, how many cases will respond, how many will be approved and so on. There is a lot to understand. I wrote a series of articles a couple of years ago – and all can be understood by reading those – start with density analysis, and use the links at the bottom of that article to get to the others. The analysis was specific to DV2016 – but the principles are the same.
In the first few months of the new program year we don’t have much data. In January we get access to the CEAC data and then we will understand a lot more. The CEAC data is all the case status info for every case – but again we will not have DV2020 CEAC data until January 2020. In the meantime, you can see excellent visualizations of the DV2018 and 2019 data at the site maintained by a smart guy call Xarthisius. The site illustrates well the density, response rate and so on, which are things you will hear me explain (and can read about on my site).
How many visas can be issued for DV2020? How about XXX country?
According to the published information, there are 50,000 visas available globally. However, the visas are allocated through a quota system to each region. They are NOT allocated by country. However, no one country can receive more than 7% of the global allocation. – so regions have an allocation of the 50,000 global quota. This is explained in more detail here.
Can DV2019 be stopped by Trump/Republicans/Aliens?
This was fully detailed in this post from August 2017. Since then, Trump and the Republicans have continued to achieve almost nothing, and there has been no credible progress toward immigration law changes. Please read that article, and don’t ask me the same questions again until an actual real law is passed.
GROUND RULES for BritSimonSays.com
I don’t work for the government, I don’t get paid for this. I work for a living and I sleep sometimes. So – I expect people to respect my time. That means the following “rules” exist on my site.
- Read the DV lottery guide. It includes a link to my guide on how to complete the DS260, an overall rough idea of the process and so on.
- READ the FAQ (frequently asked questions). If you ask me a question that is covered in the FAQ, you are wasting my time. Please help me help you and others that need help
- Learn how to use the search feature and translation features of this site.
- Post your questions in English. Like many of you, I am multilingual but English is a common language – and most Americans ONLY speak English, and mostly, not very well 😉
- If asking multiple questions, number your questions and consider how I can answer the question. Consider how I can answer with a simple yes or no or short answer – you will find I ALWAYS answer questions like that, because you considered how to make the answer easy for me to give. Give me enough detail to answer the question without making me read about your life history for 10 minutes. I do ignore some rambling questions that send me to sleep…
- Do NOT post “are you sure” type questions – I simply HATE that. It is a huge waste of my time to have to deal with that type of follow up. Read my answer 10 times if you need, but unless you are CONVINCED I misunderstood or answered incorrectly, don’t ask me the same thing I just answered.
- Post your question once and wait for a reply. Sometimes your post won’t show up on the public page until I approve it. That doesn’t mean you should post the same question 5 more times. Just wait.
- If following up to a question you already asked – use “REPLY” to keep the questions in context. I see an administrators view of the questions – I don’t always see that one question is close to your previous question, but I am able to jump to the thread if you use reply.
- Don’t expect me to know everything about life in all the countries around the world. You may not have left country A – but you should consider that the world does not all work the same way as country A.
- Tell the truth. Don’t lie to me. I hate it – and it is pointless. This process requires honesty. So do I.
- Keep your data private. Your case number should be quoted with region and year, but you don’t need to give me, or anyone else, a precise number. Give a range by “X-ing out” the last few digits. So – if your number is 2019AF000012345, you can quote your number as 2019AF12XXX. That tells me you are about the 12000 to 13000 range in AF region in 2019.
- Every year I get a few characters that drive me nuts. There is the person that asks every single question that pops into their head. If someone is making use of the info here, that should not be necessary. Take some responsibility for your own case. Second I get some smartasses that get uppity with me over one thing or another. I could argue for England, I enjoy a good argument, but this isn’t the place for that and I am too busy. I will not hesitate to delete messages I find annoying or damaging to other people’s chances. Some people are amazed when I do that – but this is my blog. If you want to argue because you think you know better, just find somewhere else to do that. I’m not interested in feeding your ego, and I don’t care if you think I am arrogant, mean, a tyrant or whatever. Really – I don’t care, so those “accusations” don’t hurt me.
- This space reserved for any other rules I think of, whenever I think of them.
May 10, 2019 at 22:09
Simon, in the quote below you’re not really accounting for holes, are you?
‘If OC had a highest case number of 1000, we could roughly expect to see that number increase by 100 each month. It might be 75 one month and 125 the next’.
And a couple observations: As I read in your earlier posts, in EU this year KCC used to pick 1500 case numbers only to get 400 interviews, which was 3x less their normal throughput of 1200 interviews, due to the usual holes thing + the new KCC docs procedure.
You’re also suggesting taking a look at DV2018 for comparison, but that year was way too different from DV2020 since it hasn’t had the new docs procedure in place, which had massively affected the landscape.
May 10, 2019 at 23:18
Holes for OC are around 7% in a usual year. Not that important, but in any case I am only trying to explain a process, without being 100% precise.
Once we know selectee numbers we will know what year to compare to. Right now we know very little.
May 10, 2019 at 23:40
I haven’t seen any 2020 winners posting their case number yet. Mine is 2020OC000022XX (offcourse XX is a digit I cannot give). Have to read up Brit’s previous blogs to see if that’s a safe number and when to expect my interview. Maybe after work ?
May 10, 2019 at 23:43
Loads of people have posted. Your number is high, higher than would normally get a chance of an interview – so read the possible scenario in the article above.
May 13, 2019 at 05:09
My case number is 2020AS8XXX zero not included. So what are chances. I asked where i filled the form they told me this time CN is pretty high for my region. It has reavhed up to 20k . Please help
May 13, 2019 at 14:06
Please read the article.
May 14, 2019 at 11:38
Mine is 20208E3MDBSJA8BB Could you please check it because i have check but the site is given error message
Please check it once
May 14, 2019 at 15:09
Follow the tips shown above and check it yourself.
May 10, 2019 at 23:56
Hi Brit….somebody played for me that is the 2019 DV lottery…only told me I won but is refusing to give my case number…even the entrance number I don’t have it …and time is no longer on my side…pls asking if ders a means I can get my case number without having the entrance number??…pls I really need your help
May 11, 2019 at 00:00
There is a “forgot confirmation number” link on the ESC page https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/
However, you need some specific details AND the link is not working for many cases. I have no other way.
May 11, 2019 at 00:40
Hi sir, My girlfriend won in the lottery , and we wanna get married as soon as possible . our relationship is 2 years old we have conversations in whats app and fb of the last 4 to 5 months . is there in chance for our marriage or are we gonna get a refus . please reply back
May 11, 2019 at 05:34
People with genuine marriages can go ahead.
May 11, 2019 at 12:42
Thank you sir
May 11, 2019 at 00:41
Hello,
I have been randomly selected for further processing in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for the fiscal year 2020 (October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020) while residing in the United States in a student visa (F-1). As I have figured out, I have to apply for Adjustment of Status through USCIS.
My case number, however, is greater than 11000. I checked DOS Visa Bulletin in recent years. It shows that status of people with such a high case number becomes current in August or September of that fiscal year for Asia region.
As you know, the adjustment of status process for diversity visa winners must be completed by September 30 of the fiscal year the lottery pertains to.
I am wondering if the chance that my adjustment of status application being approved is zero due to the fact that there is limited time to process it by then?
Thank you for your response,
May 11, 2019 at 05:34
I have known plenty of cases become current as late as September and get current, PLUS we don’t know what selectee counts there are yet. So – wait and see what more we know in a month or two.
May 13, 2019 at 09:59
I go a case number of 2020AF27545 ?I HAVE already submitted my ds260 form.hope it ok
May 13, 2019 at 14:31
It’s OK.
June 21, 2019 at 12:31
Thanks u sir
When should I be expecting an interview from kkc
June 21, 2019 at 14:13
Next year.
May 11, 2019 at 01:42
Hi Brit,
I have my friend’s husband won on dv 2020,
They have 2 child already have added them.
But she is pregnant now what they should do?
Fill the form or wait?
May 11, 2019 at 05:29
It depends on their case number (with region)
May 11, 2019 at 15:30
His case number 2020AF00030xxx
May 11, 2019 at 16:52
So the baby will be eating solid food before any interview is possible. I suggest they wait a few months and submit the DS260 once the child is born.
May 14, 2019 at 11:49
Hi Dreamer, where do you get the DV photo that you used to do the entry?from Photoshop or you make it from phone?
May 11, 2019 at 05:59
Thanks mr brit If there are many holes that mean they select som cases to fill holes or high case numbers get a chance interviewed
May 11, 2019 at 06:04
If there are a lot of holes, the VB can move faster.
May 11, 2019 at 07:36
Hi Simon,
Thank you so much for all the helpful information. I am currently in the US working on post completion OPT which was about to expire in October and realized a day ago that I had won the DV2020 Lottery
My numbers are in the early 7000’s and I am in the EU Region so am hoping for an interview early and it seems as if consular processing is the safest way to go with regards to timing based on what I read here.
I have been here as an F1 student since 2012(took my associate and did opt),( did my bachelors and are doing opt) and have also been on a J1 au-pair visa in 2011. I have a SS, American credit cards, a rather high credit score, American Drivers License etc. I was wondering if there are any specific questions I should expect in my interview based on this situation or any specific documents that I might need to bring? I am not sure if I will need a police report or drivers license from here as well.
And last but not least, I am wondering, do I need to bring bachelors diploma (from university) and Associate degree diploma (from college), as well as my high school diploma from Sweden, or is it just enough to bring the bachelors diploma since that is the most recent and what I put on my DV entry for highest education?
If there is any specific area that answers this on your website please feel free to link I looked around for a couple hours but are still in doubt regarding this.
If anyone else has a similar experience I also appreciate if you would share 🙂
With Appreciation,
Gina
May 11, 2019 at 15:05
There are no interviews before October, but your number should be current in the first month or two.
They won’t care about your unimportant info you listed such as credit score and so on. THey will be interested in the documents they list in the instructions, and you should take ALL education documents to the interview including High School.
Go through the guides, make sure you understand the process and just follow instructions. Please read my ground rules above. You failed on a few of those points.
May 11, 2019 at 18:01
Thank you.
May 16, 2019 at 14:43
Hi Gina, I am with a student visa too Are you going back to your homecountry for the interview?
May 17, 2019 at 03:27
Hi Gio I am not sure yet I am still researching but I am thinking that I probably won’t
May 17, 2019 at 09:29
I see that everyone prefers do the adjustment instead to go back to their country.
May 11, 2019 at 11:54
Hey Simon, thanks for the helpful info! Quick question my number is EU34xxx’ what do you think of this? According to your data there is 14% chance it won’t become current (this EU case number did not become current 4 times in the past 24 year). I am a bit confused with the holes theory and when you said ‘I heard high numbers’’ do you think mine is too high?
Thanks very much
May 11, 2019 at 15:30
The 14% thing is nonsense. Yours is high as a number but there could be more holes this year than in previous years. The question is not what happened in previous years, it is how many people are “in front” of your 34000 number. And the answer is NOT 33999. But we don’t know how many there will be yet.
May 11, 2019 at 18:20
I really hope there is more holes than usual. Mine is EU 33k. Looking at the polish green card forum, where there is always a questionnaire about results, this year number of selected people is 3x lower (not higher!) than in the previous years (%-wise). We will see, let’s wait patiently.
May 11, 2019 at 18:41
Hmmm – that is after three days during which time the server was crashing. Don’t raise your hopes too high yet.
May 12, 2019 at 09:23
Correct, however last year 202 people responded, 32 of which were winners. This year, only 9 winners out of 170 responders. That is 6.77% of winners this year, vs over 17% of the winners last year.
Like you said, let’s wait and check next VBs. I’m just saying that there is so far no indication that they’d select way more winners than in the previous years. I haven’t seen any low numbers being reported so far either.
May 12, 2019 at 13:45
That’s a really bad way to make an assumption. Over what time did the 202 respond last year. Are you counting them as of now (a year later) and comparing them to this year? Is the site more or less popular than it was last year.
The winning chance was NOTHING LIKE 32/202. EVER. 9/170 is not natural either. So – the 32 from last year went searching for info and reported in.
I have seen plenty of low numbers. Look at this normal distribution for Turkish winners – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Lshia067qJy9QKKDqB7Fi9YLgnt2RJtwwPdP0Ebj4Po/edit#gid=0
I think you are “seeing what you want to see”.
May 12, 2019 at 13:51
By normal distribution, I am referring to the winners in each range (say up to 10k, 10k to 20k and so on). Using common sense (or German Tank problem if you want to get technical) you can see the distribution looks normal, although the biggest group (as of now) is in the highest range. Worried people tend to look for answers (I’m sure you can relate).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_tank_problem
May 11, 2019 at 12:27
hi Brit Simon, I have check but it says: I have not been selected for further processing, is there any hope of selection in October? or I’m not going to be selected? please ?? help me Mr Simon.
May 11, 2019 at 15:33
There will not be a second draw this year.
May 11, 2019 at 12:46
Hi Britisimon. I went drought your instructions for the ds 260. I read about the education. Now, i Italy i have a diploma, a bachelor degree and a master degree. What i have to insert? Everything or just bachelor degree, leaving out master degree? Highest level of education Completed?
Thank you in advance
May 11, 2019 at 15:00
I’m from Germany and graduated high school in the US and got my bachelor degree in the US.
At the interview they asked me for my high school transcripts as well as everything in regards to my Bachelor degree. I was put on AP (medical exam wasn’t at the embassy yet) and while they waited for my medical exam to arrive they requested my high school and university transcripts even though I went to university in the US, so I obviously literally meet the educational requirement.
My interview was in Frankfurt, so maybe it was Frankfurt specific, but to be on the safe side I would include everything (high school, bachelor and master) on your DS-260, that’s what I did. If you can, bring all that information (diploma, transcripts, etc) with you to the interview, just in case they ask.
In my experience it’s better to bring too many documents, than not enough and be put on AP because you didn’t bring something.
May 11, 2019 at 16:48
Thanks for adding that info – but there is a danger of misunderstanding here:
“so I obviously literally meet the educational requirement.”. No you did not. The requirement is USA HS equivilent in a formal course of education. So If someone did not complete (and pass) a formal course of secondary education but was able to somehow get in to a US College (for example by GED), that would, technically NOT reach the requirement. Some COs stick to that approach somewhat rigorously, some don’t. The DS260 should be completed with all education. And to be safe, taking too many documents, as you suggest, is the correct approach.
May 11, 2019 at 18:20
By I obviously met the educational requirement I meant my US high school diploma. I graduated from high school in the US while simultaneously getting an international high school diploma (since a US high school diploma isn’t accepted by all countries as sufficient, Germany being one example). Since that or an equivalent is the educational requirement I met the requirements.
The way I wrote it it sounded like getting into a US college is sufficient, which you’re right, isn’t the case. Thanks for clarifying that so that my comment isn’t misunderstood 🙂
May 11, 2019 at 18:40
Ahh yes – I hade missed that nuance. Kinda busy, but best it was clarified.
May 11, 2019 at 18:00
Thank you for sharing, were you an F1 Student in the US? And did they ask anything specific about your previous stay in the US and how did it end up going?
May 11, 2019 at 18:34
Yes, I was on a F1 visa two separate times. The first time was in high school. After high school I left for 6 month and came back to the US on a new F1 visa for college.
The CO briefly asked a few questions to verify what I wrote in my DS260 since those were long periods of time that I stayed in the US. (I got both my F1s and green card from the Frankfurt consulate in Germany.)
The CO asked a few deeper questions, because while studying I lived with my aunt and uncle. For the green card, I got a job offer from my aunt and I wrote in my application that I was going to live with them. The CO basically wanted to make sure that it’s a legit job offer and that I’d be ok financially, because it was a low paying job offer and I didn’t have any savings to show.
I was in AP for about a month because my medical exam took a long time to get to the consulate, but I ended up getting approved and now live in the US.
May 16, 2019 at 14:53
I see that winner in US prefer to do an adjustment of status but I am going back to my home country. I am afraid about dual intent they might ask. Can you share your experience? My visa will expire in 2020. Because my case number is low, i prefer do the interview in my country. Do you think is a risk?
May 16, 2019 at 17:15
Immigrant intent is a threat to NON IMMIGRANT applications, not to IMMIGRANT applications (like the DV)
May 12, 2019 at 12:50
Thank you Vivien, i will include everything. Can you please tell me which documents you sent at KCC? How I know when i have to send them?
May 12, 2019 at 14:35
SLOW DOWN. There is plenty of time for you to go through the process. You don’t need to supply documents for a long time.
May 12, 2019 at 15:05
I agree with Simon, slow down. Going too fast causes mistakes.
I sent the documents KCC asked me to send. That information is available on the department of state website. KCC will send you instructions when to send your documents. Some documents are only valid for a year, so document gathering depends on your case number and when it will be scheduled.
I had a fairly low case number and I only did research up until June/ July. In August I started to gather my documents and submit everything I needed to and even that was early.
May 12, 2019 at 15:17
Vivien, the new document procedure was only introduced late last year. I think you are a little confused.
However, the point is the documents should not be submitted early, and that means according to case number, so the OP has a LONG time to wait.
May 17, 2019 at 10:11
Thank you for the answer Britisimon. You right, dual intent in for non immigrant. But do you believe that go in your country is a riskey, and it is better do an adjustment? What is your opinion based in the past winners already in the us?
May 17, 2019 at 20:14
I answered already. I cannot decide for you.
May 17, 2019 at 21:28
I understand. Sorry.
By the way, I sent the ds 260. In case I want to do the AOS, what i have to do? Unlock my status?
May 17, 2019 at 23:11
Maybe. It depends what you said in the DS260 about how you were processing. It really is logical.
May 18, 2019 at 00:41
I am not familiar with the process sorry. So in order to change the CP in AOS I have to unlock my ds 260 and in the section where I want to be interviewed I have to put United States, right?
May 16, 2019 at 14:46
Thank you Vivien, when you won the lottery, you were in the US with a visa?
May 11, 2019 at 15:38
The DS260 asks for details of all education.
The Highest level completed question is self explanatory (or at least it should be for someone with a masters).
May 11, 2019 at 12:50
Hi Simon! Thank you for the great blog. I am a bit confused with the `hole theory`. So my number is EU34xxx, according to the data on your website since 1995 (24 lotteries) my case number did not become current 4 times. That means there is 14% risk for me. But when you say `I have heard high numbers` does that mean it is more likely for number like mine to go current? I am a little confused…
Thank you very much once again, cheers!
May 11, 2019 at 15:39
I already replied to your earlier post – but again, stop with the 14% nonsense.
May 11, 2019 at 16:05
I am in the same boat, with 2020EU36XXX. This means if my number ever gets current probably not until late summer next year correct? And I can take my time with the DS260?
Thanks boss!
May 11, 2019 at 17:00
@MH. Correct
May 11, 2019 at 14:31
I found a paragraph on the Foreign Affairs Manual that explains the high school requirement. The point is, make sure you graduate high school BEFORE your interview date to be qualified. Maybe you can put this in your FAQ britsimon since some people including me have been asking this.
(U) High School Education or Equivalent:
(1) (U) You must adjudicate the applicant’s qualifications under this requirement. In order to enter or apply for a visa under the DV program, the alien need not prove that this requirement is met. The applicant must, however, meet this requirement by the end of the fiscal year in which selected and present evidence of completion to the satisfaction of the consular officer. If the applicant does not meet the requirement at the time of the visa interview, you should refuse the case under INA 212 (a)(5)(A). If the applicant presents evidence of completion of high school before the end of the fiscal year, and visas are still available for the region, you may overcome the refusal.
May 11, 2019 at 15:50
It’s there. No one reads it apparently, but it is there. It really only applies to quite young people, so that is naturally a small number of people…
May 11, 2019 at 15:03
Hi i have selected for visa programme but i don’t have 3passes in advanced level ( sri Lanka) but i have 2 years working experience so can i apply for visa
May 11, 2019 at 16:49
Read this:
https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
May 11, 2019 at 17:00
Hi Simon, I was selected in the DV2020, I am from Venezuela and currently, the US Embassy in Caracas isn’t working due to the political situation in the country.
My question is: at the moment I fill the DS260, as I am in Venezuela, do I have to choose Caracas as the embassy where I want to be interviewed or can I choose an embassy in a neighbor country and then travel to that country at the moment of the interview?
Thanks for your help!
May 11, 2019 at 17:13
Fill the address in, and KCC will pick the embassy depending on the situation at that time. Unless your case number is low you should NOT be submitting your DS260 yet.
May 11, 2019 at 17:38
Thanks for your quick response Simon, I will then fill the address in Caracas. I will wait until you create your post regarding safe numbers in order to submit my DS260 as I’m afraid my case number is high.
Thanks for your help!
May 11, 2019 at 18:02
Can I ask your case number just the 2 first digits?
May 19, 2019 at 15:26
Hi Max! I’m from Venezuela too. Is there a way that I could contact you? Thanks!!
May 11, 2019 at 17:20
Hi when do you think we will know the selectee numbers?
also, since when the new docs procedure is been implemented? Since DV2019 or DV2020?
May 11, 2019 at 18:08
They will probably publish the numbers in one of the next 3 Visa bulletins.
New doc procedure since January of 2019.
May 11, 2019 at 17:43
my case num is 2020AS00012XXX
is there any chance to get 2nd letter??
May 11, 2019 at 18:04
Read the article above.
May 11, 2019 at 18:06
Hi Brit:
We can’t find a sponsor.but we have a bank saving about350K for 4 persons.Will it be a problem in the interview?
Thanks.
May 11, 2019 at 18:09
Typically not.
May 11, 2019 at 18:22
Thank you.
May 12, 2019 at 09:39
HI BRIT, I CHECKED FOR 20 PEOPLE I SUBMITTED FOR THEM AND THEY ARE MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND NO ONE WAS SELECTED.
1. CAN I SAY THEY CONSIDERED IT AS DOUBLE ENTRY AND DISQUALIFY THEM BEFORE THE DRAW, SINCE I USED THE SAME POSTAL ADDRESS AND SAME EMAIL ADDRESS.
2. SOME OF THEIR PICTURES WERE OLD AND IS COULD BE THAT THEY WERE DISQUALIFIED BEFORE THE DRAW.
May 12, 2019 at 13:53
1. No
2. Possibly, but probably not.
If you are in AF region, there is a 1 in 200 chance of selection.
May 12, 2019 at 11:21
Hi Brit, Great forum you have here. I just checked my number and it says i have been selected EU24900, is that a number that you would consider to be too high to pass on to the next stage? I’ll be checking out your other posts. Thanks Pam
May 12, 2019 at 14:05
It is not low and not high. Mid range. You’ll have to wait and see…
May 12, 2019 at 13:34
Hi Brit, The website is very helpful. I appreciate your effort to make things easier for us anxiously waiting for the next step.
My case number is 2020AS102**.
1. Do you think it is a high number?
2. Do people from Asia with high case numbers have advantage because of travel ban on countries like Iran?
Thank you in advance.
May 12, 2019 at 14:39
1. Medium
2. Yes – unless the ban is removed.
May 12, 2019 at 18:55
Hi Brit, my case no. is too high (AF64xxx). Do you think the number has achance to get visa/interview?
May 13, 2019 at 01:15
I don’t know yet.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-dont-submit-ds260-until-you-read-this/
May 13, 2019 at 02:49
hello. Im from Venezuela and my case number is 2020 SA 20XX. its my case number going to be the same or how will i know that it will change? In that case, which is the best scenario for me to submit the DS260? Im aware that i should wait a couple of months for the number of selectees, but to have a chance for a visa/interview how should the number be.
Thank you for your time.
May 13, 2019 at 02:53
You just need to wait until we have more info.
May 13, 2019 at 13:22
Hello BritSimon
Any idea if the forgot the confirmation number bug has been fixed?
Thanks
May 13, 2019 at 14:44
I think it might have been, yes – try.
May 13, 2019 at 15:34
Hi britsimon I am from Ethiopia I have been selected in dv 2020 and when i sign up for ds 260 repeatedly says the case information you entered does not match our records. so, what shall i do ?
i think from beginning i made a mistake about my birth date…
i mean i filled 1996/08/13 this but I wrote October…
Do you have a solution for this?
THANK YOU
May 13, 2019 at 16:05
Well there are links above you should click then use the October date to open the form. Make sure you put the correct DOB in the form itself.
May 13, 2019 at 21:24
Hi Brit,
Lovely thing you are doing with this website, I believe it provides the most clarification than any other forum or blog.
I would like to ask your opinion, and probably you already answered it on some other post, so you’ll have to forgive me.
1.I have the equivalent of a U.S. high school degree, and I’m about to finish my masters degree this july/august. Since my case number is relatively high, do you think I should wait until I complete my degree to fill out the Ds-260? Just so that I can say University degree at the education part of the form.
2.I’ve been working for the past year in an architecture studio, even though I haven’t finished university. It does require tons of training to be able to work, I couldn’t do it until I was on my fourth year of univesity since it requires you to have a lot of knowledge. Do you think I should say yes where it asks if this job require at least 2 years of training or experience?
3.My surname in the dvlottery was written with a C because the system wouldn’t accept it, but it’s actually Ç in my passport. When I fill in the personal information section of Ds-260, should i use Ç in the part where it asks your surname or only where it says full name in native alphabet?
Like it’s ÇANI in my passport, but CANI in the dvlottery.
My case number is 2020EU00031xxx, and I know I might not even get an interview but since it’s wayyy to early to make assumptions I’m hoping for the best. Some odd numbers this year and very high, at least here in Albania, I’ve heart of a lot of people above 55000.
Thank you so much for all the help.
May 13, 2019 at 22:25
1. No need to wait for the Masters, just document your highest level achieved at the time you submit. Not that you need to submit immediately either (because of your number).
2. It’s only a job if it is your full time occupation and you are making a living wage from it. In reality this is probably part of your training – and therefore you should not list it as a job.
3. The DS260 won’t want the cedilla, but yes you can add it in the native alphabet section.
May 13, 2019 at 22:17
Hello BritSimon,
Should I submit ths DS260 when my case number is lower that the VB of the upcoming month? Or when could be the perfect time to do it ?
May 13, 2019 at 23:12
No – it would need to be submitted ahead of that. There is an amount of delay when you submit a DS260 and then documents – so you should be aware of that. Having said that, there is time for all this to become clear. This is not a fast process.
May 13, 2019 at 22:52
I applied to the DV through my country of birth (Venezuela) but i also have Colombian Nationality, however i think that by the time of the possible interview my Venezuelan passport could be expired and right now its extremely hard to renew it, so do you recommend me to submit the DS260 as a Colombian or try my best to renew the passport as soon as possible? Because Colombia was excluded from th lottery and i dont know if that could bring any adittional problems.
thank you for your time.
May 13, 2019 at 23:14
It doesn’t matter which passport you use.
May 14, 2019 at 02:11
Good evening,
I sent the DS 260. I have a quick question about the U.S travels.The page told me to list the last 5 trips in the US. I have a student visa so during the years I went in my home country and I came in the US multiple times. Last time I entered in the US was an August 2018. I will be in here till this August. There is no voice “current”. Instead, I have to give a date for “Length of Stay”. I decided to list as Date Arrived in America 17 August 2018, and Length of Stay 1 year. In this case I predicted that I will leave the country in August 2019. Do you think I did ok?
May 14, 2019 at 02:39
No need to show length of stay on the last entry if you are here now. But it doesn’t matter – they know where you are.
May 14, 2019 at 09:46
I included because that was last time I entered the US. Do you think it must be corrected or nothing serious so I can leave it?
May 14, 2019 at 13:49
No problem.
May 14, 2019 at 14:04
Thank you very much!!
May 14, 2019 at 09:36
Hello,
I just posted a comment into another article, but maybe this is better for my question.
My question is about how to fill the questionnaire. Writing in english is a must, but what about Spanish postal addresses? Do I need to write them down in english too? Thanks so much for your help.
May 14, 2019 at 13:48
No
May 14, 2019 at 12:56
2020AS 14***, is it safe for this year, as it seems case no is too high for others in asia also
May 14, 2019 at 15:12
Read above.
May 14, 2019 at 15:54
I am dv selectee from Ethiopia case number 62xxx can I have chance to get visa
May 14, 2019 at 16:08
It is to early to know.
May 14, 2019 at 16:22
Hello,
Do all winners get an interview what ever the number of use case?
May 14, 2019 at 16:27
No
May 14, 2019 at 21:59
Hello Simon,
I am an F1 student with a low case number that most likely will be current in Oct or Nov based on your data. I saw that you replied to someone that with a low case # that they should get on with the DS260 ASAP. I was not really sure why that was recommended, I wonder what would happen if I waited until like July to submit DS260 so I can get some info some together?
I also wondered about the “double-intent” when I submit the DS260, by the time the green card lottery interview is I am already done with my studies so I don’t care about getting another student F1 visa, but I am worried that they would mention something about the fact that I was an F1 student when submitting DS260 at the consular green card lottery interview? Do you or anyone else have any thoughts/experience with this? Thank you!!
May 15, 2019 at 03:20
I would have recommended a CP case file the DS260 fast. It sounds like you plan CP rather than AOS. October interviews will be scheduled in August, with DS260s and documents submitted and processed by very early August. So – if you want until July you might cause a small delay, but if you don’t mind that, then no problem.
It is fine to file while still on F1.
May 15, 2019 at 04:30
Thanks for your reply,
It seems as if there won’t be enough time to do AOS, when I call attorneys who ( you are right don’t know almost anything about this process) they say ” since you have to leave the country under your F1 status late November this year you risk being out of status before your AOS processes” I am super confused because I thought once you file for AOS you could wait here in the meantime (my EAD expires at end of September with a 60 day grace period to leave the country)
But I honestly don’t know I am confused 🙁
May 15, 2019 at 04:38
As long as you can file before being out of status you can do AOS. How low is your number (with region)
May 15, 2019 at 22:05
Thanks, its around 6690’s for the EU region. Can I file AOS as soon as the # comes up on the VB board? If I file DS260 now for CP, can I change it to AOS in case my number becomes current in Oct?
May 16, 2019 at 04:09
Study the spreadsheet linked from the first post here:
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2020-aos-only.340762/
May 15, 2019 at 10:15
I am in US with a student visa and it will expire in July 2020. I should be interviewed by October or November 2019. I decided to go back to my home country so, I will renounce to my visa status. Do you think is ok?
May 15, 2019 at 17:13
You can do that if you want.
May 16, 2019 at 16:13
Briti do you think is better to do an adjustment of status? I see everybody chose to do that instead going back to their country. Maybe is a risk going back? Can they accuse of dual intent?
May 15, 2019 at 12:04
Do a person at usa has to fill DS 260 form or I 485 status adjustment application form? What are the stepwise process?
May 15, 2019 at 17:19
If a person wants to adjust status there is a different process. Read about the process here:
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2020-aos-only.340762/
May 15, 2019 at 16:18
Hi Simon. My case number is NA000000** Bahamas. Do you think I should fill out the DS260 form yet?
May 15, 2019 at 17:59
WELCOME. You are a rare case indeed – there are typically only a few NA cases a year. FYI, I never really post anything about NA, because it is too small. But in a typical year, cases numbers will be bwtween 1 and 10, some holes. If you are very low in that range, complete the DS260 now, otherwise wait a couple of months. I would expect NA cases to be no higher than 20. Just watch the VB and you’ll be fine. Best of luck.
May 15, 2019 at 21:57
Hi Simon,
My case number is around 8300. I am currently in united states with F-1 (student) visa. I would appreciate if you could kindly answer my questions below:
1-I do not need to submit the form ds 260; instead I need to submit the form i-485. Can I apply for adjustment of status now or I need to wait until my case number become current in visa bulletin. I mean, can I have the interview earlier as I am inside the US?
2-I may go to visit my parents in my country for one month at the end of summer (I have multiple entrance F-1 visa). Should I apply for adjustment of status before that or after I return to US? Can my travel for visiting my family have bad effect for obtaining my immigrant visa? Do you think it would be more wise if I stay in the country until my change of status process is complete?
3-what is the first step I need to take about my special case?
4-As my case number is rather high, do you think I have a chance to to get the visa?
Thank you very much.
May 15, 2019 at 23:11
My case number begins with 2020AS and end with around 8300. I am thinking of AOS but not sure if my case can be done before September 2020. Is there any thing I can do for expediting the process for AOS? Thanks
May 16, 2019 at 04:16
No
May 16, 2019 at 04:08
1. The process still runs by case number.
2 & 3 https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2020-aos-only.340762/
4. It’s not that high, but you did not give the region.
May 18, 2019 at 02:05
Thank you very much for your response. The case number around 8300 for Iran. 2020AS83**
May 16, 2019 at 03:55
Hi Brit,
First of all, thank you so much for creating this amazing source. I literally went through almost every single article you posted lol.
My husband was selected for the DV-2020 (we are both currently in the US on a F1 student status).
Our case number is EU00004XXX, which appears to be very low in that specific region. I have read your article about whether to submit the DS-260 early or not and we decided to submit it since our case number is very low (again if I’m understating this whole case number thing correctly).
Now we are just patiently waiting for the KCC to process the DS-260 and we already started to gather necessary documents. Since we are in the US, we will be applying for the adjustment of status, so would you recommend to wait for the visa bulletin to become current for our region and then send in all the documents for the adjustment of status? I’ve read your article about the VB but I’m still a bit confused about when will the 2020 info be available there, since I’m currently seeing only 2019 (June and July).
Thanks again for your time!
May 16, 2019 at 04:26
Read the FAQ. ( you have lots of time). Also check out this link for AOS info
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2020-aos-only.340762/
May 17, 2019 at 09:22
Thanks for the great blog! Case number 2020AF18XXX. Do you recon I will have to hand in the DS 260 soon or can I wait a month or so? According to my understanding interview date could be around April 2020. Thanks in advance!
May 17, 2019 at 20:09
You can delay submission for a couple of months at least.
May 17, 2019 at 11:38
Hello Brit 🙂
1.principal applicant name in the selected letter missed my one of middle names.im sorry i cant remember that whether i added that name in the dv lottery registration or not.can i add that name in ds260???
2. My case number is 2020AS25XXX.is this too low?? Can i acheive the visa????
May 17, 2019 at 20:21
1. Yes
2. It is high (not good), but it is too soon to know.
May 17, 2019 at 21:33
Hi Bri, i won the dv lottery 2020 and my case number is 2020AF00067691. Please when can i submit my DS260.Please do help me, am really begging
May 17, 2019 at 23:12
Your number is very high (and therefore risky). Wait a few months until we know more.
May 18, 2019 at 03:42
Hello
My Case number is 2020AS000090XX. I am student on f1 visa now? so what do you think about the case number? If I go for DV is there any problem with f1 status? I think i have to wait a lot.
May 18, 2019 at 04:02
Both questions, no problem.
May 18, 2019 at 06:43
Hi britsimon im selected from 2020 dv, my dv form was submitted as single now I’m married like for months now what shall i do in ds 260 at this time it is hard for us to separate.
May 18, 2019 at 13:17
No problem. You add your spouse to the process. Simply complete the DS260 as married, and use the “add applicant” feature.
May 18, 2019 at 15:35
Hi Simon. I have a really important question but it’s not clear for me yet. Inversión I submitted the DS260 do I have to wait for something to submit the documents? Please help, I already know which documents I need and have them but I’m not sure about what should I do next.
May 18, 2019 at 16:06
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-selectees-not-yet-interviewed-please-read-this/
May 19, 2019 at 15:11
Hi Simon. I asked you yesterday about documents submission. You answered me with a link to the “DV2019 selectees not yet interviewed…” but I forgot to mention that I was selected for the 2020. I already filled the DS260 but I do not know if I have to wait for their email in order to send the documents or what. Please I would appreciate your help. I don’t know if I am doing it ok. Thanks.
May 19, 2019 at 15:59
Then relax and wait – depending on your case number you have a long time to wait.
May 18, 2019 at 17:08
Hello. My case number is 2020AF33xxx. When I’m likely to go for the interview. ThsTh you
May 18, 2019 at 19:11
Read the article above.
May 19, 2019 at 01:47
Hello brit,
My friend got selected for dv20 he doesn’t have highschool degree but he has experience on industrial sector for 5 years and at the same time his wife she has highschool degree in your is it enough?
May 19, 2019 at 03:27
https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
May 19, 2019 at 02:21
Hi brit,
Could you tell me clearly about affidavit support sponsor’s criteria and there necessary documets for dv winner 2020? My sponsered was only just 2 years been there in USA and he had also gone there through dv program 2017. it is good to accept to him as a sponsor ? My case number is 2020AS64XX, it is possible to select again for further process? I had not any work experience, and I didn’t continue my study too from last 7 years , may it effect to get diversity visa? Please I am waiting for your response.
Prem
May 19, 2019 at 03:31
Your questions are answered if you read the FAQ. Please do that.
May 19, 2019 at 03:18
Hi brit ,
Could you tell me about qualification of affidavit of support sponsor’s necessary document for dv 2020? Is there some critera of sponsor’s salary and other things?I was going to submit my relatives sponsor him that he has only 22000$ yearly income and he had just settled there trough dv program in 2017.
May 19, 2019 at 03:32
FAQ!
May 20, 2019 at 14:31
Thank you brit for your quick and kindly response .
May 19, 2019 at 08:03
Hi Brit,
I have submitted my DS-260 last week, and haven’t received the mail regarding sending my Documents.
I have sent KCC and they replied by that once they finish processing my DS-260 they will send me an email regarding my documents.
How long does it take for them to finish processing my DS-260 and send me the email to start sending my documents?
Case AF72XXX
May 19, 2019 at 15:37
If you are DV2020 and case number over AF72000, then you have AT LEAST a year before anything happens on your case. So forget about your documents for now…
May 19, 2019 at 09:22
Hello BritSimon..
My case number is 2020AS74xx. What is the possibility in getting visa?
May 19, 2019 at 15:39
Read the article above.