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.
October 19, 2019 at 13:14
Hey
My name is El
I played the DV 2020 last year and won, but i have been trying to log in to d-260 but they have told me i have entered a wrong information about date of birth, while its the same birth date that i put when i was playing.
Now im stuck there.
October 19, 2019 at 16:01
Make sure you are using ALL the correct data for accessing the DS260. You probably are not paying enough attention.
October 20, 2019 at 06:48
Hello Mr. Simon,
I applied for DV lottery 2021. But I didn’t had a passport to apply so I checked in the option that says “unable to obtain a passport, and have received a individual waiver of the passport requirement by the Secretary of Homeland Security or Secretary of State.” I saw you youtube video after filling up the lottery form. So I was wondering if I am now eligible able to win DV lottery 2021 or not?
October 20, 2019 at 17:32
You may be selected, but will be disqualified for choosing that option without justification.
October 20, 2019 at 11:52
hi simon thanks so much for your help and time, i have completed an reviewed my ds260 , but the problem that when am going to sign and submit my ds260 it wont signed and submitted for me even if all may data are correct and accurate i tried so many times but the problem the same. today when i logged to their site i found that message ” Due to a systems issue, customers are unable to upload documents to CEAC for electronic immigrant visa applications at this time. Please DO NOT mail or email your documents to NVC. Please wait for the system to allow you to upload your documents. Customers are still able to log into their accounts to pay fees, complete the DS-260, and receive messages. Please continue to check back on this site for the latest information. We apologize for this inconvenience.” is the problem from them or from me.
October 20, 2019 at 18:14
If you are a male under 26 you may not have clicked the selective service link.
October 21, 2019 at 14:32
Thank you so Simon it works for me, you are really a smart and experienced man.
October 22, 2019 at 03:47
Cool.
October 20, 2019 at 16:36
What happens if i am winner but i played when I was in a foreign country. Do i have to return back to my country of citizenship to do the process
October 21, 2019 at 00:25
No
October 20, 2019 at 21:31
Hi Mr. BritSimon,
I applied for my parents who live in Baghdad, Iraq, but in the (in care of mailing address) i entered my mailing address in USA as i’m currently living. could you please tell me did i do something wrong? was i suppose to enter their address in Iraq or it is OK to enter my address as a person who will receive their mailing if they got approved here in the US, also for the phone number i entered my US number is this wrong or right?
thank you,
October 21, 2019 at 03:57
It’s fine.
October 22, 2019 at 03:10
Hello Mr. Simon,
God bless You! I am a DV2020 winner 2020AS0002xxxx. I just received an email from KCC asking to submit all documents required, and I have watched your youtube regarding to submit the pdf file, here are the questions
1) Do I need to combine all the family members’ files eg. birth certificates into one pdf file or can be separate?
2) If Combine is necessary, any free tool that I can combine?
3) One of my family member ‘s passport will expire on April 2021, is it ok to use the same passport for interview or should I get a new one?
Thanks so much.
October 22, 2019 at 04:45
1. Separate.
2. NA
3. Its ok.
December 8, 2019 at 14:52
I’m a Dv 2020 winner too, and I combine mine in a PDF format.And kcc email me they have done processing my documents
October 22, 2019 at 08:39
Hi Simon, I have just received email requesting documents and my question is should I send my documents and those of my family members and if so should I do it in one email or I should send documents for each derivative in their separate email? Your kind response will be appreciated.
Thanks
October 22, 2019 at 23:12
https://britsimonsays.com/document-procedure-modification/
October 22, 2019 at 12:42
Hello Brit,
I received document email from KCC and they want military and court records but I have never been to the military neither have I been arrested, what do I do in such a situation? Do I just send the relevant documents or what?
Thanks
October 22, 2019 at 23:30
They are clear. You send military documents IF needed. Some applies to you, some doesn’t.
October 22, 2019 at 13:31
Hello Mr Simon, Am Married But, I Want To Fill The Entries Single, In Case I Win There Is Any Problem During Interview?
October 22, 2019 at 23:54
If you lie, you will be disqualified.
October 23, 2019 at 08:05
Dear Mr. Simon
I’m 2020 DV Winner and have passed the interview, when I want to check my Visa Status in CEAC website, it says Invalid Immigrant Visa Case Number, however I’m putting my case number correctly
October 23, 2019 at 16:04
You have to be specific about where in CEAC you are checking.
October 23, 2019 at 11:09
Hi Britsimon…Am dv2020 winner…AF 000030XX…have been schudule for interview 6th december 2019 in Accra Ghana…but my interview appointment didnt include that for medicals tho i know its a requirment
1. How do i my medicals and what are the requirements please.
October 23, 2019 at 16:33
YOU need to book the medical based on embassy instructions. You MUST read the lottery instructions and will then see the embassy specific instructions.
October 28, 2019 at 09:02
Pls Sis Ama am equally a 2020dv winner from Ghana but haven’t been scheduled for interview can we link up
November 13, 2019 at 16:53
Ama Please book an appointment with Akai house at Accra for the medical examination. You can WhatsApp me on 0541680526
October 23, 2019 at 13:05
Hi Ama,
There are two approved hospitals by the U.S embassy here in Accra that you are suppose to call and schedule your medical exams.
One is Akai House in Osu and Holy Trinity Medical Centre in Kaneshie. You are responsible for getting it done before your interview.
October 24, 2019 at 10:13
hi Simon am Jamal from Algeria i played for Dv 2021, when am filling my data i included my official first name last name but by misunderstand i filled middle name cause people and family call me with it even if its not included in my passport and birth certificate and my country don’t use middle name. does that going make me refused if a win when kcc check my data. although all data is 100% correct and accurate.
October 24, 2019 at 16:10
If you get selected you will be able to submit accurate information.
October 24, 2019 at 22:03
Thank you so much simon for your advices, so as I understand i can fix that issue by providing my surename and givenname as in my passport, and fill the middle name that I do the mistake with in other names used because am publicly knowing by as I see in ds 260 form example. Is that work.
October 25, 2019 at 03:45
Yes
October 24, 2019 at 15:06
Good sir please can you help some one to process the lottery sir
October 24, 2019 at 16:23
I help a lot of people enter the lottery – watch this video.
https://youtu.be/CiGh0nkuQ6k
October 24, 2019 at 19:06
Hello dear sir
I am from afghanistan and i am selected in dv lottery 2020 when i want to submit my DS-260 it gives me this notice NOTE: You must read the Selective Service System DS-1810 (pdf) form before signing. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the form. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader go here to download a free copy. Click on the following link to view the form. And i couldn’t submit my form even the submit button is disable. If get back soon from you it would be appreciated it in advance
October 24, 2019 at 22:09
Click on the link about selective service!
October 25, 2019 at 02:44
Hi dear omid nazari.
I am also from Afghanistan and 2020 dv lottery 2020.
Let to share our knowledge and experience.
If u want.
Dear,
My email address is [email protected].
Thanks
October 24, 2019 at 22:12
Hey can I play dv with my passport which expire two months ago am from Liberia
October 25, 2019 at 03:50
No!
October 25, 2019 at 04:16
Hi. Simon.. During fill the application, I entered Colombo instead of Colombo-8 on Birth place…that would be a problem to disqualify?
October 26, 2019 at 01:48
For the second time… no.
October 25, 2019 at 21:53
I lived in a foreign country for 5 years but returned home 12years ago. The passport I used while I was in that country has been stolen. I could not obtain police clearance from that country because they are requiring that passport. I can get a police clearance here in my country but can’t obtain one from the country I use to live 12years ago. Will they still need that police clearance from the foreign country?
October 26, 2019 at 02:38
Yes
October 27, 2019 at 16:17
Hi brit
Can i have your email address please ?
October 27, 2019 at 18:38
I only respond to emails that NEED to be asked or answered privately.
britsimon3 at gmail
October 28, 2019 at 07:22
Please check the email i have Send u attached dv picture i have question regarding the picture please take a look
October 28, 2019 at 08:53
Hello Brit.
Pls can i send kcc an email concerning my delay in the 2nl am in AF###43 summited my DS-260 on 24/7/2019
October 28, 2019 at 21:05
You can – but if you mean your number is 2020AF43XXX that is not current yet so you should remain patient.
October 28, 2019 at 18:33
hi Brit,
very stupid and easy question: I am a selected of dv2020, the email address that used when I register for the lottery is the same that used when I paid the AOS fee…but now this email address is not longer active…is that a problem?
When I will submit the ds260, can I set a new email address where to receive notifications?
Thanks!!!
October 28, 2019 at 22:10
Yes
October 28, 2019 at 23:20
Hello mr.brit, I’m sorry i know that a lot of people asked you this question, but please understand my concerne, so i live in Algeria and my case number is 2020AF622xx and i was wondering if i could have a chance to receive the 2nl e-mail of the interview ?? please respond sir
October 28, 2019 at 23:49
I have previously said that all case numbers would become current (with the possible exception of high number Egypt applicants) Now we will wait and see what happens.
October 29, 2019 at 08:54
Hello Mr. Simon,
Your website is really helpful. We have submitted the DS260 in May. My husband is the DV2020 winner 2020AS2xxxx. He has just changed his job this month in Oct. Can He wait to tell the correct information about the current job in the interview, or is it necessary to unlock the DS 260?
Thanks so much.
October 29, 2019 at 15:52
No necessary to unlock for a job change.
October 30, 2019 at 01:58
Thanks!
October 30, 2019 at 06:14
Dear Simon,
i do not understand this question, can you please clarify?
Were you issued an Alien Registration Number by the Department of Homeland Security?
I was issued a visa and traveled to USA.
October 30, 2019 at 23:50
You would only have an Alien Registration Number if you had previously had a Green cad.
October 31, 2019 at 06:55
Thank you
October 30, 2019 at 16:17
DV success Story – DV 2019
Country: Cameroon
Interviewing Embassy: Yaounde
Case No. 2019AF00043XXX (Family of Five)
Checked results in August 2018 and got the 1NL
Did a lot of research and got to Britsimonsays platform
Started the process by acquiring I134 Affidavit of support.
Then established passports for my wife and 3 children. I had my passport already since I lived in South Africa.
Fill out form DS260 with a lot of consultation from Britsimon. After submission, I started putting every document needed in place. Got my police clearance from South Africa, birth certificates, birth cards for the kids, report cards, school attendance certificates, CNPS attestation, got my old photo album to as physical evidence of marriage and kids. The album was pretty old. I had been in the house for 14 years since we got married.
Got email to send required documents on May 5th 2019 and send the document immediately. Five days later, got confirmation email that document were complete and valid. In the mist of this we kept praying and fasting.
Got second notification letter on May 23rd. Interview was scheduled for July 16, 2019 at 9:00AM. We did Medicals in Yaounde Cameroon at the authorized clinic on June 25th . We paid a total of 720 000 FCFA about 144000 per person. It was a real medical examination as at a certain stage you have to undress for proper physical check-up.
Results were pickup on the 15th of July at the clinic. FIVE sealed envelops with some photocopies were handed to me.
ON the eve of the interview, I went through the document file again to make sure every thing was in place. We went to bed and at 2:00am I got up from bed and went to my wife’s room, we talked for a lengthy period of time, prayed and discussed some sample questions I had copied from Britsimon platform. Then I got the kids up and gave them a short lesson.
After all the preparations that morning, I checked the money for the visa interview, counted it preserved it in my suit, I also took some extra money on me.
We left the house and took a taxi to the embassy with my elder brother. Arrived the embassy at about 8:12 AM
Went through security checks and we were asked to seat somewhere in front of the interviewing hall. (Some winners came without photocopies of their documents and had to go out of the embassy to do that…… please always take detail note of everything you need to bring for your interview)
In a few minutes we were taken into the interviewing hall. Upon entering the hall, I was giving a number and asked to take a position on the line. The children sat down and I stood on the line with my wife with a very big bag of documents. I had arranged the documents in the format needed. The documents were taken and I paid the interview fee which was 975000FCFA. I was given a receipt and we were asked to take our seats.
We sat down, watching the drama that was unfolding in the hall. We were called again at another counter after about 2hours. Part of our documents were given back and our address in the USA was confirmed.
We were asked to go back and sit and wait for the proper interview.
After 45 minutes we were called by a White lady for the interview.
The first thing she asked as we approached her window was that “Mr Ebacha are you here with all your family? I said Yes Ma’am and she was smiling. We took the oath and she called my Daughters name (Rosa Parks) and waved at her and said her name was very important to Americans citizens. She called my little daughter, we raised her up since she couldn’t see her and she waved at her smiling. She took our finger prints and asked me do it for the kids since there were under aged.
She was typing at this time and then asked: When did you get married? Responded ….. She went through our very old album and was very happy looking at our wedding pictures and some others.
Then she open our documents and took my Advanced Level Certificate and congratulated me for rewriting it at my 40s. She gave me back all the birth certificates and other original documents and then said:
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME USA.
I cannot explain the JOY and what we went through at that moment. We give Glory to God.
We arrived the US on September 29th, The envelops were handed at the POE at New York airport. We paid for the GREEN CARDS the next day of arrival.
We got our green cards on the 25th/10/2019 and our Social Security Cards on the 29th/10/2019 of October.
Dear Brit, thanks a billion times for your assistance. You always said we should over prepare which I did and only answer one question because everything was in place. Thanks again. I will be making a donation when I am on my four legs rolling. For Cameroonians, you can write me on raebacha75 at gmail dot com. God is still doing miracles and don’t forget to pray and dedicate everything to him. Thanks.
October 31, 2019 at 16:17
Thanks for the detailed account – much appreciated.
November 1, 2019 at 03:21
Dear simon
I’m 2020 DV winner with case number is AS000101##
I got email to submit my documents on oct 7th from KCC and forwarded my documents on oct 14th. But after i submitted my documents i realized there was a mistake in my notary copy of marriage certificate. My citizenship number was wrong in my notary copy of marriage certificate ( should be 199 but it was 119 on the copy). i submitted the notary copy only not the original one. i got auto reply from KCC but haven’t got the document complete mail till now. Should i be worried ?? Should I resubmit all my documents to KCC stating the reason or should I wait for the document complete mail ? your suggestion will be much more valuable to me.
Thank you
November 2, 2019 at 04:47
Send a new set with the change.
November 2, 2019 at 12:45
Hi simon, I did a civil wedding at Attorney General’s office in 2016 and we did not take some photos, will that affect my interview at the embassy, in other words are photos of wedding a must to prove your marriage and if yes, what should I do now?
I’ll appreciate your kind response.
Thanks
November 2, 2019 at 16:16
As long as you have official documents, no problem.
November 2, 2019 at 23:40
Hey britsimonsays,
So I accidentally marked “high school, no degree” rather than “high school, degree.” I think I know the answer already, but wanted to confirm with you since I couldn’t find anything online.
Since I’ve already submitted my application and cannot edit or re-submit a 2nd application, is it safe to say that my application will be denied since I do not meet the minimum education requirements due to my mistake?
Thanks,
Edwin
November 2, 2019 at 23:42
No. It won’t affect anything at all.
November 3, 2019 at 16:28
No. It does not matter.
November 3, 2019 at 01:03
Hello Simon. I would to know if my picture has the requirements, one of my eyes its a little closer than the other one. Where could I send you this ti verify_
November 3, 2019 at 01:12
one eyelid more fallen than the other. is it ok?
November 3, 2019 at 16:30
No. Don’t overthink this…
November 3, 2019 at 13:06
Hi Simon….I haven’t obtained my international passport but it’s bound to be ready in two weeks time ……on the same note I’m trying to hit the deadline ..can I use a temporary passport(though doesn’t allow for international travels) to apply for the dvlottery 2021?
November 3, 2019 at 16:54
No
November 3, 2019 at 19:32
Hello Sir Brit, it’s me again. Please I received an email from KCC asking for documents and they stated the general required documents needed.
My wife is the Selectee and she applied with her with her University degree but KCC did not ask for it only the general requirements.
Sir, please my question is , should we send her degree certificate together with the general documents they required for ?.
Please, forgive me for my ignorance. Thank you Sir Brit
November 4, 2019 at 14:31
Send what they ask for.
November 3, 2019 at 20:42
Hi Does entering the green card lottery affect me going for an interview for a B1/B2 visa?
November 4, 2019 at 14:35
No
November 4, 2019 at 14:50
But suppose the interviewer for the B1/B2 visa asks me did you enter the lottery? I would have to say and that could go against me
November 4, 2019 at 16:35
Honesty. Buying a lotto ticket doesn’t mean you owe taxes.
November 5, 2019 at 17:40
I submitted my application and it said success my entry was received but it was after the time of entry like 7 mins after. I suppose its still accepted because it does say success
November 4, 2019 at 05:20
sir, I was ask to submit documents.
1) how long can I take to do so, can it be more than a month before I submit…? Because am still to do my passport.
2).And also the police certificate if am 16yrs and above, am above, how do I do it sir, I don’t understand, I haven’t been into the police. Thanks
November 4, 2019 at 15:02
1. No deadline.
2. Read the instructions – particularly the reciprocity page for that country.
November 5, 2019 at 18:04
Hi Sir,
How are you doing??.My friend who is born in Saudi Arabia have birth certificate in Arabic. A translated copy with seal of Indian consulate in 1994 is stamped and passport was issued . Place of birth is too mentioned in the passport .
Is that birth certificate is enough for further processing of the lottery.
With regards
November 6, 2019 at 03:52
Hmmm – Saudi Arabia are the authority for births in their country – so that seems odd.
November 6, 2019 at 06:01
Dears, Can any one check their status in ceac.state.gov
because I have passed the interview 2020 DV and the counselor told me that I can check the progress of my visa status in the mentioned site, but when I’m checking the sites says Invalid Immigrant Visa Case Number, does any one else has this issue,
Thanks in advance
November 6, 2019 at 13:31
2020 cases cannot be checked until January.
November 6, 2019 at 15:24
Dear Simon Thanks from your reply, how to know the status of my visa , it has been one month since the interview, thanks
November 7, 2019 at 01:47
You cannot check your status at this time.
November 7, 2019 at 03:35
Is my Visa in process ?
November 9, 2019 at 03:37
I don’t know.
November 11, 2019 at 00:35
Hi Brit,
Is there anyway if finding out if I have included my spouse and child during the initial DV lottery. I am having a feeling I haven’t included them due to their photo not getting accepted. But I can’t believe remember. Contacting KCC will help?
November 11, 2019 at 16:28
You can’t check the entry. But if you are already a selectee, dependents are listed on the 1NL
November 12, 2019 at 00:00
Can any 2020 selectee with dependant confirm you have lists of your children’s name in the 1NL letter.
Feel like l messed up big time. Maybe I should go ahead with the process and sponsor my wife and kids later when I am in US.
November 12, 2019 at 00:04
Another confirmation is that the ds260 would already have the derivatives, ready to start their ds260s.
It sounds like you missed them off. In that case you should stop processing otherwise you would be committing fraud and you could never bring them.
November 12, 2019 at 11:04
You are right Brit. Thanks for the advice. Will pass on the lottery this year. Let’s see how long does it takes until I win again ?
November 13, 2019 at 04:08
If you are OC region you have a high chance of re-selection.
November 12, 2019 at 07:39
Thank you BritSimon! perfect work as always. thank you for this again . I am the winner of 2020 and submitted DS 260 and other documents such as B.certificate, Police and others well. I am living in china following PhD study currently. do you think it affects my chance if I don’t finish my phd? as an Africa region my case is higher around AF 40k but with huge hope that I will be interviewed and hope with waiting. do you think this case number matter to get interviewed as far as I followed your projection on excel I am hoping I will get to get interviewed in end of july or august ? second Question is that I have to find Affidavit who can sponsor me means I-134 form need to be filled or can I finish and keep it with me from now on please ? I am worrying about the timeline like police can’t be more than 6 month. in that case does it give sense if I gate now from friends ?
November 13, 2019 at 04:07
Don’t get an I-134 now. Wait until nearer the time. Your studies won’t matter.
November 17, 2019 at 11:05
I filled out the DS 260 and submitted the required documents to KCC using a different Email from I registered the first time in DV 2020, No problem with this right?.
November 18, 2019 at 21:01
No problem.
November 17, 2019 at 17:40
Hi!
Very basic question: the email address that used when I registered for the dv2020, it is not longer active… Is this a problem? I was wondering if I can change the email address when I will fill out and submit the ds260!
Thanks
November 18, 2019 at 21:10
No problem. You should change the email when you submit the DS260.
November 17, 2019 at 19:26
Hi Brit, first of for I would like to thank you for your endless support. After that I have one questions, l changed my sponsor address. But I can not change my spouse sponsor address. Then 1.is it affect our interview? 2.Can I change my spouses sponsor address like me?
November 18, 2019 at 21:13
1. No
2. Yes – change at the interview.
November 18, 2019 at 18:13
hi Brit,
sorry if I post again the same question, I don’t know if accidentally I cancel it or I just lost the track! so in case I posted 2times, sorry in advance!
I was wondering if it is a big problem if the email that I used to register for the dv2020 is not longer active, so I can’t use it anymore..and if it is not a big problem, how I can change it.
Thanks
November 19, 2019 at 17:27
Hi!! Me and my husband have interview on December. Do we need to submit any health insurance and bank saving details? I heard from some people that each person should have 10,000 dollar, is it true???
November 20, 2019 at 05:24
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
November 20, 2019 at 02:38
Hi dears sir,
I sent my documents to kcc 46 days ago.
But still I have not receive an email from kcc for my ds 260 valid.
I sent my documents to kcc without naming.I just write my full case number as a subject in email nothing else.
Plz dear sir help.
Will it effect my interview date?
Should I resubmit my documents again to kcc without being ask kcc?
Thank you dear sir.
November 20, 2019 at 05:37
Ask KCC
November 20, 2019 at 03:55
Hi Mr. Simon,
Thanks for your good work. Regarding to the December visa bulletin, the allocation cut-off number in January 2020 in Asia is 8,200, which is much higher than that in January 2019 which is only 3,800. The question is what is the indication, should I treat it as a good sign or bad sign to my family who have a high number 2xxxx? I know it’s not guarantee for anything, but it gives us hope.
Thanks so much.
November 20, 2019 at 05:38
A already posted aricles in July explaining that numbers will go higher this year.
November 20, 2019 at 08:25
Hi dear sir,
Plz help me.
How to ask kcc?
Thank u sir.
November 23, 2019 at 05:00
Read the FAQ.
November 20, 2019 at 11:43
please has anyone in the AF region FROM GHANA GONE FOR THE INTERVIEW ?
Please let us know the Cost of your medicals …Thank You
November 20, 2019 at 17:51
Please it’s gh2400.
November 21, 2019 at 20:47
Asante…You can find the cost of the medicals from the selected centres which the US embassy has approved. That is Akai or Holy Trinity.
November 21, 2019 at 06:53
Hi dear sir,
I sent an inquiry email to kcc whether my documents are receive or not.
Plz help me sir.
When did I will receive an email from kcc again
November 21, 2019 at 20:51
Sardar…
I think there a lot of information here on this site to read it your self…Brist hardly answers questions which is already available here…Pls do yourself a favour and read more here…Thanks
November 23, 2019 at 16:42
Be patient.
November 21, 2019 at 14:20
Hi Simon and thanks for your continued assistance.
Now what do I do because I am likely to have my interview in February and my wife is pregnant and due almost the same month. what will happen to my kid if I finish the interview and my wife gives birth later? Can I travel with my kid?
Thanks
November 23, 2019 at 16:46
That is covered in the FAQ.