I hear people asking – why is BritSimon telling us a way to get disqualified??
Well every year I get to hear similar stories about what people have done on their DV entry and how can I help fix it for them. It normally goes like this…
“My friends told me to apply as single even though I am married…”
“I was annoyed with my husband and we planned to divorce so I left him off the entry…”
“My child is away in another country so I left him off the form, how can I add my child…”
“I split up from my husband years ago, and although we never got divorced, I did not put him on my entry…”
In every case like that my answer will be the same. There is nothing you can do, you will be disqualified. Every time. Got that? Every time.
So – if you want an easy way to be certain to get disqualified – this is the most obvious and certain thing you can do. Leave a legal spouse or child off your eDV entry. Simple.
Am I making my point?
Now if you are about to enter the DV lottery and want to avoid the heartache, expense, and hassle of being disqualified, this is the single most important bit of advice I can give you.
INCLUDE your spouse, along with any child, adopted child or step child under 21 years old (who is not already a US citizen) on the entry.
It does not matter whether you intend to apply for a Green Card for them as your derivative. It does not matter if you are planning to get a divorce. It does not matter if you do not have custody of your child. IF you have any derivative family that would be an eligible derivative, they MUST be on your entry form.
Now, how about some answers to specific scenarios.
You are separated from your spouse, but do not have legal separation papers. You must include him/her on your entry. Don’t have a photo? Use an old photo or take a photo of a neighbor. If that spouse is not going to apply for a DV Green Card with you, the photo won’t matter. However, leaving him/her off your entry will get you disqualified.
Plan to take the kids at some later date? Put them on the entry. If you win, you don’t have to process their case, but again, leaving a child off your entry will get you disqualified.
Getting the picture?
Ok so the other question I get asked is how will they know. Surely someone could pass the interview and wait until later then bring the spouse/children later – perhaps after the winner is a US citizen. Well let us assume that because of bad record keeping in your country the US embassy does not find out you have a spouse or kids that you didn’t declare. Let’s say you have been living in the USA for over 5 years and now have citizenship. So – you apply to sponsor your children. You will be deported. Your citizenship will be taken away. Because you obtained the Green Card by fraudulent omission, your citizenship will be revoked. So – if you proceed with this and think you can sort things out later, you NEVER will be able to admit the existence of the spouse/child that you left off your eDV entry. Their existence proves your fraud.
So – good luck with your entry. Please don’t make this simple mistake. If you do, I cannot help you.
Easiest way to get disqualified from DV lottery
October 25, 2016 at 04:50
Thanks brit . Can you give me advice .will it help me if I go with a letter from court about my mistakes. by the time for my interview
October 25, 2016 at 05:10
What would the letter say? You didn’t follow the instructions??? They will know that.
No, there is nothing that will help.
October 25, 2016 at 05:43
Should I attend the interview or I leave?
October 25, 2016 at 05:48
It is up to you.
January 24, 2018 at 07:58
Please I have applied for the lottery and i am currently living in Ghana. Please if i win it, but no more living in Ghana but in a different country schooling, please where do i attend the interview? Do I have to Shaun studies, come back to Ghana for the interview?
January 24, 2018 at 15:09
Wait and see if you are selected first.
November 2, 2016 at 13:47
i registered the lottery with my last year pic !!!! and now read the note that it lead to disqualified from lottery ? ia there any way to help???
November 2, 2016 at 14:46
No.
November 3, 2016 at 16:19
What if a person is married and he fill single can he fill next year ??
November 3, 2016 at 17:40
If he tells the truth!
November 4, 2016 at 17:03
Hello. I am applying for dv lottery for this year as Romanian citizen. It is already late but I just found out about the program. I am married with a girl from the Philippines, but I did not see her in more than 2 years. She wont reply and I cannot get a photo of hers. The divorce here without her is taking ..forever so technically I am still married. My choices are to manipulate (medium Photoshop retouching involved) an older photo of hers (it has patterned background and the shoulders are not aligned but the face is straight and looking towards the camera), or I can just send a friend picture instead. I don`t know what risk to take. can you please advise me regarding this? Thank you so much!
November 4, 2016 at 18:46
You correctly understand the two options. The other option is to not apply at all. So – now you just need to pick one of the options – it’s your choice – I don’t have a recommendation for you.
November 4, 2016 at 19:02
I don’t have picture of my child. I have no contacts with them, What should I do?
Thanks
November 4, 2016 at 20:18
3 options.
1. Get a photo of the child.
2. Get a photo of “a” child.
3. Don’t apply for the lottery.
November 7, 2016 at 00:02
I restart the Entry ’cause safary crashed and I lost the page, when I do it again says it’s already submitted. I disqualified myself right?
November 7, 2016 at 00:32
So your case was submitted. THEN in May you can check. Relax.
November 8, 2016 at 04:41
But I lost that number that you suppose to use for check. The page crashed before I can take a pic or I can printed. You know if there’s a way to have the number back?
Thank you 🙂
November 8, 2016 at 05:49
Yes, when it is time to check you can retrieve your confirmation code.
November 7, 2016 at 06:11
Hi Britsimon,
i won in DV2016 my case number is DV201725xxx so i think maybe my interview will be after a few months 2 or 3, anyhow for some Economic problems 🙂 as i have some issue in my current company here in KSA, so i don’t have enough money to process the program for my family, Madam and 3 child’s (Medical checkup, Visa fees, GC fees Airplane TT and the housing there etc..).
so please correct me and advice if you can for bellow few options:
1- get the interview with whole my family and sure i have to pay the interview fee 330 for each and also the medical checkup also, but i will keep the GC fee and the airplane TT fees, and after the interview i can inform the consul that i can’t take my family with me due of some reasons related to my company situation now, so how long i can stay there to prepare a accommodation?
2- bring them with me to the interview but pay nothing and just to show them to the consul and also inform him as above, the issue i think they will not allowed to come with me to the interview if i didn’t get the medical checkup and other things is i’m right?
3- advice me pleeeeeeeeease.
November 7, 2016 at 15:05
Option 1.
You can take the interview togather and you have up to 6 months to enter the USA after that (actually it is 6 months frpom the medical date). Then you go to the USA, find work and pay for the family to join you.
November 8, 2016 at 05:21
so the date will be from the medical checkup, not from the visa issued?!!
November 8, 2016 at 05:46
Yes.
November 7, 2016 at 18:16
Hello Brit
I have two kids, one is 18 and the other one is 21. I included my 21 year old daughter in my application form along with the rest of the family (Me, my husband, and my second daughter). I didn’t know if I should have left out my 21 year old daughter or not since I had to mention the exact number of kids I have. I’m afraid this will lead to my disqualification, is there any way I can remove my 21 year old daughter from the form later on or now?
November 7, 2016 at 20:36
That’s not a problem. The 21 year old will not get a visa – but it won’t cause a problem because you listed her.
November 9, 2016 at 21:52
Brit help me! I have too large face on the photo and very small visible of shoulders, i was randomly selected and have own case number. Is it mean that everything is ok with my photo?
November 10, 2016 at 00:06
It should be OK.
November 11, 2016 at 10:48
Is it possible to be disqualify now, beacuse of wrong photo? Will I receive invitation for interview or what to expect with my case number? Why did they select my to be “randomly selected” and not “non selected” if my photo is not good enough? What do you think abou it and how to know that i am disqualify?
November 11, 2016 at 16:36
You will get an interview. Relax.
November 24, 2016 at 12:22
Hi Brit,
Thanks for all the answers you have been providing the helping People with the dV process.what are the chances of disqualification for a 2017 winner who used an old DV 2016 photo.?
November 24, 2016 at 15:51
I don’t know the “chances” it is entirely up to the CO.
November 24, 2016 at 19:45
Thank you. That being the case, any advice on how to tackle this if brought up during the interview by the CO?
November 24, 2016 at 20:09
Apologize for not following the rules/instructions and hope they are in a good mood.
March 30, 2017 at 09:46
Can you tell us if everything went okay (considering you used an old photo)? Thank you in advance
November 28, 2016 at 21:15
Is it true that if the photographer changed your background from plain blue to white it can disqualify you??
November 29, 2016 at 01:24
The instructions say to not alter the photo digitally. So – if you don’t follow the instructions it can cause a problem BUT disqualifications for the scenario you describe would be very rare.
December 4, 2016 at 15:56
Hi Brit! I am one of those waiting for their fate if TT they will win the lottery next year in May . However I wanted to ask you if someone could be rejected totally if they don’t have enough money to prove that they can support their stay in the United States whilst they are still job hunting?
December 4, 2016 at 20:55
Yes, someone can be disqualified if there is a fear they will become a public charge.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
December 10, 2016 at 23:33
Hi Brit, I’ve been randomly selected for Dv2017, I got 2nl for interview on January and I have prepared all the doc needed. In dv2017 application I used the dv2016 photo. Do you have any idea will it be discualification for getting a visa, I am worried about it 🙁
December 10, 2016 at 23:38
You wouldn’t be worried if you had followed the instructions.
However, refusals for this reason are rare.
March 30, 2017 at 09:49
Hi Brit,
Just want to know a few things..
1. So does the System itself disqualify you if you use an old picture? Or the CO?
2. Why do you think refusals are rare for this reason?
3. do you know of any cases that have been approved/disqualified for using an old photo, AFTER being selected?
Thank you sir!
March 30, 2017 at 14:47
1. Both are possible.
2. It depends how old the photos are – if the appearance hasn’t changed, they might forgive it, or not notice.
3. I normally advise people to JUST FOLLOW THE RULES!
January 19, 2017 at 20:55
Did u get visa even with dv2016 pic ? My case exactly the same. Used dv2016 pic
January 19, 2017 at 20:56
That is contrary to the instructions and therefore there is a risk of denial (but that does not mean certain denial).
March 14, 2017 at 11:53
Jahon! Kindly update us and let us know how the interview was! Hope it wasnt a problem that you used last year’s photo!
March 14, 2017 at 11:53
Hi there! Kindly update us and let us know how the interview was! Hope it wasnt a problem that you used last year’s photo!
December 26, 2016 at 05:53
HI BRIT, IM A WINNER OF DV 2017.. I USED AN OLD PHOTO TO REGISTER( ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD PHOTO) BUT I HAVE GROWN FAT NOW AND THE PHOTO DONT SEEM TO BE ME… I WILL GO FOR INTERVIEW FEBRUARY 2017,,CAN I BE DISQUALIFY BECAUSE OF THE PHOTO?
December 26, 2016 at 06:33
Yes.
March 1, 2017 at 19:18
Hi , JAY
I have the same case of you , did you got the visa or you denied because of the photos ?
Thanks
May 21, 2017 at 16:50
can you please tell us what happened with you in the interview ? approved or denied ? please
January 5, 2017 at 20:20
Hello there,I have a question, what can happen if parents did not declare their children and decided to travel without them. But now they want their kids to follow them to the US? Is that bad or there might be a solution for that
January 6, 2017 at 01:25
If the children were not on the original eDV then the visas have been gained under false pretenses. As soon as the existence of the children is revealed, the GC could be revoked and the parents deported. The same thing could happen even if the parents have become citizens by that time. There is no solution.
This is exactly what the article above explains…
January 19, 2017 at 21:25
Dear brit I did not include my children on my DV2017 application because the are already us citizens and I read on the dv 2017 instructions that you will not be penalised for including or ommiting such children from the application but I included them on the Ds 260 form as not immigrating with me . was this correct
January 19, 2017 at 22:14
Yes
February 3, 2017 at 19:28
On dv 2018 application I used the same pictures I used on our applications last year. I didn’t know I need new ones until a couple days later. Anyway, my husband and I live in the USA, we have overstayed our visas. We have an American citizen baby and pay taxes. In church this year they made an announcement that you can now apply for the lottery even if in illegal status, due to some new law that passed in 2016. In case we get randomly selected, should we go forward and get an interview? Will the picture situation automatically disqualify us and if that does happen, will we get ourselves in troubles and in line for deportation? Right now nobody really bothers with us with being here. Thank you
February 3, 2017 at 20:21
This is not worth worrying about until you are selected. Chances of selection are LOW.
However, a couple of pieces of advice.
1. If you want advice about what car to buy you don’t go to a butcher expecting expert information. Similarly, churches should not be your source of immigration advice.
2. Overstaying your visa (and thus accruing illegal presence) is incredibly unwise. You may not think anyone bothers, but you will find you are making things difficult for yourself. If you have overstayed for a long time, you have effectively ruled yourself out as being able to benefit from a DV lottery win.
February 4, 2017 at 06:31
hello simon.
educational institute when asking for from date of attendance to date of .
meaning we need to give dose 12years of school(primary nd secondary)or only 6years of secondary?.
April 22, 2017 at 00:22
Hi! I’m disqualify but the reason why I was disqualify I have the poof; can I still call for rescheduling back?
April 22, 2017 at 18:44
Your question is not clear. If you are disqualified, that’s it – its over.
April 28, 2017 at 22:58
Hi Brit . I am the primary applicant but i will not issue a visa ( for personal reason ) can derivatives issue a visa if i do not
April 29, 2017 at 00:01
No
May 4, 2017 at 22:30
Hi brit. I was selected for dv2018 but there is a mistake on my name,put surname in the place of name and rwite A on the place of U. Wat can u advice me
May 5, 2017 at 01:04
Well it sounds like you were deliberately trying to fool the system to enter multiple entries. If not, and you want top proceed, submit the DS260 with the correct name. There is risk. What embassy will you be going through?
May 5, 2017 at 05:52
Hi BritSimon,
I overstayed my student visa 20 years ago however i won the 2018 dv
Am i now disqualified?
May 5, 2017 at 08:40
No
May 5, 2017 at 09:48
Dear Brit. I registered for green card lottery 2017 and it generated a page which shows everything was successful and I got the confirmation number. Now when I try to check it says invalid entries. Yet I cross check and make sure all details are correct. what do you advise me to do please?
May 5, 2017 at 16:25
Read the FAQ.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/checking-esc-page-check-without-mistakes/
May 5, 2017 at 12:28
Thank you for replying,
Obviously the consul will know that i overstayed my visa after he reads the period in which i was there in the application.
Will he mention that in the interview and ask me what i was doing there ..etc?
May 8, 2017 at 10:44
The upper thread can be deleted, I posted a new one under
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-calls-redraw-old-photos/
Thanks,
May 13, 2017 at 12:29
Hello i qon dv 2018 and now i have to apply for ds 260. I have been arrested or lets say stay in police for 3 days should i declare it in ds 260 ?
Ps They mistake me for another person
May 13, 2017 at 13:30
Honesty is the best policy.
May 14, 2017 at 19:17
An old friend applied for me as a single person, we came into contact 9years ago. My status had change and im married with a 3 years daughter. I won but want to know if my status as married man, disqualifies me?
May 15, 2017 at 01:16
Yes. You did not add your wife and child to the entry form, so will be disqualified.
May 20, 2017 at 15:06
I am not marry and don’t have a spouse for now also a winner of this 2018 d.v with my two kids two different father. What your advice?
May 20, 2017 at 20:12
Advice about what?
May 26, 2017 at 00:09
hello Mr/Miss,i applied my fast green card 2016 but my confirmation number got lost ,i applied again 2017,is there mistake?
May 26, 2017 at 21:19
I don’t understand the question.
June 7, 2017 at 14:42
thank you sir for your quick response , i undeerstand you say we might get deported ,so you think no co will actually listen to us and admit us if we are honest://..? but him adding me and an unborn child isnt wrong,u said its possible ,its just the firdt child ,and ive checked on the ucsis page and its possible to file for your relations
July 1, 2017 at 13:47
Hey I didn’t qualify can I make it in the second Draw?
July 1, 2017 at 14:01
There won’t be a second draw. Try again in October.
July 2, 2017 at 18:26
I’m a dv winner 2018,i have never been married but have two kids with the same man, they both bear his sir name, during the initial entry I entered leggaly separated because I thought having leaving separatly we should process separation, after winning I told him and he asked me what we were separating from since we have never been together.he is ready to give me consent and custody to travel with his children.
1.how do I fill the Ds 260?single or separated?
2.will this lead to disqualification?
July 2, 2017 at 21:32
3.Will entering the dv lottery as separated while I was not married but have kids with the man lead to disqualification?
July 3, 2017 at 14:20
Possibly.
July 3, 2017 at 14:19
1. Single if you have never been married. I hope you entered both children on your entry.
2. Possibly.
July 3, 2017 at 15:06
Thanks for your response,yes I entered both the children.kindly advice me what the chance of getting through or being disqualified?
July 3, 2017 at 15:46
I don’t have a way to estimate the chance. The only way to find out is to go to the interview.
July 3, 2017 at 18:01
Thanks alot britsimon, you are of much help to many of us who didn’t understand about the dv.God bless you as you continue with the good work
July 3, 2017 at 18:02
Thanks alot britsimon you are of much help to many of us who didn’t understand about the do, may God bless you abundantly as you continue with the good work
July 20, 2017 at 15:55
Thanks britsimon for the much education you giving to some of us. But am a bit confused here. Is this blog dealing with things that can disqualify you from the random selection process itself or things which can disqualify you once you’ve already been randomly selected as a winner?
July 20, 2017 at 16:35
The post above deals with disqualifications that happen to people that have been selected – but did not enter all derivatives on their initial entry.
July 20, 2017 at 20:14
Thanks for the clarification.
July 20, 2017 at 22:06
Pls I need clarification sir,
I just read this blood and its saying another selections have taken place for DV2017.
1.is it those who played in 2016 or what?
I need your clarification pls.
July 20, 2017 at 22:23
There was another selection in October last year. Those were on entries for DV2017 – entered in October 2015.
August 3, 2017 at 19:52
Hello Britsimon
1-I was wondering if the dv lottery program offers any options for finding jobs easier after arriving in the USA.
2- how much money should we have available for housing etc?
Thank you
August 3, 2017 at 20:45
1. No – no support like that.
2. That is a hopelessly general question. It depends where you live and how you plan to start. If you are staying with someone that can help with somewhere to live, that will be very different than if you are self supporting. Also depends on your family size. Also depends on what work you intend to do. You should try and have money to buy a car, pay deposits on an apartment, living expenses for 1 or 2 months. The point is you need YOUR plan and YOUR budget – and you need to do some homework.
August 3, 2017 at 22:42
Hello Simon, I am a single girl 29yrs with a correct high school documents and a bachelor degree won dv2018 with my kids10yrs &1yr+,will I get disqualify because I am migrating with children without a spouse?I am absolutely single and self supportive with my kids.
August 3, 2017 at 23:13
No problem.
August 11, 2017 at 01:40
Hi Brit My sister played the lottery as childless but gave birth before the results is there a possibility of disqualification?
August 11, 2017 at 02:06
Not for that reason.
August 14, 2017 at 12:11
I want know if you fail to obtain Dv lottery visa do you think that they will give you another chance?
August 14, 2017 at 14:09
I cannot answer such a generalized question.
September 16, 2017 at 12:55
Hi Brit,
I am at the final year of my bachelor’s degree. Should i choose my education in the application as a graduate? Will it disqualify me if i will have my bachelors still running after i am selected? or should i still rather choose as high school?
September 16, 2017 at 14:11
Highest level COMPLETED
September 17, 2017 at 12:42
I have some skin burns and a tattoo on my arm. Would it be a problem in medical exam for DV processing?
September 17, 2017 at 13:15
no
October 4, 2017 at 08:11
Hi brit, can I ask is there any chance that can we pass the entry even at the very first, we are not eligible to the entry? I’m from Philippines..
October 4, 2017 at 10:44
No.
What would be the point?
October 7, 2017 at 09:08
I have beard but I don’t want to take it off..Can I take a picture with my beard and apply for the DV Lottery?.
October 7, 2017 at 12:47
Yes
October 8, 2017 at 02:19
Hello Simon. Regarding the photo Would there be any problem if I have a piercing in my nose? At this moment it’s impossible to me remove it from my nose.
October 8, 2017 at 03:35
That is OK
October 8, 2017 at 02:26
I read a lot that people is afraid of being disqualified. How we know if we are disqualified or we are just not selected ?
October 8, 2017 at 03:36
Some cases are disqualified before the winners are announced. Those cases don’t know they were disqualified. Other cases are disqualified at interview – so they know.
October 8, 2017 at 10:51
Thank you. That is a good reason to do the things right from the beginning. As a lottery I asume many people don’t really care how to do the application due is a sort of random luck but after win that must be more than disappointing to get disqualified for not doing the application right.
October 8, 2017 at 14:01
Yep.
October 8, 2017 at 14:26
Dear Brit, Sorry for taking your time. I have a question on registering for dvlottery 2019. My sister is 38 weeks pregnant and I want to know if she should wait for her son’s birth (any day, in 2 weeks at most) or is it ok to register for lottery now and add him later if she gets selected? ( I know the answer from your other topics if the baby is born after in the process, however, I would like to make sure, in this situation does it make any difference? and what is your opinion?)
Thank you so much for all the information.
October 8, 2017 at 15:24
She can enter now or wait. Her choice.
October 11, 2017 at 15:58
How long will take to the Application Entry system to be fixed ? I’ve been trying to apply since yesterday and it keeps showing Down for maintenance message !!!
October 11, 2017 at 19:45
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-lottery-entry-site-maintenance/
October 12, 2017 at 12:44
If i fail the medical, will they tell and fail me in the interview or will i not be able to attend interview??
October 12, 2017 at 13:34
The octor would discuss with you if you had some medical issue.
October 12, 2017 at 14:03
Hello Brit, i wanna ask you that whether the disqualification provides you a cornfirmation number. Talking here on the basis of my photo having lesser shoulder apearane compared to face
October 12, 2017 at 20:18
Are you referring to the DV entry?
You will get a confirmation number for the entry – but if they later found your photo didn’t meet the requirements they could either never select you OR selct you and leave the CO to decide at interview.
October 13, 2017 at 13:37
Hello…Can you drop your personal email address here….
October 13, 2017 at 14:00
britsimon3 at gmail.
ONLY for some question that is private in nature.