The “February” visa bulletin has been published. It concerns the case numbers eligible for March interviews.
As of this evening, the VB is published BUT is not available through the normal link – that link still says coming soon. However, the VB is available at this link.
For those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, they can expect their 2NL in about 1 to 2 weeks from now. I know I am going to get a lot of people who will ask me this exact question – so let me say that again. 2NLs will be sent in about one or two weeks time.
It is possible that some people will be current for March interviews, but will not be scheduled in March because they submitted late, or there is a processing backlog that causes a delay. February interviews were based mainly on cases submitted up to late July.
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means (for Iran Nepal, Egypt and Ethiopia).
Processing is spread out over the full year. You can see the progress of the two previous years in this post about basic questions. However, some countries have a high number of selectees and those selectees are concentrated in the lower case numbers. For various reasons, mainly to do with embassy capacity, KCC slow down certain countries as compared to the region. So – in Africa, any case with a case number shown as under the new number can be interviewed but for cases from Egypt or Ethiopia, that number is lower. That isn’t a big problem, it just “slows down” those countries a little more than the rest of the region. Since selectees from those countries all have lower case numbers, this slowing down does not present any risk. It does not (at this point) mean they won’t allow all selectees an interview from those countries.
To understand why some countries get lower case numbers, read this article about the lottery draw process.
Read this link if you are unsure how to read the visa bulletin.
WHY IS THERE NO CHANGE FOR AF AND AS REGIONS? PLEASE READ BELOW!!!!
As I have been warning for a couple of months now, the pace for a couple of regions has slowed down. AF and AS regions have not increased at all (apart from the exception countries). As I said – I predicted that. I expected it. It is nothing to panic about. It is NORMAL. Remember this is a 12 month process and these March interviews are only for month 6 out of the 12. So RELAX!!!!
So why has this happened for AS and AF regions.
First AS region.
In Asia, about 80% of all the cases in the first 7000/8000 case numbers are assigned to Iran and Nepal. So – whilst the region as a whole has not increased, Nepal and Iran have increased, and therefore new cases have become current. That is simple to understand. There is a good increase for Iran and Nepal. Iran will possibly have the country exception removed next month since it is roughly in line with AS region as a whole.
Africa is slightly different. Let me explain how KCC organize their work. In order to meet the regional quotas, KCC try to schedule about 2000 AF region cases per month. That means around 3500 people (including derivatives), and from those interviews, approved cases would be sufficient to meet the regional quota in less than 12 months. There is no need to go faster than that, and in order to operate at best efficiency it makes sense to spread the workload over the whole year.
OK – hopefully that is clear to you. So then where do they get 2000 interviews from? Well, first of all they take into account how many people are already current but were waiting for their DS260’s to be processed. Next they increase the VB by enough numbers to yield the remaining cases needed to get the number of interviews they want. Since the number for last month was 28700, any number below that number was already current in previous months. BUT if someone had submitted in August, that case is only just now able to be scheduled. These are cases from the DS260 “backlog”. This month, those backlog cases (plus some for Ethiopia and Egypt) were obviously enough to fill all the interview slots with no additional increase in the AF region number.
This does NOT mean all the visas for AF region are assigned. It doesn’t mean there won’t be any more increased in subsequent months. It simply means they don’t need to increase the number this month.
Like I said – I have warned this was likely to happen. It should not be a surprise. Remember, the DV process is a test of patience.
January 13, 2017 at 17:56
Thank you for Information
January 13, 2017 at 20:23
нєу вʀιт;
ρℓѕ ċαη:αƒ00014***….ɗαтє σƒ ѕυвмιѕѕιση 22/10/16….ρℓѕ ωнєη ɗσ ι gєт му 2 nl
January 13, 2017 at 22:12
Maybe 2 or 3 months
January 13, 2017 at 22:59
Hey
I have done diploma and currently i just started working and its not even 2 year’s , in my ds 260 were its says what u will done once u r in USA and i just wrote working.will there will be any problem?
January 14, 2017 at 01:08
Possibly. They might wonder whether you simply cannot follow instructions or are trying to hide something.
January 13, 2017 at 23:06
Hi brit i have another question if my interview is in march i am the aaplicant and we are aprove on march and my husband has to go to usa the next month (april) can he enter with no problems like tourists because as family we are entering in july
January 14, 2017 at 01:07
No. He will not be able to do that. If he needs to do that he would have to ask the embassy to delay issuing the DV visa to him – and because that is “out of the ordinary” that will create some delay or even risk.
January 14, 2017 at 04:01
ok he wont do it thank you!!!!
January 14, 2017 at 06:18
Hi simon
There is someone how asks a question that she did choose university degree in the. Highest level of education on dv lottery entry .
1.when you choose your level of education the link in a new Windows will not be open for work experiences not true? She can’t answering yes to 2years of work experiences because the window is not open ,am I right?
2.I did fill my kids form but now I noticed the passport have a mistake in name.to get new is take long I am scared that the interview can come and didn’t get the now one.the ambassy did take the one with error.
You think that a can make a change at the interview?
The simon.
January 14, 2017 at 16:13
1. No. That doesn’t sound right.
2. Get the passport corrected. Present the corrected passport at interview.
January 14, 2017 at 13:13
Hi Brit,
you think they will arrive at what date of sending DS260 for March interviews ? #2NLs.
Thank you
January 14, 2017 at 16:04
Late August, or perhaps Early September.
January 14, 2017 at 18:10
Submitted on Sep 1,emailed the KYC,got response that my case has been processed and is at embacy now…
January 14, 2017 at 15:56
Hallo Brit
No changes in Africa what’s up? Or that the standing point for Africa dv number 2017….
January 14, 2017 at 15:58
If only there was an explanation somewhere….
January 14, 2017 at 16:11
Hi simon,
I really appreciate your hard work with us. Recently we had our interview here in UAE ,Abu Dhabi Embassy. Just to remind you i have choosed Somalia as my country of chargeability although i have born in UAE but my spouse is born in Somalia. So the day of the interview the consular accepted that but she told me our application is under Administration process and I was missing the chest x ray since am pregnant. She informed me i have to complete my medical with x-ray and no way to avoid it. My Radiologist advised me not to do it specially am only 10 weeks now. I have read through online similar situation where the consular understood its a risk to do the xray for the unborn child. My question now how to convience her to do it after my delivery am afraid to loose the visa because of that. Moreover do u have any idea why she put my application under AP…she was positive in the interview and very kind and said all my docs are complete except the xray..
January 14, 2017 at 16:21
You are on AP because you have not completed the medical. The xray can be performed with a shield for the fetus – and that is commonly done. If you do not have the xray you will not get the visa. I have NEVER read a credible report of a CO not needing a completed medical including xray.
January 14, 2017 at 20:46
Dear Simon, my passport will expire 11 months after interview however currently it has more than one year validity.
i prefer to have a full validity passport at the time of interview so that there wil be no concerns about passport expiration date after visa issuance.
kcc says i can not unlock the ds-260 to update.
my question is:
is it “completely ok” to replace the passport and go to the interview with the old and the new passport?
please comment.
January 14, 2017 at 22:42
Yes.
January 14, 2017 at 21:16
Hi.. thanks so much for your answer in adwance. 1- I submitted 3 th of septmber my number is 9xxx , still waiting . when you guess it can come ? 2- and i am married woth 2 kids. my husband is not able to come with us to usa and will not get green card. he lives in another country becouse of his job. can this be a promblem ? i am the winner. 3 – thats why he will not come with us to interview do i have to give his details to ambassy ?
January 14, 2017 at 22:41
1. Maybe March, possibly April interviws.
2. There could be some concern of financial support and also parental custody. So think about proof for both concerns.
3. He would already be on your DS260. That is all they need.
January 14, 2017 at 22:38
as for us that submitted on December 6,2016
and resubmitted on January 9, 2017 have to wait for long time and our case number is current for February 2017
(2017af00027xxx).
January 14, 2017 at 22:50
Yes, you caused some delay.
January 15, 2017 at 00:22
Hi brist, you don’t think due to the remark from the American president elect will bring problem for we African currently on the 2017 program? As I learn from some of my friends, those visa officers are denying most people for minor problem.
January 15, 2017 at 03:44
Trump’s comments don’t mean a thing to DV2017 selectees.
I assume you are talking about Ghana. The refusal rate is high there because of high level of fraud and failure to follow instructions.
January 15, 2017 at 05:51
hi britsimon…… My problem is that my citizenship and my fathers name a few different educational certificates, and my address was the first Village Development Committee is now the municipality, it is problem to my visa or not
January 15, 2017 at 06:20
No
January 15, 2017 at 11:08
Hi Simon
Just I have a rare question. Shall we get email from KCC after submitting the DS-260 form? Because since I submitted the form in May 2016, I have not received any email from KCC yet and its make me worried about that. Shall I email them or what to do??
Thank you
January 15, 2017 at 11:47
Sorry dear Simon,
Just I found your reply to the same my question in my last pm. Please ignore this message.
Tq
January 15, 2017 at 16:28
Hi dear Simon
since the March VB did not increase at all (except for Egypt and Ethiopia) can we guess the same thing next month or there may be a good move?
January 15, 2017 at 16:38
We have to wait and see.
January 15, 2017 at 16:28
Hello Brit.
We submitted by mid September and the case number is 287×× . When can I expect the interview or a date from the embassa
January 15, 2017 at 16:40
If your number is current (and you don’t mention your region or country so I don’t know), AND your DS260 is process you can be scheduled.
Mid September submissions might be ready for March interviews, but more likely April.
January 15, 2017 at 18:58
Hello sir,
Need your opinion if i should unlock DS being so close to the interview. Place where I’ll be staying in NYC my uncle sold the house and moved to a diff house a few blocks away. .should i unlock and update the address?
DS submitted 05.19.16
Case # 2017EU00020xxx
Thx alot.
January 15, 2017 at 19:16
There is no harm in unlocking since the case is not current anyway.
January 15, 2017 at 19:56
Hi Brit. I attended 3 different secondary schools in the past but I only mentioned the school at which I got my secondary school certificate when filling the ds260 form. Please I will like to know if I should unlock the form mention all schools attended.
PS: my case number is current
January 16, 2017 at 01:23
No need to change that.
January 20, 2017 at 13:38
Thanks for replying Brit, I’m really grateful.
1-After sending a mail to KCC, I got the “…pending further embassy review…” reply, does it mean I’ll be for March interviews? And my case number is current, AF region.
2-Do you do medicals immediately you get the 2NL?
January 20, 2017 at 16:25
1. If you got that reply in the last few days it means an April interview (if current)
2. You BOOK them immediately, but time them for just before the interview – the doctor will decide how much time they need.
January 15, 2017 at 21:26
Hi Brit I submitted my ds 260 on 12th July, I unlocked on resubmitted on 18th August, 2016 and my case no. 2017AF00043xx which is current. So please do u think I will get my 2nl for match interviews
January 16, 2017 at 01:22
Probably.
January 16, 2017 at 07:22
Hi Brit,
I have answer for a question on the DS260 form “What do you intend to work in the US?” and my answer was computer science, I’v Deploma in IT and currently studying Computer science (2 year in University). would that be a problem?
Thanks
January 16, 2017 at 16:45
No
January 16, 2017 at 11:34
Hi Brit I introduced my ds 260 on July 30th, I never unlocked my 2017AF00027xxx case that is underway. So, please, think I will get my 2nl for March interviews, please answer me.
January 16, 2017 at 16:37
Probably.
January 16, 2017 at 14:50
hello Simon my case number is 2017EU129X .I Submitted my Ds60 at 29Aug2016,when is the shedule. time? Thanks a Great
January 16, 2017 at 16:27
Having read the article above, what do you think?
January 16, 2017 at 20:28
I saied my case number 2017Eu129X
Ds 260 send 29 august
When i come interwive?
January 16, 2017 at 20:52
Maybe March, possibly April.
January 16, 2017 at 21:03
Hi Mr Simon
I just want to ask you, Have you stopped extracting CEAC data? I have not seen any this year?!
January 17, 2017 at 04:11
Correct.
January 16, 2017 at 22:29
what time called march interviwe?
January 16, 2017 at 22:56
Hi BritSimon, My CN is 15XX and i send m DS send 03 August.When i come interwive
January 17, 2017 at 04:03
March probably.
January 17, 2017 at 05:20
Hi Brit I submitted my ds 260 on 28th July, I unlocked on 4 Oct resubmitted on 5 Oct , 2016 and my case no. 2017AF00005xxx. So please do u think I will get my 2nl for Feb interviews
January 17, 2017 at 15:15
March interviews.
January 17, 2017 at 07:55
Dear Brit,
I realized a mistake now as i have unlocked and edited my ds260 on november but i’ve logged in by putting 5 zeros infront of my case number instead of 4 zeros as a result of which the confirmation page i’ve printed after submitting DS 260 has 2017AS00000**** instead of 2017AS0000****. I don’t think its a major error, however i would like to confirm whether it is likely to create any problem later on? I don’t have anything else to change right now, but i’m not ready to unlock the DS260 rightaway for that error. Please suggest.
Thanks
January 17, 2017 at 15:10
It isn’t an error so no problem.
January 17, 2017 at 15:19
Hi Brit, if we are to receive 2NLs this month for March interviews, should our CEAC status have changed from “At NVC” already? When I call KCC they tell me it’ll be for March and it’s being scheduled, but the status keeps showing “At NVC.” Thank you
January 17, 2017 at 15:29
No, it changes after 2NLs go out.
January 17, 2017 at 15:45
hello brit,
i submitted my ds 260 form online december 14 2016 and my case number is 2017aff11515.
when will u get my interview?
thanks for your support
January 17, 2017 at 15:57
May/June
January 17, 2017 at 16:46
thanks brit I already have visa with my family. can a principal applicant go to US earlier than other members
January 17, 2017 at 17:36
Yes
January 18, 2017 at 03:00
happy new Brit. My husband Name on original entry and ds260 form is Armah C .Gray but on his passport and birth certificate is Armah Curtis Gray and also in the ds260 section where they ask for spouse full name is Armah Curtis Gray and also in our children section where they ask for father name is Armah Curtis Gray, I need your advise,is it ok or not.
January 18, 2017 at 06:09
It’s OK.
January 18, 2017 at 06:17
Hi Brit, when i chaced my case 2017AF00024*** on CEAC the status keeps showing “At NVC.
1.So can you e-mail to KCC about my case status?
2.How can write the e-mail?
3.is that possible no problem to cheacked my case with e-mail to kcc? Thank you
January 18, 2017 at 06:24
What country are you from and when did you submit your DS260?
January 18, 2017 at 06:40
Hi Brit, I am From Ethiopia I Have Submited Our DS260 from on May 28th
Unlocked resubmit on July 27th
January 18, 2017 at 06:42
Right so you are from Ethiopia so that is why your case is still at NVC. Because your case is not yet current. Patience!
https://britsimonsays.com/read-visa-bulletin/
January 18, 2017 at 06:46
Thanks Brit patience is good.
January 18, 2017 at 08:25
Please i didn’t see my reply on this question and am asking it again. I submitted my dv forms on 19 September and reopened it twice. I have changed my place of work and i want to know if there is a need to unlock my forms and do the changes. My CN is AF 00015***. Thanks. Am counting on your reply
January 18, 2017 at 15:19
I replied already. Make sure you turn on notifications for replies.
https://britsimonsays.com/2nls-february-2017-interviews-sent/comment-page-3/#comment-58048
January 18, 2017 at 10:31
hi Brit my case number is SA201795# when do yo think i will receive my interview thank you
January 18, 2017 at 15:11
April or May interviews perhaps.
January 18, 2017 at 18:39
Has anyone received 2nl yet for March interview?
January 18, 2017 at 19:50
No
January 18, 2017 at 23:29
Hi Brit,I am reading all days the blog. Could I ask you why you answer to Venezuela Libre that for his case SA201795 its probably to have interview between April/May? I ask the same days ago for Argentina and my number case is SA18XX and you answer me wait & see, not probably dates. Argentina have special numbers or restrictions or is general number for South America? I appreciate if you explain me. Thanks for your help.
January 19, 2017 at 00:13
His number was represented as SA201795#. Since part of that is the YEAR, I took his number to be 2017SA95X. That could be a misunderstanding on my part, but I am used to people mixing their numbers up. I think you are assuming his number is 1795 – just slightly less than yours. Since that number is about 75 (to 85) above the March VB number for SA, I reasoned that he/she would be current for April interviews, May at the latest. Your number is around 1000 above where we are at this time, so it is a lot more difficult to see how we get from 875 to 18XX.
Now, I have also written an article where I explained the highest SA number we know of is 2017SA1958. So your number is very close to the highest number assigned. In that article (link below) I said that the biggest risk of not getting current was probably for high case numbers from Nepal and the highest case numbers from SA region. So – I do believe there is some risk for your case because of the massive number of selectees added in the second draw for SA. Again, I cannot be definitive about where a cutoff might fall (if at all) but it is clear that there are now about 3700 SA selectees and only around 1500 visas spaces available.
Therefore “wait and see” is the only sensible answer I can give you.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-selectee-estimate-based-ceac-data/
January 19, 2017 at 01:31
Brit, its true!! Sorry, I was confusing when I read the number case. Thank you for your clear explanation.
My number case is between 18XX , Could you tell me if represent any difference to have a number near to 17XX compare with the numbers near 19XX, or is it the same risk?
Or the only way to get an interview is the status “current”.
Thanks again for everything.
January 19, 2017 at 02:08
That is why I say “wait and see” – I can’t be precise.
January 19, 2017 at 01:41
Enter your comment here…
Brit thanks for your first response but when do you think we will get our second notification letter. our case number is 2017AF00027xxx and from Liberia. submitted on December 6,2016 and resubmitted January 9,2027
January 19, 2017 at 02:09
I don’t know. We have to see the backlog clearing…
January 19, 2017 at 02:02
I AM SORRY 2017 SA 95X
January 19, 2017 at 02:09
Yes – that is what I had thought.
January 19, 2017 at 04:04
CN:2017AF000025XX
DS-260 SUBMITTED ON JUNE,4,2016 THEN UNLOCKED IT TWO TIMES ON AUGUST,14,2016 AND JAN,04,2017
I’ve got an email yesterday from kcc saying that i’m scheduled for an interview in the coming March,07,2017
Its for your info. brit.
Good Luck Everyone! 😀 🙂
January 19, 2017 at 14:14
oh seems you are the first here to have received 2nl for march interview. congrats. Still waiting and hoping.
January 19, 2017 at 14:48
That was not a normal 2NL.
January 19, 2017 at 15:29
Thanks Brit. Thought as much. Should be email referring to ESC site.
January 19, 2017 at 04:51
Hi Simon
I submitted my DS260 on 9th June 2016 and my number is 2017AF00041706. When do you think I’ll receive my interview date.
Thanks
Radz
January 19, 2017 at 07:36
I cannot predict when your case number will be current. Wait and see.
January 19, 2017 at 08:22
Thanks Simon. I am little worried as some people have submitted DS260 after I have and they have already been scheduled interviews. Can you tell me how the case number works?
January 19, 2017 at 14:35
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
January 19, 2017 at 05:00
A very unusual question but here it is…
Does one has to dress up very formally on the interview cause everyone has been saying me to wear a suit but I’m a 21 year old skiny and short guy and look weird on suit, can I just wear plain jacket, pants and sports shoes since the interview is in early morning??
January 19, 2017 at 07:39
Smart casual is fine.
January 19, 2017 at 14:50
Hi Brit, it seems someone got 2nl already for March.
January 19, 2017 at 14:55
There is one report that I do not consider a 2NL. I wait for multiple reports.
January 19, 2017 at 15:43
Hi Simon.
Am I correct in assuming that in order for SA to become current, the success rate has to be considerably lower than previous years?
January 19, 2017 at 16:17
Yes, I think so. Without a reason for that sudden change, I can’t see how that will happen. The only unknown is the makeup of the entries – which rolls down to the selectees split. In recent previous years the success rate for Cubans has been lower than for Venezuelans. So – if the selectees were predominately Cubans (because of a sudden increase in entries from Cubans), we could expect a lowering of the overall success rate. We don’t know the entries per country though, and don’t know the selectee split between countries (except to say the 1st draw looked “normal”).
January 19, 2017 at 16:49
Thanks for your answer.
I have another question:
Let’s suppose that the success rate it’s the same than previous years for SA, but other regions do not meet their quota, is it possible to transfer those empty slots to another region? Has it happened before?
January 19, 2017 at 18:26
Yes that has happened before – as recently as last year. BUT the second draw increased selectees in all regions but an unpublished number. I have estimated the 2nd draw numbers here:
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-selectee-estimate-based-ceac-data/
January 19, 2017 at 17:06
Dear Mr.Brit,
Thanks for all your help for DV selectees My case no AS 00000006xxx . I submited my DS260 late September,I am expecting my 2nl in March /April. If our(Me,my husband and son) visas were approved how soon we should fly to USA? Can we come 6 months later?
January 19, 2017 at 18:31
Once approved your visa can be used immediately and has an expiry date set as 6 months from the date of the medical.
January 20, 2017 at 00:27
Did people start getting the 2nl for March interviews?
The last we heard from the Kentucky Consular Services, they said we are current, but was wondering when will we get that letter.
Thanks
January 20, 2017 at 03:13
No 2NLs have been sent for March interviews yet.
January 20, 2017 at 10:33
Hello Simon,
EU12xxx / I submitted DS form in September/10, I haven’t received interview date yet, I will probably receive interview date for April. I am studying and living in Taiwan, I chose Taiwan as location. But now I gradueted and I will return Turkey. If I send email to KCC and ask for location change, would it delay my interview date later than April?
Kind regards
January 20, 2017 at 18:29
You *might* get a 2NL for March. If not, the change won’t delay things.