I’ve gathered the Historical Visa Bulletin Numbers from various sources for a few years to give an idea of progression in previous years and I will maintain these numbers as future Visa Bulletins are released.
Knowing visa bulletin progression is sometimes a useful reference, and is certainly interesting. To use the data, click the tab for the region you are interested in and check the cutoff number for the month.
There may be some similarities with number progress from year to year, but there may not. So – don’t rely on these numbers as a predictive guide for this year. One thing that confuses people is that the selected numbers vary each year depending on entries and other factors. For instance, certain countries in the past have had huge entry numbers and once those countries are excluded from the lottery the range of numbers selected changes from one year to the next. That was the case in 2014 to 2015 in AF region when Nigeria was excluded, or in Asia in 2012 to 2013 when Bangladesh was excluded.
To understand how to read the Visa Bulletin works and can be read – please check out this article.
What does CURRENT mean? That is published when KCC believes that there are enough visas for all remaining demand. All case numbers can then be interviewed.
If you prefer a direct link to the data you can see that here.
October 17, 2017 at 03:47
Hi!
This may sound like a stupid question…but I’ve been thrown this year by our low number not coming up yet! We wanted to go in January (expecting our number to come up in November based on previous year’s trends) but looking now like it will be January! If your number is covered over the month of January- does that mean that your interview will definitely be scheduled within January and issued if successful? Or can your number just be ‘covered’ but interview scheduled later when they have time?
October 17, 2017 at 03:51
If the DS260 was in early (and therefore was processed) then normally the interview happens in the “current” month.
October 18, 2017 at 03:43
Thank you for the reply Simon. Could you please confirm if my understanding of your reply is correct? So assuming we got our DS260 in early (after being ‘selected’ it took us two weeks to gather all of the information and submit) then the interview will actually happen in the month that our number is covered.
I am getting a bit confused with your term above ‘current’ as I know that they also use the term ‘current’ at the end of the lottery round when all remaining numbers are given an interview. Hoping the latter is not what you mean (i.e. we are likely to get an actual interview when the term ‘current’ is against OC)
October 18, 2017 at 04:40
Yes you are likely to interview in the month you become current.
Current for a case means your number is below the number published on the VB.
October 18, 2017 at 04:43
Fantastic- thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.
October 19, 2017 at 09:03
Hello sir ,my case number is 2018EU00022XXX, I am beginning to worry that I won’t be lucky enough to be scheduled for an interview…how u think dear Can I have a chance?
October 19, 2017 at 12:34
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
October 28, 2017 at 21:30
Hello sir, I have been selected and now I’m waiting for the interview but I”m getting worried because I re-used the same photo from the previous lottery. Will it be a problem? What do you think? Thank you
October 29, 2017 at 05:07
I don’t know.
November 17, 2017 at 07:07
The link to the numbers stopped working
November 17, 2017 at 21:43
Works for me
November 22, 2017 at 01:47
Hello!
I have been selected for 2018 DV. My case number is 496XX … will be lucky enough to be scheduled ?
November 22, 2017 at 06:15
I don’t know
November 24, 2017 at 17:35
Hi Simon,
I was selected for the DV lottery 2018 and I submitted my DS260 2 months after the results with case number AF49XXX.
I’m worried about the late submission and the case number that my chances to be scheduled for an Interview are low.
Also, I’d play as single but got married after the results.
I was adviced not so sumbit my DS260 as married to avoid complications, so submitted as single. Now, I’m beginning to have a chnage of mind to include my spouse.
What’s your advice?
If I request for my DS260 to be open so I can modify my entry details.
Is the info provided on the new (2nd) DS260 going to be compared with the first submitted DS260?
Kindly advice me.
Thanks.
November 24, 2017 at 22:15
Your late submission won’t matter.
You should unlock and include your spouse. You were advised by an idiot.
December 8, 2017 at 04:42
Hi BritSimon. Just curious, why Africa region has number cases such as 70K-80K? I mean if we have only 50-55K as max for DV.
December 8, 2017 at 06:18
https://britsimonsays.com/the-lottery-draw-process-holes-theory-and-so-on/
December 17, 2017 at 09:15
Hi Britsimon my case number is AF49××× am i safe to be covered and which month am i expecting to get my interview?
December 17, 2017 at 16:02
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-selectee-numbers-published/
December 18, 2017 at 18:16
Hi am Derma. My case is Af46xxx will I get a chance to be scheduled
December 18, 2017 at 18:29
You have to wait and see.
January 20, 2018 at 11:55
Hi Doh,I am also from same range,which country are u from in Africa bcos I am from Cameroon.May be we could keep in touch and encourage ourselves as we pray for our cases to be scheduled, I am also 465**
December 19, 2017 at 09:19
Thanks for updating the data in the spreadsheet 🙂
December 21, 2017 at 17:44
Hello dear britsimon my case number is Af15xxx.after fill ds 260 i waiting for 2 month.can I got the chance to schedule for interview?
December 21, 2017 at 18:34
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions
January 16, 2018 at 19:10
Goog afternoon, nice to say hello, which means when the visa bulletin is in CURRENT???
January 16, 2018 at 19:25
When the VB shows a region is “CURRENT” it means all there are enough visas for remaining demand, and all selectees are eligible for interview.
January 23, 2018 at 10:32
Hello,
My case number is 2018EU34XXX. I’ve already seen Visa Bulletin Numbers, click the tab for my region and check the cutoff number for the month. But I need the answer from the person who has a great experience. My question is- Can I have a chance to be scheduled for an interview?
Thank you.
January 23, 2018 at 17:55
Really – wait and see.
February 8, 2018 at 14:06
02-FEB-18
Dear Sir/Madam,
The National Visa Center (NVC) received all the requested documentation for this immigrant visa case. The applicant is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas, where a consular officer will adjudicate the applicant’s visa application.
NVC schedules appointments one month in advance. The U.S. Embassy tells us what dates they are holding interviews, and NVC fills these appointments as they become documentarily qualified. Most appointments are set within three months of NVC’s receipt of all requested documentation. However, before applicants in a numerically limited (preference) visa category can receive an appointment, their priority date must also be current. This can delay receipt of an appointment. You can track your priority date using the Visa Bulletin on .
When an appointment is available, we will notify the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable). The applicant can prepare now by reading about the embassy’s interview requirements online at . Thank you for your patience.
The embassy may require additional documents at the interview. For example, if the following three items are all true, the applicant must bring a new police certificate to the visa interview:
· He or she is more than 16 years old;
· The police certificate submitted to NVC was obtained more than one year ago; and
· He or she still lives in the country that issued the certificate.
The applicant should not make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the embassy has issued a visa.
Sincerely,
National Visa Center.
February 8, 2018 at 14:07
Hi can you please tell me when my interview will be scheduled ?
February 8, 2018 at 15:14
I have no idea!
February 9, 2018 at 06:46
Hi,
How do you unlock the already submitted DS 260 form details update?
February 9, 2018 at 14:48
FAQ!
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
March 5, 2018 at 17:04
Hi Simon – in case you didn’t know (I am sure you know). it seems that the monthly visa issuance are posted here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html
The latest one shows the Jan2018 statistics.
I hope this helps you somehow!
March 5, 2018 at 17:20
Thanks – yes I know – and Xarthisius publishes that data for DV cases.
March 5, 2018 at 19:03
Thanks Simon! I think it would be great/appropriate if you can post a link to his site on this post.
Thanks for all that you do!
April 3, 2018 at 12:02
hi how are you? what do you think about next april bulletin?
April 3, 2018 at 13:58
I think it will be released.
April 5, 2018 at 13:38
hello brit, my case number is in the March bulettin, some have already received their 2NL and appointments for April and May, however my 2NL does not yet come, talk to KKC and they indicate that I should be calm and keep waiting, but now March step and the process went ahead, it is normal that this happens, should I keep waiting for the 2NL? Thank you
April 5, 2018 at 16:48
No its not normal but it is happening to others. You can keep waiting because there is nothing else to do.
April 6, 2018 at 10:03
Hi Brit! In what case number ended in2017 after current?
April 6, 2018 at 13:57
Current means all numbers could be interviewed.
April 10, 2018 at 11:50
Hello Brit, hope you are ok.
my husband is sechedule to travel for work in another country and our case is around af30k.
he wants me to go infront and join me later in the usa. is it possible? will it cause any issues at the embassy for me during my interview? Do i still need to unlock DS form and do some edit?
awaiting your comment
April 10, 2018 at 14:17
If you are the winner, then it is possible as long as you understand that getting a GC for him later will be expensive and take around 2 years.
April 10, 2018 at 15:06
hi brit.my visa interview was on 4 april 2018, after successful visa interview i was given cong letter & yellow letter with instruction,but 3 days after visa interview my visa status said AP,is that common or due to some problem?
April 10, 2018 at 16:28
Check the FAQ
April 12, 2018 at 07:04
Hi Brit, my case 28… is not waiting????
April 12, 2018 at 12:14
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-with-3-months-to-go/
April 13, 2018 at 04:59
Dear Brit
My CN is EU27xxx and there is still some hope i will get through. What i wonder is, what if ones CN goes current in the last month. Will such people get interviewed for sure or is there a risk of not being called for interview even u get your CN current but in the last month.
April 13, 2018 at 05:16
If your number is current and the DS260 is processed you can expect the interview.
April 13, 2018 at 15:30
Hi Brit;
Do you think is there any possibility for EU to be current for rest of the months or should I just forget about dv2018 as I my number is 37xxx ?
April 13, 2018 at 15:58
There is NO possibility of the EU region going current. 🙁
Obviously you can “wait and see”, but there is no realistic chance for your number.
April 15, 2018 at 10:55
Hi Brit,
In your opinion, what are my chances with 2018OC000019XX ? (Thanks in advance).
April 15, 2018 at 14:16
Zero percent with almost 100% certainty.
April 15, 2018 at 16:10
In my point of view, for the EU region this years top will be around 31-32xxx. Holes have increased to 55% on average for the sequence of cases after 14xxx. Assuming no response rate would be 20% and refuse plus no show 5%, visa issuance is going to be around 200 cases per 1000 CN i.e. 200×2,2=440 vsas per 1000 CN. From total of 18300 we subtruct 10559 and also We have to subtract approximately 700 visas as part of last 20 days of april – 7000 visas will be left in May which accounts for (7000/440)x1000=15900 CN to be interviewed. 15900 (April VB cutoff) +15900= 31800 CN would be the final cut-off.
April 16, 2018 at 13:32
I have chance 28***???
April 16, 2018 at 13:39
Mine is eu28xxx, too. We have still a little chance to be interviewed in september 🙁
April 16, 2018 at 17:58
Wher are you from???
April 20, 2018 at 13:21
Hi Brit, I’m still waiting for the 2NL from the March bulletin, there are already new cases in transit of the July bulletin. I do not know what the delay means and I do not know if there are problems with my DS-260, I wrote and call the KCC and the answer is that my case will be scheduled soon, but the days go by and the uncertainty grows. I would like to know your sincere opinion. thank you very much.
April 20, 2018 at 14:10
You will probably have a JUne interview. Wait.
May 4, 2018 at 04:04
Hi Brit,
In your opinion, what are my chances with 2018OC000016XX ? (Thanks in advance).
May 4, 2018 at 20:32
Your chances are not good. I don’t expect the final CN to be much over 1500 if at all.
May 11, 2018 at 09:21
Any chance of the SA region to become current? CEAC still shows 35% to 40% response rate (which was similar to 2017) and approximately 730 visas have been assigned so far. Density is not high either and the rate of denial is the same as last year. The only difference with DV-2017 there are far more selectees for SA this year (but also higher quota because of Ecuador), hence it might look like 2015 or 2013. I don’t know yet, I am hoping for the 2013 scenario. I don’t see holes make a big difference for the SA region, correct me if I am wrong. I know that KCC and the Embassies are doing their best with their capacities. Will KCC make it to 2018SA21XX in time or will the CN be around 1700/1800? Also, I already have done my DS260 in the first two weeks and see that a lot have not submitted their DS260 for the SA region yet, which was similar to 2017 where a lot of people just abandoned their win throughout the DV-2017 process. Will I have the chance to be scheduled sooner, or at least before a lower case number, although my case number is higher? What happens when for the remaining bulletins subsequent case numbers are missing DS260 forms? Since interviews can only be scheduled with DS260, will there be then an adjustment to higher case numbers in the visa bulletin?
Thanks for all the work you do.
May 11, 2018 at 14:12
There is no chance of current and 21XX won’t be reached. Sorry.
May 11, 2018 at 22:38
Alright thanks! Next time, better chances! Good luck to everyone still in the race! My your dreams come true, I know mine will 😉
May 12, 2018 at 07:58
if can published August interviews
May 12, 2018 at 14:04
Huh?
May 15, 2018 at 09:36
Dear Brit, good morning. please i just saw my that our number is current AF region AF***3***. please tell me how long it will take for us to have our 2NL?
Good day to you and your family
May 15, 2018 at 13:35
2 to 3 weeks
May 16, 2018 at 14:43
Hello Brit,
My number is EU265XX. Do you think that i will get the visa ? at the end of the process? Is that a safe number?
May 16, 2018 at 16:23
YEAR????
If this is DV2018 – wait and see.
If yours is DV2019 – it is too early to know anything.
May 16, 2018 at 19:22
That’s for the 2018 DV so seems to be very hard to get that visa. Do you feel the same?
All Best
May 18, 2018 at 10:46
I GOT 180xx for 2019 program what are my chances.plz
May 18, 2018 at 14:28
It is too early to know – but anyway – without your region, no one can say.
May 18, 2018 at 16:49
Dear Brit,
My case number is EU32xxx
Do you think there’s any chance to get current next or last bulletin?
Any chance to get an invitation?
May 18, 2018 at 17:47
I don’t know. There is obviously risk. Wait and see.
May 24, 2018 at 19:33
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but looks like you and I (EU31xxx) are not getting an invitation. I mean there’s probably a less than 1% chance but it ain’t happening. Let’s try out luck next year.
May 20, 2018 at 20:09
Hi any chance 2018EU30xxx will be reached this year?
May 20, 2018 at 20:53
I don’t know.
May 21, 2018 at 21:43
Hi sir brit,plz I wish to find out about an issue giving me sleepless nights,is it true that when someone assisted me in filling my form ds260 I would be denied a visa bcos I was supposed to fill it alone?
Please respond, God bless you
May 21, 2018 at 21:51
No.
May 23, 2018 at 19:54
Dear Brit
my bulletin no is that 2019AS000108XX
Is there any chance ( I m from srilanka)
May 23, 2018 at 20:09
It is far too early to know.
May 25, 2018 at 17:17
Dear Mr.Simon,
My case number is 2018EU308XX
Do you think I have a chance of getting an interview? if so when do you think it might be scheduled?
Thanks
May 25, 2018 at 17:51
I don’t know. Wait and see.
May 30, 2018 at 01:05
Dear sir,
Im a bit lost and need some guidance.
So I applied for dv visa in 2016 and due to some issues I have only checked my entrant status a couple of months ago.
To my surprise I found that I have been selected.
Now I know that the visa issuances are limited. So my questions might be a bit stupid but just to make sure, since I’m applying so late is there any problems I might encounter? I have only submitted my ds 260 today and my number isn’t exactly early (39057), if the visa issuances are all out how would I know would I have to go through the procedures in vain? Also, I know that the due is the 30th of september but since I applied so late will I get an appointment and have time for the whole procedure?
Could you please explain how one can read the visa bulletin?
Forgive my ignorance.
Regards.
May 30, 2018 at 03:34
There is time for your process to complete.
Check the FAQ for how to read the VB
May 30, 2018 at 14:48
Hi Simon,
Looking at the historical visa bulletins numbers for Asia, I’m surprised to see that in the last 10 years (since 2007), all case numbers went current in all the years except for 2015. Any idea what happened that year ? huge over-selection ?
May 30, 2018 at 19:39
Yep
June 2, 2018 at 07:37
Hello Sir. My case number is 2018EU00024xxx and I live in Asia. Do i have a chance to be scheduled an interview? Thanks in advance
June 2, 2018 at 12:48
Wait and see.
June 5, 2018 at 01:38
Hello sir
I would like to know the mathematical method to predict the case number is ok r not In asia ability to shance for range to srilanka(2018/2019)
June 5, 2018 at 02:53
We would all like that…
June 5, 2018 at 14:21
Hi BritSimon,
It’s early but can you please give me an indication if there is a possible chance to get the green card with 2019OC47x or if it’s too high. If so would you know around when the interview could be timed, should I submit form asap or wait a bit? Thanks a lot!
June 5, 2018 at 16:16
The number is not high, but interview will be in 2019. You can delay the DS260 for a few months without affecting the interview timing.
October 11, 2018 at 15:27
why this DV19 is going so slowly a third VB Still on 9,800 in Africa?? felt disappointed as my CN is 2019AF00040*** will I get current? plz explain me?
October 11, 2018 at 17:03
This is the same every year – the work is spread out over the year, but the VB pace increases as density drops. Show some patience.
June 6, 2018 at 15:38
Hello sir
pls informed me that when i find the sponsor . what the requirement of sponsor (if he is PR ,is it ok r not) and documents from him and what ever
June 8, 2018 at 03:19
hi brit, As you see the progress for the next bulletin for the SA region, do you think there will be an increase in available visas?
June 8, 2018 at 03:37
I’ll wait and see…
June 9, 2018 at 10:45
I wonder why Europe is given very little number of visas this year… Does it mean that countries in this category will receive less than 7% of all visas?
June 9, 2018 at 14:20
EU is doing fine. You seem to be confused with case numbers. Visas issued here – https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY18.html
June 9, 2018 at 09:10
Good morning everyone I am so excited to join the testifiers here. God did my on Thursday
June 12, 2018 at 06:05
does anyone know how much the highestCN in ASIA 2017? cause the number went current and No data .the latest one is april 5500. i want to know how much the last AS Vb..
June 12, 2018 at 14:26
DV2017 was underselected, and the travel ban impacted it.
June 12, 2018 at 08:00
When should I expect to be callled for the interview, my number is 38000
June 12, 2018 at 14:28
Your number is meaningless without a year and region.