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.
December 17, 2018 at 08:23
Is it possible at least 26.000 for this year do you think? for Europe.
December 17, 2018 at 14:45
To give you an answer without any data would be like plucking a number from thin air. Pointless. Once we have the CEAC data (January) we can discuss more.
January 23, 2019 at 17:23
Is it possible at least 28.000 for this year do you think? for Europe.
January 23, 2019 at 19:22
I don’t know.
February 13, 2019 at 20:26
my number is 29xxx i think thins mounth i will know for sure if we will have any chance to be interviewd!
January 24, 2019 at 18:18
Hello! Thank you for helping us with your answers. Last year case number reached up to 25575. This year is it thought to go up or worse than years. Thanks a lot .
January 24, 2019 at 18:48
I don’t know. A lot of things could change in the next few months.
January 28, 2019 at 08:00
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JRmGOrIm2vgE28jUzam3CL Kenyans join this for the winners
February 8, 2019 at 15:09
the link is not working
February 11, 2019 at 10:00
its working or contact me your number at @+254710558171 will add you
February 3, 2019 at 07:13
I am 18 years old and I won green card lotarry is it chance to get visa or no?
February 3, 2019 at 16:16
Yes, if you meet the requirements.
February 9, 2019 at 13:26
I send DS260 June, I am EU region.and number 2019EU257*** what is your analyses about this. I am in risk.
March 1, 2019 at 18:39
Hi. you will have information how long it takes to make adjustment of status I find is USA I went with a lawyer and she tells me that they do not give the time my number is SA1083
March 1, 2019 at 20:41
Lawyers typically don’t understand the DV process. You would be better doing it yourself, and you will have time.
March 1, 2019 at 20:43
All AOS info you need is here
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2019-aos-only.337772
March 12, 2019 at 21:30
hi brit , correct me if i m wrong i think that the rythm of the vb is logical because if you see the charts there are a lot of people with small case numbers the hole is between 29% and 35% , every year they accelerate when the hole become above 45% after april , do you think that we will see a 31xxx by july
March 13, 2019 at 01:41
Maybe. Wait and see!
March 30, 2019 at 06:48
Hello, what will happen if I have done DS 260 with my wife, but in America I will go alone
March 30, 2019 at 14:37
No problem as long as YOU are the winner.
May 19, 2019 at 06:28
Hi,
My case is 2020AS95** but unfortunately from nepal. Is there any chance for me?
May 19, 2019 at 14:40
Too soon to know.
April 15, 2019 at 16:03
Hi Brit.
I am a graduate student and we(my spouse and I ) are doing AOS.
As a graduate student I get stipend around $24000 per annum and have around $5000 in savings in USA and have around $13000 in a home country bank.
Are you recommending us to fill I-134 ?
Thanks,
April 15, 2019 at 16:08
Yes. Why not.
For AOS, make sure you are following Mom’s advice – here:
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2019-aos-only.337772/
April 15, 2019 at 16:20
Thanks alot.
April 15, 2019 at 16:30
Hi
I am 2019AS13***
What your expected date to be current
I sent my documents in March and it’s ok
Thanks
April 15, 2019 at 16:33
It’s obviously pretty soon. Wait and see.
April 16, 2019 at 09:19
Hi simon,
I noticed in VB that they use word “current” instead of completing serial number. So what’s the difference and better for the two action?
Also if there is any probability to not schedule the big numbers because visas completed?
April 17, 2019 at 01:45
1. Current means all numbers – no longer limited to the published numbers.
2. In a typical year, yes – but this year is generally not such a problem for case numbers, but more the process. Read my recent articles about that.
April 18, 2019 at 15:56
Seems like Belarus (EU region) started receiving 2NLs
May 8, 2019 at 01:53
Hi Simon
A data for your statistics, I applied to a diversity visa in the year 2015, I was selected in 2016 and arrive in the United States in 2017, for the area of South America, my number fue2017SA0000175x.
I’m very grateful for your help. Best regards
May 8, 2019 at 12:48
Can you please add a tab for those countries that have exceptions such as Egypt?
May 8, 2019 at 19:07
I’ll see.
May 10, 2019 at 07:11
Hi Brit
When it says current, does it mean all subsequent case numbers will get confirmed interviews?
Thank you
May 10, 2019 at 21:19
Read the FAQ about reading the VB.
May 10, 2019 at 18:17
Hi! I’m the winner of DV2020 , but my number is EU524xx, do you think there is any point to even start the process?
May 10, 2019 at 22:53
I suggest you wait until we know more.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 12, 2019 at 23:55
Got the same EU524xx. Was crazy happy I got selected until I realized the case number is way too high :/
May 11, 2019 at 02:19
Is it possible to download this sheet to use it offline?
May 11, 2019 at 05:23
Try.
May 12, 2019 at 20:35
What link?
May 13, 2019 at 01:36
You’ll need to figure it out.
May 13, 2019 at 02:23
That’s cool. I’ll try to ask other way. Did you compose this sheet directly in Zoho or just upload it there?
May 13, 2019 at 02:43
I built it and edit it there.
Perhaps you could try explaining why you want it.
May 13, 2019 at 03:00
I am doing my own researching on the DV lottery statistics. I am gathering the information to keep it handy.
May 13, 2019 at 03:29
Then keep the link handy and you’re done.
May 12, 2019 at 15:05
Hi Simon! I read all of your articles and saw graphics where there’s a legend with HOLE, what is an hole? Cause I saw that around my case number in eu 27XXX there is an high Hole. It is a good thing?
May 12, 2019 at 15:18
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 12, 2019 at 18:41
what is the meaning of ” Current ”
May 13, 2019 at 01:06
Please read the FAQ.
May 13, 2019 at 22:20
I was selected for 2020 and i was very happy initially. my case number is 29xxx AS. I researched a lot about and realize that there is no chance to be interviewed with this case number. Good luck everyone.
May 13, 2019 at 23:48
Hi,
DOS visa Bulletin in Asia region for 2011 and 2012 show a high case numbers compared to past three years. Has something changed in how the draw is performed or how they call the selectees or it only depends on density of selectees’ case numbers versus holes?
Can we expect something like what we saw in 2011 and 2012?
May 13, 2019 at 23:59
There really is no point in looking back at those old numbers and expecting them to mean something for DV2020.
Bangladesh was eligible in 2011 and 2012 which skewed the numbers dramatically (especially when some idiot registered half of a phone book to try and create some business opportunity).
May 14, 2019 at 17:11
Thank you for your response.
I really would expect to see case numbers in 2018 for Asia region become current way sooner than August because very few visas are approved for selectees from Iran, one of the limiting countries in the lottery, due to the Travel Ban.
How can DOS determine when and how many of visas undergoing Administrative Processing will be approved to decide visa availability for the following months?
May 14, 2019 at 17:18
They don’t wait for cases under AP.
Asia just went current for DV2019. DV2020 could be a different story.
May 14, 2019 at 17:27
The new VB is out. All regions are current!
May 14, 2019 at 17:28
Except for Egypt and Nepal.
May 14, 2019 at 17:31
I know.
May 24, 2019 at 12:08
For dv 2020?
May 14, 2019 at 17:55
What does current mean?? My friend case number is 2019AF41XXX. Is he ready to be interviewed?
May 14, 2019 at 18:40
All numbers can be interviewed.
May 15, 2019 at 00:53
Does case number 10,500 get prioritization over let’s say case number 30,000 when all case numbers go current after 10,000?
What happens when all of case numbers go current in final months?
How can DOS handle so many cases in progress during the final months of the fiscal year and decide how many of them will complete the process on time?
May 15, 2019 at 03:46
No there is no prioritization. It’s a matter of what cases have submitted ds260 and documents.
May 15, 2019 at 02:59
With the High hopes of Bulletin getting Current for July, Is there a chance for Retrogression in the Final Bulletin?
May 15, 2019 at 04:02
Unlikely. Interviews and visas issued are way off what they should be.
May 15, 2019 at 11:42
hi brits
l am one of won dv 2019 my is nationality Somalia, my case number is 36xxxxx, still i didn’t get my or receive my 2NL as we know the visa bulletin it is goes through 37200. what should i do ?
Thank a lot
May 15, 2019 at 17:16
Have you submitted your documents to KCC? If not, you must do so.
https://britsimonsays.com/new-document-submission-procedure-update/
May 16, 2019 at 07:35
Dear Simon..
My brother lives in United States as Imigrant. I was selected as EU 27XXX. Will that be a problem? I know that I can’t get tourist and J1 visa.
May 16, 2019 at 14:02
No problem.
May 16, 2019 at 16:23
Dear Mr.Simon i am a winner of lottery,my case number is EU27***, my mother want to go in USA as a tourist, will it be a problem for me?Thanks…
May 16, 2019 at 17:18
No
May 17, 2019 at 00:33
Hey Brit How about the case numbers in Nepal. As it lies in Asia, All case numbers are current except Nepal upto 6275. Does that mean only below case number 6275 will call for Interview. How about 8000 case from Nepal. As the Asia went current. Does they got a chance for Interview
May 17, 2019 at 01:09
Yes Nepal is limited to case numbers below 6275. However, that is because there are no higher cases, there is NOT a Nepal case at 8000 (or at least, there should not be).
May 17, 2019 at 16:03
Hi, thank you again for everything you’re doing for us selectees. I would like to know the highest case number per region per year in the past few years, do you know of any resource where I can find that?
Thank you in advance.
May 17, 2019 at 20:33
Ummmm – like the page you are on?
May 17, 2019 at 19:41
Hi Mr. Brit.Can i receive my 2NL without receiving the letter that the KCC has completed processing my documents scans,I received that they has completed processing my DS-260 and send them documents scans.my case is 2019EU27*** Thanks.
May 17, 2019 at 20:50
I am not certain. Wait and see, or contact them.
May 18, 2019 at 03:15
Hi Simon,
I made an analysis based on above data using the total selectees per each DV year and then calculating monthly number as a % to the total – then apply the same logic to 2020 based on expected highest case numbers.
I can share the excel sheet with you for your verification.
I did it for DV 2020 Asia assuming the highest number or total selectees to be around 30K based on people posts and this is what I came up with for expected interview dates for DV 2020
Oct-19 1,875
Nov-19 3,001
Dec-19 5,439
Jan-20 7,126
Feb-20 8,252
Mar-20 9,377
Apr-20 12,002
May-20 14,628
Jun-20 18,754
Jul-20 Current
Aug-20 Current
Sep-20 Current
Happy to do the same for EU and Africa too.
May 18, 2019 at 04:00
I’m sorry, but you clearly do not understand the process. There is no logic to your method or result.
May 18, 2019 at 07:42
I know there are flaws for sure
I had to make assumptions just to get a flavour of how the results gonna look like
, e.g I assumed:
total selectees = highest case number.
I ignored the holes
There is no cap on the number of visas to be issued for Asia
Assumed highest CN for Asia is 30000
May 18, 2019 at 13:23
You ignored simple logic and common sense, not just the holes.
You are assuming that no matter how many people are selected the whole region will still have enough visas to go current. That’s ridiculous.
May 18, 2019 at 15:05
Simon – I did it based on my limited knowledge and understanding
The reason I did it like this is because we know the total selectees of 30K are not actually 30K issued visas .
if all regions have unusual high numbers in 2020 – then you need to normalize the high numbers like I did above to see the real picture (i.e. as if they are inflated) which might be true
The reason all went current is because that’s the trend in the last 3 years, so I assumed the same.
If I applied the same logic in my previous calculation, (estimating 2019 numbers using 2018 factors) it works with very small differences !
May 18, 2019 at 15:12
Really. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it’s nonsense and a pointless exercise. The assumptions you had to make are completely daft. When you say “it works” you are using a circular logic which OBVIOUSLY works on itself, but ignores years where the cutoffs ruin the “theory”. Please wait until you understand better and we have some information.
August 16, 2019 at 00:46
Hey @Kholio, do you have any plan to readjust your estimates since oct-19 bulletin is out.
May 18, 2019 at 04:44
Well, after reading these articles I think my number 2020AF557** is like 140,000 worldwide so looks like they selected lot of people this year, some of us can just chill and try to win again next year , this is mad though Africa alone goes up to 55000+ and visas are 50000 what a game
May 18, 2019 at 13:05
Well you are not quite understanding the holes, so please check back in a couple of months when we know more.
May 19, 2019 at 00:17
@BritSimon
Would you please explain a bit more on Visa Bulletin in 2015 for Asia region and why case numbers greater than 7650 never went current?
May 19, 2019 at 00:57
The quota was reached.
May 19, 2019 at 01:56
Oh, ok.
I really don’t understand.
why do we see a retrogression for Africa in 2018 after August?
May 19, 2019 at 03:30
KCC were concerned about hitting the max cap, and also embassy capacity problems.
May 20, 2019 at 00:51
Does this mean that for example, for SA, a case number greater than 1700 (aprox.) will never be called for the interview? thanks
May 20, 2019 at 01:11
It is too soon to know about DV2020.
May 21, 2019 at 01:12
@BritSimon
I couldn’t find Diversity Visa Program Statistics beyond 2018 in the U.S. Department of State’s website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-program-statistics.html).
But in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa) the statistics for DV2019 is also available.
Would you please let me know where can I find the most updated statistics?
Do you know when the statistics (number of selectees) for each year is usually published?
May 21, 2019 at 03:02
DV2019 selectees was on the August VB from 2018. DV2020 will probably be published one one of the next 2VBs
May 21, 2019 at 16:25
Hi Simon,
What does current means? current processing number?
May 21, 2019 at 17:46
Read the article.
May 24, 2019 at 01:38
which article ? I’ve been reading. can’t find it.
May 24, 2019 at 01:40
so, Current in July means no need to worry at all about the case number starting from July?
May 24, 2019 at 03:43
That refers to DV2019.
May 24, 2019 at 03:42
ABOVE!!!
May 23, 2019 at 16:02
Historical Visa bulletin for ASIA has current for the year 2019 but Visa Bulletin CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS for JUNE has ASIA with 10,000, Except: Nepal 5,775. Can you please tell us more about this? So, if looking at the visa bulletin from US government, a person from Nepal with Case Number 2020AS00009*** has no chances for interview? Or I misinterpret the information?
May 23, 2019 at 18:21
The VB you are looking at does NOT concern DV2020.
May 27, 2019 at 05:19
Hello BRIT,
I am just curios that all the ASIA went current for 2019 except Nepal, does that means CN number from Nepal has to still check the VISA bulletin or after that number they do not issue VISA to Nepalese?
May 27, 2019 at 05:50
The VB will continue
May 24, 2019 at 01:37
What does current means here?
May 24, 2019 at 06:01
So based on stats it seems like every year we have CURRENT in europe except in 2018. How many green cards winner left out in 2018? Do you have any stats
May 24, 2019 at 14:06
It wasn’t current in 2015, 2014 and several other years.
2018 data is here https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY18.html
May 24, 2019 at 11:01
Hi Simon,
As a family we have difficulty to renew our passport ( belongs to my country ). I and my wife have already 2 years more, but my two children’s passport expired 2 years before. But we all have another country citizenship and passport too and it is easy to extent it if necessary. Is there a chance for all of us, to follow all process with that second passport. Thank you.
May 24, 2019 at 14:24
Use any passport you want.
May 24, 2019 at 20:52
Hi Brit,
If we assume that, 55% of case numbers are 2020EU35000-2020EU55000, is it possible to estimate a propability for interview for EU52*** number?
May 24, 2019 at 20:55
No. It is too soon.
May 24, 2019 at 21:13
&When do you think it’s proper time to get an answer?
May 24, 2019 at 21:15
We will know more when we see selectee numbers in a month or two. Frankly, at your number you will probably have to wait at least a year.
May 24, 2019 at 21:26
Thanks for your prompt answer and the information you provide, very kind of you.
May 25, 2019 at 14:02
HI LONA
where you got this statistic ?
May 25, 2019 at 14:10
It’s an assumption – not real data.
May 25, 2019 at 07:51
Hi Simon
Asia questions
1- What was the reason for the early start of high case numbers from 2010 to 2012? And then suddenly moving very slow from 2013 onwards?
2- Can this happen in dv 2020 , start high?
3-When you get dv 2020 selectees number soon, what does it tell you in combination with the highest CN heard for dv as of 31000. What would be your analysis and scenarios? If for example similar selectees number of 15000 is there?
4-why early cutoff happened in 2014 and 2015?
Many thanks
May 25, 2019 at 13:47
1. Those were different years with different countries. So don’t expect this year to match them.
2. Wait and see
3. We don’t know the number of selectees yet – we will know in a month or two
4. Too many selectees.
May 25, 2019 at 14:17
Many thanks Simon.
When the selectees number is out and when combining this with the highest CN for DV2020 Asia – does this yield any useful info or not? if yes, what is it?
May 25, 2019 at 14:21
When we know how many selectees there are we will be able to work out whether there are more holes this year than previous years, or simply too many selectees.
May 25, 2019 at 15:12
That make sense Simon , thanks
I noticed something weird – in the VB where the announced the # of selectess for DV 2012 – the total selectees was only 15,000 – but when you look at the case numbers above under 2012 you have unusually high CN vs. selectees number and the same exact thing also for DV 2011 indicating a lot of holes in these 2 years.
So if the selectees # for Asia 2020 is only 15,000 , then it means there are many holes.
by the way, Asia selectess have always been in this range , 15000
May 25, 2019 at 17:12
Again – forget 2011 and 2012. 20212 was a redraw and Bangladesh skewed the numbers in earlier years.
Yes the selectee count is important to guess the holes. 15000 is about right assuming Iran is still banned. DV2014 had nearly 24000 selectees – so some did not make it (highest case number of selected was about 19XXX). This year we are seeing case numbers in AS region up to about 30XXX. Tht is hard to understand and if we see selectee numbers of 25k plus it will confirm they have selected far too many.
May 26, 2019 at 14:30
Dear @BritSimon,
We know that the draw is performed in each region separately and therefore density of selectees against holes are different for each region. But why do we see a similar pattern in visa bulletin for all regions?
For example in 2017 all regions go current in May and in 2019 all regions go current in July.
Why do case numbers go current too soon in 2017 for all regions? Can we expect to see a similar pattern for 2020 or it is impossible?
May 26, 2019 at 15:14
I underselected years they can manage the workload easily for the first few months and go current toward the end. DV2020 may be overselected. In which case it would be more like 2014 and 2015. We don’t know the details we need yet – so wait a couple of months to know more.
May 26, 2019 at 18:57
Thank you for your response.
I have noticed that in 2013 Iran has been issued with 3802 diversity visas which is greater than 7% cap (3500) per country. Why is that?
May 26, 2019 at 19:40
Because the program is actually 55k visas, reduced for NACARA, so possibly in that year Iran was held under 7% of the higher number, BUT I think that is also the year where Iranian cases scheduled for CP interview were suddenly cancelled, meaning an absolute stop was hit. It’s a difficult thing to coordinate, and was even more so at that time (less electronic control).
May 29, 2019 at 20:15
Hello Mr
My case number is AS29××× I think it’s the biggest number in Asia for 2020
May 31, 2019 at 20:36
hello, my number is 2019EU00028XXX.
I received a message from [email protected] to send the following documents:
· Copy of international travel passport page (no translation required)
· Birth certificate
· Military records for any applicant who is currently serving in the military or who previously served in the military
· Police certificates for applicants of 16 years of age or older from all required countries. If a police certificate will be sent directly to the Embassy or Consulate, submit to KCC a copy of the receipt showing you have applied
· If you have been convicted of a crime, a certified copy of each court record and any prison record
My question is: I do not understand what ‘Current’
I read the FAQ but still do not understand.
hello terog. I’m desperate
May 31, 2019 at 22:48
In the context of the email you quoted, “currently” means in the military now.
May 31, 2019 at 20:38
help me please
June 7, 2019 at 19:17
So current means that even if you have a high case number you will get the chance to be interviewed ?or that means there ia enough visas for the remaining case numbers???
June 7, 2019 at 20:27
Please read the FAQ
June 8, 2019 at 14:05
Yea or no answers would be fine ?
June 10, 2019 at 03:11
Hi Mr.Simon. thank you for your explanatons.
I have a question that after interview and approval how long does it take to get the visa? I mean I am dv 2020 winnere with AS79xx case No. when I will be interviewed and is there a chance to miss the opportunity , I have already submitted DS260 form.?.
June 10, 2019 at 03:51
It is too soon to know exactly when. Read the FAQ etc while you wait. It will not be in 2019, it will be spring/summer 2020.
June 10, 2019 at 06:05
Where are you from?
June 11, 2019 at 11:23
Shristy r u from Nepal?
June 11, 2019 at 11:22
Don’t worry u will be interviewed soon..
June 10, 2019 at 10:21
Hello Sir.My interview is scheduled. I need to make some changes to my ds260. does opening the ds260 by sending mail to the embassy will effect my case. Will i be disqualified?
June 10, 2019 at 17:25
You cannot unlock once scheduled. You have been on my site for a YEAR – so you should already know that.
June 10, 2019 at 14:01
hi Brit
i have sent my document to KCC but forgot to scan the back of my birth certificate. my birth certificate was notarized by our foreign affairs and the wrote at the back of it, can i tell KCC to ignore the previous attachment and resend the correct version (scan the back as well).
June 10, 2019 at 18:44
I doubt that is necessary. Just show it at the interview.
June 13, 2019 at 15:52
Ok dear thanks