A friend, Matina K, has suggested that some might benefit from a post about how to handle the situation when you have entered as single and want to get married at various points along the DV process.
Firstly, I should explain that the marital status question in the eDV entry is one of the critical questions on the form – a mistake on your marital status can (and typically does) cause disqualification – even if the mistake was innocuous/innocent. Some people, for instance, choose “legally separated” when they are in fact, married, but separated. Unless a separation is legally recorded (typically by a court) then you cannot claim to be separated. Similarly, if you enter married because you plan/expect to be married before the results are announced, that can also cause disqualification. It is essential that you take this question seriously and literally.
OK so what do you do if you are planning to get married before the results are announced OR you are selected and then realize that you want to take your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner. The process depends on the exact timing, between the original entry/registration (October), result announcement (May 1), your interview date (after October, according to when you are current) and the end of the DV year (September 30).
By the way, these comments relate to opposite sex, or same sex relationships. Since the repeal of DOMA the federal government has recognized same sex couples have the same rights for immigration benefit as opposite sex couples. US immigration law therefore respects marriage based on the laws and customs that govern in the place where the marriage was performed. If a marriage is considered legal in the place where it was performed then US immigration law treats the marriage as lawful. I will refer to your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/fiancé all as partner from now on in this article.
Entry of an unmarried couple in DV lottery
First of all, if you are unmarried you cannot list your partner as a spouse. You can of course both enter the lottery and if either one wins then they have the option of marrying to confer the benefit of a visa (and then Green Card) on the other. Just be aware that each principal selectee (winner) has to meet the requirements in their own right (regarding). Whilst married couples can benefit from cross charging to a spouse’s country (if their own country is ineligible) that option is NOT available to single entrants that later marry. If you are unmarried but have children then both entries should include the children as derivatives.
Scenario 1: Marriage after registration, but before the results are announced.
This one is “easy”. Life happens, you don’t put your life on hold simply because you entered the DV lottery. So – you got married, then you found out you were selected so you simply fill in the DS260 as a married couple. There will be some “normal” scrutiny of the marriage – even people who have been married years have been lightly questioned about the marriage in DV interviews. Marriage prior to selection may get similar interest – and if you want to be extra prepared then take some proof of the marriage as I will describe below.
Scenario 2: Marriage after registration, and after the results are announced, but prior to interview.
OK – there is nothing wrong with this if the relationship is real. In fact it is absolutely the sensible thing to do in some cases as I will describe shortly. However, winning the DV lottery is a huge opportunity and there are plenty of people that have tried to manipulate the system to obtain two Green Cards based on a “sham” marriage. It is therefore up to the couple to demonstrate the genuine nature of the marriage and, especially in countries where fraud is more common, the couple should be prepared for extensive and deep scrutiny of the marriage. People have been prosecuted for immigration fraud based on sham marriages – so please don’t even consider that!
If you have plans to marry shortly after the announcement of the results, you may decide to hold back submission of your DS260 until you have married, so that you can include your spouse on the first submission of the forms. However, if you have already submitted your DS260 and marry while you are waiting for interview, you can request KCC to unlock your form (email is best) and then modify your DS260 to include your new spouse (including modifying your own entry to reflect your new marital status). In the email requesting the form unlocking, I would suggest including a scan of the marriage certificate which will be added to your KCC file (later sent to the embassy or Field office if doing adjustment of status).
If the marriage happens after the case has been passed to the embassy for a scheduled interview, you should still inform KCC as a precaution BUT your actual approach is to handle the change direct with the embassy. Some embassies are relaxed about who attends the interviews, others are very UNrelaxed – so in some cases you will have to contact the embassy or ask KCC to contact them on your behalf to get your spouse added to the interview schedule.
Scenario 3: Marriage after interview, before entry to the USA, and before the end of the year.
OK – you like to live on the edge don’t ya! This is still technically possible, but unwise. The process involves approaching the embassy that handled your case. However, this is a highly risky strategy as the embassy may not understand the rules, you might time out, visas may be exhausted and so on. The MUCH more preferable option is to bring forward the date of your marriage before the interview.
Scenario 4: Marriage after interview, after entry into the USA but before the end of the DV year (September 30th).
OK – this is rare, so rare that I am not even sure this would be technically possible/legal. If you have created this mess you may be able to process a derivative case but this would be highly risky since they would rightly wonder why you hadn’t handled this earlier (i.e. causing them severe doubt that the relationship is real).
Scenario 5: Marriage after the end of the year
This one no longer falls under DV lottery rules – a normal immigration process would need to be followed which is slower and more expensive.
Proof of relationship.
How can you prove your relationship is genuine and not just a sham to take advantage of a DV lottery win. Basically this is a matter of demonstrating your life together and the big events with documentary evidence. This can include the following suggestions.:
- Photos/Emails/Joint bills from the period of time before the marriage.
- Photos or other evidence from the wedding ceremony itself.
- Joint financial documents such as shared bank accounts.
- Knowledge of each other, your extended families and so on.
Get your thinking cap on – the burden is on you to prove the marriage is real. If there is doubt in the mind of the CO he/she is entitled to deny your visa with no appeal process (in consular processing cases).
Thank you to Matina for the suggestion on this topic – as usual, feel free to ask questions/comment on this article, check out my other posts and subscribe to my blog to be notified as I publish further articles.
DV lottery
September 29, 2016 at 17:39
Hello!
I am going to give it a try on the lottery this october ,at the moment I’m engaged and we’re both going to try it on our own.if one of us wins and the other does not ,can we get married and take the other with us?
We’ ve got proof that we’ve been dating and engaged for two long
Waiting on your answer ! Thank you for being so helpfull!
September 29, 2016 at 17:40
Yes you can do exactly that.
September 29, 2016 at 18:27
Hi, I have a question. I am from Brazil (not included in the lottery this year again) and after several years living in Germany, I received my German passport this year. I am in a relationship with a German girl for about 8 years but we are not married yet (I will propose her on new years eve, but please pssssssshhh). We want to apply for the DV2018 and I’m not sure how to proceed. From what I understand I cannot apply because it takes into consideration the country you are born, not the citizenship you have. Do you have any tips on how we should apply? Should my girlfriend apply alone as single even though we might get married in the first half of 2017? Thank you very much for the great article and you attention.
Cheers,
Pedro
September 29, 2016 at 20:34
You cannot apply. She should apply as single. If you win, you will marry and both be processed.
October 1, 2016 at 14:06
Hi. My case number is 2017AS000030XX and it’s getting current in the coming days I think. I have submitted the DS-260 in May with marital status of “single”. I had no unlocks until now. I want to take my fiance with me to the US. We plan to get married soon and the official marriage date will likely be about 3 months after now. I’m very stressful about my case. Please give me advice about how to add my spouse or should I rearrange dates (marriage,travel to US,other) in a different way?
October 1, 2016 at 15:43
https://britsimonsays.com/marital-status-getting-married-dv-lottery-process/
October 1, 2016 at 23:38
Thanks but I mean is it OK to unlock the form now and let the form be open for 4 months with no resubmitting and finally enter a date of marriage which is 4 months after the unlock request? Can unlocking be a legal way of postponing the interview time?
October 2, 2016 at 03:29
Some people have managed to postpone tgat way. It has not postponed the interview in all cases , it seems a matter of timing. Try it.
October 4, 2016 at 17:10
Please how do know that your case is current?
October 4, 2016 at 20:35
https://britsimonsays.com/read-visa-bulletin/
October 1, 2016 at 16:36
Brita
I am married but me and my spouse want to play the DV 2018 separately so as to increase our chances. So that if one persons wins , he / she can take the other. Any advise will be greatly appreciated
THANKS
October 1, 2016 at 17:13
Yes a married couple can each apply, listing the other as the spouse. The selected winner has to meet the requirements.
October 2, 2016 at 11:18
Thank you so much .
October 2, 2016 at 12:51
Greetings mr brits. I wish to also inquire if the principal applicant wins the lottery and and has the requirements and the spouse dont have the requirement can they issue visa to them??
October 2, 2016 at 14:49
Yes.
October 3, 2016 at 14:50
Hi Brit. I am married and i have one daughter. I went to school in the USA for 2 years and when i came back my wife had already found another guy. Now i want to apply for DV 2018 and she is refusing to give me her picture and also the picture of my daughter, Is it possible that i use other people’s pictures and leave these 2 out?
October 3, 2016 at 16:05
Possible but some risk…. Your decision.
October 4, 2016 at 10:20
Hey Brit,
If a married person apply they will have to enter their spouse when they apply right?
October 4, 2016 at 12:50
Yes
October 4, 2016 at 10:40
Hi britsimon
Thanks for these information may God bless you for this
I am planning to file edv my country of birth is kuwait … which is eligible
But my husbands birth place is pakistan which is not eligible. ..
I am planning to file my application separately
And my husband decided to file his application separately .. by claiming my country of birth. .. will this be fine??
I am bit confused how in his application he can claim my birth place?
October 4, 2016 at 12:48
Yes he can do that.
October 6, 2016 at 06:27
Hello, i want to apply for DV 2018, im Iranian but living in dubai for pass 27 years, i have fiance she’s from Ukraine and she have divorced 10 years back, and she have 1 daughter, almost 3 years we leaving together and planing to get married after 2 months, i like to know how we can apply for DV 2018? if we apply separate im as “unmarried” and she “divorced” and after 2 months if we married is that everything will be fine ? or if i select as married and apply her under my name ? if our marriage certificate will be after registration DV 2018 is that get any problem ?
Thanks
October 6, 2016 at 13:07
You apply as “unmarried” and she “divorced”. Two applications. If either of you win, you can marry then.
October 10, 2016 at 15:24
Hello! I’m a German citizen and my boyfriend is English. I’ve now entered the DV lottery for the 2018 entry – he hasn’t as his country is not eligible. If I win, and we get married, will he also be eligible for a Green Card?
October 10, 2016 at 16:32
Yes.
October 12, 2016 at 08:23
Hello.
How about i apply lottery singly and then my spouse apply married include my photos and data that i applied singly shal we disqualified?
Thanks
October 12, 2016 at 18:18
The inaccurate entry will be disqualified if selected.
October 12, 2016 at 19:23
Yes thanks for your answer but i mean if i apply now as a single and not included my wife and than my wife apply an included her file on me as husband while i didnt shall that cause disqualified?
October 12, 2016 at 22:53
That is what my answer meant.
If you lie, saying you are single, and your wife provides the evidence of your marriage with her entry, then you wil face disqualification if selected. He case could theoretically still be approved (and you with her case).
The point is DON”T LIE!
October 12, 2016 at 21:28
if my mom register her own with me and with my infor can a also register another one with i my self and me alone
October 12, 2016 at 22:58
You can be on your own entry if you meet the requirements AND at the same time be a derivative on your parents entry.
October 15, 2016 at 22:23
Hi, my Causin applied for the 2018Dv lottery and she is married and has a child . Can her husband apply as well and put her as spouse and has a child ?
October 15, 2016 at 22:28
Yes
October 17, 2016 at 03:17
Hi Brit.
I’m married but we’re not so happy right now. And i want to registrate to DV. But my husband doesn’t want to move. So if i registrate by myself and won, he might refuse to go with me. Do i have an option to divorce him and take my son and go to USA after i won the dv?
October 17, 2016 at 19:17
Yes, but if you are married you must enter the lottery as married and include your husband. If you win, you can process for yourself only.
October 17, 2016 at 05:03
I got an email from KCC inviting me to a DV-2017 interview in December like two days ago. I am planning to get married next May. I know you say getting married after interview and before entry to US is not wise. However my boyfriend is an American citizen. Does that change anything? I was already gonna prove that my marriage is real if I applied for spousal GC and prepared for it.
October 17, 2016 at 19:11
In your case your husband won’t need a visa – so there is no problem.
December 14, 2016 at 10:44
My concern is the change in my marital status and last name. On 12th of December (2016) I received my 1 year valid immigrant visa. I’m still planning to get married in May and enter US right after the wedding. What documents should I bring with me to the customs to prove my marriage? Thank you!
December 14, 2016 at 15:18
“1 year visa”??? – The visa expires 6 months after the medical. Are you saying you entered the USA already?
If you marry later you go through a family based case. I don’t advise on the specifics of that except to say it will take around 2 years.
December 18, 2016 at 18:59
Excuse my mistake, I meant 6 months as you said. My case falls exactly under scenario 3. I’ll marry a US citizen out of US and then enter US. I need to renew my passport after marriage and it means change in my marital status, passport number and last name. At the green card interview, embassy officer said it won’t be a problem. Still, I wanted to hear your opinion and suggestions on documents that I need to prepare in advance.
December 18, 2016 at 19:35
So your case is not a DV lottery case. I don’t advise on non DV cases, and you should not rely on anything you read here, since the advice assumes DV lottery procedures.
October 19, 2016 at 18:50
My Case is like this,,, i’m married with 2 children,,, i want to apply for the Dv 2018 now,,, BUT my wife don’t want to apply and have no interest to live in US,,, so what shall I do??? shall i apply as Single ??? or what ???
October 19, 2016 at 19:04
You MUST be honest in your entry, otherwise you WILL be disqualified. So – you apply as married, and you list your children. If selected, you can choose who to process for.
October 20, 2016 at 02:18
Dear Sir/Madam
I won DV with my street name different from the name that I’m using in school. And all my documentation is in all my school as my original name of birth. Please what should I do to meet with embassy???
October 20, 2016 at 17:58
Provide and explanation and proof that you are the same person that attended the school.
October 20, 2016 at 20:13
Correct Explanation is not my problem but Proof like what?
October 20, 2016 at 20:59
I don’t know. Think about it.
October 20, 2016 at 10:38
Ok I played as single applicants and my girlfriend played as single applicants but, the problems is she was a winner and I didn’t see my way through but both of us decide to get marry,will the Embassy call both of us for interviews or only the woman?
October 20, 2016 at 17:22
Read the article above.
October 22, 2016 at 16:22
Hey. I have read your article above but I’m trying to gather information as to what is the best route for me and my partner. Currently I’m engaged (I’m a DV winner 2017) currently awaiting interview in the London embassy which I feel I won’t have my interview until February according to how the stats are looking. I’m under the Country St Lucia due to my mother who did not receive her indefinite stay until way after I was born (she had a travel visa during my birth). My question is my partner lives in the US. He has overstayed his student visa unfortunately, we been together for over 2 years, maintaining a long distance relationship. I would love to get married to him, but his situation is holding me back. If I get married to him now, and contact the KCC in regards to my will then be husband providing the legitimacy of the relationship, would that pose as a risk to him? Also will he have to attend an interview if we both in different countries. I’m so sorry if this quite difficult, but I’m just trying to gather every little advise possible before getting a lawyer if need be. Or anyone I can contact best in regards to this. All the best
October 23, 2016 at 18:38
If he has overstayed long enough and has incurred a ban, then he will not be able to process via DV. The only way would be an ineligibility waiver. You should probably process as single (i.e. not marry) and marry later and see if you can overcome his overstay ban via a family sponsored case.
October 24, 2016 at 15:57
Hi, I have a question. I have a girlfriend and we are not married and she has a daughter, if we get married she’ll be my step daughter but in this moment she isn’t. should I include her daughter on my application if we are planning to get married?
October 24, 2016 at 16:12
No
October 24, 2016 at 16:17
thank you for your answer. Then if we get marry and I win the lottery, can I include her and her daughter before the interview right?
October 24, 2016 at 16:28
Yes.
October 24, 2016 at 16:33
Thanks a lot!.
October 27, 2016 at 03:55
Hi,
I have one concern. I am not happy with my husband so far. I am in the US now with my child and my husband reside outside the US. I am applying to the DV and I will select “married” in the application. My question, if i have been selected, can I go for the DV process without him here in the US? i mean can I apply for the green card without him? Can he affects my application or process to get green card later on? Do i need to inform him?
October 27, 2016 at 05:23
If you are selected you can include him or not. Your choice.
November 4, 2016 at 19:08
What about marrying after interview before you land in USA and start a procedure to bring spouse on a F2A visa (Permanent Resident Sponsored Visa)?
November 4, 2016 at 20:16
If you like to make things difficult for yourself that is a great solution to a simple problem.
November 5, 2016 at 07:22
So you’d suggest marrying before the interview instead?
Even if it a short relationship that raises questions?
November 5, 2016 at 14:17
If it is a real relationship – yes.
November 7, 2016 at 20:01
I’m 19….can I apply an American lottery for myself and also apply some for my dad with my details in as his child ?
November 7, 2016 at 20:33
Yes
November 8, 2016 at 16:33
hello mr Brit,
I was married after my interview and before my travel to USA , now I want to bring my spouse I heard that I can lose my green card if I fill i-130 for her because I did not declare her inthe embassy ! is it true or you advise me to see a lawer
please respond me
Regards
November 8, 2016 at 22:52
It isn’t a problem. See a lawyer for the I-130
November 10, 2016 at 09:47
Thank you mr Brit , and how does it will take to joind me ! if you are a lawyer I can contact you or I can know where find your desctop
REGARDS
November 10, 2016 at 14:25
I am not a lawyer.
November 10, 2016 at 17:51
Hey Brit.
I have a friend who won the DV lottery, her second letter has already arrived. And now she is willing to take me to U.S.A by doing a court marriage. Will it be possible to go with her marrying. Indeed she is younger then me.
November 10, 2016 at 17:54
Getting married simply to get a Green Card will get you both banned from the USA for life.
November 10, 2016 at 18:03
Its just not to get a green card, its like she is asking me to come with her to USA. Our both family is okay with it. And if possible our family is ready to do our real marriage.
November 10, 2016 at 18:43
It’s up to you. They will probably ask for proof that the relationship existed prior to the DV lottery win.
November 15, 2016 at 12:48
Hi Brit,
Could you please explain more about scenario 5, where dv winner has stayed in usa for more than one year and is now getting married? What is this normal immigration method and why is it longer and expensive?
Thanks in advance,
Ashish
November 15, 2016 at 15:08
It is family based immigration. The process is more complicated, so most people use a lawyer. The timelines for processing vary depending on the relative but few cases are processed in less than 2 years. Also – the sponsor (you) needs to give an I-864 to take financial responsibility and that is more stringent than the I-134. Really – if you have a choice and you understood the difference you would choose DV every time.
November 25, 2016 at 02:21
Hi Brit,
What about having a child after subbmiting registration where you have selected 0 children?
What are the next steps if you win?
November 25, 2016 at 05:49
https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-add-a-newborn-child-to-the-dv-case/
December 2, 2016 at 02:07
Hi B.S.
I am in the USA on a greencard from DV. I would like to marry my partner who is here on a Media Visa.
We have both been here for about 2 months.
Any advice? Can we just go ahead and do it or do i need to inform anyone? What is the deal for applying to have her apply for the waiting list for the green card? is there a chance her media visa could be revoked? or that she wont be able to leave USA during the waiting period?
E
December 2, 2016 at 04:37
I don’t advise on cases other than DV lottery.
December 17, 2016 at 04:42
Hello sir, I’ve been in the US for 6 months now, played the DV as single and got married to my husband 3 months b4 my interview date. All my documents show I’m single but I want to file in for my husband now. Sir will it be complicated to do so since the embassy knows I’m single whereas I’m married. Thanks sir while waiting for your reply
December 17, 2016 at 15:10
You will have to file a family based immigration case. That is more complicated than DV cases so you might need a lawyer, so it will be more costly. You should have included your husband in your DV case. And in fact, your not doing so may create suspicion about your marriage during interviews for the family based application. The family based process will take a long time – about 2 years. I don’t advise on family based cases.
December 19, 2016 at 13:55
I recently received my immigrant visa through the Diversity Lottery and have a few questions regarding my entrance to the United States. My fiance is an American citizen and we were planning on getting married before I enter the US. By law, in Turkey, I am required to take my husband’s surname, which will also require me to get a new passport and thus a new passport number. What documentation do I need to bring to prove my identity and that I’m the person on the visa because my information connected to my immigrant visa will have changed. Will my visa still be valid? Is there anything else that I should be aware about in this situation that I am missing.
December 19, 2016 at 15:19
YOu had better discuss this with the embassy, perhaps they can change the name on the visa.
December 20, 2016 at 17:49
My husband won in the DV
my husband hold – DV1
I have – DV2 visa know he unwilling to go to USA can i travel alone using my dv2 visa?
December 20, 2016 at 18:25
No. The DV1 must accompany you on the first activation trip. Once you have entered the USA your Green Card does not depend on him in any way.
December 27, 2016 at 02:25
Hi Simon,
Merry Xmas and seasons greetings. My wife and I have just done scenario 2 so will be requesting to ‘Unlock’ in the next day or two and scan our marriage cert as suggested. I am the selectee and have a high number in OC so forecasting an interview around May.
Does my wife have to do a separate DS260?
Or is it just a matter of modifying my own DS260 and including her on to my DS260 and that being all that is needed?
December 27, 2016 at 03:10
She needs her own DS260.
December 28, 2016 at 07:19
Thank you.
Also do you need to make KCC aware of any of the changes you make to the DS260?
For example I will be changing my marital status and one other thing (specifically my most recent trip(s) to the states due to a recent holiday)
December 28, 2016 at 07:40
No need to explain what you changed, they will know.
December 29, 2016 at 02:30
Great Thanks
January 5, 2017 at 02:47
Hi Britsimon,
I was married at the time of submitting my D260, however, my divorce has just been finalised by the courts in Australia. Do I just need to email the KCC asking them to unlock so I can update my marital status from Married to Divorced?
Thanks,
Nicole
January 5, 2017 at 02:58
Yes. If you are scheduled, you won’t be able to do that – but you would show the papers at the interview.
January 5, 2017 at 03:34
Thank you, I haven’t been scheduled yet (patiently waiting!), so will update online.
January 11, 2017 at 12:45
How about if you are same-sex, in a civil union (as gay marriage is illegal in Australia), can you bring your civil partner as your spouse?
January 11, 2017 at 13:27
I would suggest travelling to somewhere that recognizes legal marriage and getting married.
January 16, 2017 at 05:25
thank you
January 16, 2017 at 05:26
Are you certain that our civil union will not suffice?
January 16, 2017 at 05:46
Yes. Hence my suggestion.
January 16, 2017 at 05:51
ok many thanks and kind regards
January 13, 2017 at 10:32
Hello Simon, hope you are doing great. Many thanks to your advices, which mad it possible for my visa to be granted. I have one concern, I have not yet travelled to the United States because am getting married on 29th January. I already informed the CO about this, and she took note of the name of the lady and ade of marriage. I sent them an email today asking is there is any other ways I could travel with her to the US because she would be lonely here but they have not replied. Is there a possiblity another DS-260 form can be opened for her as my derivative? Thanks so much in advance
January 13, 2017 at 14:48
The only way is via the embassy – BUT it is very unlikely.
January 16, 2017 at 05:11
Hi Brit,
I am married and have been selected for dv lottery 2017. We haven’t scheduled for interview yet, but it will be on march 2017.
Recently my wife and I are planning to separate. I wanted to know when is the best time to sign the papers (for a divorce in mt country) and what the procedure will be. What should I do if we get divorced after or before the interview?
Thank you
January 16, 2017 at 05:14
You don’t plan your divorce around your visa interview. Plan your life, and have the interview accordingly.
February 7, 2017 at 16:53
hello sir,i entered for the dv lottery 2018 as married and my husband is not from my country but hes staying in my country and we are legally married by law but he has a marriage and a child in his country that has NOT been divorced but they are seperated..
my Qstn
please if win as an applicant and i go to the interview with him..are we not gonna have any problem?
thanks
February 7, 2017 at 18:23
This raises some questions.
1. Is polygamy legal in your country? If polygamy is not legal, your marriage could be considered invalid.
2. Did you list your husbands children on your entry (including their photos)?
February 8, 2017 at 11:03
polygamy is not legal in my country and he declare him self as a bachelor with proofs and dats why they dd the marriage for us some years ago..
and i ddint add his child photo in my form and he also ddint add any child in his entering form.he only added me as his spouse and i dd the same.
he said he even lost contact of the mother and the child not knowing if they are still living and where they are living.
but after their marriage in 2005 they both went to the us embassy in their country to apply for a visiting visa for their honey moon which they denied them..
and after it they broke up and not knowing each others where about again till date..
February 8, 2017 at 14:55
So you have deliberately entered into a bigamous marriage, and deliberately broke the rules of the DV lottery. And the US embassy have the proof of the former. You obviously should not proceed with the DV process.
February 18, 2017 at 17:44
in the dv form theres no how he could add a spouse without putng the spouse picture.theres no how you say you have kids without puting the kids pics..so where is he gonna get the pics of the former wife and the kid when he doesnt know there whereabout?
all we need to go with on the interview is a proof that they are no more together and am the legal wife and a proof of our marriage and on the DV form theres no where it ask for former spouse..if am right?
February 18, 2017 at 18:27
No, you are not right. Leaving a spouse or child off the entry is certain disqualification. It doesn’t matter what reasons there were for leaving them off the entry.
February 14, 2017 at 20:53
Hi Simon.
I won the DV Lottery. When I initially applied, I included my wife and son in the initial application for the DV Lottery Application. I won and was selected for further processing and I included my wife and son in the DS 260 as well.
Last week, we went to our Visa Appointment and we were asked to submit DNA Testing in order to establish the validity of the relationship, despite the fact that my wife and son were included in the initial application, in the DS 260 and also despite the fact that we have a birth certificate for our son with both our names as the parents on our son’s birth certificate.
1. Is this a Common thing for the consular to ask for DNA?
2. How long does the DNA Process Take?
3. After the DNA results are out and it confirms that we are both the parents, will we be given the Visa?
4. Any further advice or insights on this issue?
Thanks
February 14, 2017 at 21:27
1. Not very common, no.
2. I don’t know
3. This may or may not be the only thing they are checking – so I cannot predict the outcome.
4. Patience.
February 15, 2017 at 22:48
Hi Brit, please I need your help I play the lottery when I was single but now am married,initially I added my wife in the DS260 registration form who will accompany me to the USA but because of her pregnancy and financial problems i have decided she stay for 2years before she join me if I sail through, my worry is if I try to remove her name from it did work, am talking about first portion that is summary information under applicant information. Company by spouse where I had challenge of deleting her name ,please I need your help.
February 15, 2017 at 23:21
You cannot delete her DS260. As she is your wife, she should be on YOUR DS260. You simply won’t take her to the interview and explain that you won’t go together. However, given your recent marriage they may ask about your marriage so take proof of the marriage anyway.,
February 16, 2017 at 02:23
Let me just say thanks a million times, you have been a great help to all of us. My question here is my wife and I won with our two children but the little girl is not our biological child, she is about 13yrs now, we submitted with the both of them on the ds260 form, we don’t have the amount money for adoption, more besides adoption is a difficult process in our country Liberia but this little girl been with us since age 6, she been using my family name in school, on her birth certificate I am her father and my wife is her mother also. Let me again clarify, on the original entry we play with her with our family name that she currently using in school.
2.we are looking at option, go through the medical but then don’t pay for her at the interview but if that Happen what will be our chance to get her over to us.
Kindly help us with your experience on this.
February 16, 2017 at 03:03
If the child is not legally adopted, they will not give her a visa. However, you said you and your wife are on the birth certificate – so I don’t know how they will look at that. Thney might ask for a DNA test.
If you go and try to bring her later you would have the same issues over adoption or legal status.
February 16, 2017 at 11:15
Hi Brit, thanks very much for your advice, please how can I correct this mistake the one who filled my ds260 form made a mistake on my wife’s name instead of Marvonney Kutuus he wrongly wrote Mavoney Kutus, my problem is that the original spelling is in her passport and birth certificate
2. Can I add my surname to her name as Ahmed Marvonney Kutuus . Please how can I do the correction am talking about first portion under application information where the spouse name is under aplplicant name I did everything possible to do the correction but it did not work please I need your help since this is a big mistake thanks.
February 16, 2017 at 14:45
Don’t “add your surname” or any other name UNLESS it is her legal name. To update her name unlock and correct her DS260.
February 24, 2017 at 05:50
Dear Simon, I guess you remember me. I had an error in my eDV through naming but while many urged me to stop pursuing the case because I could be denied, you advised me to go a head. Now am in Midland, Texas. Many thanks. Now, I have only one question regarding my newly wedded wife. My interview was on Dec 5, 2016 and I married on January 29, 2017. During the interview, I informed the CO about my upcoming wedding and she asked me the name of my spouse plus the exact date of marriage and she noted it down somewhere. Now, my question is, my wife has done a bachelor degree, she wants to apply and join one of the Universities as a student. Is it advisable to go a head and apply or I should wait for the normal two years filing period? Looking forward towards your advice bro
February 24, 2017 at 07:12
She can apply for a study visa to go to college in the USA. I don’t know much about that process.
March 10, 2017 at 22:49
Hi BritSimon,
Would it be problematic for a DV lottery applicant to get married after the interview, but before entering the US, if the spouse is a US citizen?
Thanks!
March 10, 2017 at 23:07
No.
March 14, 2017 at 03:06
Hello britsimon,
I got selected on the 2nd draw and got a high number on South America that will be current on May. I submitted my DS260 on October last year as a single person.
I did not know at that time, if my number was going to be current because it is really high, but since it will become current I would like to know if there is a risk of not getting an interview/visa before October if I get married this month, unlock the DS260 and resubmit it again this time with my girlfriend included.
Thanks
March 14, 2017 at 03:17
No, that would not be a risk. But hurry up! You might find you are scheduled, and it would then become more difficult to include the spouse.
By the way, at the interview, you can expect to be asked to prove the relationship is real and not simply a fraudulent marriage to obtain another GC.You will need to show proof of the relation such as joint travel, texts and emails, photos from events such as meeting each others families and so on.
March 14, 2017 at 03:34
Hi;When i apply for dv lottery i fill the form as a married and before the result is announced we got married and i came to USA.Now i win DV lottery and it’s in process with USCIS.so is there any problem?
March 14, 2017 at 03:44
No.
March 20, 2017 at 13:04
Hello. Simon
I have qstn i apply 2018dv am waiting the result in this may i also apply my girl frnd we decide to get maried before the result ..i apply as single both of us.
My qstn is ..is there problem if we get marreid and win the lottery can i change my marital status from single to married …and plz tell me the process how can i add … i love her we cant life with out each othr
March 20, 2017 at 13:42
No problem. The process will be made clear if you are selected.
March 20, 2017 at 20:27
Thank you so much … if i need any advices where can i contanct you .. i dont need to lose this apportunity
March 20, 2017 at 20:44
The blog is right here.
March 22, 2017 at 07:40
Thanks. what about education am still in universty student am graduating at the 4-2018 and i applied as holder of unversity degree … can i go usa if am selected then come back to finish my univrsty
March 22, 2017 at 13:54
Yes.
March 22, 2017 at 18:49
What about living cost… who gonna pay you
.. jst am medical student i need to exam usmle to start working and that need one year of preparation …?? is thre small jobs that can i get my salary at that year??
March 22, 2017 at 22:38
You are responsible for for your own living expenses. You find your own work.
March 20, 2017 at 14:37
hi simon,
I entered the states to activated my LPR and travelled back to home county in 20, august 2016
as far as I understand from you that in my first trip I have 1 year absence normally without any issues or special preparations so i can book flight back in first of July 2017 without which mean almost 11 months ,
no preparations or any thing noting am middle eastern but not from the banned countries.
March 20, 2017 at 17:15
No problem.
March 22, 2017 at 16:45
can one adopt a child before the interview if selected in the dv 2018
March 22, 2017 at 18:17
An adoption needs to be legally completed 2 years before the immigration interview – so, for DV2018, if a child isn’t ALREADY adopted, that child cannot receive derivative status during the DV process.
April 19, 2017 at 13:29
Hi, I am married two years ago now but not legally yet because I am out of the country but planning to come back home and get married legally .but before then our dv lottery results is coming out in the next month. My question is if I am been selected then I come back home and legally married would It be possible for me to have the visa i have all that need to be prooven that we are lovely engaged and living together for a couple of years
April 19, 2017 at 13:33
Yes. Win first – then we can talk.
May 9, 2017 at 23:28
I entered and won the 2018 DV lottery. I have been married for 23 year with 4kids but my husband left me 2years ago. My husband and kids of 24, 22, 20 and 16 were not included at the time of entry. We are seperated with no legal papers. I do not intend to travel with them . Will my file be regected? ????
May 9, 2017 at 23:59
You will be disqualified for the various lies you have told on the entry (marital status, not listing your husband, not listing 2 eligible children). Why bother entering if you aren’t going to tell the truth? I really don’t understand….