OK – a few days ago I posted an article about a new document procedure that is happening. At the time I did not know that much about the new procedure – I think some people get the impression that the government explain things to me before they make changes. They don’t. Whatever I know, I know by getting information from you all and applying a little logical reasoning.
So anyway. Here is what we know so far:
- The new procedure seems to be in effect for all cases in all regions.
- Although the email has not gone out to all cases so far, it HAS gone out to people in all number ranges – so the fact that you get the email does not mean your case will be current next month.
- Principal selectees will get the email and submit the documents for themselves and all derivatives.
- The list of documents needed is clearly stated in the email. There is no reason to send documents they haven’t asked for. There are also clear instructions in the email, so you don’t need to ask me if you just read the email carefully.
- There are some cases where police certs cannot be sent ahead of time (like Albania where the police cert is sent to the embassy). Also, some countries do not have reliable police certs so they are not required. In those cases make sure you carefully follow the instructions in the reciprocity page and attach an explanation to the email response about why you are not sending the police cert.
- Police certificates are in the list of documents to be included. Since those documents expire, I believe you should not submit these police certs too early. Therefore a person with a high case number could sensibly wait and not respond to the email too soon. However, you should later respond to the email once your case number is getting closer. In other words, if your case is close to being current (in the next 2 or 3 VBs, then go ahead and submit these documents asap. If on the other hand you know you won’t be current until August, then wait a couple of months before you submit. Please use some common sense about this. Don’t ask me when to send – use some logic!
- People that have not received the email but expect to interview soon could choose to send these documents anyway.
- People already scheduled do not need to send these documents unless requested.
- The official instructions have been updated to reflect this new procedure. It seems to have been decided to be implemented in time to affect the January 2019 interviews.
Why are they doing this and is it a good thing?
They are probably trying to improve processing of DV cases. By KCC having the documents early, KCC and the embassy have some extra time to screen the cases and perform additional checks before the interview. That might help reduce AP waiting times after the interview. Maybe. Not certain – but maybe.
Additionally it will reduce the number of people that get scheduled for interview but don’t show up. That is because some people would have sent in their DS260s because no proof of documents is required for that, but now have to show valid documents. Some people won’t be able to provide valid documents, so rather than scheduling those people and wasting an interview appointment, the embassy will be more certain the selectee will show up.
Amazingly, there are people that show up to the interviews without some of the required documents. That is just a waste of time, so this process will reduce the chances of that happening.
Those reasons seem positive to me – so this should be seen as a positive improvement.
How will this impact processing and the VB this year?
Because some people who have submitted DS260s won’t respond to this email in a timely manner, those cases will not be able to be scheduled. That will possibly create a “backlog” effect as we used to see. To explain that, let me give some illustration with made up numbers.
Let’s say KCC decide they need 500 cases to be interviewed in a given region in the next month. Before this new procedure they would look at the cases and see how many cases had submitted their DS260 and were ready for scheduling. That might have meant they needed to increase the VB by 1000 cases to yield the 500 cases they needed for interviews.
With the new procedure they now have to see if the documents have been submitted. So now, they might need to increase the VB by 1200 case numbers to yield the 500 cases. That creates a backlog of cases that will be scheduled in later months once they have submitted their documents.
So – this change in process might temporarily lead to 2 or 3 months of higher VB movement, and then a later slowdown. This is not certain – just a guess of what might happen – just speculation. In fact, it may end up not changing things by enough to be noticeable. So – just remain patient and wait and see what happens.
Here is the email again for those that might not have seen it.
>>>>>>>>>>
from KCC DV
subject: Further DV Documents Required
Date: XX/XX/2018
“…
Case Number: 2019XX000XXXXX
Dear ************:
The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) has completed processing of your DS-260 Diversity Visa application form and the DS-260s of all accompanying family members.
In order to continue processing your case, you must submit electronic copies of the documents below in .jpeg or.pdf format to kccdvdocuments@state.gov. Use your case number as the subject of the email. The maximum email size is 30MB. If the total size of your attachments is larger than 30MB, send multiple emails using your case number as the subject of each email. Please send your documents for KCC review only after you have collected all of the required documents for yourself and all accompanying family members. Send documents only to the kccdvdocuments@state.gov email address; for any document processing questions use the kccdv@state.gov email address.
Documents photographed or scanned with a mobile phone are acceptable, but every document must be fully legible. Illegible or incomplete documents must be re-submitted and will delay processing of your case.
All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate and the translator is competent to translate.
You will take original or certified copies of all documents you submit to KCC to your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Submit the same documents to KCC that you will take to your visa interview. Any differences between the documents you submit electronically to KCC and the originals you present at your visa interview could cause delays in processing or refusal of your visa application.
Do not mail paper documents to KCC. Any paper documents sent to KCC will be destroyed.
For more information on required documents, refer to the Department of State’s Diversity Visa webpage.
Documents Required for All Applicants:
• Copy of passport biodata page (no translation required)
• Birth certificate
• Military records for any applicant who has previously served in the military
• Police certificates for applicants 16 years of age or older from all required countries
• If you have been convicted of a crime, a certified copy of each court record and any prison record
Collect and submit your documents promptly. Your case will not be scheduled for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate until KCC has received and processed all required documents. Missing or illegible documents will delay processing of your case. Diversity visas are numerically limited and there is no guarantee a visa will be available. Only a consular officer can determine, at the time of the visa interview, if you are qualified to receive a Diversity Visa.
If you have questions about document submission, you may contact KCC at kccdv@state.gov. The KCC telephone number is 606-526-7500 (7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. EST).
December 20, 2018 at 10:01 am
Hi gut, is it the others who receive the email (which says your document is comlplete) are below your case number or above your case number??
December 20, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Below..
That is 10xxxx
December 21, 2018 at 9:58 am
Hi. I have received today an e-mail from KCC, saying:
Thank you for submitting Diversity Visa documents to the Kentucky Consular Center. Some of the documents listed below were either missing or illegible. In order to continue processing your case, please re-submit all documents on the list below to KCCDVDocuments@state.gov. Ensure they are fully legible. Use your case number as the subject of the email. The maximum email size is 30MB. If the total size of your attachments is larger than 30MB, send multiple emails using your case number as the subject of each email.
Documents Required for All Applicants:
• Copy of passport biodata page (no translation required)
• Birth certificate
• Military records for any applicant who has previously served in the military
• Police certificates for applicants 16 years of age or older from all required countries
• If you have been convicted of a crime, a certified copy of each court record and any prison record
The problem is that they are not specifying which particular documents they consider illegible or missing.
And to the best of my understanding I have sent EVERYTHING in accordance with their list.
Should I resend them again or what?
December 21, 2018 at 11:28 pm
Yes. But clearly there is some problem with what you have sent – so contact them to ask what.
December 24, 2018 at 11:35 am
I have contacted them. Asking What is the problem. The only answer they have sent me is:
Thank you for your inquiry.
The following documents are required for all applicants:
• Copy of passport biodata page (no translation required)
• Birth certificate
• Military records for any applicant who has previously served in the military. If you have not served in the military, military records are not required.
• Police certificates for applicants 16 years of age or older from all required countries, which can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html. Click the link to find if a police certificate is required for your country.
• If you have been convicted of a crime, a certified copy of each court record and any prison record. This is only needed if you have been convicted of a crime.
In order to continue processing your case, you must submit electronic copies of the required documents in .jpeg or.pdf format to kccdvdocuments@state.gov. Use your case number as the subject of the email. The maximum email size is 30MB. If the total size of your attachments is larger than 30MB, send multiple emails using your case number as the subject of each email. Please send your documents for KCC review only after you have collected all of the required documents for yourself and all accompanying family members. Send documents only to the kccdvdocuments@state.gov email address; for any document processing questions use the kccdv@state.gov email address.
December 24, 2018 at 3:42 pm
If you are CERTAIN you have provided all these things, then contact them BY PHONE.
December 24, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Thank you very much for your help.
Actually I have contacted them by phone as well on Friday, Dec 22. They told me that according to their records there is a problem with passport data (with all 4 persons, main principal and spouse and 2 kinds). That looked strange to me because I have sent them 4 sets of documents – one for each person, and only passports in all 4 cases seemed to be illegible or missing. However I asked the operator by phone if I have to resend all the documents or just passports. She said that only passports. I scanned them again and sent all 4 passports again. Then in 4-5 hours I called them by phone again. The operator told me that her record still shows the problems with passports, and that I have to be patient because it will take some time, before the new the scans of the passports will be reviewed. But she couldn’t tell me how long it will take. I am worried a little bit, because my number is EU11XXX, and I think that our case will become current in the next bulletin, which means the interview will be probably scheduled in March. And I do not want it to be delayed because of this strange issue with passport scans.
So, I do not know what else can I do to solve this problem.
December 24, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Now you just wait. If it gets delayed to an April interview – so what? The Green Cards from April are the same ones from March.
January 19, 2019 at 7:44 am
Hi Alex, Has your passport problem been resolved yet? I am currently having the EXACT same problem as you (passports x 4 missing from my documents sent), despite having sent all documents again and again (5 times now). I also called and spoke to someone, who told me to send just the passports by themselves, but again I got the same generic response saying documents are missing or illegible. Can anyone help?! Thanks.
January 19, 2019 at 3:06 pm
No one else has seen your documents. Call KCC again. Ask them PRECISELY what documents are a problem.
January 23, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Sorry Christa. Haven’t seen your question before. Yes, it is solved on Decembet 27 or 28 I got the following:
“Records indicate you have submitted a complete and valid DS-260 application for each family member, and you have provided all required documentation to the Kentucky Consular Center.”
Hope, everything is ok with your docs too.
December 21, 2018 at 1:26 pm
so, wait because i think your number may not be ready yet,
December 21, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Ok.thanks
December 22, 2018 at 5:39 am
Hey Brit!please help.when i contact kcc about my docs, they send the following
Thank you for your inquiry.
Your DS-260 has been processed. You should have received, or will soon receive, an email from the Kentucky Consular Center giving you instructions to complete in order for your case to continue processing. Please follow the instructions in the email. Interviews are scheduled numerically based on case numbers that have completed processing. Interviews for the DV 2019 program will begin in October 2018 and conclude on September 30, 2019. Please refer to the visa bulletin at http://www.travel.state.gov to locate the current numbers being processed. This bulletin is updated after the 15th day of each month. Once an interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.
For February, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2019 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:
AFRICA: 13,800 Except: Egypt 9,500
ASIA: 4,400 Except: Iran 3,400
Nepal 2,800
EUROPE: 10,000
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS): 12
OCEANIA: 450
SOUTH AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN: 625
The Visa Bulletin at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html is updated monthly and contains the current allocation cut-off numbers as well as other important information.
Interviews for the DV 2019 program will begin in October 2018 and conclude on September 30, 2019. KCC cannot provide information as to when an interview date may become available for your case. Interviews are scheduled numerically according to assigned case numbers which have completed processing. The Department of State designates how many interviews will be scheduled each month according to visa availability. You may refer to the visa bulletin at http://www.travel.state.gov for the list of current numbers beginning August 2018. This information is updated on the 15th day of each month thereafter.
The following documents are required for all applicants:
• Copy of passport biodata page (no translation required)
• Birth certificate
• Military records for any applicant who has previously served in the military. If you have not served in the military, military records are not required.
• Police certificates for applicants 16 years of age or older from all required countries, which can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html. Click the link to find if a police certificate is required for your country.
• If you have been convicted of a crime, a certified copy of each court record and any prison record. This is only needed if you have been convicted of a crime.
In order for the Kentucky Consular Center to assist with inquiries regarding a specific Diversity Visa (DV) case, you must provide the Principal Applicant’s full name, complete case number, and date of birth in the following format (MMDDYYYY) as entered on the original entry. Please remember that the Kentucky Consular Center does not have the authority to tell you whether or not your specific case will be disqualified. Only a consular officer can do that at the time of your visa interview. Do not send any paper documents to the Kentucky Consular Center.
December 24, 2018 at 9:57 am
Hi Brit thanks for the all of the information provided.I just wanna ask my case number is EU15XXX and i didnt receive any email regarding the new process but someone who i know also has close to my case number got the e-mail on 13 th dec. What do you think and what do you suggest? Thank you
December 24, 2018 at 3:37 pm
No one said this new email was being sent by case number. I think you should be patient.
December 28, 2018 at 9:42 am
Hi Melo, I’ve got EU137XX and I didn’t receive anything yet. I’m patient because I can’t do otherwise. I’ve sent an email to KCC and they answer me that they are still processing my DS260. We have to be patient as Simon said.
December 28, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Which month did you complete your DS260 form?
December 28, 2018 at 10:22 am
Hi Brit.
I have received. The following e-mail from KCC:
“Dear XXXX XXXXX:
Records indicate you have submitted a complete and valid DS-260 application for each family member, and you have provided all required documentation to the Kentucky Consular Center.
Interviews are scheduled numerically based on case numbers that have completed processing. Interviews for the DV 2019 program will begin in October 2018 and conclude on September 30, 2019. Please refer to the visa bulletin at http://www.travel.state.gov to locate the current numbers being processed. This bulletin is updated after the 15th day of each month. Once an interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. ”
What’s next? I just wait for my case becoming current and the interview appointed?
Is there anything I should do before that?
Thanks.
December 28, 2018 at 2:13 pm
Just wait.
December 28, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Thank you
January 21, 2019 at 11:31 am
Dear Simon,
I just want to ask that me and my wife had taken the Police certificate from Dubai- UAE on the demand of KCC at the time of documents required by them ( 05 -Nov-18). It was written on the certificates that this is valid for three months only. The certificates are expiring just 15 days before the interview date. I just want to confirm that whether this will accept by the embassy or we have to make a new one. However, the police certificates from home country are valid for six months and will not expired till the date of the interview. Please guide what we will do? its better to get the new one.
January 21, 2019 at 4:03 pm
No problem.
January 22, 2019 at 7:10 am
So not to make new one 🙂 just confirm please
January 23, 2019 at 4:54 am
Dear Brit,
Please confirm
January 21, 2019 at 11:53 am
Hi Sir,
I received this e-mail that requires documents for further processing. [Case No. 2019AF27*** , Ethiopia]
There is no time line on the email, how do i know when the deadline is ??? because i have to go back to the places i resided for more than six months to get the police certificates.
Thanks!
January 21, 2019 at 4:22 pm
There is no exact deadline.
January 23, 2019 at 9:38 am
Hi Abel
My case number is same form Ethiopia. Did you received from kcc? please contact me.
January 24, 2019 at 6:10 am
Hi Tg,I heard that its okay to send documents even if you documents receive email form kcc. I suggest you go head …dear.
good luck to all of us…from Ethiopia
February 2, 2019 at 7:58 am
Hi Tigist,
I did recieve the Email from the KCC. you can contact me via abel2116@outlook.com.
January 21, 2019 at 5:17 pm
hi brit. please how many months the delay takes after you resubmit the ds 260 if you have unlocked it.
January 22, 2019 at 3:06 am
Typically, none. That is already answered in the FAQ!
February 2, 2019 at 8:00 am
Hi Brit,
I Just Sent the Required docs to the KCC, Should i expect a reply from the KCC other than the automathic reply?
Thanks.
February 2, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Yes.
February 13, 2019 at 6:50 am
HI brit
How soon can your interview be scheduled after sending this further required documents i want to know so i can arrange my school program in my current country
February 13, 2019 at 2:16 pm
It depends on your case number.
http://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
February 15, 2019 at 10:35 pm
hi brit
ma cn 22*** , four days ago i sent electronics docs to kcc without recevied email because u told to send the document even if with out recevied email, after that kcc sent authomatic reply , today kcc email me further document required to sent my docs , is it common or normal sir because i sent my docs and they sent autoreply which indicate they recevied my docs?
February 15, 2019 at 11:59 pm
An autoreply simply means they got “something”. It does not mean they have approved your documents. Patience.
February 16, 2019 at 12:33 am
so can i send the docs again? they sent email to me further required docs ?
February 16, 2019 at 12:44 am
I would wait if I were you. Give them a couple of weeks. If you simply cannot control yourself, ask them.
February 16, 2019 at 1:01 am
ok , i imagine that may be ma cn will be current in Af region in may cutoff that is why i sent my docs early with out they asked me to send the docs , but after somedays which i send z docs they sent me email it said further required docs ,
Anyways i wait couple weeks!
February 16, 2019 at 6:27 am
Hey Brit.in my ds260.where the ask for what you will do in usa, i said not known now because am just a high school graduate and i will receive my 2nl this month.
How should i answer the the question? during my interview because i have just made up my mind now to serve in the US army.and i can’t unlock ds260.
Thanks
February 16, 2019 at 3:05 pm
No need to unlock. If asked, tell the truth.
February 16, 2019 at 9:47 pm
Hey Brit
Means i should tell them what i wrote on my ds260 right??
Thank you
February 16, 2019 at 10:18 pm
Is “the truth” confusing to you?
February 17, 2019 at 6:14 am
Hey Brit!
Is that am confusing whether if you tell them what is not on your ds260 will it be a problem?
Thanks!
February 16, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Hello Mr. Britsimon.Please, once I sent it to Kccdv@state.gov email and in the subject I decided 2019EU19xxx.I have decided 2019EU19xxx .Name and surname of the applicant and the Date of birth.05.23.19xx. but they sent an autoreplay response. Please i sent email this request for submission of documents as we have not received any emails yet.ds 260 we sent them in June 2018 and we have the case number Eu19xxx.sent an email error? Thank you very much for it is a precious time that is dedicated to helping us.
February 16, 2019 at 4:13 pm
Your question is unclear.
February 16, 2019 at 5:32 pm
I wrote an oek for submitting documents but got an autoreplay .. what should I write? The top question was that I placed the case number.namen and the birthday.please how to write it?
February 16, 2019 at 5:59 pm
Everyone gets an autoreply. Because it’s an AUTO-REPLY.
Instructions on what to send are shown above.
February 16, 2019 at 5:37 pm
Please give me an example of how to write OEK.?Please. Thank you very much.