I have been writing blog posts about various topics for over a year now, and these are categorized in date order. That means some people may not have seen my earlier posts which offer lots of guidance on various DV related matters. I am often therefore asked questions and have to point people at an old article.
SO – I have organized many of the old posts into a FAQ page which can be reached by clicking this link (and is also available through the menu at the top of every page). So – before you ask a question, please take a moment to check the FAQ.
Please also remember the site has a search function and can be translated into around 80 languages with a click of a button. The FAQ, the search and the translate button are all shown below:-
February 14, 2016 at 01:52
Hello, I read somewhere that diversity visa doesn’t require I 134 or I l 864. Is this true
February 14, 2016 at 01:53
Have you checked the FAQ page on that – it is answered there!
March 2, 2016 at 14:31
@Fabish, you will have to do your medical weeks before your interview date. I don’t know about your country, but in my country you have to do it earlier to avoid delay in getting the medical result because you will pick up the result a day before interview @ my country
February 14, 2016 at 05:03
Hello,sir how are ?sir on march vb my case number is current for àpril interview p/se sir tell me the next step what I have to prepare.bye
February 14, 2016 at 06:35
Once you receive your interview appointment, you need to read the instructions on the DVselectee site. You need to prepare all your documents and book your medical.
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/if-you-are-selected.html
February 14, 2016 at 10:15
Hellow brits…i filled my edv having a middle name my ds-260 without which is suppposed to b like so is this going to be a problem later !!!?
February 14, 2016 at 15:05
If you are not current yet – you should email KCC to unlock the DS260 so you can correct it. Most embassies won’t make a big deal about it, but some might.
February 14, 2016 at 11:32
If someone applied for DV and was not preselected, but he/she is a derivative on a successful applicant’s DS260 form, does KCC dig up his/her unselected entry as part of background check on the derivative?
February 14, 2016 at 15:02
We don’t know for certain – but probably yes.
February 14, 2016 at 15:37
Ha! Hope not for my sake *covers eyes with palms* But thanks for your response as always.
February 14, 2016 at 20:14
Hi All,
Please what is the way to find the receipt number after paying the green card fees.?
February 14, 2016 at 20:33
If you paid the fees AND entered – the advice is to wait AT LEAST 60 days (75 is better). If the GC hasn’t arrived, then you call USCIS and they will give you a receipt number then, and start chasing your card.
February 14, 2016 at 22:09
Thanks for the reply.
February 14, 2016 at 23:34
hello Simon,
how are you doing? My name is linda and I have some question for you about the DV lottery 2016.
1. I was born in congo and I moved to germany when I was 3. my parents never got a birth certificate but I managed to get a new one from the hospital I was born in congo. do you think the is going to be some problem at the interview since the date it was issued is 2015?
2. i’m in a process getting the german nationality, but I don’t know how long its going to take .
should I take the new german passport with me to the interview? I’m scared to unlock my DS.
and what if I get my Green Card and my german Passport comes later?
3. I want to change my lasname to a german one is there going to be some problem or should I just bring the certificate that I changed my name. and do I need to change all my other papers too like diploma, police report and so on?
4.When is the last date to submit you DS?
5. and what do you think about my case number AF 4460x?
blessings, Linda
February 15, 2016 at 01:31
1. That should be OK – although in Germany they may be less experienced with African standards of documentation so, that might cause some concern. It is what it is…
2. If you get a new passport before you are scheduled for interview you are much better off unlocking your DS260 and correcting. The passport you present is what you will use for your first entry.
3. You should not change all the other documents, but you are already leaving it very late to make such changes to your name. It could cause confusion – so if you are going to do it – do it now (and unlock to change the legal name on your DS260 as well as adding the old name to the other names used section.
4. There is no formal last date but the last interviews are scheduled in July so it is unwise to submit past April or perhaps early May.
5. It’s ok.
February 15, 2016 at 02:05
Hello Brit,
Quick question for u, I am going for AOS and my DS260 has already been processed but I just saw that I made a mistake in my father s year of birth. Is it an issue ? I will put the correct year in my I485. Thank u for ur help.
February 15, 2016 at 02:22
No, its not an issue.
February 15, 2016 at 04:10
Thanks for your reply Brit. One last question, when the ds260 is already processed can we still unlock it and make changes ? Thanks again for your help.
February 15, 2016 at 05:20
You can unlock it up to the point KCC schedule the interview.
February 15, 2016 at 16:59
But I am doing an AOS so I guess KCC doesnt schedule my interview. I actually already received my 2nl so I dont know if I can still unlock my ds260. Thanks a lot for ur help
February 15, 2016 at 20:19
If you are doing AoS the DS260 should be filed, but accuracy isn’t as important. The 2NL you receive in an AoS case is different to CP 2NL – and in your case you can still unlock your DS260 if you want to.
February 15, 2016 at 07:22
HI BRIT.WHEN i check my case it says at nvc.than says like this .please follow the instructions u received from the NVC that list the 6 steps u must take before NVC can schedule ur visa interview appointment.this includes submitting to NVC VARIOUS FEE, FORMS&documents .once NVC has received all the required items .what does it means brit???
February 15, 2016 at 15:05
Forget everything said about NVC. It does not apply to your case.
February 15, 2016 at 07:30
and also says .they will let u know if anything is missing or incomplete.
February 15, 2016 at 08:01
brit. I can”t submetting anything but i received imeal from us dos or do not [email protected] does this imeal.the imeal says as derevetive i submitted but am not submitted .without unlocking the form submitted derevetive is possible? if possible I can not do this.so help me brit
February 15, 2016 at 15:04
I don’t understand your question.
February 15, 2016 at 09:50
Hello Simon,
How are you doing? my name is Ayoub (Sudanese Nationality), I have question for you about DV Lottery 2016, I read before your prediction article about highest or safe case number in Africa region was 47000, what do you think about my case number 2016AF000479XX?
Regards
February 15, 2016 at 15:02
At this point I can’t be any more confident than my earlier statements
February 15, 2016 at 12:15
HI BRIT ….
sorry because my following question has nothing to do with this current post.
by having a look on visa bulletin for Africa continent to be more specific which is at 23800 for april interview. is there any possiblity for KCC to keep things going with the same pace as the visa bulletin of march and become current in April? here is my case Number AF285XX
Best Regards !!!
February 15, 2016 at 15:01
It’s possible for AF to get around 28/29
February 16, 2016 at 08:47
Hi Simon, I had my DV interview in Colombo First week of Feb. Consular officer who interviewed me said that I was approved and collect the passport in two days, when I went to collect the passport with the approval letter they said that I have to retake the finger prints again since the initial finger prints are not clear. They said , they will call me during this week . Is this normal ? I have given finger prints in two places , one to lady who collect the docs, and other time during visa interview.so they have two collection of finger prints . how come they didn’t tell me then and why after two days?
My letter says my Visa application is tentatively approved.
Greg
February 16, 2016 at 14:25
It is rare, but it happens. Relax.
February 20, 2016 at 02:28
dear Greg , am from srilanka too, Can i get your interview experience
February 16, 2016 at 11:11
Hi Brit…
the last time i brought up my concerns to you, which was on the fact that , on my Senior High School Certificate and on my Bachelor degree Certificate , my full name was written in a different way compared to what was written on my original birth certificate and that grows gradually concerns upon me. and with my current Case Number of AF258XX that might get interviewed in month of May.
just to remind you, on my birth certificate my full name was written as follows “KADI-SALAZ NYS” but on my two aforementioned certificates my full name was written like this ” KADI SALAZ NYS”, so there is a missing of hyphen sign between “KADI” and “SALAZ” on my two certificates( for my Senior High School Certificate and my Bachelor degree Certificate). the last time you said it would not affect negatively my interview for that minor error. but for knowing how USA embassy sometimes can be very meticulous on the processing phase when it comes to be dealing with selectees documents during the interview “it may hit so hard on the head” (laugh) . because you never know who will be interviewing that day( the mood, temper of the CO)
here are my two questions
1) for saying so, since on my master degree certificate the mistake has not been made, can i only show to the CO my master degree certificate to skirt that problem and hide my Senior high School and my Bachelor degree Certificate? (but on my DS 260 form i have notified that i got my Senior High School Certificate and my Bachelor degree Certificate)
a) not bringing my Senior High School Certificate and my Bachelor degree Certificate the day of my interview since they are wronged and to just reckon on my master degree Certificate would that be a problem?
2) is it possible to contact an accredited institution taking care of such kind of matters in my country (which is by the way is CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE) to get me established an indentity certificate testifying that KADI-SALAZ NYS is the same person than KADI SALAZ NYS and hand over to the CO in case the CO point out that matter ?.
a) if you are electing this option , can you please give a clue by telling me which institution may be suitable to provide such kind of certifcate.
Best Regards !!!!
February 16, 2016 at 14:21
I see you didn’t heed my advice regarding your writing style.
1. I already told you, this has no impact. Th hyphen is TRIVIAL.
1a. For goodness sake DO NOT leave those documents at home!!!
2. You can do that if you want – its pointless in my view.
2a. I don’t know.
February 16, 2016 at 14:51
thanks Brit for your advices..
i will do my best to heed your advices regarding my writing style, sorry for that…
February 16, 2016 at 12:48
Linda I m from congo, DR Congo, birth certificate is not issue from an hospital what you need as dv winner is first a court order called jugement suppletif in congo and from the the municipality ( Commune) can issue a birth certificate. I did the same process for my sister living in France. Hope this info can help you
February 16, 2016 at 14:08
Hello Iness…
thanks for your contribution into this matter, but i am afraid you may not get well my point.
on my Birth Certificate there was not a mistake on it and everything written on it are genuine information. in my case it is my birth certicate that testifies my identity and the day of my interview, the CO will be making comparison for names between my birth certificate and my degrees to see if there is compatibility upon names written on those degrees and my birth certificate. but it turns out to be a problem by the missing of the hyphen sign between “KADI” and “SALAZ” to equal the information concerning my full name written on my birth certificate and on my passport as well. and on my passport there is not a problem.since my senior high school certificate and my bachelor degree certicate were obtained in another country which is Benin that makes things harder to be sorted out. and now i am back in my home country ( Republic of CONGO-Brazzaville). and lucky as i may look , thanks GOD on my master degree certificate that was obtained in China , on it there is not such kind of mistake regarding the writting of my full name.
so i am just trying to figure out a way to solve this problem…
February 16, 2016 at 18:43
Hey Iness,
You got an Email Adress?
February 16, 2016 at 19:11
And Iness what did your sister brings to the interview just the birth certificate or some other papers from the Congo too?
February 16, 2016 at 14:26
Hey Simon how are u, I arrived USA but I needed to change my greename card mailing address, but I paid the fee.
February 16, 2016 at 14:39
You can’t change the address it will be sent to now.
February 16, 2016 at 15:52
Look I changed the address in CBP but I missed the srteet number so what I have to do sir
February 16, 2016 at 16:42
I don’t understand what you are asking.
February 16, 2016 at 19:08
Simon Look I changed my first address in Cusrem and Border Protection but I made mistake in my mailing address that means my green card going to be mailing to another place, so what I have to do sir
February 16, 2016 at 19:38
Call USCIS I guess.
February 16, 2016 at 16:39
oh!yeah…yeah…yeah………..i did my interview today and i got my visa thanks to God and his mother virgin merry .britsimon i really thank u for everything you did for me.God bless you.long live.but i do next
February 16, 2016 at 16:42
Congratulations!
February 16, 2016 at 20:00
From your blog “communicating with kcc ”
Is the below mail from kcc is the third one rare mail??
Your case number is now current for interview processing. Once the interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. If you need to make changes to your DS-260 you should contact the consular section where you will be interviewed, or bring the information about your changes to your interview appointment. Because your case is ready to be scheduled, KCC can no longer unlock your application.
February 16, 2016 at 20:03
Yes.
February 16, 2016 at 20:08
Hi Brit
I sent an email KCC to inform for my case and this was their answer:
Thank you for your inquiry.
Your case number is now current for interview processing. Once the interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check http://www.dvlottery.state.gov. If you need to make changes to your DS-260 you should contact the consular section where you will be interviewed, or bring the information about your changes to your interview appointment. Because your case is ready to be scheduled, KCC can no longer unlock your application.
Will this mean that my interviews will be in April?
My case number is EU22XXX
Regards,
Alban
February 16, 2016 at 20:13
Same as the question/answer above.
February 16, 2016 at 21:00
hi, after i got current how can i still correct the ds260? if there any chance is it risk-free? thanks.
February 16, 2016 at 21:35
If they have scheduled your interview already (i.e. about to send the 2NL), they will not unlock. You can try and see what happens.
February 16, 2016 at 21:13
when should i sent the ds260 for june currency? AF42000
February 16, 2016 at 21:36
Your number will be more like August.
February 16, 2016 at 22:04
so when should i send the ds260?
February 16, 2016 at 22:24
Send it now unless you have a reason to wait.
February 17, 2016 at 19:10
hi Simon am currently in states
pls wer can I locate DOS case is to pay ma immigrant fee?
Tanx!
February 17, 2016 at 19:41
The embassy gave you a packet including a sheet with information about paying your fee….
February 17, 2016 at 22:23
yup…but can’t find the number. I ve de alien registration number bt can’t find the Dos no
February 18, 2016 at 01:16
Check on your visa – perhaps its on there.
February 18, 2016 at 02:41
pls is it same as IV case no?
February 18, 2016 at 03:05
I think so – try!
February 19, 2016 at 00:08
Hi Brit,
Thanks for your countless contributions to the world.
Please help me on this,
my current spouse played single and later we met and we are married but I have a 6yr old kid before we met and now we have a 3 months old kid. Should she add the 6yr old kid on her DS260 too? Or she needs to adopt the 6yr old kid before doing that.
My wife is the Principal Applicant.
February 19, 2016 at 00:12
The 6 year old is now her step child and US immigration recognizes step parents in the same way as parents. So – no need to adopt the child – and add the 6 year old to the DS260’s (for you and your wife) and create a DS260 for the child too.
February 19, 2016 at 00:36
OMG! You’re such a great man. Thanks for the timely answer.
I will surely see this great man in person when I get to the US.
And one more, my wife is yet to take the WAEC Test, we are in West Africa, it is the completion of 12 grade. The Test is May 13, 2016, the results comes about two months later. We are worried because of time and our case # is 15,8**.
February 19, 2016 at 00:43
That is important to take care of before the interview, so you can delay your own case by unlocking the principal winners DS260. You should do that now and leave it unlocked until the early to mid May. That strategy will result in a August interview – which allows time to get the results.
There is no risk in that approach, but an interview without the results is unlikely to go well – unless she qualifies on work experience.
February 19, 2016 at 00:51
Thanks
February 20, 2016 at 18:31
Hi brit we are a month late to be current.now we came to know that the contact number of my wifes previously employed organisation was wriiten 01-051522580 instead of 051-522580. Does this effecf in the 2nl? If we unlock ds260 and correct it..does it delay the 2nl???
February 20, 2016 at 18:48
Not a problem.
February 20, 2016 at 19:33
Hi Mr. Simon,
Is there lowest limit in figures to provide in providing financial & resource value in figures at step 7 of the I-134 which can increase ine’s chances of not being told that the financial capacity of the sponsor isn’t adequate?
February 20, 2016 at 19:35
Hi Mr. Simon,
Is there lowest limit in figures to provide in providing financial & resource value in figures at step 7 of the I-134 which can increase one’s chances of not being told that the financial capacity of the sponsor isn’t adequate?
February 20, 2016 at 19:53
Read the article linked below. The minimum income a sponsor should have is determined by the combined “family” size, measured against the federal poverty guideline.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
February 20, 2016 at 23:20
I thank you for the reply the references.
From the reading, am back for explicit understanding in some areas as follows:
1) “The selectee only needs to provide one I-134 to cover their case (it covers the principal and all derivatives)”.
Does this mean that only one form with its required attachments is needed for a family/case, and not as the DS260 as each applicant in a case is required to submit and/one needed one separately?
2) “The income of the person filling out the I-134 should be greater than that shown on the Federal Poverty Guidelines for total number of family members for the sponsor/family AND the selectee/derivatives”. Questions:
a. Now, the sponsoring family is of 4 members and the beneficiary family is of 2, does this constitutes 6 members as a household?
b. If so then the property guideline is 32,570, IS this intended for a Monthly or an Annual INCOME?
February 20, 2016 at 23:22
1. Just one for the case – exactly as my article says.
2a. Yes.
2b. Annual.
February 23, 2016 at 02:01
Hello Mr. Simon, the patron of success seekers,
Kindly address this question for me:
Will it require a DV Interviewee/DV visa applicant to get a new passport if s/he changed the address in the passport that s/he provided info of during the submission the DS260?
February 20, 2016 at 20:17
Hi Brit!
As I told you earlier i just noticed that in my VISA application form under colleges you have attended I have typed the British computer society UK address since I have MBCS membership where i received from srilanka here.
Could you please explain!
February 20, 2016 at 23:00
Not sure what you want me to explain?
February 20, 2016 at 20:53
hello
I enter the interview on December my visa from jan 2016 issued i send an email to embassy what time to pickup my passport he said your are in AP what do you think
thanks
February 20, 2016 at 22:52
I guess you must wait some more…
February 20, 2016 at 21:24
How many case no of ngepal will reach in next April VB? Can u predict?
February 20, 2016 at 22:52
Not yet.
February 20, 2016 at 22:28
Hello Brit
Please let me ask this quetion: with this pace the vb is going for africa, can they reach 50 000 as cuttoff? Or this year cuttoff is gonna be worst
February 20, 2016 at 22:52
There are 5 months of VBs left and later VBs tend to go a bit faster than early months. So hopefully they will get to 50K. The only way to be sure, is wait and see.
February 21, 2016 at 12:56
Hi Brit! Let me explain clearly,
What i am asking is in the VISA application form I have sent under schools you have attended,I have added British computer society address UK.
Will it be a problem since I have added the school as UK address where as I am from Srilanka,
Or it will be ok since I have the AL with good results which is a minimum requirement.
February 21, 2016 at 15:31
As I said earlier, the MCBS is not a school, and it is not a degree equivalent. So, it is a professional membership. I don’t think listing it will cause a problem, if you explain clearly what it is.
February 22, 2016 at 09:35
Hi Simon, My name is Ali Huudu. I have won the 2016DV. But those who did the registration for me didn’t enter my name correctly, Abi Huudu. Secondly, am a Ghanaian. I have nothing to do with Burkina faso. During registration they charged me to Burkina faso. Will I be able to go through successfully?
February 22, 2016 at 11:59
OK – I answered the other question first. In that question only your country was wrong. In this question both the name and the country had mistakes. As I mentioned before – multiple serious mistakes create suspicion in Accra. Your risk level is higher now.
February 22, 2016 at 18:17
If I get burkina faso birth certificate and passport will I be able to go through?
February 22, 2016 at 19:02
You mean get fake documents to improve your chances at an embassy that regularly refuses people for presenting fake documents? NO!
February 22, 2016 at 21:45
Getting guinune birth certificate and guinune passport from burkina faso, will it work for me?
February 22, 2016 at 23:51
Seriously? Your idea of “genuine” and mine obviously mean different things. You said you are Ghanaian, and had “nothing to do with Burkina faso”. So you obviously won’t have genuine documents!
February 23, 2016 at 05:54
Sir, What is your suggestion?
February 23, 2016 at 06:10
Present REAL documents and take the interview. It’s a risk, but if you don’t want to take the risk that is your decision….
February 23, 2016 at 09:51
What is foreign state changeability?
February 23, 2016 at 09:55
What is foreign state chargeability?
February 23, 2016 at 16:02
It is the country you are counted towards. So you chose Burkina Faso, and should have chosen Ghana.
February 23, 2016 at 14:45
Hello Simon, plz can u help clarify me on this: When can you project someone with case number such as AF000405** can be up for interview?
February 23, 2016 at 15:24
We can only estimate at this time. Probably around July/August.
February 24, 2016 at 06:38
Hi simon, Ghana and Burkina faso are in the same region.So do I have the chance to pass visa interview?
February 24, 2016 at 06:59
I explained that earlier! You must listen to what I am trying to tell you – because I am not going to keep repeating the same thing.
You have a chance, but there is risk. One thing is the chargeability and another issue if the name. At Accra embassy, they see a lot of people who (just like you) don’t seem to understand the standard of genuine documents that is expected. 100% truthful. Now, because they see so many fraud cases, they are wary, and issues like your case have a high chance of refusal. However, a high chance of refusal does not mean certain refusal. So – it is up to you whether to take that gamble or not. If you interview and get denied your fees will not be refunded.
February 24, 2016 at 16:38
So Mr Brit, if I apply to attend my visa interview in Burkina faso?
February 24, 2016 at 18:20
You can’t just choose where to be interviewed like that.
February 25, 2016 at 12:29
Hello Brit,
Hope you are doing fine.
Should I take my CV at the interview ?
Thanks
Mimi
February 25, 2016 at 14:57
Sure, take it.
February 25, 2016 at 20:38
Should I send it with the other docs or take it at the interview ?
I haven’t seen at the US Embassy site that a CV should be taken, and I don’t understand why it is good to take it.
I believe in your opinion, but just to be clear.
I am the winner, should my wife bring also the CV ?
Thanks a lot
Good day
February 25, 2016 at 20:52
Wow, you are overthinking this. It is easier to take additional information than leave it at home.
February 28, 2016 at 11:22
Hi brit, during my submission time I miss spell my wife name on my ds260 form but she is the principle applicant. I didt not misspell her name on her form but on my form as my spour, I miss spell her name insteal of bendu, I said Bandu on my form bot the principle applicant form. Is there any major problem with it?
February 28, 2016 at 11:25
That bot is scuta,lly not on the pronciple applicant
February 28, 2016 at 13:06
Hi Brit, My case is Af00026xxx I am sure my case is now current only waiting for letter, can I still ask kcc to reopen my form for corrections on what i ask you about in my question above?
February 28, 2016 at 15:59
Your case is not current yet. You can email KCC to unlock your case for corrections.
February 28, 2016 at 21:10
I did ask kcc before am l permited to ask again?
And if I unlock my case do you think It will be on the next Visa bulet. For may interview?
February 29, 2016 at 01:34
Yes you can ask again. If you do that now you could still get a May interview.
February 29, 2016 at 22:58
Sir, Those who did the registration for me and I won are charging me some money . Because of that they are hiding my case number from me. Is it way I can get it?
February 29, 2016 at 23:18
You would be very unwise to pay any money – the agent has ruined your case and now wants money as well! I think it is time for you to accept that this isn’t going to be your year. Move on, and next time – enter for yourself.
March 2, 2016 at 14:51
@Ali go to the check result page (https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/) click on forgot case number and enter your actual information used for the registration, DV YEAR, YOUR NAME, DOB, EMAIL ADD..etc.. BUT YOU MAY NOT ACCESS THE RESULT if you don’t know the email address that they used. find other people who played there too and check their confirmation page for the address.
I stand to be corrected @ Brit @ All
February 29, 2016 at 23:55
Hi Brit
I am having problem with my ds 260 form, i sign in to complete my form and submit only to see a error message pooping up APPLICATION ERROR You have encountered an application error. please try again later each time i want to leave the personal information 2 and get to the family information section.please help me out.
March 1, 2016 at 00:08
Restart the computer, change browser, try again.
March 1, 2016 at 01:35
i did all that and even change the computer but still sending the same error message