AFRICA | CURRENT | Except: Egypt: 21,325 |
ASIA | CURRENT | Except: Nepal: 6,950 |
EUROPE | 23,325 | |
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | CURRENT | |
OCEANIA | 1,400 | |
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN |
1,585 |
This is for August interviews and is the penultimate VB for the DV2018 year.
For the inevitable questions. CURRENT means all case numbers in the region can be scheduled. AS region being current was expected, AF region was not.
Those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, they can expect their 2NL in about 1 to 2 weeks from now. For the last three months there have been delays in 2NLs for a large number of people – so we still expect some people to be interviewed that were current in June and July. It is obvious that there has been some delay in scheduling interviews – at least in some embassies. Since this is not normal I don’t have good answers for what that means, what impacts that will cause and so on. Because AF regon is now current it means that the AF embassies that are scheduling interviews as normal will be able to have ANY case number scheduled, but I suspect there will still be some scheduling problems in some of the embassies. It’s going to be interesting.
It looks like there has been a small redistribution from Asia (because AS region cannot use its quota while the travel ban is in force), and that has benefitted OC, SA and EU. Because of this OC and SA might exceed their previous expected numbers (so people with borderline high cases just got some good news) whilst EU is still a low number despite more visas from AS.
One more VB to go for DV2018.
For DV2019 winners – remember this VB is NOTHING to do with your numbers – this is just DV2018.
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means.
Processing is spread out over the full year. You can see the progress of the two previous years in this post about basic questions. However, some countries have a high number of selectees and those selectees are concentrated in the lower case numbers. For various reasons, mainly to do with embassy capacity, KCC slow down certain countries as compared to the region. So – in Africa, any case with a case number shown as under the new number can be interviewed but for cases from Egypt, that number is lower. That isn’t a big problem, it just “slows down” those countries a little more than the rest of the region. Since selectees from those countries all have lower case numbers, this slowing down does not present any risk. It does not (at this point) mean they won’t allow all selectees an interview from those countries.
To understand why some countries get lower case numbers, read this article about the lottery draw process.
June 20, 2018 at 15:24
When the 2Nl will start being sent for august ? thanks
June 20, 2018 at 16:30
Read the article.
June 20, 2018 at 16:52
Hi Brit, I have two questions:
1. I have original documents, certified translations and I will make photocopies as required. Do these photocopies need to be by notarized or just simple photocopies?
2. I registered my appointment as instructed and added my spouse in the new applicant section. Does now my spouse need to register on her own from her email?
tnx
June 20, 2018 at 17:55
1. Local rules may vary, but normally when you present an original document, the accompanying copy does not need to be notarized.
2. Normally not – but again – follow local instructions.
June 20, 2018 at 17:24
2NLs for August interviews being sent ????
Thanks Simon for everything…
June 20, 2018 at 17:26
2NLS SENT I RECEIVED MAIL TO CHECK BUT NOTHING MAYBE TRAFFIC
LATER
THANK YOU BRIT
June 20, 2018 at 18:18
received the notification letter
AF27*** fro august 28th..
thanks for your valuable help and advice
June 20, 2018 at 19:00
Hi Simon I would like to share with you my experience with the second letter my case number 2018af3299× I sent my ds260 form on 30th may 2018 I get my 2nl 20 jun after this message from the nvc when I modified
Thank you for your inquiry.
The adjustment of status fee to the Department of State has been paid or indications on your DS-260 show that you wanted to adjust your status in the US. The payment of the adjustment of status fee indicates to KCC that you are residing in the US and wish to process your case at the local USCIS office. As a result, KCC did not continue the processing your case.
To continue this case to consulate processing, please notify KCC with your request.
MY I interview has been schedule on 29 August hamdollah
thank you to much Simon ?
June 20, 2018 at 19:10
Hi Simon,
I’m EU27XXX, my hope to get an interview is decreaaing, but…
I check into this
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY18.html
and found out that at the consular office I’m supposed to be interviewed (Naples) there is 1 case marked as “Issued” in the 27000-28000 range of CN.
And one marked as “Ready” between 28000-29000.
So now I was wondering: does this mean that next cutoff for EU countries will be at least over 29000?
Thank you
June 20, 2018 at 21:01
how did you check that ?
June 20, 2018 at 21:08
Tony that is likley to be a person from Africa, choose AF and the embassy in Italy u’ll see that is the person is from AF not EU
June 20, 2018 at 19:22
hello… can u give me a percentage of the chances i have to get an interview. what’s your opinioin eu dv 2018 cn285**
June 20, 2018 at 19:28
I can tell you there is a 100% chance I am going to say wait and see….
June 20, 2018 at 19:50
Hi BritSimon,
My cn is EU30*** of DV2018. When I completed DS260 I did a mistake.In question ” Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action?” I chose NO but two years ago I was convicted for documents falsification but then after many juridical processes I came out innocent. No arrest happened and my proof of the penalty is unpunished. Do I need to unlock the ds260 and if I do so, is the interview going to be delayed?
Thank you!
June 20, 2018 at 20:08
I would not change the DS260 at this point, although your number is at risk anyway.
June 20, 2018 at 20:21
Just to let you know that I am totally waiting and seeing ☺ EU29XXX here. I think after the last VB in July, I will still come back to this blog to see Mr.Brit’s comments when he is bothered by questions that can be avoided and laugh a little.
June 20, 2018 at 21:49
LOL
June 20, 2018 at 20:35
Brit Simon, sorry to bother you. I am OC 170X … is there any chance OC will go current? I see that some regions have already but you are saying there is only one month left? is there a chance that I can apply and then in July or August or even September they will have spare Green Cards and call us in? 🙁 do you have to have submitted your CS260 for this to apply?
June 20, 2018 at 21:56
There is NO chance that OC will go current. I originally estimate the cutoff between 1450 and 1500, and that number was very reliable. However, by moving to 1400 in the last VB, they may be showing they can exceed the 1500 number with some additional quota (from AS region). However, it is unlikely to reach your number. Not impossible, just unlikely.
If you have not submitted your DS260 before they go current you would probably not get an interview, even if you were current.
June 20, 2018 at 20:37
one more thing … just I am seeing that on the scraping graph that maybe people are not submitting applications so wonder if worth it? ty
June 20, 2018 at 22:01
Can someone tell me what is happening with Cameroon embassy in Yaounde?? Haven’t receive my 2nl and my case is cn at AF290XX and people with same case number has started receiving their 2nl in other embassies in their variouse country
June 20, 2018 at 22:05
Did you read the article above???
June 20, 2018 at 22:10
Yes I have read but there’s know explanation for delays like Cameroon embassy
June 21, 2018 at 01:24
Hi. Friend my case number is af33xxx do I have have a hope to be interview the year 2018
June 21, 2018 at 04:11
Maybe.
June 21, 2018 at 06:09
Hi Brit,
my case number is 2018AS120XX. i see in other posts some people with case no 2018AS12XXX have received their 2NLs. But i have not. Should i worry about this?
Regards
Janawak
June 21, 2018 at 14:15
No it is normal. Relax.
June 21, 2018 at 09:18
Hi Brit, my apologies … I would like to know what is NVC and CNV
June 21, 2018 at 14:00
Ignore NVC.
CNV – I don’t know.
June 21, 2018 at 11:53
My case number is Am 00043xxx up to now I have not received any email for August interview……
Do I have a chance for interview?
June 21, 2018 at 13:49
Read above.
June 22, 2018 at 22:22
Law (INA Section 203(c)(1)(E)(iv)) reads:
(iv) Redistribution of unused visa numbers. – If the Secretary of State estimates that the number of immigrant visas to be issued to natives in any region for a fiscal year under this paragraph is less than the number of immigrant visas made available to such natives under this paragraph for the fiscal year, subject to clause (v), the excess visa numbers shall be made available to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) of the other regions in proportion to the percentages otherwis e specified in clauses (ii) and (iii).
Why do you say that redistribution from AF to EU wouldn’t happen?
In what clauses I can find that thing?
Previous years EU was benefited from AF, why not again?
Please explain it more clear.
Thanks!
June 22, 2018 at 22:59
Don’t waste my time repeating the question I already answered!
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-for-august-2018-interviews-released/comment-page-2/#comment-125009
June 23, 2018 at 00:01
Hi BritSimon
My brother is one of the luckiest winners of 2018 DV Lottery Program. He was selected during the 2017 DV draw. During the registration process he registered three times with different names, but fortunately, the one with his real name was selected. He’s scheduled for interview in July and his fear is whether the names use during the registration process will not affect his visa interview? Or is there any fine / charges to people with multiple name? Or will the system detect those multiple names?
Thanks.
It’s Ronaldo
June 23, 2018 at 00:47
You just always tell lies rather than tell the truth, don’t you. Previously – this was you, now it is your brother. I answered you before.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-for-august-2018-interviews-released/comment-page-3/#comment-124723
June 23, 2018 at 17:49
Greetings Brit
Pls wan to inquire if I still have a chance I filled my ds2..form 15 may 2018 and my case is AF00044880
June 23, 2018 at 19:09
DV2018 or DV2019
June 23, 2018 at 19:04
Good afternoon, Mr. Brit, what has been the case for you for the next higher case numbers for the SA region? Legaria at 1800?
June 23, 2018 at 19:11
Wait and see.
June 23, 2018 at 19:43
Hi Brit thank you for the help you are giving us and God will reward you, my CN is 2018AF42 *** for the 2nl I can hope until when already please .. Thank you for answering me
June 23, 2018 at 22:57
The last interviews will be notified in July.
June 23, 2018 at 21:13
Hi Brit,
I was looking 2nl August and I have two questions about Africa:
1. Why do the 2nl start from case number 10?
2. Why there are so many “transit”
Thank you!
June 23, 2018 at 23:39
1. People who submitted their DS260s late.
2. That is 2NLs that have been sent, but not yet marked as ready by the embassy.
June 23, 2018 at 23:25
Hi Brit. How are you?
I just saw may statistics for SA and we have a lot of no show case number.
That month called at 175 cn and just show 46 cn 26.29%
And the total from Oct to may only show 31%
We are low in visas delivered
At this pace we do not reach the 1500 visas at the end of the year
??
June 23, 2018 at 23:48
I don’t think we have seen all the 2NLs yet.
June 24, 2018 at 19:04
Hi Brit,
Thanks for your guidance, we receive an email with a schedule for appointment.
Please i will like to request the following again from you.
1- Do we need an affidavit of support?
2- Apart from preparing all the documents and medical which is in the check list, are we suppose to confirm the appointment in any way.
we are pretty new and really need some assistance and information to help us prepare for our interview. please help us on how to go about.
Thanks……LL
June 24, 2018 at 22:20
1. britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
2. You follow instructions from the embassy.
To prepare for the interview – check my FAQ about that.
June 25, 2018 at 07:42
Hi Brit,
1.Please, I just wanted to know whether the KCC has a problem with people who were registered through agents.
2.Can being Inactive Hepatitis B positive disqualify you from getting a visa?
June 25, 2018 at 16:13
1. Not specifically. But agents often make mistakes (or lies) and that can cause problems.
2. Rea the FAQ
June 25, 2018 at 08:07
I enjoy reading your comments. Very educative. Now, i checked ceac data ist batch. Seems some high case numbers of 52xxx are scheduled.Is this not an indicator that AF cases will all be scheduled to that limited.
June 25, 2018 at 16:12
No. Once a number of cases are all current, the scheduling order between those cases is not based on case number.
All remaining AF numbers are current – so KCC are scheduling as many interviews as possible this month, and in July (for September interviews). It remains to be seen whether they can schedule all cases or not.
June 25, 2018 at 17:00
“the scheduling order between those cases is not based on case number.”
I’m a bit curious Brit
Does this happen every time a region goes current? Or is this a first time?
If not based on CN, so it’s based on what?
June 25, 2018 at 17:29
It happens every month – always has done. The fact that the region is current hasn’t changed the behavior. As to what the ordering is – I have imagined various theories (DS260 entry date being the most obvious), but none prove out. So – we don’t know. It could be totally arbitrary…
June 26, 2018 at 12:34
Hello of Brits I won the DV last mouth and entered the processing this month. How long would it take for the interview be scheduled
June 26, 2018 at 18:55
It depends on your case number.
June 28, 2018 at 09:18
But hopefully this yeah right?
June 28, 2018 at 04:55
Hello brit..i really enjoy your comments..my case number is AF201851294.pls wen can i be scheduled for an interview cos africa is current
June 28, 2018 at 05:01
Hopefully September.
June 28, 2018 at 06:21
Hello Brit
Thanks so much for your great response I have two questions for you;
1)When will my case number 2018AF41803 gets its own 2nls??
2)Has kcc already finished distributing 2nls for August interview or some may still come in early July?? Thanks so much for your patients and time
God bless you abundantly for your response
June 28, 2018 at 15:16
1. I don’t know.
2. I don’t know.
June 28, 2018 at 18:29
Hello Brit, I have a question here. Now with Travel Ban is possibility more available visas for SA? more than 200> or possible CURRENT? because now will be many more visas available.
What do you think regarding this?
June 28, 2018 at 21:49
The travel ban hasn’t been changed – so my previous analysis and comments remain the same. Ultimately – Wait and see.
June 29, 2018 at 05:33
Hi dear Brit. How are u? My case number is 2485X from Europe. How many % chance to invite interview?
Thanks
June 29, 2018 at 14:02
I don’t know – wait and see.
June 29, 2018 at 14:44
Do you see the issuance pace in Europe is slwoing down, I’m afraid it doesn’t look like that?
June 29, 2018 at 14:49
what does that mean ?i
s it good news or bsd news ?
June 29, 2018 at 17:29
Issuance pace in EU for May and June is exactly what I expected.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-ground-rush/comment-page-2/#comment-115622
June 30, 2018 at 11:58
Brit what do you think about issuance pace for July, August and Sep?
June 30, 2018 at 08:25
Hii Brit ,
I calles kcc yesterday about 2:45pm Cameroon time and after giving my details I was told my form has just been processed that I should check after July 15th and I will have my interview date
Secondly I asked why Case number greater than 41xxx get interview before me they told it was based on early submission and when they GI current they followed that sequence
June 30, 2018 at 15:11
Honestly, they just say anything to get you off the phone.
July 1, 2018 at 14:37
Brit according to you what is the cut off for this year dv winners 2018?
July 1, 2018 at 14:40
I don’t have a prediction.
July 1, 2018 at 17:33
Kcc did not tell you the truth bro, am also from Cameroon but no 2nl yet CN AF35xxx and I submitted my ds260 on 23 may 2017 but nothing yet
June 30, 2018 at 09:24
Joelihno,
But there are cases submitted late and yet scheduled .
When did you submited your case . for instance , mine was submitted October 26 2017.case number 40xxx
July 1, 2018 at 17:11
hello
1.
our case number AS103** i think our interview schedule in july but its 15th of august do have any idea why its in august
2.
and my son turned 21 in 21st of april this year our interview 15th of august
if embassy approve our family to go usa its possible to my son with together is it depend embassy’s officer or he already turn 21 so he obviously cannot go with?
July 1, 2018 at 17:27
1. That has happened to a lot of people this year.
2. You must pay attention to this point and what I am about to explain!!!
Read the link below. Print out the rules and take it to the interview. Your child can get a GC through your case, but the CO may not understand how to interpret the rules – so you MUST study it, understand it, and most importantly be ready to provide the information to the CO if there is any doubt in their mind that your child can be covered by CSPA.
https://britsimonsays.com/child-turn-21-can-heshe-get-visa/
July 2, 2018 at 10:52
Hello Brit,
If they decide to redistribute visas from AF and AS, is there a chance for Europe to go current ?
July 2, 2018 at 13:51
No. There isn’t even enough time.
July 2, 2018 at 14:04
Hi Brit,
Do you think that now in September DV 2018 will be Europe 26500 released or no? Please do not answer me, wait and see, I know that already but I would like to know your opinion about this number in this last chance. Reality wasn’t so far from your opinion so far, so I really need that information from you.
Thanks
July 2, 2018 at 15:04
I don’t have a prediction. In two weeks or less we will know for sure.
July 2, 2018 at 14:40
Hello Brit,
my cn is AF39xxx 2018 from Liberia do you think i will be call for interview ?
just don’t know what to do now hopeless.
July 2, 2018 at 15:00
All you can do is wait.
July 3, 2018 at 21:57
Same here with me from Liberia Cn324**
Still waiting….
July 2, 2018 at 17:50
OK Brit
we’ll wait and see
July 2, 2018 at 22:13
In this situation and how everything is going w 2nl in AF, any chance for redistribution for EU ?
July 2, 2018 at 22:40
I am not going to speculate – in a few days we will know for sure.
July 3, 2018 at 07:49
Indeed we will know in a few days, deep inside you do have a thought, what do you think ?
Distribution or nor ?
July 3, 2018 at 14:43
I was clear. Be respectful.
July 3, 2018 at 21:23
Hi Brit,
We will have our interview in August in Vienna, Austria.
I have a question regarding police records:
Our oldest daughter is 20, our second oldest is 18. I know that usually everyone 16 years and older has to get police records but we live in the US since 9 years. My understanding is that police records are only required if you have lived in a country for at least one year since turning 16. So, we don’t need police records for our two oldest daughters, right?
Thanks for your help!
July 3, 2018 at 21:43
Correct
September 30, 2018 at 01:38
Hi Brit,
Today, we got our green cards in the mail. We praise God for that!
It took more than 9 years for us to get our green cards. At first, we came on a student visa, then we applied for a religious visa, then an extension for the religious visa, and then we would have applied for our green cards through the religious visa, but thank God we got selected in the DV 2018.
We had our interview in Vienna, Austria on August 6th, 2018. Everyone there at the US Consulate was super nice and helpful. But, we had our paper work perfectly organized in a big binder (We are six people in our family who applied for green cards). A little bit more than a week after our interview we received our passports with our immigrant visas in the mail.
We came back to the US on August 23rd, 2018. So, it took a little bit more than 5 weeks after our reentry to get our green cards. Of course, we paid all the fees before we returned to the States.
Thanks for all the effort and time you spend in helping others regarding DV. I really appreciate that. Thank you so much!
Harald
September 30, 2018 at 02:00
Congratulations and good luck!
July 5, 2018 at 17:33
Dear Brit,
Any news concerning 2nls?
July 5, 2018 at 18:11
The next 2NLs will be for September interviews – sent from mid July probably until the end of July
July 5, 2018 at 23:33
Hello brit!
I have a question about police certificate or police record.
My wife is the principal and she is from Venezuela and her police record expire after one year.
I borned in Venezuela too but I have a 2nd nacionality (argentina for my parents ) but I never lived in argentina. I have my police record from argentina since March 05 2018. So I’m not sure if my Argentine police record will be valid for September.
Thanks
July 5, 2018 at 23:38
The instructions cover that. Please read the instructions.
July 5, 2018 at 23:51
The instructions are in your page or in the travel.state.gov?
July 5, 2018 at 23:54
The official instructions. These should be studied often.
July 10, 2018 at 21:19
As I understand if you haven’t lived in any other country for more than 6 months ( it’s not your case) you won’t need any police records ( antecedentes penales)
This waiting it’s crazy and for SA the numbers are very risky for us!!
Good luck for all
July 8, 2018 at 19:38
Hi There
I’m curious, We are waiting for the 2019 selection to begin – I don’t think this has begun yet. What i am interesting in finding out is…
When is best to go for medicals and criminal checks etc – the documents we need. I heard they are only valid for 6 months is it best then to wait to be notified and then go for these tests and checks?
Will they let us know exactly what medicals they will need from us?
ANd when do they usually begin announcing dates for the 2019 selectees? Do they email you? Or should we checck the website? I usually check twice a week for updates.?
I would just like to prepare in advance for whatever i can – so as to not run into any unneccessary delays
REF: 2019AF16XX
July 8, 2018 at 21:47
DV2019 interviews start in October. 2NLs are sent 6 or 7 weeks in advance of the interview. Only book the medical when you have the 2NL.
July 12, 2018 at 17:03
Thanks for the response. So i take it we will only be notified end August for October interviews and end September for November interviews etc etc – so pretty much wait and see.
I read a little further down about an Affidavit of support. When we completed our DS-260 forms we stated that we would be staying with my father in-law. He is a permanent resident and 2 sibling in-laws that he has also. He has offered for us to stay with him until we can establish ourselves. Do we need to complete this affidavit of support? Do we submit this at the interview or do we submit in advance or is there no need?
Also if you don’t mind me asking please can you clarify what is a 2NL? is this the letter giving you your interview date?
Thanks for the help.
July 12, 2018 at 18:33
Read my article on the I-134. Whether you will be asked for it or not varies by embassy, but also by case.
2NL = interview.
July 10, 2018 at 12:10
hi Mr Britsimon
I have a problem with the affidavit of support document, my sponsor sent me from the first page to the fifth page. He signed on the fifth page and edited the date, and the affidavit of support is eight pages long. if this does not cause a problem since the document is not complete?
July 10, 2018 at 12:39
I guess it depends what is on the missing pages.
July 10, 2018 at 14:38
so that does not cause a problem to the interview I think
July 11, 2018 at 15:47
Hello Simon,
I received my 2nd letter and while i’m preparing my documents for the interview i found that i did i mistake in ds-260.
What i should do?
Do i have to contact the consulate?
Or
I will be allowed to correct it before the interview?
July 11, 2018 at 21:13
You will have to correct it at the interview.
July 11, 2018 at 23:09
Okay, tell me if i’ll be disqualified or the CO will let me correct it.
I lived in USA for quite some time, so i answered yes for the question about previous entry to the USA, also specified the period.
The problem is i answered no for the question about any other addresses i lived in since i turned 16 because i thought it’s about the places i lived in my own country.
Will that cause a serious problem?
July 11, 2018 at 23:37
My answer was clear.
July 12, 2018 at 01:06
True, your answer was clear… thanks.
My concern was about the police records, will they be able to get the police records from USA without having my address there?
July 12, 2018 at 03:02
Yes. Obviously it would have been better to correct the forms before you were scheduled – but now you have no choice but to update at the interview.
July 12, 2018 at 00:13
Dear Brit, I have a doubt ! Does the ready cases are those with DS 260 already introduced? How should I read the ready cases to do my math?
July 12, 2018 at 00:57
Ready means scheduled for interview (and sometimes means the interview took place, but the embassy has not updated CEAC yet).
July 12, 2018 at 03:51
So the quota for SA and other territories it’s filled already taking into account the AP cases
July 12, 2018 at 15:10
It is unlikely that all AP cases will be approved.
July 12, 2018 at 17:39
And what is usually the percentage of “ready” that becomes “issued” in this SA region?
July 12, 2018 at 18:34
I don’t know. We will see the final VB very soon. Patience.
July 12, 2018 at 15:10
Hi Brit, what is faster based on your knowledge: Apply for change of status (I am currently living in the US) or to apply via embassy? (Madrid). I just want to weight my options in case my number goes current in the next bulletin.
July 12, 2018 at 15:16
It is too late to make a change. If you aren’t already processed for CP, you cannot change to that method now.
So – if you get current and had previously planned to adjust status, get your I-485 paperwork submitted as immediately.
July 12, 2018 at 15:36
Got it. Thanks!