AFRICA | 14,300 | Except: Egypt: 10,300 Ethiopia: 13,500 |
ASIA | 4,050 | Except: Iran: 3,700 Nepal: 3,225 |
EUROPE | 10,700 | |
NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 6 | |
OCEANIA | 615 | |
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN |
625 |
The “January” bulletin has been released. It includes details of case numbers that are current for February interviews.
Those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, they can expect their 2NL in about 1 to 2 weeks from now. I know I am going to get a lot of people who will ask me this exact question – so let me say that again. 2NLs will be sent in about one or two weeks time – that means the latter part of the month. The schedule is that VBs are published between the 8th and the 15th of each month, and 2NLs go out from the 15th to the end of the month (most typically around the 20th to 24th). This is the same every month, so there is no need to ask me.
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.
Read this link if you are unsure how to read the visa bulletin
December 14, 2017 at 14:13
low increase as usual ..
December 14, 2017 at 14:19
I’m feeling very unsafe with my Europe 29XXX 🙁
Some other European around 29k ?
December 14, 2017 at 14:30
Please pay attention to my previous explanations of VB speed.
December 14, 2017 at 15:05
Yes, yes… In my mind, I’m already in the USA. If I finally don’t “win”, i’m going to fall in depression !
Brit, Are you a DV winner ? Where are you living now?
December 14, 2017 at 15:13
I got my GC through the DV lottery, I live in California.
December 14, 2017 at 15:17
Lucky man 🙂
December 14, 2017 at 14:41
I am Europe 26xxx 🙁
December 14, 2017 at 15:08
This really is as I expected.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
December 14, 2017 at 15:39
From what country ?
December 14, 2017 at 19:57
33xxx ….:(
December 15, 2017 at 05:38
32XXX, But still feel safe, according to last years and increasing cutoff #.
December 14, 2017 at 14:27
Oh well. The bucket is being filled slowly but filling up nonetheless.
December 14, 2017 at 14:30
Hi Brit,
This year does not seem like previous years. So no referans for prediction. Do you have any foresight for result like being current last two months ?
thanks
December 14, 2017 at 15:02
There are too many selectees this year, so any region going current should be impossible. However, the travel ban may affect things – BUT the ban itself may not last, so I am not going to predict how this year ends….
December 15, 2017 at 14:30
Thank you for response, Brit
December 14, 2017 at 14:36
Hi Brit thanks for your updates but with this low speed are we safe with the case numbers 38****?Africa thanks for your kind response…
December 14, 2017 at 15:07
The VB is moving exactly as I expected.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
December 14, 2017 at 14:39
This year is really different Simon. Is it a backlog or it’s just slow? Anyway we remain patient.
December 14, 2017 at 15:07
This really is as I expected.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
December 14, 2017 at 14:39
Hello brit.
We did our first entry (poe), we received our social sec., now we are returing tonour original country. We are planning to finally moving to USA next February. What do we need to show at POE for our second entry, just the passport with the stamp?
Regards
December 14, 2017 at 15:07
Yep.
December 14, 2017 at 14:39
I am not sure I have my interview SA 16xx ?
December 14, 2017 at 15:08
That is in a risky range, yes.
https://britsimonsays.com/vb-progress-explained-again/
December 14, 2017 at 15:18
Juan, where are you from? Im from Ecuador, case SA 7xx
December 14, 2017 at 16:43
Venezuela. Busca un grupo en Facebook que se llama greencard venezuela ahí somos 200 y nos ayudamos. Ya hay un paisano tuyo. Une te mi nombre es juan ferullo
December 14, 2017 at 14:53
Wow What anguish! I feel that I going to blow up.
December 14, 2017 at 14:54
How is asian visa bullen speed??
What is going slowly.
December 14, 2017 at 15:08
It is as expected.
December 14, 2017 at 15:19
Dear Brit
Congrats for your predictions of VB progress, i think i’ts going to be like you have explained months ago ! and as i expect im going to have an interview july or august with EU CN 34xxx
December 14, 2017 at 15:53
They weren’t really “predictions”, but yes – the VB is moving exactly as I expected.
December 14, 2017 at 17:50
I’m EU35xxx.. also expecting in august 🙂
December 15, 2017 at 04:20
I’m also EU 34xxx. Keepin’ our fingers crossed! Good luck!
December 14, 2017 at 15:22
AF29××× among or it would be in the next visa bullen?.
December 14, 2017 at 15:52
OBVIOUSLY not in the next VB. Be patient.
December 14, 2017 at 15:23
My CN AF50800 I don’t know if I have the chance to have 2NL
This is so bad
December 14, 2017 at 15:51
You must wait and see….
December 14, 2017 at 15:24
Dis yr…it seems the tin is too slow..started tinking abt whether I will be even current…AF22***
December 14, 2017 at 15:51
You are not paying attention to what I write.
December 14, 2017 at 15:26
Man it’s crazy how Europe’s progression this month was 2500, exactly your guess a couple of months ago when you said you thought it might be around that from the second month of receiving feedback from embassies…. feeling more scared everyday with my SA 21XX (high 2100s) hehe
December 14, 2017 at 15:48
Your number is risky. You need a plan B.
December 14, 2017 at 15:32
I was trying to unlock my ds 260 to make correction
I kept hyphen on the name in native language but my name has been spell in English but the system was not accepting the hypen as part of my first name
Kcc said my ds260 is due for scheduling interview
1. DS260 submitted on 6th November but unlock on 24th November
Please is it possible dat I will get February interview
2. Is it necessary to unlock to write my full name in native language column Abdul-Somed instead of only the hyphen
December 14, 2017 at 15:51
1. Wait and see.
2. The system does not accept the hyphen. I don’t think you need to change anything.
December 14, 2017 at 15:59
Paul where r u from,I am from Eritrea
My case No 29+++
December 14, 2017 at 16:11
Cameroon
December 14, 2017 at 20:55
Me too
December 14, 2017 at 16:13
Hi Brit,
Had all my hopes band on in February. Hope I need to revise it now. Can AF16XXX be part of the March Bulletin?
December 14, 2017 at 17:00
You don’t need to ask me that.
December 14, 2017 at 16:17
It run as you expected, due to your expectations is it right my cn af 185xx will be on the next vb
December 14, 2017 at 16:59
Wait and see.
December 14, 2017 at 16:37
Brits i really read your explanations on stuff but, hmmmmm, this pace is really gut wrenching. never expected it to be this slow even as further as febuary. this is clearly telling us that it will probably be slower and unpredictable this year because it is undulating which is not normal. at least its been increasing steadily for the past months but it has decreased. they added 3000 last month and this month reduced by 1700, how ?
this is really disappointing.
Thanks Brits for always keeping up with your invaluable help
December 14, 2017 at 16:58
I have explained this many times. Please read my post on VB progress.
December 14, 2017 at 17:19
Please expect the number 16000 from Egypt to meet when
December 14, 2017 at 17:21
Wait and see.
December 14, 2017 at 17:23
Hello Simon,thanks for the update but it seem to look like the cutoff for Africa might likely drop due to this slow process if continue. What is going on?
December 14, 2017 at 17:26
Normal progression. Really.
December 14, 2017 at 17:50
Hello,brit what do you think about AF 40,000? Do we lose hope? Or wait for the coming months? Thank you
December 14, 2017 at 18:20
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-selectee-numbers-published
December 14, 2017 at 17:52
Hey brit im from ethiopia with case number 186** and ds260 submitted July 15 if z VB progress goes like zis i might get interviewing @ march? ? Pleas i need z answer so much b/c if it is i should start collecting money
December 14, 2017 at 18:20
I don’t have a prediction.
December 14, 2017 at 18:24
Dear, it is 3700 for Iran! By travel ban, 3700 won’t be issued from 55000 right,?? If Iranians are not given visa, why is Iran in the list validated to take part in lottery 2019, too?!
Thank you
December 14, 2017 at 19:54
The travel ban could be removed, so the DV process includes Iranians. Your 3700 number is not correct, but then neither is your 55,000 number.
December 14, 2017 at 18:35
February visa bultin favored to Ethiopians alot ethiopian case numbers added .I am on February bultin now time to autinticate documents .and pray
December 14, 2017 at 18:40
And for the info.. case num 12xxx and DS sent June 9..never unlocked.
December 15, 2017 at 05:29
Afrokume could you share ur experience after z enterview pls [email protected]
December 15, 2017 at 07:23
I will share every detail..no problem.
December 14, 2017 at 18:50
well done Dear SIMON, Really I appreciate it
December 14, 2017 at 19:05
Dear brit, on AF you had mentioned you expect a slight increase since some of the countries were about to hit their limits ( using last year’s ceac data) and a wider increase in the March bulletin , this was when I had asked you when you expect AF to hit the 20,000 mark. With an increase by only 1300 in the january bulletin do you still expect this to happen in March or that is now impossible? Even a yes/no answer will be appreciated. Thank you!
December 14, 2017 at 19:43
The lower density might affect the interviews for March, but if not, certainly by April. So – wait and see.
December 14, 2017 at 19:54
Hi Simon.
I had to resubmit my DS260 again because the address where I need the green card delivered to keeps changing. Will this be a problem at all? My case number is AF31xxx. Also, would you guesstimate a July/August interview for that CN?
Thanks for everything you do.
Connor
December 14, 2017 at 19:55
No problem. Your guesstimate is as good as mine.
December 14, 2017 at 19:57
Thank you for the quick reply, really put me at ease about the DS260. I know, I know, “wait and see” as you say 😛
December 14, 2017 at 20:00
Hi Brit! Thanks for always being there for us. I got a little mixed up because from one of the VB for January was AF21000 which mine in AF22***, so I was expecting mine to fall in February interview. But from what is posted now for February is AF14000 I don’t understand anymore.
December 14, 2017 at 20:26
You simply have to be patient, and read my recent posts.
December 14, 2017 at 20:04
Hello,moi j’ai soumis mon DS fin novembre case number 232XX,je suis pour l’instant en France, j’attends d’être current avant d’aller dans mon pays le Benin,pourriez l’estimer a peu près pour l’interview
December 14, 2017 at 20:25
Questions in English please. For this one, my answer will be wait and see.
December 14, 2017 at 20:09
Is it normal for Asia to be slowing down instead of the numbers going higher every month? The numbers were increasing by 550, 750, 900 and this time by only 650. Any predictions for upcoming months?
December 14, 2017 at 20:24
This is normal. While Nepal and Iran are still accounting for the majority of case numbers the speed will remain in this range.
December 15, 2017 at 01:06
Do you think the pace from now on will be closer to 550 or to 900? My number is low 6000 Asia. I am trying to figure out the month it will become current.
Thank you.
December 15, 2017 at 03:55
Stop overthinking. Wait and see.
December 14, 2017 at 20:15
Thanks brit. We will continue to wait and see. What am worried about more is the renewed calls everyday to scrap the dv lottery , I am just wondering if we will get a shot at an interview before this thing is scrapped, it seems it’s a matter of when not if. To make it worse I’m doing AOS which could take 2-3 months ,add 3-4 months before AF21*** goes current. Will the diversity visa last for for that long? Only time will tell. Anyway Everything now a days is Incredible, incredulous, unprecedented!
December 14, 2017 at 20:23
20th time today. DV2018 is unaffected.
December 14, 2017 at 20:57
?
December 14, 2017 at 20:59
Why Ethiopia has increased the number 4200
December 14, 2017 at 22:27
The numbers increase by the amount needed to yield the desired number of interviews each month.
December 14, 2017 at 20:25
If the random migration is canceled, this decision will affect the 2018 winners
December 14, 2017 at 20:31
What do you mean by random migration. If you think about canceling of the loterry it won’t affect 2018 winners nor will i think at least affect 2019 selectees
December 14, 2017 at 21:12
thank you so much
I am from Egypt and worried
December 14, 2017 at 20:58
What on earth are you talking about?
December 14, 2017 at 21:00
About 2018 winners
December 14, 2017 at 22:27
Yes, but what is this “random migration” you are talking about?
December 15, 2017 at 03:50
I mean Is it possible for Trump to cancel the 2018 winners
December 14, 2017 at 20:29
Aren’t this numbers supposed to be for interviews that will be in January ?
December 14, 2017 at 20:57
No.
December 14, 2017 at 20:52
Brit, you still think that EU37XXX are safe? :)))
December 14, 2017 at 20:56
Yes.
December 14, 2017 at 21:08
Hello Brit sorry for disturbing but I really have an issue I don’t understand about VB
1) what actually does except mean for example when u say Africa 14 300 except Egypt 10 300 and Ethiopia 13 500 I don’t really understand that
Please kindly clarify my doubt without been upset thanks in advance
December 14, 2017 at 22:33
Read the article above.
December 14, 2017 at 21:18
Hello Brit! My father is the winner of DV2018 lottery case nr 22*** I as hos son turned 21 on december 1st 2017. Do u think I wont have the chance on gettin a visa when the time comes? Thank you!
December 14, 2017 at 22:32
https://britsimonsays.com/child-turn-21-can-heshe-get-visa/
December 14, 2017 at 22:08
Hello Brit I submitted my ds 260 in May 2017 and I unlocked twice on November and December to correct mistake the first one to said that I had a petition denied and the second one to correct work experience is that kind of changes make more process time that can cause a delay my case number is 32### thank you
December 14, 2017 at 22:30
No delay.
December 15, 2017 at 01:12
Thank you
December 14, 2017 at 23:55
Dear. Mr Simon really I shocked about the lower number of v.b for Egypt and i ask U if the visa bulletin progress as u expect are my case number 215xx have interview .
2- Are the slow down of this visa bulletin will end this month or it will continue by 2000 every month? really it is Aworried matter
December 15, 2017 at 03:57
This is entirely as I expected – not slow at all. It will speed up later as I have described several times.
December 15, 2017 at 01:35
Brit do you know when november statistics will release? And with is the diferences between this Statistics and celac information?
Thanks
December 15, 2017 at 03:54
I don’t know when that will be published. CEAC will provide more information on refusals, AP and so on.
December 15, 2017 at 03:15
Dear Brit,
I’m an Iranian (31 years old), and according to the new visa bulletin I and my husband (as my derivative- 32 years old) should have our interview in February, I have some questions which I hope you could answer. Thank you in advance for your time and sorry if my comment is too long.
1. – Will I get the interview time or due to the travel ban I should apply for some kind of waiver to get the interview?
2. – Is there any resource I could contact for more information on applying for a waiver or questions like how to proceed with the terms stated in the ban?
3. –My parents and my brother and his wife are USA Green Card holders, however I’m married (for 7 years) and more than 21 obviously. (My whole family lives in the USA now)
4. –Me and my husband lived out of Iran for last four years (Not sure if it could help)
5. –I have a good record of education including being the top rank in very good universities with two master degrees in economics and computer science
5. –My husband is a programmer and was exempted from military service. He was born in Sweden, however he lived in Iran after the age of 12.
( I will appreciate it if you could introduce any lawyers, Me and my family could use some help understanding the travel ban and how to proceed about it)
6. – Without considering the costs do you think I should take my chance to get the interview on February or is it better to wait? If we get rejected and the rules change before September next year is it possible for us to get another interview?
7. – If the lower courts vote against the travel ban or bring the Bonafide relationship back, will it take effect immediately or it will wait until the case goes to the supreme court and get a final ruling (in June?) ?
Thank you so much.
Best,
December 15, 2017 at 03:53
I had to add numbers to your post to make it easier for me. Please do that in the future.
1. I think you will be offered an interview even while the ban is on.
2. The ban is the ban. Waivers will be almost impossible to obtain because there are almost no reasons for a waiver. In other words, you could get an interview, but you will not get the visa while the ban is in force.
3. That won’t help.
4. That won’t help UNLESS you have another citizenship.
5. Makes no difference to your case.
6. I don’t know when you will get an interview because I don’t know your case number. If you interview you will be placed on AP (waiting) while the ban is in force. If the ban was removed well before September 30th, you might then be able to then be approved – but that is impossible to predict.
7. I can’t see the future.
December 18, 2017 at 03:20
Dear Brit,
Thank you so much for your reply, and sorry for the trouble with numbering, actually these where only 4 questions and 3, 4, 5 and 5 where meant to be additional information on question number 2, I used indents but somehow when I submitted the question all indents where eliminated. (again sorry for that)
1- About question number 6 as I mentioned in the beginning of my question our interview is in February and our case number is AS29xx.
2- About question 7, I didn’t mean to ask for prediction, however I couldn’t find in the news the overruling will be valid until after the appeal court results come out or it will last further and after the supreme court change the rule it self (if it ever does!), I thought it might be clear to you.
Only thing I understand about this situation is; it is unpredictable!
3- And here is a new question, If we want to use I134 form (affidavit of support) should we ask our sponsor for two signed copies separately for each of us? or one with my name as beneficiary and my husband’s name as my spouse is enough?
Thank you so much for your time,
December 18, 2017 at 06:21
I got the answer for question 3 from your related post, Many Thanks!
December 15, 2017 at 05:23
hello, i have a question: when we fill DS-260 form, my wife was pregnant but after two weeks we will expect our baby. What shall we do about our New baby? our Case number scheduled on Feb 2018 and also we are not received 2NL yet.
December 15, 2017 at 06:20
https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-add-a-newborn-child-to-the-dv-case/
December 15, 2017 at 06:11
it seems the holes this year was few and the numbers are densely populated in lower case number in africa
December 15, 2017 at 06:13
Just as normal.
December 15, 2017 at 06:15
WHEN WE SEE ETHIOPIA’S CUT OFF NUMBER IT JUMPED FROM 9k TO 13 K WHAT CAN WE INFER FROM THIS. IS IT DU TO HIGH REFUSAL RATE?
December 15, 2017 at 07:49
I don’t think it ia coz of refusal.. there is small number of ethiopian case numbers in that range. And if u read interview exprinace stories in us embassy in addis ababa most of refusal is related to copules who married after winning and alot i min alot people not meeting educational requrment.
December 15, 2017 at 06:24
dear Brit,
my number is EU14 ***
low numbers in the bulletins do not scare me. I am frightened by the decision of the congress, which is scheduled for consideration in February. if Congress decides to cancel the lottery, how will this affect the winners of dv 2018, who are waiting for an invitation to an interview?
December 15, 2017 at 06:37
NO effect on DV2018.
December 15, 2017 at 07:16
Hi brut i am a Dvlottery winner with case number AT 15052 and base on the visa bulletin for Feb 2018 I think my interview will be in March 2018 but the issue now is I am pregnant and will be due in March,my question is
1. Can i pospone the interview date when the 2Nl is sent?
2.If I have not delivered by then,will I be ask to go back and deliver before I come for interview?
3. If u have delivered how will I add my child and won’t it cause any problem or delay?
December 15, 2017 at 15:28
1. You can, but there is some risk about when they re-schedule.
2. No – normally not.
3. https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-add-a-newborn-child-to-the-dv-case/
December 15, 2017 at 07:35
Before I ask u the question I would like to thank you sir, Mr Brit Simon for the good jobs your doing. Sir
I need to know if the spelling error will make disqualify for example on my educational document and birth certificate my last name is kuli but on my dv form and passport it Say’s kule thank you sir
December 15, 2017 at 15:24
No, that will not normally cause denial.
December 15, 2017 at 08:06
Hi Brit
SELAM from Ethiopia!
Why don’t u post an article on Trump, z congress contrasted with cancellation of DV 2018, 2019…lottery?
I mean like part two of ‘’Idiotic comments from Trump about the DV lottery’’ u posted on Nov 2 ……bearing in mind
your customer ( our) concerns & the recent DV immigrant & chain-immigrant attacks
Pleaseeeeeeeee
Loads of thanks!
December 15, 2017 at 15:23
He made idiotic comments then because he is an idiot. He is still an idiot, and still saying idiotic things. Why do I need to create a “part 2”?
December 15, 2017 at 08:13
Thank you Brits.1. I have a question on a sponsor person. I want to change sponsor person who was written on my ds-260 on line form. It has effect on the my Dv process?
2.Who is responsible to fill the on line form which is134(Affidavit)
3.I live different places since my 16 years I have to collect all evidences from these all places?
December 15, 2017 at 15:22
1. No
2. The sponsor.
3. You don’t have to prove addresses, but you may have to provide police reports. Read and follow the instructions.
December 16, 2017 at 06:57
Thank you !!