The “September” visa bulletin has been published – so this is the first bulletin for DV2017. It concerns the case numbers eligible for October interviews.
For those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, they can expect their 2NL in about 2 (maybe 3) 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 for October interviews will be sent in about two or three weeks time.
It is possible that some people will be current for October interviews, but will not be scheduled in October because they submitted late, or there is a processing backlog that causes a delay. This has happened in the last 2 years, and although I am guessing the effect will be reduced this year (because of lower selectee numbers), it does mean that cases submitted in June onwards may not get their 2NLs. I will only know for sure what the backlog effect is once I start hearing from those that get scheduled, so – I will post when 2NLs start going out and survey those cases to estimate the backlog. Given these numbers are slightly lower than previous years, that re-enforces my assumption that backlog is there, but not quite as bad as previous years.
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means (for Nepal, Egypt and Ethiopia).
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 of 8000 can be interviewed but for cases from Egypt or Ethiopia, that number is low (6000). 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. In fact, in DV2017, I think all regions and countries will go current (assuming no further draw).
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.
AFRICA – 8000
Except:
Egypt – 6000
Ethiopia – 6000
ASIA – 2100
Except:
Nepal – 1900
EUROPE – 8500
OCEANIA – 300
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN – 400
June 23, 2017 at 12:04
THAT GREAT I COULD WIN TOO ONE FINE DAY
December 17, 2016 at 08:11
Enter your comment here
I am Veronica David Gray,I submitted by December 6 , and My case number is current by February (2017af00027xxx)
December 17, 2016 at 15:03
Your late submission will mean a delay in your interview date.
December 5, 2016 at 18:20
Hello Britsimon
What if I was pregnant when I sent my DS260s without including it inside on September 14, after that l gave birth on October 14. Will I still include the child in my interview
December 5, 2016 at 19:31
YES! You should unlock and add a DS260 for the child (and modify your own DS260)
November 16, 2016 at 02:30
Hello Brit I gues my case num AF201700041xxx can be feb or march
Plsss hlp and say a word about my case bc am in a foriegn ctry now preparx to go and process doccumemts in my home ctry cameroon
Help me sir i wish to knw my month of interview
November 16, 2016 at 04:05
It will be much later than February or March. You keep asking me this same question. Don’t ask me again.
November 15, 2016 at 15:23
Thank you Brits, i recently checked out my DV260 application form but it shows the principal member completed, and all my 4 children it shows Not started, what does that mean?
November 15, 2016 at 17:51
It means exactly what it says. You have not submitted DS260s for each of the children. If you want visas for them you must do that.
November 14, 2016 at 17:10
hello Brit ,its Allen,
i was selected winner 2017 , am asingle parent with four children and i feel its quite expensive to take all of them for the interview at once, is it possible if i took one of them and now will the rest ever get green cards without going for the interview.
November 14, 2016 at 18:57
The DV process is the least expensive, fastest and simplest way to get a Green Card.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/dv-process-versus-family-based-immigration/
November 11, 2016 at 05:29
helo britsimon
I submitted DS260s application on 18 May 2016 for 2017 and case number is AF00035XXX from Ethiopia..any notifications for second letter how long it might take.
November 11, 2016 at 06:54
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
October 30, 2016 at 08:31
Hello Mr.Simon, my family and I don’t have a sponsor(supporter) in the us and have been selected for the visa Lottery 2017 but we have some money in the bank and a house deed how much money is enough to get accepted?
Thank You in advance.
October 30, 2016 at 14:46
At least $10,000 per adult.
October 21, 2016 at 00:12
Hi brit, what numberdo are they calling in Ethiopia now?
October 21, 2016 at 02:57
Check my most recent article.
October 21, 2016 at 03:39
Can you send me the link please?
October 20, 2016 at 21:32
?
October 21, 2016 at 00:06
Your question needs to be clearer than that!!!! 🙂
October 7, 2016 at 14:27
Hello BritSimon am from Africa Ethiopia and am winner of dv 2017 and my case number is AF000279** so when i get my bulletin or interview?
thank you too.
October 7, 2016 at 15:06
britsimonsays.com/DV2017-basic-questions/
September 29, 2016 at 14:42
hi i sumbitted application on june 25 for 2017 and case number is within 500 from nepal..any notifications for second letter or any idea how long it might take..
September 29, 2016 at 17:09
Interview maybe December (2NL at the end of October), more likely January (2NL at the end of November).
September 28, 2016 at 09:46
What is the minimal amount for the family of four person, affidavit of support or sponsor.
September 28, 2016 at 13:07
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
September 27, 2016 at 01:03
Hi Simon,
When you will publish the 2017 case numbers ?
Thanks,
Mykola
September 27, 2016 at 01:11
I cannot get the Ceac data.
September 26, 2016 at 19:51
Hi Simon,
I have a question about the % of refusals. For 2017 the first bulletin was
AFRICA – 8000
Except:
Egypt – 6000
Ethiopia – 6000
ASIA – 2100
Except:
Nepal – 1900
EUROPE – 8500
OCEANIA – 300
SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN – 400
So, we have 33 200 cases for the first month for interview (October). And we have the total number of 50 000 visas. If all of them will come (in real life I suppose 80% will come) to their interview – the number of available visas will drop significantly (50 000 – 33 200 = 16 800). But they will continue to invite people to interview till September. So they must make a lot of refusals. Am I right?
September 26, 2016 at 19:58
No, you are not correct.
First, you are adding the case NUMBERS as if they equate to the number of people. Actually they don’t. Read my holes theory posts to understand more (use the search).
Then consider that not every selectee responds. Some never process their case.
Then you only have to read some of the posts on my blog to understand that there are people who are within the published number ranges that are current, but not scheduled for interview because of delays in processing the DS260s.
Then yes, some cases are refused.
September 21, 2016 at 20:53
Thanks Simon. You’re awesome!!
September 21, 2016 at 18:52
Hi Simon,
I’m from Ethiopia and my case number is AF00027***. I’ve looked at the visa bulletin and your pages but the numbers are confusing because they say (Except Ethiopia). Can you tell me when I can expect my number to be active?
Another question if I may, once we fill in the DS260 form and you get a confirmation printout, is my case now locked?
Thanks in advance,
Samuel
September 21, 2016 at 19:38
When your number is below the number published for Ethiopia OR the “except Ethiopia” limit is removed, you will be scheduled. Expect that to be some months from now. Patience.
September 20, 2016 at 23:12
Hi Simon
Could u Pls help me answering the 2 Qs:
1 -Is it possible to keep the DS260 locked, and provide the childhood education and high school certificate later during the interview?
2- Do you think if high school certificate is not provided while higher education proofs are available, the case could be put on AP or perhaps disqualified?
Thanks
Salem
September 21, 2016 at 03:23
1. Possible, but unwise. It is wiser to reveal everything as soon as possible to avoid giving the impression you are concealing something.
2. AP is more likely as described in my answer above.
September 14, 2016 at 21:10
Hey Brit,
After submitting my form I just got to know that my affidavit supporter turn me down for. Some unknown problems.pls tell me what to do now while I ask people for support.I unlocked once so do you think it is accepted?
September 14, 2016 at 23:25
Do you mean you cannot use the USA address you gave in the DS260? Then change the address to someone else. A person giving you an affidavit of support does not need to be the same person being your host.
September 7, 2016 at 16:24
I am a winner of the 2017 dv and I want to ask this question, can I fill in my DS260 form before getting my passport?
September 7, 2016 at 21:43
Yes.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-lottery-guide/
September 5, 2016 at 02:26
Hello Brits (namaste),
Your a great guy and one of the most helpful person out there on the internet I have seen so far. I can see your instant replies on every inqury made by hundreds of dv selectees. I just wanted to share my thoughts. I hope this small message helps you overcome some of your stress. A great person needs some moment of peace too. thumbs up. Well wishes!
September 5, 2016 at 04:08
Thank you Manish!
September 4, 2016 at 04:17
Hi Brit,
When we have our interview and it goes ok, can we start selling our things and quit our jobs right away or should we travel to States and go thru the immigration process at the airport, stay there for few days, get back home and then start selling things and quit our jobs?
Do you know how people do this? We don’t want to sell everything and quit our jobs just to find out at the airport immigration interview there is something wrong and we can’t get in the States.
September 4, 2016 at 14:53
There is no interview at the airport. It’s a formality of an “inspection” with virtually no risk of denial.
September 2, 2016 at 07:31
What’s up Brit, I need your knowledge please. What if you played as family and the money is not enough for everyone to go the same time, what will you do? That can’t be problem on the program.
September 2, 2016 at 14:05
Do you mean to travel to the USA???
Each person must enter the USA before the expiry date. So – it doesn’t have to be all together – but within a short time of each other.
August 31, 2016 at 12:43
Hi Brit, do you have a sample questions what questions they may ask during the interview? If so can you send me the link please?
Thanks in advance!
August 31, 2016 at 14:53
Google “britsimon interview questions”
August 31, 2016 at 10:30
Dear Simon
my wife passport will expiring in December . need to open DS260 or take it to interview both
old & new
thanks
August 31, 2016 at 15:01
It is better to unlock and correct it, but if you cannot do that before the interview is scheduled, you can take old and new to the interview.
August 30, 2016 at 02:05
Hello Brit am doubting if the 2nl for Oct have started gox on to selectees of 2017.
August 30, 2016 at 06:08
Read the responses!
https://britsimonsays.com/2nls-october-interviews-sent/
August 30, 2016 at 08:01
Hi dear Simon, I am 2017 winner with case # 2017AS000015 ** and I submitted my DS_260 form on 24th May 2016. Original consulate was Ankara Turkey and I changed to Yerevan Armenia before submit the DS-260
As you know my case number is current now but still I didn’t get the second latter which is including the consulate interview time.
Simon please help me out by explaining this to me. I don’t understand Why still I dident get related information about the consulate interview time.
Is it true if someone know my case member can send an email to KCC and stop my visa prosess
please help me for God sake and give me a answer.
August 30, 2016 at 14:53
You only needed to read the most recent article for your answer….
https://britsimonsays.com/2nls-october-interviews-sent/
August 28, 2016 at 17:18
Hi Simon, I am 2017 winner with case # 2017AF000021 ** and I submitted my DS_260 form on June 13 2016. 1 . I want to know What it means Africa_8000. 2 . I want to know if My case is Current. 3 . I want to know if I will receive 2NL this year. Simon please help me out by explaining this to me. I don’t understand the visa bulletin. please help me for God sake and give me a answer.
August 28, 2016 at 18:13
Google BRITSIMON READ VISA BULLETIN
August 28, 2016 at 17:00
Hey Brit
I need to clarify something here.
I am reading all the time as mentioned in my previous post and I see that persons are mentioning that they listed names for sponsors …..we did not have to list any name for sponsors…..the forms were straight forward where we had to fill in our petsonal information and sso on but never omce was asked about sponsors in the forms.
We only read about sponsors in the forum and pursued it thereafter….
My thing is…are there several forms for different locations? We were directed to the site with the ds260 form and everything was completed. The only thing we had to mention with reference to a US address was the location to send the Social security card…and of course that address was entered.
2 years ago when my sistet won she was not asked about sponsor and the. Year after my fri3nd won nd she was not asked…in fact they were told that ….you have been assigned your number to just come in to formalize the process…in essence it was a “fete a complete”
And now I read all through your post that people wrote down sponsors and then they change etc.
Can you shed some light if you can?
Thanks
August 28, 2016 at 18:16
When peo People talk about sponsors they mean a host. The address given in the ds260.
Google britsimon public charge.
August 28, 2016 at 16:57
Hi Simon, Can I use a joint sponsors from two different states To send me my affidavit of support . Please help me. We are 7 persons in numbers.
August 28, 2016 at 18:16
NO. only one
August 28, 2016 at 16:49
Hi Simon, I fill my DS_260 form using Sam flomo as my sponsor but on the day of interview I presented a new name as my sponsor with all documents. Will this change effects my chances of getting a visa. Please help me . Case #is 2017AF000021**
August 28, 2016 at 18:17
Please relax. You are flooding Me with questions…
August 28, 2016 at 14:37
please am a winner in the dvlottery 2017.but still I have not send my case nober bcos of some corrections in my birth certificate and passport can it be a problem
August 28, 2016 at 14:42
Can what be a problem – your late submission of the DS260? No, that is fine.
August 27, 2016 at 23:06
Will they really call my husband?
August 28, 2016 at 01:06
I have no idea. I have no idea why he is on AP.
August 27, 2016 at 18:07
hi Mr Simon our interview was successful me n my daughter got our visa but my husband was put under AP I m the principle applicant I m worry about my husband plz help me
August 27, 2016 at 20:34
Help you – how?