OK – a few people have been asking the normal question of when the 2NLs are sent. So – a few points about the 2NLs which you may find useful.
- Generally the 2NLs are sent out about 1 to 2 weeks after the VB is published. KCC will generally say by the end of the month.
- The 2NL is an email. The email itself has no information about your case or interview. It simply says that you have been scheduled for an interview and you should check the ESC website. This is the website where you saw the 1NL – which is the “you have been selected” letter. It does not matter therefore if you do not have access to your email account.
- Some people that go current will NOT get their 2NL in the month they get current. This is because cases can only be scheduled for interview once the DS260 is processed. The processing is done after you submit the DS260 and is some background checks they perform. That means some DS260s will not be processed in time for the scheduling of interviews.
- The amount of time that it takes to process the DS260 varies from case to case and over the course of the year. Last year, early cases were taking 4 to 5 months to process, meaning that many people that had submitted even as early as June were not scheduled for October interviews.
- If your case is delayed because your DS260 was submitted late, you won’t lose your chance – you simply get scheduled in the next monthly batch once your DS260 background checks are completed.
- I don’t know how far KCC have got with processing DS260s. So I cannot say whether your case can be scheduled or not. It is best to wait and see. Whilst you can call KCC to check if your form is processed. Time they spend answering those calls is time they are not spending processing forms and scheduling interviews – so unless you have specific reason – please don’t call them.
- The relatively high numbers for this first VB of the year tell me that there are many cases not yet processed – either because there are processing delays OR because people have not submitted. This means that interview places in later months will be taken up by these “backlog” cases – repeating the pattern we saw in DV2015. That will mean lower VB increases in future months.
I hope that helps!!
August 13, 2015 at 03:39
Thanks Simon, we do appreciate your effort. What do background checks do they do that would delay 2nls. Have a good one
August 13, 2015 at 04:46
Various checks – but they don’t publish details.
August 13, 2015 at 05:34
Hi Simon,
Thank you so much for the information you always provide.
You wrote above: ”Last year, early cases were taking 4 to 5 months to process, meaning that many people that had submitted even as early as June were not scheduled for October interviews.”
My problem is we are expecting a child in 2-3 weeks (this is not the problem 🙂 ), the problem is the 2NL. Our CN is 2016EU96xx, so I think we will be current by the next VB. That means the 2NL will be sent within 5-6 weeks, i.e. 2-3 weeks after the birth of our child.
As we do not want to delay the appointment, is it a MUST to unlock in such short time between birth 2NL and birth, which is almost 2-3 weeks. Or is it possible to wait till the 2NL and then to inform the consulat here??
Your reply is very highly appretiated, as we have prepared the reqired documents (Medical exam still pending).
Thank you.
August 13, 2015 at 15:25
Once the 2NL has been sent, you CANNOT unlock. For the child, you can simply inform the consulate, and your child will need a birth cert, passport and medical in time for the interview.
The other option would be to unlock the form BEFORE the interview and leave it unlocked until after the birth. That will delay your interview (no issue with that) and give you more time to prepare documents for the child.
August 13, 2015 at 16:02
Hi Simon,
Thank you for your quick reply.
If I will give birth 2-3 weeks before the 2NL, do we have to unlock in this case? Or is it possible to wait those 2-3 weeks without unlocking and then inform the consulant that we got a baby in the meantime or is this behavior illegal. Our target is to avoid unlocking.
Regards
August 13, 2015 at 16:14
You are being silly about the unlocking. Your target should be to have accurate DS260s and give yourself the best chance of approval. Your best chance (if your child is born before the 2NL) is by unlocking. It probably won’t delay you at all, but if it did delay you to one month later – SO WHAT?
August 13, 2015 at 17:04
We trust you thats why we will follow your instructions/recommendations. We thought that the delay would be 4-5 months.
Thanks
August 13, 2015 at 17:09
No – the background checks on a newborn take about 5 minutes – so there will be no delay.
August 14, 2015 at 10:51
Hi Brit, thanks for all your awesome work, I just want to continue on this question. My case number is AF17xxx, which according to your previous article should be a January interview more or less. My wife’s due date with our first born is also mid Jan 2016.
1) If I’m correct in saying that if I receive the 2NL just before the baby the baby is born, just go to the interview with the baby with all her required documents as well. And if the baby is born first, request to unlock the DS260 and add the child.
2)Would I able to reschedule the interview if it falls within a week or two of the due date of birth as I would like to give my wife some time to rest before flying to the consulate for the interview.
August 14, 2015 at 14:32
1. Yes exactly. THank you for reading!
2. Rescheduling is risky. I have known someone give birth in the morning and attend the interview the next day. So unless medically impossible, attend the interview.
September 14, 2015 at 11:42
Hi Simon,
Coming back to this topic. I gave birth to our baby girl last week, so what I need to know is if we need to have a passport for our child for ds260 (passport no.). As you know the passport validity for a newborn is very short. It depends on The changes on the baby face whether the officiers can recognize newborns on passports, thats why we have to get a new one before the interview.
So please advise.
September 14, 2015 at 19:26
The validity of a passport for a newborn for most countries is 5 years. Just get the passport and go through what I have already said.
August 13, 2015 at 07:25
How does unlocking affect the process? assuming that you submitted early but along the way you have to unlock it and submit again. do they start again or what happens
August 13, 2015 at 14:33
They don’t automatically start again, but if the change adds something significant there might be some additional processing. Significant things could be a new country where you lived, a new spouse, etc.
August 13, 2015 at 07:57
Thanks Simon
i have a friend submitted his DS260 22nd May 15 and he received the 2NL 22nd July 15 !!!
thats less than 4-5 months
August 13, 2015 at 14:31
Yes, I am OBVIOUSLY aware of those cases! But that was at the end of DV2015 and what I am discussing above is the beginning of DV2016 when there is a flood of new cases to process.
August 13, 2015 at 08:46
2016 has finally started i pray that GOD grants my prayers and deams
August 13, 2015 at 14:29
Good luck!
August 13, 2015 at 10:21
Simon,
I had my interview this week and officer said my visa was approved. He said I should have registered with a courier beforehand but I didnt know I had to do that. So now I have registered with courier.
My questions are:
1. Do I need to inform the embassy that I have registered with the courier? Or does their system automatically become alerted to the fact?
2. When I enter my CN on the ceac website my application is on Administrative Processing. Is this a problem? Or is it just evidence that my application is being processed and finalised?
Thanking you,
Michael
August 13, 2015 at 14:29
1. No need to inform them.
2. Yes, cases often show AP for a day or two before becoming issued.
August 13, 2015 at 12:26
They published the new visa bulltein of october month its 9100 sadly for dv 2015 :p
August 13, 2015 at 13:54
The 9100 is for DV2016 – as I havbe explained before the previous VB was the final VB for DV2015.
August 13, 2015 at 17:46
Hey
How many VBs will b there for 2016?
My cn is 3888(nepal).when can i except to receive 2nl? Or is there no chance(coz vb for october is too low) i am not relaxed…
August 13, 2015 at 18:38
The VBs are released monthly. The process lasts 1 year. So – there will be 12 VBs.
Your number is safe.
August 13, 2015 at 18:43
Hi Brit!
Do you know more or less what is the highest CN for Europe? I am surprised because I haven’t seen any case above 30.000 on comments and forums, and now october with 9000 current, I am kind of worried with my CN20*** because of this new weird scenario, even I know my number is supposed to be safe
August 13, 2015 at 18:44
You don’t need to be worried – EU is likely to go current – and yes – I think EU max case number is likely to be less than 30K
August 14, 2015 at 01:15
hi Brit…..Are there special just the US Embassy translation, or in any center of a certified translation centers.
August 14, 2015 at 06:48
Hi Brit..Thanks for all the insight you’ve given us. Am a DV 2016 winner and my no. Is 2016AF00003*** I submitted my ds 260 application on July 18…was this early enough to guarantee an October interview. Thanks
August 14, 2015 at 14:40
I don’t know yet – the only information I will get is by surveying the people who get the 2NLs in this first batch. DV2015 processing timelines started slow and got faster toward the end of the year with the decrease in volume, but DV2016 is a new year (new volume).
August 14, 2015 at 09:16
Hey britsimon, can you guess the second vb cutoff, not exact just the ” Around “
August 14, 2015 at 14:35
No – I have no data to formulate that guess.
August 14, 2015 at 09:17
Sorry, I need for The Africa cutoff.
August 14, 2015 at 13:20
My friend said “did you get your second letter?i heard people are getting their.”
I instantly visited you in spite of checking mail.
Thank you for everything.
August 14, 2015 at 14:29
2NLs have not gone out yet.
August 14, 2015 at 13:54
I BRIT after my interview the AC give me back my passport with and a format where the tick Administrative processing. But since 2 week my statut is not change. IS READY not Administrative processing, It,s a problem? some said that when your are in AP you statut will change , ready to AP
August 14, 2015 at 14:23
Yes it sounds like you are in AP. The CEAC status may or may not change to AP.
August 14, 2015 at 14:25
Hi guys, has anybody already received his 2NL? My number is current and filled my DS260 late in May.
August 14, 2015 at 15:03
Hi guys,my number is current.i submitted my ds260 in the beginning of May then unlocked it two weeks after and re submitted month end May.Now i am hoping to receive my 2nl month end.Hoping and praying.Good luck to every one else.
August 14, 2015 at 15:43
BritSimon, millions of thanks for your help to people!
I am a 2016 DV winner. I submitted DS-260 on May 27, and waiting for the Appointment Letter.
I just needed to ask if I should have done something else except for submitting the DS-260. I am not very sure if I have done everything so far or if I have missed something on the way?
My number is EU00011***. Do you think this is a good number for an interview?
August 14, 2015 at 16:25
After the DS260 you just wait and make sure your papers are in order. Once you get the 2NL you schedule the medical and apply for any needed police certificates (although check if you need to apply for those earlier from some countries).
Your number is fine.
August 14, 2015 at 16:37
Thank you very much for your answer! It feels much better now 🙂
August 24, 2015 at 05:46
Can u apply police cert earlier Like two months before you get the 2 NL.
August 24, 2015 at 14:50
You can if you feel you need to.
August 14, 2015 at 15:59
Hi Brit, i just got the income forms from my sponsor. His households total anual income is around 36 k. He doesnt have any dependents. So do you have the information whether that amount of income would be enough to sponsor me and my two derivatives? In his income form there are also 14 k anual mortgage shown. Please let me know if i should start looking for other sponsors while i still have time . Thanks 🙂
August 14, 2015 at 16:22
The 2015 federal poverty guideline for 5 people is 28,410. So his income is sufficient.
August 14, 2015 at 16:09
Forgot to mention, he is living with his wife.
August 14, 2015 at 16:27
What about mortgage…?
August 14, 2015 at 17:34
No issue. Otherwise I would have said something about that.
August 14, 2015 at 16:55
HI Brit i submited my ds260 on june 26 then unlock on july 27 again submited 31 of july31st my cn AF 6xxx do u think i will get 2L ? or when in your analist thanks.
August 14, 2015 at 17:36
I would guess not – but I don’t know. This first month of DV2016 will tell us more, but right now we don’t know about DV2016 DS260 timelines.
August 14, 2015 at 17:50
Britsimon my situaution still in transit lol
that make me nervous .. my cn 2015AF000456XX that can means eny risk for me ? thanks
August 14, 2015 at 18:38
No risk at all…
Relax.
August 14, 2015 at 18:10
what is the cut-off number for october in africa 2016
August 14, 2015 at 18:37
https://britsimonsays.com/september-vb-released/
August 14, 2015 at 21:06
Hey simon am very desesperate because since i have been asking you…but… Plz explain me on this fields from DS260: 1)have other nationality then the one indicated above
2)Document type:
3)Document i’d
Plz brit explain me
August 14, 2015 at 22:03
The first question is asking if you have another nationality.
The second probably refers to what type of ID you are planning to present (passport) and the third is the ID number for the document in (2).
If you can’t cope with these questions you might be wise to engage someone locally to do this for you!
August 14, 2015 at 21:40
Hie Brit!If someone once held citizenship for another country fraudulently and later renounced it under amnesty, would that be an aggravating factor in getting a visa denied?
secondly, my wife is an asylum seeker in the country I am currently working in and due to the fact that I worn the DV lottery, she had to apply for a passport from home country(for the filling of document details on the DS-260) as she has not been granted full asylum status in the country we are currently in to be having travel documents. She is now seating with a passport that entitles her to stay as a visitor in the country and at the same time she has asylum papers. Would this be a problem during the interview even if it means that she would declare that she is an asylum seeker.
Thank you!
August 14, 2015 at 22:00
Well you scenarios are complex and need proper consideration. It is beyond the scope of what I feel would be sensible for me to advise about. However, I can say that as a general rule, immigration crimes against another country other than the USA are not considered as disqualifying by the USA immigration process.
August 14, 2015 at 22:29
Hello Brit, after i applied my DS260 form, i was directed to a page called “Notice of Duty to Register with U.S Selective Service System. What is that all about ????? second i was given a Confirmation number. What are these all about . Please help am nervous here
August 14, 2015 at 22:52
You keep the confirmation number – you may be asked for that at the interview.
The selective service is something that all males under the age of 26 have to complete. If you move to the USA you must register with selective service.
August 14, 2015 at 22:39
Dear Brit,
My sister is 2015 DV winner AF49xxx but she didn’t fill the DS 260 for her family (suppose and daughter) just fill her own and her interview in September what she can do ? And is this may disqualifie her chance to get a visa? Or she can get only a visa for herself only? Please advice….
Thnx
August 14, 2015 at 22:51
Assuming she has been truthful, she may still be able to get the spouse and child onto the case – it is up to the CO/embassy how they handle it – she should discuss with the CO.
But – to be clear – she MUST have listed them in the initial eDV entry.
August 14, 2015 at 23:04
She did list them on initial entry , then hope the CO will consider her case.
Thanks a lot Brit
August 14, 2015 at 23:09
She should contact the embassy then – so that they expect her to arrive with the extra people. Also – if there is a choice she may want to consider getting the dv visa for herself and then sponsoring the spouse and child. It could take two years to sort that out though and is relatively complicated and expensive compared to the DV process.
August 14, 2015 at 23:17
We will contact embassy, I guess they can perform their medical check and prepare all their docs for interview, what do you think?
One more question in this case are those two extra persons are counted on her case or Kcc just consider the completed Ds260 only.?
August 14, 2015 at 23:59
hi brit
thank you for you for everything you doing for us 🙂
i have submited my ds260 on may 12 ….then unlock on may17 and submited again on may 21…. my cn AS11xx do u think i will get 2L ?
August 15, 2015 at 00:22
Yes most likely. Let me know please.
August 15, 2015 at 00:19
Dear Simon
My number for DV 2016 is AS71xx …
Do u consider this safe or what ??
Many thx
August 15, 2015 at 00:22
Given that DV2015 cutoff at just a few hundred more than that – I don’t think you can “safe” with your number. All you can do is wait and see…
August 15, 2015 at 00:33
Thank you. ok just in case positive .. When do u expect the interview may take place?
One more question please.
When I first applied to the lottery last year, my daughter was 20 and half years old .. When the results and I submitted the Forms she also was under 21 years.
Now she is over 21 years and we will go to the interview , hopefully , when she is about 22 years old.
When contacted the Center they said council will decide about her case during the interview.
Do u have any information if such cases are usually considered positively during the interview?
Many thx
August 15, 2015 at 02:11
Probably about August or September 2016.
It sounds like your daughter will have aged out. She does get a period of time where her age is frozen at 21. But that time is 216 days on top of her birthday. So – you will not be able to include her on the dv application process. You will be able to sponsor her later, but it takes time.
https://britsimonsays.com/child-turn-21-can-heshe-get-visa/
August 15, 2015 at 02:47
My daughter was born on the 22nd of July 1994… She is now exactly 21 years plus 24 days. I understand that I have to pray that my interview to be scheduled within 216-24 = 192 days … Means before the 28th of February 2016.
Am I right?
August 15, 2015 at 02:51
Yes. That can’t happen – there is no way to get to AS71XX by then.
August 15, 2015 at 04:11
Hi Simon. Need your expert advice. Have received my visa and package and want to do activation trip middle of this month for about a week or two. Was informed by the embassy that I will need to be in USA after activation for up to three months until I have received the cards then can return to finalize everything before leaving permanently. Can I still do the one week activation
August 15, 2015 at 05:26
The embassy have told you incorrect information. You can stay 1 week, or 1 day, or 1 hour..
August 15, 2015 at 08:24
Hi Simon
my cn is AS18**. I don’t know how to find out that my CN is current or not. How should I check whether my cn is current or still needs some more weeks to be current?Waiting for your advice…Thanks
August 15, 2015 at 14:17
Your number is current for October
August 15, 2015 at 15:03
I have sent email to kcc to unlock the ds260 form before 10 days but I have got no response.Now if my number is current for october and they have not unlocked my form yet what will happen?Any problem???.please suggest me so that I can understand more..
August 15, 2015 at 15:43
Email them again.
August 15, 2015 at 08:25
hey am seeing people posting about unlocking the d260 forms and submitting again does it have any negative effects if you do it? please
August 15, 2015 at 14:12
People do it to correct mistajes, the mistakes being much more impactful. Unlocking causes no issues other than a small delay in some cases (depending on the change made).
August 15, 2015 at 10:16
Hello Simon,
Do you know what is the highest case number in Africa for the DV2016 ? I am kind of worried, I haven’t seen yet a higher number than mine (49900) ?
August 15, 2015 at 14:13
There are some at mid to late 50s.
August 15, 2015 at 11:05
Hi, Brit,
According to your previous estimation for the DV2016, where you have mentioned that the cut-off for September would be around 5k (for Africa), do you think, after the publication of the Visa Bulletin, that your diagram must be reviewed highly ?
Thanks
August 15, 2015 at 14:15
No. My charts were a generalization. The numbers were representative, not predictions. The first month was high, but later months will slow down.
August 15, 2015 at 13:52
Hi Britsimon. Our interview is next week. I was just wondering when will you publish the new Ceac data?
Thanks.
August 15, 2015 at 14:07
Monday.
August 15, 2015 at 14:14
Great! Our interview is Tuesday, so you’ll be right on time to satisfy my curiosity where Africa is standing.
Thanks again.
August 15, 2015 at 15:16
Hi Britsimon,
I have put my aunt’s name and address in Ds260 form for US address. Is it ok if i get the form i-134 from my aunts daughter living at the same address? Do i need to unlock my Ds260 just for that? Or can i just leave it as it is and then take the i-134 form from her daughter at the interview? Will there be any issues? Please let me know. Cheers.
August 15, 2015 at 15:43
No need to unlock.
August 15, 2015 at 15:40
Hi,
Do you think there is a chance for Africa to get current, according to the number of selected ?
Thanks
August 15, 2015 at 15:42
No.
August 15, 2015 at 18:00
Enter your comment here…how to ask qsn?
August 17, 2015 at 15:50
Ask it!
August 15, 2015 at 16:35
Hello,
I know it’s too earlier to predict something but, in your opinion, AF85k in the DV2015 is almost equivalent to AF50k in the DV2016 ? According to the few number of selected…
Thanks
August 17, 2015 at 15:52
No – I would not make that comparison (DV2015AF85XXX = DV2016AF50XXX).
August 15, 2015 at 18:42
hi simon i submitted my ds-260 form in may 23 and again reopen (unlock ) in august 1st and submitted in 2nd august and added my sponge so do u think that i will b interviewed last week of october or in november? my case num in 2016AS0000124#
August 17, 2015 at 15:48
I would guess that would delay your interview. Wait and see.
August 17, 2015 at 16:31
what about 2nl ? will it cone soon or get delay
August 17, 2015 at 17:38
It isn’t late until the end of the month – so they will probably come in a week or so.
August 15, 2015 at 23:17
Hi Brit,
First many thanks for you.
I need your advice about two questions
First Q my CN2016AS0003** when i will receive the 2NL and if I received ,this ensure that i got the visa.
Second Q : I need your advice about I-134
What I should do for this .
August 17, 2015 at 15:47
1. You are only sure when you have the visa in your hand.
2. https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
August 16, 2015 at 07:33
Hi Brit i have a friend who her wife is thé principal winner does he need to go for interview with vis certificats as hier wife
August 17, 2015 at 15:44
Only the principal needs to show education proof.
August 16, 2015 at 08:55
Hi,
According to your previsions, there is no chance for the final cut-off to increase, compared to DV2015 ? (to exceed 50k, for exemple, in Africa). I know it’s too early to predict something, but I would like to have your opinion on it.
Thanks
August 17, 2015 at 15:42
As you say, it is too early to predict that!
August 16, 2015 at 14:32
Hi. What do you think of af31### 2016?
Thanks much
August 17, 2015 at 15:38
Good number. Relax.
August 16, 2015 at 21:46
hi brit
Is there any chance we get the 2NL tomorrow ???
August 17, 2015 at 15:28
I think it is too soon – could be another week yet.
August 17, 2015 at 06:37
hi simon..my wife had won dvlotery 2015 and i will be accompanying her to US as beneficiary our interview is on the first week of september. currently am working in afghanistan and i had applied for anon immigrant visa to US 3 months ago, myinterview was today unfortunately i was denied the visa under unclear circumstances. my question is.. will this affect the interview i will behaving in my country nextmonth. ur answer will really help becasue am very afraid now. thank you for the good work u are doing. God bless u.
August 17, 2015 at 15:23
Without knowing the reason for the non immigrant visa denial I cannot predict whether that factor will again be an issue. The most common reason non immigrant visas are denied is suspicion that you will try to emigrate to the USA. THat reason does not affect an immigrant visa application.
August 17, 2015 at 10:29
hi brit!!!
i hope you are fine.
i sent my ds260 for dv2016 at 07/07 and 30/07 i have some e-mail from kcc
“Dear Applicant,
Thank you for being a valued U.S. Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) customer. Your online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application Form(DS-260) has been submitted.
Completed On: 07 JULY 2015 11:57:17 EST
YOUR CONFIRMATION PAGE IS ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL IN A PDF FILE!
You must follow the instructions on the confirmation page in order for the U.S. Department of State to continue processing your visa application.
How to print your Confirmation Page:
1. DOUBLE CLICK on the attached file.
2. From within Adobe Reader, go to FILE and select PRINT
Please double check to see that you indeed have Adobe Acrobat installed on your system. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
***Important: Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is not set up to receive email.
”
for me and my daughter without for my wife.
i don’t understand anything. somebody hack me?
please help me!!!!!!!!!
August 17, 2015 at 15:16
I would not worry about it. It seems like they sent a number of these in JUly – often without prompting.
August 22, 2015 at 05:37
Hi Simon
I have also received email like above from [email protected]. Is it an official email address of US department? or something wrong?? Please suggest me..Thanks
August 22, 2015 at 14:27
That is a legitimate address.
August 17, 2015 at 12:34
Dear Simon
When I opened my DS260 page I found current processing KCC , what will be appear next on my page after processing.
Thanks
August 17, 2015 at 15:12
I don’t know what you mean – could you email me a screenshot to [email protected]
August 17, 2015 at 13:29
Agad. I got the same for my boys and not mine. Simon advised I write to them and they replied they have received all forms. I didn’t feel convinced but nothing I could do after the email reply. May be Simon can explain further, I know how you feel. Good luck to us all.
August 17, 2015 at 15:14
thanks rose Kimambo.