I have previously mentioned that I would produce some videos to assist people in entering the lottery. Actually US DoS have produced an extremely good video and there is not much I can do to improve on what they have done. So – I am going to recommend you use their guide which is shown below. Prior to starting the entry you will want to prepare photos and I created a short video for that, so look at the official video first and then take a look at my introduction video for some hints on the photo tool. I hope that helps!
October 2, 2015 at 19:10
dear Brit, i wish to know if its that i dont know the rite website for the dv 2017, but till today the second, i have been trying to open the entry page for the dv 2017 to no avail. has anybody confirmed playing. thanks
October 2, 2015 at 19:35
Hello sir.
am I gonna be late (have a high case number if i get selected ), if I entered on October 4th-6th ?
concerning some countries in ASIA are kind of with and have high number of entries . NEP./IRA.
Regards!!
October 2, 2015 at 19:55
The number is not determined by the day you enter. It is random.
October 2, 2015 at 19:38
Hi! Thanks for posting the guide — it’s super useful, but it appears you’ve attributed it to the wrong agency, the video is from the State Department, not USCIS.
anyways, thank you much for posting this!
October 2, 2015 at 19:54
Thanks – fixed it.
October 2, 2015 at 19:57
Dear Sim , my full name as appear in my passport consist of four names my name,father name, grandfather and may father last name,however, in the entry visa there are 3 field. Pls advise
October 2, 2015 at 20:04
You can have a double name in one field IF that is your full legal name.
August 19, 2016 at 18:31
Hi brit! I have a similar question. I want to participate on the 2018 Dv lottery. In my passport and tourist visa, I have two last names (my father and mother last name). Also, My parents gave me three given names hahaha. It appears like this:
Surname : Rodriguez Gutierrez.
Given name: Ramon Jose alejandro
So, in order to avoid errors, what should I write on the “last name”, “first name”, “middle name” boxes. Thanks
August 19, 2016 at 19:44
My suggestion…
First: Ramon
Middle: Jose alejandro
Last: Rodriguez Gutierrez
October 2, 2015 at 21:39
Hello BritSimon,
I’m an international student (F1) working on a bachelor degree and have been residing in the US for over 3 years. I’ll be graduating in July of next year and going back to my country in August, just shortly before the earliest DV interview starts. This is the first time I’m entering DV lottery. Sorry if these have been asked before; I did look around for answers but couldn’t find any that apply specifically to my situation. A few questions:
1) In the field where they ask for mailing address, should I put my US address (where I am now) or one in my home country (where I will before the interview begins)?
2) Should it be USA or my home country in the “Country Where You Live Today” section?
3) I suppose the answer should be “Some university courses” to the question “What is the highest level of education you have achieved, as of today”?
Do you think it will complicate the process and chance of passing the interview, considering my answers to the online forms and during the actual interview will likely be different because of the timeline?
Thank you for all you do. Best wishes to you and your family.
October 2, 2015 at 23:12
1. The address now. If you win, you will update that to your home country.
2. USA
3. Yes.
No issue. They know things change. Relax. You have to be selected first!
October 2, 2015 at 23:34
Thank you!
October 2, 2015 at 21:55
Dear Brit , I have never been married and I do not have any children , should i write zero on the number of children or should i just leave it blank?
Thank You!!
October 2, 2015 at 23:10
zero
October 2, 2015 at 22:04
Nice job Mr.Simon
October 2, 2015 at 22:20
Hello sir.
is the affidavit of support existe
October 2, 2015 at 23:08
I don’t understand your question.
October 2, 2015 at 23:14
Nice job Mr. Simon
October 3, 2015 at 03:48
I get married. Should i use a surname of my husband? As we know most ladies tend to accept husband surname as their new surname,eg michelle obama,clinton etc
October 3, 2015 at 04:39
It’s your choice. More “normal” in the USA – but not a rule.
October 3, 2015 at 07:55
Hi mr Simon i am a dv 2016 winner, i realise when i played the edv entry i chose high school degree but in Ds260 i wrote high school diploma because i have completed 12 years, and where they ask are you claiming eligibility based on the country you where born i chose no, because I didn’t understand that question and I chose my country of birth from the list down, my country is Congo and was eligible. In my 1Nl it shows that I am charging under congo, is that okay even though I chosen no for claiming and still chose my country of birth,?? Thx mr Simon
October 3, 2015 at 19:58
Neither one is a problem.
October 3, 2015 at 20:03
Thank you sir
October 3, 2015 at 21:00
Here is my picture’s URL link ,please tell me if i am doing it right and i will ingone the ‘XXX’ website .. and WOULD YOU PLEASE REPLY TO MY PREVIOUS COMMENT AND DELETE THIS ONE SO MY PHOTO WON’T GO PUBLIC 😉 , thank you !
October 4, 2015 at 04:08
It looks fine.
October 4, 2015 at 01:33
Dear Simon I would first of all like to thank you for this great website and help us , God bless you and your family. I have three questions the first one is regarding the photo, I have a photo that matches the technical requirements but I am not so sure it matches the following :The head height (measured from the top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image’s total height. The diagram below shows these measurements on a correctly-proportioned image. How can I be absolutely sure the photo matches all the requirements. Please note that the photo appears blurry after cropping and weird using their tool on the state department website.
Second question I live in Saudi Arabia and we don’t have postal boxes for each house so I can leave the part? Third and final question which is stupid I am unmarried and have no kids do I type zero or just leave it blank?
Thank you once again Simon and have a great day!
October 4, 2015 at 04:04
For the photo, you are WAAAAY overthinking it. Use the photo tool. If it passes – you are done. Stop worrying about minute details.
Yes leave tha post boxes – it won’t matter
Write zero.
October 4, 2016 at 17:48
Dear simon,
Is that zero by words or ‘0’ ?
October 4, 2016 at 19:36
Really?
Use your best judgement.
October 4, 2015 at 06:02
A single woman has two kids from same man from neighbouring country as per birth certs but she never married him. In her country, one must declare the father during birth , no cert is left blank. Now her worry is the embassy might use the same fathers name to refuse her the visa yet she doesn’t even know how to trace ex boyfriend. He got married and left the country. She has farewell email dated back in 2007. What can she do? Cant women have kids from same man and decide to be single for life? Could she then go for interview alone then go with kids after few months. Her interview is too close. Thanks to answer her questions
October 4, 2015 at 17:43
A single woman can have kids, and the birth certificates won’t necessarily indicate she was married. However, they will conduct checks…
October 4, 2015 at 08:11
Dear brit
i have a question about affiditive of support…
1. do they also need tax transcripts?… with the tax return form 1040 and form 134..
2. how tax transcript is different from from tax return?
thank you in advance
October 4, 2015 at 17:30
They need a 1040/W2/Payslips and copy of the passport.
Transcipts (a report from IRS) can be used if needed.
October 4, 2015 at 10:17
does it have any effect putting all your names where it is wriite native in the DS260 form?
October 4, 2015 at 17:20
It all helps your case be more accurate.
October 4, 2015 at 16:16
Make a white background image using Photoshop
Acceptable or not
October 4, 2015 at 17:09
Generally not. Just use a plain light colored background.
October 4, 2015 at 21:15
Hello Brit,
I was a 2015 selectee but unfortunately no interview.
We try again this year with my wife.
Problem is we are not sure we write the correct family name for my wife (she has 2 different family names).
On the Submission Confirmation: Entry Received, there is only the first family name but not the second. Does that means we forgot to write it in the submission form?
If it is so, do you think that it’s a problem for further processing in case of she gets selected in May 2016? Does she get a chance to go forward with the interview and get the visa ?
Or maybe should we contact KCC to ask them to adapt her submission form (if it is possible).
Thanks for your answer and your job.
Best regards,
Teddy
October 5, 2015 at 00:14
You cannot change the entry – so see if she is selected – then you can think about it…
October 5, 2015 at 09:06
Hi Simon I have a girlfriend and all you want to play the lottery as married. it is she who will be the main and I her husband. Now I want to know after playing with it together myself if I can still play as a single ??
October 5, 2015 at 16:33
If you are trying to get disqualified, you are doing it very well. However, if you want a Green Card, tell the truth on the application.
October 5, 2015 at 15:35
In my country, we will get a manipulated photo when we go to a professional photo service store to take a photo.
I mean they always do this to make the photo kind of clear. Do you think it is okay or not? Should I take a photo by myself? Or ask them just to give me the original photo. What do you suggest me to do?
October 5, 2015 at 16:51
It is up to you – whatever you feel is the right course of action….
October 6, 2015 at 06:00
Hi Simon,
I have used a my photo for DV2017 which i have used for DV2016. Is it will be problem?. But my face does not change and it seem like photo. So is it illegal?
Thank you.
October 6, 2015 at 21:37
It is not “illegal” – it is simply contrary to the intstructions. However, there is nothing you can do about it now – so you just have to hope that they don’t hold that against you.
October 6, 2015 at 10:01
hi and thank you very much for your kindness.
I’m a 2016 winner and my case number is 2016AS6900 and I suppose it’s not a safe number.
So the question is : Can I apply for DV2017 lottery when I already have a case for 2016?
thanks again for your help.
October 6, 2015 at 14:26
Yes, you can apply – no problem.
October 7, 2015 at 14:37
Hi, My wife is pregnant and is due to deliver our first baby in end October. Should we enter the draw before the baby is born or wait until the baby is born ?
October 7, 2015 at 16:01
You will be busy once the baby is born. Do it now, that won’t cause any problem later.
October 8, 2015 at 11:09
hi dear ,
i win the 2016 visa and the interview is coming but i’ll not go for the interview since i had some mistakes in my last applications ,
can i apply for 2017 visa without any problem ?!
October 8, 2015 at 14:47
Yes.
October 10, 2015 at 02:05
Hi Brit, can you please let me know if i have to put my spouse on my application if she is also applying? thank you
October 10, 2015 at 04:19
If you are married you MUST list her.
October 12, 2015 at 02:17
Hi Brit, my wifes photo has a single hair on come down on her forehead. will this be a problem?
another photo we got done is shows he face but hair comes down on the shoulder.
any issues you see? thank you
October 12, 2015 at 04:00
I doubt that is a problem.
October 14, 2015 at 12:26
hello BritSimon,just applied for DV 2017 but made an error.i took a snap shut(photo) wearing a white shirt on a white background.is this going to cause any problems?plsss
October 14, 2015 at 13:53
I would retake that photo.
October 14, 2015 at 14:26
Thanks Brit for the reply but i have already enter the lottery using the photo.what a wasted effort….
October 14, 2015 at 18:27
Hope I am convinced your photo is a winning/selected photo…hope the shirt will not affect your application.. is there anyway on photo requirements which states that white shirt is not allowed
October 14, 2015 at 18:36
It is not strictly not allowed, but if the white shirt blends in to the white background the subjects body can disappear. It isn’t the end of the world, but if there is a chance to retake it, why not retake it.
October 14, 2015 at 19:00
I get you what you mean….thank you much
October 15, 2015 at 11:22
Britsimon i have already use the photo to enter the lottery and the photo was accepted by the photo validator, so there is no way i can retake the photo,accept i want to enter the lottery twice which will automatically disqualify me from participatx in the lottery.
October 15, 2015 at 12:59
OK, so there is nothing you can do about it – relax and see if you are selected.
October 16, 2015 at 13:40
Hi mr Brit.I got a question?.IF the family have a married daughter under 21 do the have to put in the initial form?
Tanks and say Hi to your Sofia from Bulgaria.
October 16, 2015 at 17:18
No they would not normally list that child as she is married.
October 16, 2015 at 14:35
One more question?If they put the married children under 21 whats going to be in case they will be selected?is it possible to refuse them visa?
October 16, 2015 at 17:12
A married child under 21 is not eligible to be a derivative on a DV case – so would be refused at interview.
October 16, 2015 at 17:16
only the child or all of them will be refused?
October 16, 2015 at 20:24
Hey Simon,
Thank you for your kind support. .. I am a dv 2016 winner with a case number which is current for november interview but I’ve submitted my form kinda late (23rd of July) so am expecting the interview to be on December… and I have two questions:
1- on the first registration of the lottery I’ve filled my third name as a last name but when I issued the passport it has been issued with my fourth name as a last name then I submitted the form as what in the passport (fourth name as a last name).. do you think that will make a problem??
2- about the sponsor does the sponsor have to be the same person that I filled on the form (the address on USA) or there is no relation between them ??
Thanks in advance 🙂
October 16, 2015 at 20:27
Kindly accept my apologies that I’ve posted the question on the wrong post 🙂
October 17, 2015 at 18:23
dear BritSimon
can I use the same picture which I have submitted for the DV last year
October 17, 2015 at 18:32
The instructions say to use a recent photo – so do so.
October 18, 2015 at 18:51
Hi Simon
Please tell me if Cambridge O’levels is enough to qualify on education for dv lottery programme? Many thanks.
October 18, 2015 at 19:04
In the UK where I come from, O levels would not be enough since they can be obtained at age 16. Without knowing your country (of study/interview) I cannot be more specific.
October 18, 2015 at 19:26
I checked on my embassy site and o levels does qualify…. But I have different subject passes to what the prescribe…. Is this a problem ?. I have the requisite number of passes but in different subjects…..
October 18, 2015 at 19:55
How can I say if you don’t tell me the specifics (which embassy, what you have).
October 19, 2015 at 08:17
Hello Simon
Please check this link,
Is this the valid link?
October 19, 2015 at 09:54
No.
The official site is:-
https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
October 19, 2015 at 11:15
hi , plz i have a question about DV,
i applied for K1 visa ( fiance visa) my question is if i apply for DV 2017 is that will affect somehow on my first application
October 19, 2015 at 11:16
No it won’t affect the K1
October 23, 2015 at 10:12
Hallo
Concerning the photo requirement, will it be fine to use a plain blue background for your photo?
October 30, 2015 at 22:01
hey Simon,
hope you doing well,
today i was filling the DV 2015 form and instead of getting the confirmation number i get the same page where the infos are displayed with the text
“SUBMISSION IN PROGRESS” – “Your submission is currently in the process of being submitted. To retrieve your confirmation page, please click the “Check Submission” button below.”
If i click on “Check Submission”, nothing happened and it gave me always the same page with my infos.
I’m not submitting my application for the second time, i don’t wanna be disqualified for this, but i’d like to know if my submission is OK and I’d like to know my Confirmation number.
How can I do? Can Yo help me please?
October 30, 2015 at 22:59
I can’t really understand what problem you are having… but this cannot be about DV2015 as that is closed.
November 3, 2015 at 19:16
hi Brit!!!
i hope u r doing well!!!
I do dv2017 for my friends with the same e-mail. there is issue?
November 3, 2015 at 20:08
No issue.
November 4, 2015 at 11:30
thanks bro!!!
November 11, 2015 at 10:47
Hi Brit,
would like to know about the affidavit of support they say the sponsor must a PR or a citizen is that true or anyone can provide the support?
September 22, 2016 at 19:26
Hi brit i want to participate in dv 2018,what i want to ask it i m not in a good relation with my husband so can i divorce him before ds 260 and fill the form divorced??
September 23, 2016 at 00:28
If you are married on the day or the eDV entry you must say married. If you then divorce later, that is fine.
October 5, 2016 at 16:38
HI brit
i finished my entry but in the last step
website told me this
Your submission is currently in the process of being submitted. To retrieve your confirmation page, please click the “Check Submission” button below.
what should I do ? is there a problem ?
October 5, 2016 at 17:43
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-entry-open/