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PLEASE make sure you read the FAQ (linked at the menu at the top of this page), as most questions are already answered there.
Please note I periodically have to archive posts from this page to attempt to keep the performance acceptable. That means comments over about 3 months old could be deleted at any time.
September 20, 2016 at 06:21
Hi there,
Once the KCC receive our application for a DIVERSITY VISA, they obviously process our application to check for completeness. Besides this pre-liminary check, does the KCC do “other” background checks on the applicant ?
If so, what other checks or processing does the KCC do ( if any ) before scheduling an interview at the US consulate?
September 20, 2016 at 14:38
Yes there are other background checks. That is why there is a long delay between filing the DS260 and scheduling. The government don’t publish details of the checks.
September 21, 2016 at 13:05
Hi i have a question, after receiving the greencard from the lottery do kids have to be 18 years old to appy for citizenship
September 21, 2016 at 13:40
Children under 18 automatically become citizens when the parents become citizens. Over 18 they apply themselves.
September 20, 2016 at 06:23
Dear Simon,
I have got an email confirming that i can update/unlocking information/ but i couldn’t update on the consular Electronic Application Center website. meaning they said it is unlocked when it is locked. what shall i do ?
September 20, 2016 at 08:52
Dear Simon
i had my interview in 24 august in Khartoum and the consular said congratulation your case are approved wait the email from our embassy to Receipt your passport with the visa.
After 15 days in 8 September i send an email about my visa to the embassy and the didn’t answer me, also we had official holiday for week and we back to work in Sunday 18 September and till now i didn’t get my passport and the visa,my questions is:
1. is this delay in issuing visa and pickup my passport are normal?
2. is it possible to give my passport after 30 September without the visa because the lottery of 2016 finished and there is no visa available?
Thanks again my friend for your great help
September 20, 2016 at 14:14
1. It happens sometimes.
2. The case must be approved/issued by the end of September 30, even though the passport with the visa could then be returned after that date.
September 22, 2016 at 07:38
did u receive visa ahmed ?
September 20, 2016 at 09:40
hello…. I am a winner of DvLottery 2016… but its been 3 days that I cant check my status again… when i try to check it i receive the error “sesion timed out”… i have tried many different browsers and nothing
September 20, 2016 at 14:06
Sounds like you are checking the wrong page. https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
September 20, 2016 at 12:40
Your request to unlock the DS-260(s) you indicated is now complete. Unlocked DS-260’s can be edited on the Consular Electronic Application Center website. But it is still locked and i cant make any changes on the DS 260 ? what shall i do?
September 20, 2016 at 13:59
What do you think you should do?
September 20, 2016 at 14:26
shall i email them?
September 20, 2016 at 14:44
You see – you knew without having to ask…
September 20, 2016 at 12:50
hi there, there is someone who receive his 2NL for november’s interview ?
September 20, 2016 at 13:58
No
September 20, 2016 at 15:39
Hi dear
please i want to ask you this question
my wife wins dv 2017 and she is on ds260 processes but she is worrying about her requirement fits my wife have completed grade 12 and she have got 3d and 2c in 5 subjects but she has F in maths can she be qualified for visa request ?
thank you
September 21, 2016 at 03:41
You have to check the requirements for your country/embassy.
September 20, 2016 at 15:49
Hi Britsimon
Should all members included in the application form accompany the main applicant to the interview at the embassy?
My scenario is that am in a different country and may not be able to accompany the main applicant to the interview.
Is it a problem? and can l schedule the interview in the country that am currently residing
Kindly advise
September 21, 2016 at 03:41
That is the normal procedure. Doing things in an abnormal way causes problems.
September 20, 2016 at 16:30
Hello,
I got selected in DV2016 and got my visa, i will travelling tomorrow to NY, Could you please guide what kind of questions do they ask on arriving at NY airport ?
September 21, 2016 at 03:40
Almost no questions. No need to prepare.
September 20, 2016 at 17:17
Can I made,correction on my d s 260 during my interview
September 21, 2016 at 03:39
Yes, but correcting prior to the interview is preferable.
September 20, 2016 at 17:37
Dear brit ,
I tried to open my DS260 form but it is not opening . It says ” you have encountered an application error.Please try again later.”
Don’t know why it is now not opening.It used to open before but not opening now?
Plz reply?
September 21, 2016 at 03:38
I don’t know.
May 26, 2018 at 13:35
Hi Esor,
What happened with this problem afterwards? I am having the same issue right now
September 1, 2018 at 04:57
Hi Yaz,
I have the same problem after unlock and resubmit the form. Is it solved for you?
September 20, 2016 at 17:50
hi my name is adiburah from Ghana, i am dv 2017 winner and my interview will be in november,am single but i have long term girlfriend whom i intend to marry,i could not marry her due to financial problems at the time of filling ds 260. i have already filled ds 260 on august and submitted. is it possible after the interview i marry her and apply for her since the case will expire in september 2017? i have proof of relationship thanks
September 21, 2016 at 03:37
Your interview will not be in November – you submitted late, so your interview will be delayed. If you want to marry your girlfriend you need to get on with it as soon as possible BUT be advised they will be suspicious of your marriage so you need to provide evidence that the relationship already existed prior to the lottery selection. Aldo be advised that the majority of cases in Ghana are refused because of fraudulent documents, fake marriages and so on.
September 21, 2016 at 14:25
thanks boss how early was i suppose to submit it please if you can explain
September 20, 2016 at 18:32
I summered my ds-260 but when I want to check my ds- 260 it sent to me error mesge what is rong?
September 21, 2016 at 03:34
How am I supposed to guess with what you have told me?
September 20, 2016 at 18:37
Hello Brit. The last time the embassy requested for an updated medical and my passport and i reported with them and on friday i was called to report today and when i went to the embassy, i did some fingerprint security check and i was asked to go home and they shall call me. Is that a good omen of having a visa?
September 21, 2016 at 03:33
The only good omen is when you have the visa in your hand.
September 20, 2016 at 19:12
Dear Mr. Simon
We appreciate your invaluable support, thank you !!
Just need your thoughts on the foollowing matter(sorry if it sounds trivial)
My correct surname 2 E’s in it but on my degree certificate it has one “E” so yesterday i unlocked the form and and added the other one with one “E” on the other names used section..
1. did I do the right thing?
2. will that delay the processing creating further name checks?
September 21, 2016 at 03:32
1. Yes
2. No
September 20, 2016 at 19:17
please Mr Brit i asked;
i am a family of 4 and i am the principal winner.the elder sister of my spouse is a US citezen thru the dv some 8yrs back.
will the CO demand for an affidavit considering that e are from Cameroon?
Thanks again Brit
September 21, 2016 at 03:31
Since you have your sister-in-law, why ask – just get the I-134.
September 21, 2016 at 03:59
no Mr Brit i did not mean to waste ur time.we are 4.i dont know her income levels the affidavit will demand.Please does Cameroon benefit from the ”host system”THANK YOU
September 21, 2016 at 14:13
The income levels are described in the link below. I-134 is always safer.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
September 20, 2016 at 19:31
Hi Brit
AF12xxx – received NL2 in last 10 mins for November interview
September 21, 2016 at 12:19
Hi Al, and when did you submit DS form?
September 20, 2016 at 19:46
Hello Simon, just wanted to let you know that I just reveived the 2nl for a Novermber interview. My CN is SA <100 an I submitted the ds-260 on May 22.
September 20, 2016 at 20:00
Hi, I’m a DV-2017 applicant. I have been adopted and my adoption papers are written on my two names given by my biological parents but now i have added my adoptive family name to my original name (the ones given by my biological parents) and i used them in all my documents, passport and Id. Is it going to be a problem at the interview if my adoption papers are written on my original names and all the other documents are written on my original names + my adoptive family name? Thanks,
September 21, 2016 at 03:29
Not a problem – just provide the full paper trail.
September 20, 2016 at 22:00
I’ve just got 2nl. EU. Number below 10000.
September 20, 2016 at 22:45
I’ve got my 2nl today. EU. Number below 10000
September 20, 2016 at 23:22
Hello Brit,
I received the email confirmation for my interview today, the email contains my wife’s name and mine, however our child who was born after submitting the ds-260 is not included even tho i have added his application over 2 months ago. Is this normal?
Your help is very appreciated.
Thank you
September 21, 2016 at 03:16
Yes – normal.
September 21, 2016 at 01:02
Hello Simon – Just to let you know that I received my 2NL yesterday – 20th Sept 2016 , so it appears they are already sending them out. Thanks again for all the great work and sound advice.
September 21, 2016 at 03:35
Morning I also received our interview notification for november below AF9000
September 21, 2016 at 05:35
Dear Sir
I got the interview Letter at the time now days I am getting married how can I bring the Wife please kindly to give the Solution.
I have married Certificate
September 21, 2016 at 14:08
You should have married earlier or delayed submission of your DS260. Your only option now is to discuss with the embassy.
September 21, 2016 at 05:54
Mr Britsimon,
Thank you for your effort in helping us pass through this dv lottery process. As you always say its better to be over prepared than underprepared. Even though i qualify educationally i also want to prepare all my work documents as a backup for the interview. I am tutor in Government secondary school. Do i present any other documents in addition to appointment letter, payslip, introductory letter. Please i will be happy if you can help me if there is any documents omitted. I am interviewing in Accra and wants to be overprepared as they can pricky at times. Thank you
September 21, 2016 at 06:30
hello brit sir.
I am dv 2017. i have a question.
i have high school degree and currently doing a graduate course in. a college which i have listed in ds260.
now is it must to have something like a letter from my college stating that i am currently studying there. or is high school degree enough?
Thanks…
September 21, 2016 at 14:01
More documentation/preparation is always better.
September 21, 2016 at 14:07
Those documents will be enough.
September 21, 2016 at 08:08
hi simon i need your opinion in my interview country which better to be at Egypt or oman ? my number is 42XXX so at oman my 2nd letter may reach earlier than at egypt but many people recommends to do it at Egypt need your help thanks bro?? thanks sir
September 21, 2016 at 13:53
If you are from Egypt, your case follows the Egypt numbers no matter where you interview or live.
Your home address determines which embassy is scheduled for you, but Egypt is a very lenient embassy.
September 21, 2016 at 21:12
Hi Simon
Your home address determines which embassy is scheduled for you, but Egypt is a very lenient embassy.
What is about Amman?
thank
September 21, 2016 at 22:16
https://britsimonsays.com/embassy-league-table-statistics-refusalapissued/
September 21, 2016 at 08:09
Yes i do correct ds-260 sumbite
Any problem my interview
Or not plz
September 21, 2016 at 13:01
have won the “2017 Lottary” and my case number is 20XX. I am writing this letter to recieve information about some terms and conditions. I had already gotten divorced before I applied for lottary and now I have a 9 year old son whose father is responsible for taking care of him. My son is not planning to immigrate to America with me. Considering this, do I didnt to fill the forum 260D and send it and i sent my form on 31 may but now i reaching ainterview.is it possible for dont sent my sons from?
September 21, 2016 at 13:43
In that case your son should be listed on your DS260 but not have a DS260 of his own.
September 23, 2016 at 06:34
am i the only one missing your post after September 19
September 23, 2016 at 13:19
What do you mean? You can see older and newer questions and answers by scrolling to the bottom of the page and using the navigation buttons.
September 21, 2016 at 13:03
Hello,I recieved an e-mail with the date for my interview which is 22nd of November but I am getting married in December.How can I unlock the DS so my hussband can go to the interview also and is it possible to change the date for January or February 2017?
Thank you
September 21, 2016 at 13:42
You should have married earlier or delayed submission of your DS260. Your only option now is to discuss with the embassy and see if they will delay your interview and include your new husband.
September 21, 2016 at 14:49
please, can i present my university certificate during my visa interview .this because i used my High School certificate during DV entering
September 21, 2016 at 16:28
Present both.
September 21, 2016 at 18:05
Please brit I want to know if I can change interview location..I want to do this because husband is working in a different country and wants us to be interviewed there(where he’s currently leaving now.)and he’s a beneficiary ..Please what steps can I take to change interview location to where my husband is currently working /country .? Have already unlocked d’s 260 Please I need help.
September 21, 2016 at 19:42
You would have to update your current address in the DS260 to an address in that country, resubmit the DS260 and then email KCC to ask to be scheduled at that location.
September 21, 2016 at 22:28
Hey thank you very much..
September 21, 2016 at 19:44
Hi sir . Thank you for always helping me .I finally immigrated to Florida with my husband .i wanna ask you about insurance . I am 5 months pregnancy . How do I find the insurance where I can pay cheap for delivery of my child ? I heard that delivery baby is really much expensive in usa . I have only about 5000$ here with my family . Thank you sir . I am waiting for your answer .
September 21, 2016 at 20:19
Take a policy from healthcare.gov.
September 21, 2016 at 21:16
Hi sir
Have you heard anything about 2016 AP process will go up to October?
This is a second hand information.
Will the process stop in September or it will go up to October?
September 21, 2016 at 22:17
Close of business on September 30. No more.
September 21, 2016 at 21:18
I submitted all required documents to NVC July 18, 2016. I have not heard from them so I called and they told me that my case is being “reviewed” and i will hear from them when they are finished.
I came to the knowledge that my case is not yet current. PD ( March 30, 2004). F4 category. Why didnt they explain that to me?
Well i dont know how long it will be before it will be current. Do you have an idea based on the current visa bulletin movement?
September 21, 2016 at 22:18
I don’t advise on cases outside of DV lottery.
September 21, 2016 at 23:37
Hi Brit,
I and my family had been granted the immigration visas and landed in the USA where our visas we endorsed and are now valid for one year from date of entry till green cards are received. This was 40 days ago.
The Officer told us that our green cards will be received by mail within 2 to 3 months.
10 days later, we received the SS Cards but only for 3 of us. The card of my 22 years old son was not included. When we applied for the lottery he was only 20 years old, when results came out he was 20 y 10 m but when we went for interview he was 21 years and 11 months. Yet the consular approved the immigration visa and he landed with us normally. He has an A number exactly as the rest of us.
My question:
– do you have any idea why the SS card of my son may not sent?
– is there any chance that my son will not get his green card and it will be rejected even if he has an immigration visa and he has already used it to enter to the USA … ??
Many thanks
September 22, 2016 at 00:05
I don’t know why the SSN for your son has not come.
Your son should not have been approved, based on what you said. So – you need to contact USCIS and check what status he has.
September 22, 2016 at 07:26
I submitted my d s 260 on june n unlock twice in September my case no 2017Af000004++ no,2nl yeat
September 22, 2016 at 07:39
Hi, First thanks a lot for being generous and answer people question.
My Case: am Sudanese national, was born in Saudi Arabia because my family was there on a work visa, then my family back to Sudan and i grew up in Sudan. now again i am in Saudi Arabia on a work visa and am about to apply for DV2018. i want to avoid any mistake this time because i have been applying for almost 8 years without positive results. please advise which country i have to put as country of eligibility ??
Thanks in advance and best regards.
September 22, 2016 at 15:22
You should list Saudi Arabia – country of birth.
September 22, 2016 at 09:18
hi simone how are you ? my dv2017 case number is 35000 , and for the first time since i got the highschool degree i am going to register in the university in october and in my ds260 i didnt apply as a university student ( i sent the ds august) + i have some parents place of birth mistakes ,so do i need to unlock it ? is unlocking the ds going to cause delay for me ( i saw your blog about that ) but in my case is it late because some people told me septembre 30 is the end of ds sending and unlocking is it true and im going to ask for unlock in october is that bad ? does unlocking at a date ds means you sent it at that date ?do you know someone had the same problem like me ? or do you know someone sent ds too late like me ?
September 22, 2016 at 15:13
Your case number won’t be ready for scheduling for some months yet. So – you have time to unlock and correct the DS260 and that will not cause any delay.
September 22, 2016 at 09:27
How can I checked my d s 260 statu
September 22, 2016 at 15:12
It’s status is either submitted or not submitted. If you log in and see it says “Completed” that means submitted (and therefore locked).
September 22, 2016 at 10:45
Hello brit,
I have a simple question, i have been selected for the second draw 2017, i’m still filling the ds-260 form and i was strugling finding a “sponsor” someone with an adress in the us. I finaly find one (a friend) but i’m waiting for his detail. I’m a bit stressed about time, i mean do i have to rush to complete this form ? is there a deadline ? By the way my case number is 2017EU00026XXX. (france)
Thank you for all you done.
September 22, 2016 at 15:00
There is no finite deadline, you have plenty of time.
September 22, 2016 at 11:09
Hi Simon
I and my wife highly appreciate what U R doing to help thousands of needy peoples. I am addicted to your website- and terribly sorry if I’m flooding you with questions.
However, I need your help to clarify for me and sure for others the following please:
1- Is it true that the majority of the 50,000 available DV visas could be given during the first 3-4 months of the year (October- January) leaving a little hope for the rest (those with high case numbers and those of late DS260 late summations).
2- Or otherwise, is not true, the visas are distributed (relatively equal) over the 12 months ( October- September) and almost evenly among the regions and countries.
Your answer could help many peoples to evaluate and maybe withdraw the game to avoid expenses and wasting time if their chances of getting visa is just a nice dream?!!
Thanks
Salem
September 22, 2016 at 14:49
1. No. THat is ridiculous.
2. Really this is common sense. Just look at the visa bulletin. Or read one of the hundred of articles I have written at all times of the year describing the ongoing process right up to the final month.
Don’t listen to idiots.
September 22, 2016 at 11:30
Hello,
I am unable to access the email I used for the DV lottery, is it possible I email them with different email address and make enquiries ? Does the embassy have to keep your passport for AP or I can go for it ?
September 22, 2016 at 14:45
Yes you can email from other email addresses.
Sometimes they keep the passport during AP, sometimes not. You can ask for it back if needed.
September 23, 2016 at 16:11
Thanks a lot. If I take my passport back will it affect the processing and will they call me to bring it back if approved ?
September 23, 2016 at 16:54
If they don’t have your passport they will ask for you to return it if approved but that obviously adds a delay.
September 22, 2016 at 12:54
Dear brit
My case is sheduled in Abu Dhabi. I used to refer US government site to prepare my supporting document. But bottom of the website page there is a drop down option to select country and download related document . in that document ask us to fill 230 (I) form and send with photo copies of passport. If you can visit the website it will be help.
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/if-you-are-selected/prepare-supporting-documents.html
Please tell me
1. what is the form 230
2. how can i get it?
3. Should I send it to Abu Dhabi US embassy?
September 22, 2016 at 13:20
I am Abraham I won the DV 2017 and I added my wife. I want to know if our interview time reaches will they not have problem if I go with my pregnant wife for the interview? May 2017
September 22, 2016 at 14:42
THat won’t matter.
September 22, 2016 at 14:42
THat won’t matter.
September 22, 2016 at 14:43
That form has been replaced by the DS260, so you do not need to supply it.
September 22, 2016 at 16:20
Hello Simon, I am Abdullahi ‘ I arrived at USA on 20’09’2016. I lost my one year visa and I am not sure where. I changed my first addres through online and I gave my new address to the Cbp officer. 1.is there specific procedure which allow me to redeem or reprocess my one year visa? 2. Since I requested my SSN in DS 260 is there possibility of not getting it since I changed my previous visa? 3. When I was changing my old address I mistakingly wrote My email address as the care of the new address will that effect the delivery of my documents? 4. Will the concerned department deliver my employment card or should I apply it in other words how could I get my employment card? Thank you very Mitch
September 22, 2016 at 18:05
I don’t really understand your questions – you seem really confused.
The visa in your passport gets stamped to be used for up to one year. You don’t “reporocess” that. You are expected to have your GC by the end of that year. If you don’t have the GC, call USIC to check where that is.
Your SSN is processed by the SSA. If you don’t have the SSN, visit the local SSA office.
I don’t know what you mean by employment card.
September 22, 2016 at 16:21
I am in Nebraska
September 22, 2016 at 17:34
My Daughter in Law was selecteed for DV 2017 she submitted her DS-260 already and received an email with the adjustment letter. Does my son has to fill out the DS-260 too, the DV fee payment has to be made separately with two DV receipt form using same case number and same adjustment letter? Thanks
September 22, 2016 at 18:15
They process their cases together. Your son being a derivative.
I see you are posting on the AOS thread on immigration.com. Make sure you have read the spreadsheet on post 1 of that thread. The timing of her case is determined by her case number – so you need to quote that (approximately like 2017EU23XXX)
September 22, 2016 at 17:59
Could you please a link that I could check the status of my green card? I paid the fee’ I got a link and entered my receipt but it is displaying an error
September 22, 2016 at 18:10
Google USCIS. Call them.
September 22, 2016 at 18:34
Sorry for the confusion my visa was not stamped on my passport because American government does not recognize it since it is issued in Somalia so it is waived and I lost the traveling document which they stamped the visa on it. So what should i do? the SSN perspective, should I wait it for the standArd 10 days or should I visit the local office right now? I am in USA for only two days. Employment card perspective , Some friends told me if want to start working I should first get employment card . So as dv winner to start working in the US what document should I have? Is it necessary to have GRC card if I want to work?
September 22, 2016 at 23:13
You have been here two days and already lost your visa??? Good grief. You should take more care with important documents.
Go to the USCIS office to get something to prove your status as an LPR.
September 23, 2016 at 00:32
Simon, I know that this is a trivial question – do I need to make photocopies of police clearance certificates as well, or just the originals?
September 23, 2016 at 00:34
I would copy them. Any originals you present without copies will not be returned to you.
September 23, 2016 at 13:57
Thanks mate.