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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.
August 29, 2022 at 12:55
Hello Brit after submitted my ds260 can i reopen it back now for editing my form
August 29, 2022 at 14:53
You have to email KCC asking them to unlock – check the FAQ
August 29, 2022 at 16:55
Hi Brit, quick clarifications.
August Visa Bulletin showed that Ghana has 3,398 registered applicants for DV 2023.
September Visa Bulletin is stating that most countries in Africa will have 5,700 DV visas allocated for 2023 winners.
My question is,
Does that mean Ghana will have a surplus and that all 3,398 will receive 2NL and interview date no matter what and as long as the qualify?
September 5, 2022 at 20:14
No it doesn’t mean that at all. The 5700 is about case numbers across the whole region – not specific to Ghana.
August 29, 2022 at 18:45
Hi Brit
Just a question, if we have filled and submitted DS260 with the passport on hand and then you go on to renew passport and get a new passport number, should i request for unlock of Ds260 or should i get it updated during the interview.
I have got the old passport with me as well.
KCC has adviced that my case is processed however yet to get 2nl
Any suggestions
DV2023 OC1**
Thanks
September 5, 2022 at 20:15
No need to unlock, just show old and new at the interview.
August 29, 2022 at 23:40
Hello brit, I’m a dv2023 winner. I’m from Nepal and my case number is AS18xxx. What are my chances of getting second letter and subsequently an interview?
September 5, 2022 at 20:16
Wait and see – it should be OK, but we will know better later.
August 30, 2022 at 04:52
Hello Simon,
I’m DV2022 applicant and currently scheduled for an interview on Sep 15th, I have recently received an internal job promotion at the same company I work for at the same base location. As of mid Jun 2022, my job title has changed.
my DS-260 which I submitted more than a year ago still reflects my old job title.
My interview is two weeks away from now, do you think the above situation requires me to ask the embassy to unlock my DS-260 and make that update to reflect the new job title, or should I just be prepared to explain this if asked during the interview?
I also have the option of emailing the embassy itself and ask if they would require me to update my DS-260 to make such update, but I’m not sure if this is wise to ask now.
Appreciate your guidance.
thanks
September 5, 2022 at 20:18
No need to unlock for that, no.
August 30, 2022 at 09:24
Hi Brit,
My wife is a winner with 2023EU1XXXX number. I have offshore broker account registered at Belize. I’ve opened it for US stocks trading. Nothing illigal. I’m not hiding anything, it is just the way how this particular broker works.
1. Those accounts have nothing to do with our green card application at the moment. I can show other local liquid assets at local banks.Therefore, should I disclose it just in case? To avoid missunderstandings from CO, as he/she may think I hide it in purpose of avoiding taxes?
2. I have plenty of time to move assets to local banks, and go to interview with full transperency. Is it better choice?
August 31, 2022 at 09:53
Hi Simon,
First, I appreciate your time and efforts to help us, many thanks!
Second, I passed my interview and got the visa, but my occupation in the data immigration summary is completely different from what I am doing, I am a veterinarian , and the occupation they wrote is under service occupations category, is this can cause any harm to me when I enter the US or when I practice my job as a vet there?
September 5, 2022 at 20:40
No
September 5, 2022 at 20:19
1. No concern about showing those accounts.
2. No need.
August 30, 2022 at 14:02
hello Brit,
i am a dev2023 winner.
in my high scool diploma there is an spelling error in my surname. there is an “S” (wrong) in the end. lakos insteads of lako. what should i do? is it a problem?
thx
September 5, 2022 at 20:22
No problem. Your birth cert and passport are the most important things.
August 30, 2022 at 14:57
Hi Brit, could you help me with these questions – should I unlock ds 260 and update info about my Second citizenship (Canada)
which was obtained after ds260 submit? Or just go to interview and then mention about it?
Will unlocking and submitting ds260 (2023EU35xxx) again put me on the end of the processing list?
Also, I Know my case number is pretty high, but since I live in Canada and my selected interview embassy is in Montreal, would that be advantage in my case. (hoping Montreal is less busy then EU embassies)
September 5, 2022 at 20:24
I would unlock for that, it’s significant.
No it won’t put you at the back of some list, because no such list exists.
I think I answered you on the live Q&A about your case number and so on.
October 2, 2022 at 15:39
Hi Hubert, my situation is similar to yours. I am going to unlock to let them know that I became a Canadian citizen. My CN is 2023EU30xxx. If an interview for my case will be scheduled, it will be in Montreal too. Let’s keep in touch.
October 4, 2022 at 19:18
Hi Maria, unfortunately both our case numbers are pretty high, so more likely we won’t have interview, but let’s hope so.
August 30, 2022 at 17:44
Hi
I did not add the info of my born-US citizen son in DS260- family section. I thought that I should not add his information as he do not need all of these IV process. Of course, I added my spouse and my other kids who I have them in the application and I paid them the fees.
After I submitted the Ds260, some one told me that I should have added all the family members including my US citizen son at the family section of the Ds-260. Is that correct? what I should do if I should have added him at the Ds-260? Is that a big issue? Should I make a request to correct the Ds-260 to add him (I am afraid that this may delay the process of the visa)? Or it is fine to leave everything as it is, and maybe to mention that I missed to add him at the embassy interview?
Thanks
AE
September 5, 2022 at 20:24
You won’t be penalized for not listing him.
August 30, 2022 at 19:11
form I 134 Can I use my USA address and phone number for beneficiary mailing address and phone number and my email address?
September 5, 2022 at 20:32
Yes
August 30, 2022 at 19:39
Hello simon Hope you’re well!
– i have no idea how to get issued a medical exam, where do i make an appointment to get it done?
– how long does it usually take for the results to be released?
– my interview is on 21st on september in another country do you think i still have time to do the medical?
August 31, 2022 at 12:12
I had a similar situation a few months ago, because of the urgency I thought I might add some information that helped me.
1) The website of the Embassy where you are interviewing will have a list of authorized physicians that can provide a medical exam for a US visa. You should contact one of the authorized physicians on that list and ask them for a US visa medical appointment.
2) The time varies but you should make an appointment for ASAP! Some places take longer than others. Ask them. If you explain your urgency maybe they can assist you with speeding things up.
3) You must have your medical exam done in the same country as your interview by an approved physician. You probably have time if you hurry.
Good luck!!
September 5, 2022 at 20:34
If you read the embassy instructions as you should have done already you will find the physician details to book a medical. You can ask them the timeline.
August 30, 2022 at 20:06
Hi Dear sir,
Brit Simon
Thanks a lot for your valuable information on dv lottery.
My wife is a DV lottery winner for year 2023 case# 2023AS16xxx, from Afghanistan.
I have 3 certain questions.:
1. At the time of DV application she did not has passport and she selected one of the 3 exceptions which was available.
Now we got our passports for allfamily members including me, my wife and 4 children.
Do we eligible for the U.S visa to proceed our application ???
2. I have submitted form DS260 and I have changed the default interview location from Kabul-Afghanistan to Islamabad-Pakistan but we are still in Afghanistan and we have plan to move to Pakistan.
Is it enough for changing interview location or I should email to KCC as will ????
3. Winning Case# is 2023AS16xxx is it a very high case number ???
Best regards
September 5, 2022 at 20:37
1. Yes. The passport rule was removed.
2. It’s enough.
3. No
September 5, 2022 at 21:29
Thanks a lot sir
August 30, 2022 at 20:40
In Brit We Trust
August 31, 2022 at 06:38
Hello Simon Hope you’re well, I have applied for student visa on 2021 for Canada university and I just refused. After some months I have win DV 2022 and my interview appointment is on sep so my question is, will they cross check the information which I have provide for Canada and do they refuse me because I have make some mistakes during filling the form for Canada embassy (such us : family birthdays )?
September 5, 2022 at 20:37
No
August 31, 2022 at 07:43
Dear Simon, being refused in other embassy will effect my DV interview in US embassy ?
Thank you
September 5, 2022 at 20:38
No
August 31, 2022 at 10:47
Hi Simon,
Is it true that some embassies may still require an I-134 regardless regardless of adequate financial status?
We are a family of 2 and I can show;
– USD 50k in cash
– USD 15k in stocks
– USD 50k in semi-liquid assets (a car supported by a bank valuation)
– Plus I will get to keep my job when I immigrate to the US – I work for US company (~ USD 135k/yr )
Do you still recommend preparing an I-134 as a contingency measure, in case asked despite proving the above? my interview is coming up in September.
September 5, 2022 at 20:40
They could still ask for an I-134 but its not likely in your scenario.
August 31, 2022 at 12:40
Hello Brit. You are doing great job here. My question is about unlocking DS260. I forgot to put my business email address in the form (just put personal email). Should I unlock it and add business email as secondary?
September 5, 2022 at 20:41
No need.
August 31, 2022 at 13:29
Dear Brit,
First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to help dv winners through the process. I am dv 2023 winner with case number 2023AF3XXX which is to be interviewed in October according to the visa bulletin. I submitted DS 260 on May 20,2022. I am Ethiopian and people have started receiving 2NL on August 30,2022. Eventhough they received 2NL’s my ds-260 form hasn’t been processed yet. Cases with higher number and submitted the form in June and July received their 2NL. What should I do? or Why do you think is this happening?
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond
September 5, 2022 at 20:42
Its no problem, just be patient.
August 31, 2022 at 17:31
Hello Sir.
Please accept all my sincere apologies for this long document and this long message, let me before I begin copying the requirements, which is you are greatly informed about.
“The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program requires the principal DV applicant to have a high school education, or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience as defined under provisions of U.S. law.”
This is as it is stated in the US website, now what we all understand is that a high school degree are meant to say that you have the CERTIFECATE, the DIPLOMA, the piece of paper that states you have successfully passed your exams to obtain it. They also state that it is comparable to 12 years of study in the US, hence the word COMPARABLE is where immigration officers take advantages to deny visa in Morocco, but let us compare countries. Algeria for example, they have the high school degree at 13 years of school, in Egypt, they can have it at 10 years, because the government deleted the 5 year of primary school, and they can jump years if the student is smart enough so it can be reduced to smaller years, same thing goes for France and Tunisia.
In other hand in Morocco, we cannot jump years if you are smart. You have to study 6 years in primary school, three in secondary, and three in high school. Taking into account that you do not fail a year, you get your high school diploma after 12 years of studying. Now where things get messier is that: some people and you know life is not all bright for everyone. Cannot make it by this, I mean they fail in the last year, so they retake classes, after the second year if they fail the school just kicks them out. In addition, they have two options: go private school, which is so expensive or apply for an exam as a “free candidate”, by free candidate I mean and the educational system in Morocco allow us to retake the exam, so we already studied 12 years, the last year was not a success because the final exam is so hard. By being a free candidate, our education system takes all our grades from previous years and the final grade for the final exam, and if you pass, you get your high school degree. You can study to prepare for that exam in your home ( like in France) or you can actually attend classes but as a witness you won’t be required to be present all days, why simply because you have been In classes and now you are just retaking the final exam. This is not only for people who have failed in the last exam, NO. it is also a chance for people who succeeded but with a low score, for example I want to be a pilot, and to do so, I need to have 19/20 in the final exam to go to this particular school or to med school, or any elite school. If my score is not enough, I can decide to go “free candidate” and retake the exam and if I have the score, I can get to the school I want. Algeria and all Arab countries have the same system, and the ministry of Education of Morocco, does not distinguish or separate between students who have this kind of Exam.
Now let us come to the ACTUAL paper you get after passing the exam, you get an identical high school degree. There is no technical difference, the only difference is that in the name of the school, they write the name of the City and add FREE CANDIDATE.
Elite Doctors engineers, physics and you can name any field, you will find someone who had this kind of final exam for better score, or because he was sick or had an accident. Alternatively, maybe for personal reasons had to drop of school and come back after a year, 2, or even 10 years to get his degree.
Now the land of chances and dreams deny people this dream and second chances.
Going back to how this started in the first place, since the establishment of education requirement in 2005 for DV lottery, no one has ever had an issue with his high school degree. NEVER.
All this started because an immigration officer started his missions late June 2022, and maybe he was somewhere else where people do fraud in their degrees or something. That is why things got messier, or maybe he is just as people say in the comments that he is racist. Because in the requirements you are not obliged to speak English. he plainly tell people, speak English or you won’t have your visa, and you know in Morocco, the first foreign language is French, so he is just fishing for mistakes to refuse visas.
Many people complained about how discriminatory he is and how he is so mean and will not let people explain nor allow them a translator.
So at the beginning he was asking people for big amount of money in bank accounts, 16K USD wasn’t enough for him and he tells you that this won’t get you far than the first month in the US, I mean if people had more than that, they wouldn’t want to travel in the first place……
Since they all managed to provide sufficient funds. He switched to high school degrees; he even denied an applicant his visa because he failed twice and went to private school. Moreover, when he discovered the difference between the two high school diplomas, he was so happy to deny and refuse any argument, people even provided school certificate that they have studied for 12 years, and he simply does not want to hear anything about it. People have presented their University degree, he just says NO, and cut micro off during interview. This was happening during July; starting August, he went telling the rest of Immigration officers that this is a GED and is not accepted.
That is a lie, a GED is different, in our exam, we have the same and identical exam as normal schools, the same questions, the same papers, and we even take the exam in the same class. All this in all subjects, Philosophy. Math, physics, geography history, Arab, French, English or German or Spanish language, Life and earth Science, religious studies, I mean the same exact questions.
Now with his lies and misbehavior around 40% of DV2023 selectee will have their visa refused, and the last interviews were denied a visa.
How to remedy this? Simply we need to explain to the counselor himself or legal advisors what it means, and they can contact our ministry of education. In addition, they will tell them that this degree is actually accepted widely. My friend is an engineer in Canada with that diploma, another is in England, I mean everywhere they will not even request you any information. Worse than all this is that the same officers, when interviewing an applicant for a student visa, they do not tell them their degree is not accepted. Why, we simply do not know, and we cannot contact the embassy for clarification, or to explain to them how things are in our country. Because it is inadmissible that an officer in a country does not know the laws and regulation of this country.
So I’m begging you, all Moroccans faith is in your hands if you can do anything, department of immigration the embassy, anything any one that can get our voice to be heard and that they conduct an investigation for all this discrimination that is based on ignorance and lies.
September 1, 2022 at 16:03
Wow that’s a long essay with much to respond to. So this will need a long answer…
From what you are saying it sounds clear that this new CO is being overly harsh in some of the decisions. He should not refuse anyone for not speaking English for instance, but I imagine he finds some other reason to refuse those cases and justifies it under the public charge concern. People should certainly be taking I-134s to handle the finance concern, because the amount of personal savings needed to qualify is not defined anywhere whereas the evaluation method for an I-134 is published.
It’s important to note that there is a doctrine of consular non-reviewability, also called consular absolutism. That means the COs decisions cannot be appealed in the USA. The COs take that to infer absolute power and infallibility. That means it is very hard to challenge them and it is up to the embassies to set certain requirements based on local knowledge.
One of those areas is on the education requirement for DV. Whilst you quoted a shortened phrase above, it is really not clear enough to understand the intention. I have pasted the text from the FAM below, so you can read it, but summarized it means this:
The requirement is successful completion (passing mark) of a formal course of education (normal around 12 years, but actually the years are unimportant) that, BY ITSELF, would allow entry to College (University) to begin a degree program. That means you should not include make up tests or additional education to meet the requirement. So – as I understand it from your very helpful and comprehensive explanation, I can clearly see why he has latched on to the Free Candidate wording if that signifies that someone failed that formal course of education. Strictly speaking, by the book, he is correct, and cannot be reviewed. However, from a human point of view it seems extremely harsh, especially as I compare it to the standard being more leniently applied elsewhere by other embassies. But he would say that is up to those embassies, but that his embassy can make their own decisions, and again, that would be correct.
So – can anyone fix this for DV2022? Probably not. For DV2023 I would suggest that Moroccans consider this information and that they might be better off interviewing at a different embassy if they have the Free Candidate notation. I will create a video explanation of that and do what I can to spread that word.
Thank you for raising this to me – I wish I had known this in time to have saved some people the sadness of his aggressive decision.
Here is the text from the FAM:
(2) (U) “At Least a High School Education or its Equivalent” Means Successful Completion of at least a:
(a) (U) Twelve-year course of elementary and secondary study in the United States; or
(b) (U) Formal course of elementary and secondary education in another country that is comparable to completion of 12 years of elementary and secondary education in the United States. A United States high school education is sufficient to qualify a student to apply for college admission so a foreign education should also be sufficient to allow a student to apply for college admission without further education to be equivalent to a United States education. Vocational degrees that are not a basis for further academic study are not equivalent to United States high school education.
(3) (U) Education Requirements: “At least a high school education or its equivalent” in this context applies only to formal courses of study. Equivalency certificates (such as the G.E.D.) are not acceptable. To qualify, an applicant must have completed a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education in the United States or a comparable course of study in another country. Evidence might consist of a certificate of completion equivalent to a United States diploma, school transcripts, or other evidence issued by the person or organization responsible for maintaining such records, which specify the completed course of study.
(4) (U) Education Evaluation:
(U) The burden of proving that an applicant’s education is equivalent to a high school degree is entirely on the applicant. If the applicant does not satisfy you that the applicant’s education is equivalent to a high school degree, but you believe additional evidence could meet the applicant’s burden, the appropriate basis for refusal is INA 221(g). You may request the applicant to provide additional information. If the applicant is unable to credibly prove the education equivalency requirement to your satisfaction, the appropriate basis for refusal is INA 203(c).
September 1, 2022 at 18:43
Thank you for your reply and your explanation. as for the finance part it is not an issue anymore because everyone is getting i-134 and by so CO, doesn’t ask them anything about it anymore.
as for the education :
in the country getting that high school degree, is no different by any means to the any high school degree obtained in Europe, US, or Canada:
and Yes, with it WE CAN AND WE DO go to university, EVERYWHERE, like i said the same CO doesn’t object when interviewing Student Visa with the same notation : and many go to Canada or England or Across Europe to study with the same degree.
and by successeful completion : we all have the grades and marks that we passed all years, and the final year we get the exam results which qualify you .
coming to the last part of going to other places for interviews : we can’t absolutely can’t because since it is a peaceful and stable country in order to apply elsewhere we have to be actually living in the country. so it is a lost case so far
as for the DV23 what we actually asking is what to do to contact the ambassador to let him know about it : this CO is misinterpreting or misbehaving and went on pushing all the other COs to do the same.
if they contact the ministry of education they would explain to them that is the same degree and there is no difference.
thanks.
September 1, 2022 at 20:43
I think you missed my point.
It is not a question of whether that person could attend a University later (through a make up course or test). The problem is that the law actually rules out those fixes as being a part of the formal course of education. I’m not sure I’m making that clear enough, and I agree it is arbitrary, but I can at least see where the CO is supporting his view and seems to have caused a policy change at the embassy about that.
September 1, 2022 at 20:49
So you are saying that there is no way to fix this issue either by contacting the ambassador or any other entity. And just stop going to interview and couple thousands will just miss their chances because of this.
Because locally no one can call the embassy or contact them unless he’s a lawyer or something and we all know how much that costs…
September 1, 2022 at 23:36
I will discuss it with a lawyer, but I imagine their assessment will be the same as mine. The embassy is probably interpreting the law with some reason, and the requirement is up to them to define from a local point of view.
September 4, 2022 at 05:17
Hello Sir, sorry if I’m back to you but we appreciate your help.
We were just wondering if we look at requirements for DV in most embassies i believe they take the university degrees as the main qualifying degree and just l overlook the high school degree, for example https://al.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/diversity-visa/educational-employment-qualification-requirements/#:~:text=University%20degrees%20qualify%20for%20the,period%20immediately%20prior%20to%20application.
This is from the Albanian website.
Does this plainly means that third world countries don’t qualify based on university degrees?
September 5, 2022 at 21:11
I already explained the rules. Each embassy can set their own interpretation based on the education system.
August 31, 2022 at 18:34
Hello dear Brits,
Thanks for answering thousand of questions. Much appreciated.
I would like how can your medical report affect your DV visa process? Let’s say you have been diagnosed with a chronicle disease or Corona. Can it affect your visa process?
Kind regards
August 31, 2022 at 19:03
Dear simon
Dont you have any email address??
September 5, 2022 at 20:44
Yes, but I answer questions in public so that the answers benefit others.
September 5, 2022 at 20:43
There are only four diseases that cause a problem – listed in the FAQ
August 31, 2022 at 20:27
hi brit, I have an interview at the Kuwaiti embassy in early October,
Military service in my country Niger, is not compulsory (Mandatory), and I did not serve in the army
Do I need to get the army paper?
September 5, 2022 at 20:46
From what you are saying, no.
September 1, 2022 at 06:23
Hello Simon, my wife submitted her DS-260 form and later realized there was a mistake in her email address. However, the confirmation email was sent through my (the husband) email because there is a place where she added my email as additional email before submitting the DS-260 form. Now my question is. Is there the need to request for unlocking of the DS-260 form or is it OK since any mail sent to her, I will receive a copy?
September 5, 2022 at 20:47
No need.
September 1, 2022 at 12:55
Greetings Sir
Please clarify my few concerns
1. Will I need to submit 2 color photos of a derivative that is not accompanying me in the US but will follow-to-join me at a later date during my interview?
2. How many photocopy of all my original documents I need to provide? 1 or 2 photocopies of each original document and civil documents?
3. I had work before and I added my previous employer in my DS-260 and also my current employer. I submitted my DS-260 last year June 12, 2021 and in October 1, 2021 I got a another job so I had two jobs. I resigned in June of this year from the job I started in October last year. But I’m still doing my first job I added in my DS-260 form. I didn’t unlock my DS-260 form to add my new job there. Will there be a problem why I didn’t add the new job in my DS-260 form by unlocking it?
4. When I’m asked where I work previously should I talk about that job?
September 5, 2022 at 20:47
1. No
2. One copy of each.
3. No
4. Just be honest.
September 1, 2022 at 13:27
Hi Simon, i am a winner of DV 2023 and have already submitted my DS 260 in May, i might be moving soon from my city to go to another city (in the same country). Will i need to unlock my DS260 or notify the KCC about the change of address ? thank you so much
September 5, 2022 at 20:49
No need to unlock.
September 1, 2022 at 18:03
Hi Sir
My cousin is the one hosting me and giving me affidavit of support. When I was filling the DS-260 form he sent his present address and I selected that it should be where the green card should be mailed in my DS-260 form. But now when filling the I-134 form I saw another different address as a present address, he relocated.
1. I want to know is it a problem?
2. In this scenario where will my green card be mailed?
3. What can I do?
September 5, 2022 at 20:51
1. No
2. Change the US address on your DS260 if needed (at the interview).
September 1, 2022 at 21:28
Thank you for good work and update
September 2, 2022 at 02:14
Dear Simon,
Greetings,
I appreciate your consideration.
I would like to inform you that my wife won the DV 2023 (case number:14###), and we submitted the DS260 form in May.
Although we are Iranians, we are currently living in South Korea. Prior to winning the DV2023, we had been waiting for our Canada visa for 16 months. In August, our Canada visa was approved, and we are going to move to Canada.
I would like to ask you:
1. In accordance with our case number, Should we unlock the DS260 form and change the interview location?
2. Is it possible to move to Canada without changing the interview location? Because we can come back to S. Korea whenever we are invited for an interview. Our fear of unlocking and the resulting delay is the reason for this question.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
September 5, 2022 at 20:54
1. If you move, yes.
2. No need to fear delay.
September 2, 2022 at 04:26
Hello Brits
If I am not vaccinated for covid , should I take the vaccine before going for medical exam? Or it’s not necessary.
September 5, 2022 at 20:54
Take it. It’s like an intelligence test.
September 2, 2022 at 05:23
Hello Mr Simon
I won the green card for DV 2022 and we are family of four and two weeks before we came to USA.
I am very much grateful you for the immense support given for fulfill the dream.
We got the SSN two days before and looking for jobs. My two kids are 16 years and 18 years old.My 16 year son is going to school.
1. I would like to know how can I apply for the Food stamp since we don’t have any income for us.
Thank you
September 5, 2022 at 20:55
I don’t know, but surely you had a plan to support yourselves?
September 2, 2022 at 12:32
Hi Simon
We have our interview scheduled for the first week of October. Just wondering how we will be able to check where our visa is at after the interview? Ie it saying issued or AP? Is there anyway to check this for DV2023 after the interview on the CEAC check status tab before 1 jan?
Thanks
September 5, 2022 at 20:56
No
September 2, 2022 at 15:56
Hi Mr Simon
My interview at the Cairo embassy took place on August 29, and the consul said, “Congratulations. the case abdated on the 30th, then the last one on September 1, and the case is still ready in ceac. What do you think this is?”
September 5, 2022 at 20:56
Lack of patience.
September 7, 2022 at 16:31
The case abdated again in 6 and 7 September and still ready!! What this means In addition to impatience
September 7, 2022 at 18:48
We cannot know the meaning of the updates.
September 2, 2022 at 16:47
Hello Brit, I am DV2023EU14XXX and gathering my police certificate. I lived in China for 10 months in 2010-2011 as a student I was 21 years old.
The instruction on DV page website says that police certificate is required “FROM any previous country or countries of residence if residing there for more than 12 months AND applicant was 16 years or older at that time THEN the applicant needs a police certificate from… the police authorities of that locality.
But on general Immigrant visa page (reuired document) it is said that : “A police certificate is required for each applicant aged 16 years and over, including France or Portugal and/or any country where an applicant has lived for more than six months after the age of 16”.
Which instruction to follow?
Thanks
/Marie
September 5, 2022 at 20:57
The DV one.
September 3, 2022 at 10:11
Hey Brit!
DV2023 winner – EU9XXX from N.Macedonia
I recently got married and have changed my wife’s documents so i can send the DS-260 application with all the proper data.
**Q1:** Unemployed
I am currently unemployed – that might change in the next month or two, until i submit the DS-260, but will it be a problem if it stays “Unemployed” in the application and later, until the interview, that status change?
Or even if i name a current company and later that one change?
**Q2:** In the DS-260 they ask for which countries you’ve visited in the last 5 years. I will visit a new country after i submit the DS-260, so it won’t be listed on the application. Will i need to mention it later on the interview?
**Q3:** My girlfriend (now wife :)) is studying last year of medicine university, in best scenario she will take her diploma after getting to the green card and entering US for first time.
I would like your opinion on these ‘tricky’ questions in the application:
*a)* In which occupation do you intend to work in the U.S.?
Answer: MEDICAL/HEALTH
The answer is from a dropdown list.
*b)* Are you a graduate of a foreign medical school seeking to perform medical services in the United States but have not yet passed the National Board of Medical Examiners examination or its equivalent?
Answer: NO
This question is not so clear to me, but as she will be still a medicine student (not having the
diploma) at the time of interview and later entering the US, the answer will be NO i suppose?
*c)* Are you a health care worker seeking to perform such work in the United States but have not yet received certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or from an equivalent approved independent credentialing organization?
Answer: NO
Another not so clear question, but with all mentioned above, i suppose the answer should be NO here as well.
I was winner of DV2020 as well (EU23XXX), survived 2-3 years and now got another fresh chance with DV2023… so i hope it will go all smooth 🙂
**Cheers to you Brit & many thanks!**
September 5, 2022 at 20:59
1. The truth is fine.
2. Probably won’t come up.
3. No need to stress about these questions they are not critical for DV.
Good luck!
September 3, 2022 at 15:46
Hello Simon,
Does it affect to register in the 2024 DV lottery for someone who has been selected in the 2023 DV ?
September 5, 2022 at 21:03
No problem.
September 3, 2022 at 16:38
Hello Simon, thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone. Your blog and YouTube channel are the most reliable sources of info for me.
I am a DV2023 selectee my CN is EU30xxx. I submitted my DS-260 on May 18, 2022 but I’ve checked it one more time recently and found a few things. I would be very grateful if you could share your thoughts on some of those since I am not sure if it’s worth to unlock the form and correct them. Please help.
1. I stated that I had only one nationality (submitted the form on May 18th). But on May 19th (the next day after I had submitted my form), I had an oath ceremony to become a Canadian citizen. I’ve also recently received my Canadian passport. Do I need to unlock the form to let them know that I am a dual citizen now and add my new passport details?
2. When applying for a US tourist visa a while back, I wrote my mother’s first name as Victoria but later realized that the correct spelling was probably Viktoriya and used this spelling on my DS-260. I am sure they will dig my old tourist visa application up when checking my DS-260, and I am worried about this discrepancy. Do you think spelling my mom’s name differently in different applications can cause any issues with my DV processing?
3. When applying for a US tourist visa a while back, I wrote that I worked as a Training and Development Manager in a multilevel marketing cosmetics company from 2008 to 2015. I didn’t really think much about that back then, but when I was completing my DS-260, I realized that those were my duties and not my official title. My actual title at the company was Independent Sales Consultant (since there are no other titles there). On my DS-260, I wrote that I worked as a Training and Development Manager & Independent Sales Consultant. Again, they will dig it up. Do you think this discrepancy can cause any issues with my DV application?
4. Here is an education related question. After graduating from University, I completed an Internship program and my Internship Diploma says: Diploma of Postgraduate Studies but I don’t know if that counts as a Graduate level course (probably not). The problem is that I don’t recall if I stated University degree or Some graduate level courses as my highest level of education when I was applying for DV2023. I think that my highest level of education is probably University degree. If I stated that I had Some graduate level courses, do you think that can cause any issues with my DV application?
5. And here is a big one. I’ve been thinking of changing my name for a few years now. But I am not sure if it’s a good idea to change my name here is Canada now while waiting for my DV case processing. If I change my name, I’ll need to get a new passport, update all my docs, unlock my DS-260, I guess? Please share your thoughts on this. I’d really like to change my name but don’t won’t to jeopardize my DV application. Have you maybe heard of cases like this when someone had to change their name in the middle of the process and how it affected them?
Thank you Sir!
September 5, 2022 at 21:05
1. I would update for that, yes.
2. No issues – but correct when you unlock.
3. No problem.
4. No
5. I would wait simply because of the hassle of changing mid process.
September 5, 2022 at 21:14
Thank you so much Sir! I really appreciate your help.
September 6, 2022 at 10:22
Hi Brit/Maria, I will though change my name after wedding ( so currently applying for new passport) and once new passport is issued I will ask to unlock DS. This will happen around beginning November. I have legally change my name ( so name and surname) , will add my husband etc. having similar CN (23EU30K) I am in no panic- let’s wait January 1, 2023 and we will better understand our positions.
September 3, 2022 at 16:40
Hi Simon,
My interview is been scheduled for next week , while going thru my ds260 I noticed i have made 2 errors
1. I made a mistake in my mothers birth country. I have mentioned city and province correctly but did a mistake in birth country .
2. Also, “Do you speak or write other languages than native language ?” I selected no by mistake
Will this a problem ?? Please advise
September 5, 2022 at 21:07
Probably won’t cause any problem. Relax.
September 6, 2022 at 18:37
do i need to mention it in the interview?
September 3, 2022 at 17:37
Hello sir, I won dv 2020 but due to Covid 19 I wasn’t interviewed.fast forward I have again won dv 2023. But my problem is about the work section..I was a teacher done when I won dv 2020 but it’s was on contact basis and it’s ended this August 2022 this year. And l jx got a new job jx this month, so when filling th ds260 can l add my new job which is less two years at job experience.There is a question in the ds260 which am really confused.
2. Do you have other occupation??
Does it mean apart from my previous and my new job do I have any job again or.??
Can you help sir.
September 5, 2022 at 21:08
They simply want a history with start and end dates. The “other occupation” covers a second job you might have now.
September 3, 2022 at 23:42
Hello Brit,
I hope you are doing great.
The next visa bulletin approaching soon, I had some questions that came up, that I though maybe you could answer:
1- If a selectee’s number came short by very few spots compared to the last VB, and in the VB of the month after he becomes current, could there be a correlation between that and how fast he gets his 2NL in the month?
2- Does it plays a role on the date of the appointment (beginning or end of month) as well?
Of course, we are talking based on the fact that DS-260 has been processed, complete and valid.
Thanks in advance Brit, just beiing curious there.
September 5, 2022 at 21:09
Don’t understand the question.
September 6, 2022 at 05:59
Hello Brit, sorry that it was unclear. I’m gonna use an example: let’s suppose 2 cases (fictive CN) that hare processed, one is EU5900, the other one EU6100. When KCC sends 2NLs, is there a priority order, where EU5900 gets it quicker in the month of September, and does it has an impact too on the date of his interview? Like does the interview of EU5900 will be earlier in November than EU6100?
Hope I am clearer, thanks again Brit.
September 6, 2022 at 14:39
That is clearer, thanks.
No the case number does not affect the scheduling date within the month. The date the case was processed might, but it really doesn’t matter if both cases are scheduled anyway.
September 4, 2022 at 00:33
Hello Mr BritSimon!
If someone is a DV 2023 selectee, and wants to register in the 2024 lottery, I want to know if it will pose a problem for his previous selection??
September 5, 2022 at 21:09
No problem.
September 4, 2022 at 04:55
Hello Mr. Brit Simon,
DV2023AS21xxx winner. Country of chargability Iraq. Living and working in Malaysia.
I have two questions:
1. Question regarding Police Certificate: I have a new (current) passport (issued late 2017 expires in late 2025) and expired passport (expired early 2017). Obviously the new (current) and old passport have different passport number and different issue and expiry dates. I stayed in Jordan for 8 month in my expired passport and 3 month in my new passport. I have also stayed in Malaysia for 3 years in my expired passport and 5 years in my new passport My question is shall I apply and obtain two Police Certificates one has the expired passport number and the second one has my new (current) passport number? Or just the most recent valid passport will just do?
2. From your great knowledge and experience, do you have any information about the work speed of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia? Any issues?
September 5, 2022 at 21:10
1. Read and follow the instructions!
2. No
September 5, 2022 at 21:26
I did read the instructions. There is nothing written there that answers my question.
I don’t think you fully read my first question above. I would really appreciate it if you could please re-read the first question and answer more specifically if you know the answer.
I read the instructions billion times, there are no mention about an expired passport and a new passport scenario. Thank you!
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html
September 5, 2022 at 23:10
You read and follow the instructions on the reciprocity page. That explains how to apply and you only have one passport that is active.
September 5, 2022 at 23:50
Thank you very much for your quick respond, Mr. Simon. I truly appreciate it.
Again, you are not getting the essence of my question.
Let me rephrase my question:
I lived in countries for period of more than 12 months with an old expired passport. Is obtaining a Police Certificate based on the old expired passport information necessary?
Because in the Police Certificates, the governments write down a person’s full name as well as passport number.
And since I lived in countries with two passports (one that is expired and one that is active) having different passport number.
I’m just concerned that the CO will ask for a Police Certificate based on my old passport number as well as the new passport.
I hope my question is clear now.
Thank you very much again for the help and support.
September 5, 2022 at 23:54
Actually you are not getting the essence of my answer.
I am ignoring the old passport because you simply need to apply for the police cert with the active passport you have following the instructions to the letter.
September 4, 2022 at 05:53
Did anyone from the Goh or GoodLuck cases was called for an interview since the issuance of the order by Judge Mehta ?
September 5, 2022 at 21:11
No because the case is being appealed.
September 4, 2022 at 11:02
Hello brit again here. Need to ask one question.
How much wage that sponsor need to have to sponsor us. My family members are 3 including my self. Sponsor family has 2 including sponsor.
Thanks
September 5, 2022 at 21:12
Read my FAQ for the I-134 form.
September 4, 2022 at 11:22
Hello simon I have problems after waiting 3months for medical report my visa status had changed to refused , but in interview had said to me for waiting 3month because of medical report .what can I do?
September 5, 2022 at 21:12
Is it a final refusal? What does the description from CEAC say exactly.
September 4, 2022 at 15:21
Hi Simon
So once an interview I scheduled am I right a visa has been assigned from the pool to your embassy for your case? If one goes into AP for the DS5535 and it goes over into the following month – will the visa still be assigned?
2. If one arrives at the interview missing ie an unabridged marriage certificate or the annulment from a previous marriage but one has made the necessary applications for these documents but is yet to receive them – will this be okay? Should we state we know we are missing ie the annulment document or just wait for the officer to point it out?
Thank you
September 5, 2022 at 21:14
1. The visas are reallocated at that point. If the case later clears, they would need a new visa to be assigned.
2. The officer will want the document, so you will be on AP until that is provided.
September 4, 2022 at 16:17
hi brit
What is the news DV2020, 9000 visas?
Can keep the hope that hearing start from oct. 2022?
People are frustrating DV2020.
thx
September 5, 2022 at 21:14
Appeal to be held on the 16th.
September 4, 2022 at 20:29
Hi Mr.Simon , Thanks for these information, have a question so my mom won the lottery for 2021-2022 , she received an email that says her number case s ready for the interview since June but yet no email schedule have been sent, she changed the country to Kenya but we heard lately that they canceled the interviews for like 9 winners . If u could help.us with any information or what we can do will really appreciate it .
September 5, 2022 at 21:16
If your mom has a DV2022 case, and has not been scheduled, she probably is about to lose her chance, along with about 30K others.
September 5, 2022 at 00:30
is there any information on start date of DV2024
September 5, 2022 at 21:15
Not yet
September 5, 2022 at 08:26
Hello. I have a question on behalf of a good friend of mine. So she got married back in august and her husband won a dv lottery this year. He is telling her that he needs to go to US first then apply for her from there. She is confused whether this is the truth or no. Please advice what she can do in this case. Can he put her in his dv case and take her with him?
September 5, 2022 at 21:17
It is better that they ask clear questions.
September 5, 2022 at 09:20
Hii simon
Hope you are doing well
I’m the principal applicant. My interview is in 2 weeks , i have 2 questions :
1. I’m a housewife,If the CO ask what is your occupation and what do you plan to do in US ? What should i reply her? If i say housewife will it be any issue?
2. How can I update my host address that I mentioned in ds260 because my host ls moving to other place . Should I mention it in the interview?
Thanks
September 5, 2022 at 21:18
1. The truth is the best answer.
2. Yes
September 5, 2022 at 15:29
Hello Brit, I hope you’re doing great. My name is Kamal & I’m a DV 2023 winner with cn AF43K.
I want to provide help to the DV community with some valuable info in your blog.
I’m trying to scrape your website specifically the Interview Experience section(https://britsimonsays.com/interview-experience-stories/) so that DV winners can just put in name of the embassy they interviewing in & then my code scrapes and shows them past interview experiences of people who interviewed at that specific embassy.
I believe this can be a very valuable thing for people preparing for interviews. Your website has lots of interview experiences of people since 2015 & that is a great tool for people just like me.
This is also personally a cool project for me because I’m adding value to my DV community as I wait for my interview come next year. And btw, I’m using python(Beautifulsoup) to do the scraping.
So I would like to kindly get your consent & permission before I can further go forward with this project.
And plz feel free to email me on [email protected] if you have anything to share with me or maybe share with me your email as I’m super excited to get in touch with you sir.
I hope to hear from you soon.
September 5, 2022 at 21:19
Thanks for asking – I had thought about doing something similar, funnily enough using BS4. There are various ways to do that.
Just be sure to link back to the source.