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To ask me questions you can obviously post on any blog post.
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.
October 31, 2022 at 07:23
Hi Simon
Appreciate the good job your doing,
Can I apply and go alone if my wife doesn’t want to go
November 11, 2022 at 18:56
Yes
October 31, 2022 at 10:20
Hi Simon, my aunt who lives in the US will be providing me with her details for the form I-134. But she’s over 60 years old. Will that be an issue even if she meets the requirements? Is there an age limit for the sponsor?
November 11, 2022 at 18:56
No age limit, but there is the income formula.
October 31, 2022 at 15:15
Hi Esteemed Brit. 2023 dv lottery selectee. My host’s address has changed from what was registered in an already processed ds-260. He gave me the new address two days ago. What should I do ?
November 11, 2022 at 18:57
Change the address at the interview.
November 27, 2022 at 15:00
Thanks alot for the quick response Sir, appreciate. Have another worry; my mom’s date/month and year of birthday isn’t included in my birthday certificate i.e. the space is empty. Can this cause a problem?
November 27, 2022 at 20:40
No
October 31, 2022 at 16:15
Hi Brit, hope you’re doing well !
I have an interview set in December (7th) and I was wondering if I can do my medical exam a week prior to that (the 28th) or does it need to be 2 weeks before ?
I have seen that I might need some vaccins redone and I don’t want to risk it before my interview.
The site is very unclear on the question
November 11, 2022 at 18:58
Ask the physician about their timelines.
October 31, 2022 at 23:26
Hello Brit. Thank you for your help.
We won the DV2022 and for parents, we received the green card but for my child, we didn’t.
Today, we received the notice from USCIS which asked us to come USCIS office tomorrow for biometric for my child.
We resides outside of USA now. So we can’t come tomorrow. What shall we do? Isn’t it mistake of USCIS? Actually, for first entry to activate the green card, my child wasn’t asked to take biometric.
November 11, 2022 at 18:59
When you return to the USA you can do the biometric. It doesn’t matter whose fault it is.
November 1, 2022 at 11:41
Hello BritSimon. I Have A Question Regarding The Qualification Section Of The Application. I Have Two Qualifications From Varsity Namely “National Diploma” And “Bachelor’s Degree “. I Have The Tangible Proof For The National Diploma In A Form Of A Certificate But For The Bachelor’s Degree I Don’t Have The Certificate(The School Has Not Issued It To Me Because I Owe Them Money).
I Wanted To Ask What Should I Fill On The Form? Do I Tell Them I Have 2 Qualifications When In Reality I Can Only Prove I Have One?
Or The Second One Wont Count And I Should Just Say I Have One Qualification?
Please Help On How I Should Attack This Issue.
November 11, 2022 at 19:00
Fill in the form with the truth and prove what you can prove. The embassy are used to these matters.
November 1, 2022 at 15:43
Hi Brit,
My sponsor is a retired person in USA.
1. Is it a problem for me?
2. He has a pension. Does the pension consider as a social security benefit in USA?
November 11, 2022 at 19:01
A sponsor should be employed.
November 1, 2022 at 17:39
Hii simon
Hope you are doing well
I will be traveling to US in December first week , and yesterday i payed the 220$ USCIS immigrant fee.
my host has already moved to different state.
When i paid my USCIS fees, it then asked me to verify and confirm the address. can i change my host address on the USCIS website and edit I-551 mailing address.
Please advise
November 11, 2022 at 19:05
You can try, but generally the updated address will not be used for the GC delivery.
November 1, 2022 at 21:39
Hi Brit my case is current now and waiting for scheduling and I want to change interview location is it possible already I sent to kcc an email for requesting a change and they denied and I secondly sent another email they said you’ve to tell us a valid excuse for changing interview location.
November 11, 2022 at 19:06
They denied you, so they are less likely to consider any future request. Why are you trying to change embassies?
November 2, 2022 at 01:33
Hi Brit, pls share the link for AOS
November 11, 2022 at 19:48
I’m not sure which link you mean – but this one is the most useful:
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2023-aos-adjustment-of-status-only.345837/
November 2, 2022 at 01:36
What are the docs required for AOS
November 11, 2022 at 19:49
Please study the link I gave you. It is important that you fully understand the process and are ready to submit your forms once you are able to do so.
November 2, 2022 at 03:55
Hello Please tell me what about the rest of dv 2022 unscheduled for interview ..?
Ethiopians DV2022 winners had no chances last year a very lower case was not appointed , is their any chance for those who can’t got like other countries chance or interview appointment..?
November 11, 2022 at 19:50
No chance. All the visas were used.
November 2, 2022 at 08:09
Hello sir,
Is it possible to know the number of ds260s that’s been submitted to a certain consulate? Can we ask directly from the embassy?
What I would want to know is even the number of winners are high I saw very few visas been granted in my country during past years. But high case numbers got through. so, is it possible considerable amount of people didn’t submit the ds260?
November 6, 2022 at 14:30
Hello,
1)I am a 2023 DV winner. Can I submit an application for DV 2024 under my parents’ application? Also, as I am 2023 DV winner, can I individually apply for DV 2024? Is it a good idea?
2)Additionally, is it possible for a wife and husband to apply both and claim married with their children?
November 12, 2022 at 15:37
1. Yes
2. Yes
November 11, 2022 at 19:51
DS260s are not submitted to the embassy. Regarding your question – please read the FAQ and recent articles to gain a better understanding.
November 2, 2022 at 11:13
Hello Sir, please in other to get a good photo background, is it advisable to use photoshop to make the background look nice ?
November 11, 2022 at 19:51
If you must. But it must be very well done.
November 2, 2022 at 17:14
Hi Brit. If I get married after I applied for the DV lottery, will my now husband be eligible if I get accepted?
November 11, 2022 at 19:52
Yes
November 3, 2022 at 05:21
Hi Brit, can I know DV 2020 lawsuit updated information and final decision time for appeal?
November 11, 2022 at 19:53
We don’t have a deadline for the appeal to be decided. But we expect January.
November 3, 2022 at 07:49
Hi Brit my case is 1000 in Africa and current now but not scheduled an interview and I want to unlock my ds260 form to change interview location. What I do
November 4, 2022 at 16:39
forget it, it is over
November 11, 2022 at 20:11
If you need to change location because you moved, email KCC.
November 3, 2022 at 10:15
Hi Simon
Hope you’re doing good
Please they still pay attention to your higher school diploma even if you have university degree or masters ?
November 6, 2022 at 12:53
Yes they do! It is a formal requirement.
However, there are stories out there in which they did not care about it because of higher education.
This depends highly on country, the officer interviewing you and/or the supervisor.
Scenario: Someone was as F1 student in the US and got a perfect masters degree. He/she got into the masters program because of a bachelor degre received in the home country, but did not had 12 years of high school education because there are many ways to gain access in his/her home country.
Would it make sense to deny such a person the DV visa?
Again, it depends on the people working at the embassy/consulate. A denial because of not meeting the requirement or the usage of common sense.
November 11, 2022 at 20:11
Yes in many cases.
November 3, 2022 at 13:38
Hi Brit
If you’ve been refused of F1 visa before, does it put you at risk of getting your dv visa denied?
November 11, 2022 at 20:15
Not normally, no.
November 3, 2022 at 16:48
Greetings sir, I’m Ndap Blandine Anjei from Cameroon and one of the DV2020 winner . I wish that u should help me thanks sir.
November 4, 2022 at 16:41
DV 2020 over.
November 3, 2022 at 22:07
Hello Brit,
I am a dv2020 winner case number AF322**. I gathered the last case number to be in interviewed in AF was around 31500 so I will be very close to rank number order.As we await the case ruling which I understand can be anytime from today to weeks, I need advice. I am now divorced with children and will need to custody for the interview as per the process. Should I wait till the case is decided to have the sole custody for the interview or should I do it now before the ruling so the children do not miss the visas?
November 11, 2022 at 20:16
You really need to follow your own judgement on that.
November 4, 2022 at 01:04
Hey Simon!
Could applying for the DV lottery program have any affect on future or renewal U.S non-immigrant visa? (B1/B2).
Could this result to a potential denial due to immigrant intention shown in your history records?
November 11, 2022 at 20:16
By just applying? Not normally.
November 4, 2022 at 11:42
Hello Mr.Simon,
I hope you are doing well,
I’m a Winner DV 2023, I had my interview last month and everything was good, but they asked to bring police certificate and they give me form 221g i already sent the requested documents by post.
My question is What is the rate of obtaining the visa and how long may takes to proceed with my case again?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Best,
November 11, 2022 at 21:52
I can’t estimate those things for your case.
November 11, 2022 at 22:31
Thank you for your time
I mean in my question based on previous experience anyone get the visa after 221g for DV and how much the process will takes in general.
Thank you again
November 12, 2022 at 15:55
Yes people get approved and denied after 221g. The time varies by case and circumstances.
November 4, 2022 at 12:36
hi Brit
I am a DV2023 EU 14k selectee, and I am listed all my professional experiences. For one of them (3/4 months internship in 2012). I can’t find the paperwork. I requested the documents to the school and the company but so far no answer.
shall I skip this experience… or shall I report it .. I I have since obtain a Master degree and work in different companies ( 4 -5 years work experience) thanks
November 11, 2022 at 21:52
Skip it.
November 4, 2022 at 13:04
Hi Brit
I have a question about a boy if he is 19 years old .
If his father list him in his entry.
Can that boy also apply in the dv for himself if he has a high school degree.
November 11, 2022 at 21:53
Yes
November 4, 2022 at 14:11
Hi Brit,
Got lucky this year. Case number is 2023AF3xxx. Per your calculated estimate, when am I likely to get interviewed. Also, I am currently in Ghana but will be leaving to study in Canada in January. Can I change the interview location from Ghana to Canada.
November 11, 2022 at 21:54
You could be interviewed very soon if you had submitted your DS260 early.
Once you move you can update the address and that will cause them to choose Canada for your interview.
November 12, 2022 at 03:37
Sorry Brit…….number should have read 2023AF31xxx instead.
November 12, 2022 at 15:56
Then you have some months to wait.
November 4, 2022 at 17:25
I was born in Nigeria and my mother is Kenyan. My parents went to nigeria for work.
can i play by choosing my mother’s country as chargibility.
NB: I also have Kenyan citizenship
November 11, 2022 at 21:55
Yes – if selected, you will need to show proof that they were only in Nigeria temporarily.
November 5, 2022 at 17:05
Hi Simon, I remember you covered this before, just couldn’t find it, so sorry for duplication.
I first crossed the border with visa in August 2021 and plan to relocate to the US in May-June 2022. Should I visit US within six months after the first entry or I am good through May, which would be 9-10 months? I just repeatedly see everyone talking about six months, while the CBP site states 12 months.
November 11, 2022 at 22:45
12 months is OK.
November 5, 2022 at 20:38
Greetings Simon,
I have a question regarding my passport.
I currently have a valid unexpired passport.
There is one small problem that concerns me;
The photo that is on my passport was taken over 6 years ago.
And a lot has changed in my appearance as of today & I almost look like a completely different person from the picture on my passport.
So my question is, will this affect me on my (dv) Visa Interview when I go to the US Embassy?
Regards,
Thenuka Gunaratne.
November 11, 2022 at 22:45
No
November 6, 2022 at 09:10
Please my care number is 2023af37xxx,will I get interview
November 6, 2022 at 10:49
Greetings Mr. Simon. (I ‘ve looked through the FAQ and I couldn’t find any specific info on this, If it’s already been answered I apologise in advance)
At the begging of this year I got married. This is going to be the first time I enter the DV as married.
I am from an eligible country but my spouse is not.
I will complete my entry listing my spouse with photo and info as needed.
My question is :
Is my spouse (country of birth not eligible) allowed to make a second entry claiming eligibility through me ? (maybe increase our changes from 1/1.000.000 to 2/1.000.000)
Thank you for your time. Have a nice day!
November 6, 2022 at 12:24
Please see the official instructions
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2024-Instructions-Translations/DV-2024-Instructions.pdf
Eligibility
Requirement #1: Natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to
the United States may be eligible to enter.
If you are not a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the
United States, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify.
• Is your spouse a native of a country with historically low rates of
immigration to the United States? If yes, you can claim your spouse’s
country of birth – provided that you and your spouse are named on the
selected entry, are found eligible and issued diversity visas, and enter the
United States at the same time.
• Are you a native of a country that does not have historically low rates of
immigration to the United States, but in which neither of your parents was
born or legally resident at the time of your birth? If yes, you may
claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is a country whose
natives are eligible for the DV-2024 program. For more details on what
this means, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
Requirement #2: Each DV applicant must meet the education/work experience
requirement of the DV program by having either:
• at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful
completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary
education;
OR
• two years of work experience within the past five years in an
occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to
perform. The Department of State will use the U.S. Department of
Labor’s O*Net Online database to determine qualifying work
experience.
For more information about qualifying work experience, see the Frequently Asked
Questions.
You should not submit an entry to the DV program unless you meet both of these
requirements.
November 7, 2022 at 09:48
I wrote in family name of my wife no last name because of her name in the passport is only one name then I come to know that if only one name just put it in the family name do you think they not select me because of this mistake thanks
November 10, 2022 at 12:50
yes
November 11, 2022 at 22:46
Yes she can. It is covered in the instructions.
November 6, 2022 at 21:15
Hello Simon,
I’ve been selected in June 2020 for the 2021. My case number is 2021AF40XXX. I even sent the required documents in August 2021 without them reaching. I did some researches and I found out they issued around 17000 visa only and theres a lawsuit case in the court so they can resume the process. Is there any news regarding that or is it hopeless?
November 12, 2022 at 15:40
The lawsuit won, but was appealed by the government, and that appeal is still being decided. However, it will only benefit people that were plaintiffs on that lawsuit. Otherwise your chance is gone.
November 8, 2022 at 02:02
Hello Simon I am a 2023 dv winer. I qualify the requirement by work but on my ds form I fill no for the question “dose this job require 2 years of experience or training?”. My question is that, should I unlock my ds and fill yes for that question??
November 12, 2022 at 15:45
No need.
November 9, 2022 at 15:40
Hi, Sir. Britsimon.
At the end of 2020 me an my ex girl friend were planing to get married and she was a DV2021 winner, she was added me her DS260 as a spouse, we have sent all required documents to KCC, and then we torn aprart and our marriage did not happened and we break up.
Her case eneded up with NVC without interview and FY was ended.
At that point, now i am DV2023 winner and i did my case as a single, filled my DS260 as a single without previous marriage.
Sir, is that can cause disquilifed in my Interview and do they have our previous application eventhough we did not reached an interview stage at that time? Can Consular Officer get our previous DS260?
Need you clarification please.
Thank you.
November 12, 2022 at 15:49
Yes it can cause denial since they do have access to the previous application, and may not believe your story that you were never married.
November 9, 2022 at 19:38
Hi Brit.
Can someone get a reserved visa from DV2021 if not any plaintiff in lawsuits?
Thank you for your time.
November 12, 2022 at 15:50
Not for most people. There is one lawsuit (Rai) that affects certain embassies (mainly in EU region) that has a small number of visas for non plaintiffs.
November 10, 2022 at 03:05
Can a green card holder apply for DV Visa?
November 12, 2022 at 15:51
Why? That makes no sense.
November 10, 2022 at 22:44
How are dear Simon
I’m one of the successful in the DV lottery 2023 I have a question related to social media.
In the past, I wrote a blog post in the group of Mongolia, which I meant to joke with my Mongolian brothers, the content is that they are the ugliest people in the world.
Does this cause any harm?
November 12, 2022 at 15:52
Apart from disclosing your strange sense of humor, no.
November 11, 2022 at 06:55
The Nairobi Embassy has deliberately refused to recognize any official documents from Somalia especially the Education qualifications from Somalia & they have clearly included that in their embassy instructions.
And the sad thing about this is that the Nairobi Embassy is the default post for Somali winners as assigned by KCC. And due to this many people are rejected at the interview.
Transferring cases to other embassies is also a difficult thing as neighboring embassies don’t want to backlog their systems by accepting more people that are not in their assigned territory. Also, KCC doesn’t want to get involved in these.
So I would like to ask you Mr. Simon for advice on what Somali winners can do to stop this from continuing as many people are deprived of their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
November 12, 2022 at 15:54
I don’t know under what conditions they are making those decisions. The only course of action would be via a group lawsuit, so if there is a group of DV2023 winners that want to share costs of a lawyer that might be the solution.
November 11, 2022 at 17:14
Hi Brit, I’m a winner of Dv 2021 Lawsuit Good luck. Question: I broke the rules of Europe. I have been banned from entering the border for 3 years. Does this penalize me if we win the trial?
November 12, 2022 at 15:54
No
November 12, 2022 at 03:26
Dear simon…
I am dv 2023 winner with case number 2023af10***. I email kcc and they told me that my case is processing and will be finished after several weeks. Unfortunately my spouse cant attend the interview. Can i only be there for the interview. What advice can you give.
November 12, 2022 at 15:57
If your spouse does not attend the interview he/she will not get the visa.
November 12, 2022 at 03:42
Hi. Can you help in interview n required documents process.
November 12, 2022 at 15:56
Read the instructions.
November 12, 2022 at 18:26
Good evening .
I was born in Nigeria but I have Ivorian nationality and passport because my mother is Ivorian. I am Winner DV 2023 CN 34k.
I would like to know if I will be disqualified ?
November 13, 2022 at 16:29
I believe I answered you on Twitter.
November 12, 2022 at 20:24
Jacob from ghana. My case is 26××× dv 2023 when is likely to be interview…
November 13, 2022 at 16:27
Feb to April.
November 13, 2022 at 16:48
Hello relaible BRIT
Hope you doing great
CN 2023AF580X have been current for months now but haven’t gut my schedule 2NL yet.
DS-260 was summited on the 12 if May. But no 2NL yet .
1- Please tell me is this normal.
2- What could cause this delay
Am just Soo worried .????
From CAMEROON
THANKS
November 13, 2022 at 20:36
1. Yes there are other similar cases.
2. Probably just something on your DS260 that required extra time for processing.
Just be patient.
November 14, 2022 at 06:21
Ok thank you sir
Please ???? tell me what does this really means . I gut this reply from the KCC . So i will like you to clarify me on that. Because am getting them say my Case is ready for processing and the same time ready for interview schedule.
Here is the reply from KCC please help me explain this i can’t get it well
KCC Your case number is now current for interview processing. Once the interview date has been scheduled, you will receive notification via email to check https://dvprogram.state.gov. If you need to make changes to your DS-260 you should contact the consular section where you will be interviewed, or bring the information about your changes to your interview appointment. Because your case is ready to be scheduled, KCC can no longer unlock your application.
THANKS
November 20, 2022 at 09:56
The “current for interview processing” email means you are about to get your interview.
November 12, 2022 at 23:28
Hi Britt,
Just a question on police clearance. I am the principal applicant but my wife was studying in NZ for a more than a year. Does she also need police clearance from NZ?
November 13, 2022 at 16:26
Yes.
Please read the instructions.
November 13, 2022 at 22:33
Hi
of which case that can be refused your visa after having a green paper?
November 20, 2022 at 09:51
I don’t know what green paper you mean.
November 13, 2022 at 18:06
Hi Simon, is 2023SA30XX a high case number? Thanks
November 13, 2022 at 20:37
Yes, probably.
November 14, 2022 at 00:02
Hi Simon ,
I hope you are doing well.
I appreciate your help.
I have one question I arrived USA from Ethiopia the connecting flight from Ethiopia, Addis Ababa to Chicago then LA but in Chicago, the PoE didn’t ask me for any documents we’re in Los Angeles the same too. So sir what can I do to deliver the packet the embassy give me to airport entry I also need a host change. Please help me.
N.B at Chicago I give him a passport and he did stamp and give it to me back but didn’t ask for any documents. then I go to LA from Chicago then at LA didn’t ask me anybody about anything only out Airport.
Thank you.
November 20, 2022 at 09:53
Contact CBP near you and ask what you should do.
https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/field-office/los-angeles
November 14, 2022 at 09:35
Hey,
For the main applicant:
1. Working as web-designer online and for some projects, what should I put from the “Primary occupation” dropdown.
For the added partner:
2. Currently studying medicine, and will be still a student when the interview is made.
Is it good to select “Medical/Health” from the dropdown of “Which occupation you intend to work in the US”?
Or maybe “Business” as something that can be related to many things, as for working in the medical field you’ll need the diploma first, then getting it verified in the states, maybe additional courses etc.
November 15, 2022 at 12:51
EDIT:
For the main applicant:
The point is that the work is as free-lance and is not registered anywhere, so should selecting “Unemployed” be the correct answer, because with other answers you need to add company name, starting date etc.
But would “Unemployed” for the main applicant be an issue?
November 20, 2022 at 10:14
The truth is fine…
November 20, 2022 at 10:01
1. The main job you have.
2. The most accurate truthful answer.
November 14, 2022 at 03:47
Please Brit Simon,
I want to verify if my case number 2023AF00021XXX is truly authentic. An agent forwarded a Selectee letter from US Department of State.
Thank you
November 20, 2022 at 09:56
I cannot verify that this number (which is a real number) is your number. BUT – be very careful in dealing with an agent. If they did the entry for you and screwed up the entry, you might not be able to get the greencard. I assume they are expecting a payment from you, so you could waste a lot of money on the process.
November 14, 2022 at 19:00
hi, brit,
I’m a dv2023 winner and my case number is AF0003xxx
I did submit my ds260 and now I’m gathering all the documents I need
1-do I need to authenticate my diplomas and certificates at the US embassy in my country?
2- can I translate my documents at any translation office or a specific one, if there is a specific office any idea on how to find it ?
3-we are a family of 7, 2 adults and 5 kids, how much money do you think I need to have on my bank statement, do I need to put all the money in my account as the winner or can I put some of it in my husband’s account?
November 20, 2022 at 10:07
1. You would only know by reading the embassy instructions for your embassy. So read the instructions.
2. Any competent person (except you or a family member) can translate a document, and sign the translation saying they are competent to translate.
3. There is not an easy answer. The amount of savings would vary by CO – and some COs will want to see an I-134 (link below). However, if you feel you must use savings only – then I would expect you to be asked to show $40k savings as a minimum. Any account would be fine.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
November 15, 2022 at 01:56
Hi Brit, 2021 Goodluck Plaintiff, interview occurred in Sep 21 (Montreal), given green card made it and activated in 22. Question is do I owe Curtis Morrison the remainder of the lawsuit? ($1000). Not getting a response, but that’s probably due to the lawsuit still being ongoing.
November 20, 2022 at 10:10
I would imagine yes – but that is something between you and him. Not me.