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May 18, 2024 at 17:00
Hi I was selected and got a number SA 20XX. Do you think I can get an interview? When do they send out emails for interviews? I am nervous! Thank you very much for your help. You are great. Thank you for your time and dedication to help us.
May 18, 2024 at 22:30
Your number is good – but you have lots of time to wait to learn all you need to know. Relax.
May 18, 2024 at 15:05
Hi Simon,
I was told you can submit for an adjustment of status as early as october but they won’t actually file your application until your number becomes current. Is that true? Additionally are EAD or Advanced Parole available for premium processing?
Thanks!
May 18, 2024 at 22:29
You must wait until your case number is announced in the visa bulletin before you file the I485.
Ask AOS questions here:
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2025-aos-adjustment-of-status-process-only.348160
May 18, 2024 at 09:41
Simon
Good morning The large large case number programmed by US Embassy Dakar is 2024AF28556. There are only two months left (August and September). Do you think that the winners who have the case numbers in the 50,000 to 70,000 have the chance to have the 2nl at US Embassy Dakar?
May 18, 2024 at 09:50
That is entirely a matter of the capacity the embassy decides to make available. I have no way to know what capacity they are deciding to make available in the final two months, so I have no way to predict what will happen.
May 18, 2024 at 16:44
Hey brit
Im in asia region dv 24 my case number is 14xxx during corona i was in the us on a visitor visa and i over stayed my visa by four months because i couldnt travel due to the pandamic i applied for an extension and i didnt get an answer at that time and when i was able to travel i left the country
Would that affect my chances at the interview ?
May 18, 2024 at 22:30
No
May 18, 2024 at 09:33
hi brit
first of all , I wanna thank you sincerely for all the valuable information you have been provided for me and others about the DV lottery ..
I have been selected in the DV2025, with AS89xx case number from Syria, and I have some questions in my proses of filling ds260 form.
1- they have chosen Amman embassy for the interview , should I stick with that or
change it to Beirut embassy , knowing that travel from Syria to Lebanon could be
more easier for me than traveling to Jordan .
2 – I have read in the instructions of the prosses provided by travel.state.gov that i
should send supporting documents via E-mail after submitting the ds260
application. does that apply for dv2025 ?
3- I mention in the intended form in Oct, 2023 that my highest education level at that
time was high school degree while I was in second year at university , would that be
a problem knowing that I will enter my university level in ds260?
4- should my place of birth match what’s written in my passport ,or what’s written in
my birth certificate . because my birth certificate has the town I was born in as the
place of birth , and the passport has the city as place of birth.
5- my country has governorates, is it ok if I mention the governorate in the filed of
“state/province” , or I select “does not apply” better?
sorry for that amount of questions😬
May 18, 2024 at 09:49
1. It’s hard to predict reliably on what will happen a year from now, but right now Beirut is not performing well.
2. No – the instructions make it clear that documents are not required before the interview.
3. No
4. Birth cert
5. You can choose based on what is normal in your country.
May 18, 2024 at 09:10
Thanks a lot dear Simon, I forgot one place (Address) I lived for about 2 years) and I previously unlocked it twice (2025AF) I am a bit concerned. please advise if that could be a serious mistake or just wait to correct it at the interview
May 18, 2024 at 09:44
An address (2 years) is pretty important. Unlock for that.
May 18, 2024 at 08:42
Dear Brit Simon, could you please advise how many time is acceptable DS260 unlock requests?
May 18, 2024 at 08:55
There is no limit, but don’t unlock for pointless trivial things.
May 18, 2024 at 08:22
Mr brit, i have lost my passport and i have used that number in filling up the ds260. Will my visa get denial of i take a new one durring interview or do i have to unlock my ds260 to update my pasaport no. Kindly advise, and its dv 2024 winner from asia.
May 18, 2024 at 08:35
No problem just take the new passport to the interview.
May 18, 2024 at 07:07
Hi Brit.
Any chances left for 2024EU37100?
Thank you !
May 18, 2024 at 08:33
Maybe – you have to wait and see.
May 18, 2024 at 04:34
Hi, i won the the selection this year. and my case is 502++ . My question is out of the 50k cases what % for Africa , Asia and so on ? is there limit of the DV visas issued for each region ? I am little lost on that ?
May 18, 2024 at 08:33
There is a quota formula that roughly divides up the visas, with AF region getting about 23.5K
May 18, 2024 at 03:21
AF 42XXX 2025 living in UAE but selected interview location in Nairobi. Will NVC schedule me in Nairobi, or they will ignore and schedule in Abu Dabi?
I am not so confident with Abu Dabi as they wasted my chance in 2023.
Should I open DS 260 and change my residency to Kenya?
May 18, 2024 at 08:32
They will probably ignore your choice, but don’t introduce a lie at this early point – you can wait until we know how ABD is performing in DV2025.
May 18, 2024 at 03:20
Hello, Simon
I won DV by 2025EU00031*** case. And I know everything depends on how many selectees are in DV, however what do you think, how many selectees there should be in 2025 in EU?
How much my the probability, if there is 30000 selectees?
May 18, 2024 at 08:30
We won’t know the numbers until July/August and speculation on that point is pointless.
May 18, 2024 at 03:08
hello simon,
does choosing the right embassy makes a difference?
and can a high case number in a high performing embassy get inerviewed quicker than a low case number with a slow embassy?
May 18, 2024 at 08:29
Yes, but you don’t choose whichever embassy you want. KCC try to ensure that people interview where they live.
May 22, 2024 at 22:58
we changer our interview to sierra leone while being in the uae because the abudhabi embassy is slow
May 18, 2024 at 02:05
Good evening Simon,
In your January video you said you estimated the very last VB needed to be between 35k and 37k for EU to fill the quota.
Given the poor performances (especially in Ankara), don’t you think the last VB would need to be higher in order to issue all the visas, like nearer to 40k ?
May 18, 2024 at 08:28
ANK could be a factor, but I guess we will see.
May 17, 2024 at 23:53
Hey Brit Simon,
can you tell us what would be major reasons to get the DS260 unlocked? I forgot to add one of my social media accounts and don’t know if I should unlock for this. I am DV2025 EU13xxx
All the best!
May 18, 2024 at 08:26
DS260s are locked as part of the normal process – if the DS260 is “completed” status that means locked. Don’t unlock for a trivial mistake as you mention.
May 17, 2024 at 23:25
another question we submitted the DS260 a little later, cause I gave birth in July. So we first did a passport for him and then submitted in late July. Our case number is 2024EU30500, the embassy is Frankfurt. Do you think its a problem?
May 18, 2024 at 08:23
No. As long as your DS260 is processed before your case is current, then the delay of DS260 submission makes absolutely no difference to your scheduling or place in the AV queue.
May 17, 2024 at 23:06
Dear Simon,
We expected to be current in Aug/Sept in Eu region(it might not happen as well)
In July we will have a baby, so I wanted to enquire in case we are finally invited for the interview, how could we add our baby to the DS260?
As the time will be short, we must unlock immediately the DS260 or its possible to arrange it when we are already called to the embassy ?
Thank you
May 18, 2024 at 08:22
If already scheduled, you will need to email the embassy to ask them to unlock. But try and get that done before the interview.
https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-add-a-newborn-child-to-the-dv-case/
May 17, 2024 at 20:59
Hi, Simon.
First of all I want to say you thank you for all you doing. Couple of years ago, your forum helped me a lot in adjustment of status.
This time I need an advice for a friend of mine. He won a DV lottery 2024 in Russia. At March he came to an interview to Warsaw. All was fine except one thing. As he has an education in microelectronics and drones, his case was passed to administrative processing. He sent his resume, as they requested, next day after an interview. It’s already passed two months and there is no any information from consulate since that time. Can you tell how much time it may take and what should he do now based on your statistics. May be it is obvious question, but I could not find any answer on forum.
May 17, 2024 at 22:22
There isn’t really a definitive answer for how long the checks could last. It’s a TAL check and I don’t have stats on how long that should take. The only upside is that he is early in the year.
May 17, 2024 at 20:20
Hi Brit,
My case number is 2024AF82XXX , from Sudan and I am looking to interviewed in Cairo, Egypt , Do you think there is a chance to get my 2nl ?
Thanks very much.
May 17, 2024 at 22:22
Maybe, but it will be a risk. Best of luck.
May 17, 2024 at 19:42
Hello Simon,
First of all thanks to you for sharing your expertise.
I would like to ask, once we get to the USA how long is the process to get the Green card ?
And if i cannot find a job or i do not like the lifestyle (as i have never been there) and if I come back to my country, what i need to do in order to do not need to pay double taxes there and in my country? Should I inform the embarssy that i decided to come back ?
Or maybe i can apply for reentry permit immediately so i will have 2 more years to decide, but as i heard for that permit we need to wait for 5-6 months.Is that true?
Thank you in advance!
May 17, 2024 at 22:26
1. Takes up to 3 or 4 months.
2. You would have to renounce the LPR status. I’m not sure of the process for that.
3. The reentry permit takes a couple of months in the USA, then you wait for the answer in your home country.
May 17, 2024 at 18:47
Hi Brit!
Is it normal that so few 2nls have been sent so far for July interviews, even for EU? (I’m in Paris)
Are there more backlogs embassies than we thought ? Was the VB jump too big ?
Thank you!
May 17, 2024 at 22:26
We are still waiting for more 2nls, so be patient.
May 17, 2024 at 23:28
Do you think it can mean that KCC is trying to issue all the visas but that the embassies don’t want to ? (or decided they don’t want to take that many cases)
I think you said you were suspecting something like that in one of your lives in February or March
May 18, 2024 at 08:25
The embassies set their capacity, BUT KCC can send out messages to encourage them all to increase capacity to issue more visas. Unless that message is sent, an embassy doesn’t know whether there will be a shortfall generally or not. They have less visibility/understanding to the numbers than we do.
May 17, 2024 at 17:59
Are you okay with the number of 2NLs send out for Europe for May?:)
May 17, 2024 at 18:27
No – but I expect more to be sent.
May 17, 2024 at 12:23
Hello, Simon
I do have three questions
1. How many times KCC will send 2NL per month? When bulletin updates or every working day is possible?
2. My case is EU205xx Russia but I didn’t get 2NL this month (cut off July)
My condition
-My DS260 has been processed
-My interview post is BNK
3. Any reasons why KCC will not proceed my case to the embassy?
Because people in Russian group chat told me “not everyone will get interview even if ds260 has been processed and no backlog at embassy. It is like a random and KCC can skip your case.
Thank you for your time
Best Regards
Elena
May 17, 2024 at 13:13
1. Every working day is possible.
3. People saying those things don’t understand AV queues or ds260 process. They don’t just pick the cases they want.
May 17, 2024 at 22:44
Thank you Simon.
And what do you think about BNK post? I see not many EU cases get 2NL at the moment. Is that normal?
May 17, 2024 at 22:51
It’s not a busy embassy so there is not much to say about it.
May 17, 2024 at 12:06
Do we know what month the interviews from 2025 DV are going to start? And is it too late if we submit ds-260 form the next month ( June ) ?
May 17, 2024 at 13:05
No interviews will happen until October 1. Interviews are spread out over the following year by approximate case number order.
May 17, 2024 at 13:06
June will be ok
May 17, 2024 at 16:56
Thank you Simon
May 17, 2024 at 11:37
Hello Brit,
Thanks for all your informations which you provide !
I won on DV lottary but i’m going to be married at the beginning of July and probably it will take 10-15 days until I get the new passport from my wife.
I’m not sure if thats too late for submitting the ds260.
What is the best way to do it ?
Do i need to submit it now and after ask for the form to be unlocked and add my wife or is better to wait until mid July and add all documents together ?
My case number is 2025EU000129XX
May 17, 2024 at 13:04
Submit now as single and unlock once married to add your new spouse.
May 17, 2024 at 14:02
Thanks a lot Brit!!!
Just one more follow up question, sorry.
Is it a problem that me and my new supose have different address in our passports ?
We have a lot of pictures and document of our apartment which we bought together as proof that we are relly together.
The reason is that waiting time for new passports in my country is 4-5 months.
Do you think that this can be a problem for the interview ?
May 17, 2024 at 14:15
Just to add more explanation that getting passports is can be quick and can be done in 2 weeks but if you change the address its a longer procedure until you are able to change the passport address, first we need to change all other documents + police inspection etc.
May 17, 2024 at 15:37
I don’t think so – but you could take some “evidence” that you are actually both living together, and showing your relationship existed before the DV lottery results were announced.
May 17, 2024 at 11:05
Hello Brit,
How has the London embassy performed historically? Are they quick in managing DV cases or are they bad performing?
I tried to check the data but too complicated for me to understand how well they are performing lol
many thanks!
Cindy
May 17, 2024 at 11:24
Normally good. No concerns.
May 17, 2024 at 10:33
Hi Simon, thank you for all you do for us.
I am the dv winner this year.
I have another question about the living address, me and my wife just got married and currently we are living on a different address (the circumstances are that way) is it necessary to change all the documents: passports, I’d card and everything to be on the same address(my address) will CO consider different address negative. We have an explanation why is that and so on. Long story short: Can my wife get a new passports ID cards just with last name changed and to remain her address where she will be living for the next 5-6 months ?
Thank you.
May 17, 2024 at 10:53
COs will expect married people to be living together.
May 17, 2024 at 12:18
Thank you Simon
May 17, 2024 at 08:38
hello Simon,
how do they disqualify you if the photo is not up to standard? can they select you and then disqualify you at the interview because of the photo (perhaps the one you used for the lottery is old) or does this people get disqualified during the draw? I can’t remember which photo I used at the draw and I am panicking that I might have used an old one, is there no way to check which photo I used right?
thank you.
kind regards,
Daniel
May 17, 2024 at 08:57
If a photo is NOTICEABLY old, that can cause disqualification in the interview – but that is rare.
May 17, 2024 at 09:11
based on your experience, do “bad” or non conforming photo get automatically disqualified during the draw or can someone be picked up even with a bad photo and then they are checked at the interview and then disqualified. examples, if I took a photo and there is a light shadow behind my ear on the background, does my ds-260 and application get disqualified when someone at the KCC looks at the photo while processing it or if I go to the interview with my newly done photos and document the consular clerk will disqualify me because the photo I submitted during the lottery has this shadow behind my head-ear?
thank you
Daniel
May 17, 2024 at 10:52
Overthinking. Just relax.
May 17, 2024 at 11:07
Thank you for your answers and for putting up with us nervous Dv winners 😀
May 17, 2024 at 08:08
Hi Brit, it’s me again.
I just watched your latest video on the holes.
1. Is it safe to conclude that holes are pre-selected entrants that later got disqualified without the entrants knowing that they actually got selected then subsequently disqualified?
2. Is it always the case that there are a higher number of holes on the higher case numbers than that the lower case number or is the scatter of the holes completely random? If it is on the high side, why?
3. This one is scary. If somebody wants to sabotage my entry to the DV, they could technically submit an entry with my details and information (address, name and DOB) and upload a picture of me from Facebook or something and have it scaled to (600×600) then submit that entry. In this hypothetical scenario, they could technically ruin my entries for life if they do that every year. With improved facial recognition technology, I can’t see why this can’t be a case. Can it be? It’s honestly scary that somebody could do that but this is something that came to thought. I wonder if it can be prevented.
May 17, 2024 at 08:37
Ahhh you are a thinker huh.
1. Yes, that is one reason. Second reason in question 2. Those cases were assigned case numbers low enough to be selectees, and then disqualified prior to the results. The “draw” is actually the assignment of a number to every entry in the region (hence the leading zeros).
2. There are two types of holes. First the DQ as you mentioned in your first question, and those are randomly distributed. Second there are “limited” countries that have so many entries relative to their region that they reach a limit imposed during the draw process. Once the country hits that limit, no further selectees will be taken from that country and it creates a noticeable increase in holes from that point forward. I call that point a cliff as you can see it on the CEAC data charts. So – through the combo of both types of holes, the three large regions have more holes per thousand in later number ranges. This does not happen in OC and SA because there are no limited countries in those regions.
3. Yes that could happen if someone had all your details and a passport type photo of you. Simple answer, don’t pose for passport photos for random people…
May 17, 2024 at 09:23
That’s very interesting. And yes, I’d say never share personal details really.
I also wonder if one can get DQ’ed if the personal details are different but the pictures are for the same person.
Have you ever questioned the purpose of the DV? One important note I didn’t mention is the real purpose of the DV. Your videos about the technology used and the statistical analytical methods really got me thinking. While the DV sounds awesome on paper and it does change peoples lives (hopefully mine too, desperately waiting), it really is, in a sense, a giant data blackhole that costs the State Department about nothing. Since the program is mostly funded by the applicants, the US pays pennies for unimaginable loads of annual data to be collected, stored and used for intelligence purposes. All kinds of personal information is being collected. No wonder the passport was a requirement too.
It’s like the government woke up in the 90s and asked: “how can we track everyone?”. So much so that this phenomenon seemed like the government was preparing for later significant events down the line that we all are aware of and lived throughout (Sept uhm uhm elev huh, Sadam hu… ehhm)
Now 15-20 million entries annually isn’t 7 billion but it is a great way for an intelligence hungry authority to tracks trends of other regions and it’s inhabitants, perform a general scan, and to get all that data stored and tracked for a cost of 55k IVs per annum, sounds like one hell of a deal to me had I been a government. I’m no conspiracy theorist but this very much resonates with me to a scary level.
May 17, 2024 at 09:47
Yes there may be an aspect of that today, but back when the DV lottery was started there was no way they were able to use that much information. Once it went online though, and with the DS260 being online also it has become a better tool, more valuable data.
May 17, 2024 at 07:16
Hello Simon,
I was selected for DV2025, but I had a photo where I cropped the background white because I don’t have a plain white background. Can this cause problems later, as normally the bad photos are sorted out at the beginning? I cropped it via a site that has it as a business model to crop proper greencard photos. In addition, I currently have the case number 28000 and the Embassy Frankfurt is responsible for me, how well does this embassy work, because unfortunately I have not fully understood the statistics regarding the case numbers.
May 17, 2024 at 08:25
The photo should not be a problem, and FRN is fine.
May 17, 2024 at 08:51
Thank you Simon,
I have an additional question, I am finishing my bachelor’s degree in computer science this year and my plan was actually to do a master’s before I knew I was selected. Because of the interview, should I start working straight away to show security or is continuing my Master’s studies during the interview not a problem? I am currently working part-time as a working student in the AI industry
May 17, 2024 at 08:58
Studying is not a problem.
May 17, 2024 at 02:16
Hello Brit, DV2024 C.N 65K, Nairobi, am yet to receive my 2NL,
May 17, 2024 at 08:17
You will get your 2NL next month because NRB has issued cases up to 61699 this month.
May 17, 2024 at 01:04
I have been selected in the DV lottery and am an Iraqi citizen currently residing in Indonesia as a refugee under UNHCR for the past 8 years. Unfortunately, my passport expired in 2020, and despite my efforts to renew it at the Iraqi Embassy in Jakarta, I was informed that they are unable to renew passports due to the unavailability of the new system implemented in Iraq.
This situation has left me in a difficult position as the DS-260 form, which I am required to fill out as part of the DV lottery process, necessitates a valid passport. The negligence on the part of the Iraqi Embassy in Jakarta has further complicated matters for me. I also want to ask if I can use my refugee card number instead of a passport because I am under UNHCR Indonesia and I have a UNHCR refugee card.
May 17, 2024 at 08:14
Yes, the DS260 allows you to select a different ID.
May 27, 2024 at 10:54
Please advise which section I should use to submit my UNHCR refugee card: Passport or Travel Documents?
May 27, 2024 at 11:09
It’s not a passport…
May 27, 2024 at 11:36
so , Should I choose the travel document section to enter my UNHCR refugee card information?
May 27, 2024 at 11:56
I removed one choice for you. There is one choice left. Use your judgement.
May 29, 2024 at 11:50
I asked KCC if I am allowed to use my UNHCR refugee card instead of a passport. They responded with this email
(If you are a applying for the DV lottery and do not have a valid passport, but have a refugee travel document, you may enter your refugee card number in place of the passport number that is required to begin entry, along with the issuing entity and expiration date. If you enter a false, inaccurate, or invalid refugee number on your DV entry, your case may be delayed or disqualified.)
so it mean i should use my UNHCR refugee card numbers in place of passport or travel document ?
please make it clear for me
May 29, 2024 at 19:08
I already said this. YES.
May 30, 2024 at 07:19
SO My UNHCR ID is formatted as 186-00012345 (11 digits), but the passport section allows only 9 digits. How should I fill it in?
May 30, 2024 at 11:17
Drop the 186-
May 31, 2024 at 23:18
“If I use my UNHCR refugee card number on the DS-260 form instead of my passport number because my passport has expired and I cannot renew it, do I need to ask UNHCR for any evidence or letters to bring with me to the interview?
May 16, 2024 at 23:33
Hi Brit!
I second the comments about the DS55-35… what is even the point of that form??
Aside from the ‘siblings’ question, I didn’t see ANY question on it that is not already in the DS260. Literally.
Thanks
May 16, 2024 at 23:36
I’m certainly not defending the DS5535 as a good thing….
May 16, 2024 at 20:48
hello I see that my chance of having an appointment reduced overnight I have a program for USA passing towards Nicaragua in the coming week if I manage to have an appointment for example August or September it finds I am already in the USA I would have another possibility my 2024AF47549 my embassy is Dakar.
May 16, 2024 at 19:06
Hello Mr Simon,
Few questions
1- case no 2024AF50xxx at Cairo embassy do you think this will have a chance for interview?
2- if I send an email to kcc to request a change of interview to different country
Can I make the medical examination in Cairo and go to the interview at the new country?
Or the medical examination has to be done at the country of interview?
3- if I’m able to be on France or Qatar to have my interview which country would you recommend me to transfer to?
Thank You
May 16, 2024 at 20:55
1. I don’t know.
2. Has to be in the country of interview.
3. Probably France.
May 16, 2024 at 17:04
Hola Brit Simon,
Una pregunta: En el eDV inicial me registre como Cubano y que vivia en Cuba pero estoy viviendo en España, ha sido problema de traduccion porque no manejo el Ingles y talves de interpretacion tambien porque mi nacionalidad y elegibilidad es por Cuba.
Cree que eso es un gran problema o podre solucionarlo con un buen llenado de DS260? Gracias!
May 16, 2024 at 18:41
It’s not a big problem at all – just make sure you complete the DS260 correctly.
May 17, 2024 at 18:45
MUCHAS GRACIAS POR LA ATENCION BRIT!
May 16, 2024 at 16:32
Dear Britsimon ,
First of all I would like to thank you for your informative website and videos . Your knowledge and analysis are valuable resources to our community and lottery winner journey. I have 2 questions:
1. previously I got denial for F1 none immigrant visa due to 214 B ( 1 yr ago ) .Can none immigrant visa denial , potentially deny my future dv lottery visa interview as a selectee? . This doesn’t raise a question for officer on how come you claimed a none immigrant intend one year ago but now you have changed your mind and applied for an immigrant intend ? This doesn’t encourage them to deny DV visa ?
2. On dv lottery selectee letter my address has been mentioned and which I noticed I might have made some mistake . I will correct it in DS-260 , does intial mistake ( unit number and spelling ) can cause denial and rejecting visa ?
Thanks
May 16, 2024 at 18:39
1. 214B is a denial on a non immigrant visa that the officer believed you had immigrant intent – meaning you did not demonstrate enough ties to assure them that you would return home. The DV case doesn’t have that same concern because you obviously DO have immigrant intent. So – no problem.
2. Of course not.
May 16, 2024 at 23:55
Thank you for being so amazing.
May 16, 2024 at 16:08
Dear Brit Simon,
Sir, when a 2NL is sent does it go to the principal applicant’s email address only or it goes to everyone in the application?
May 16, 2024 at 16:35
Just the principal.
May 16, 2024 at 15:06
Hello, I want to ask do I have a chance to get invitation for interwiew? My case number is 2024EU0041273.
May 16, 2024 at 15:08
I think your number is too high, but you will have to wait and see.
May 16, 2024 at 12:04
Hello sir Simon,
I just got married, should I add my spouse in add applicant section so that she can start her own ds-260 form? Or me as a main applicant is enough to add her only in my ds-260?
May 16, 2024 at 13:36
You should unlock your form to change your marital status AND add a DS260 for her.
May 16, 2024 at 11:30
Hello Britt,
I am writing to inquire about the possibility of correcting an error on my DV lottery application. and my case number is 2025AF13XXX
Upon reviewing my application, I remembered a discrepancy regarding the place of birth (D260) information. In both my passport and birth certificate, it is listed KCW as my place of birth. However, I believe I may have entered “NBO” as the city of birth in the original DV lottery form, which KCW encompass.
I am concerned about the potential impact of this discrepancy on my application. Could you please advise me on the best course of action?
Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
May 16, 2024 at 13:35
If both places are in the same country, it is not a problem.
May 16, 2024 at 11:23
Hello Brit,
I posted a comment yesterday which unfortunately disappeared completely from your blog so I am posting again. Apologies. I watched your 40 minute video about Embassy queues which was very helpful to assess Montreal’s performance.
When looking at current DV2024 CEAC charts at Montreal, they seem to have current cases for all regions. That’s a great sign that they do not have a backlog. Did I understand that right? Can you please share your general thoughts on Montreal aside from their higher likeliness of handing out DS-5535?
Also, can I enter for DV2026 this coming October while having an in progress DV2025 application/DS260? I want to do that just in case something happens with DV2025. One would never know, at least I have another entry for the subsequent year just in case anything happens. Thanks.
May 16, 2024 at 11:30
Another question Brit,
As a Canadian citizen with no visa requirement or ESTA, does immigrant intent also apply in my case if I decide to enter the US as a citizen and do AOS instead of consular processing? I really appreciate your kindness with us.
May 16, 2024 at 11:31
Emms, we need to get this post confusion thing sorted out. When I am getting lots of comments, the software adds new pages. So you just need to click on the “older comments” link and either scroll down that page of comments OR use CTL-F to find your comments (search for Emms). You could also make sure you are notified with replies which is an option when you post the question.
I shared my thoughts about Montreal already – they are on the next page back.
Yes you can enter DV2026, no problem.
May 16, 2024 at 11:48
Hello Brit, unfortunately, the “older comments” only show 5 comments for May 14-15 which is where my comment WAS, and the page before that shows May 11-13. My comment has literally disappeared in the May 14-15 page which had 130+ comments but now only has 5 comments. I always had a notification for every single comment I posted. I do not receive anything.
May 16, 2024 at 13:03
I second this, there is a problem with comments sent on May 15th. They don’t seem to be visible.
May 16, 2024 at 13:31
OK, that’s bizarre, I see 145 comments on the second page whilst logged in but only the 5 you (and Stoic) mention when I switch to incognito. WordPress seems to be having a problem.
May 16, 2024 at 13:33
Here is my reply to your Montreal general thoughts thing –
“The level I would think about is – are they keeping up to date with the workload (which you now know how to verify) and whether they treat cases fairly (which you know about also). To get into more detail we will next have to discuss whether there is a decent place to get coffee nearby…
Relax.”
May 16, 2024 at 15:04
Thanks, Brit! I’ll have to see you on Twitter from now on. I don’t trust WordPress but I sure as hell trust you for all the awesome knowledge! Cheers.
May 16, 2024 at 15:39
I think it’s fixed.
May 16, 2024 at 16:13
Yes, it is! Awesome.
Extremely important question, do you have your desktop date format to MM/DD/YYY or DD/MM/YYYY? If I’m issued a DV and I land as an LPR (Please god, I hope), I don’t think I’ll be able to get used to the American format easily. I’ll struggle bad haha.
May 16, 2024 at 16:35
You’ll get used to it. There’s no choice.
May 16, 2024 at 11:00
Hello Simon!
A weird one which is making me panic: when I submitted my bid for the lottery at the time I mistakenly put the month where the day should have been and vice versa, which means that then I submitted the lottery I had put the month instead of day and viceversa, basically I followed the DD/MM/YYYY format instead of the MM/DD/YYY format, I deeply regret this.
I realzied this when I received the lottery results and subsequently submitted my DS-260 with all my correct information as per my passport with the right date of birth as per my passport.
Am I screwed? Will they disqualify me?
Thanks
May 16, 2024 at 13:07
That happens a lot and does not, by itself, cause disqualification.
May 16, 2024 at 10:24
can we bring parent if i have a greencard
May 16, 2024 at 10:52
No. Only once you are a citizen – 5 years residence.
May 16, 2024 at 08:14
Hi Brit,
How many days are there for an interview immediately after receiving 2NL?
Tnx
May 16, 2024 at 10:23
Around 5 to 8 weeks.
May 16, 2024 at 07:45
Hello Brit. Thank you for your encouraging words to me during your last live session 2024AF511** in Nairobi. It was indeed from your mouth to God’s ears, as I received my 2NL on Tuesday with an interview date of 10 July in Nairobi. I am now listening to your blogs to understand what to do next and I will dedicate this weekend to thoroughly read all the literature on the requirement for Nairobi embassy. I have booked for Medicals on 30 May (I have children and they will be on midterm break then – (Q1) Do you think this is too early) and I am updating the “my visa folder” with other documents I am learning about from the website. I tried registering my appointment (lol, I still have not learnt patience) and I got a message to check back in 5 working days. Can the embassy change the interview date?
May 16, 2024 at 10:23
The medical date affects the visa validity (which is medical date plus 6 months). So if a shorter validity is no problem to you, then the May 30th date might be OK.
Read the instructions, gather documents. Get copies of key documents that you don’t want to lose.
You’ll be fine.
May 16, 2024 at 12:17
Thank you for the feedback.
1. Can the Embassy change the interview date or is what is indicated in the 2NL final?
2. My husband was in Russia for 2 years over 20 years ago, does he need police clearance certificate from Russia.
May 16, 2024 at 13:37
1. Yes
2. Yes
May 16, 2024 at 04:19
Hi Brit,
CN: 24AF10K
Working experience
Visa approved for my family!
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, Brit, for your assistance, support, guidance, accurate informations and prompt response despite your busy schedules throughout this process. Although I won the DV lottery in 2021, I unfortunately didn’t receive an appointment despite my low case number. However, I followed your blog and videos, and God has opened the way for me this time around. I truly appreciate your help and guidance. Thank you sir
May 16, 2024 at 05:08
Congregations for your visa. I have a question that you mentioned you didn’t get appointment in 2021. Could you give a bit more detail? backlog at the embassy or other reason? Because we are EU205xx and still waiting for 2NL ,but I haven’t got it yet.
Thank you for your time.
May 16, 2024 at 10:16
DV2021 was heavily impacted by Covid effects.
May 16, 2024 at 10:07
Great news. This will be your year.
May 16, 2024 at 11:59
Amen and thank you sir
May 16, 2024 at 03:29
Hi Simon,
I have tried posting this question twice and thought I did successfully once, but had an error the other time, so here goes again…
I have heard you say that if one’s case number is at risk of not becoming current it is advisable not to submit the DS 260 due to it’s impact on future non-immigrant intent.
Before COVID I used to vacation in the US almost every year (1-2 weeks at a time). Should the DV not come through I hope to continue doing this. As a Singaporean I do not need a visa, I just come in with ESTA. If I submit a DS260 and end up not becoming current, is there a risk that this could become a problem with an immigration officer when I land in LAX for a vacation?
Cheers,
Lorenzo
May 16, 2024 at 10:07
I have answered this already. ESTA is not such a concern for the immigrant intent since it is not a visa at all.
May 16, 2024 at 11:16
Does the same goes for Canadians? They are not visa or ESTA required but they are admitted under B2 class. Does immigrant intent apply to them as well?
May 16, 2024 at 13:06
B2 is a visa that someone could, in theory, try to adjust status, so yes, immigrant intent does affect those – during a new visa application.
May 16, 2024 at 00:10
Hi Brit Simon,
DV-2025EU78XX. I am a German citizen and German Air Force Officer, however stationed with NATO in Spain. Would you recommend to work my case with Madrid or Frankfurt? Also reading through Frankfurt US Embassy DV instructions they mention that they want Proof of finances (assets, savings, job offer in the U.S. or U.S. citizen sponsor). I didn’t find that on Madrids instructions and never have I read it anywhere that a job offer or a sponsor is required to get the DV-visa? My understanding is that those are requirements for employment based and family based visas.
My plan was to get the Green Card first, quit the German military, immigrate to the United States and start applying for jobs in the US.
Thank for all your help and everything you do for the DV-community.
May 16, 2024 at 10:04
A few things here. First – Madrid or Frankfurt – either would be fine.
You could be asked for financials or an I-134 in either embassy – it is part of the DV process, it is in the instructions and mentioned extensively on my site and in my videos.
The military service may be a problem. First they may need proof that you can quit the military. They may even object to your serving in a foreign military while apply for a GC – not sure about that.
Also, you must enter the USA within the visa validity (6 months from the medical). You don’t have to stay for any length of time on that first visit though, so could return to Germany to sort thiongs out.
May 15, 2024 at 23:56
Also, I noticed in the CEAC data that the rate of refused visas has been around 10% in the last years (it is a bit over 11% right now in 2024 — which is still higher than I thought !) but that it used to be far more (25% of refusal in DV2018 or DV2016 for example) whether under Obama or Trump.
Does it mean that they have become much more lenient over the past decade?
thanks again
May 16, 2024 at 09:59
No – it is better screening during the draw (more holes)
May 16, 2024 at 10:18
Aren’t holes only duplicate entries and non-conforming pictures ?
The technology to screen those was so dramatically different in 2018 than it is today ?
May 16, 2024 at 10:24
Hugely different. They are using much better photo recognition technology now.
May 16, 2024 at 10:36
Okay but then assuming that they were less holes in say 2018 because less ‘duplicate’ people were busted by the photo recognition technology, then how come these people ended up refused at the interview ? It seems unlikely the CO compared the entry’s picture against all the other entries of that year (or would have used a different technology than the one from that year’s draw)
May 16, 2024 at 10:51
Not sure why you’re confused. Let me say it another way.
If improved screening improves the quality of the people being interviewed, that should improve (lower) refusal rates, right?
May 16, 2024 at 10:27
For example, the starting holes rate (in the lowest number range) in DV2018 was about 20%. In DV2024 that was 60%. So they created at least three times more holes in 2024 compared to 2018.
May 16, 2024 at 20:05
I mean, I do see what you mean but I am trying to explore another theory ; that *in part* the explanation is that they have become more lenient.
I think a lot of duplicate people who escaped the photo recognition of the draw in the 2010’s were not busted at the interview (except if they submitted a picture of completely someone else, in which case even today in 2024 they would only get busted at the interview).
Now, sure, improved screening improves ‘the quality of the people being interviewed” but I am not convinced it explains the full reduction from 25% refusal rate to 10%, because a lot a people who submitted/submit multiple entries were/are not of ”poor quality” but otherwise meet all the requirements and did not lie about their education, marital status, number of kids etc.
I myself know someone who did it in the early 2000s and got his visa because he fitted all the above (and is a law-abiding citizen, and is now doing very well in the USA).
May 16, 2024 at 20:53
I really don’t think they are more lenient, in fact there are additional measures in place now (such as the DS5535) that were not there before. But feel free to believe what you want to believe.
May 16, 2024 at 21:09
Honestly I don’t believe anything, I’m still inquiring lol.
Yeah you’re right, but they got rid of the DS5540 for example –which was objectively a bigger pain in the ass.
The DS5535 repeats the same questions as the ds260 for the most part.
May 15, 2024 at 23:37
Hi Brit
Was 2023 the only year they filled the quota or did it happen in 2022 too ?
thanks
May 16, 2024 at 09:57
Both years filled.