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July 14, 2025 at 10:33
Hi BritSimon,
I’ve been selected for DV2026 (case number 2026AS00016*). I’m an Indian citizen, but I was born in the UAE, so I believe I’m chargeable to the UAE.
I haven’t submitted my DS-260 yet, as I’m still deciding between Adjustment of Status (AOS) and consular processing.
Current situation:
-I’m in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, working for a university.
-My job ends in August 2025 due to federal funding cuts.
-If I can’t find another H-1B role, I may enroll in a Master’s or PhD program in August and switch back to F-1 to stay in status.
I had a few questions I was hoping you could help with:
1. If I switch back to F-1, would I still be eligible for AOS once my number becomes current?
2. Does switching to F-1 while intending to immigrate raise concerns about dual intent?
3. If I choose consular processing, would I be assigned to Abu Dhabi by default since I’m chargeable to the UAE?
4. Do I have a realistic chance of being processed successfully at Abu Dhabi, given how DV cases have gone there in recent years?
5. Would it be safer or faster to process through Mumbai if I return to India instead?
I’ve maintained legal status throughout and have a valid UAE birth certificate (from embassy of india).
Thanks so much for your guidance!
July 14, 2025 at 10:40
1. Yes
2. Possibly
3. Country of last residence – meaning India from what you have said.
4. N/A
5. Yes probably.
July 14, 2025 at 08:47
My partner of 8 years has a case # under 100 in the Caribbean, we want to delay our interview to gather our resources for the possible move and get married. We both have US visas. What is the latest we should resubmit our Ds-260 after we add the marriage certificate?
July 14, 2025 at 09:16
If you are talking about DV2026 – you should submit before May of 2026
July 21, 2025 at 08:46
Thank you.
Also while reviewing our DS260 I noticed an expiry date of October 2025. What is that about?
Can you negotiate for a longer time before you settle into the US. My daughter will have a few months left to finish high school. Should I just go to the US and return for a few months so she can finish?
July 21, 2025 at 09:16
The DS260 expiry date is for the version of the form – i.e. nothing to do with your case.
You and your daughter have to enter the USA before the expiry date of the visa, but yes you can then leave and come back within 6 months.
July 14, 2025 at 08:36
Dear Mr. Simon,
Regarding Case Number 2025AF45***, I changed my interview location to Monrovia, Liberia, on June 5th. I have not received a 2NL from Monrovia.
They recently sent a new batch on July 12th, but I was not included.
Is there still a chance for me to be interviewed, or is it too late? Is this new batch for the previous month, considering the Visa Bulletin has not yet been released?
July 14, 2025 at 08:49
You have some chance.
July 14, 2025 at 05:32
Hello .
Dear Simon, please I opened my ds 260 last tree weeks to change embassy and it was successfully changed from Abu Dhabi to Yaounde. And I did it due to security treath on middle east last month . But now everything is ok and my company who provided working permit for me accepted to continue my contract. So is it ok for me to ask Yaounde embassy if they send me 2NL to transfer my case to Abu Dhabi embassy for interview?
July 14, 2025 at 08:44
Yes
July 14, 2025 at 04:22
Hi Simon,
Is there a second draw for DV 2026
July 14, 2025 at 08:43
Too early to know.
July 14, 2025 at 00:00
Hello Simon!
I saw a comment on Reddit which says there was a massive firing at Department of State last Friday and the visa bulletin is late because of that.
I also found some articles like this:
CNN:
“State Department is firing more than 1,300 staff on Friday”
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/11/politics/state-department-firings
Will this mass firing affect the progress of case numbers?
July 14, 2025 at 08:42
No. It is not even 2% of staff…
July 13, 2025 at 21:35
Hi Simon,
I’m a DV2026 winner (OC2xx). My DS 260 was submitted mid May & with such a low case number, I’m hoping to be current in the first few VBs for the year. Meanwhile, is there a way to check if my DS 260 is approved? If the number goes current, do I just have to wait & see if I get a 2NL or not, to be able to tell whether the application is accepted or denied for whatever reason?
Thanks,
Matt
July 13, 2025 at 21:19
Dear Simon,
I hope this message finds you well.
I would like to inquire about the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” introduced by former President Trump, which officially went into effect on July 4th.
Could you please clarify whether the Senate has removed the additional fees related to the Diversity Visa, or if they remained unchanged as originally implemented by Trump?
I am keen to understand the current status of these fees and whether any amendments were made in the Senate regarding them.
Thank you very much for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response.
July 13, 2025 at 21:59
The fees for DV lottery were removed from the bill before it was passed.
July 13, 2025 at 17:08
Hey guys 👋
I’m EU228XX and will most likely become current in the September Visa Bulletin. I’m a resident of Slovakia and had selected Bratislava as my interview location in the DS-260.
Not long ago I found out that:“The U.S. Embassy Bratislava will no longer offer routine immigrant visa services as of May 2024. The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt is now handling DV cases for Slovak citizens/residents.”
So I emailed KCC asking if they’ll transfer my case to Frankfurt automatically or if I need to do something. They replied:
“Your interview location is Frankfurt and will be used by KCC for scheduling purposes.”
Now I’m a bit worried about how things are going at Frankfurt — heard mixed things.
If anyone has info or experience with Frankfurt’s embassy recently, I’d really appreciate any advice 🙏
July 13, 2025 at 18:09
Because you have a low number you should be OK, as long as they schedule some cases.
July 13, 2025 at 18:56
Would there be a better chance to be scheduled by changing my embassy to Vienna… simply by emailing the KCC without opening the DS260?
July 13, 2025 at 20:49
You could try, but you have to do that immediately
July 13, 2025 at 15:28
I have a question regarding evaluation of embassy capacity.
Riyadh embassy is current and has kept current all year (as far as I can tell from the data). This makes it difficult for me to decipher what their upper capacity is unless I’m missing some metric or looking at it incorrectly. Can you advise?
I am hoping for a very high Asia Hail Mary and trying to evaluate if Riyadh would be able to handle the numbers or not.
July 13, 2025 at 18:13
As you say – they kept up with demand. Whether they had more capacity or not, and what that capacity is – we can’t know.
July 13, 2025 at 21:36
Thank you. More uncertainty heaped on the pile for now, I guess.
July 13, 2025 at 14:17
if hail merry happens in africa is morocco most likely to benefit of it too ?
July 13, 2025 at 14:26
Unlikely to benefit high case numbers in Morocco.
July 13, 2025 at 17:03
im just 2k away from the vb at this point im just asking if the hail merry will push the moroccan vb
July 13, 2025 at 17:04
im just scared that it stays in 40.5k
July 13, 2025 at 18:10
I can’t be sure what they will do.
July 13, 2025 at 13:49
Hi Simon,
Thank you very much in advance for all your support.
I am writing regarding my EU33K case, which I submitted in mid-June and is currently with KCC. I am hoping for a “hail mary” and wondering if there is still a chance.
If my case becomes current in the upcoming Visa Bulletin, would you recommend reaching out to KCC to request a status update and see if they can expedite the process? My designated embassy is Spain.
I am aware that my submission was late and appreciate any thoughts or guidance you can share.
Thanks again for your continued support.
July 13, 2025 at 14:26
yes if you become current, you an email KCC – there is no harm in that, but there are no guarantees that it will work.
July 13, 2025 at 14:36
Thanks Simon – is this the correct email? [email protected]
July 13, 2025 at 14:41
Yep
July 13, 2025 at 14:45
Thank you Sir!!
July 13, 2025 at 13:09
Hi Simon! I changed my embassy before being scheduled just by emailing KCC. They answered within an our and responded me that my embassy has been changed. Is it reliable or I should have unlocked my DS-260, change my address and resubmit?
July 13, 2025 at 14:25
It depends what you said to get the change….
July 13, 2025 at 15:06
In my email I asked KCC to change the embassy of my DV-2025 interview due to job-related relocation. I mentioned my full name, CN, the new address of relocation and the new embassy name. They responded that my interview location has been changed from embassy A to embassy B based on my request and provided info.
Should I settle down or anything else should be undertaken to be sure the change has been made properly?
July 13, 2025 at 18:13
They made the change, so you could leave it that way.
July 13, 2025 at 11:24
Hi Simon,
I hope you’re doing well.
I’m just reaching out to follow up on your May 3rd video titled “DV Lottery Green Card – Not Selected: Will There Be a Second Draw?” I found it very helpful at the time, and I’ve been checking for updates ever since.
I’ve reviewed the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, and while it doesn’t confirm the total number of selectees, I’ve seen some unofficial sources mention that approximately 125,000 people may have been selected in the initial draw.
From what you said in the video, I understand that a second draw usually only happens in years where the number of selectees is much lower — around 80,000 to 90,000. So based on that, do you think there’s still any realistic chance of a second draw for DV-2026, or is it looking unlikely? I assume we’ll know more once the official “DV Program Statistical Breakdown by Country” is released — which I understand typically happens sometime between July and September.
I’m a recent graduate in my early 20s, born in an eligible country, and I’m a Canadian citizen. I just wanted to get your opinion and confirm whether it’s still worth holding out hope at this point.
Thanks again for all the valuable information you share — it really helps make sense of a complicated process.
All the best,
M.K
July 13, 2025 at 13:08
There are no legitimate sources of the number of selectees. Anyone claiming to know the numbers are bullshitting.
The numbers will be published in the VB published this week OR the one published in August. Once we have that we can speculate about the chances of a second draw.
July 12, 2025 at 18:26
Hello Simon. My name is Caroline From Nairobi and a single mother of 1 child. I won dv 2026 with a case Number of AF19xxx. During my dv lottery application i indicated my daughters given names and the father’s surname. On her passport she has her given names and my name as surname. I have filled and submitted the ds 260 with her passport names only. I plan to get a consent letter from the father since am not married. What documents or corrections would you recommend i take to avoid visa denial during the interview? Thanks in advance.
July 12, 2025 at 22:23
Just normal documents – and correct the name to the actual legal name.
July 11, 2025 at 23:23
Hi Simon,
Thank you for your support.
I have an upcoming trip to US in September. I’m going with ESTA. It will be a trip with my friends. My case number is DV2026 AS7***.
My questions are
1. Should I start filing D260 after US trip?
2. Can I travel to US with ESTA after submitting D260? (I might have to have business trip to US in late 2025)
3. Should I refrain from overseas traveling after submitting D260 or it’s okay to do so if the destination isn’t US.
Thanks,
July 12, 2025 at 00:27
1. Before or after, doesn’t matter.
2. Yes
3. Live your life as normal
July 11, 2025 at 14:17
Hi Simon
We got a mail from USCIS with an appointment in CA, for biometrics after about 90 days the activation trip, we cannot attend as we are still abroad and having a baby in 3 weeks, so we cannot travel in the next 3 months (the baby will have the travel documents in 2-3 months).
We asked the USCIS over phone, the agent said we can only do it the US but she had no idea about the deadlines.. For sure i sent a mail to the local embassy, will see what they response.
do you have any experience with this process?
July 11, 2025 at 17:03
Do the biometrics when you are next back in the country.
July 11, 2025 at 17:40
if i got it correctly, this will delay the process, so the greencard process will be stucked for her, and it will not be delivered until biometrics etc. we not planned to go to the us this year as our newborn will have no travel documents until like november.
Do we have any hard deadline for the biometrics? I could not find anything just if you abbadon it.
July 11, 2025 at 18:46
No hard deadline.
July 11, 2025 at 03:10
Hello Simon, if it’s convenient for me to ask you, I’m one of the 2025eu2818** applicants, do I have a chance of getting an interview?
July 11, 2025 at 09:24
The final.VB is soon to be published. We will know then.
July 11, 2025 at 02:09
Hi Simon, I am one of the 2025 lottery draws and my number is 281**. Will I get an interview invitation? And why is everything so slow this year?
July 11, 2025 at 09:21
No region…
July 11, 2025 at 16:04
Hi Simon, I am one of the 2025 lottery draws and my number is AS 293**. I have fiiled out DS 260 in August 2025. Will I get an interview invitation? And why is everything so slow this year?
July 11, 2025 at 18:42
Your number is very high – so that means very risky. You simply have to wait and see.
July 10, 2025 at 15:09
Hi Simon,
Sorry for a stupid question, but what does it mean that Trump is being sued in your UK lawsuit? Does it mean that the real Trump will be in court with you?
July 10, 2025 at 17:35
LOL – no – it’s just that to sue the government you have to sue the leadership that are ultimately responsible, so we have sued Trump, Rubio, Noem and the director of KCC. None of those people will turn up in court – they just appoint lawyers to appear on their behalf.
July 10, 2025 at 13:40
I know, I know. Second or third week of the month. But, I’m super impatient for this final visa bulletin for DV2025. I wish they’d hurry up. 🤦🏼♀️
July 10, 2025 at 13:16
Greetings,
I do not have a Somali birth certificate or a Somali passport. I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and I am originally from Ethiopia. I hold an Ethiopian passport and a birth certificate that states I was born in Somalia.
My question is: Since I do not have any official document from the Somali government confirming my birth in Somalia, and I selected only one citizenship/nationality (Ethiopian) in the DS-260 form, could this cause any problems or complications ?
July 10, 2025 at 13:27
I don’t know if that would be acceptable or not.
July 14, 2025 at 13:58
I keep deleting your emails because I am not comfortable in what you are offering. Please stop posting this offer.
July 10, 2025 at 12:36
Hi Simon. I got the outcome today. I was found ineligible (Section 204(a)(1)(I)(III) It went further to say Inaccurate Country Eligibility. My current spouse comes from an eligible country even though I don’t. Can you please advise?
Is there room for appeal?
July 10, 2025 at 12:59
I answered your earlier question, and I’ve asked you for more info.
July 10, 2025 at 10:46
hello simon.
2025AF31k
Had my interview this Tuesday but was given a 221G AP Letter with my original documents and passport back. i have a wife she is in the Uk but she is not migrating with me and it was clearly stated on my DS260, MY daughter too the mum don’t want her to migrate with me and it it was clearly stated on her DS260 AND I HAVE PROVIDE BOTH THEIR PASSPORT COPY AND MY DAUGHTER’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE the counselor officer requested that i should provide
1. the passport of my wife in the UK with two blank pages, police report both the UK and the Gambia, birth certificate, 2 passport photo, medical examination report and fees
2. my daughter passport, passport photo and medical results too
at the end of the letter its states that the embassy will contact me for my interview or appointment
the counselor officer also told me not to do anything that the embassy will contact me, already contacted my wife for those documents she is preparing to get it send to me.
so is my wife and daughter needed to personally be there with passport or i should go with her passport and other document
July 10, 2025 at 12:13
They have asked for documents. Provide that, but make clear that they are not migrating, and therefore do not need medicals etc.
July 9, 2025 at 12:08
Hello Simon!
I will always be grateful to you, for all your advices, you definitely were a patient virtual guide during this year, you helped answering all the questions (sometimes the pressure and anxiety made me ask some ridiculous too, I confess! :D) and it was a blessing finding your page casually on internet.
I had no idea how things in DV work back then in May 2024, I thought they’d schedule an interview way in less time that it actually took…
Yesterday I did my interview and I was told that my visa is approved, so next step is starting all over a new chapter 🙂 and its such a strange feeling, I just can’t explain!
As European, who already has a good job in Europe (but way more opportunities in the US for my career) I just hope won’t be silly and nostalgic and just resist the tough first year.
I’ll let you know.
Always thankful,
A.
July 9, 2025 at 18:41
Well congratulations!!
Yes that first year is tough, but you will recover and thrive.
July 9, 2025 at 09:51
Hello BritSimon, people who are denied visas at the interview for failing to include derivatives on edv.
1. Is that a permanent ban to participate in the dvlottery?
2. Many years back when we played for the first time, we both applied as wife&husband. Wife didn’t include me as spouse, up2 now I don’t know how it happened as I’m the one who applied on her behalf, probably I clicked unmarried or married to LPR. Subsequent years we applied including each other. Finally we got selected & we have an upcoming interview. Medicals in my country southern Africa cost almost 1000usd per person. I wouldn’t want to pay that much knowing that first time mistake can cost us.
July 9, 2025 at 18:40
1. No. The denial affects that year only unless it was some deliberate fraud.
2. You do not need to worry about that. Just be sure you have followed all other aspects and you meet the requirements.
July 9, 2025 at 04:11
Hi Simon can you unlock your DS260 form and make corrections even after October
July 9, 2025 at 18:35
Yes
July 8, 2025 at 15:51
Hi BritSimon,
Could you please share the schedule time and dates that you mostly appear for the live YouTube sessions?
I appreciate the guidance you are giving us all the time. Million thanks.
July 8, 2025 at 16:33
I don’t have a strict schedule, but usually I go live on Saturday or Sunday around 9am Pacific time zone
July 8, 2025 at 14:27
Hi Simon, about 14 years ago (2011) I got a student visa that was valid for 3 years (2011-2014) to study in a neighbouring country here in Africa but I came back to my home country after just one year (2012). The remainder of the 2 years i was already back in my home country.
About 2 years ago I got a police clearance certificate from that country thru sending forms by DHL. I have not been in that country since I left 11 years ago.
1. I didn’t spend the 3 years of the visa in that country. Can this affect my dv26 visa? If the CO finds out that i got a 3 year visa from country A but I only stayed for one year.
2. Do I need to apply for another PCC from that country? I still have the original one that I got 2 years ago
July 8, 2025 at 14:44
1. No
2. Technically it should be acceptable, but if you want to be certain, get a new one.
July 8, 2025 at 13:28
Hello Simon,
I hope you’re doing well.
I read your March 2022 article about changing embassies, and I wanted to double-check the procedure when an interview has already been scheduled.
If I am scheduled for an interview at Embassy A but want to move it to Embassy B (the country of my residence and citizenship), do I need to contact Embassy B first and ask if they are willing to accept my case? If they agree, should I then contact Embassy A to request the transfer, or will Embassy B contact them on my behalf and handle the transfer process?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
July 8, 2025 at 13:41
I would contact embassy A and make sure everything gets done…
July 8, 2025 at 11:00
Hi Simon,hope you’re having an amazing day. I have won the dv 2026 visa lottery with a case number: EU29XXX.
I have submitted my DS-260 document three weeks ago.
My question to you is:
– am I going to expect any welcome letters from the NVC,and how much time would it take them to send me an email?
– after submitting my civil and financial documents to CEAC,how much time would it normally take them to process my documents and schedule me for an interview(just an estimate).
Thank you for your time.
July 8, 2025 at 13:43
1. No
2. You don’t submit any documents to CEAC or KCC. You only show documents on the day of your interview. The timing of your interview is determined mainly by your case number, which means you will wait about 1 year.
July 10, 2025 at 04:49
Hi Simon,thank you for replying to me. I’m talking about are they going to send me my NVC case number and invoice ID number which are located on the welcome letter.
I read that on google,I don’t know if it’s true or not. So I’m asking for your personal opinion.
July 10, 2025 at 08:28
I said “no”.
July 8, 2025 at 07:31
Hi Simon,
Thanks once again for your kind assistance. I am on 221g (2025AF44xxx). The CO needs to verify my High School certificate. I am worried about the time it would take as I’m not sure what the process entails. It is normally a simple straightforward process that shouldn’t take than 10minutes for us (locals).
Would it be allowed to submit a second certificate? ( I wrote the exams twice and passed) so I hold 2 Certificates.
This time however, I would have it verified before submitting to the consulate.
July 8, 2025 at 08:48
The time varies, and there could be other reasons they keep you on 221g.
July 10, 2025 at 07:58
Hi Simon.
I got the outcome today. I was found ineligible (Section 204(a)(1)(I)(III)
It went further to say Inaccurate Country Eligibility. My current spouse comes from an eligible country even though I don’t.
Can you please advise? Is there room for appeal?
July 10, 2025 at 08:26
That depends on the circumstances. Who is the winner, where was the winner born, what country was selected as eligibility and why.
July 10, 2025 at 14:10
I am the winner. Born in Nigeria
My spouse is South African. I selected Nigeria as country of birth and charged South Africa as country of eligibility.
July 10, 2025 at 14:12
OK –
1. So you were married before the entry – correct?
2. Does your spouse meet the requirements such as education etc?
July 10, 2025 at 08:37
You have asked about this before. I believe you chose your spouse’s country of birth as your eligibility. That is allowed, so yes you should appeal. However, do tell me the circumstances. Were you married prior to the lottery entry?
July 15, 2025 at 16:34
Hello Simon,
Thanks again for the assistance. Can you kindly outline what the appeal process entails and do you know any law practice that has the expertise to assist?
July 15, 2025 at 18:34
There is not a formal appeal process. You have to do whatever you can to make your case as quickly as possible to the embassy. If you THEN get a final refusal, there may be an additional step, but writing to the embassy with the explanation of why they were wrong is the first step. Don’t waste any more time, you need to act. Now.
July 17, 2025 at 13:17
Hi Simon.
Thank you very much.
The final refusal came. Please what is the likely process to take the decision on appeal?
July 17, 2025 at 16:07
I have sent you some information.
July 17, 2025 at 16:12
The email bounced.
“550 5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist. Please try double-checking the recipient’s email address for typos or unnecessary spaces.”
July 19, 2025 at 16:15
Hi Simon
Sorry to be a pain.
I’ve sent my email address.
I’d like to see what my chances are with an appeal.
Thank you very much.
July 8, 2025 at 05:34
Hello Sir,
Greetings.
I had to email the embassy four times to get the DS unlocked because the father’s name, the date on the educational certificates, and the location of the child’s birth needed to be corrected. But hasn’t been unlocked yet. Would the visa be affected if I was unable to fix these issues?
July 8, 2025 at 08:47
No
July 8, 2025 at 04:46
Hello Simon!
Please prompt me is there still a time and possibility to change my embassy?
CN is EU202534K.
Is there any guide/instruction how should I change the embassy or I should just write an email to KCC asking to change it??
July 8, 2025 at 08:47
You have almost no time, but unlocking and changing address is the most reliable way to change embassies.
https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-change-embassies/
July 8, 2025 at 16:43
Hi Brit.
I just wanted to share some good news I received from KCC after reaching out to you about how to change my embassy!
Honestly, I didn’t expect such a quick response from them.
The KCC officer kindly confirmed that based on the information I provided my interview location has been successfully changed, and despite this change will not appear in my DS-260 but will be used by KCC for scheduling purposes. There is also quote that when my interview schedules, I will be required to log into the Entrant Status Check (ESC) to view my appointment notification. At that time, I should verify that my appointment is scheduled for the correct post(what he means? post address?). If for any reason it is not, I may contact KCC again. I’m sharing their response here as a little success and would love to hear your thoughts on it, just to be sure everything looks right. Can I be sure that my embassy has successfully changed? I have read the page “how to change embassies” you shared in your previous comment and it seems that everything is valid).
Thanks again for all the helpful guidance you share—it really makes a difference!
July 8, 2025 at 17:44
That’s great. The real proof is of course when you are scheduled, but if they said it’s been changed, that is usually reliable.
July 8, 2025 at 02:38
Hello Simon, hope all is fine. I was issued a J1 visa in 2023 with Section 212(e). I finished my assignment successfully and went back to my home country in May 2023. I spent a year and half in my home country and now I am working outside of my home country.
My wife (principal applicant) was selected in DV 2026 and I’m worried that although more than 2 years has passed, my visa application might be refused because I haven’t spent the full two years in my home country.
Is it calculated as home residency OR foreign residency?? (DS 260 says foreign residency).
Although I still have time to full the remaining 6 months, I just don’t think it is a good idea to quit my job now.
Thank you so much for your advise and help. Highly appreciated.
July 8, 2025 at 08:45
My understanding is limited – but it is that you need to spend the 2 years in your home country (or country of last permanent residence). You could discuss this with a lawyer, because you might need a waiver unless you can add those 6 months.
July 7, 2025 at 21:17
Thank you, Simon, for this amazing website and your work.
My spouse is a DV-2026. selectee. When I filled out my DS-260, the part that asks you about your international trips in the last 5 years, I forgot to mention one 14-day trip to the USA in 2021, . Should we ask to reopen it? Thank you very much in advance.
July 7, 2025 at 23:27
No need to reopen.
July 7, 2025 at 16:35
Dear Simon,
I was selected in the 2026 Diversity Visa lottery with a case number of AF00000XXX. Already submitted my DS260, but Accra embassy is backlogged and I am wondering whether to unlock DS260 and change place of interview to Lomé—since there are no backlogs there.
Thank you.
July 7, 2025 at 16:37
With such a low number, Accra will probably be OK, but obviously it is up to you to decide.
July 7, 2025 at 14:43
Good day, Mr. Simon.
I wanted to reach out to you for some help and advice. I was selected in the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery. My case number is quite high, but I’m hopeful that everything will work out.
Here is my question:
Almost 10 years ago, I applied for a U.S. visa and submitted the DS-160 form. At that time, the information provided about my employment wasn’t entirely accurate. Now, as I’m filling out the DS-260 form, I’m unsure how to proceed. Should I list the same job again, or leave that field blank?
If I leave it blank or indicate that I was unemployed, will they cross-check it with the DS-160 and raise questions? The job listed in the DS-160 was not an official one. I didn’t really work there as a full-time employee — I occasionally helped with computer-related tasks while I was still a student. It was unofficial, and I was paid in cash. So I have no real proof of that work, only a letter we prepared back then to support my tourist visa application.
That company has been closed and no longer exists since 2018.
July 7, 2025 at 15:08
Answer the DS260 truthfully.
July 11, 2025 at 17:17
Dear Mr. Simon,
First of all, I want to sincerely thank you for all the work you do. Your videos and FAQs have been incredibly helpful and are truly appreciated.
Thank you as well for taking the time to reply!
I also wanted to ask, if you don’t mind — could the discrepancies between my current and previous form affect the consular officer’s decision? I’m quite concerned about it.
Would it be appropriate to list that one year as freelance work? During that period, I was engaged in informal part-time work while also attending university. I wasn’t formally employed, and the work wasn’t consistent — unfortunately, I don’t have any documents to prove it.
I also wanted to ask your opinion regarding my case number, which is in the 34,000s. When I submitted my DV Lottery entry, I was living in Warsaw, so the interview location was set to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. However, I am currently residing in Canada. Do you think it would be better to keep Warsaw as my interview location, or should I consider requesting a transfer to another embassy — for example, I’ve heard that Frankfurt sometimes schedules interviews more quickly?
July 11, 2025 at 18:46
1. I cannot be certain of impacts from the previous form.
2. The freelance work might be listed as a period of being self employed. If it was just side work, don’t list it.
3. I don’t know how high your number is yet, but assuming it is EU you have a long time to ait anyway, so there is time enough to know more and plan accordingly.
July 7, 2025 at 14:39
Dear Simon, still hoping for WRW to ramp up numbers to make myself eligible for interview with just over 27k in EU. I understand however that basically today is the last moment to move embassy just in case it should be needed. I understand the process requires contactingKCC and unlocking DS260 and modyfing address. Is there any particular need to have a proof of residency or provide any details whatsoever of the address you’d like to move to? I am free to move basically anywhere in Europe just to get interviewed without needing a visa in most places, just not being resident in any of those places… Being in different countries due work would be not a lie, just not resident.
July 7, 2025 at 15:07
I don’t know which embassies will worry about residence, but that is rarely a problem for cases that move BEFORE becoming current. So – if you are going to change, you need to decide now.
July 7, 2025 at 12:46
Dear BritSimon.
Thank you very much for your work. I have such question. I’m a DV-2026 lottery winner. And I have completed the ds form. While completing, I chose my interview location to be Armenia (it’s my country of chargeability, I was born there). Though from the beginning they automatically assigned me to Poland since I indicated my current place of residence as Russia. Do they take into account my preferences indicated in the DS-260 form? Is it possible that they insist that I have my interview in Poland?
July 7, 2025 at 13:33
You can ask KCC to confirm which embassy they will assign – but if you are not already current you should be careful to “guide” them to the correct answer. Yerevan is currently backlogged, Warsaw is not. So – think carefully about how you guide them to achieve your best outcome.
July 7, 2025 at 14:04
I understood. When should I make my mind regarding the place then? Since I’ll probably have my interview scheduled next year, is it possible that the Yerevan embassy situation will be different? For information, my case number is 2026EU 21***. If not, would it be an option to consider Georgia or Kazakhstan for example since these countries don’t require a visa?
July 7, 2025 at 15:05
OK – It is too soon to be worrying about this – you can decide later.
July 7, 2025 at 08:13
Hello simon
“I am a DV 2025 selectee, and according to my 2nd letter, my interview is scheduled for July 21, 2025. However, I recently received a call from the U.S. Embassy informing me to come on July 10 with all required documents, including the police report, sponsor documents, medical report, and the interview fee. They also clarified that the interview itself will still be on July 21.
Given this, is there any chance that the actual interview might be conducted on July 10 instead? Or will it definitely be on July 21 as stated in the 2nd letter?”
July 7, 2025 at 08:38
Well it seems they have already answered this question, so I’m not sure why you think I know better about their procedures than they do…
July 7, 2025 at 06:59
Hi, thank you Simon for your help. I am 2025 winner of the lottery. I want to ask a question. I have noted in my DS 260 form that I have been in three foreign countries (Austria, Georgia and Turkey). Now, in my holiday, I would like to visit another European country, can it turn to be a problem for me in the next processes ? Should I re-inform the Kentucky office about this?
July 7, 2025 at 08:37
No need to inform KCC or update your DS260.
July 7, 2025 at 06:20
Hi Brit
MRV(Liberia) didn’t sent out 2nl for August interview is it possible for them to still schedule for both August and September?
Or will they just add those that should be interviewed in August to those that expected to be interview I’m September
July 7, 2025 at 08:36
Anything is possible, but I don’t know what WILL happen.
July 7, 2025 at 04:07
Hello Simon
What would you advise me to do on the case of names. My birth certificate name is Laura Nabwire without an h, but all my other documents including my national id, passport and educational certificates are Laurah Nabwire which means there’s an h on the name Laurah.
I am a DV 2026 selectees AF19**. Do I have to swear an affidavit?
July 7, 2025 at 08:36
You would have to show why there is a variation in your name, and use the DS260 other names section.
July 7, 2025 at 13:08
When you say I need to show. Does an affidavit qualify for that? Or is there any other document I need to have to prove that?
July 7, 2025 at 13:38
When you were born, your legal name was established as Laura. By the time you got a passport, your name was either changed to Laurah OR it was a mistake. If it was changed, there should be some paperwork that established that. If it was done informally, then it was essentially a mistake that needs to be corrected, or perhaps explained by an affidavit because it has become your commonly used name now.
July 7, 2025 at 04:06
Hello Simon,
My Dad (the principal applicant) was selected for the D-Visa, and our interview is scheduled for August. We are from Sudan but my brother is a US citizen, so my dad and mom (as a derivative applicant) qualify for an exemption due to an immediate relative, yet I (as a derivative applicant) do not. If my dad is accepted, are there chances for me to be accepted?
I saw your YouTube video where you recommended non-exempt nationals of the 12 countries to simply not go to the appointment. Do you think it’s wiser for me to abstain or go for the interview?
July 7, 2025 at 08:33
Your father is NOT qualified for an exemption. None of you are. The immediate family exemption is for specific visa types, NOT having a family member who is a citizen. The IR exemption that is probably confusing you is this:
“(v) immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA);”
July 7, 2025 at 02:36
Hello Simon,
If the latest Visa Bulletin is a Hail Mary, how can I, as a high case number holder (EU202534K/YRV), encourage the KCC to move my case forward and schedule my interview earlier?
I’ve already gathered all the required documentation, except for some medical analyses. As soon as my case becomes current, I plan to begin contacting the KCC by phone and email to ask the scheduling of my interview.
How effective do you think this approach will be, and what additional steps could I take to make my case more persuasive?
Thank U
July 7, 2025 at 08:27
There is nothing you can do to encourage KCC. It is simply a matter of how much capacity your embassy has available, and then KCC scheduling cases in numerical order until they either reach that capacity or schedule all the cases.
July 7, 2025 at 01:44
Hi Simon,
I am a winner of DV 2025, and I got my visa, and I plan to travel to the USA at the end of July 2025.
Should I apply for an SSN when I arrive in the USA? I already paid the Green Card Processing Payment of $235.
Thank you very much for your support.
July 7, 2025 at 08:24
I already answered you.
https://britsimonsays.com/interview-experience-stories/comment-page-23/#comment-368820
July 7, 2025 at 01:05
Hello britsimon
Do we know how many visas remaining for a dv winner’s by counting from the IV issuance by nationality and IV issuance by post ? Please i need your answer because i am a dv 2025 winner from Ethiopia and waiting for my 2NL
July 7, 2025 at 08:23
The official data is published with extensive delay, so we use the CEAC data as it is more up to date. However, there are plenty of visas left, and visas will not be exhausted in DV2025. Both sets of data are available here:
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY25.html
July 6, 2025 at 20:35
Hello Mr Simon
I hope you’re doing well today. I want to ask a question please help me.
Does my sponsor have to download and fill in the i-134 form with a phone or he can just type on the spaces provided?
July 6, 2025 at 22:01
That’s really unclear.
July 7, 2025 at 03:32
I’m really sorry Simon. I meant to ask if he should fill the form with a pen 🖊️ or he can just use a computer to type the answers.
July 7, 2025 at 08:28
Either is acceptable. The instructions probably explain that…
July 6, 2025 at 16:36
What is NIV issuance by FSC or place of birth and NIV issuance by post ?
and can i count dv visas from both lists to get how many dv visas are issued fir dv 2025 ,because i am also a dv 2025 winner so i might know if there is a remaining visas Which can be issued i the coming months