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September 30, 2025 at 09:25
Hi BritSimon, i see on xarthisius site a lot of EU cases at LND are still ready with just a few hours left for the program to end. Does it mean all these people didn’t show up at their appointments?
September 30, 2025 at 10:53
Basically, Yes.
There will be well over 9000 such cases globally out of the 65k cases scheduled. No shows are pretty common every year, and more so this year (travel ban)
October 2, 2025 at 10:58
Hi Simon,
1. I have received confirmation of my interview but given the new fingerprint requirements for the police checks in Australia I do not think I will have enough time to get the necessary paperwork to send to the embassy at least 30 days before the interview. Is it regular to reschedule and will I be rescheduled (that is, will I loose my opportunity by rescheduling)?
2. Do original copies of certain documents like school certificates and birth certificates need to be provided or can copies be provided? Should those copies be notarised?
October 2, 2025 at 11:19
1. I wouldn’t reschedule. If something doesn’t become available before the interview, it can be provided later.
2. Copies for sure to avoid losing original documents. Notarization is not normally required.
September 30, 2025 at 07:05
Sir, I just remembered an old FB account that I didn’t include in the DS-260. I never used it and it contains almost no information or activity. Should I request an unlock of the form in order to add it?
September 30, 2025 at 08:27
No
September 30, 2025 at 06:56
Hi Simon, I have an interview next week at Stockholm, Sweden. I am currently residing in Finland but my nationality is Nepali. I know it is illegal to travel without passport, since it is a special case where one need to leave their passport in US embassy how can one travel? Is it possible to travel between Schengen countries with only valid ID card? I have a valid finnish ID card and driver licensce. Do you any idea regarding this matter?
September 30, 2025 at 08:26
No I don’t know what you will need for travel.
September 30, 2025 at 05:45
I heard Trump is going to shutting down the government. If that happens, it does affect the whole DV Process (interviews, new DV lottery draw etc.) ?
September 30, 2025 at 08:18
Doesn’t have any effect for short term shutdowns.
September 30, 2025 at 02:15
Hello Brit,
How does an US Government shutdown affect the DV Lottery process?
September 30, 2025 at 08:18
Doesn’t have any effect for short term shutdowns.
September 30, 2025 at 01:47
Hello, my case number is 2026F000073XX, Nairobi
I have checked, and my case number was included in the last two visa bulletins, yet I have not received my appointment letter. Any clarification will be highly appreciated.
Kind Regards.
September 30, 2025 at 08:17
This isn’t unusual. It simply means that NRB hab limited their interviews at the moment, but will pick up speed later. Relax, be patient.
September 30, 2025 at 00:36
Hi Simon,
If I reuse a photo from a previous dv lottery will that disqualify me at the KCC stage or at the interview stage? I’m asking because last year I reused same photo from the previous year DV lottery entry.
September 30, 2025 at 08:16
The instructions specifically say to NOT do that, but luckily refusals for such cases are very unlikely.
September 29, 2025 at 16:51
Hello Simon, I would like to apply for the DV-2027 Lottery.
I am from the UK and have an HND qualification (I actually did most of a degree course except for the dissertation, so technically a non honours). My question is what box do I tick on qualifications; would it be ‘some University courses’ or ‘University Degree’? Many thanks in advance, much appreciated.
September 29, 2025 at 17:39
It really doesn’t matter as the information is not relevant to your selection, but “some University courses” is probably closer.
September 29, 2025 at 16:26
“Hi BritSimon,
I would like to confirm the photo requirements for the DV interview. I understand that the photo I need to bring to the interview is different from the one I originally submitted with my DV Lottery entry. I also heard that the accepted photo must not be digitally altered (no Photoshop) and that the required size is 5 cm x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches). Could you please confirm the exact specifications
September 29, 2025 at 17:37
There are other requirements too – all described here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
September 30, 2025 at 16:58
Good day BritSimon, Thank for all you do. Question when can we expect your DV lottery app/website. Eagerly awaiting. Thank you.
September 29, 2025 at 13:40
Hello simon
Thanks a lot for your work.i wanted to ask do you know any dv2026cases scheduled in albania embassy(eu)?if yes around which case no.
September 29, 2025 at 14:01
We don’t have the data on that at this time. We will only have the data on January 1.
September 29, 2025 at 13:28
Hi Simon. My case number is AS20xxx for DV2026. I doubt that my case number is high. So, I am thinking about applying for DV2027. Will this be affected for DV2026 since I already applied for the DS260?
September 29, 2025 at 14:01
There is no impact from applying for DV2027.
September 29, 2025 at 12:20
I do not have my original high school diploma. Is it okay if I take original of my university diploma (BA degree) & photocopy of high school diploma?
September 29, 2025 at 12:48
It will probably be OK.
September 29, 2025 at 09:23
Hello Simon, Do you have any info if any interview for DV2026 scheduled in Oct 2025?
September 29, 2025 at 09:54
Yes, some cases are scheduled in October and November. No doubt about that. However, that doesn’t mean every embassy will have taken cases.
September 28, 2025 at 23:20
Hello Sir,
I’m filling my DS-260 form right now and it’s done but whenever I try to sign and submit the form, there’s a red flag on the case number and that means that the case number is wrong but in fact it is the exact case number we were given.
Secondly, on the top right side of the DS-260 form, it says that the case is currently at KCC. I’m confused since we haven’t sent our DS-260 yet or at least it’s not able to get through.
September 29, 2025 at 09:11
1. Remove the leading zeros.
2. It is just a starting point for the form – not truly accurate.
September 28, 2025 at 17:21
Hello brit
I hope you are doing well.
Im about case no 2026eu7xxx(under the cut off).the ds 260 was submitted within the month of may,i haven’t got the 2nl yet,should i be worried?Should i contact the kcc?
September 28, 2025 at 22:21
No – just be patient.
September 28, 2025 at 15:06
I am a DV2026AS9*** winner from Iran, currently living in Germany on a student visa. In my 1NL, the default assigned embassy listed was Frankfurt because I live in Germany. However, when I submitted my DS-260, I selected Ankara as my interview location.
My question is: will my case now be transferred to Ankara because of my DS-260 choice, or will it remain at the default assigned embassy in Frankfurt?
I originally chose Ankara thinking they are more experienced with Iranian cases, but now I regret it and would prefer my case to stay in Frankfurt. If it is assigned to Ankara, is it possible to switch it back to Frankfurt, considering my case is already current (below 1000)?
September 28, 2025 at 22:20
As I mentioned on the LIVE today you will have to wait and see what they do.
September 29, 2025 at 11:37
Thanks a lot for your guidance.
If I email them asking to keep my case in Frankfurt and ignore the Ankara choice on my DS-260, do you think that would actually work to fix the situation, or is it usually not effective?
September 29, 2025 at 12:03
I have already answered you on that point. But feel free to try whatever you want.
September 28, 2025 at 15:04
Hi Simon,
This is Luke again, DV case #AF20265002. I contacted KCC about my case and received an email confirming an interview appointment in November. However, my case status page hasn’t been updated to reflect this. Is that something to be concerned about, or do you have any advice?
Also, in my DS-260, thoughI base my eligibility on my 5-year vocational school degree. I also listed a previous job that requires at least 5 years of experience, but I was unable to obtain a work experience certificate from that employer. Could that be an issue during my interview?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Regards,
September 28, 2025 at 22:20
1. No problem, you have WEEKS before the interview.
2. I’m not very clear what you mean by basing our eligibility on a vocational degree. That is not the standard required. They are concerned with HS completion.
September 28, 2025 at 13:42
Hi, hope you’re doing well!
With the fiscal year starting soon, I’ve had this nagging question: Are we supposed to include business social media accounts on the DS260 or is it only personal ones?
I am current, and while I listed all my personal accounts (11 in total), I didn’t add a business related handle. Should I request to unlock the form and add it?
Just trying to make sure everything’s in order. Would appreciate your take.
September 28, 2025 at 22:18
Just personal.
September 30, 2025 at 02:46
Thank you and noted carefully!
September 28, 2025 at 12:49
Hi Simon, my case number is around 9500, DV2026 USIA. When do you think I might get scheduled for an interview?
Also, if the place of birth was entered incorrectly (wrong city, but the correct one is a nearby city), is it mandatory to unlock and correct that?
And for social media, if some accounts were entered incorrectly (like missing user IDs, or accounts that don’t exist), is it necessary to fix those?
September 28, 2025 at 22:17
As you have multiple mistakes to fix, unlock and correct. As for interview dates – I don’t know.
September 28, 2025 at 11:16
Hi Simon
I’ve been in Michigan for 5 months now for DV. I just tried to pay for my greencard but when I started to put my A-number, the system couldn’t find the A-Number or Department of State Id i entered but it is my real number i was provided with.
What can i do?
September 28, 2025 at 22:16
Call USCIS
September 28, 2025 at 10:33
Hello,
I have been scheduled for an interview on November 12. I just noticed that in my DS-260, for the question about my last five U.S. visits, I only mentioned one visit, but I actually have more than five visits. How can I update my DS-260? Should I ask the Embassy to unlock it before the interview date, or can I update this information during my interview at the Consular Office?
Thanks,
September 28, 2025 at 10:35
If they raise it – then you answer. Other than that, no reason to raise it.
September 28, 2025 at 10:58
Thanks for your reply. However, since I am an Iranian-Canadian dual citizen, and I may go through administrative processing, Do you think this could raise any security issues when I go for a 221(g) review?
September 28, 2025 at 11:02
I need to mention that I have not received my 2NL officially yet. When I emailed KCC, they confirmed my interview for November 12. Do you think I can still ask KCC to unlock my DS-260 to update it, or is there no need for that?
September 28, 2025 at 22:16
No need.
September 28, 2025 at 22:15
No. But as an Iranian you are likely to have long 221g anyway.
September 28, 2025 at 22:50
So, based on your experience, since my interview is already scheduled for November, is it possible that the 221g process could take longer than September 2026 and I lose the opportunity?
September 28, 2025 at 22:56
That is unlikely.
September 28, 2025 at 10:28
Before submitting my DS260, I deleted several accounts that I had on some social media platforms because I value my privacy a lot. On other platforms, I simply deleted some specific posts that could be misinterpreted, specially dark humor ones.
I am going to list all the accounts on the DS260, including the deleted ones.
Will the fact that I deleted things negatively affect me?
September 28, 2025 at 10:34
I don’t know.
September 27, 2025 at 12:29
I am the creator and moderator of an 18+ Reddit community. In it, women share explicit sexual content, mainly to promote their OnlyFans.
Could this be a reason for my visa to be denied? Could it cause me any problems?
If it is problematic, what should I do? Should I resign as moderator of the community?
September 27, 2025 at 23:49
No that would not create any problems.
September 27, 2025 at 12:26
Hi, I have been working in my current position as a financial advisor since 2022. For interview preparation, I assume I should bring an employment letter from my current employer. Do I also need to bring one from all of my previous employers? Thanks.
September 27, 2025 at 23:48
The only time you need to provide employment letters is when you don’t meet the education requirement and want to meet the alternative requirement based on work experience. In that latter case, you only need to prove 2 years of employment history in the past 5 years (but in a qualifying job).
September 26, 2025 at 16:08
Hi Simon
This is in regards to USCIS fees payment.
While doing payments for my Greencard. I accidentally put my son’s Alien Registration number. Trying to get hold of the USCIS office but no success. What can i do now?
September 26, 2025 at 17:20
Call USCIS main call center I suppose…
September 26, 2025 at 15:45
Hi Simon,
For the interview, when I need to submit my documents, I know they should be officially translated from the original language, but I already have some translations that were done 10–15 years ago. Do I need to get them translated again, or will the embassy accept the old ones? What do you think?
September 26, 2025 at 17:20
Assuming language hasn’t changed it should be fine to use the “old” ones.
September 26, 2025 at 08:57
Are we actually required to include our other social media accounts here?
⬇️
Do you WISH to provide information about your presence on any other websites or applications you have used within the last five years to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.)?
For instance, if you have an account on indiaforums.com, is it bad if you don’t mention it?
September 25, 2025 at 13:54
Hi Simon
I finally got my passport with the visa a few days ago, thanks for all the valuable advice! 🙂
Now comes the big question — where to go first. I know it’s not directly DV-related query, but I’d be really grateful for your thoughts.
Looking at the rental prices in the SF Bay Area is a bit scary 😅 so I’m curious — where do you think would be a good place to start for someone working in Software Engineering/DevOps/Cloud?
September 25, 2025 at 16:29
Expensive places are often expensive because they are worth it. But yeah you can also consider tech heavy places like Austin, Raleigh and so on. Plus in your area of work you could be remote pretty much anywhere – so think first about where you want to live. It’s a very personal choice – everyone is different.
September 24, 2025 at 23:05
Hi Simon
I checked my CEAC status today. My case was last updated on 19th Sept. On 22nd Sept I received a mail from the embassy telling me to attend my appointment on 26th Sept .
Can we conclude that the update was because someone touched my file to remind me of my appointment or can we assume anything else could have happened like background checks?
September 24, 2025 at 23:48
I wouldn’t make any assumption about what that update meant.
September 24, 2025 at 17:25
Hi Simon.
My Case number was 35k at the Abidjan embassy but never received my 2NL, yet 2NLs were issued to cases of 36k and ended up around 56k at the same embassy.
could you please explain the circumstances under which this can happen?
September 24, 2025 at 17:36
Well that could easily happen if your DS260 processing was delayed, because that can affect when you are put into the queue. Did you check to see when your DS260 was processed?
September 24, 2025 at 06:27
Hello Simon,
You’ve posted in your visa bulletin table 7750 for november. But on travel.state.gov there is no visa bulletin for november.
September 24, 2025 at 08:35
The naming convention for visa bulletins is odd.
In SEPTEMBER they publish the VB called the “OCTOBER” visa bulletin which gives notice of the numbers that can be interviewed in NOVEMBER.
That pattern repeats for every VB, so in OCTOBER they will publish the VB called the “NOVEMBER” visa bulletin which gives notice of the numbers that can be interviewed in DECEMBER.
September 24, 2025 at 10:18
Also im EU25xxx. Should i expect an interview or the number is too high so i should’t get high hopes for an interview.
Thank you sir.
September 24, 2025 at 11:44
It is too early to know. We don’t even know how many selectees have been selected.
September 24, 2025 at 03:42
Is 1040 and W 2, letter of employment, I-134, US passport, all sufficient documents from the sponsor in DV lottery?
Someone informed me that I need the sponsor driving license for address verification.
September 24, 2025 at 08:31
Passport is fine instead of DL.
September 23, 2025 at 17:27
Hello Simon,
Thank you for the incredible help you’re providing to all of us.
I have a question regarding the translations on my DS-260 form.
First, is it a serious issue if my translator used a literal transliteration from Russian for my place of birth, while the name appears slightly differently on Google Maps in English (although it sounds the same Gornouralsky – Gornoural’skii (on maps)?
Second, we translated the region name as “Sverdlovskaya region,” but according to the English version of Wikipedia, the proper translation is “Sverdlovsk Oblast” (with “oblast” meaning “region” in Russian).
Would you recommend unlocking the DS-260 and updating the translations so they match the names used on Google Maps and Wikipedia or I can keep it the way it is now?
September 23, 2025 at 17:50
This isn’t a big problem. No need to update the DS260 for this.
September 23, 2025 at 10:52
Dear Mr. Simon,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am a DV2026 selectee (case number 2026EU1XXX, already current). I noticed today that my CEAC case status has changed from:
• “Your case is currently at KCC”
to
• “Your case is currently at Madrid.”
I would be grateful if you could kindly clarify the following:
1. Does this change mean that my DS-260 has already been processed?
2. If so, should I expect to receive my 2NL for a November interview within this week, or does the timing now depend on the Madrid Embassy — meaning the 2NL could instead arrive in the second half of October for a December interview?
Thank you very much in advance for your guidance and assistance.
September 23, 2025 at 11:18
1. Yes
2. Probably in the next few days. Be patient.
September 24, 2025 at 04:17
Hello. A quick question, pls. How do you check your CEAC status? The CEAC website asks for a 13-digit case number which I don’t seem to have. I tried to use the case number or the DS-260 confirmation number, but neither work. Thanks in advance
September 24, 2025 at 08:32
CEAC status check won’t allow checking for DV2026 cases until January 1. At that time it needs the case number such as 2025AF12345
September 22, 2025 at 14:02
Hi Simon,
I hope you’re doing well. I am a DV selectee with the number AF20265002. My number was included in the last two visa bulletins, but I haven’t received an appointment yet from the US embassy in Cairo. Based on your experience, is this normal?
Thank you for your help!
Cheers,
September 22, 2025 at 15:22
That means 1 of a couple of things.
1. Your DS260 might not be processed yet. You can email KCC to ask about that.
2. The embassy might not have allocated enough (or even ANY) capacity.
Now, this isn’t really a problem – we are still very early at the beginning of the year, so I would suggest patience.
September 22, 2025 at 17:08
Hi Brit.
Any hope for DV 2025 selectee affected by the travel restrictions, who is on 221g?. Only 6 working days remains. They promised to do a review of the ban after 90 days, that has elapsed since early this month. But we haven’t heard anything from the U.S. government. This is really painful.
September 22, 2025 at 17:19
I know you were confident of the review on September 9th, but I never shared your confidence. I didn’t see why the government would remove the ban they had put in place – and sadly I don’t think will do that in the foreseeable future. I think they will keep the ban in place beyond the end of this month – and thus kill the dreams of cases such as yours. I’m sorry.
September 23, 2025 at 17:19
I’m very hopeful that the travel restrictions on my country shall be lifted this week.
We shall surely get our visas in Jesus name🙏
God is ever faithful
September 22, 2025 at 10:21
Hello Dear Simon i hope you’re doing good , i would actually love the idea of talking about the delay of the 2NLs in dv26 because as of now i cannot see anyone saying they received their 2NLs despite their small Case Numbers especially in north africa , and also why is the moroccan consulate casablanca underperformed significantly in DV25 comparing to past years and is it possible to undergo the same performance in DV26 thanks in advance
September 22, 2025 at 11:59
Anything is “possible” – but right now it is too early to know anything concrete about the performance of the embassy thus far, and it is certainly NOT possible to guess how the embassy will perform in the future.
September 22, 2025 at 10:06
Greeting Mr Simon,
Hope you are doing great today.
Please, I entered in the US with my uncle, but he resides in different state from the mentioned address I provided in my DS 260 form because of my host for the affidavit of support. And I am currently residing to my uncle place.
My questions are,
1. which address should I be expecting for the uscis to post my green card?
2. Is it advisable to use my uncle address for the activation of my green card?
3. Will the uscis ignore my current address and mail my green card to the information I provided in my DS 260?
4. Will this situation affect me?
Thanks Sir.
September 22, 2025 at 11:56
1. The address you gave in the DS260
2. Well if you entered already, it is too late to change now.
3. See 1
4. You can figure that out…
September 21, 2025 at 18:14
Hi Mr Simon. I aplayed for an imigrant visa in the begining of last year and they aproved that, now its ready to make the i 140 process. And my wife also won the dv lottery 2026.
And whe filled out the ds 260 so we are waiting for an interview, can I still proses the I 140 form, or would it interfere with the DV lottery?
September 22, 2025 at 11:54
There is no problem in having two processes going at the same time.
September 21, 2025 at 14:19
Hi Simmon
Hope you are well and appreciate the help that you put across for the applicants every year.
Just wanted to ask, any news of OC processing for DV26 or 2NLs being sent out for OC selectees for DV26?
Case number is just short of around 60 of what is current in OCT 25 bulletin, so finger crossed on it 🙂
September 21, 2025 at 15:43
We don’t have any hard data at this time (we won’t have that until Jan 1). So right now it’s just speculation…
September 21, 2025 at 13:50
Hi Simon,
thank you for all your help through the DV2025. I got my visa on September 17th 4th the Frankfurt embassy.
September 21, 2025 at 15:42
Great news!
September 21, 2025 at 13:00
Hello Brit I have been trying to thank you for your response and answers all week but couldn’t see my reply. Thank you so much Brit. I hope everything is fine. Mari
September 21, 2025 at 11:08
Hi Simon,
I know that only when the case number becomes current will the selectee receive the 2NL. However, I just want to know if there’s anything I can do at this moment, like emailing KCC or the embassy. I’m a 2025 selectee, and my case number did not become current in the last batch. My DS-260 status is “Completed.”
It’s really hard to accept that my selection is going to become invalid.
September 21, 2025 at 12:45
There is nothing you can do. It’s over.
September 21, 2025 at 04:51
Hi Simon, I noticed there are a few questions about navigating the first few weeks to months when relocating to USA. Today you were talking about initial housing; in-addition id looking at the short term leasing suggest websites like Zillow or apartments.com…(the leasing price per apartment changes daily). Blueground is one of the many corporate lease options, but I find the taxes and fees excessive. Alternatively there is an app called furnished finder you can generally book 1 month minimum. Something else new arrivals won’t know is they may be required to pay for a special security credit score screening to lease an apartment of around $500 because they won’t have an established credit score in USA. I realise housing is just the tip of the iceberg.
September 21, 2025 at 12:44
Yep – this is a very detailed subject that deserves it’s own videos really.
September 20, 2025 at 23:45
Hello BritSimon,
I have a question regarding the payment process for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery.
My brother and I are both applying for the DV Lottery. My brother will be submitting his application first and paying the \$1 fee using his own credit card. I don’t have a credit card, so when I submit my application, I would like to use my brother’s credit card for the payment.
However, I am concerned that the system might disqualify our applications if the same credit card is used for both registrations. Is it safe to use the same card for both applications, or could this lead to disqualification due to potential fraud detection?
I appreciate your advice on this matter.
Thank you,
September 21, 2025 at 12:43
The system is not even implemented yet – so it is a bit unrealistic to expect anyone to know the way the system will work, BUT I very much doubt that re-use of a payment card would cause any problem.
September 20, 2025 at 17:35
Hi Simon
As a Syrian immigrant visa holder, I need about 3 months to serve my job notice and settle things before I move permanently. It’s possible for me to make a quick 10-day first trip to activate my residency, or is it okay to wait? And after my first entry stamp, do I need to wait for the physical green card to return, or can I travel back and forth with just the stamp?
Thank you for your advice
September 20, 2025 at 19:55
Yes you can enter to activate and then leave immediately if you wish.
September 20, 2025 at 16:54
Hello Simon am a dv selectee 2026 though my case number is quite high,so i was wanted to participate again in the coming dv this year,however am planning on using the same photo since it has been tested n selected b4,wats ure take on this
September 20, 2025 at 19:54
That would be against the rules, so don’t do that!
September 20, 2025 at 16:20
If Scotland becomes independent from UK, will that make it more likely for UK to remain eligible in future DV years due to smaller population and hence less immigration to the US
September 20, 2025 at 19:53
Well yes, if that happened….
September 20, 2025 at 12:32
Hi Simon,
Can you please send me more information about the physical mail service? You requested to ask here from your Saturday livestream today.
Thank you!
September 20, 2025 at 12:16
Hello Simon, could you please share information regarding address service?
September 20, 2025 at 09:33
Hello, sir! I just heard new administration add new 1$ entry fee for DV lottery, any updates about that? If have please make a video in youtube channel for infrom us. Thank you!
September 20, 2025 at 10:29
I will be discussing that in a few minutes on my live session.
September 20, 2025 at 10:33
Thank You!