There are big changes being proposed to the Green Card lottery. The changes will probably be implemented in time for the DV2021 entry period this October.
It DOES NOT affect DV2019 or DV2020 in ANY way.
You can watch the video below for a full explanation of the changes:
I would really like to hear from people whether they think this is a good or bad thing – leave me a comment below, or on the YouTube page.
The official site about the law change is here.
September 29, 2019 at 14:22
Brits,I read some on instructiin of DV. They mentiin that 7% of applicants can be selected from a country. Based on that I think that the less people applied less chances of being selected. More people applied more chances of selected..First does this hold true???If yes,I am against on the arguements that with pasport number requirements,the chances of being selected for those who will entee the lottery will be higher..Please let me know if my thinking is true
September 29, 2019 at 15:56
Your thinking is completely without logic. You have misunderstood just about everything.
February 13, 2020 at 12:42
This system is really good but how many percent sure are we placed on
February 13, 2020 at 19:06
I don’t understand the question.
September 28, 2019 at 22:57
Brit,i have 2 questions. 1) i am a medical doctor working as a general practitioner. so, for the DV what should be my educational status (university degree or doctorate degree)? 2) is the passport required for both my wife and myself or only mine is enough?
September 28, 2019 at 23:20
1. It doesn’t matter. Pick one.
2. Just the principal applicant (although your wife can perhaps also enter).
September 28, 2019 at 12:46
Will expired passport number be accepted for DC 2021?
September 28, 2019 at 15:18
No
September 28, 2019 at 03:53
Please i have a question to you BritSimon. If married locally and have not get a legal document for my wife to bear the same last name with me. Can she use her fathers name on her passport and at the same time add me and my 2 kids? And later when going to the visa interview will carry a legal marriage certificate that will bear my last name. Will it work that way if she apply as a principal head for the family?
September 28, 2019 at 04:44
No problem.
September 26, 2019 at 12:09
Hello Mr. Brit, what is the requirement to participate in the dv lottery 2020/2021
September 26, 2019 at 14:24
Once the instructions are published, you can read them.
September 24, 2019 at 18:41
Hello Mr Brit, When I completed my high school education , I did a 3 month computer course (computer application packages). When applying for the dv should I indicate ”some university courses ” as my highest level of education or should I just indicate ”highschool diploma” ?
September 25, 2019 at 02:42
High School Diploma
September 24, 2019 at 11:29
I really think it is a good idea
September 24, 2019 at 04:50
Hi BritSimon, I am married for 11years but we don’t have legal marriage certificate. When applying, should I fill marriage then get a certificate later?
September 25, 2019 at 02:02
You must be legally married AND be able to prove that. If your marriage was not performed legally, then perhaps you should fill single.
September 19, 2019 at 13:53
Thank you very much BritSimon for your rich info about the DV program , i have a question : i am DV2019 winner my interview was on the 8th this month (08/09/2019) the cansular asked for more documents, i sent it to them after 2 days , then after 6 days they emailed me asking for specific documents this time ((the genuine high school certificate and the w2 from my sponsor) I sent them the info today.
My question is do I have the chance in getting the visa? They put me on (AP).
From your experincese do they issue visa after 30 of september ?
Thank you in advance
September 19, 2019 at 14:24
They can only approve cases up to the 30th.
I don’t know about your case specifically.
September 17, 2019 at 18:39
hello Mr Britsimon please can i register it online i don’t know how i can register
September 17, 2019 at 20:48
Register what?
September 16, 2019 at 14:34
Hello please I hear that travel passport included if I’m registering the DV lottery 2021 it is true?
September 16, 2019 at 14:47
Maybe , we have to wait for the dv2021 instructions
September 16, 2019 at 17:26
I don’t know.
September 15, 2019 at 07:12
Hay dear, how u doing on there?… my and my wife’s passport says unmarried when i and she fill all personal data. And the passport process takes to month after u have already paid the money for the passport at the immigration. me and my wife , in general we didn’t now each other when we fill the personal info at the immigration but we married at the middle of the process of our passport. So, either any problem if we fill as we are married sir?
September 15, 2019 at 15:01
Is that just a very long winded way of saying you got married after she got her passport? There is proof of the wedding I assume, and I assume it is a genuine marriage – so what is your concern?
September 16, 2019 at 09:00
yes britsimo, it is genuine marriage. but our passport says unmarried and our passport will receive to our hand in October 13(mine) and 19 ( my wife) after two moths for the process. the marriage will held in October 25. The dvlottery will stay until the beginning of November. so, u mean no problem the only thing that they need is proof right? ………put your comment sir.
September 16, 2019 at 17:18
Oh my. This is just about **entering** the lottery???
Stop overthinking simple things…
September 14, 2019 at 02:12
I find it quite hard to imagine how they will be able to know if ones passport number is valid or not at the time of registration. Will there be a mechanism to detect invalid passport numbers but not necessarily duplicate ones at the time of registration?
September 14, 2019 at 03:41
There is no need. All they will do is disqualify cases later when someone cannot produce the passport.
September 14, 2019 at 08:46
If that is the case, then their main objective of eliminating fraud is still likely not to be achieved. Fraudsters could key in wrong information about unsuspecting applicants and still make their victims pay money once their case is selected for further processing, though they know very well that the winner stands the chance of being disqualified on the grounds of providing invalid information. I wish there could be more robust checks to disqualify any suspected case of fraud like (entry of invalid passport number) even before results are out.
September 14, 2019 at 15:03
There is no magic button that fixes fraud overnight. Some scumbags will try to find ways to make money, and some people will always become victims of that because they don’t think about what they are doing, or they are just gullible. But these are incremental improvements. The effect will only be seen over years.
September 10, 2019 at 13:12
I from liberia, I play 2017 dv and I won are added my wife on the case for two of us to go in the us,but unfortunate we was denial for no reasons at the embassy.
September 10, 2019 at 20:11
They don’t deny cases for “no reasons”.
September 6, 2019 at 11:35
Is the passport required for the primary applicant only or even for the dependents?
September 7, 2019 at 04:45
Explained fully above…
September 6, 2019 at 08:36
@Daniel Boakaia, u are too lukey and almost 90% percent of the process is almost with in your hand so let u stay with more proud. think that there are chanceless people like me. i fill dv lottery for around 8 years but i left nothing.
September 5, 2019 at 21:05
Thanks for the response.
I don’t think you are too sure of this, since in fact you guessed that my interview may likely take place around Spring/Summer. I think I should wait for a while right?
September 6, 2019 at 15:01
Not too sure of what?
September 4, 2019 at 21:30
Hi Mr. Britsimon
Is it necessary now to ask the person who is sending me the Affidavit of support to send the required documents?
September 5, 2019 at 01:50
Well, yes.
September 4, 2019 at 19:48
Hi Brits!! Will there be a second draw for dv lottery 2020
September 5, 2019 at 01:47
Maybe.
September 3, 2019 at 17:26
Hi brit,so with the new change does it mean that if u win you can’t add any applicants.
September 4, 2019 at 00:53
No it does NOT mean that.
September 2, 2019 at 03:49
Hi Brit…In the dv application there’s the place for place of birth,It says do not enter county ,province,district.just City yet my place of birth the major city is elsewhere that is Nairobi while I was born in Nyamira which is now a county.how do I go about this?
September 2, 2019 at 17:40
Use your best judgement – it really isn’t a problem.
August 29, 2019 at 16:31
No those who are above 18 years old who can fulfill all the criteria having valid passport.
August 29, 2019 at 12:57
hi good friend simon, I really want to be at US to work and get something back home for my poor family. However I don’t have any relative in USA, in case I win. Can I still enter the lottery this year?
August 29, 2019 at 18:37
Yes
August 29, 2019 at 10:48
I have questions to know for the dv 2021. Do all family members need Passport when we enter? or need passport for principal
August 29, 2019 at 18:01
Principal.
August 29, 2019 at 02:54
1oq dear britsimon, I respect u for what u have and for what u are doing on
August 28, 2019 at 14:27
I hope the chance may come from now on ward, since the number of multiple entrant may decrease because of the amendment. I never give up even if the chance was rejecting me since 2011 -2020.
August 28, 2019 at 15:45
Yep – this year could be the best chance for a while.
August 25, 2019 at 08:43
Hey we don’t get passport easily in our country to get passport we should be in the process what shall we do now ?
August 25, 2019 at 14:56
I don’t know.
August 24, 2019 at 23:28
Hi Brit,
My was born in Sudan. I was born in Saudi Arabia. Both countries are eligible for DV lottery, but the African countries have more quota in selection. My question is: can chose Sudan instead of Saudi Arabia for country of chargeability? ?
For the topic I strongly agree with Donald Tramp for once. I think the program needs more modification such as attachments of certificates of birth, education ..etc. by this way much more qualified applicants may have chance to win.
Best wishes
August 24, 2019 at 23:30
*My wife
August 25, 2019 at 00:31
Applying under Saudi Arabia would increase your chances – but if you apply under her country you BOTH have to meet the education standard.
August 25, 2019 at 18:24
We both meet the education standards.
Thank you for your respond.
August 22, 2019 at 01:16
Hi brit, I have a question. What are the reasons for not getting email about document submission and not getting 2nl after being selected?
August 22, 2019 at 04:19
I did not say that happens apart from running out of time.
August 22, 2019 at 07:25
So it means, if someone has been selected, then they will definitely get chance, apart from running out of time. I got confused because someone I know in my circle got selected for dv previous years but never got further notification later, eventhough their ds260 was successfully done.
August 22, 2019 at 16:30
I think you are still confused. You seem to be ignoring the cutoffs etc – and your questions are vague.
August 23, 2019 at 01:46
Kindly request. please make me clear.
August 23, 2019 at 02:30
There is much for you to read. I expect you to put some effort in, and if you THEN need to ask questions, be clear.
August 21, 2019 at 15:47
If I’m the main applicant for my family. Do I need passport for my husband and children at the time of application?
August 22, 2019 at 04:10
Adults should have their own documents at least. Ideally children too.
August 21, 2019 at 04:42
hay dear britsimon, I married yesterday. I and my wife while we have a passport before one month and two months ago respectively, we didn’t now each other. At that time i fill unmarried for the passport because i did not have a girl friend and the same my wife too. taking this in to account either any problem while we fill for dv lottery 2021 as we are married?
August 22, 2019 at 03:02
They might ask for proof of the marriage being genuine.
August 19, 2019 at 17:18
Thank you very much for such valuable information. Helpful for me and certainly for others
August 18, 2019 at 16:49
What about if I lost my passport after submit my application in October, specially that the new passport number will be different
August 18, 2019 at 17:04
You would have to prove that you had the old passport.
August 18, 2019 at 16:41
HI DEAR SIMON
UP COMING CHANGES IN DV 2021 ARE GOING TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT OR THEY REJECTED
August 18, 2019 at 17:02
As far as we know the new lottery process will use these new rules BUT we will only know for sure when the instructions are published.
August 12, 2019 at 12:33
Hi Brit,
I’m an Indian citizen but was born in a country which has less than 50,000 applicants. Would I still be eligible for this program?
August 12, 2019 at 12:57
Don’t you think that listing the country would be helpful???
August 8, 2019 at 08:04
dear britsimon, i will graduated by civil and environmental engineering in july 2020. but the entrance for the dvlottery 2021 is in around octeber and the draw is around may so either any problem if i fill as i have BA degree in civil and environmental engineering?
August 8, 2019 at 20:17
When you enter the lottery tell the truth as of that day. Lying does not improve your chances.
August 11, 2019 at 07:26
Hi Brit , i am albanian, living in Italy since 2002. Last year i got italian citizenship and i Just ask for italian passport. My albanian passport Will be. Expires on 2021 and I don’t want to renew It. For the dv2021 in october, if they ask for passport , can I use the italian One? Thanks
August 11, 2019 at 14:26
Yes
August 7, 2019 at 06:16
Yes they were reasons for refusal. And it was up to CO to decide. But in the new bill it clearly states that those reasons will be grounds for mandatory disqualification. CO has no power to decide.
August 7, 2019 at 14:01
No. From the regulation:
“While these are currently requirements for the diversity visa entry form, existing regulations do not make clear the consequence for failure to provide the information. The revised regulation clarifies that failure to provide the required information, including a compliant photograph, will result in the disqualification of the entry, the petitioner, and derivatives from the DV Program for that fiscal year.”
August 6, 2019 at 07:22
Hello BritSimon,
As you are aware the Changes are coming to not only for “ENTRY” but for Visa issueance for selectees also. Such as any inaccurate info, name, DoB, photo will be grounds for disqualification. I wonder will this changes be adopted for DV 2020 selectees?
Thanks
August 6, 2019 at 17:22
Those grounds you list have always been a concern – so I don’t know why you think that is a change.
August 4, 2019 at 20:51
Hi, is there some news when will dv lottery 2021 be open?
August 4, 2019 at 20:57
Sorry I cant edit previous comment. Is there any link to apply for lottery 2021? I cant find it at all.
August 4, 2019 at 22:29
https://dvlottery.state.gov
August 4, 2019 at 22:29
Probably early October.
August 1, 2019 at 01:50
Dear Mr. Brit Simon,
I finally reached your website. All information that you provide is so useful and greatly appreciated.
I’ve been selected for DV2020 and my case number is 2020AS29XXX. I already submitted DS260 and have been waiting for KCC response regarding the documents. However, now I am wondering that I should apply for the DV2021 since my case number is super high. Would it be OK if I do so, even though I have been selected for DV2020? It would be appreciated if you let me know what you think. Thanks in advance!
August 1, 2019 at 01:52
There is no harm at all in applying for DV2021 – so go ahead and do it (when the official entry opens in October). Make sure you are prepared…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8icUoo0Ke_Y&t=303s
August 1, 2019 at 01:55
Great relief. Thanks again for your quick response.
July 31, 2019 at 13:35
Hi Brit
I have a question on the new rule. Not sure whether i should direct it at you but I’ll give it a whirl.
Kenya is in the process of phasing out the current passports and replacing them with e-passports(digital). The old passports are valid till March 1, 2020.
With the new rule requiring a valid passport to submit a DV lottery application, for a case such as the one above, will one be complying with this rule by applying for DV2021 with the old passport? Thereby amending it later with the new e-passport details later on in the DS260 if one is lucky enough to be selected?
Or I’m i jumping the gun here since we have not yet seen what the EDV Entry Form will look like? 🙂
July 31, 2019 at 21:09
Jumping the gun – and even when we see the rules I don’t know how that scenario will be affected.
July 30, 2019 at 09:06
Hi Simon,
my husband has been selected for DV2020 case number DV2020AS122XX. We found out one problem that in the citizenship and passport of principle applicant birthplace ‘A’ is written, however, he was born in village and it is mentioned in his birth certificate that he was born in Place ‘B’ at home. Now we are worried that the information regarding birthplace seems different and wrong although both place belong to same country Nepal. Also it is quite impossible to make a birth certificate from Place A, since his birth place is registered in place B (both place A and B belong to Nepal). Is this a problem? Is there any way out you can suggest? Also we would like to know if we have enough time to go through all the government lengthy process to solve this issue (prepare a new birth certificate / other papers regarding birth place) since our case number is AS122XX Nepal. Thank you for your valuable suggestions.
July 30, 2019 at 14:01
No problem.
July 25, 2019 at 22:41
Brit, the text does not make clear how long the passport should be valid. Clearly at least when submitting the application. Any idea if the validity should extend past the DS-260? Would one be able to use a newer passport should the one you entered with expire after entry but before your DS-260’s expiry requirements?
July 27, 2019 at 03:08
Add at least 6 months past the likely interview date.
July 23, 2019 at 11:37
dear birtsimon, does it mean u must have passport during the registration for the dvlottery, or after u have already selected if so?
July 23, 2019 at 20:11
To ENTER the lottery.
July 20, 2019 at 16:54
It is very good! Because of many fraudulent entries made by third parties (just for fun, for relatives/friends who never want it). It should increase chances of people who really want to immigrate this way.
July 14, 2019 at 10:23
Could a consulate officer now think that an applicant has immigrant intent when applying for a non-immigrant visa but also entered the 2021 lottery now that they have their passport number on the DV lottery system
July 14, 2019 at 15:07
Entering the lottery is not considered immigrant intent. Once a winner submits the DS260 (the next step) that can be considered as immigrant intent.
July 14, 2019 at 15:45
Okay cool! Thanks for the reassurance, Britsimon. Much appreciated!?
I may have posted the same question twice, I wasn’t sure if it had submitted. Sorry about that if there is a duplicate.
July 24, 2019 at 14:48
A great stride coz it will limit the number of applicants & only interested parties will apply thus up their chances.
July 11, 2019 at 15:36
Hello Simon, do you think that the passport used in registration for DV lottery will be required if the person is selected for further processing? I’m asking that, because in my country we are obliged to return it after it expires.
Thank you.
July 12, 2019 at 05:45
Make sure it does not expire.
July 14, 2019 at 17:23
Hello
My documents and DS 260 have been approved.
But my question is
The person name that I put for the Affidavit of support on my ds260 said he couldn’t help me again because of personal reasons.
But another person said he will help me, but my scared is.
Is their any problem if that person send the documents for the Affidavit of support that I should go with on the interview?
Or if they ask me about the differences of the Affidavit of support
What should I say?
July 14, 2019 at 18:13
You ALWAYS tell the truth.
Just get the I-134 taken care of.
July 8, 2019 at 19:41
Hallo Simon, did those changes for green card lottery application go through in parliament and will they take effect for DV 2021 from October? The changes are good as it will reduce fraud. Is it only for principal applicant to have passports or also the family members? thank you for your continued support and information in this site
July 9, 2019 at 00:16
The changes do not need to be agreed through congress. The requirement will be on the principalonly.
July 5, 2019 at 13:08
Thanks for all guidance, If one attends interview and is approved then ceac shows case in administrative processing, is it normal or it has to take longer than usual?
July 5, 2019 at 21:11
That is covered in the FAQ. Some time of CEAC showing AP is normal after an interview.
July 3, 2019 at 06:51
Hey Brit,
A couple years ago you were an incredible resource for myself…
I appreciate all the help you provided 🙂
Last week I received a promotion to become a Junior Network Engineer…. I was so happy that naturally started remembering how I got there… and I remember the endless nights I spent on your site mining all the valuable information that helped get me where I’m today.
Thank you Simon, you are a god send.
July 3, 2019 at 17:07
Thank you for coming back and letting me know how things are going. Keep working hard, the USA is full of opportunity for those that work hard.
August 3, 2019 at 01:04
???