Completing the DS260 for DV lottery entrants
Completing the DS260 for DV lottery entrants
*** Note***
Upon submission, some people are getting an error message that the confirmation number doesn’t match. In that case – the solution is here:
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/ds260-case-number-doesnt-match-case-number/
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OK – so the main task to process your DV lottery win is to complete a form online that is your “application” for immigration benefit. That form is the DS260.
The form itself might seem daunting, and it may take about 2 hours to complete. It is important that you prepare your information, and enter the details as accurately as possible. You will be able to make changes later on, but it makes sense to spend a few extra minutes early on to get this right.
You will some documents to complete the process and mostly you will need those now so gather them now and create a special file to start creating your DV lottery paperwork:-
- Passport information for you and your family members.
- Birth certificates for you and your family members.
- Your education history
- Your work history
- Your address history
- An address in the USA of a friend or family member. This is where your Green Card will be sent.
Ready? OK now let me guide you through completing the form:-
Enter the form for the first time.
You need your case number which will be in the format of YEAR-REGION-CASENUMBER. For example 2016AS00001234. This is the FULL case number including the “leading zeroes” in this case before the 1234. (In online forums we suggest hiding the last 2 or 3 digigits and dropping the leading zeroes – so when quoting your case on a forum you would state this number as 2016AS1XXX or 2016AS12XX. This protects your identity.)
The form will expect your date of birth in day/month/year order. This is odd because Americans write date in month/day/year order.
Once in the form you will go through a number of sections where you will enter your details. Most of the information is self explanatory – but here are screenshots for each section of how the forms will look for a simple case – and some comments about some of the questions. Please remember it is important to make sure your answers are YOUR answers. Don’t just copy what I am suggesting if the answer does not agree with your circumstances.
1. Summary.
Here you will see a list of applicants attached to the case (based on the eDV entry). Click the link under “IV application” to complete the details for each applicant.
You can also add applicants from this page (if you have married since the original entry or had a child). Once you have added an applicant you cannot remove that applicant or change their name. So – please be careful about name spelling etc. It is also important to note that if you are adding a spouse or child that you already had prior to the original eDV entry but failed to mention in the original entry you will most probably be disqualified, as that is a critical error.
If you do have to add a child or spouse because of a birth or marriage while you are waiting to be interviewed, remember you will need to add an applicant AND in addition your own form will need to be unlocked so that you can add the new family relationship to your form.
2. Personal Information 1.
This is where you will enter your name information. It is a useful page to capture your name in English, but also in Native alphabet.
The names entered on this page should be as listed on your passport – but also use the “other names used” section to make sure you have covered combinations that appear in your documents. For example, if you have an education certificate that includes an additional family name, use the alias section to include that name. Also, use the alias section if you entered your name differently on the eDV entry. Entering your other names used here means USCIS have early notice to perform name checks on your various names used and therefore you can make sure your background check is comprehensive – which is exactly what you want to reduce the chances of being placed on AP or even refused for incomplete name information.
Complete the other details such as date of birth. If you somehow made a mistake on the eDV about your date of birth (for example during conversion from a different calendar) THIS is your opportunity to correct that mistake – please pay attention to that. This would normally agree with the date of birth on your birth certificate, but if that is not known, then use the date shown on your passport.
About city/state/country of birth. ON the eDV entry (where you entered the lottery) you will have entered something for your city of birth. The three levels are related to each other – so a CITY is sometimes denoted as being in a STATE (or province) and that STATE is within a COUNTRY. People sometimes are not sure what to enter so let me gives some examples.
You could have been born in Richmond which is a city/town in London, United Kingdom. So an acceptable answer (which should agree with the information on your birth certificate) would be:
CITY: Richmond
State/Province: London
Country: United Kingdom
Your passport should be valid for 6 months beyond the point of entry, but if your passport will expire during the DV process, you might be better submitting now with the current passport and updating later once you have the replacement passport. This is especially true if you have a low case number, and are therefore expecting an early interview. If you do need to renew your passport during the DV process, in many cases people have taken old and new passports to the interview without unlocking the form, but the preference would be to add the new passport details if time allows.
OK – hope that makes sense. Check what it says on your birth certificate. It is important that this information agrees to the birth certificate and the passport. By the way – your country of birth may not be the same as your nationality (which is on the next page). But your country of birth is what should have driven your entry into the lottery (eligibility is based on your country of birth, NOT your nationality).
The finished result should look something like this:-
3. Personal information 2
This page is about your travel documents (passport). Make sure you have the passport in front of you when you complete this page – accuracy is important as this will enable background checks.
Note, if you do not have a passport at this time you can complete the entry using another state issued ID, and then later unlock your forms to add the passport details. You WILL need a passport prior to interview as will any derivative (family member) of yours.
4. Present and previous address information
Try and complete this as accurately as possible. Provide all the address that you have LIVED at since the age of 16. If you stayed at a holiday home for a month or two, that does not need to be entered, but if you LIVED at an address for a few months then you should enter that address. You enter past address in reverse date order – meaning going backwards in time, one address at a time. Be as accurate as possible with the date you started living at each address (you can guess the dates within a month or two).
5. Mailing and Permanent Address Information
This is information about where you expect to stay in the USA OR the address of someone you can trust to receive your Green Card on your behalf. Most people can think of someone within their family or friends that could receive the GC for them. You should also know that you can change this address during the process – right up to the day your arrive in the USA for the first time.
6. Family information: Parents
OK – self explanatory information. I only show the top of the page in the screenshot below but you add your parents details and their addresses. THe data here should be accurate, but if you don’t know their birthdates etc. it is not a huge problem. Do the best you can.
7. Family information: Spouse and Previous Spouse
Enter the details as appropriate to your case. Remember, the information should be correct on the day you enter it. So, if you plan to marry in a month but want to submit your form today then you are SINGLE today. YOu can either delay submission of your form until you are married, or submit now as single and unlock your form later after the marriage. There is some information about marriage during the DV process here.
A previous spouse is entered when you divorced of a spouse passed away. You will be required to produce a divorce certificate or death certificate during the interview to tally with what you enter here.
8. Family information: Children
Fairly obviously you will need to enter information about each child you have, making sure their information ties with birth certificates and passports.
If your child is nearly 21 there may be special considerations for you. Please read this article on children aging out and their status under the CSPA.
If you are expecting a child to be born during the DV lottery processing period there are also procedures in place to obtain a Green Card for that child. I will address that with a new article.
One thing I would say, it is ESSENTIAL that you listed all your children in the eDV according to the instructions. If you made a mistake about that you may have caused yourself a problem. If you have a concern, contact me and explain your situation.
In the case shown in the screenshot below the applicant did not have any children.
9. Present work/education/training information
OK so this is important as education OR work experience are requirements of the DV lottery. Please read this article for more information about meeting the requirement. I cannot stress enough. You are only required to meet the education OR work experience – you do not have to prove BOTH. Of the two routes, education is the simplest and most reliable method, but some people cannot meet the education requirement – and although this may surprise you that includes me. I have had a very successful career in the IT field and have demonstrated my skills to earn a H1 visa (which is category of visa for highly educated or highly skilled workers), BUT I could not have met the DV lottery requirement on education! So – think carefully whether you do or not – and act accordingly.
Enter the information about work and education based on what you are doing at present. If you are entering work experience and hope to qualify through work experience you should consider carefully the question about “does this job require 2 years of training or experience”. Again, read the article above to understand that better.
10. Previous work/education/training information
OK – so this will vary depending on what you did before your present occupation. Maybe you had a different job, maybe you studied. Whichever is true you must enter that information here and create a complete history of your work, education and training. Try and get the dates to be accurate and make sure that those dates make sense with the address information you gave previously.
This page can end up being quite long and for the screenshots I have had to break it into two pieces. Just take your time and make it make sense. You can add another occupation (work or edication). Again, you enter going “backwards” in time.
11. Additional work/education/training information.
Answer the questions truthfully on this page. If you answer Yes and a box opens for further details there will be instructions of what further detail they want.
12. Security and Background: Medical and Health information
Answer these questions carefully and truthfully.
The second question (about vaccinations) causes some debate. Truthfully it WILL NOT MATTER whether you choose Yes or NO for that particular question. The right answer for 99% of people is NO, because you do not have “documentation to establish…”, even if you do have records of vaccinations. So, it is a subtle point but whether you answer yes or no it will not matter. The vaccinations you actually need will be decided by the panel physician at the time of your medical. So by all means gather whatever vaccination documentation you have.
13. Security and Background: Criminal
Answer these questions truthfully. Most criminal convictions will not cause disqualification, and you will have a chance to explain at the interview. The crimes that can cause disqualification are called “crimes of moral turpitude”. It is a vague term and perhaps one that I will write about to clarify but most people by far will not have a problem even if they have a criminal conviction. Previous immigration fraud is not surprisingly one of the crimes that can cause an issue which is why it is essential you always tell the truth on these applications.
14. Security and Background: Security 1
Again – answer these truthfully.
15. Security and Background: Security 2
Again – answer the questions truthfully.
16. Security and Background: Immigration law violations
As I mentioned earlier – they take immigration law violations seriously!
17. Security and Background: Miscellaneous 1
Again answer truthfully.
The skilled or unskilled labor question has sparked some debate. In reality if you intend to work in the USA then the answer to this is Yes – but this is another question that will not cause a problem no matter which response your choose.
18. Security and Background: Miscellaneous 2
Again these just need truthful answers.
The healthcare professional one is another question that really doesn’t matter how you answer it. If you are a healthcare worker don’t be afraid to admit that.
The public charge question should be answered NO. Public charge means financial assistance from the government. You must realize that the Green Card lottery winners should not be claiming “public assistance”. There are some exceptions to that statement, but in general you are expected to support yourself. The USA is a land of opportunity, not free gifts.
19. Social security number
Answer these three questions as shown below unless you already have a SSN from a previous period in the USA. USCIS will (in theory) forward your details to the social security administration (SSA) to apply for your SSN. In practice many people find this does not happen correctly and delays are caused in getting the SSN after you enter the USA. Since the SSN is so important for many purposes here in the USA that is a nuisance, so I always suggest people visit the SSA office after a couple of weeks to make sure your SSN is “in the system”. You should receive the SSN card itself about 2 to 3 weeks after entering the USA.
Submitting the form.
OK so you have completed your form. You do the same for each derivative (family member). Check all the forms carefully, take screenshots if you like and when you are ready, submit the form. You should then print the confirmation page. You will be able to review the form later in review mode and can also take screenshots at that point.
You may also be prompted to fill out a form for “selected service”. Any us resident male under 26 years old is required to register for selective service. This does not not mean you will need to serve in the military, but if there was some crisis that required additional military men under 26 years old will be picked by a lottery to be inducted into the military.
The form will become “locked” so that you will not be able to edit it although you will be able to review the information after you submitted it. If you need at any time prior to your interview to unlock the form you can do so by emailing KCC who generally respond within a few days. Once unlocked you can make changes.
Once KCC have your form they will “process” it. They conduct background checks based on the information you have told them and access to official records. The processing period in DV2015 took around 4 to 5 months because of the volume of forms submitted around the same time. So, if you have a very low case number and you delay the submission of your DS260 there is a chance you could delay the interview date – BUT don’t worry, you will simply be interviewed later. Interviews are conducted based on case number order but only from a pool of cases that have completed their DS260 processing.
June 1, 2021 at 16:06
Hello Brit,
I have a newborn child and need to include in the DS form, I am issuing a passport for the baby and it is likely to be ready by end of June 2021. My case number is AS12xxx- my question: have I delayed in submitting the form? and is it okay to delay in submitting the form until I receive the passport and fill the required passport number and validity within the form? Is it okay to include my passport number and later unlock the form? I appreciate your reply to my questions.
Rgds
June 3, 2021 at 05:00
No year/region/case number – so how can I answer?
June 3, 2021 at 18:45
DV2022, Asia, AS12xxx
June 4, 2021 at 01:22
Same situation as above, passport of my child is delayed (most probably 1st week of July),
My CN is 2022AS7XXX.
Is it OK to delay submission of DS-260 until I receive the passport of my child?
June 5, 2021 at 14:39
Yes
June 2, 2021 at 01:25
@BritSimon, would a high school boarding house be considered a previous address on the DS-260? The instruction says “previous addresses should only include those addresses at which you established a residence (for example on campus housing where you lived for an academic term at your college or university).” Not sure if a high school boarding house will falls into this category. Thanks!
June 3, 2021 at 05:10
No.
June 8, 2021 at 05:35
Hey Simon – same query with this question …
Went on a 5 month holiday, should i include this address also on DS-260?
TIA.
June 8, 2021 at 22:48
You can decide.
June 22, 2021 at 20:01
Hi Brit,
I am been selected for further processing on DV2022, case number EU00018***.
I have completed DV260, and my applicant status is Comoleted, while my spouse status is been Under Review for more than 24 hours.
What does applicat status Under Review mean, does that cause any problem?
How should we proceed next?
Thanks
June 24, 2021 at 04:10
Wait for that review to finish. If not finished after a week or two, contact KCC.
June 3, 2021 at 19:32
Hi brit,
Had a question… there is a question in the ds 260 form …have you been vaccinated according to us law(I dont quite remember the question exactly) we had won dv2019 and got our medical done and got all those vaccines. So my question is I answer yes to that question do u recommend I change it to no or keep it to yes????
June 3, 2021 at 19:41
Doesn’t matter.
June 4, 2021 at 07:36
Hello Simon,
Do you think this time will be too late for me to submit DS-260?
(I am DV-2021, Asia Case number AS2****).
From your other blog, said that depends on your case number.
How do we know our case number is a low number or not?
June 5, 2021 at 14:43
Well it doesn’t help that you have made your case number range unclear. AS2000 range would be low, AS20000 would be high.
June 5, 2021 at 18:47
Hi Simon,
its AS24***, so, its high then.. 🙁
Actually, I didnt submit DS-260 yet due to my passport is expired in Dec 2020.
At that time I didnt knew that we can submit the form using passport with less than 6month exp date.
Due to covid in my country I couldn’t process the extension since last year.
Now, my passport is on extension process. It will complete this week.
So question:
1. I saw in the form there’s an option of other travel document, what kind of document is it?
2. Can i chose that option and present both of my passport if i got called for interview?
3. DV2021 fiscal year is until 30 Sept, so is it also as a cut off date of all complete process until Visa issue? Or will there be a chance for interview in September and visa issue in October?
Anyway, thank you so much for time to reply all the comment..
June 5, 2021 at 18:59
To be perfectly honest, I would not submit the DS260 if I were you. There is little chance (probably no chance) that you will get an interview. There are only two months of interviews left, and MANY people who are fully processed (DS260 AND documents) and even then they are not getting interviews. The few that are getting interviews are the lower case numbers.
I don’t understand why you waited this long, but I think you need to accept that your opportunity is wasted.
If you do submit your DS260, that will be a factor against you in future non immigrant visa applications.
June 4, 2021 at 14:08
Hi, Simon. Thanks for all your help.
Should my adresses be in English, even though if I ive in a spanish speaking country? Or can they be translate to the english way?
June 5, 2021 at 14:48
English is best – but I tend to write addresses in local language.
June 4, 2021 at 14:18
Hi Britsimon! my case # 2022ASxxxx08, my spouse has only 3 months left in passport to be expired. Do we have to wait to renew the passport or we are good to fill out the DS-260 with the existing one?
Thanks
June 5, 2021 at 14:50
Use the existing one and once you renew it take old and new to the interview.
June 5, 2021 at 07:06
Hi Mr. Britsimon
I am from DV2022, my case number is 2022AS30***
When applying DV lottery, i use my old passport which expired on March 2022.
I already renew my passport on May 2022.
My question is,
when we submit the ds260 for the digital signature,
which passport number should i input?
The old passport or the new one?
thanks in advance
June 5, 2021 at 15:03
New.
June 5, 2021 at 08:48
Hello sir please have submitted my document to kcc on the 27th of April 2021 and my case number is 2021AFXXXX41XXX. Please does it mean I could receive a notice for interview any moment from now?
June 5, 2021 at 15:07
Well your documents must have been processed, and there are a great many cases that are already processed. So – you might get a chance, but all you can do is wait and hope.
June 5, 2021 at 12:58
Hi Simon,
Civil documents should be sent after the submission of form DS 260 or NVC will asked for sending. Some of the people told that documents should be sent as the NVC will not review a case until documents are not uploaded.
Warm Regards
Aman
June 5, 2021 at 15:12
Is there a question?
June 13, 2021 at 15:13
Hi Simon,
Should we send civil documents directly through email after the submission of form DS260? or should be submit through webportale while we still do not allowed to upload on state department website. I think state department will allow selectees to upload documents on their site.
Regards
Aman
June 13, 2021 at 15:38
https://britsimonsays.com/document-procedure-modification/
June 6, 2021 at 01:28
Hi brit,
I heard the term “KCC will process on first come first serve basis-FCFS”, I just want to clarify – if so, in which stage KCC does that –
Processing DS260? OR
Sending Document Request email? OR
Processing Documents and sending Document Qualified (DQ) email? OR
Sending 2NL?
I also, heard that Case Number matters a lot in DV lottery process, i mean it is the order of processing.
Could you please clarify the above, In which part KCC operates on FCFS basis, and Case number order?
June 6, 2021 at 09:31
Let me know as well
June 6, 2021 at 18:55
Case number is the most important thing. Cases cannot be interviewed until the case number is current.
KCC tend to process documents in case number order, but there are some exceptions to that.
June 6, 2021 at 10:59
Hi Brit,
Thanks for all you effort. I made a mistake in the dv entry. Imagine the full name is “Ahmed Ali Salem Morad”. I entered like Ahmed(first name) , Ali(Middle Name) and Morad(surname). The middle name should have been “Ali Salem”. Should I enter the same mistake in the alias section (Ahmed Ali Morad)?
June 6, 2021 at 19:28
The DS260 should have the full accurate name, and yes use the other names section if needed.
June 7, 2021 at 12:28
I will correct the mistake and have the full name on the DS260. But, should I use the other names section to write the mistaken name? which is “Ahmed Ali Morad” …I dont have any official document with this name. I understood from one of your videos that I should use the other names section in case I have written my name differently on the dv entry. I don’t know whether you mean like for my case or not. Just wanted to confirm.
Thanks for all your efforts.
June 8, 2021 at 21:57
There are many reasons why someone would use the other names section. Use your own judgement. No need to stress.
June 8, 2021 at 09:16
Hi Brit,
Thanks for everything. It seems I was unclear in my question. I will rephrase it in a very simple way,
1. Can I use the name “Ahmed Ali Morad” which has the missing additional middle name which will be corrected in the ds260 “Ahmed Ali Salem Morad” in the other names section?
2. I understand that I should mention all the education since age 12. At age 12 I was in grade 7. which is called the preparatory school (Grades 7, 8 and 9). Should I mention it?
3.If the name in the birth certificate is A B C D E and on the passport it is A B C E. An affidavit stamped by the notary should be done to prove that both are for the same person. Am I right?
4.I am cross charged to Yemen(My wife’s country of birth). for her the only she should prove is that she has finished her high school. Am I right? (of course in addition to all other official documents I understand).
5. In the Reciprocity page of Yemen for police certificates it says
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior, Police and Security Sector, General Administration of Criminal Evidences
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: General Manager of Criminal Evidences; Chief of Personality Investigation Section
Procedure for Obtaining: Apply in person at General Administration of Criminal Evidences
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Criminal background checks available from Yemeni Embassies and Missions Abroad. These documents consist of a statement by a Yemeni embassy official that the person in question does not have a criminal record.
Comments: There does not appear to be a national database of criminal activity for Yemen. As there is no central database, these certificates are unreliable and are not required for Immigrant Visa processing.
from the comments line.
Do I need to obtain the police certificate?
June 8, 2021 at 23:11
1. Yes – but please follow what I said before.
2. Seems like it was a clear answer.
3. You should decide based on procedures in your country.
4. If you are the selectee, and you charged to her country of birth, then she will also need to prove she meets the requirements, including education.
5. “not required for Immigrant Visa processing”
June 12, 2021 at 12:06
Hi Brit,
When you say qualifications from Age 12 and up. Do you mean the person’s age 12 or you mean Grade 12 in high school? I have never seen any one fills the form for the age 12? Sorry for misunderstanding.
June 13, 2021 at 14:41
I mean age 12. The form asks for secondary education – so that means (in US terms) age 12 approximately.
June 6, 2021 at 13:51
I am a self employed construction worker. Is it ok if I list the following things on the DS 260?
Occupation: Construction Worker
Employer: My business’ name-owned by myself
Job title: Self Employed Construction Worker
June 6, 2021 at 19:34
Yes – but if you are the winner, do you meet the education requirement?
June 6, 2021 at 13:59
The high school diploma I received in my home country is called Diploma de Bacalaureat. When I list it on the DS 260 do I need to translate it into English?
June 6, 2021 at 19:34
No
June 9, 2021 at 06:32
Hi Brit Simon,
Thank you for your help and effort – all information shared here is really useful.
But currently I’m struggling to fill some sections in into DS 260. I will be really thankful if you could help me with answers. So the questions are:
1. Previous Address Section – Should I include addresses in other cities (different from my permanent address) where I lived and worked for 3-4 months during the summers and after that I came back to live in my permanent address for the rest of the year? I had been sent to work in these cities by my employer. This had happened for several years. Would it cause some problem if these addresses aren’t included?
2. Should I write the addresses in American style – first the number and then the name of the street (ex: 55 Antani Garibaldi Str.) or I could leave them the way how we usually write them in our country?
3. Spouse section – For Surname – should be written wife’s maiden name or her current surname?
4. Social Media section – Should be written just the username – ex: jushi1 or should be – http://Instagram.com/jushi1?
Thank you in advance.
June 10, 2021 at 04:55
1. No need to include temp accommodation.
2. Either
3. Current surname. Maiden name goes in the other names section.
4. Username.
Read the FAQ and guide please.
June 10, 2021 at 11:55
Thank you very much Sir! I will take a look at them.
June 10, 2021 at 02:34
Hi BritSimon,
I hope you’re doing well and thank you so much for all your help! I have a question that I was hoping you can clarify for me. I was of the impression that once the DS-260 is submitted, I’d have to wait for an email from KCC before submitting the civil documents (at least based on all the instructions I have read), however, when I went back to the homepage and placed my cursor on completed under IV Application, I saw a pop up that reads “The IV Application (DS-260) has been submitted for this applicant. It will be reviewed when you have submitted all supporting documentation.”
So my question is, am I to wait for a notification from KCC before submitting the supporting documentation? In any case, I’m sure where to even submit them to. Thanks again!
June 10, 2021 at 14:01
Please include your case number when asking questions, as that context matters.
I assume you are DV2022 – so you could wait to be asked, but don’t wait too long.
https://britsimonsays.com/document-procedure-modification/
June 10, 2021 at 14:44
@BritSimon, thanks so much! Case # is DV2022AF28XXX. Wanted to be proactive so I’m doing everything ahead of the start of the new fiscal year.
Your video simplied everything.
June 11, 2021 at 04:39
Dear Mr. Simon,
I am a DV 2022 winner with CN 21***AS from Sri Lanka.
I had planned to travel Canada for my higher studies in 2022 but with winning this DV 2022, now I am in a bit perplexed situation. I am not sure with the present situation in my country whether I would be able to get my green card. Our embassy is not conducting interviews for DV 2021 yet.
So on a safe side, I again thought going Canada for higher studies and thereby wait if I win the DV. My question is If I get to pass the interview, would I be able to postpone my arrival to USA for like 01 year?
TIA
June 11, 2021 at 14:33
Yes
June 11, 2021 at 14:34
And with your case number you will most likely be looking at a late 2022 interview, with visa validity of early 2023, and then will easily be able to delay the move to the USA until 2024.
June 12, 2021 at 15:52
Dear Mr. Simon,
Thanks for your quick reply. Actually I am married and only I would be going Canada for higher education while my husband stays in Sri Lanka.
1. When interviews are held, can I face that from Canada ? (since my case number AS 21*** is likely to have interviews in late 2022)
2. Since my derivative is here in Sri Lanka, how would he face the interview ? Will he get an interview in Sri Lanka simultaneously?
Please enlighten me Mr. Simon.
June 13, 2021 at 14:58
You interview together, so you need to decide how to make that work.
June 12, 2021 at 20:47
I am the principal applicant, but I have to complete a DS 260 form for my daughter too. She is a final year student in high school and she’s having the high school diploma exams at the end of June(she will receive her diploma in July). She is also about to start university in the fall.
1. When we complete the form we select Student for occupation, but should we fill in the name of the high school or the university she is about to attend at the education institution?
2. If we leave her high school and we don’t unlock and update the form after she receives her diploma(we don’t want to delay the process), would it be a problem at the interview?
June 13, 2021 at 15:08
1. It doesn’t matter, do what feels right.
2. No
June 13, 2021 at 15:08
Hi Simon,
1. I lived for more than 8 years in another country for education purpose in hostel without family should I still need to provid police clearance certificate from that country while I live in my home country and will provide one from here?
2. Our interrior ministry providing police clearance in sealed and stamped envelope directly to the intended Embassy but here in state department web portale we need to upload a scan copy what should be done in such a situation?
Warm Regards
Aman
June 13, 2021 at 15:39
1. Yes
2. Follow reciprocity page instructions and show proof of application.
June 13, 2021 at 19:54
Hi Simon,
Thanks for sharing this useful information.
I’m a freelance translator and work contract with a publishing house to translate books. My education is also related to my job (Translation studies- bachelor)
Should I tick the question related to training YES or NO? since my job is in zone 4 and SUV 7.
I appreciate your response.
June 15, 2021 at 05:18
Pick whatever seems accurate, it doesn’t matter.
June 13, 2021 at 21:53
Hi Mr Brit Simon,
I have a question and it is, when I was filling my eDv I entered with only three names, my first three names. But my passport has four names, and I fogot my last name of my passport. As I have seen this Ds260 guide you mentioned if you enter your name differently in the eDv use the Alias section or other names section. So shall I enter my first three names that I entered in the eDv, in my alias section.
Thanks,
June 15, 2021 at 05:20
Those three names are already part of the legal name – right? If so, no need for the alias.
June 14, 2021 at 12:11
Hi Brit,
My country PCC is expired in 6 months from the date of issued.
But as per the recent update in travel.state.gov PCC is accepted if it is issued with 2 yrs.
So, Which is applicable to local US embassy, I mean 6M validity (as per local police) OR 2Yr as per the instruction in Dept.State website
Clarify?
June 15, 2021 at 05:38
2 years.
June 15, 2021 at 06:17
Hi Brit,
I have in my wife’s birth certificate
City/Village – District – Province
maternity home Khormaksar(a city) Aden(Province)
in the passport written Place of Birth (Aden – Yemen).
in the DS260 shall I write the city (Khormaksar) and Province (Aden)..Please advise me.
June 16, 2021 at 11:13
Hi Simon,
There is no button for (Civil Documents) to be uploaded on ceac.state.gov site after the submission of form DS 260. What should be done now?
Regards
Aman
June 16, 2021 at 15:58
You submit documents by email later. They will ask for that, but depending on your case number you might want to be proactive. Always give your case number when asking questions.
June 17, 2021 at 16:09
While completing the form, my daughter forgot to mention some social media accounts. Should I contact the KCC to unlock the form? By the way, I am the principal applicant, not my daughter.
June 18, 2021 at 06:04
Hi! In regards to previous US travel on the form. I have traveled to the US before for 4 weeks on the visa waiver program. To the question if I have been issued a us visa before. Do I say yes or no? I can’t see the Visa Waiver Program on the drop down as an option. Please let me know, thank you.
June 19, 2021 at 05:05
Visa **Waiver** means without a visa.
June 21, 2021 at 08:08
After completing DS260 from for my self (principal applicant) and my derivatives (souse & children), when Signing and submitting whose Passport number should be entered.
Only for Signature part ( end of the DS 260)
1) is Principal applicant’s (my) PP No for ALL DS-260 ( ie: Sign with my PP No for my spouse’s and children’s DS 260)?
OR
Respective applicant’s PP No- means, for my spouse DS260 -her PP No, and for Children’s DS 260 their PP No
2) It ask for ” Do anyone assist you in filling out this applciation?”, for my derivatives (spouse and children) , Do I suppose to say “YES”/ “NO”
(though I fill them DS260 for all of them)
Clarify?
June 22, 2021 at 13:42
1. Yours.
2. Yes
June 22, 2021 at 14:01
Hi Simon,
DV winner 2021 AS26xxx, I have the same issues as above.
1. I have entered the passport numbers of each person in his/her application.
2. I have clicked NO. Do anyone assist you… for all of the applicants.
Should I email them and correct these mistakes.
Aman
June 22, 2021 at 14:35
No – it’s a trivial detail.
June 22, 2021 at 02:43
Hello Mr Simon
my wife has won the dv lottery 2022, AS00015xxx, she lives in Jordan. I live in USA on asylum case where I can’t go back to my country, and I am going for an Adjustment of status.
1- should I complete my DS260 as a derivative,
2- If not, would the KCC do not process her ds260 because it is missing my ds260.
3- when my wife should submit the ds260.
thank you
June 22, 2021 at 14:17
She should process her case, then sponsor you (family based) when she arrives in the USA.
June 22, 2021 at 13:53
Hi Simon,
When I got police clearance certifficate, they only mentioned in the address area: Univeraity campus but did not mention anything about the street address. Is it acceptable as I have written the full address like street and colony in form DS260?
Regards
Aman
June 22, 2021 at 14:33
Yes
June 22, 2021 at 19:57
Hi Simon.
DV2022AF11XXX
1. When am I likely going to get an interview?
2. I submitted the DS260 on the 06.06.2021 and havn’t received an email to submit docs yet. At what point should I consider being proactive?
Sincerely,
Charlene.
June 24, 2021 at 04:09
There is no need to do so yet – wait a few weeks.
June 23, 2021 at 12:47
hello simon ..dv2022 here. i have completed my DS-260 form as a primary applicant today. I tried to add my spouse but its showing “under review” status for two days now and I am unable to start filling out the form for her. how long does it take normally? should i be mailing kcc for this problem?
June 24, 2021 at 04:44
Wait a couple of weeks.
June 23, 2021 at 17:21
Sir
Case number – 2022AS18***
I have completed my ds-260 form for 2022. 1.When do I have to submit my documents to kcc
2. Will kcc email me how to send the document?
3. If so how long will it take
4. Or will kcc notify after the visa bulletin process. Regarding document submission?
June 24, 2021 at 04:52
1. They are supposed to ask you, but you have a long time to wait.
2. Yes
3. A long time.
4. see above.
June 23, 2021 at 20:17
Hi Simon,
Thank you for all of your support and instructions, really helpful.
1. Is it mandatory to provide affidavit of support for DV winners?
2. If it is necessary than which one is more valuable, one get from US I-134 or our own country bank statement?
3. How much US dollars are enough to be in our account and for how long?
4. Should we send this affidavit of support along with other civil documents?
Kind Regards
Aman
June 24, 2021 at 05:18
1. Not required in ALL cases, but it is wise to be prepared.
2. See the FAQ
3. Faq
4. No – only at the interview.
June 24, 2021 at 05:41
Hi Brit,
I have been working in the same company since 15 years. For the first 10 years as an “Archives clerk” then as an IT consultant. Do I divide the period into two periods so I can add my IT professional certificates in the duties by ticking the question of Does this job require 2 years experience/training by hitting yes then I declare my IT professional certificates such as A+, Network+, Server+….Do you see this logical?
June 24, 2021 at 15:02
List the whole time period but only the current/last job role/title.
June 24, 2021 at 16:55
I have listed my job roles, in the same company separately as both my work location and job tile changes (but the company is same), will this be an issue?
June 30, 2021 at 02:21
I have submitted DS-260, and the IV application status in CEAC changes to “completed”
However I haven’t received any confirmation email,
Q) Does applicant receive any email confirmation after submitting DS-260? (i saw few FB post about confirmation email after submitting DS-260)
July 2, 2021 at 04:06
No
June 30, 2021 at 10:06
Hi Sir!! Highly appreciate your great service. My case no is 2022AS4***. After winning the lottery, I married my lover. Do I need to send an email to KCC before adding her to my DS 260 form?
July 2, 2021 at 04:11
No
July 8, 2021 at 17:53
Thank you Sir.
July 6, 2021 at 14:49
Hi! I have a question about DS-260, on two of the derivatives was a question about wether they know other languages than the native but on the principal applicants form that question just wasn’t there. No, I didn’t click no to it, it really wasn’t there both on the printout and the online form. Should I be concerned?
July 6, 2021 at 16:32
No. Answer the questions that exist, not the ones that are not there.
July 6, 2021 at 17:19
HELLO SIR PLEASE LOOKING AT THE MONTH LEFT AND MY CASE NUMBER IS FROM 41000+, WILL I BE INTERVIEWED BEFOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ENDS?
July 7, 2021 at 01:43
Probably not. I hope you are on the lawsuit.
July 7, 2021 at 15:39
Please am not and you please explain what that is to me please and what you think i should do thank you.
July 7, 2021 at 02:04
Hi Britsimon, I have submitted my civil documents in May but did get my interview scheduled. My case #2021AS000181xx, can I get my interview scheduled before September?
July 7, 2021 at 02:41
Probably not. I hope you joined a lawsuit.
July 7, 2021 at 03:03
Please instruct me on how to join lawsuit.
July 7, 2021 at 04:51
It is too late.
July 7, 2021 at 14:00
Do DV 2022 winners supposed to send documents without asking for? My case No is AS7xxx.
Normally when DV 2022 winners will receive email for document submission ( based on your past observations)?
July 7, 2021 at 14:34
Forget “normal”. Just wait and see.
July 10, 2021 at 11:46
Hi Simon,
1. In Afghanistan the US embassy reopen 3 days ago, after a long time closure there will be a huge wave of SIV interviews and other processes. Would it be a wise decision to change interview location from Afghanistan to Pakistan?
2. I have received Police clearance certificate a day ago in closed evelope should we open the envelope to get its scan for email or what should we do?
Warm Regards
Aman
July 10, 2021 at 18:07
1. I don’t know.
2. Follow the reciprocity page instructions.
July 11, 2021 at 08:23
Hi Simon
My case no is 2022As100**
I am from Nepal and currently living in Qatar for last 2 years and haven’t visited my country.
In present address I have written my address here in Qatar and in previous address I have written the address in my home country Nepal.
There a question at last.
Have you traveled to any country/regions within last 5 years ?
What would be the answer ?
July 11, 2021 at 15:18
Just the honest answer.
July 12, 2021 at 05:42
YES
QATAR
Is this the answer ? The question made me confused
July 12, 2021 at 01:14
Hi Simon,
1. I have searched on reciprocity page about police clearance certificate to be openned of scan (it is in closed envelope) but could not find anything.
2. Should I send documents as I have submitted DS260 on 6th June 2021 and my case number is 2021AS26XXX.
Regards
Aman
July 13, 2021 at 05:03
2. Your choice.
July 10, 2021 at 12:53
Hello Simon,
I have 2 enquiries:
1. Should I list and mention in the DS-260 application that I was enrolled in a Master’s degree even if I didn’t complete any courses.
2. Should I list a job even if I can’t provide a proof of work experience due to companies’ policies.
Thank you.
July 10, 2021 at 18:08
1. Yes
2. Yes
July 11, 2021 at 10:04
Hello Brit
My case is 2022AF35xxxx
I’ve two questions
The did a mistake during my high school diploma exam entrying date of birth
Instead of 1999 they entered 1996 which changes can not be done to it
But my passport, birthday certificate and my edv entrying have my original date of birth
So what do I need to do about that mistake… although I’ve been advice to sour before the commissioner of oath to take an affidavit of oath, what do you recommend
Others have also said I need to inform KCC about the mistake before I submit my form ds260… What should I also do about it.
I’m also a graduate and a student in a Masters class currently do I need to add them in the form
When should I also submit the form
Thank you
July 11, 2021 at 15:16
No problem, submit your form soon.
July 12, 2021 at 03:29
Thanks simon,
About the first question even though i registered in a master for two years but i did not take any courses and i dropped off because i didn’t like the speciality so how i file this in my ds 260, should i list it as like my highest level of education, also about my case here should i had mention that i have some graduate level courses in my entry because i indicated that i holde some universty degree wich is true because i have licence degree wich is equal to a bachelor’s degree, and is this gonna effect me in the intreview.
July 13, 2021 at 05:08
Answer the questions.
List all education institutions attended and then show highest level achieved.
July 12, 2021 at 03:30
Thanks simon,
About the first question even though i registered in a master for two years but i did not take any courses and i dropped off because i didn’t like the speciality so how i file this in my ds 260, should i list it as like my highest level of education, also about my case here should i had mention that i have some graduate level courses in my entry because i indicated that i holde some universty degree wich is true because i have licence degree wich is equal to a bachelor’s degree, and is this gonna effect me in the intreview.
July 12, 2021 at 03:37
Thanks Simon,
About the first question even though i registered in a master for two years but i did not take any courses and i dropped off because i didn’t like the speciality so how i file this in my ds 260, should i list it as like my highest level of education, also about my case here should i had mention that i have some graduate level courses in my entry because i indicated that i holde some universty degree wich is true because i have licence degree wich is equal to a bachelor’s degree, and is this gonna effect me in the intreview.
Tank you.
July 12, 2021 at 03:43
sorry for the deplicate i ment the comment above this but somehow it didn’t go there and kept replying here
July 11, 2021 at 15:20
From South Africa, for section 4 (Present & past address information: Do I need to put in the all the addresses for my 2 year compulsory South African national defense force service? I was posted to various defense force units during this time and some even for a few months with no street address but were between two towns in the bushveld.
July 12, 2021 at 20:49
Not every address, just the one that you considered the “base” for that time period.
July 11, 2021 at 15:41
Hello Brit
2022Af35xxx
I finished high school at 16yrs
And I’m a graduate
Is there any problem with the age since it supposed to be 18yrs
July 12, 2021 at 20:51
I don’t know the education system in your country.
July 11, 2021 at 16:21
Hi dear Siman
Thank you for helping people who you don’t even know. We really appreciate that.
I have a question that my father was the 2020 winner and had made a mistake that in entry he did not add one of his sons who was because he was in uae studying but he did add him in ds-260 and submitting all our forms. I had asked you this problem you told that disqualification is certain and that time we did not even get interview. My question is that luckily I won dv myself alone in 2022. Will my father’s mistake affect my case because he had submitted my form too?
July 12, 2021 at 20:52
No
July 11, 2021 at 16:25
One more question I forgot to ask sorry.
Is bank statement needed and if yes how much would be enough to show that I can support myself in USA for a month or even more than one?
Thanks
July 12, 2021 at 20:53
An I-134 is recommended. Read the FAQ.
July 14, 2021 at 14:42
Hi Simon,
1. Do I need to provide a seperate certificate from the translator who has translated my documents, though he stamped my documents with a stamp stated that he is legally allowed to translate documents into English and the government has approved it as well.
2. When sending documents should I attached one by one in one email or should be enclosed in one folder.
3. Do we need to attached photo of each aplicant as well
4. Can I attached National Tazkira Card along with birth certificates
Regards
Aman
July 15, 2021 at 04:33
1. No
2. Read my documents procedure article.
3. No
4. Use your judgement.
July 17, 2021 at 07:16
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/DS-260-Exemplar.pdf
In this DS 260 form, page 67-70, Petitioner’s Information is there. WHO IS THE PETITIONER? Do I need to fill this? WHOSE DETAILS I SHOULD ADD? My no is 2022AS4***. Thanks In advance, Sir.
July 18, 2021 at 04:26
There is no petitioner for DV cases.
July 17, 2021 at 11:45
Sir, My case no is 2022AS4***. I intend to prove my educational qualifications for this and not my work experience. In the DV instructions, Educational requirement mentioned as, “at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education;”. However, in the DS 260 form, the question they ask, is ” Have you attended any educational institutions at a secondary level or above?” Is it okay if I added all my schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12? TIA. Really appreciate your social service, Sir.
July 18, 2021 at 04:33
No problem.
August 1, 2021 at 14:44
Hi Simon! Thanks for all that you do. My case number is 2022AS4xxx.
1. Is it allowed to change the USA address in the DS 260 once I submit the form? If yes, up until when can I change it?
2. I’m an Indian citizen living in India since the past 20 years but I was born in Saudi Arabia, hence eligible for the DV lottery. I don’t have any birth certificate issued by the Saudi government authority or the Indian embassy or any suitable Indian authority in Saudi Arabia. But my Indian passport clearly mentions my place of birth in Saudi Arabia and I have a birth certificate issued by the hospital in which I was born in Saudi Arabia. Will my passport be sufficient in place of my birth certificate since it contains all the details of a birth certificate and is an official document issued by the Indian government? If not, what other documents do I need to produce?
3. I also have my school matriculation certificate (Grade 10th mark sheet) which contains my parents names and my date of birth. This certificate is widely accepted in India in place of the birth certificate. Will this document help with my DV case?
4. I am the primary applicant of the lottery and my husband is my derivative. Is his birth certificate also required or only mine? He also doesn’t have a birth certificate but he was born in India.
Please help me Simon.
Thanks in advance!
August 2, 2021 at 04:33
1. Yes. The last chance is at the POE.
2. I don’t know. I would expect them to ask for a SA issued birth document.
3. No
4. He will need a birth cert, yes.
July 20, 2021 at 20:20
Hi Simon,
I have a problem filling the DS-260 online form. As I lived in more than 15 places (5 countries) after age 16, I was trying to fill all the addresses I lived at, which takes me more than 20 minutes to finish filling the ‘Personal and Previous’ section of the form. So the session time out before I finish or save it and everything I filled to this point gets lost. I tried to save the information filled to a point, but I still lose all information I was able to fill so far. I emailed to KKC but no response yet. I am therefore stuck in this section. Please help.
Thank you so much.
SA
July 21, 2021 at 05:49
Fill in some. Save. Come back and add some more.
July 26, 2021 at 18:57
Hello simon, I hope you are doing well,
I have question about the ds 260, i lived 5 years in morocco for my study which is a foreign country for me but i always during the vacation in the summer, i turn back to my original country for one month or two should i liste this month or two i spend in my country in the adresse section.
Thank you.
July 27, 2021 at 05:55
Just answer the questions.