Interviews are scheduled in month batches based on case numbers becoming current according to the visa bulletin. However, regardless of the case number being current or not, no case can be scheduled for interview if the DS260 is not processed.
Initial DS260 processing in DV2015 took around 3 months (May submissions) and as the volume increased (June & July submissions) the processing time increased (more waiting time). So – we saw delays of up to 4 or 5 months in DV2015. By the spring of 2015, that 4 or 5 month delay started to reduce – presumably as the volume of submissions decreased.
DV2016 seems to have started the same way as DV2015 – with most October interviews going to people who submitted in May. Not all cases take the same time to process, so there may be two low case number cases submitted on May 30th for example, one got in to October, one didn’t.
Now – if people need to unlock and make changes to their DS260, some changes are going to cause a delay, some won’t. The differences are pretty much common sense – but let me give some examples:-
- Adding a spouse due to marriage – probably WILL take some reprocessing for background checks on the spouse.
- Adding a newborn child – probably WON’T take some reprocessing since newborn children could not have got into trouble yet!
- Changing the address you plan to move to in the USA – probably WON’T take some reprocessing since you have no history at the US address anyway.
- Adding an address in a country that was not previously listed on your form – probably WILL take some reprocessing for background checks on you in that new country (especially true if that country is some country such as Iran where background checks are not easy).
See what I mean – pretty much common sense – right?
Now – will the reprocessing delay your case? Well if your case is not going to be current for 4 months from now anyway, then there is more than enough time for the changes (even impactful changes) to be processed. So – in that case there will be no delay at all. The reprocessing is done during a period that was a waiting period for you anyway.
If on the other hand you are about to be current and need to add a spouse, that could well cause a delay. However, as I always say, a delay for an accurate DS260 is much better than a denial for an inaccurate DS260.
October 30, 2017 at 18:31
Hi,
I unlocked my form and made some changes three days before and also sent three other emails asking for my spouse and daughters forms to be unlocked since we have mistakes there to. My interview is in three days. Will it cause any problems?
October 30, 2017 at 19:39
I don’t think so.
January 9, 2018 at 03:15
Hi,
I’m from Turkey. If necessary, I want to unlock my form and make some changes like incomplete military information (I enter some fields to NA), all address information (I enter province information in city field and pass empty province field, I enter city information into address line), school order (first, I enter university, later I enter high school information), I enter ‘Academic’ in Course of study field for High School.
My case number about EU 27.000
1- Are these information get cause if I don’t change?
2- If I unlocking my form for editing above information, Will it cause delay?
January 9, 2018 at 04:40
Unlock and correct, no delay.
January 9, 2018 at 04:58
Thank you.
January 10, 2018 at 14:33
Hi Simon!
I’d ask about:
1- I’ve history in the US as I was student in NY, but I’ve no laws violence during stay, but I was studying in NY as I said but the address I put Chicago address which is my father’s friend, so is this going to delay my ds-260 processing time? In sense of why you lived about year in NY and I never been to Chicago and now I want it to be my permanent residence.
2- While I was student at the last few months of my course I got $500 credit card for student and I paid off more than $300 while I was in NY, but after I left the country I sent email for the bank asking about paying off the loan but they asked about secret question and the secret pin which I really forgot them ; (, but still have the card and the pin which couldn’t help to prove my identity even with my passport info, anyway is this effecting my ds-260 processing?
Thanks
January 10, 2018 at 16:47
1. It won’t matter.
2. No – but it could impact your creditworthiness once in America, so you should pay it off.
January 10, 2018 at 17:28
Dear Simon I’m sorry last question my CN# 2018AS5000 and I submitted my ds-260 on 1-1-2018 so I expect my interview on March or April, Am I late? Or they have enough time to process my ds-260?
January 10, 2018 at 17:31
Processing time varies. Once they have finished processing, AND it is current, they will schedule your interview.
January 28, 2018 at 11:48
Dear Brit,
I am a winner of DV18, with a high casenumber in the EU region, but not insanly much higher than the approximate cutoff you calculated (Im still within 33k). Now- I am a Iranien dual citizen- I was born and grew up in an EU country, to an iranien father and a european mother. I have never lived in iran, but I have visited the country 4 times (twice as a kid, and twice in my early 20ies, Im now 29 😉 ) . As local Iranien law requires, I have to have an Iranien passport and I also entered this passport in my DS260 as “second nationality”. Since I have 2 completly diffrent names on my Iranien passport (my fathers last name, and only my middle name, my first name was not accepted by the iranien embassy, because it is “unislamic”) and my EU passport (my mothers last name, my “normal” first name and my middle name), I also clicked yes in the box asking “did you ever use any other names” – and entered the name as shown on my iranien passport. I firstly hope that this is correct! My second question is the following: You said that “Adding an address in a country that was not previously listed on your form – probably WILL take some reprocessing for background checks on you in that new country (especially true if that country is some country such as IRAN where background checks are not easy)”. I am not planning to unlock and change anything.
Now, I know that I am not targeted by the travel ban. However, I wonder whether my case will take longer to process due to my dual citizenship (even though I have never lived in Iran) and if that circumstance can put me at any risk having a high EU casenumber. (the 2 main risks I can think about are 1. My case might be only current in september, however KCC is not able to process in time, so they would have to schedule it a month later, which is inpossible and 2. KCC is able to process in time, however, my iranien dual citizenship will cause AP in my case, which is likely to not be cleared in time). These are my main concerns and question. Or will all relevant backgroundchecks already be made by KCC, and since I have submitted my form in summer, I can assume that they have had enough time? And the embassy only does aditional checks if anything “surprising” comes up at the interview?
January 28, 2018 at 15:22
KCC checks are already completed. Some cases (especially Iranians) endure long periods of further checks after the interview, which is fatal to a DV case (as it must end by Sept 30). However, I think that is unlikely in your case.
January 28, 2018 at 15:37
thank you!
January 31, 2018 at 09:32
Hi Brit!
I and my wife will receive new passports in a middle of February. I want to unlock DS-260 forms and fill in the new passports numbers. My case number is EU23***, I think it may be May-June. If I do it, will it delay my interview?
January 31, 2018 at 14:54
No delay
February 1, 2018 at 20:14
Hi Simon!
I’d ask about your expectations of visa bulletin for Asia, my C# 2018AS5100
I’m afraid that I might miss my chance this year! What do you think?
February 1, 2018 at 20:35
I have written much about that. If you are not interested in reading those articles, wait and see.
February 1, 2018 at 22:32
Simon please provide me with the link about this. Thanks
February 1, 2018 at 22:34
Read some of my recent articles. They are listed on this page.
February 4, 2018 at 07:12
Hi Simon!
Many thanks for this information. I am about to change job with EU case 29xxx so i guess this is a minor change I can unlock for?
Also, as you mention some time to process background checks may I ask if there is a way to know online when those checks are achieved, event if the case number is still not current, just to have the piece of mind that it is ready when the number becomes current?
Many thanks in advance for this info, enjoy your day.
February 4, 2018 at 14:38
Uoi can unlock for that if you want. You cannot check if your form is processed, but that is happening fast these days so no need to worry.
February 4, 2018 at 16:47
Thanks Simon for this, much appreciated – will amend as soon as I have my new job and hopefully all will be processed.
I am only the secondary applicant, not the main one anyway so I am not too sure how deep they will investigate work side on myself as I do not need to match work/study requirements.
February 4, 2018 at 17:16
They don’t check derivatives education/work experience at all.
February 4, 2018 at 18:28
Oh really? Even the current job? Even better if that’s the case because sadly my current situation took an unexpected turn one month ago and I am less stable than I was on this side so I was worried to jeopardise the whole visa affair!
February 4, 2018 at 07:35
Hello sir , we have faced our interview on 17 January, 2018.we have applied for immigrant visa full family. we had a mistake in our ds 260 that we forgot to add the previous address of country. so they told us to fill up it again and we done that. could you plz tell us how long time it will take ? will they called for next interview?
February 4, 2018 at 14:35
I don’t know how long it will take or what the outcome will be. Missing a country from your address history was an unwise and serious error.
May 19, 2018 at 11:27
Hi Simon,
My Case number is AF42XXX, I expect my number will enter the next Bulletin of June,
I have unlocked my DS260 form 5 days ago , added an address in a country that I have already mentioned and which I’m currently reside in, and submitted it the same day.
Can this make delay in my interview schedule?
Thanks
May 19, 2018 at 15:18
No
May 19, 2018 at 15:29
Thanks….
May 23, 2018 at 21:17
Hello, When I filled the ds260 i was in my 2nd year in university.now I’m in 3rd year ans i’ll graduate this month. my cn is AF41000.. should I open the ds260 to update my information or there is no need. thank u .
May 23, 2018 at 21:51
No need.
May 28, 2018 at 06:55
Hi,
I am one of the winners of DV 2018 and my case number is 22***. I am currently a university student, and I am just noticing that I chose UNIVERSITY, NO DEGREE option for highest level of education completed part. I did not leave university before and my highest education completed is highschool. Should I unlock my DS-260 and change it or can I fix this mistake in an other way? Considering that my case number is about to go current for next bulletin, will it cause a delay for my interview date if I unlock?
May 28, 2018 at 12:08
Don’t unlock for that. It’s trivial.
June 8, 2018 at 13:05
Hi Simon,
My case number is 2019SA2**. When I completed my DS-260 form, I forgot to add my address in France when I lived there for seven months (Oct. 2000- April 2001). Should I unlock my form to add it?, would it be delay mi interview?
Thanks!
June 8, 2018 at 13:52
Add it, no delay
June 8, 2018 at 18:08
Thank you very much, Simon,
Sorry, I forgot another question: at the moment of submitting my form one of my brothers was visiting my other brother who is an an American citizen. So in the question asking if one has immediate relatives in the US, I answered Yes and add just one brother as my other brother was supposed to come back to my country. But now he has decided to stay there and seek for asylum due to political reasons. Should I add him as immediate relative leaving there as a non immigrant? Would that delay my case? Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it!
June 8, 2018 at 21:15
You tell the truth – whatever that is…
June 9, 2018 at 01:43
Yes, you are absolutely right, I will do it. Do you think it will delay my case?
June 9, 2018 at 03:24
No
June 19, 2018 at 02:47
hi simon i want to ask something i made a mistake in ds-260 in my +2 college name i wrote xyz college instead of xyz h.s school as in certificate it’s wriiten xyz higer secondary school but it’s also college i just submitted my ds 260 on june 1 what should i do should i unlock and correct it and if i did will this cause me to not get 2nd letter or visa or delay in interview? plz reply my cn is AS20191xxx WHAT should i do
June 19, 2018 at 03:01
This is a trivial mistake, not worth correcting – but if you want to correct it, it won’t cause a delay.
June 20, 2018 at 07:51
Thank you for replying. Do I have to unlock it within 30 days of submission or can delay cause my passport is still in process
June 20, 2018 at 14:42
You can unlock any time until you are scheduled.
July 21, 2018 at 15:50
hi simon i just found out that in my ds 260 i wrote high school no degree instead of school leaving certificate in degree or diploma and in vacccination its written yes but i should have written no also while listing institution information should i mention school 1st or college i haven’t unlocked ds260 yet should I?
July 21, 2018 at 21:09
Correct it.
July 22, 2018 at 02:57
And while listing institutions name should it be like school first then higher or vice versa? M confused and is my CN current I.e AS1xxx I had already read VB but I didn’t understand sorry to bother you
July 22, 2018 at 03:12
Follow form instructions.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
August 7, 2018 at 15:47
I just have one final question my form is unlocked soo while listing name of institutions should I mention school first or +2 plz reply I’m so sorry for wasting your time?
August 7, 2018 at 16:28
Most recent first
June 24, 2018 at 11:10
Hello Sir. I had recently submitted my Ds-260 form on June 22 2019 .My Case no is 2019AS56××.
Sir in my ds-260 form there is some mis-spell in education instituition name. and i want to correct it. Would it be possible to correct it by now. I had submitted 2 days ago from the date of today. If it can be corrected What are the procedures to correct it. Would i have to wait some time to correct it or i can correct it as soon as i can sir?
June 24, 2018 at 14:08
Read the FAQ to learn how to unlock.
July 17, 2018 at 09:53
Brit,
Our interview was 12 july in us embassy colombo.during document collection they infòrmèd us some mismatch of ds260 addresses and my wife’s indian police report (she study in india) informations.
after interview they ask ùs go home and correct it and they wilĺ unlock ds 260.
But they did not unlock application. So we e mail saying situation to embassy 12 night.
Still can not edit application and no reply till now.
We have only one month as they inform us to correct ds260.
Should we wait or e mail again?
July 17, 2018 at 14:26
Email again.
August 10, 2018 at 18:05
Hi Brit;
My case no 2019 EU 40xx. İ wrote my and spouse surenames after maried names but i just learned i must write their birth surename.Should i unlock ds form and correct it or just wait interview date and than correct it? İf i unlock the form is it delay my interwiev date ? Thanks a lote.
August 10, 2018 at 18:08
İ mean my and my wife mothers surname i did not write their birth surename.
August 10, 2018 at 18:37
Unlock and correct. No delay.
September 10, 2018 at 11:09
Hey Simon,
My mother is Japanese and has always told the tale that she was born in Japan, so this is what I put on the DS260. Upon reviewing some documents needed for processing we have found out that she was actually born on September 19th 1945 in Manchuria. This is one of the very awkward moments in History. I put Japan for place of birth on the DS260, with this new information do you think I should be unlocking the ds260? I am not charging my eligibility to her. I am AS2XXX so I assume my case will be current soon.
Thanks in advance.
September 10, 2018 at 13:50
It doesn’t matter – no need to unlock.
October 6, 2018 at 02:10
Hello sir.
Does unlocking of DS260 Many times and changing information in ds260 makes second letter to not come.
October 6, 2018 at 03:29
So today you asked three questions and sent me an email.
Read the FAQ.
October 6, 2018 at 04:23
please reply me about this. Please sir
October 6, 2018 at 05:01
why are you unlocking for many time. if you are from nepal maybe your interview will be in july or august. if from other country then it may be on march or april . so u have enough time to corret ds260.
gather all correct document then make final change. unlocking dont minimizes the chances of getting 2nl. but unlocking many times then counseler may ask why many times as i think ? . dont worry and as simon says read the faqs
November 5, 2018 at 14:38
Dear Sir ,My younger sister fill DS-260 for F4 catagory in last month but she forgot to mention her visit visa refuse ( two times) in 2008.Since She is honest does it make any problem during her interview. Thanks
November 5, 2018 at 14:42
I only answer dv lottery questions.
November 11, 2018 at 15:47
Hello,
I made couple mistakes in my DS260.
1. Instead of full name in native language I wrote ONLY name, without surname.
2. I was in the USA two times (both for 3.5months) with j-1 (student exchange program) and didint add it as a previous addresses. Should I add those addreses?
Should I email KCC and ask for opening my DS260 since its already been completed?
My case number is 2019EU274xx
November 11, 2018 at 16:50
Unlock and correct both things.
November 24, 2018 at 09:22
Most important is that
November 12, 2018 at 13:48
Hello Simon,
I’ve noticed at CEAC that my DS-260 is unlocked after the case was sent to the Embassy from KCC. I have not asked KCC or the Embassy to unlock my DS-260. Is that a problem, do I need to review DS-260 or do something else with it because of unlocking? I’ve emailed to the Embassy but have no answer yet.
November 12, 2018 at 17:01
Wait for the embassy.
November 15, 2018 at 00:37
Yes obviously. You are a genius for working that out. I have been working on DV for about 5 years now, setup a website, spend hours every day of the week to answer questions from people in about 200 countries all around the world, all because I am a racist and enjoy abusing people, especially those from Russia. Makes perfect sense.
November 15, 2018 at 02:08
Well if your questions were as idiotic and insulting as this comment, that should be expected.
November 15, 2018 at 03:48
Listen. You are wasting your time and mine with your silly comments. I have no idea what question you asked before, but at this point, because of your rude behavior, I don’t care. Figure the process out for yourself.
November 15, 2018 at 02:42
you didnt give simon money nor anything, the way he answers is up to him like the way i write this comment is up to me.
just a simple suggestion, if you dont like dont come back to this web again, find it on Google if you could, i bet you will come back with different Name asking for help for your case. We need Mr.Brit , Mr.Brit doesnt need you. He just tries to help, voluntary.
November 24, 2018 at 08:10
I am a dv2019 selected my CN 2019AF10*** and I am a January Visa bulletin I sent my ds-260 form on June 2018
1.i write a travel documents on the form because I don’t have a pass port at that time but I have now. Can I unlock my ds-260 and change and write my passport number. Did they delay
2. I write my interview location Nairobi Kenya now I am in Addis abeba Ethiopia I need to change it to addis abeba did they delay.
3.i don’t have a good point in my 12grade results did they consider this
4.if I ask to unlock my ds-260 form did it happen in refusal of a visa
November 24, 2018 at 15:00
1. Too late to change it now so change it at the interview.
2. Sheesh, you have left that VERY late to change. Contact KCC and see if they can schedule you in Ethiopia.
3. Yes that can be a problem. They have standards for the results needed.
4. Not refusal, but given that you have left things so late you may not be able to unlock.
November 24, 2018 at 16:53
Thanks Simon
December 7, 2018 at 22:16
Hello Simon, I just received another citizenship, should I unlocked my DS260 to add this information? Or can I just contact the embassy and give them this updated once I am schedule? If I unlock, would this delay the process? What do you recommend?
Thanks
December 7, 2018 at 22:30
Unlock. No delay.
December 11, 2018 at 15:40
Dear Simon
My case number is AF17xyz I will probably be on feb to March interview I need to change the interview location I emailed kcc but they send me that I have to unlock to change the interview location , I have one friend how changed the interview location only through an email to kcc ,,, can u advice on that ,, I don’t know why for me they said unlock , kindly note I already submitted the documents requested on the new process and she did not submit yet
December 11, 2018 at 16:21
They schedule the interview based on your current address. So – you unlock, change your address, then email them to ask for them to update the planned location.
April 17, 2019 at 16:37
Hello Brit, in the Does this job require at least 2 years of training or experience? section, instead of YES i made it NO. Is there a cause for concern ?
April 17, 2019 at 23:13
No – as long as you are qualifying on education.
May 16, 2019 at 17:27
URGENT: Entered Incorrect Wife Birth Date and Interview is Next Month
Hi, my case number is 2019AF31***
In DS-260, i entered incorrect birth date for my wife (year 1991 instead of 1990).
In VB it says that my interview will be on Jun 2019. Additionally, on 3-May-2019, i received the email “2019AF00031*** Further DV Documents Required”, which requires sending birth certificates amongst other documents and it states that i should “promptly” submit documents.
Now I’m already two weeks late and i can’t submit my wife’s birth certificate because it doesn’t match the birth date mentioned in DS-260.
If i request unlocking my DS-260, i suppose i will have to wait for their response (delay). Then when i modify her birth date, i will have to wait again for KCC to process the updated DS-260 then submit correct document, which may mean that i don’t get a chance to he interviewed at all.
Do you recommend that i go through unlocking my wife’s DS-260, which is too risky putting in mind that my case number is high? Or should i submit the correct birth certificate (although it doesn’t match DS-260) along with some explannation in the email and hope they will accept this and schedule my interview, where i can further explain the mistake?
May 16, 2019 at 17:35
Well first, they will not schedule your interview until you submit the documents. So – you are NOT having an interview in June. You have already missed the July interviews too. As long as you submit the documents in the next few days you might get an interview in August at the earliest.
Now – you have two choices.
1. Submit the documents and add an explanation.
2. Unlock and correct the DS260.
If your wife is the derivative, I would suggest 1 above. If she was the winner I would suggest 2. “Delays” should not be the concern since you have already caused the delay.
May 18, 2019 at 12:36
Ok, yes shes the derivative.
Firstly, regarding the point:
“1. Submit the documents and add an explanation.”
I have the following issue:
There’s a mistake in police system which lead to mismatched birth dates between birth certificate and passport (which lead to the whole confusion)
Where passport has the date 1991 and when i went to issue birth certificate, i found that it’s 1990 (funny enough, my wife and her mother are not quite certain which one is correct)
So i have one of two options since i can’t submit two mismatched documents:
1. Submit passport (1991) without submitting birth certificate (1990) and attach an explannation that birth certificate is not available yet, then try to convince police to change the date of birth certificate to 1991 before the interview (no neef to unlock DS-260 or explain any mismatched info). However, if police refuses, then I’ll have to modify passport to 1990 and verbally explain that to consular in interview.
2. Go directly to police and modify passport to 1990 (easier procedure) and submit both passport and birth certificate as 1990, and submit an explannation that i had a mistake in DS-260 in birth date.
Which one of these do you recommend?
******
Secondly, regarding the point:
“you are NOT having an interview in June. You have already missed the July interviews too. As long as you submit the documents in the next few days you might get an interview in August at the earliest.”
I have a question. VB of June says that July is “current”. What does that mean in my case?
I hope it doesn’t mean they will run out of visas in July and i don’t have a chance if i miss June (which i already did).
May 18, 2019 at 13:00
First point. 2 sounds more logical. You are deciding to trust the birth cert date and correct the incorrect passport.
Point 2. Visas won’t run out.
May 18, 2019 at 15:19
Regarding point 1, thank you very much.
Regarding point 2, i was afraid about visas because they ended their email with the following intimidating paragraph:
“Collect and submit your documents promptly. Your case will not be scheduled for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate until KCC has received and processed all required documents. Missing or illegible documents will delay processing of your case. Diversity visas are numerically limited and there is no guarantee a visa will be available.”
However, if you confirm that visas won’t run out in my case and i still have a chance to catch up with an interview, then this is great news!
June 7, 2019 at 10:10
Hello again. i have an issue. I actually live in Sudan.
Currently, horrible and violent events are happening in Sudan due to political issues, which lead to that US withdraws its staff. Link:
https://sd.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-khartoum-sudan-june-5-2019/
I quote from their alert “The Embassy is closed to the public”, “Do not come to the Embassy” & “Make plans to leave Sudan”.
As for me, in reference to our previous discussion, i sent the email to KCC with the documents (missing the birth certificate with an explanation). However, my interview hasn’t been scheduled yet.
What do you expect to happen to my case?
If there are any countermeasures that i can do to avoid missing my chance, please advise me.
June 7, 2019 at 14:47
If there is a way you can safely travel to another country, contact KCC and explain and ask them to schedule your interview there.
July 23, 2019 at 08:29
Hi again (my case number is 2019AF00031XXX)
KCCDV asked me to send the documents on 3/5/2019 with the email “2019AF00031451 Further DV Documents Required”. I’d like to inform you that i sent the documents to [email protected] on 22/5/2019 (with one missing document, which is my wife’s birth certificate, because it wasn’t ready. However, i sent a scanned explanation indicating that it’s missing and i promise to provide it in interview).
When i sent the documents, i received an auto reply confirming that the documents are received on their side.
On Visa Bulletin, my appointment was supposed to be in June 2019, but embassy closed because of the unfortunate political events in Sudan, then it opened as i heard.
Until now I haven’t received any notification of an appointment or a notification indicating that my documents have been processed.
Please Inform me whether there is still a chance for an interview or not?
Notes:
– when i enter entrant status check, i still see the selection letter “You have been randomly selected…”.
– when i called KCCDV on phone, they said “we haven’t received the documents, there’s no more processing for 2019 cases”, while i’m pretty sure i sent the documents.
– i called a local office experienced with DV lottery, and they said “you should have resent the documents again since they didn’t respond that documents are processed, until they send you that your documents have been processed. Now your opportunity is lost since they don’t process more documents”
Yours,
Husam
July 23, 2019 at 20:02
So if you did NOT send the full set of documents once you had your wife’s birth certificate, they would not have scheduled you, and it is now probably too late.
July 24, 2019 at 09:10
I sent them an email asking about my status. They responded with a very strange reply:
“Your DS-260 was received too late to complete necessary processing for an interview. No further interviews will be scheduled, even if a case number has become current. Your case will not be scheduled for an interview in the DV 2019 program. There will be no further processing on your case and your case will not be unlocked. You may apply for future DV programs, though you will be given no preference based on your selection in the DV 2019 program.”
Note that i filled SD-260 on Oct 2018, while i learned about someone from my country with case number 2019AF32XXX (number higher than me as i am 2019AF31XXX) who filled DS-260 on Mar 2019 (very late), and he received an appointment letter. So how come they are saying that i submitted the form “too late”?
Could this be an issue on their system? If so, is there any way to raise a grievance or something to compensate this inconvenient issue?
Also, why are they saying “your case will not be unlocked” while i didn’t ask to unlock my DS-260?
July 24, 2019 at 14:56
The letter is not well worded. It is not about your DS260, it’s about your documents. You failed to get them the full set of documents in time, and the letter is confirmation of what I already told you that you are too late and will not get an interview.
June 12, 2019 at 23:18
Hey Brit!
I was able to solve the discrepancies between me and my wife thanks to God.
As at pet, she currently wants to first wind up with her bachelors degree and so she doesn’t want to travel with me to the US not until she is done I take her. And the mistake I told you about my education.
1: Should I unlock the DS260 and revise the part of ( will you travel with your spouse to the US?) in both of the DS-260 mine and she does the same in hers?
2: Do I necessarily have to submit back the DS 260 as soon as possible?
3: Does unlocking and editing necessarily mean the mistakes aren’t viewed by KCC?
Thank you in advance!.
June 12, 2019 at 23:59
1. That depends on timing of when she would complete the education, versus when your interview would take place. The visa is valid for 6 months. So – use some common sense to decide whether she should be listed as travelling.
2. See 1
3. No idea what you mean.
June 20, 2019 at 14:01
Hey Brit, Your Blog has been a real help to me. I am selected for 2020 DV lottery and I strictly follow your guidance. However, I made an error. I attended more than one school but only mentioned the one from where I got my High School Diploma (the most recent school) only and didn’t mention the another school (from where got School Leaving Certificate). Should I request for unlocking or explaining to the counselor during the interview will do?
June 20, 2019 at 18:20
Since you have time to wait, unlock and correct it.
July 18, 2019 at 11:31
Does unlocking it twice cause any problem? I need to unlock it again as I have seen another blunder and I am so panicked about this whole DV process and I feel it is very exhausting. I am selected for 2020.
July 18, 2019 at 14:43
No problem. Relax.
August 15, 2019 at 10:54
Hey Simon,
I wrote my father state of birth NORTHEN state (without the R) instead of northern, do you think I should be unlocking the ds260 to correct that? My case is Af23XXX.
Thanks in advance.
August 15, 2019 at 17:08
No need.
August 15, 2019 at 21:33
hi brit.thank you for all your efforts.i want to unlock my ds in order to change the occupation which i will do in the usa .Does this unlocking cause delay?
August 16, 2019 at 03:26
Read the article above!
September 9, 2019 at 00:26
You might find it annoying but I have a question. Everything was going good but lately my sponsor is being out of touch. He is my father’s cousin. And I found out a financially stronger sponsor who happens to be my cousin and we have very close ties since childhood. Thus, in the gravity of seriousness of this public charge, I would like to change my intend to live address matching with my cousin’s.
Should I unlock and do it ? I have already unlocked it twice (that’s why I am paranoid). What is alternative solution?
September 9, 2019 at 18:35
You can decide what to do.
September 9, 2019 at 22:33
As I request to unlock, they send me a mail that they will unlock only if I provide a reason to and I replied ‘to update the US address of my host’. Is it okay ? All I want to know if these interactions with KCC will lead to termination of my case because they get annoyed.
September 9, 2019 at 23:50
They are not going to get annoyed.
September 16, 2019 at 17:52
Hi Brit!
I and my wife will receive new passportsI.i want to unlock DS-260 forms and fill in the new passports numbers. My case number is EU10***, If I do it, will it delay my interview or i must leave the old passport and there is no problem.
September 16, 2019 at 17:57
If you do that now it should not cause delay.
September 16, 2019 at 18:04
If I don’t do that at all is there a problem if i leave the old passports at ds-260 application?
Thank you
September 17, 2019 at 03:50
Better to change to have accurate info.
September 16, 2019 at 18:24
If I don’t do that at all is there a problem if i leave the old passports at ds-260 application?
Thank you
October 17, 2019 at 12:00
Hi Mr.Brit,
We’re DV2020 AS Region with Case Number 171XX.
We submitted our DS260 on May 11,2019. And yesterday Oct 16,2019 KCC sent us Documents submission email with new format.
Recently we want to unlock our DS260 to edit my husband’s job(he is the main applicant). Because he got a Title changes from Tax & Accounting assistant manager to just a Tax assistant manager. And also his duties are change too.
And if we unlock our DS260 we also need to update about our social media.
Our questions are:
1. Is it okay for us to send the documents first and then unlock our DS260?
2. If we unlock to edit Job Title, Duties and update our social media, could it cause us a delay for our interview?
3. Can you estimate when we will be interview?
Thank you for your time Mr.Brit.
October 17, 2019 at 19:18
1. Yes
2. No
3. early/mid 2020.
October 17, 2019 at 23:25
Dear Mr.Brit,
Okay, thank you & have a good day?
November 16, 2019 at 01:26
Dear sir my interview is in 18nov and i want to change sponser details.i have email to us embassy bt didn’t get response .should i resend email?
November 16, 2019 at 05:12
No need. Do that in the interview.
December 25, 2019 at 03:55
hello sir thank you for your video,
I’ve some questions,
My case number is 2020AS26*** it’s probably current in July/2020
I would like to change some information about address in USA ( California to Texas ) and my educations and my primary job,
However this month is December and I had submitted my Documents to KCCDVDocs since last month,
so could I unlock my DS260 to change some information or not? What is the problem if I suggest to unlock my DS260 and change about address and education? thank you sir
December 25, 2019 at 04:07
Go ahead and unlock – no problem.
December 25, 2019 at 04:47
Very good, Phirun.
December 26, 2019 at 19:02
You can unlock and edit your info. No delay.
December 30, 2019 at 08:25
hi, plz i need your advise, my interview date has been scheduled already to be at the end of Jan-2020, and i just found a mistake in (country/Authority that issued document) where i input my nationality instead of the country where my passport has been actually renewed & issued, plz advise what i should do in this case? and thanks in advance
December 30, 2019 at 16:18
It is too late to change anything. So attend the interview and IF they ask, you can discuss it then.
December 30, 2019 at 16:57
thank you Mr Brit, i will as you advised however do you think that such (simple mistake) will DELAY or Produce any further problems? as the (country/Authority that issued document) is already printed on the passport main page!!
December 30, 2019 at 18:53
I don’t know.
January 31, 2020 at 06:04
Dear Brit,
I am winner of Dv 2020 and now I realize that I didn’t fill on the Ds 260 my undergraduate degree because I have followed up-to second and half years only while the programs was three years because of personal matters. And also didn’t fill on Ds 260 about my high school.
I have filled my current school I am phd student and already have masters. I fill both and my work experience.
Questions are:
1. Not to fill on Ds 260 about my bachelor degree will this cause some problem?
2.currently I am phd student same univeristy my masters.i have answer number of institute on Ds 260 considering different departments.do you think it can cause problem?
3. Ds 260 ask how many institute attendee ? I said 2 only masters and PhD,never mention elementary and high school. Do you think I need to unlock? My case is 2020AF00039***
Please advise me and I would appreciate if you drop me you email.
So scared after I saw your Video..
January 31, 2020 at 17:31
Unlock your DS260 and correct the mistakes. Use the FAQ.
January 31, 2020 at 21:46
Thank you so much and once I get unlocked I might ask you several Question please don’t get tired of us.
January 31, 2020 at 22:10
I don’t get tired of questions that are not already answered in the FAQ.
March 22, 2020 at 14:44
Thank you Simon, your blog is a great help!!
I got few questions and it is appreciated if you can advise:
(case number AS15xxx, DS-260 completed and sent yesterday)
1) I did not fill out my full name in native alphabet, would unlocking DS-260 to add my name in delay interview scheduling?
2) In education section, I heard it is required to input junior high school there but the instruction in DS-260 mention secondary level and high school only. Thus, I’m confused. Is it fine to have only high school listed there and would adding junior high school info back in delay interview?
Thanks and stay healthy/safe
March 22, 2020 at 16:14
No need to unlock for that.
March 23, 2020 at 08:41
I should have waited for your reco..
Thanks a ton and would that cause any delay if I have sent a mail to ask for unlocking. And how to minimize the potential time wasted due to the delay?
March 23, 2020 at 14:33
You should also have read the FAQ.
March 23, 2020 at 23:37
Dear Brits,
My case is 2020AF00039***
I have filled out Ds 260 Junior , and high school and Bachelor univeristy which drop out , Msc and phd currently.
Q1.Do they ask for grade 8 certificate ?
Q2. I have worked for ngo for 5 years after drop out my bachelor. Considering the question that say “Does this job need at least 2 years of training or experiment ”? I yes . Does this affect me by any means ?
Omg this year is so terrible and how many times I get worried for corona , trump law , sponsor , where to live , when to get interview? And 2nd letter , school OMG
We worry too much
Thanks Simon
March 24, 2020 at 00:02
1. Not usually.
2. No
March 24, 2020 at 00:49
I always wish you stay safe brother. Reality no one can do same as you. Whatever he/she paid. Your work are amazing.
June 10, 2020 at 15:48
hello i have made problems on dates of academic sessions will i face any problems? what suggestion do you give me?
June 11, 2020 at 00:42
The only suggestion I can give you is to not assume I can read your mind. I need clarity, otherwise I cannot answer.
June 11, 2020 at 02:20
To be precise, i filled my DS 260 form by guessing the dates of my beginning sessions and ending sessions of my education
eg:. i made mistakes on the date of my certificates and then when i checked DS 260 i could not help my self to edit it. My case number is AS26** will there be any problem if i unlock my DS 260?
June 11, 2020 at 03:07
No problem to unlock and correct.
June 12, 2020 at 04:19
also while submitting my ds 260 form the case number was not working so i removed 4 zeros and then submitted and it worked will that have any problem?
June 18, 2020 at 17:51
Hi Brit, thank you for all the information you have shared on your blog.
My ds260 has been unlocked by KCC and I have been able to edit my mistakes and added my high school and the institution I went to do my master’s programme in India but dropped out. Brit my question is
1. I had 1 year national service with a distance education college after my four year degree programme but I didn’t give that information in my previous submissions because I have two years teaching experience, do you think it is necessary to add my national service working experience as my previous work experience?
2. Do you think I might be denied visa for not disclosing such information in my previous submission?
3. My previous addresses is given me problems, the one I submitted earlier wasn’t having my years I spent in the university, from 2007 I had moved three times before I moved to india 2016, do you think I should add the three previous addresses or maintain the one in my previous submissions?
June 18, 2020 at 21:01
1. You should list anything like that.
2. I don’t know.
3. Just list the accurate information. No need to try and decide what “truth” to give.
June 19, 2020 at 22:06
Hey Simon!
I am one of the fools of the 2021 lottery who rushed to submit my DS260.
I missed out including:
> several different addresses I have lived at. (which means I need to amend the ‘dates’ of the addresses I have ALREADY added to my DS260)
> several companies I have worked at (all the little contract positions I have held over the last ten years, these include positions I have worked in for as little as two weeks.)
I have my DS260 unlocked and ready to make the changes, I know you mentioned the interviewing CO is able to see the changes I have made. I would assume this is now going to reflect poorly on me, not having originally mentioned these addresses, companies.
My question is, do you think this maybe a reason for KCC to deny my case?
Thank you in advance.
June 19, 2020 at 23:13
Well to be clear KCC NEVER deny cases – that is not their role.
But no, unlocking and correcting doesn’t cause denial. Just make sure you consider your case number before submitting documents.
June 19, 2020 at 23:54
Thank you for your quick response.
Noted, on the above.
In regard to your last comment: “Just make sure you consider your case number before submitting documents.”
Please may you explain further on this point? Based on information I have read in your blog, my case number is sitting in the middle of total approximate case numbers for my continent – Oceania. The US Consulate in NZ is not taking interviews at this point (due to covid). By Documents, are you referring to the Ds260 or the Docs that I would need to provide to KCC after they have reviewed my case.
Thank you in advance.
June 20, 2020 at 03:15
There is no point sending documents too early. So wait until we know more so we can figure out likely interview dates .
June 20, 2020 at 16:31
Hi brit, thank you very much for all that you do for us, please I want ask 2 questions
1. I went to India in August 2016 on student visa the program was for 2years but I stayed there for 5months and came back to Ghana on January, 2017 , do I need to obtain police report from Indian police?
2. My case number is 2021AF000189xx is it a lower case number or higher case number
3. My passport will expire May next year 2021 do I need a new passport? and I have already submitted my Ds260 for the second time
June 20, 2020 at 18:08
1. No (READ the instructions!)
2. Quite low.
3. You can choose.
June 30, 2020 at 13:51
Hi Simon! I have requested unlocking my ds260 for correction. I have once crossed France Belgium border and stayed in Belgium for less than three hours, you know that did require any passport stamp and such. Do you think I should add Belgium to the countries I traveled to?
June 30, 2020 at 22:18
If you went through a border inspection, yes.