In the past couple of days the DS260 has been updated, and whilst there may be a few subtle changes there has been one particularly interesting change – social media accounts.
The DS260 now has a section with the following question:
” Select from the list below each social media platform you have used within the last five years. In the space next to the platform’s name, enter the username or handle you have used on that platform “
DS260
This instruction is pretty clear if read it properly. They are expecting you to provide usernames or “handles” for each social media account you have held at any time over the last 5 years. These platforms are those such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on. As ever, it is important to be accurate and honest in the way you complete this info. Do not lie, or omit any account – that is more detrimental to your credibility than listing your accounts, and it is VERY easy to build an online profile for someone’s activity (I have been using such profile building tools for years”. So – I am certain they can compare your list to their list and mismatches could mean you are trying to hide something.
The fact that they are doing this is a good thing. Over the last year or two many people have been delayed by a LATER request (after interview) in a form called the DS5535. Collecting the info earlier will allow them to perform checks faster, and reduce delays later.
Why do they want this information, well they will use the information as another way to perform security screenings. Again, this is a good thing (unless you are an idiot that won the DV lottery and wish harm to the USA) .
So – no need to worry about this – if you are honest, there is no need for concern.
I have had a number of questions about this relating to DV2019 and some DV2020 cases.
- If you are a DV2019 case, have already submitted your DS260 and do not need to unlock your DS260 prior to interview, there is no need to do anything about the new questions. There is no need to unlock the form simply for these new questions. You completed the old version of the form and that will be acceptable. Some cases may still be asked for the DS5535, and I would personally recommend you download that form and take it prefilled to the interview, but they may not even ask for it.
- If you have already submitted your DS260 (as a DV2019 OR DV2020 case) and if you do unlock for any reason you will now be expected to complete the new questions. Do that. No big deal. If you do not need to unlock for any other reason, you do NOT need to unlock solely for adding social media accounts
- People that have not yet submitted the DS260 will see the new questions and will need to complete them.
May 13, 2024 at 16:50
Hello.
1) I am registered on Youtube (to watch your videos) but never post content, just watch. I understood that there is no need to indicate Youtube in social media if I am not a content creator?
2) I gave my user name for Facebook as Name Surname as I appear on Facebook. However, url says facebook.com/someusername12345. Shall I provide a url or keep it as Name Surname or just what FB shows as someusername12345?
3) For any other social media is it better to just give user name @username12 (Twitter) or url twitter.com/username12?
Thank you
May 13, 2024 at 16:53
1. Correct
2. someusername12345
3. @username12
May 13, 2024 at 17:01
Forgot to mention I already submitted DS-260. Worth to unlock it for this? Thank you
November 20, 2023 at 22:56
Hello Mr. Simon
I am the winner of 2024 and I have a case number of about 2900 in Asia, and we have chosen the place of our interview in Islamabad, and currently my case number has been sent to the interview and we have not received the interview email yet.
I have two social network accounts, Twitter and Facebook, but our Facebook profile was locked due to security issues in Afghanistan
Locking my Facebook profile will not cause me any problems from KCC or during the case process?
November 20, 2023 at 23:54
No
October 29, 2022 at 10:25
Hi Brit,
My case number is 2023AF15***. Have not been scheduled yet. In my ds260 I only listed my TWITTER account and left out Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Should I unlock my ds 260 or leave it at that.
October 30, 2022 at 16:54
Unlock and correct.
July 29, 2022 at 16:29
Hi Simon,
DV2022 winner here.
So i got my visa and everything thankfully worked fine for me. I got 2 job offers in the US and now I’m wondering what to do to procure the ssn number?
Do i really have to be in the us for that? I already payed the immigrant fee (220$) online and for the ssn i did allow disclosure of information from DS260 form to Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and other U.S. Government agencies as may be required for the purposes of assigning a social security number (SSN)
Can I do anything else to speed up the process while I’m still in my home country? Can i get it by september ideally and start work asap? What is the waiting time?
July 30, 2022 at 08:45
The SSN and GC will not be produced until after you enter the USA. There is no other option about that. The SSN usually arrives in 2 to 3 weeks.
July 27, 2022 at 05:19
Hey there,
To anyone this may seem a “dumb question”, however, should the DS-5535 be filled in by hand or can it be completed digitally? I cannot find any information about this.
Thanks ever so much!
July 29, 2022 at 10:16
Either way.
July 29, 2022 at 10:26
So appreciate all the work and effort you put into helping others with the DV process. It helped my husband (primary winner), my son and I to get everything ready for our interview, which we had yesterday, leaving JHN CO complimenting us that we had all the paperwork in order, and with that, she approved our Visa’s!!!
July 29, 2022 at 12:17
Excellent! Congratulations!
January 25, 2021 at 21:14
Hello Brit, my case number is 2021EU19k, my question is about social media , in DS 260 I filled in all my personal profiles, but i also have a few bussines profiles(my online shop) without any of my personal photo and information, should i also mentioned them in my DS 260?
January 25, 2021 at 22:57
If in doubt, mention them.
September 29, 2020 at 20:46
Hi Brit. Thank you so much for your blog. It’s been so helpful, I was truly clueless. My case number is 2021SA12XX and I submitted my DS in July and put there my social media (Facebook, Twitter). Two months ago, I deleted my Twitter and I forgot I’d listed my Twitter account in my DS. My facebook is still active and all. Should I unlock my DS260 to delete my Twitter handle or just explained to them if they ask me? I have not been scheduled for interview. Thank you!
September 29, 2020 at 21:07
No – leave it. You had the account at one time.
October 5, 2020 at 05:44
Thank you so much for the fast answer! I’m finding new information on your blog (again, so helpful!) and I’ve realized that I didn’t put the education information right; I’ve omitted the previous high schools I went before the one I graduated in. In this case, 1) could you please confirm if I should unlock my DS and add the secondary schools I attended? And, 2) if I had to unlock it, should I delete my twitter account because, at the moment of unlocking I no longer have that account?
Thanks again and I’m sorry if this is a bit too specific
October 5, 2020 at 22:11
1. Confirmed.
2. No. You had the account.
September 19, 2020 at 14:57
Hello Brits,
This is Raksmey, DV winner 2020, Cambodia
Really appreciate how much you have tried for all DV winners. You put all afford and time in order to help us to get the visa.
I found that my sponsor had already sponsored his parents to the live in the US in 2018, approximately 2 years now. Should I unlock DS 260 to change he sponsorship or just bring the information of the new sponsor to consulate? As it comes close to an end of DV 2020 very soon.
Thank you very much for your help.
September 19, 2020 at 16:39
Just take new details to the interview.
July 1, 2020 at 15:42
Is that must the original entry and ds 260 be the same or can i correct information in the ds 260?
Thanks for answering
July 1, 2020 at 19:53
You should correct the information in the DS260
April 26, 2020 at 13:08
Dear Mr. Simon
My CN is AS29XXX, I have submitted my DS-260 on may/2019(long time ago), before they added the new questions (Social media, etc,,,) and since that time i didn’t unlock ds-260, So till now i didn’t fill the new questions they added. I followed your instruction about there is no need to unlock you ds-260 for this reason. my questions are:
1- Should i unlock my ds-260 and fill these questions?
2- do i need to fill DS5535 (the one you mentioned above)
3- I sent my supported documents on October/2019 and i didn’t receive any confirmations about them or DS-260. So my questions is if that i didn’t receive confirmation from KCC until now because i didn’t unlock DS-260 and filled the new questions that they added in?
Thank you in advance
April 26, 2020 at 14:24
1. As you said – I already addresses that.
2. That would be wise if you don’t unlock.
3. No. Many people have not had their document confirmation. You should check with KCC whether they were satisfied with your documents.
February 9, 2020 at 04:47
Dear Bris,
Hope your you having good weekend!
Case 2020AF39***
I have been correcting my mistake by unlocking DS260 and submitted four days ago.
No what makes me worry is that location of interview is here in china. have been living here more that 7 years now. all highschool documents and some other work experience is in addis ababa.
Do you think changing the interview location to addis ababa is advisable or just here in china is better?
February 9, 2020 at 16:40
You’ll have to make that decision. Ether way has pros and cons.
January 19, 2020 at 10:13
Hi Brit,
Sorry to bother you, if this question was asked by someone else before…
My Question: Should DS-5535 filled only by principal applicant? Or by principal participant and all derivatives?
January 19, 2020 at 18:34
Each adult.
January 20, 2020 at 16:10
Thank you very much!
November 16, 2019 at 11:20
i’m a DV 2020 applicant , I already answered the social media questions and Submitted my DS 260 on 12 JUN , Recently i sign in to my DS 260 which already locked and i noticed new questions has been added here are these questions :
1 ( Have you ever been removed or deported from any country ?)
2( is your mother’s address the same as you father’s )
3 ( are you the spouse ,son ,or daughter of an individual who has engaged in terrorist activity , including providing financial assistance or other support to terrorists or terrorists organisations,in the last five years ?)
4( have you used any other telephones numbers / email addresses during the last five years ?)
My question should i unlock and answer these questions or no need ?
thank you for always being there
November 16, 2019 at 17:39
Same approach as explained in the article above.
November 19, 2019 at 15:27
Thank you for your efforts Mr Simon .
1- so in your opinion this will not desqualify my case ?
2- Can DS 260 submitted if i forgot one question?
November 14, 2019 at 12:39
Goodday Britsimon
Since 2 days , I’m trying to fill the form DS260 , it giving me a error message .
It telling me , “the case information you entered does not match our records”
But not so long I receive a email from KCC says ” congratulation you have been sected for DV 2020 et showing me documents I must submit”
But I still don’t understand about the form DS260 , I’m putting my birthdate clear , because in entry last year I was taking a screenshot of all information I did put ….
I sent a email to KCC , they said maybe a technical issues
Can you advise me something about ? For me to submit my DS260 please?
November 14, 2019 at 17:20
Read this properly.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
October 26, 2019 at 05:27
I still have one month left for my interview.i still haven’t done my medical examination
can’t i make any changes by going to us embassy?
October 26, 2019 at 18:35
Ask them.
October 27, 2019 at 01:27
I have send them email as suggested by you in your video,bt instead of kcc’s email,i have send it to us embassy’s email for unlock request
October 25, 2019 at 15:09
hello brit!
i have submitted my ds 260 form and i selected none in my social media platform because i had my accounts deactivated and i forgot my username too at that moment bt now i have got back my account’s email and passwords.my interview has already been scheduled.can we email to embassy or should we go there to ask them to unlock my ds 260 form?help plz..!!
October 26, 2019 at 02:15
You cannot unlock the DS260 now that you are scheduled. You will have to discuss that at the embassy IF they ask.
October 26, 2019 at 03:09
You mean during the interview if they ask?
October 26, 2019 at 03:13
Yes
October 26, 2019 at 03:16
In one of your video about unlocking and updating ds260 after submission,you mention that after scheduling interview date only embassy can change our ds 260 form,what does that mean?plz help!!
October 26, 2019 at 04:17
Once scheduled KCC cannot unlock your ds260.
September 17, 2019 at 16:22
Hello, Brit
Could you please advise on how to fill in the YouTube channel ID. I have a channel only to watch the videos and my id looks like a number of characters (with upper and lower case letters). But the form makes all the characters upper case, so the id I provide is not correct. How do you think what shall I do? Thanks
September 17, 2019 at 20:46
Use your best judgement.
October 4, 2019 at 07:51
Hey Brit! I have submitted the ds 260 at 31st of May. I’m the principal applicant and i have filled only facebook and instagram and I didn’t thought at that moment about linkedin account i had so I didn’t add it. For my husband who is a derivate, i filled facebook account for him but not the instagram. Also at one of the work positions i have made a spelling error. Are this good reason to unlock my ds260? Thank you
October 4, 2019 at 20:27
One mistake on its own, no, but all together, yes unlock and correct.
October 4, 2019 at 21:02
Thank you
September 1, 2019 at 10:29
Hello sir. Can we re edit Ds260 after submitted. Becouse the last 2 qutions about social security number. I have been selected wrong answers. It may be a any problem for select me or need to re edit?
September 1, 2019 at 13:06
Yes you can ask KCC to unlock so that you can edit the form.
August 5, 2019 at 15:38
Hey Brit
So I’m mid process for my family’s DS-260. Mom at some point within the last two years stopped using her 2nd facebook acc when she couldn’t remember her password. The trouble now is she has no idea what email she used to make the 2nd insta account either, purely because she doesn’t remember what the username for this email is. This same email was also used to make an insta account that she lost a good 2 years ago. Needless to say she doesn’t remember the handle for this insta either.
Everything else I’ve added; twitter, working/in-use fb and twitter, youtube etc.
Should I just add an option for Facebook and Insta separate from the working accounts and in the space for writing handles/usernames go with “DO NOT REMEMBER”? Considering how honesty/accuracy is key here.
Best, and thank you for all the support.
August 5, 2019 at 19:18
Spend some time to do the best you can to find the ID. As a last resort, go with the do not remember option.
July 21, 2019 at 09:54
Hi Simon
Thanks always
Social media identifier:
What should we enter?
1. YOUR NAMES/ Usernames
or
2. Your profile link eg http://www.facebook.com/YOURNAME
Thanks
July 21, 2019 at 14:50
They ask for usernames or handle. Not links.
July 10, 2019 at 16:24
Hello Brit,
i hope you are doing fine.
Just a question some month ago i deleted my facebook account cause i didn’t feel useful.
Should i also insert my deleted account?
July 10, 2019 at 22:53
Of course.
July 9, 2019 at 06:05
Hi Brit,
After a month in AP the embassy called me to drop off the passport. I did and now 10 days past and I did not hear from them and they do not reply my emails. The CEAC status is still AP. How long does this normally rake?
July 9, 2019 at 23:05
It varies. You have to be patient.
July 7, 2019 at 06:04
Hey birt, I have unlocked the DS 260 form on June 8, 2019 to change the sponsor. However, I was unaware about these information and did not provide any social media information. Now, my interview is on 8 July 2019. What should I do? Will it create any problem? Should I provide the information in embassy?
Please reply at earliest possible as my interview is tomorrow.
July 7, 2019 at 14:43
No need to worry.
July 5, 2019 at 16:28
Hello Brit, I was wondering if social media includes forums/discussion boards like the immigration board where we ask you, and other experienced people questions sometimes. And even the comment sections of news media websites like NY times where readers often have an account to place opinions, etc. Is one expected to include that also a social media account? Thanks
July 5, 2019 at 21:53
No – those things are not social media.
June 30, 2019 at 20:16
Hi Mr Simon. thank you .I have two questions regarding dv2020 ds260:
1:I am a doctor and I have put the answer for the question of (what do you want to do or in which field do you want to work after coming to USA? .I have written ( business) in answer but my friend said that they will ask you about your bank account and type of business . my thought that I wrote business in answer was that I am a docor but don’t have liscence to practice medicine in USA and if I wrote medicine they will think about my long period of preparation for getting liscence so what should I do ? is business is a good answer or change it . and I have already unlocked my form .
2: I had twitter account too but I have just entered my facebook acount . So what to do about it?. unlock my form again or leave it .my case number is AS79xx.
thanks and pardon me for a long questions but trust me I don’t have another source of accurate information.
June 30, 2019 at 20:48
1. The truth. Just that – whatever that means.
2. Accuracy is important. Unlock again, but take your time and do it right.
June 27, 2019 at 12:26
Hi brit ! In the field of social media i selected facebook as the media that I use the most and i wrote my username ,but i also use instagram but i forgot to mention ,is there a problem? I thought it should be the one that you use daily and more often.
June 27, 2019 at 14:39
It doesn’t say anything about daily and most often. Have a think about how badly you have answered all the questions in your DS260. Maybe you need to unlock and do it properly.
June 27, 2019 at 14:57
Thats the only question on ds form 260 that i didnt fully understood or completed, why you think that i answered badly on my ds 260 questions?
June 27, 2019 at 15:05
Because you seem to think you can make up your own interpretation of the questions rather than reading the questions and answering them.
For example, did you include all schools you attended from around age 12?
June 27, 2019 at 15:21
How about you Brit? Have you ever realized how much you might be rude to the guys which ask you question, sometimes?
June 27, 2019 at 15:30
Some people may not like the way I answer – but quite honestly, I don’t care whether they (or you) do or don’t like it. People are free to not come here if they find my manner offensive. I hope that is clear to you.
June 27, 2019 at 15:44
Ahhh, I see why you are in a sulky mood. You asked this question below (under a different login, but it’s still you), where you also think you can just interpret the questions how it suits you. I told you to tell the truth and you found that offensive I suppose. LOL.
https://britsimonsays.com/ds260-changed-to-add-social-media-info/comment-page-2/#comment-188416
June 27, 2019 at 15:52
Yes of course I included,and one more thing , I know that you also went in USA by dv lottery ,and Im sure that while preparing for all this journey and filling ds-260 ,not even single second you had no doubts or were unsure while completing the process ,and Im “sure” you didnt ask nobody and you werent scared about this new completely unknown opportunity,but you were “Brit allmighty” and did know everything .hmm i guess not.
June 27, 2019 at 21:12
I suppose you are trying to be clever or sarcastic?? Not sure – but here is some simple advice.
A. Read instructions and follow those instructions. Don’t invent your own instructions that you prefer to follow.
B. If you do need to ask someone for help, it’s probably best you are respectful to that person.
June 28, 2019 at 12:06
I am not interpreting the questions as how it suits to me.
Everyone here knows that they should tell the truth. But does this explain the question at all, -not exactly..
I, like all the other beginners, am trying to clear the ambiguity about questions. And you treat everyone as if either they are interpreting the questions as they like or they don’t read your article. Try to be little bit more polite and not blame people. In such an offensive way, you might even not deserve a ‘thank you’
June 28, 2019 at 13:35
How the heck was the question remotely ambiguous??? The question was:
“Select from the list below each social media platform you have used within the last five years.” Easy question, and if you take every question and apply the truth they really are simple.
Come on, enough of the childish, sulky comments. I am not interested in whether you approve of my method or manner, and don’t need “coaching” from you. I have already wasted too much time on your comments.
June 27, 2019 at 12:03
Hi Brint , I have submitted my DS260 (2020)on June 10th but after I realize that i didn’t add my LinkedIn account , should I unlock for that or i can explain once they ask me ? Thank you
June 27, 2019 at 14:37
No need to unlock for that, but if you unlock for some other reason, change it.
June 26, 2019 at 16:11
today i renewed passports of my kids and saw that there was a question about social media providers.. i chose none for my kids, updated their passport information and signed their forms. then i forgot to fill my and my wifes social media providers and signed them too.. now should i unlock our forms and fix that?
June 26, 2019 at 18:08
Read the article.
June 25, 2019 at 15:16
Hi BritSimon,
Thank you for informing..
As I remember, I have had more than 10 social media accounts for the last 5 years. And most of them were anonymous. So it seems better not to include all of them. Or should I? Actually, I couldn’t get what you meant by saying;
?
You mean, they can easily access your accounts even if you didn’t mention on ds-260 form?
Bests,
June 25, 2019 at 19:53
I think you should tell the truth. It’s not hard.
June 24, 2019 at 19:04
Hi Brit I’m a DV 2020 winner I submitted my form.on the 29th of may 2019 .do I need to unlock to fill in the social media handles?
June 25, 2019 at 00:45
Did you read the article above?
June 18, 2019 at 18:08
Hi Brit, my sister-in-law won the DV Lottery 2020, My sister-in-law just completed and sent her DS-260 Form and not her daughter’s., because her child does not want to travel to US and she appears as ACCOMPANY(CHILD), my question is: Does she have to complete her daugther DS-260 form?
June 18, 2019 at 19:43
No
June 17, 2019 at 23:15
Hi Brit, I submitted my DS-260 in mid May of this year. I tried logging in today to edit the form in order to add my social media handles. However, the form was locked and didn’t allow me to add any new information. What should I do?
June 17, 2019 at 23:44
You would have to unlock to be able to do that…. read the FAQ.
June 13, 2019 at 19:42
Hi Brit , my interview is scheduled for July, and I will have to update my passport information in the DS260 at the time of my interview, because I have renew it by a new one. Is this gonna make me in trouble to answer the social media question as long as the DS260 will be unlocked during my interview ?