There are people who for one reason or another have not yet submitted their DS260. AS I have posted before, the window to safely delay your submission is closing fast. It might be the case that processing times speed up, but so far we have not seen evidence of that. We might see some increase in the next batch of 2NLs, but I wanted to send this warning now, just in case times have not reduced.
IT is probably helpful to understand the current processing times.
So far each month that goes by they have bundled up another months worth of DS260s. So – most forms submitted up to the end of July got 2NLs in December (assuming they were current of course). Most forms submitted in August got 2NLs in January (March interviews). In a week or so we will start to hear from people who get February 2NLs. If those people are submissions only up to the end of September it will mean there has been no increase in speed. If however we see some October submissions in there it will show there has been a small increase in speed.
However, if we assume there is no increase in speed at all the table of DS260 submission date to interview date would look something like this (this is in general – there will be cases that are exceptions to this timeline).
Now this table includes pretty much all submissions in a given month. By now the majority of cases will have been processed – so I don’t think a reduction in the waiting time before processing starts is unreasonable – but that is common sense talking and KCC don’t seem to work under the laws of common sense. We know that KCC haven’t even been looking at DS260s for 3 to 4 weeks up until recently.
Then the last point is the complexity/speed of the DS260 processing. Not all DS260s process at exactly the same speed. A simple case of an unmarried person from a English speaking cooperative country with limited travel history is going to need less processing time than someone from somewhere such as Iran and with a spouse and 2 kids over 18.
So – as I mentioned before – submitting your DS260 is a gamble. I would expect to see an increase in speed soon – at least until the May 2016 influx of work BUT I would not want to bet my own case on that gamble!
May 30, 2017 at 05:33
what “2NLs” mean please?
May 30, 2017 at 23:26
Interview notification.
June 1, 2017 at 22:52
the last Page on submit and sign is not responding when i push enter so mr Brit can you tell me what is wrong ?
and i won 2018 just 20 days ago and is it late to send 260 form or i have few months to send what you recommend me thanks?
June 1, 2017 at 22:54
You probably are male under 26 and have not clicked the selective service information on the last page before you submit. Click that link – and the page will submit.
June 3, 2017 at 09:56
Hi brit.
I need your help.
While I was completing,they ask me my street address.
My problem is my present address I know the street address,but I’ve another address and we don’t use this info street address.
What should I do?
All these address are in the same country.
June 3, 2017 at 14:34
I don’t understand what you mean. JUst make sure the DS260 is accurate to the best of your ability.
June 5, 2017 at 21:20
I received an interview for 6 July, but it’s difficult for me to get back to the country in time to process then. Am I at significant risk of the quota running out for me if I ask to postpone the interview to early August?
June 5, 2017 at 21:20
I should clarify – I’m an OC selectee.
June 5, 2017 at 21:49
No – the quota won’t run out, but they may not be able to accommodate your desired date.
June 5, 2017 at 23:43
Thank you very much! Didn’t get my first choice of date, but I got one close.
June 16, 2017 at 02:38
Is there a chance it would run out by early September, in that case? They did seem very flexible when I called, and they rescheduled to early August without any fuss, but early September would be even better. However, the official info pack they sent out after the case went to the consulate cautioned against rescheduling, saying that DV numbers might run out close to the end of the year.
June 16, 2017 at 03:08
No problem – the quota won’t run out.
September 12, 2017 at 03:03
Well, they ran out!
I ended up rescheduling, twice, and the consulate put my case on hold for a week while I considered some personal circumstances, and had told me they would approve it as soon as I asked them to.
But it turns out that rescheduling has caused problems. They typically reserve quota number prior to interviews. For re-scheduled interviewees, they only obtain numbers *after* interviews. And it appears they have run out for this year DV-2017. I appreciate that it is a very unique set of circumstances.
I have asked the consulate to wait before formally declining my application, to see whether subsequent interviews for which quota numbers have been reserved might not end up proceeding. It does seem like a long shot but we will see. If you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate it.
September 12, 2017 at 03:59
This is bizarre. Yes I am aware that rescheduled interviews don’t have the visa reserved for them any more. However, in DV2017, KCC boldly called for CURRENT very early in the year – seemingly because they had plenty of visa spots available. They should never have done so if there was a chance of running out. However, I am starting to hear several reports that visas are running out/have run out. I have no idea at this point who will be affected, I will try and find out tomorrow. As you rightly say, there may be some last minute availability – but that’s a long shot.
Best of luck.
June 5, 2017 at 23:42
Hi brit.
While I was completing ds260.
They ask me.
My highest level of educations attented.
And the name of institution.
1-) I’m at the university since two years.
Should I make high school diploma or university no degree?
2-)name of institution
Should I make all the school that I’ve study.
Primary/secondary/high schoo/ uni???
Please help me.
June 5, 2017 at 23:55
1. Fill out the HS details.
2. Create a history adding secondary/high schoo/ uni
June 6, 2017 at 00:22
Ok thanks.
The number of education institutions attented.
Is it the number of years that I’ve study at high school or uni?
June 7, 2017 at 00:09
No it is the NUMBER OF SCHOOLS you attended.
June 10, 2017 at 01:34
Hi dear. I would like to ask about the work experience certificate for my husband. Do we need to get all the letters from the previous company. ? Because we dont have some .im the winer for dv lottery 2018 and I have all the documents for my work experience so it might problem for my husband in case he can’t get a that letter from one of his previous work ??
June 10, 2017 at 14:32
No you don’t normally have to show that.
June 11, 2017 at 02:23
Thanks a lot for your reply God bless you
June 13, 2017 at 14:25
hi
my wife have been attending a university for 4 years but didn’t complete her degree
should we put on the Present and Previous Address Information the university address?
our problem is that there is no paper that we can present since she din’t complete the coerces
thank you for your advise
June 13, 2017 at 14:31
Yes for the address. Someone attending University for 4 years has SOME sort of paperwork.
June 26, 2017 at 18:58
hi
thank you for the support
in my high school I attended two schools
the first one only for 9th grade and the 10-12 at the second school
on ds-260 Previous Work/Education/Training Information form
should i mention the first school too but since there was no certification i got confused about It
your support will be highly appreciated !!!!!
June 27, 2017 at 01:51
List schooling from about age 12
June 27, 2017 at 04:19
Grade ? Age 12
June 27, 2017 at 07:56
Hi Mr.BritSimon I’m Somali one of the selectees for the 2018 DV program, as you may know my country is enlisted/included among the six countries which Trump’s administration banned its citizens to inter to United States, so my question is does this order will effect the lottery receivers according your info?
June 27, 2017 at 14:37
https://britsimonsays.com/travel-ban-decision-supreme-court/
June 28, 2017 at 05:26
Well appreciated with your endless satisfactory work BritSimon, my ques:
1.As u know in ds260 form, the mailing address and permanent address should be included, so should I put the same one or different ?
2. I’m worry about my mailing address bcoz the person I put there is always in travel in USA as he’s driver and he may not be getting good chance to check his email, resopond the right time, so this may cause some problem to my chance, what is your valuable advice please?
June 28, 2017 at 17:13
1. They can be the same or different.
2. You have to have the Green Card sent somewhere trustworthy. Having a replacement card is expensive. So – make a sensible decision.
July 4, 2017 at 14:46
Hi dear simon hope u r doing well. I want to ask about my ds260 I submitted on 16 of may.my case number is 2018 af 00017xxx .so while im checking my documents I see that I make a mistake in “have u ever refused for us visa or withdrawn your application from the port of entry .?” My answer was no. But in 2003 I applied for students visa and it was refused .and on 2013 I applied for tourist visa with my family and I got it and still valid till present. .so tell me what I have to do please. Do I need to correct my ds260 ?? Or its late
July 4, 2017 at 15:01
Yes unlock and correct it.
July 6, 2017 at 13:10
Hi simon, I have a question
1. In primary occupation being in the university can I place my occupation as a student
2. Am currently doing my degree in the university but the highest education attained by me so far is my diploma in business management in the university, so what should I place in the highest education completed. University, No degree or OTHER then I mention my diploma
2. If I submit my form on July wen will be my interview
Thank you I will appreciate if I get feedback from you!
July 6, 2017 at 22:48
1. Yes
2. Mention your diploma
3. Please read my home page and search before asking these questions. https://britsimonsays.com/DV2018-basic-questions
July 7, 2017 at 18:18
Hello there i have a question, maybe I will find An answer , till now I don’t filed up the D-260 cause am waiting for my new passport me and my wife and my daughter my old one has expired and I will get the new one bye the end of this month is it okay to wait till august and register the D-260 or there a délai ? My case number 396## Thanx in advance
July 7, 2017 at 23:56
YOu have a long time to wait because of your case number, so the passport delay won’t matter.
July 8, 2017 at 20:44
Am not talking about the interview am talking about the ds-260 I didn’t filled it up I don’t even have passport number to fill up the form DS-260 is it okay if I filled it up next month ? Thanx in advance.
July 8, 2017 at 20:46
To complete The DS-260 needs passport number and date of expiration but I don’t even have a passport yet
July 8, 2017 at 20:48
And am afraid that they didn’t accept it if it’s too late so am asking if there a delay for the ds-260 or no
July 8, 2017 at 20:56
It doesn’t matter.
July 8, 2017 at 21:03
Thanx for the replay
July 11, 2017 at 15:00
Please I really need your help and I belief u can help me. My passport is not ready yet but can I still submit my DS260 form and when the interview date come then I go along with it or I have to wait for my passport to be ready before submitting my forms?
July 11, 2017 at 22:21
YOu can submit before the passport is readyb
July 12, 2017 at 00:41
Thank u very much!
July 12, 2017 at 00:42
Thank u so much, I’m grateful!
July 24, 2017 at 11:17
Please when filling the ds-260 online form. The first page ask of document type and ID. Is that place the same as the passport and it number? And if the passport is not ready as u told me to ignore and thick NO, should I also skip the document type area or what does that place mean? Thank u.
July 24, 2017 at 13:15
You need to provide one document. Passport, or Official ID. Enter something and say what it is!
July 25, 2017 at 07:40
Thank u Brit. But in my country apart from the passport, the Official ID are Voter ID and Driven License and I don’t hold any of these only the Passport is the one I’m preparing but not yet ready. So in this case what should I do now, should I wait for my passport so that I put it there, or is there anything I can do about that column? Because I want to submit my forms early. Thank u.
July 25, 2017 at 13:47
Just wait until you have the passport then. There is no race.
July 25, 2017 at 04:49
Can the ds260 form be fill after October?
July 25, 2017 at 13:49
Yes
July 25, 2017 at 12:23
Hi brit
I have problem during send the ds260 which say the confirmatin number is rong and repeat many time
July 25, 2017 at 13:38
You answer is here:
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
July 26, 2017 at 05:30
Hi bro.
I think you mean case number, not confirmation number. This a normally happen when submitting the ds 260 form, just remove the zeroes only put in the numbers without the zeroes.
July 28, 2017 at 05:21
Hello Brit, please let me ask another help from u. In the ds-260 form, it ask for Petitioner information. My question is; Do I have to put the one who is sponsoring me or me myself?
Thank u
July 28, 2017 at 14:04
Yourself
July 28, 2017 at 14:12
Thank very much
August 5, 2017 at 07:59
Hello Brit Simon,my case no is 2015AS89xx, when i ill received 2nd NL
August 5, 2017 at 14:52
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
August 6, 2017 at 05:39
hi brit i already complete ds260 june 21 as this moment i did not recieve my interview notice how may long should wait for that
August 6, 2017 at 14:52
DV2018 hasn’t started yet.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
August 16, 2017 at 02:22
My boyfriend won. He played single, we just got married because he wanna add me. I have kids but they are not his. What I want to know is should we put their information on the form enthough we not taking them along?
August 16, 2017 at 04:22
Yes – the children are his step children – and therefore should be on both your DS260s.
September 2, 2017 at 23:13
Hi,
Please I wanna ask u if it is possible to submit the DS-260 Form in January 2018 for DV2018 selectees ? if not what’s the exact deadline please?
September 2, 2017 at 23:15
Yes that is possible – there is no actual deadline.
September 17, 2017 at 18:57
Hi Simon,
After unlocking and revising ds260 for both,main and derivative applicants do you need to reprint confirmation page and keep new one or barcode remains same and keep old ones? Should you perhaps keep both?
Sorry a bit tricky question as I need to update my already submitted ds260 which I asked to get unlock to correct some info.
Thanks
September 17, 2017 at 19:06
Not necessary to reprint.
September 17, 2017 at 19:36
Thanks was worried new barcode etc and explaining changes so it’s simple revision and submission
September 18, 2017 at 00:28
Hi brit, when completing the ds 260 for the first time , travel agent helped me. But after finding mistakes on ds 260 i made changes my self and submitted it myself. In the final submission of the form still i wrote travel agents name in preparers section because they helped me initially( during the start).
My question is will it create any problem since the final submission , i did it myself?
September 18, 2017 at 03:55
No.
October 2, 2017 at 10:46
Hi Brit ,
my question is: I won the lottery on 2 may 2018 ,i filled the ds260 on 20 September and my case number is EU20XX and is current in October ..How long does it take to receive the 2NL? My case is simple to process (i’ve never been abroad,i’m not married,i have a university degree ,5 years of work experience etc..) Thank u in advance 🙂
October 2, 2017 at 12:46
** I won the lottery on 2 may 2017, excuse me!
October 2, 2017 at 13:56
You submitted your DS260 late – so that caused a delay. Now you must be patient. DS260 processing has changed this year – so I don’t have an estimate.
October 2, 2017 at 14:12
Are they going to process my form anyway,even if i filled it late? Or they just ignore it, and give priority to the forms that are submitted earlier
October 2, 2017 at 14:34
They will process it.
October 2, 2017 at 14:40
Ok.Thank u Brit ?
October 4, 2017 at 04:48
Hi Brit,
I’m a DV2018 winner and my case number is 2018AS12XXX.
When i sent a mail to KCC requesting for an update i received the status “Your forms have been received and pending further embassy review for the continuation of your visa processing”.
When do you think i will receive the 2NL and when my interview will be scheduled?
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Regards
RSS
October 4, 2017 at 04:50
There is no point asking KCC for an update. You have a LONG wait to find out if you will get an interview – you might get a chance in the last month or two of DV2018.
October 4, 2017 at 05:23
Hi Britt,
Thank you for your prompt response. Assume that means my chances are very slim 🙂
Regards
RSS
November 3, 2017 at 17:00
HI Britt,
So i am filling out DS-260 form and I accidently saved no for prepaper and now it wont let me edit it, how can I put that i did in fact have a prepaper help me
November 3, 2017 at 18:20
No need to update that.
November 23, 2017 at 19:57
Hi Brit,
I completed form DS-260 and it says “completed” but when putting the cursor above “completed” it has a note that says “The IV application has been submitted for this application. It will be reviewed once your civil documents have been submitted”
However, I did not get any instructions as to where to send any marriage certificates. No interview has been set and my case number is kind of high.
Is this message normal or I need to contact the KCC?
Regards.
Cecile
November 23, 2017 at 20:29
It’s normal. Relax.
November 25, 2017 at 02:21
Hey Simon! Am yet to receive any mail for my interview. I submitted my my D260 form in June. My case number is AF223**. Is it yet to come because I requested my interview location changed?
November 25, 2017 at 02:25
I checked my ESC and didn’t see anything. Is there any possibility that I’d be interviewed soon?
November 25, 2017 at 04:55
No. Your number is not current yet. Be patient.
December 24, 2017 at 05:11
Hi Uncle,
My case is 2018AS81xx.
I have submitted the form and have requested an unlock. There’s something I want to revise like preparing for a marriage. I saw in visa bulletin it’s case 4000 in February. When do you think the time out for me to submit the DS-260 form?
Thank you!
December 24, 2017 at 06:05
You could wait some months.
December 24, 2017 at 07:03
Hi Uncle,
Wait until my case is unlocked or the time I have left to prepare marriage?
If, for example I submitted in late February, is it consider ‘safe’?
Thanks!
December 24, 2017 at 16:37
Yes
December 24, 2017 at 18:30
Hi Brit,
Am a dv2018 winner and my CN is AS11*** , according to last years I didn’t see the CN for Asia exceeding 8000 in visa bulletin do you think we will get a chance for interviews since this year there are more selectee
December 24, 2017 at 20:41
There is some risk. You will have to wait and see.
December 24, 2017 at 22:12
Brit Simon am asking u about vb how maney thousand incoming visa bulletin for march interview from current 14300 to …….??????????ur predictions
December 24, 2017 at 22:53
I don’t have a prediction.
December 25, 2017 at 14:16
brit Simon,
what’s last year or historical ds260 timeout safe window to catch up with September interview?
December 27, 2017 at 01:21
May/June
January 29, 2018 at 14:40
I wish to add my daughter to my case , she has just been delivered. should I obtain her birth certificate before sending a request to KCC and should I provide details in my request to the KCC?
January 29, 2018 at 18:04
You can ask to unlock to add to your DS260 and create a DS260. You may need the birth cert to add the applicant.
January 29, 2018 at 18:13
I submitted my ds 260 on May I unlocked twice on December and submitted again on December my case number is af3267# when my number will be current thank you
January 29, 2018 at 18:32
Several months to wait yet.
January 31, 2018 at 13:53
Hello! My case number EU30*** in dv2018. I am going to marry and change martial status, However I am not sure I will have a chance to get a marriage certificate until at least April or early May.
1. What month should I consider as a deadline to unlock my DS 260 for the purpose of changing martial status to “married” and create+submit new ds 260 form for my wife? My initial ds260 form was sent in June 2017. Looking into the chart I can see then April or May could be too late…
2. Is there a risk to miss the interview due to too a very long processing time?
3. If my ds260 form has been already proccessed, does it speed up processing time after unlocking and new applicant porcessing time in m case?
January 31, 2018 at 15:00
You should get married before you are scheduled. No doing so means you have to rely on the embassy for a non standard process which can be risky. The “reprocessing” is not the concern. Het married sooner.
January 31, 2018 at 15:27
Where are you from ? I’m from France, going to get married in 1 month, and they will give me the certificate the day after.
January 31, 2018 at 16:20
I apologize, I still don’t understand the process 100% correctly. What I mean is that the chart above shows that DS260 submit in February resulted in 2NL in July and interview in September. That should be two months before the 2NL and interview? I want to make sure I have enough time to unlock and not lose a chance of being scheduled for interview before the end of DV2018. I believe my case won’t be curret before June. I understand that the sooner marriage is, the better. But for better process understanding, lets say I change martial status and submit new DS260 in May. My case number becomes current in July. Is there a risk that KCC won’t schedule the interview before the end of September (and at all) due to “unprocessed” forms? Thank you very much
January 31, 2018 at 20:05
Why are you looking at an article that is nearly 3 years old?
May *submission* will probably be OK, BUT if this is a *REsubmission* then that is too late because they could schedule the case before you have a chance to change the DS260. Once scheduled, it is MUCH harder to add a new spouse.
So – if you have already submitted your DS260 as single, stop worrying about not getting scheduled, worry instead about being scheduled before you are ready. The latter is much more likely.
February 6, 2018 at 05:47
Hello!
I need some information regarding the required fields in the DS 260.
1. I have never had an official employment. However, I did a 6 week corporate internship as a requirement for my degree, as well as a 6 week social internship (without pay) in a Trust as a social worker. Are these supposed to be included and mentioned under the “Previous Employment” section of the form?
2. I do not have the exact ending dates for my secondary school and high school because the exams weren’t conducted in the school and the official attending dates were not recorded or documented anywhere. Also it’s been a long time, I don’t remember the exact date of my last day at school. What should be filled in the attending dates of the school field in this case?
I do have the month estimate in my mind.
Thank You so much in advance.
February 6, 2018 at 14:20
1. No
2. Best estimate.
April 4, 2018 at 18:26
Hello brit, I completed my ds260 form on 31 october 2017, but up to now no message fro KCC, please i need your advise.
April 4, 2018 at 18:39
Region + Case number?
April 9, 2018 at 17:54
1: Region Africa. 2: case number 2018 AF22xx
May 9, 2018 at 10:39
my 130 pettion is approved i received the letter from Usa Embassy 17th of october2017 now almost 6 moth still i didnt apply only online process because my husband doesnt have a job so that he is waiting till he get a job so can i apply online withing a one year Ds260 online application pls advise me duration of d260
May 9, 2018 at 14:11
I only answer DV lottery questions.
May 17, 2018 at 21:29
Hello,
My number is 2018AF57xx but I haven’t submitted my DS260 up until the 14th of this month (14 may 2018) .
My questions are:
1- Is there a possibility that the number of visas haven’t run out yet?
2- Will I be notified of the date of the interview by email or will I have to check my status at the E-DV website regularly?
3- When will I be notified of the date of the interview? (since MAY wasn’t included in the submission months table you provided)
Thank you for your time!
May 17, 2018 at 22:24
1. Visas haven’t run out yet.
2. Once they schedule the interview, they send an email to tell you to check the ESC.
3. I don’t know. Wait and see.
May 18, 2018 at 14:36
Thanks a lot!
May 19, 2018 at 09:29
Hi Simon,
Thanks for making this very helpful website, you are helping a lot of people through this blog! Regarding the table you have created above, which talks about DS-260 waiting dates, is the expected 2NL date not also dependent on the case number, and have you simply put an estimate of when cases under the cutoff would be expected to get an interview? If so, what is the benefit (if any) of submitting the DS-260 early? I have actually submitted my DS-260 already and my DV lottery number is around OC700.
Also, I have heard that applying for the DV lottery is “immigrant intent”, I was initially planning on going on a J1 visa to work for a year in the US, but now am thinking that if I applied, I would simply get denied anyway, do you think this is true?
Lastly, I have heard that the adjustment of status from J1 to a green card through the DV lottery is more drawn out and is riskier than doing it back home in New Zealand, is this true? My initial thoughts are that waiting in New Zealand for the DV lottery process to pan out would be the safest option?
Thanks in advance,
Harry
May 19, 2018 at 15:09
1. There is no benefit of submitting early. You still wait for your case number.
2. The DS260 weakens your non immigrant visa case a little.
3. If you went on a J1 and applied for AOS you would screw the whole thing up because you have already submitted the DS260. Don’t do that.
May 19, 2018 at 23:30
Hi BritSimon!
First of all thank you for this great help, you are doing such an amazing job for so many ppl!
1. My case number is 2019EU58XX. Due to planned marriage, I’ll be able to submit DS260 only in the middle of July after getting marriage certificate, so i can add my wife in. Do you think this might cause lateness in processing and when do you think i can an interview ?
Thank you in advance!!
May 20, 2018 at 05:43
It’s not a problem. Patience.
May 20, 2018 at 07:22
Sir Simon
Please I wish to ask a question on the above table
1) Does it consider the first date of submission of the ds260 or it considers the resubmitted date if you did some corrections?
Thanks
May 20, 2018 at 08:47
First submission date.
May 20, 2018 at 10:07
BritSimon sir
In dv entry form I wrote permanent address about of Village Developmen Committee But vdc turns into Rural Municipality because of that in passport address is slightly changed does it effect or what should i do ?
May 21, 2018 at 20:18
hi Brit, i am filling the DS260 with my brother..he studied one year in the institute but he got no diploma..what should I do? thank u so much
May 21, 2018 at 20:57
List it anyway.
May 28, 2018 at 20:21
Hi Simon. If DS 260 was submitted on May 19 for the 2019 DV. When are 2NLs and interview likely?
May 28, 2018 at 21:13
Interviews will be From October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. 2NLs are sent 4 to 7 weeks before the appointment.
May 29, 2018 at 04:19
Many thanks Simon. I wanted to know if early submission would help with early 2NL and Interview. For instance, 2019AF28xxx submitted DS 260 on May 20, five days after results were announced. Is interview likely by Dec 2018 because of the early submission for this case number?
May 29, 2018 at 04:24
No. Early submission makes no difference.
May 29, 2018 at 04:11
The number is AF28xxx