From time to time there are situations where bad information is published that I believe is detrimental to people’s chance. I addressed a couple of such cases by youtubers in a recent video. However, it is not only youtubers that create such confusion with bad information – just recently Curtis Morrison has done that with advice about unlocking the DS260. Now whilst I like and respect Curtis, I am certain he is incorrect in this case and the advice not to unlock is damaging. So – I am going to lay out my points here.
First here is the comment that Curtis made in relation to a question and answer from the AILA liaison meeting. This meeting is between the AILA staff (AILA being a governing body for American immigration lawyers) and the government.
Now below I have taken the screenshot and annotated it to show certain anomalies in the question and the answer that make me certain that neither the question nor the answer apply to DV cases.
One by one:
- Obviously not correct for DV. As many of you know you can ask KCC to unlock your DS260 to make adjustments.
- NVC – as most of you should know NVC have no part to play in the processing of DV cases.
- Wait one or two years?? No of course that doesn’t apply to DV.
- The government response again suggests DS260s cannot be reopened – again we know that is not true for DV cases.
- NVC again.
- Whilst there is debate about whether the government uses case number (as they have said in sworn testimony) or Processed date, there is NO DOUBT that the DS260 submission date is NOT used for prioritization. We have MANY examples of very early submissions that have not been processed. Submission date is important for other immigration cases (where it translates to priority date) but DV cases do not have a priority date.
- New Doc complete date Whilst this date is used for other types of immigration, the DV law is written in a way that prioritizes the Case number above all else. Now, as I have mentioned above, it is a debatable point BUT it is clear from the context that this point is about the priority date in other immigrant cases.
OK – so hopefully you can see that Curtis has misinterpreted this statement to being related to DV cases when it clearly is not about DV cases at all.
Now – let’s talk about whether unlocking is bad or not. I have actually written an article about this before. Basically, there are some situations when unlocking is the right thing to do, and some situations where you would not unlock.
- No need to unlock for very minor errors (for example a simple spelling mistake on an address, simple date inaccuracy on the education or residence history). With these errors they are unlikely to be impactful at all to your case even if left unchanged, but if you are at all concerned you can change these errors in the interview. In this category I also include changes in job, or completion of education. There is no need to unlock to update those things.
- Errors that should be changed as soon as possible. Examples of this would be mistakes in your name, date of birth and place of birth. Why are those things important? Because they are “identifying” data points. An error on these points could mean that your background checks are invalidated. I have known cases to be delayed and even refused for these important items because the CO took it to mean some sort of deliberate attempt to hide the identity of the applicant. In this category I also include significant changes or omissions of important information like history that shows you lived in another country not already listed. Also full history of social media would come into this category. Again, you do not want to give the impression you are trying to hide something.
- Changes in your personal status. Examples include marital status changes, adding a derivative through marriage or birth and so on. It is very important to make these changes as soon as possible because if you are adding or subtracting an applicant from the case you want to make sure any necessary processing of that person is complete and that they are allocated a visa when you get scheduled for an interview.
Now – does unlocking cause delay – we first be sure you need to unlock. If you do, unlock. Don’t consider the delay that “might” happen (and it does not always cause delay). Why – well because for the types of changes I suggest you unlock for in point 2 and 3 above the alternative could be denial or not getting the right number of visas for your family. I always say “Delay is better than Denial”.
Several people have pointed out a statement made in one of the court declarations as follows:
Now, even if we decide we are to trust that statement, we should note that it talks about unlocking after the case is deemed documentarily qualified. In other words if the case has not been processed yet, it would be unlikely to cause delay, and if the case has been processed you would still be wise to unlock for the scenarios I list in point 3 above (i.e. marital status changes and so on). Yes that could cause a delay, but it is still a wise idea in most cases.
So as for whether a delay will be caused, well that depends on how far your case has been processed. If the case has not been completely processed, there would be unlikely to be any delay in any case. But again, you are usually better to have a delay if the alternative is denial.
Keep in mind, this point needs to be considered along with your case number and how close your case is to being current. Later in the year, I do not recommend unlocking except where absolutely necessary. But if your case is nowhere near being current yet, then unlocking is not a problem.
Don’t forget that lawyers such as Curtis have only been interested in the DV lottery for the past 2 or 3 years and they have only seen dysfunctional years. For DV2023 and beyond I expect normal processing to return, so people should be a lot less concerned about unlocking. And it is for that reason I wanted to document this misunderstanding at this point as the situation will not be the same going forward as we have seen since 2020.
June 25, 2022 at 20:32
Thank you Mr. Simon, you are doing a very nice job and are very helpful.
June 25, 2022 at 20:34
Thanks Brit for your post. From Argentina still waiting my 2 nl, I asked to Kcc about my case they said is processing, I sent my forms 18 of July, reopened in october, most of the cases in BNS got visas, not me . What doy you think? Thanks
June 25, 2022 at 20:38
Am so impressed about the clarifications on issues of the DV
I am a winner 2022 52.2k
I am in cameroon
I will really will love to know what the last days of 2022 will look like
I am one of those still waiting for 2nl
With that skyrocketing total numbers
Should hopeful or its done for 2022 considering the numbers of totals 54k ?
June 26, 2022 at 20:46
We have to wait and see.
June 25, 2022 at 21:03
Thank you so much for your good service and support you given me actually I’m interested to immigrants in America but it’s not easier but am In hope with God that dream comes true I’m still interested thank you again for good information and Care for everyone my support where will I started again remember me
June 25, 2022 at 21:06
You said it all master. Also I believe he took immigrat for DV . I know immigrant Visa is not only about DV . The duration itself speaks (1-3 years) . Thank you so much for clarifying us .
June 25, 2022 at 22:31
I am a DV 2021 winner and Goodluck plantiff, it was only me and my wife were the Clints of the law suit. We were pregnant we had our little one last month. Do you have any advise regarding this, I know if the visas is going to be issued it’s going to be only for the plaintiffs.
June 26, 2022 at 20:49
Once the appeal is settled, if you get an interview you might be able to add the child at that point.
June 26, 2022 at 13:59
I finally registered just to “like” this article – so timely, and highly informative. Wish I could more than “like” ????
June 26, 2022 at 15:00
Wow Mom – I’m honored!!
June 27, 2022 at 09:37
This is very knowledgeable information and good experience of the subject matter. Some so called learned lawyers lack a lot experience in certain matters but keep on confusing the public. thanks very much this vital clerifications. Thanks. Yimnai Pius
June 27, 2022 at 15:25
Hi Brit, thanks for all the insights and time spent to keep us informed.
My wife is a winner of DV23 (case AF9xxx) and we have submitted our DS-260.
I will be travelling for work purposes to the middle east for about 5 days with one of the big4 accounting firms.
Is it a necessity to unlock my DS-260 to add this under “Have you traveled to any countries in the last 5 years?” or would I be able to bring it up in my interview when we are scheduled?
Thanks.
June 28, 2022 at 23:38
At interview is fine.
June 27, 2022 at 17:51
Hi Simon, I played the lottery single but later got married and added my wife.After receiving my interview date I discovered that I didn’t fill a separate Ds260 for my wife and I simply added her under my DS260, my interview letter came with wife’s name but she hasn’t gotten a separate Ds260 apart from mine.
June 29, 2022 at 00:07
You need to contact the embassy and see if they want you to complete a DS260 for her.
June 27, 2022 at 22:22
I have reread a couple of times your commentary, because in general I am interested in the subject, much more in these moments in which only hours ago I asked the KCC to reopen the DS260 forms of my grandchildren to rectify the second last name of their mother, that is to say although they do not appear in their last names, anyway I thought that it was an important error, this unblocking was only a few days after having sent them, for which I do not believe it harms at all.
I understand and agree that a family reunification processing and its DS-260 is not the same as a DV processing, it is true that the priorities of the latter are established, by continuous numbers according to the regions that appear in front of these numbers, there is no point in rushing to the number 203SA28544 for example when in front of it there are 28543 cases, which by the way all would be processing and getting ready while the fiscal year 2022 ends, that is a few months for it.
I certainly do not think it is significant as you say professor to take a few days and correct the application.
As a side note I am happy to have come to this blog, it is my first experience here and I appreciate it very much, very interesting for me.
June 28, 2022 at 06:14
Hi Simon
I am DV 2022AF000006xx and was scheduled for interview in January 18,2022 but due to abnormal finding on my chest x-ray,the doctor ordered me to do sputum smear and culture test which takes 2 months. On March 7 my result was sent to the embassy and I got the second interview appointment on June 22.My visa is approved but my medical expired on June 3 due to classification of my chest x-ray as B1 TB,Plumonary and only given 3 months of travel clearance.
Now sir, the consular told me to renew my medical,if I have to redo my medical and order to do the sputum test, chance of getting my visa is going to be in problem, as the sputm test takes minimum of 2 months.I have read an article ,” According to CDC the sputum test have to be repeated, on doctorun.com website.
My questions is,
1.I am going to do the test at the same hospital IOM , SO DO U THINK THE ONE I READ at doctorun.com APPLIES FOR IOM TOO.
2. IF THEY INSIST TO DO THE SPUTUM TEST ,is there any means to appoint a lawyer,as because it is the same hospital where I did the test and confirmed, I have no TB
June 29, 2022 at 00:14
I have no idea. Just get on with it. Time is running out.
July 1, 2022 at 15:58
Hi simon
I have done the medical and been told to repeat the sputum test and the result will be announced on September 9.
My visa is approved during my interview on June 22 and told it will be issued once they get the renewed medical report.
June 28, 2022 at 07:36
Thanks for the information Mr Brits. Please I am dv 2021 winner and my ds 260 was filled an submitted long ago. My worry now is that I have not been schedule for an interview and my passport and that of my wife will be expiring in August this year. Does it mean that I will have to do a new passport and unlock my DS 260 to update the dates ?
June 28, 2022 at 14:21
Greetings and although the question is for Mr. Brits, I dare to comment that you should only go to the consular interview with both the new passport and the one that has just expired and was used during the entire registration process, DS-260, and appointment. This way you will be able to show the Consular Officer the reason for the change of passport, which is presumable, as the expiration date is in all the previous documentation.
Please Mr. Brits excuse me if what is done is not correct, or the answer is not the correct one, I do not know the operation of your Blog, that is to say if the participants can answer or debate or if it should only be you.
Thank you very much.
June 29, 2022 at 00:15
No need to unlock at this point.
June 28, 2022 at 15:41
Thank you Mr Brits am very happy with everything here good service and support are good my passport still new l got 2019 me am in Hope with God to achieved my goals
June 29, 2022 at 01:17
If I entered wrong date of birth different from that on my birth certificate (passport), during my dv lottery application and the results come out when I have won the dv lottery. I filled Ds-260 with the correct one. Can miss match date of birth lead to my disqualification and denial to a USA visa?
June 29, 2022 at 16:32
Not normally, as long as they are not concerned it was some sort of fraud.
June 29, 2022 at 04:14
Thank you Mr Brits am going to embassy and will they allow me to enter without any written later help me
June 29, 2022 at 04:54
Hi Brit,
My wife is DV2023 winner, case numb EU6###, with our two kids.
We already submitted DS 260 forms in mid June.
I later realized that at Place of birth – in my DS form we indicated city G.. as my place of birth. But on my Birth certificate its written as city T… (City’s old name when i was born, it was renamed officially from T.. to G.. in 2002). And last october, when we were filing her DV entry, in the section “Place of birth of spouse” we again indicated as G.. city new name as my birth city.
Its old name is only written in my Birth and my High school certificates, on my travel pasport and present adrres sections – new name of our city is written.
Do u think we should unlock it and correct it by putting the old name of city of birth according to my BC.?
Please advise,
Your help is much appreciated.
June 29, 2022 at 16:35
No
July 7, 2022 at 17:40
Hi Brits thank you for good work the service is good I’m still interested
June 29, 2022 at 18:08
Thank you for everything here the quality and support are good information have faith God is in control
June 30, 2022 at 14:40
Hi BritSimon,
I am a DV2022 winner and my case is already in AP. Soon my visa will be issued. I want to know something beyond the DV process. At the time I applied, I didn’t have a girlfriend & met her last year. But I’m not married yet and haven’t included her in my DS-260. But before flying, I plan to marry her. I would like to know the process by which I can take my spouse to the US after I land. Can you help me know the legal method I have to follow? Also, do you know how long this process will take to complete? I hope to get your positive feedback.
Thank you!
July 9, 2022 at 22:37
I don’t specialize in that process. It’s an I-130 process and it will take some years.
June 30, 2022 at 21:57
Dear Simon, H R Y?
Please would you please let me know if DV 2020 winners, who are impacted by Trump order 10014 or covid 19 pandemic, were included in Meng amendment in 2023 DHS bill or only Who were affected by the Muslim ban order.?
As some people said Meng amendment in this time is different from last year amendment & DV 2020 & 2021 WINNERS who are affected by Trump order 10014 or covid 19 were removed from the amendment in 2023 DHS bill
July 9, 2022 at 22:44
There are two amendments suggested by Meng but NEITHER is law yet.
July 10, 2022 at 02:05
Are the DV 2020 WINNERS, who are impacted by the covid 19 pandemic and Trump proclamation 10014, in one of the two Meng ‘s amendment in 2023 DHS bill
July 10, 2022 at 23:34
It’s not a law yet.
July 11, 2022 at 23:12
Yeah I know it is not a law yet.
My question is about the amendments of Meng that may help recapture visas for DV 2020 winners, who impacted by the covid 19 pandemic and Trump proclamation 10014,.
* Mr Curtis ( the lawyer) told recapture DV 2020 visas for the winners were affected by covid 19 pandemic and Trump proclamation 10014, is not in Meng amendment this time ( it is removed)
What is the truth..?
July 15, 2022 at 03:56
I’m not interested in discussing a law until its a law.
July 6, 2022 at 03:17
Hi Brit,
For the affidavit of support form I-134, what I downloaded says “form i-134, Declaration of financial support”
The latter is the most updated on the uscis website but contains irrelevant questions to DV cases like date of return from the US,…
Should we keep using this i-134 or the i-864?
Thanks
July 10, 2022 at 22:24
https://youtu.be/hVTNJc2i6sw
July 6, 2022 at 16:04
Hi brit
AF region 2023 winner.
For my case, the date of high school completion in the DS 260 is different from the one on my certificate
Is it necessary to unlock for this case or I can correct it on the interview date.
July 10, 2022 at 22:49
It’s not important enough to correct.
July 7, 2022 at 08:27
Hello,
I went to the US embassy and provided all documents. Finally, they returned my passport to me after the interview and asked me to send them a resume (I am University Professor) by email. So, what is the next step? I mean if my Green Card has approved will they asked me to bring my passport to them again? I really confused. Indeed, generally visa is pasting on one page of the passport but now my passport is with myself. How is it possible?
July 10, 2022 at 22:54
They would need your passport to issue the visa. Seems like they have put you on AP to do additional background checks.
July 7, 2022 at 14:46
Hello again
I am sorry to take your time. I am from Iran but I live in China and I already did the interview in China. I intend to go back to Iran now. So, if my DV visa has approved what should I do? I mean my passport is with me in Iran then how can I go to the US while there is no VISA page in my passport? You know that before the interview, we provide an address in US. So, does it mean that we cannot pick up the Green Card from the embassy, but the Green Card is transferred directly to the provided address in USA? if so, then how can we go to US to pick up our green card? I am really confused about this step. So, sorry.
July 10, 2022 at 23:08
You would have to send your passport back to China for the visa to be inserted to your passport. The GC is only sent after you enter the USA.
July 7, 2022 at 15:05
Sorry bro,
After interview, the consular officer gave me two forms “CCP/Administrative Processing 221G Sheet” and “Additional Processing Letter” and he asked me to send them the required items in this letter such as my Resume. But now, when I check my visa statues from the following website “https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=IV”. It is written that my VISA was refused directly by the consular officer exactly on the interview date. If so, why he asked me to send him this additional documents? Is there any hope that situation of my VISA change? Is it related to my Iranian nationality?
“A U.S. consular officer has adjudicated and refused your visa application. Please follow any instructions provided by the consular officer. If you were informed by the consular officer that your case was refused for administrative processing, your case will remain refused while undergoing such processing. You will receive another adjudication once such processing is complete. Please be advised that the processing time varies and that you will be contacted if additional information is needed. For more information, please visit TRAVEL.STATE.GOV or the website for the Embassy or Consulate at which you made your visa application.”
July 10, 2022 at 23:09
I don’t know what will happen in your case. It sounds like final refusal.
July 7, 2022 at 23:45
Hi.. Brit, how you doing. Our family (4 persons) are received passport with Visa and immigration packages for DV-22 (2022AS17xxx).
We’re family is from Myanmar (Burma) Nationality.
09/May/2021 – 1st time submission for DS260
05/Aug/2021 – Unlocked for DB260 revisions.
11/Aug/2021 – Final DS260 submission completed.
5/July/2022 – Interview at Consular (Singapore Post)
6/July/2022 – Visa Issued
7/July/2022 – received passport with Visa and immigration package
7/July/2022 – Paid USD 220 for immigration fee each person.
Our family are really thankful and remember to you and Jesse. ????
I just want to share for others DV Applicant’s as I do follow exactly as Brit Simon advice and guidance for DS260 and prepare for documentation.
I do make as much as accurate information at DS260 and honestly. I’m always listening You and Jesse discussed and coffee talk. I’m very appreciate both of you and you’re are save the our family life and future.
I’d hope I really want to see you in United States.
July 10, 2022 at 23:17
Best of luck on your American journey!!
July 8, 2022 at 16:13
Hello Mr. Simon
My DS-260 was submitted last week and I inadvertently omitted my secondary school certificate and only mentioned my diplomas. Should I unlock to add that and will that disqualify me?
July 10, 2022 at 23:20
I would unlock and correct that since it is so early anyway.
July 8, 2022 at 18:09
Dear Sir,
You have mentioned that the last waves of Visa for year 2022. I haven’t received even the schedule date of my interview yet. I am very concerned about this, could you please consult me what to do?
July 10, 2022 at 23:22
You are too vague. I can’t tell you anything with no information.
July 17, 2022 at 12:45
Greetings dear Brit, thank you for the great effort, in my Passport my name written like this Omer, and when i issued passports for my children they wrote my name like this Omar!
is it a big problem?
what your advice?
we are a big family i have 6 children.
Thank you very much
July 25, 2022 at 12:25
Correct the passports.
July 16, 2022 at 07:37
I’m DV2020 winner from Africa. I have one spell mistake in my name.
But I have changed my name as on DV congratulations and so I have made passport, birth certificate, kebele ID as on dv. So it’s needed for me to unlock my dad 260? I’m documentary qualified in early.
July 25, 2022 at 11:37
Nothing you can do at this point.
July 20, 2022 at 15:28
Hello, I have an error in the DDS, the place of birth. I wrote the governorate in the two options, even in the place of the city. There is a mistake in the name of the institute. What do I do?
July 25, 2022 at 14:14
If you are DV2023 – unlock and correct.
July 20, 2022 at 18:01
What a great Job BritSimon, it really adds value to our journey Blessings from peru !!! I did unlocked mine and submited as well so i have a peace of mind now. I wish all of you the best and better delay than denied absolutely!!!
July 24, 2022 at 20:35
Hi Brit,
Thank you for your support. I have a question.
1. I have attended to my Degree Academics in a Institution located in Sri Lanka. But the degree was awarded and the Certificate was issued by a UK University. It’s a UK Degree done in a local Institution.
So which institution should I enter in the Education Section in DS 260 form? Is it Sri Lankan Institution or the foreign University? or Do I have to enter Both?
Thank you.
July 25, 2022 at 14:39
SL
July 27, 2022 at 18:07
Hi Brit Simon,
Greetings of the day Sir,
I would like to inform you that while entering dv lottery i entered my spouse’s name ROJISHA SHRESTHA and my son’s name SHOURISH SHRESTHA. The spelling’s are mistake as in passport and other documents.
But while filling up the visa application form DS-260, i have corrected the spelling and entered it as in the passport and other documents. Spouse name-ROJEESHA SHRESTHA
Son’s name- SHAURISH SHRESTHA
In My 2nl the names are spelled the way i entered in the lottery form.
Could you please inform this will be a problem for me during the interview??
Thanks & Regards.
July 29, 2022 at 11:59
Not normally a problem.
August 2, 2022 at 18:07
Thank you for your time Sir, and your information regarding DV is very helpful
July 29, 2022 at 18:41
Hi BritSimon,
I am from Sri Lanka. I have submitted my DS260 on 1st of June 2022. My spouse went to Dubai on 27th July 2022 for a 3 months visit visa to search for a job. If he is able to find a job in Dubai he will stay there and do his job. Otherwise he may be come back to Sri Lanka after 3 months period.
In DS260, is my spouse current address (Dubai), countries that traveled within 5 years need to update?Do I need to change my DS260 as per to this situation?
July 30, 2022 at 08:48
No
August 1, 2022 at 23:20
Thank you Mr. Simon, you are doing a very nice job and are very helpful.
I have a question, my passport is the date of birth, the year is different from the high school diploma, and I registered with the passport number, there is an error in the date of birth. What do you advise me?
please reply
August 2, 2022 at 12:56
As long as the DS260 matches the DOB on the passport, it should not be a problem.
August 17, 2022 at 15:03
Hi BritSimon,
I have sent an email to KCC explaining this issue. Here’s the response I got from KCC.
What is the actual meaning of this? Unlocking or not?
Your answers on the DS-260 application should be as accurate as possible in order to minimize the potential for confusion and delay in your case. Once submitted, a DS-260 cannot be deleted or removed. If there is an error in your DS-260 application form or if you need to make changes, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) can unlock the form for you so that you can make any changes required. If you would like us to unlock one or more forms in your case, please reply to this address, including your case number, date of birth (MMDDYYYY) and the names of the applicants whose forms you would like us to unlock, and an explanation as to why you need the DS-260 unlocked.
August 17, 2022 at 15:05
Hi BritSimon,
I am from Sri Lanka. I have submitted my DS260 on 1st of June 2022. My spouse went to Dubai on 27th July 2022 for a 3 months visit visa to search for a job. If he is able to find a job in Dubai he will stay there and do his job. Otherwise he may be come back to Sri Lanka after 3 months period.
In DS260, is my spouse current address (Dubai), countries that traveled within 5 years need to update?Do I need to change my DS260 as per to this situation?
I have sent an email to KCC explaining this issue. Here’s the response I got from KCC.
What is the actual meaning of this? Unlocking or not?
Your answers on the DS-260 application should be as accurate as possible in order to minimize the potential for confusion and delay in your case. Once submitted, a DS-260 cannot be deleted or removed. If there is an error in your DS-260 application form or if you need to make changes, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) can unlock the form for you so that you can make any changes required. If you would like us to unlock one or more forms in your case, please reply to this address, including your case number, date of birth (MMDDYYYY) and the names of the applicants whose forms you would like us to unlock, and an explanation as to why you need the DS-260 unlocked.
August 22, 2022 at 04:15
I already answered. The email from KCC is simply a template reply.
July 30, 2022 at 16:22
Hello Simon,
We are French and our ITW is scheduled in Paris for early August.
We are a family of 3. Our daughter was born last december. In January, we re-opened our DS260 to add her on ours and create one for her, however her passport was not issued yet so we just put my passport number on her DS260 in the meantime.
Now her passport has been issued since early April. We did not re-opened her DS260 at the time because we were not scheduled yet. We were worried it would harm our scheduling chances to re-open it again.
Now, can we re-open a DS260 once our itw is scheduled?
Should we write to the embassy directly before our itw to advise them of this new passport number or should we wait for the embassy meeting?
Thank you so much for your help,
Best
August 2, 2022 at 12:25
Write to the embassy and you can correct it at the interview.
August 4, 2022 at 10:32
Thank you so much for your reply.
Just want to give some feedback (in case it helps ????♀️) as we had our interview in Paris yesterday:
Some context:
My husband won DV lottery 22. At the time we were together for 8 years but not married. But mariage was planned already. We got married in Dec 2020 and had a baby in December 2021. So he ended having two derivatives on his case he did not have when he played :). We are French and were scheduled in Paris embassy.
CN: 2022EU26k
First DS260 application: August 2021 – Then re-opened January 2022 for our daughter’s birth.
Received 2NL end of June 2022
Here is our ITW experience:
Arrived at 8am for a 8.30 itw. We queued for 30min average so anticipate to arrive early
FYI they do not let you go first if you have a baby with you (they do not have the right to do it), so be prepared to entertain your baby 😉
– We were indeed easily able to change some info on our DS260 (in our case the passport number of our daughter) at the embassy (see more below)
– We could not enter the embassy without having the police records (to enter the first door, even before security) – the woman at the front door asked for: passport, police records and DS260 confirmation
– Then security
– Then we went to pay for the visa fee
– Then we had a very smooth and sweet exchange with the woman who gathered our documents. We did not have anything missing. Some people on the same day have had a direct refusal because of their ORIGINAL police records was missing. Another person was Refused as well because her DS260 had not been open for more than a year….
– Then our interview with the CO. The woman was not nice and pretty cold. She asked us 4 questions in 3min max (after asking us to raise our right hand and confirm we had shared only true informations ahah):
1. When did you play DV lottery? (my husband actually did not remember I had to tell him….. November 2020)
2. So you played lottery in November and got Married in December…….? We said yes. We did not justify that much. My husband just joked that he proposed in LA 5 years ago. She said ok.
3. What is your highest school degree? (we both have masters)
4. What do you do for work? (we both have senior manager positions)
– Nothing asked about financials even though we were 3 (maybe because of school degree: we both have masters)
– Also, on our original DV entry, my husband (the main applicant) forgot put his 3rd name, only the two first names and the surname. However on the DS260 he put the 3 names, just like in the passport. Nobody noticed or said anything about it (it was one of our fear).
She then said in the coldest way “I am willing to approve this but I just need to finish the baby’s file. There are enough visa numbers left so it’s ok. I will try to do it today. You will receive the passport in 2 weeks approx.”. Then she put our file aside. To be honnest, this non-definitive approval answer was pretty confusing so we were scared to be put AP.
We left the embassy at 10am
Then our status were AP from 11am until it went Issued at 3.30pm!! so pretty quick
Thank you again Simon for your tremendous help!!!
Good luck for all
August 5, 2022 at 15:25
Easy huh! Congratulations!
August 5, 2022 at 03:12
Hello! I submitted ds260 on May 11th, EU32k. Do you think a mistake in the telephone number of the derivative entry is crucial for unblocking?
August 5, 2022 at 16:09
No
August 5, 2022 at 21:27
Hi Simon, you probably already answer this somewhere but anyway. I’m selected for 2023. Me and my husband are on the ds260 list but my daughter isn’t, she already have green card, do I have to add her as applicant even she already has green card or not?
August 6, 2022 at 17:19
You do not create a DS260 for her, but she should be listed on your own DS260s
August 5, 2022 at 21:39
Hi Simon,
Sorry forgot to add, my daughter is married and she is above 21 years. Ds260 said to add applicant for spouses and kids if they are younger then 21 years
August 7, 2022 at 05:06
Hi Simon, Im the main applicant and the lottery winner. My self and my wife have submitted the DS 260’s and waiting to be called for the interview.
Also i have selected a for job in dubai and they wanted me to be in dubai by end of september 2022. If i go for it will there be any impact to My lottery as i have not mentioned that in my work experience and about travel history. Currently im in Sri Lanka.
*Do i need to unlock the Ds 260 and mentioned it?
*If i stay in dubai till i get called for the interview, do i need to get a police report from dubai too?
*is it a good idea to change the interview location to dubai? But i have mentioned the Sri Lanka as the location in the DS 260
Appreciate your answers for above concerns..
August 7, 2022 at 20:22
1. No
2. Yes
3. Maybe. Depends on your case number.
August 10, 2022 at 02:44
Hey, Thanks alot for the kind reply.
Few more concerns
1. What if the consular officer asked why i have not mentioned the dubai work experiance in the DS 260 and only mentioned in my CV? Any suggested answer..
2.. Any other documents that i need to get from dubai apart from police certificate if i stay more than 6months. I might get work visa there after 3month of joining.
3. My case no range is 12XXX. Changing to dubai as the interview location is not a good idea right?
4. Any idea about when will be interview process starts in Sri Lanka and Dubai?
Looking forward to hear from you.
Thanks alot.
August 12, 2022 at 00:24
1. The truth.
2. Do your own research.
3. I don’t know.
4. Starts in October for some cases with low numbers and processed DS260s.
August 14, 2022 at 18:31
Hi Brit
Thanks for being our mentor. I am DV2023 cn AF39k. Sent my DS 260 in June 24th. Now I have realised that I forgot to include two countries I visited last 5 year. Is it ok to request unlocking and correct now? Or it is not a big issue.
August 22, 2022 at 03:29
Yes you can unlock and correct. Given your case number it won’t cause delay.
August 15, 2022 at 21:28
Hello Brit, I’m a dv 2023 selectee. I have a question with regards my DS260 which I have already submitted. Is it necessary to unlock and make corrections because of the following reasons?
1. The mailing address in my original entry is different from the one in my DS 260 ( the original entry had my mother’s office address as the mailing address, but in the DS 260, I used our house address instead).
2. My high school have moved from the address I stated in the DS 260.
Please help me put my mind to rest.
August 22, 2022 at 03:58
No
August 17, 2022 at 22:50
Hello Simon,
After the submission of DS-260 I realized that I didn’t type my name in my native language (Arabic), and instead I typed it in the English alphabet. My submission was on the 14th of May, and my case no is 2023AS26***. Is this considered a minor mistake or do u recommend unlocking it?
Thank u so much
August 22, 2022 at 04:17
No need to unlock.
August 31, 2022 at 02:52
Hello Simon,
I’m a DV-2023 selectee. I’m hoping you can answer my question:
I am a dual citizen and have two different passports. My name is spelled as Hs… on one of the passports, but the other one is spelled as Sh… On the initial e-DV entry, I listed my name as Hs… On the DS-260, my name is spelled as Hs… but I have put the other spelling of my name “Sh…” in the “Other Names” section. Will this be a problem? Thanks for your help.
September 5, 2022 at 20:37
As long as the correct legal name is listed it should be OK.
September 6, 2022 at 05:49
Hi Brit’s thank you for good work am ready with my documents when will I get calling latter for interview
September 6, 2022 at 14:38
I don’t know.
January 13, 2023 at 12:52
Dear Mr. BritSimon,
I beg your mercy to help me with your right and confirmed answer, and I wish you please could read this reply carefully to understand my problem well.
Sir, I’m a selectee in 2023-DV (Asia Region). 18 years ago the corporation I was working for applied for a visa for me to participate in a one-month training workshop in a U.S State.
Anyway, I had an interview in the U.S embassy in my country and after the interview the CO gave me a very small green piece of paper (about 1inch×2inches) containg a number, as I think, and gave my passport back to me without any stamp on it. Then I asked the CO, (what do I have to do Sir?) and he said me that I’d be contacted withing two or three weeks.
((Does this mean that I have been refused a visa?))
To make it clearer,
after the interview I went back to my work place, and gave that small piece of paper to the corporation manager. Unfortunately, after a week I resigned from the corporation due to some family urgent affairs, and I didn’t know at all what went on or happened to my visa after that.
So, my problem is here, Sir.
In the DS-260 there is a question:
((Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, or been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry?))
I answered (No), believing that I have not been refused a visa.
So, Sir, do I have to unlock my DS-260 to correct that question?
I beg your merciful help and assistance to guide me to the best way that will never affect my DS-260 and my interview as well, because this the last hope I have in my life.
God bless you! God bless you! God bless you!
And I am so so so sorry for bothering you or interupting your time.
January 15, 2023 at 10:27
No need to correct.
January 9, 2023 at 04:12
Hi Brit. I’ve reviewed my submitted DS-260 form and noticed that I didn’t include the high school degree information (12 years) even though I have it, thinking that filling my highest education level–a university degree, bachelor–would suffice.
Do I need to unlock and include my high school degree information, or is it okay and I can bring both my high school and university certificates once I get called for the interview? It will be in Jakarta, Indonesia.
January 15, 2023 at 09:40
I would normally say to unlock and correct but not if your case number is current or close to current.
January 17, 2023 at 00:42
Hello Brit. I am DV-2023 selectee My case numer is 2023AF26k and i fall my Ds-260 Form on may 28. but i made errors. my mistakes on that form is on education I’ve High School Degree. But I fill the form as High school no degree, Now the time is Jan. Can i Unlock my Ds-260 form again ? help me please!
January 20, 2023 at 12:36
No need. You will show education at the interview.
March 19, 2023 at 17:49
Dear Simon,
I submitted my DS-260 in September 2022, in January 2023 I moved to a new apartment and in April I will move again. Do I need to unlock my DS-260 to add my current address and the next one I will live in?
Thank you for your help!
March 20, 2023 at 09:22
No.