The entry period for DV-2018 has been announced.
The online entry system will open on October 4th, 2016 and remain open until November 7th, 2016. The “winners” will be announced in early May 2017, and processing will begin in October 2017.
The entry process is VERY simple, it is completely free. PLEASE DO NOT enter through an agent. The agents will often mess up the application, and sometimes force you to pay thousands of dollars in fees.
Entries are chosen at random – there is no rush to enter early. I will publish a guide to entering the lottery in due course.
The official entry site is here – https://www.dvlottery.state.gov. Nearer the time they will publish the instructions.
By the way, I am usually asked these sort of questions.
- Can I apply if I am waiting to be processed in DV2017?
- Can I apply if I was refused before?
- Can I apply if I am finishing my studies?
- And just about any other version of can I apply if….
In ALL cases, the answer is YES. Anyone can apply. Entering the lottery is open to anyone. If you are selected you then decide whether you meet the requirements of not or whether you want to proceed with the application.
One last piece of advice. If you do enter, be 100% honest in your entry. Mistakes or lies on your entry can get you disqualified later. Follow the instructions!!! The things that normally get people disqualified is:
- Wrong marital status – saying single when you are married (certain disqualification)
- Leaving a spouse or child off the application (certain disqualification)
- Choosing wrong country of chargeability, it should be based on place of birth (frequent disqualification)
- Entering more than once (causes the entry to be eliminated from the draw)
- Not following the photo instructions (usually causes the entry to be eliminated from the draw)
May 15, 2018 at 21:39
hello,i played the dvlottery on november 3 2018, when will the result be out
May 16, 2018 at 01:53
Today.
October 1, 2017 at 18:54
Pls Brit.. Am 2018 dv winner and a high school students who will write his final exams on June 2018..the results may come on July can I wait and apply for the visa on that July whiles the entrant expires on 30th September 2018 or just quit
October 1, 2017 at 18:57
You would want to submit your DS260 in about late May. That way you would get an August or September interview.
August 10, 2017 at 07:37
Thanks bro
August 5, 2017 at 09:17
My case number was fa201800009343 do you know in months interview scheduled
August 5, 2017 at 14:48
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
August 5, 2017 at 09:08
Help me I am 2018 dv winner is that problem on my educational certificate (waliyi) but on my application woliyi have problem at the time of interview
August 5, 2017 at 14:49
Usually not a problem.
July 1, 2017 at 14:03
Hi Britsimon is’t true that the dv programm have been ban.
July 1, 2017 at 14:04
https://britsimonsays.com/travel-ban-terms-clarified/
June 10, 2017 at 15:32
Got selected in 2018 but i used photos that had used 2016 can this affect my interviews.
June 10, 2017 at 16:36
Possibly.
May 3, 2017 at 07:50
Hi brit itry to inter my confirmation number but it say invalid please tell me why
May 2, 2017 at 13:00
Hi Dear Brit!
did the DV lottery announce yet?
Regards.
May 2, 2017 at 13:46
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-draw-results/
May 2, 2017 at 05:23
Hi Brit,
Today is the day for the DV 2018 results to be displayed but my confirmation number shows invalid. What would be the reason behind it ?
May 2, 2017 at 06:20
Because it is “tomorrow” the results are published!
May 1, 2017 at 21:06
Brit, when I am going to check DV2018 result?
May 1, 2017 at 22:56
Is this a guessing game?
I’ll guess you will check on Thursday at 7:15pm.
Let me know if I win.
April 25, 2017 at 13:59
My brother played this gone 2017-dv by sending in 350 entries and was fortunate to have won 1. Is there a chance for him to be issued a visa on the day of his interview?
April 25, 2017 at 21:43
What embassy will interview him?
November 11, 2016 at 02:45
Hi, I have applied for DV-2018 but I want to withdraw my application.
Is there anyway to do that?
November 11, 2016 at 07:24
No.
November 5, 2016 at 00:43
Hi, if make an entry for myself, my spouse, and my 20 year-old son (my 23 year-old applied separately)? Then, my spouse wouldn’t make an entry for himself, me, and our son. Correct? Also, can someone under 21 years old enter on their own? Thank you.
November 5, 2016 at 05:05
You can apply (with husband and 20 year old listed)
Your husband can apply (with you and 20 year old listed)
Your son could apply.
3 applications.
October 30, 2016 at 23:38
Pls I need your help,my spouse is American citizen we got married in my country,,I was denied about 9 months ago can we apply for the lottery
October 31, 2016 at 04:38
You can apply – but whatever caused your refusal may continue to be a problem.
October 30, 2016 at 20:08
Hi. I have posted a comment before but can’t find the it so I’m not sure if that worked. I am considering entering for this. I have a questions though, my ex, father of my child has been out of the picture for last 5 years or so. We were never married but have a child together. Do I need to include him in the form?
October 31, 2016 at 04:43
no.
October 31, 2016 at 08:34
Thank you very much for your quick response.
October 15, 2016 at 12:36
hi
I have a question, for lottery 2018 the photo should be different from the photo on passport?
thanks for your answer.
October 15, 2016 at 14:20
It should be less than 6 months old. If you have copies of the one you used for a passport AND they meet the requirements you can use them.
October 15, 2016 at 14:47
Thanks for your quick reply Simon
October 5, 2016 at 11:01
Hi guys I go to the webpage: http://www.dvlottery.state.gov but there is NOTHING. No registry link on that webpage. Please help me as I looked through the entire page and there isn’t anything to register to the lottery.
ANY HELP?
October 5, 2016 at 13:42
Just wait a few days and try again.
October 6, 2016 at 05:36
Hi britsimon
I’m Satish mishra and I submitted my DS260 in june11 and my case number is around 1600 so when will I get my 2nl?
October 6, 2016 at 05:46
With a few weeks most likely.
September 13, 2016 at 10:44
Hi,Brit am a winner 2016 but unfortunately visa refused because agent messed up by adding man whom I don’t I felt an interview would i be able to apply Dv -2018
September 13, 2016 at 13:51
If you tried to commit a fraud and were refused for that, you may be banned for life.
September 9, 2016 at 21:05
Never Mind!!! I just checked it…I haven’t been selected unfortunately 🙁
September 9, 2016 at 18:07
I hope to win in next lottery.
September 9, 2016 at 00:32
Hey Mr Simon!
Is it true there will be a second withdraw for dv 2017?
September 9, 2016 at 02:37
It has happened.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-2017-2nd-draw-additional-selectees-chosen/
September 9, 2016 at 20:59
Oh my god! how did I miss that?!!
But Mr Simon, I lost my Confirmation Number. How can I get it back?!
September 8, 2016 at 15:40
Hi Simon,
I am originally from Ethiopia ( but i was born in Eritrea in 1990 with Ethiopian parents)i came to my home country in 1991 when i was 1 years old .so my question is,my birth certificate receive from Ethiopia officials even i have pass port, educational documents ,id card etc.is that problem during my interview (i have legal birth certificate from Ethiopia and i have church certificate receive from church in Eritrea).
September 8, 2016 at 16:16
I don’t think you will have a problem.
September 7, 2016 at 10:56
Hi Simon,
hope you are doing well, can i use my last year picture in 2018 entry?
September 7, 2016 at 12:55
Why would you break one of the rules that is so easy to observe. Take a new photo!
September 6, 2016 at 23:38
Hello sir .. I can apply for the lottery DV-2018 passport expired ?
September 6, 2016 at 23:42
Yes
September 6, 2016 at 19:26
I learnt there are additional selectees for dv2017 from us embassy Ghana twitter handle
September 6, 2016 at 19:54
Excellent info – thank you!!
September 6, 2016 at 02:31
Hi simon, i am DV af2017 winner and want to know three key things. 1. If my spouse go for visit in the USA and my 2nl come for interview, he needs to come down for the interview even if he is not the principle applicant? 2.He should let the embassy know that he is on a DV process and going for visit to the USA to come back? 3. If it happens and i am not financially potent to pay our visit fee, can i pay for only the principle applicant visa?
September 6, 2016 at 04:37
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes – but then sponsoring your spouse later will cost much more money and take a lot longer.
September 5, 2016 at 23:08
Hi Simon,
I am originally from Nepal ( Born in 1982 in Nepal with Nepali Parents). I came to Australia in 2007 when I was 24, I am now Australian Citizen, if I travel overseas now, I will have to travel with my Australian Passport and I will need visa if I want to visit even Nepal because of being Australian Citizen.
So my question is, How should I apply, do I apply from Australia or Nepal?
Thanks & Regards,
Dev
September 6, 2016 at 04:41
You apply as “charging” to Nepal. You can be interviewed wherever you live.
September 5, 2016 at 16:36
Thank you brist. I hope you guide me in the process. I also want to know about the date my case # 2017af00040xxx will be current?
September 5, 2016 at 17:37
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
September 5, 2016 at 14:38
Hi brit today i bought my plane ticket i will go in 24 septembre and the day of returne i choosed the 15 of july 2017 but my visa of six monthe will expire the monthe of january ,is that normal when i talk with immigration officer ,thnx lot brit
September 5, 2016 at 17:27
The expiry date for the DV visa is 6 months, but once you enter the USA you are an LPR and no longer need a visa. So your plan is fine.
September 5, 2016 at 13:20
Hi brist, kindly guide me in how to add my spouse on my program. Because i don’t want to be disqualify if i make mistake.
September 5, 2016 at 13:27
Simply answer the questions honestly and accurately. If you are married – be sure to say married. If you are single, say single. IF you are single and win, you can marry later and add your wife.
September 5, 2016 at 06:12
Brits, as always thank you. By the way the info is good,however I google it with no information on the start day
September 5, 2016 at 13:55
It’s October 4th.
September 4, 2016 at 21:00
Hi Brit!
I am a winner for dv 2017 n I haven’t submitted my DS260 for yet. I only have an ordinary level certificate plus a 3 years vocational training certificate in nursing. Does that make me eligible for a visa? Can I proceed with my application process?
September 5, 2016 at 04:13
It depends what the local embassy consider as the minimum standard of education. The vocational training cannot count.
https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
September 4, 2016 at 02:08
Hi Brit,
If you can help me about this?
I am the winner of DV-2016, now I live in New York with my family. I will be always grateful for the help you have given to me in this direction.
This year I want to apply for my brother and his family but his situation is a bit complicated.
He lives with his “wife” for 10 years and they have two children but they are not formally married.
Is it possible that my brother to apply as principal applicant and to add in his application two children and if selected as the winner after to add the “wife” ?
Should that his status in the application to be single?
Whether the same thing could be done by his wife?
I mean there are possibilities to make two applications and one of them if selected can added the spouse. In one application my brother can be principal applicant while in another application as the principal applicant can be his “wife”. In both applications be involved their children from this relationship without spouse because they are not married formally, only relationship but they are live together and they have two children.
Regards,
Alban
September 4, 2016 at 02:22
Yes, they both apply as single, each showing the children, exactly as you describe. They would need to marry if selected to both come.
September 3, 2016 at 19:08
thanks for the reminder. i am a single mother never married. how will i write my marital status? am interested n want to apply. of course i will include my son
September 4, 2016 at 01:24
Your marital status is Single.
May 7, 2018 at 09:08
my case is similar to ratemo’s,quick question though,will i need documents to proof custody for the baby?
May 7, 2018 at 16:20
Possibly.
September 3, 2016 at 17:35
Thank u bro britsimon i am a winner 2015 my Case No 00052896 bad luck at that year but i will tray again GBU for ur information
September 3, 2016 at 12:31
Thanks for the update .. from where can we get entry form and plz tell which documents should we have for applying
September 3, 2016 at 14:48
It will be here – https://www.dvlottery.state.gov
Instructions will be there when it opens.
September 3, 2016 at 10:54
hi i am dv 2017 winner is there any problem if i have again registered for dv 2018 this year and see my chance.
September 3, 2016 at 15:02
I updated the article – re read it.
September 3, 2016 at 10:22
Thanks a million for the information.
September 3, 2016 at 07:31
Good news to the prospective applicants. Thanks for the update Simon.