DV lottery guide
This presentation above should answer most questions for DV2016 applicants. You will find links to some important articles and a guide on completing your DS260.
I will update the presentation with additional detail as needed – so feel free to ask questions and give me feedback.
If you cannot see the version above please use this link to access the article directly.
May 18, 2025 at 12:40
Hi Simon,
I hope you’re well.
I’m a selectee for the DV 2026 lottery, with a case number in the AF region around 45k. I had a couple of questions and would really appreciate your guidance:
1. I’ve already submitted my DS-260 and included details of my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. However, I didn’t mention my high school education. Should I unlock the form to include that information as well?
2. Is it possible (and advisable) to enter the DV 2027 lottery as a backup option in case I’m not selected for an interview in the 2026 round?
Thank you in advance for your help.
May 18, 2025 at 14:51
1. Yes
2. Yes
May 16, 2025 at 11:47
Hello Simon, DV2026 EU44k AOS case, what do you think about doing walk-in for biometrics so that fasten interview scheduling? And what do you think of going to Kanzas-city to send the case from there to benefit center directly? I live in Austin, TX.
Thank you so much for your help!
May 17, 2025 at 07:52
I think the second idea is a bad idea, and both ideas are about a year too early.
You should understand that you cannot file AOS until your case is under the VB number, and that won’t happen until June or July 2026. With a case number that high, you might never get current.
May 15, 2025 at 01:34
Hi Mr Simon. If husband and wife both win, is it ok to fill in DS-260 for the whole familit for both case numbers, relocate the case numbers to different embasies and then decide which one to attend if shceduled for both? Isn’t it a violation of a rule or smth?
May 15, 2025 at 19:14
That’s OK.
May 10, 2025 at 13:13
Simon if I stayed in Spain for a period of 5 months(did a semester there) Do I need to include the address in which I stayed there(I included the Universitys name in education section) and get a Spanish police certificate for the interview?
May 10, 2025 at 16:29
You should list the address, but probably won’t need a police cert for that short period of time – read the instructions about when you need a police cert.
May 10, 2025 at 16:43
I didn’t list it when I first submitted the form,do I change it now? Also the VISA started on January 10th 2024 and ended on same year in the 22nd of July,but I only stayed there from 29th of January until 6th of June.
May 10, 2025 at 19:08
Personally, I would correct the DS260 to include that address.
May 10, 2025 at 00:34
Hi Simon, my son turns 21 in January, is that going to be an issue if our interview in Oceania is likely to be in April according to past years? How can we get around it? Thanks so much
May 10, 2025 at 10:30
There is a formula for CSPA that will “freeze” his age for a while – details here:
https://britsimonsays.com/child-turn-21-can-heshe-get-visa/
May 9, 2025 at 19:04
Hi Simon
My wife was selected from Albania and her case number is 10XXX what are her chances from the EU region
May 10, 2025 at 10:23
You must include the year with your region and case number.
But if I assume 2026 – chances are excellent.
May 9, 2025 at 12:45
Hello Simon I’m helped my in law fill out his DS-260 his case number is Europe ~33XXXX. My concern is his chargeability and what I now understand has wrong, Is father is Yemeni born cititzen and his mother ukraine born both parants are in the usa on green cards through family visa.
May 9, 2025 at 14:28
As I understand it, the parents are Yemeni and Ukraine, but they are not the applicant. The applicant (the winner) has his own case with an EU number. Where was he born, and what country of chargeability did he choose?
May 10, 2025 at 01:35
He was born in Yemen and country of chargeability was Ukraine.
May 10, 2025 at 10:41
OK, you were correct to be concerned. He cannot charge to Ukraine since one parent is Yemeni. He should have used his place of birth, Yemen, and that would have meant he got an AS region number. He should be disqualified. The only chance he has is a mistake being made by the CO – very unlikely.
May 10, 2025 at 01:53
seems like my earlier question was not uploaded in whole here is what i meant to post.
Hello Simon,
I helped my in-law complete his DS-260. His case number is Europe ~33XXXX.
I’m concerned there may be an issue with his chargeability. It may have been entered incorrectly. He was born in Yemen and lived there for nine years before moving to Jordan and then Egypt, where he is currently completing dental school. His father is Yemeni-born, and his mother was born in Ukraine. Both are now in the U.S. as green card holders through family sponsorship. His older siblings were born in Ukraine, and he holds both Yemeni and Ukrainian passports.
Given the possible chargeability error, should we continue with the DV process and wait to see if he receives a visa appointment? Or would it be better to withdraw the application now to avoid any complications in the future—especially if his mother plans to sponsor him later through a family-based petition?
Thank you for your guidance.
May 10, 2025 at 10:42
He should not continue the process in my opinion.
May 9, 2025 at 09:04
Hi Simon my cn is 2025AF3659x in addis ababa may I have chance for 2nl for july is thire chance to intervwe ? I feare !?
May 9, 2025 at 10:06
We have to wait and see….
May 9, 2025 at 07:19
Hello Simon! I hope you’re having a good day! I wanted to ask if you think my number 25xxx is safe for Europe? Thank you in advance
May 9, 2025 at 10:04
Probably, but we will know more later.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-2026-case-numbers-what-do-we-know-so-far/
May 4, 2025 at 08:46
Good morning Simon, I am writing to you because I am a bit concerned as I just read a new notice on the official website saying that for all Visa applicants now there is a requirement to fill out this DS-160 form.
I have already filled out the DS-260 after being selected in the green card lottery (Diversity Visa). I will have the appointment at the Consulate soon and I don’t know what to do because the notice is not clear.
Should I look for and fill out the DS-160 form as well, or does it only refer to other visas?
Thank you so much for your time!
May 4, 2025 at 09:28
The DS160 is not used for DV cases.
March 18, 2025 at 02:08
Hey Mr Britsimon Im Shawn from Nairobi Kenya 2025AF52412 CN and i filled out my ds260 using my work experience since i work in a media company can I apply for another lets say a non immigrant visa such as the I media visa for 90 days then switch my case while in the USA, i fear the backlog in Nairobi and the highness of my case number
March 18, 2025 at 13:42
That is possible, yes. Just understand that your immigrant case (DV) can make a non immigrant application a little harder.
February 19, 2025 at 05:52
Hello Simon i am Victor from Kenya DV25 winner..i visited qatar for an event for 7 months but i am unable to obtain the police clearance because they require someone to have a qatar i.d they cant even write any letters to present to the embassy..which one is the easy way out of this situation
February 19, 2025 at 08:07
Read the instructions and the reciprocity page for Qatar to see if you are even expected to present a police cert in your circumstances.
February 19, 2025 at 09:51
Yes according to to the page it is obtainable
February 19, 2025 at 11:37
But the instructions call for police certs for previously visited countries only from 12 months. So – make sure you READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.
February 28, 2025 at 10:06
Hi Mr Simon,
We always appreciate your guide in this matter.. what do u think overall about visa processing this year? I am from Asia and still the number is at 6k, isn’t it unusual? I am a bit stressed out. I am at 18000. I hope it will be a smooth year and we will get the chance of interviewing. Ty in advance
February 28, 2025 at 11:52
You might still get a chance. I have published a prediction video for AS region, and still expect that outcome.
February 19, 2025 at 02:25
Hello Simon. Thank you for creating the youtube channel.It has been giving us a lot of relevant information. When filling my DS 260 I was still employed but now am out of my place of work and working independently. Should I Request my DS 260 to be opened by KCC or should I give that information during my interview.
February 19, 2025 at 08:05
No need to unlock for that.
February 6, 2025 at 03:18
Hello Simson I hope you are doing very well,
I found on historical visa bulletin numbers of your page, for example for Africa
1/ region selected: 55943
2/ global selected: 131060,
Could you tell us what does that mean?
February 7, 2025 at 14:26
Selectees are the winners and their derivatives.
So the numbers show selectees for the region, and then for all regions combined.
What is unclear?
January 16, 2025 at 23:32
Hello Sir. Could you give me an advice please. I’m Russian, my embassy is Warsaw and case number is 292XX. I going to move my interview to Serbia or Kazakhstan. Because I haven’t have to get visa to arrive to these countries. Is it reasonable to move my case to Serbia right now? Do you see some risks now? Thank you in advance.
January 17, 2025 at 09:50
Serbia is a little backlogged at the moment whereas Almaty is not backlogged.
January 9, 2025 at 20:55
Hi boss , please I have a question I’m a DV winner from Asia my case number is 21000 and I always send inquiries to KCC to know whether my DS260 is processed or not yet they say it’s still processing that means it’s has been processed yet , is that normal, I heard that there cases number has been already processed and they reach to 27000 , is dear anything i can do ?
January 9, 2025 at 23:46
No, just wait. It will be months before your case number is ready anyway, so why stress about th processing?
December 10, 2024 at 11:41
Good evening Simon. If I can’t show up for the appointment set by the Consulate and I request a postponement, do you know how rescheduling works?
Does a low file number count in this case too, or could the appointment be postponed in the long run and is it risky despite the low case number? Thank you for your time and work.
December 11, 2024 at 13:54
Rescheduling an appointment introduces risk, so ONLY do that if there is no choice.
November 13, 2024 at 17:01
How do one apply for the DV lottery Visa
November 13, 2024 at 17:26
There is an entry period that opens in October each year. That entry period just closed on November 7th, so the next chance to enter will be in October next year.