So today is October 1, 2016. That means interviewing of DV2017 cases will begin today, with the interviews spread out over the next 12 months. For everyone waiting for interview, remember this process requires patience, preparation (being OVER prepared is ideal!), and following a few simple instructions and giving accurate honest answers. The DV lottery is the easiest way to get a Green Card and to come and live in a wonderful country. Best of luck to those DV2017 selectees who are nervously waiting their chance to do just that.
For DV2016 applicants, yesterday was the last day of processing. Any case not approved by yesterday, cannot now be approved. There is no legal way to extend the program, there are no exceptions. So that does mean that some people are facing a bitter disappointment that will set in over the coming days. Some people that were on AP for various reasons will not have been cleared in time. Those cases now will never be clear, and will not be approved. However, I am aware of cases that were approved right up until yesterday, and those cases will be OK. The point of approval is what must be done by September 30. The printing of the visa and returning of the passports can be done over the next few days. The visas have an expiry date of 6 months after the medical so some DV2016 will be entering the USA for the first time over the next few months.
Finally, as we close out DV2016 and get ready for DV2017, just a brief reminder that DV2018 entry period opens up in a few days time. There is no need to rush your entry, take your time. Don’t use agents to enter for you, do it yourself and follow the instructions carefully. Anyone can enter, even someone who is waiting for processing on DV2017.
November 30, 2016 at 14:56
HI BRIT I AM 2017 WINNER AND MY CASE NUMBER IS AF201700015___00 AND I SUBMITTED MY DS260 FORM SEPTEMBER AND UP TO NOW I HAVE NOT RECEIVE MY LETTER YET SO CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHEN I WILL RECEIVE MY LETTER?
November 30, 2016 at 15:50
https://britsimonsays.com/update-ds260-processing
November 19, 2016 at 14:49
Hello Mr.Brit
Let me please ask you one thing.
First of all a little background of the problem. There were some changes in our passports in the whole country 2 or 3 back. The native side of our passports had been changed from Cyrilic (Russian Letters) alphabet to Uzbek (Latin letters) alphabet. For instance, “Тоир угли” changed to “Toir o’g’li”.
The problem is in the DS where there is a place Full Name in Native Alphabet I entered my full name using former Russian alphabet, I just completely forgot do to otherwise.
That is why I asked you some time ago whether it would take additional time for processing if I made corrections in the DS.
What do you think of the magnitude of this problem. Some people tell me it is not a big mistake and its nothing to worry about.
But still there is a chance the council may bring this up right?
Considering my case number this big (141xx) I dont want to take chances.
I would appreciate your perspective on this. Because its been 2 months since I submitted the DS and if I ever have to make those changes I think it is the very time. Or I should leave it this way
November 19, 2016 at 16:06
You asked me this three weeks ago. I told you to make the changes and it wouldn’t cause delay. Stop procrastinating. Get on with it!
November 16, 2016 at 21:00
Hello Brit,Im expecting my 2NL to come in the next batch,i have all documents prepared.My interview will be in Accra , the only issue i have now is whether to acquire a one and the same person affidavit for myself.My birth certificate and passport have my name in the format “John Smith”,but my high school certificate and college degree bear “John Smith Jnr” . Every other details remain intact and i entered the lottery without any help or agent.My dad actually added the Jnr earlier when i started schooling.In filling my DS260 i entered “John Smith Jnr” in the section that asked for other names used.Will I have any problem i should prepare for before my interview?
November 16, 2016 at 21:02
I don’t think you will need it – but if it makes you feel more prepared, do it.
November 16, 2016 at 21:17
Im just bothered with the high level of refusal for Ghana even with small name disparities
November 16, 2016 at 22:55
Yes, and that is a justified concern.
October 31, 2016 at 16:12
Hello Brit
First of all thank you for the fabelous stuff you are doing!
I was selected in the second draw with a CN EU 14XXX and I immediately submitted the DS. Let me ask you 2 things.
1. The thing is however I realized later that I had made a small mistake. On the DS there is a place to enter my Full Name in Native Language. In my passport my name is written in Latin but I used Cyrillic alphabet. I just forgot that a few years ago all passports in our country had changed from Cyrillic to Latin letters. I was told that it is nothing to worry about.
But I learned from your website that I can write to KCC to request unlock.
Suppose they unlocked the DS and I made corrections, would that take addition amount of time like extra 3 months starting afresh? I submitted the DS on September 11 and it’s been roughly 1 and half months. From your experience when do you think I should be expecting the NV letter for an interview?
2. At the time of original entry I was in my final year of Bachelor’s but I chose University Degree for the level of Education on eDV because I didn’t know what Some University Courses meant. Do you the the CO may bring this up? Anyways I have my degree now so I can take it with me to the interview.
I would appreciate your assistance. Thanks a lot!
October 31, 2016 at 17:53
1. They will not even have started processing your form yet – so you can safely unlock. Unlocking won’t add time. It will b several months before you are expecting a 2NL (depending on your case number)
2. No problem.
November 5, 2016 at 07:25
Thanks a lot Brit.
One more thing though, what do you think about my case number (EU14xxx) given that i was chosen in the second draw? Is it safe? Some people say it is risky. Can i expect the NL next year around march or april?
I was thinking of registering for DV 2018, wont that be an issue because i was a selectee?
Look forward to your reply
November 5, 2016 at 14:16
First an explanation why your number is so low. Your case number is lower than most of the EU cases from the 1st draw. The reason for that can only mean that you are from Uzbekistan or Ukraine (I call them the U2 countries). These two countries are “limited” during the draw to “only” 4500 selectees. Because there are so many entries from those two countries, the limit is reached at lower case numbers meaning all the U2 cases are in the first 14k numbers. The 2nd draw numbers start off from where the first draw numbers ended.
Now The U2 countries have a high failure rate (because of agents and fraud cases) so there is no chance that either U2 country will hit the country 7% rule, so all cases from the U2 countries (including yours) will become current (eligible for interview). Your number will probably be made current in the next Visa bulletin. BUT as you could only have submitted your DS260 in September at the earliest, you are correct that your interview won’t be until March/April at the earliest.
Entering DV2018 is no problem.
October 28, 2016 at 14:21
Hi Simon
Lets ask you one question.
1. When I summit the first Dv application form i had filled my office postal address on postal zone/zip code. but when I fill DS 260 I didn’t fill it. does it has a problem?
2. can I unlock my ds 260 for the second time?
Thanks
October 28, 2016 at 14:49
1. No
2. Yes