OK – as I am writing this it is midnight here in California, 3am on the East coast of USA. That means the DV2016 results have been available for 15 hours. So far, I have not seen a single verified “selected” case. Some people have claimed success, but so far all the cases seem to be hoaxes.
So – it is feeling like something is amiss. We might be seeing another technical problem. It wouldn’t be the first in recent years.
In 2012 the selection program had some testing code left switched on that meant all the winners selected were from the first couple of days of entries. People were notified they were winner, and others were told they were not. The bug was identified, the results were cancelled and the draw was redone.
In DV2015 there was a glitch where some people saw a not selected message by mistake when they were actually winners. This was resolved within a day or so and some people have been contacted by email to suggest they checked the result again – whereupon they found they were winners.
So how about this year?
There seems to be two different cases.
1. In one case the entry is checked and almost instantly the system returns “not selected”.
2. In the other case the entry is checked and after a slightly longer period (1 to 2 seconds) the system returns a message saying “Session Timed out” as shown below:-
There is a consistency of this second message – some cases always get it whilst the not selected cases are just as reliable. Some people are getting messages through incorrect data input, but that is not what I am referring to.
The regularity and the consistency of the session timed out message is making me feel these cases are somehow different to the not selected – and since that can only mean the opposite of not selected, I am speculating that these cases may in fact be winners. So – I am saying the cases that return “not selected are indeed not selected, but those that go straight to session timed out might be winners.
I hate speculating BUT people may jump to various conclusions and I would rather get an explanation out to my readers, as opposed to no information.
I have details for three cases like this at the moment. I am hopeful that DoS will resolve whatever issue they are having and I have my fingers crossed for those that may be about to get some good news.
UPDATE: People have mentioned they can see the session timed out message after seeing the not selected message. You can cause the session timed out error. Multiple windows, clicking back and yes – actually letting the session time out.
However, what we are talking about is someone who consistently enters the information and gets the session timed out error – and in my tests I can alternate between not selected cases and “interesting” cases with 100% predictability. So – that rules out network issues, browser issues, server load and so on. There is something “different” about the 3 interesting cases I have.
If this is true it is because of a programming glitch. I’m a programmer. The programming logic would go like this:-
Check the login data against a database.
Is the case selected?
If No – easy – just put up the standard not selected message that 99% of people see.
If Yes – the system has to go and retrieve the 1NL which is a prepared letter (a “report” in IT terms).
The yes logic means an extra step would have to be made. That would require access to the letter image, or at least the data that is filled into a form (but I believe it is an image based on previous years 1NLs).
THat theory would suggest that “not selected” cases are indeed not selected – but it should be remembered that last year the glitch meant that some were told they were not selected when they were in fact selected. So – everyone should check again once this is resolved…
Hope that explains why the IT geeks are leaning a certain way… could be wrong of course – just an educated guess.
DV2016 results mystery update
April 12, 2019 at 18:22
I saw that with my identification ?
September 25, 2017 at 16:10
MY PROBLEM IS THEINFORMATION HAVE ANY TIME I CHECK IS NOT PROCESS AT THIS TIME
September 25, 2017 at 17:07
Read this – it may help
https://britsimonsays.com/DV2018-basic-questions/
January 23, 2017 at 15:26
Hello Brit., I played DV in October 2016, when I should be expecting to check my result?
January 23, 2017 at 16:35
The instructions said May – right?
January 23, 2017 at 13:26
Hi brity,I solo form Ethiopia with case number 35xxx so when will be the interview schedules or the notification appeared on my e mail.
Thank you.
January 23, 2017 at 13:40
one thing i forget that i already filled DS260 on June 2016.How ever, I can not see any notifying even if my case number far so please tell me some thing that when will be interview appointment and is there any doubt of unsatisfactory or failure. I need to know about date of closing Visa issuance and is all selected of Ethiopian who have >50000 case number get chance of green card.
Thank you .
January 23, 2017 at 14:52
Your case number is not yet current. I am not predicting when it will be current. The DV2017 year end on September 30, 2017.
January 4, 2017 at 12:48
Hi Brit., I really need your assistance in playing the DV. Every year I play but have not been successful. Can u help me with any link to travel for studies in the U.S instead of this DV? I await your soonest response.
January 4, 2017 at 15:03
I don’t know anything about study visas.
January 4, 2017 at 15:17
Thanks for the response.
October 11, 2016 at 11:09
Cheers Brit, I was selected in the second draw for dvlottery 2017. I checked a couple of weeks ago and the letter came up on the screen. Now I want to get it again so I can print and get my case number to prepare the DS260 but when I check again it always comes “Session timed out”. It’s been like that for the last 3 days now. Any suggestions? Already used 3 different computers from different IPs. Any advice from you would be very appreciated. Thanks a lot for your help to all of us! Regards.
October 11, 2016 at 19:32
The problem is something you are doing. Close all the browser windows. Restart the computer. Make sure you try ONE window, and preferably use Chrome.
October 10, 2016 at 16:41
Hi britsimon,I registered for the dv lottery last year October 7,2015.and I wasn’t selected.please can I register again this year 2016?
October 10, 2016 at 16:58
Yes.
October 4, 2016 at 08:23
Hi Britsimon,
in May i wrote you, inquiring about the results. i was not able to log in despite multiple attempts while correctly filling up all details in the website. i’ m afraid it is still not working after doing whatever you suggested. at first i thought it could be a problem with their server due to the amount of log in requests it might receive. yet it is still not working. i dont know what to do anymore.
what could it be? the application is for 2017. any lead or help is very much appreciated as always.
Thank you for everything, sincerely.
October 4, 2016 at 12:55
What could it be? You are doing something wrong. MILLIONS of other people have checked their result already. Send me your details by email and I will check for you. britsimon3 at gmail
October 4, 2016 at 13:37
Hi Brit,
I just sent you the email (malhikbah at yahoo.fr) with all details. i can’t thank you enough really, Thanks
October 4, 2016 at 13:49
Done – I have sent you the email results.
In case others are reading – this worked for me, first time. I have checked MANY cases just like this where people SWEAR they have followed the instructions and something “must be wrong”, but when I check there is no problem.
October 4, 2016 at 13:58
THANKS BRIT!! I GOT THE DRILL NOW !! and it worked for me! thanks stay Bless!!
October 4, 2016 at 14:51
🙂
May 7, 2016 at 12:16
Hi!
I was getting a consistent “session time out” message, but after a few hours, I finally got the “You have been randomly selected for further processing in the Diversity Immigrant Visa
Program for the fiscal year 2017” … Yay!!!
Simon,
a huge “thank you” for all the work! Your blog has been a huge help! Now I have a much better idea what to expect and how to proceed with the DV process! Good luck to everyone! I am really, really happy and seems that my case number (11XXX for EU) is pretty darn safe!!!
May 7, 2016 at 14:55
Congrats!
May 4, 2016 at 15:02
Hi Brit,
I copied all info (number, name and year of birth) from the confirmation email to check 2017 results,but when i hit submit it always says
“Warning: The information entered is not valid.
Please review the Confirmation Number, your Last/Family Name, and Year of Birth to ensure you have entered them exactly as they appear on your DV Confirmation Page, including punctuation.”
Do you how should I enter the info? Can you give some samples?
I’ve no idea how to do it now since I tried so many ways of inputting my name (since it’s already clear the confirmation number and year of birth cannot be altered)
May 4, 2016 at 16:29
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-checking-results-tips-faqs/
August 8, 2016 at 11:45
Hello Brit. How you. You said they will start releasing the visa bulletin cuts off so as to start with the 2017 winners beginning this 8 August for second letter. Are we certain about that?
2) can you predict the expected numbers to kick of this October and November section. Thank you.
August 8, 2016 at 14:16
Yes I am certain it will be in August – but the day of the month each month varies.
I’m not predicting.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
May 4, 2016 at 12:08
hi , can you tell us the problems you have observed in DV 2016 and 2017 results.
May 4, 2016 at 14:26
Dv2017 has no issues other than servers being busy.
May 4, 2016 at 16:33
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-checking-results-tips-faqs/
April 28, 2016 at 01:15
Hello my name is Nora I am from Congo brazzaville please I want to know if my country have the chance of winning the dv
April 28, 2016 at 02:48
Yes, they are eligible.
January 14, 2016 at 06:03
hi, simon submitted my DS260 on 24 october 2015 now there is no schedule you tell me the interview week or month my case number 2016AF00014497 and thank simon
January 14, 2016 at 06:25
This is the fourth time you have asked the same question (I answered three times before). Read those replies.
January 9, 2016 at 08:52
yeah I did it in June and thought it was going to be earlier than march anyway
January 8, 2016 at 06:10
I am Sandra from Cameroon and my case number is 23000 when is my interview due?
January 8, 2016 at 06:16
March or April – assuming you sent in your DS260 before about September.
January 6, 2016 at 07:31
my name is askar i am form ethiopia my case nuber is 13xxx i submited tha form in nov18.2015 so i need to tell me when i can get my interview appointment
January 6, 2016 at 07:32
April, maybe March
November 4, 2015 at 17:10
Hi Mr. BritSimon
Why Nigerians are not allow to apply for the DV program?
November 4, 2015 at 21:06
There are a number of countries excluded from the lottery. Those countries have reached a certain level of immigration through other types of immigration, so the lottery (which is to promote DIVERSITY) is no longer open to them. That is the case with Nigeria. It may change in the future, but I would guess Nigerian immigration is growing anyway through the existing Nigerian community in the USA already.
October 30, 2015 at 06:31
i have applied for 2016 lottery to what date should i check my status
is it time over now
October 30, 2015 at 22:53
Are you sure you mean DV2016? That was an entry date of a year ago, and results were released in May. You can still check that.
DV-2017 is open now and results will be announced in May next year.
October 26, 2015 at 18:55
MR SAIMON HI, IAM A BOY FROM LIBERIA PLEASE PRAY LET ME WIN THE GREEN CARD LOTTERY
MY DREAM IS TO COME TO AMERICA TO JUST SCHOOL AND RETURN HOME MY NAME SHERIFF MCARTHUR KOLLEH
October 26, 2015 at 18:57
I don’t pray – but good luck!
October 23, 2015 at 10:35
Hello, can you predict the situation of 2016AF44000 at the moment ?
October 22, 2015 at 21:35
Good day, I am a winner of the 2016 DV lottery program. Can I submit an entry for the 2017 DV program as principal applicant ?
October 23, 2015 at 00:52
Yes, no issue.
October 14, 2015 at 06:16
hi
from Ethiopia my case number AF00013xxx, bu i didn’t gate Interview appointment
October 14, 2015 at 06:24
Of course not, because the Ethiopia number is 12200.
October 12, 2015 at 12:27
I received a message that I won lottery in this email address Larry Starr so I just wanted to know it’s correct
October 12, 2015 at 13:30
That is probably a scam. KCC don’t send messages like that.
September 27, 2015 at 04:56
I wsnt to register
September 27, 2015 at 14:40
You can register for the next lottery from October 1.
September 21, 2015 at 05:00
I have been taking this DV lottery since it started but till now “not selected”. Something is wrong in this DV system. They should have also a system in which they selected from those who apply every year of DV lottery too.
September 21, 2015 at 13:15
Each year is random. That is the law.
September 11, 2015 at 16:17
Hi Simon 🙂 I would appreciate if u answer me for something that I’m not understanding. Here in the letters that are required for the interview says that if u have lived in another state more than 1 year u should take an Penalty evidence and u have to translate and notarize it . But my father has taken this evidence to the embassy and it is in turkish language and in english . If I sent the original that is in englisht and turkish do I have to notarize it? thank you
September 11, 2015 at 17:12
Documents don’t normally need to be notarized. BUT if the embassy are asking for that – it is best to comply.
September 9, 2015 at 10:13
Ok dear,,,,please thank you,,,am grateful,,,,will do as u have suggested ..Thank You,
September 8, 2015 at 12:23
Thank you dear, Dear, please so what should i do… please kindly teach me what to do dear …please i need your help ,,,Thank you very much
September 8, 2015 at 15:40
The session timed out error is fixed – has been for months. If you are still getting it, it is because you are doing something wrong. I would suggest getting a trusted friend to help you.
September 7, 2015 at 13:07
dear please error; session timed out. thank you please
September 7, 2015 at 14:58
That issue is resolved a long time ago. If you are getting it now you are doing something wrong.
September 7, 2015 at 12:57
Dear Britsimon,
Please i have also been checking up to date and the result i have been receiving is sectioned time out,, please do i have a chance of winning ?,,, i cant wait for that day,… please we your help… please .do something …. thank you. Ruth
September 7, 2015 at 14:59
No – it is likely you are simply doing something wrong.
September 6, 2015 at 16:56
Hi there, does a second draw is scheduled for this dv ?
September 7, 2015 at 05:06
No.
August 31, 2015 at 07:04
Thanks a lot for being so considerate on this issue.
August 27, 2015 at 06:26
Is there any updates on the current problem with those who should have known their interview date for October 2016? I can’t log in to my confirmation page to see my 2nd letter. I got notification since August 25, 2016 that i have updates but than my confirmation page is not processing my info, it keeps giving error message. Any idea on how soon this gonna start working?
August 27, 2015 at 15:11
I don’t know for sure, but expect a day or two…
August 26, 2015 at 18:44
Hi BritSimon,
I know this is a little late, but I finally remembered to check my 2016 entry results.
But every time I try loading the results, it keeps showing me this error message:
“The system is unable to process your request. Please try again later. ORA-12514: TNS:listener does not currently know of service requested in connect descriptor”
However, when I tried on another browser it gave me the “The system is unable to process your request. Please try again later. Connection request timed out” error.
I double checked all my entries with my confirmation print out when I submitted it last year.
Confirmation – triple checked
Last Name – checked
Birth year – checked
Authentication code entered
Is it because I am checking my entry so late? But I thought this entry should last till June 2016.
Is there any hotline I can call to verbally or physically verify my results?
Kindda desperate.
Bernard
August 26, 2015 at 22:00
Right now, that same system is being hit with the first batch of people who are trying to know their interviews in October. That was released yesterday. Several of those people are reporting similar problems to what you describe – so it is just a problem with the servers. Wait a couple of days and try again.
August 27, 2015 at 19:10
Thanks so much for your response, BritSimon. As it turns out, I haven’t been selected.
Based on the information provided, the Entry HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED for further processing for the Electronic Diversity Visa program at this time.
July 26, 2015 at 12:43
Genious Simon, thanks for helping people to realize their dreams. I’m Jean, DV 2016 selected from Rwanda (Africa), with a family of 5 people. I have been following your blogs since God blessed the selection of my case. My cn is looking low with high chance in the first calls – Probably October this year, if am not wrong with my guesses. This is 2016AF00005xxx. Already completed my DS 260 by last end May and then have been assembling documents. Surely, I wil keep your page live on my IPad for further orientations. With a family of 5, the chance should blow some US thousands if consider interview costs that involve transports, accomodation, medical costs, and visa costs. However, the oportunities to US are many: better education for our kids and better leaving conditions… Ofcourse, with relative challenges….Any tip is most welcome. Thank you.
July 26, 2015 at 14:28
It is an enormous opportunity – but yes – it will be expensive and hard to start with. Realistically, most immigrants find they struggle to establish themselves and it can mean years of struggles, but we do this for our children – you have 3 kids that will grow up with unlimited opportunity – and that is the dream.
I don’t have any tips – but given the fees you are risking, do take time to make sure you fully qualify for the visa, and have followed the process well. Feel free to ask about any aspect of the process that concerns you.
Best of luck
July 19, 2015 at 17:48
hello
please my name is ABDUL and my problem is that my date of birth on my certificate
has a slight problem and thus 01/07 is the birth day and month but on the certificate its 01/06
thus the day and year all correct but just the month which is the problem..
so i need your help Bro..
July 21, 2015 at 04:14
It is a problem, but hopefully not too serious. Make sure you have the correct date in the DS260