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. SomeΒ people have claimed success, but so far all the cases seem to be hoaxes.
SoΒ – 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.Β 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 haveΒ been contactedΒ 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.Β 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 whoΒ consistentlyΒ 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?
IfΒ NoΒ – easy – just put up the standard not selected message that 99% of people see.
IfΒ YesΒ – 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
May 7, 2015 at 04:59
Hello. I’m From Uzbekistan. The first 2 times I’ve got “a session time out”. After 2 times only “Has not been selested” except me! So is there any chance?
May 7, 2015 at 05:14
I think if you see not selected, that means not selected…
May 7, 2015 at 05:18
Dear Britsimon
First of all thanks for your very good page.
I have applied for 4 people and 3 of them have the message “Not selected” but for one of them “session time out” . I tried several times and the result is the same. it is interesting that the result for this person for DV lottery 2015 is still “not selected”.
This case has a long family name (15 characters) . are your cases have the same ? I mean long family name? please help me. many thanks.
May 7, 2015 at 05:54
No – nothing to do with family name. Relax. That one case is going to get some good news.
May 7, 2015 at 06:22
I have applied for me and for my boyfriend, I tried more than 100 times and just got the sesion timed out and rarely server is busy error. but when I checked my boyfriend’s he just got a “not selected message”
Like most of other cases here. Seriously feeling so nervous, checking every website every tweet or blog to see if there is any winner.. so far nothing.
I wish everybody good luck! I hope our dreams will came true π
– TURKEY/Istanbul
May 7, 2015 at 06:26
Hopefully we will see a fix tomorrow.
May 7, 2015 at 06:27
Hi britSimon,
Your site is very inspiring and yes I am also getting this dreaded “Session Times Out” message with my details. My wife’s details show Not Selected but mine is consistent with the time out message. Is there anything we could do to let the state dept know of this glitch?
Thanks BritSimon.
Jass.
May 7, 2015 at 06:30
“Dreaded” – nooooo – which would you rather have? Not selected or session timed out?
No need for you to do anything. About 10,000 people already told them!
May 7, 2015 at 06:52
Could that be what is happening with VB not showing coming soon?
May 7, 2015 at 06:55
Showing coming soon is not necessary to the process in any way
May 7, 2015 at 06:57
HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED , mean???
May 7, 2015 at 06:57
Not been selected – not a winner. π
May 7, 2015 at 07:12
We are having the same problem here in Liberia.
May 7, 2015 at 07:24
It is global.
May 7, 2015 at 07:58
LOL IT guys screwup
May 7, 2015 at 08:08
Hi Britsimon my name is Nick(From Italy) I have always read this:Has not been selected,I have NEVER seen timed out or similar since 5th may, so am I not a winner?or something else?I suppose I am NOT a winner.Thanks a lot for the answer
May 7, 2015 at 14:49
Yes – sadly that means not selected.
May 7, 2015 at 08:16
this is another the best of KCC..Lets keeps our finger crossed
May 7, 2015 at 21:54
Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! my brother got selected. it was “Session Timed Out” and now it says Selected!!! I am so happy my brother will join me… Great!!! Good luck to you all. I applied for 22 people, and only one got selected. One is better than 0. I am going to call him and let him know, he will be so happy.
May 7, 2015 at 08:21
Hello
checked for my wife and I, both of us have the “time out” message !!
Following your explanation, this mean each applicant is a winner ???
Thanks
May 7, 2015 at 14:14
It is rare that you both win, but possible. Make sure you are not causing the time out with multiple windows, refreshing the page and so on.
May 7, 2015 at 09:34
Same issue for me in Germany. So far, I’ve tried to check my application’s status for more than 20 times with various browsers/operating systems during different times of the day.
Let’s hope that your thesis is correct and all cases with a “timeout” message may actually relate to successful DV lottery selectees. After more than 12 years of participating in the DV program, it is certainly about time…
May 7, 2015 at 09:45
Hi MR Britsimon my name is Nick(from italy)I have always seen this:Has not been selected,I have not seen time out or similiar so am I not a winner or something else?I suppose that I’m not a winner.Will I have to apply next october for the next lottery?Thanks for the answers
May 7, 2015 at 09:48
HI BritSimon!
I have had the same problem with session timed out.Everytime I enter my data I have the session timed out message. My sister got a Not been selected message but after 2 days I haven’t got an answer yet . I hope they will fix this problem soon. Maybe I am part of the “interesting” case.
Good Luck everyone!
Ina. (Albania)
May 7, 2015 at 10:14
Hi! Simon,
I have just checked my status it says not been selected for further process. I’m a bit confused but I know its a lottery its either you win or not. I am holding a visitor visa valid for one year, If I manage to get into the US and remain as undocumented person is there any possibility of getting green card.
May 8, 2015 at 02:11
That means not selected. Do not overstay – that will be very serious.
May 7, 2015 at 10:43
Same thing in Bulgaria – none real person selected and quite a few “session timed out” complaints in forums.
May 7, 2015 at 11:21
I also have an interesting situation here from Europe. My tourist visa was denied last month after initially been approved. The reason for denial was participation in the DV Lottery. After some investigation I read somewhere that Consulates would only be notified by the DoS IF the person is selected in the Lottery. So that made me already curious but now my entry also runs directly into ”Session timed out”
Lets keep praying for all those with the same message.
May 8, 2015 at 02:11
Interesting. but at least you won now!
May 7, 2015 at 11:36
I am from Liberia.. and we play for over 2000 person at our cafe. we saw that 5000 Liberian won.. but until now, we haven’t gotten one person that has been selected. we are getting three different errors, one is session timeout, the other is not selected, and third is the case number enter is not correct. we are copying and pasting the numbers and it is coming up with that error.
May 7, 2015 at 12:02
Though to share, I unlock my ds 260 did some changes on the sign and submit page any time I try to signed and submit I get section time out I have try over 15 times but can not go through this is as of last night 22:00GMT of course I am Liberia
May 7, 2015 at 12:19
I have checked more than 15 cases but I received “SECTION TIMED OUT” I have not also hear about a single winner in Liberia. Good luck to everyone!
May 7, 2015 at 12:33
it’s normal that the message session time out appear when a lot of people trying to get thier result ( system overloaded )
May 8, 2015 at 02:07
No – it was not that!
May 7, 2015 at 13:18
hi britsimon
thank you very much for information cuz, i have check more than 20 not selected
May 7, 2015 at 13:47
@USEmbassyAddis
Do you have questions regarding #dvlottery process? Join our facebook chat today, May 7, from 3:00 PM β 4:00 PM.
May 7, 2015 at 14:40
Hi Everybody, I’m from Iran, I receive Session time out from the first day until now.means winner or not? how many percent? I hope to everybody luck for Lottery.
May 8, 2015 at 02:07
winner huh!
May 7, 2015 at 14:42
Hi BritSimon my name is Nick(from italya)I have always seen this phrase:has not been selected,I have never seen time out or similar with different browsers and in different moment,am I not a winner or something else?I suppose that I am not a winner and I will have to try again next october,is correct?
May 8, 2015 at 02:06
correct
May 7, 2015 at 15:28
So Its 12 yers ina row I apply π and again no luck for me it said session timed out strigt ahead but for my boyfriend whos application i filled at the end of the month It says session timed out 2 days every time we enter the code from different servers brousers and cities thats weird dont you think.Thanks for giving us a hope.
May 7, 2015 at 19:13
If your boyfriends case is consistently going to session timed out then you need to wait a few days. Good luck!
May 7, 2015 at 16:03
Hello britSimon,
I’m asmaa from casablanca Morocco,
I check 2 cases (me and my sister) with “not selected” , but my husband’s detail i still see βSession Times Outβ i tried more than 100 times last 48 hours, in different browser, phones and computers the result is always session timeout
i hope it means that he is selected
thank you
May 7, 2015 at 19:13
Good luck!
May 7, 2015 at 23:07
MY HUSBAND WAS SELECTED
I M SOOOO HAPPY
THANK YOU
May 8, 2015 at 01:54
Congrats!
May 7, 2015 at 16:09
Hello there , I have a different repeated issue ! The message keeps saying invalid confirmation data for both me and my wife despite Iam 100% sure of the data !!!???
Has any one in countered a similar situation ??
May 7, 2015 at 19:15
THis happens when you have a mistake with the original data. You could have a mistake in the case number (if you copy and paste it is common to include an extra space). People have been known to make a mistake with their name or date of birth. Check those against the original confirmation. Lastname is listed first. YOu ONLY enter the lastname and the year of birth.
May 8, 2015 at 02:29
Thanks BritSimon and congrats to all the winners ! Unfortunately I checked over all the application data and the confirmation page and I re input the information rather than copy and paste them and it keep saying the same INVALID message !!! Even when I tried the Forgot confirmation number method !!????
Definitely there is some thing wrong or may be it is another type of system error !!????
May 8, 2015 at 03:22
No – it is more likely you are making a mistake. If you would like to send the details I can check it for you. The ideal thing is your eDV confirmation page.
Send it to britsimon3 at gmail.
May 7, 2015 at 16:21
I got Session time out since the first day that I tried to check my application. Also, I tried in many computers and others browsers like Firefox and IE… =(
May 7, 2015 at 19:16
π
May 7, 2015 at 16:41
From may 5th at noon I’ve been trying at least 50 times and I get the session time out message or having technicals problems message.
May 7, 2015 at 19:16
π
May 7, 2015 at 17:25
hi britsimon ,, i have msg HAS NOT BEEN SELCETED if had problem in site ESC maybe msg change and win ?
May 7, 2015 at 19:18
I think that means you are not selected.
May 7, 2015 at 18:11
any news with the session time out??? cant wait :((
May 7, 2015 at 19:18
None yet. Amazing huh!
May 7, 2015 at 19:21
just a few minutes ago STO become You have been randomly selected for further processing in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for the fiscal year 2016 (Bulgaria)
May 8, 2015 at 02:05
π
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-lottery-guide/
May 7, 2015 at 18:58
Britsimon, if you were a dv applicant and if you were in your interesting category, out of 100% how much probability would you say that you will be heading towards US?
May 8, 2015 at 02:06
Catching up on these posts and as we now know my theory was 100% right.
May 7, 2015 at 19:10
People with consistent “Session timed out”: chill!!! you’ve been selected to continue. KCC is just trying with their limited programming resources to fix the confirmation letter not showing. It might take one more day.
May 7, 2015 at 19:19
I have won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks dearsss.. I was receiving connection time out and i have checked and i am selected!!!!!!!!!!!!! lov u allllllllllll
May 7, 2015 at 19:25
I wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon .. Thanks all .. session time out i love you ..lol
May 7, 2015 at 19:22
YES TRUE . I won too. Was getting session timed out. I love you all
May 7, 2015 at 19:25
I have won.
May 7, 2015 at 19:32
Hi Brit,
pls help Liberians with answers, Liberians are checking with no positive results since May 5 to present. It’s because of the EBOLA outbreak in Liberia?
May 8, 2015 at 02:04
No everyone was affected – but fixed now.
May 7, 2015 at 19:32
Hi
When i go to entrance check then it says that has not selected but when i tried to go back it says session time out ..!! Can you please tell me what my result is ?????
May 8, 2015 at 02:03
Not selected.
May 7, 2015 at 19:39
I guess your theory was correct – my former “timeout” page now turns out to be the “you have been selected” web page:-) Finally – after thirteen years!
May 7, 2015 at 19:46
i am american i did applaied to somefriend in overseas in the result i got session time out only for one person what that mean winner or not so what can i di right not i chick many times is the same massege session time out please tell me what can i do for my friend case
May 8, 2015 at 02:03
BY now you should see the winning letter – the system is fixed
May 7, 2015 at 19:47
Hello to all,
Does it work now ? Do you have a scrrenshot with the message : you won ! ?
May 8, 2015 at 02:02
You see a letter with your details and case number
May 7, 2015 at 19:57
plz someone tell me for me sometimes not hs been selec sometimes STO i will continue to check or what ?????
May 7, 2015 at 21:00
No not selected means not selected…
May 7, 2015 at 19:57
i have won.
as you expect
May 7, 2015 at 20:59
hehe
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-lottery-guide/
May 7, 2015 at 19:58
You were spot on, man. You were correct about whole thing. I won!
May 7, 2015 at 20:59
So happy for you. Read this:-
https://britsimonsays.com/dv-lottery-guide/
May 7, 2015 at 20:00
A long and painful journey has ended today.
I have been trying this since 1998. I probably went through all kinds of Visas that I can possibly get, just to stay in the U.S. with my family.
I have wasted a lot of money to my lawyers and the U.S. gov.
The money that I struggled to make with such a hard work.
I just won the ticket today. The “Session Timeout” just 1hr ago is now the Winning message.
One comment to everyone. Please DO NOT GIVE UP!.
Regardless what kind of problems you need to overcome, just DO NOT GIVE UP.
There will be a light. A very bright one.
When I go home today, I will tell my wife, “Thank you for being very supportive to me for all these painful years.”
May 7, 2015 at 20:57
Awesome – congratulations!
May 7, 2015 at 21:19
Congrats, happy for you and your family. Me I played this year for the first time but I didn’t win. As you advised, I won’t give up. Tks
May 7, 2015 at 20:04
it was the wining team :)))
May 7, 2015 at 20:29
Confirmed.
May 7, 2015 at 20:38
π
May 7, 2015 at 20:38
I won too. Just cannot believe.
May 7, 2015 at 20:49
I won also after getting that message for 2 days . Thank god . Thank u Britsimon!
May 7, 2015 at 20:55
π
May 8, 2015 at 00:43
YOU ARE AVERY GOOD PERSON
THANK YOU ALOT
May 8, 2015 at 01:49
π