OK – so we are 24 hours into the process and I am having a LOT of people who can’t get their results. Because of the session time out issue last year, or because they have asked their friends and no one they know won, many have jumped to the conclusion that a similar issue is happening this year. So let me start by saying this.
THERE IS NO SYSTEM ISSUE STOPPING RESULTS BEING CHECKED.
Performance of the system was predictably slow yesterday, but everything is fine now.
I have now checked a number of cases where people had been “trying for hours” getting session time outs or invalid cases. They gave me their login details (Conf number/Name/Year of birth). Without exception, EACH ONE of them came back with a result on my first try. So – I am not going to check any more individual cases – but I will give these tips on checking your own case.
- If you don’t start with a new browser session you may cause your own session time out. Close your browser, get your confirmation number ready and open a new browser session. Then go straight to the ESC site to enter your details.
- Enter the confirmation code from the confirmation. It is best to cut and paste. Some people who try to type in the code are confusing letters and numbers like 1 instead of I (that is I as in IDIOT). Cut and paste removes that possibility.
- Your confirmation code should start with 2017 and be 16 characters in total. Make sure you don’t have a space in there at the end.
- Next enter your lastname. If the movie star John Wayne had entered the lottery that would be WAYNE. Just “Wayne”. The confirmation shows the names reversed so John Wayne would see his confirmation as Wayne, John. He would enter the lastname as shown before the comma.
- Then the four digit year of birth. Such as “1993”.
- Enter the CAPTCHA code and click the button. If you do that, you will see your result.
Other Questions I have been asked.
Q. Will there be a second draw or why does it say you have not been selected at this time?
A. In some previous years there have been some new winners released (a second draw) a few months after the May results. That happened last in 2013. It is not very likely to happen and if it does happen it would only be a few extra cases. But it is for that reason they tell you to keep your number so check again in October.
***Update September 6, 2016 – the 2nd draw is confirmed https://britsimonsays.com/dv-2017-2nd-draw-additional-selectees-chosen/ ****
Q. Can I enter the next lottery in October?
A. Yes. Regardless of whether you were selected or not, you can enter.
Q. Why did they not quote the number of winners on the selectee letter this year?
A. I don’t know, but since that number was usually inaccurate anyway I am pleased they did not.
Q. When will we know the selectees from each country?
A. Probably in the next Visa Bulletin (in a week from now).
Q. Why did none of the people I know win?
A. Because it is a lottery with a low chance of winning. If you asked 1000 people that entered and have checked their result (which I doubt you have), you would only find 10 winners.
Q. Why do so few people from my country get chosen – it seems unfair?
A. It is a random lottery and the chances of winning are the same for everyone in a region (bar a few countries that have enormous entry numbers). So, if few people from your country enter, few will win. As simple as that.
Q. My number is 2017XXXXXXXX is it safe and when will I be interviewed?
A. It is too early for me to know at the moment. We need more information and even with information you need to understand this process takes a long time and takes patience.
Q. I won, when will they send my Green Card?
A. There is a process and you must be interviewed. Interviews are spread out over the whole of the fiscal year, starting in October 2016 and ending in September 2017. Your case number determines when you will be interviewed. DO NOT change your life (like selling your house or quitting your job) until you have been approved. Some people are refused and EVERYONE has to wait.
I hope that helps. Please read other articles on my site. Almost every question I am asked is already answered in something (a FAQ or blog post) I have already written, so if you want this opportunity you should be prepared to read some of my articles to make sure you are informed.
June 20, 2019 at 01:44
Hello Simon,
Please, i would like to know some tips on the DV picture, and also if a good picture can also increase ones chances of winning the DV?
June 20, 2019 at 02:34
There is a good official guide. Just follow that.
June 15, 2019 at 17:56
Hi there, I have done the above steps described to check in the for the dv results but response. Can I send you my details and u check for me!!!!
From Joakim
June 15, 2019 at 18:50
YUou are almost certainly not following instructions or observing my tips. So – if you are certain that you have – send me the details to britsimon3 at gmail.
May 9, 2019 at 21:35
Is it possible to fail the interview process after you have been selected???
May 9, 2019 at 23:24
Yes of course.
October 10, 2018 at 14:53
Hello BritSimon. I forgot to check my status for the 2018 DV lottery and it says the time for checking has expired. Is there anything I can do to still check it?
October 10, 2018 at 21:37
DV2018 is over. So – even if you could check it, and even if you were selected, it would do you no good.
June 14, 2018 at 04:28
Hello Britsimon,
I applied for DV lottery 2019 and successfully selected but when i tried to access DS-260 form online the portal states that the case information entered does not match with our records and i don’t understand why i can’t get access to application form.
I would very much appreciation if you can advice or help.
Thank you
Mohamed
June 14, 2018 at 04:59
You are entering the information wrong. Follow instructions.
May 28, 2018 at 11:48
I just checked my status and l haven’t win.. Should I continue checking since the deadline is September 2018 or l should forget it.
May 28, 2018 at 12:22
Check one more time in October.
March 3, 2018 at 21:50
In my application in the end its written u a in the Green Card Lottery System…Congratulations….From now my status,same number….its written invalid….just want to know in this kind of answers …do I’m still in the System or not?
March 4, 2018 at 00:01
I have no idea – because your question is impossible to understand.
November 29, 2017 at 09:17
I wan the DV Lottery 2018 but i have forgotten my date of birth when doing the entry please help me
November 29, 2017 at 14:47
It is *your* date of birth!!!
October 28, 2017 at 09:35
Hi kindly advise me on how to check my status Dv 2017 . i have never checked the status but am getting an alert message that ( Warning: The verification period for confirmation number 2017xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx has expired.
I would like to check Entrant Status Check, i could one of the winners ..please help.
October 28, 2017 at 14:35
It doesn’t matter if you were one of the winners – DV2017 ended in September.
May 9, 2018 at 22:23
Hi, for the DV 2017 I’ve checked my status in August 2017, but not in Septmeber… Is it possible to find out if I’ve won?
May 9, 2018 at 22:29
DV2017 is over, but if you mean DV2018 you can check that here:
http://dvlottery.state.gov/esc
May 20, 2018 at 15:59
Thanks for the reply BritSimon, I was thinking is there any way to see if I’ve won in DV2017, since I didnt checked in September 2017… he last time I checked was August 2017, but in September until the deadline i’ve forgotten to check… Do you think there is a possibility to have won the DV2017, do they do that, to be selected for the `green card` in the last month…? Many thanks :).
May 20, 2018 at 16:05
I think you mean DV2018 – yes that can still be checked.
October 8, 2017 at 19:35
That’s great,kcc,keep it up,ur doing a good job to people.
August 16, 2017 at 20:04
Hi,
How are you BritSimon? I have a relative who applied and missed the first interview and rescheduled it for a later date. However, it has been long and yet here DV Lottery expires on September, what can she do?
August 16, 2017 at 21:48
All he/she can do is remind the embassy.
May 9, 2017 at 15:11
Hi I just entered my CM is telling is invalid what can I do
May 9, 2017 at 17:25
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 3, 2017 at 10:31
i applied as a spouse and just checked my country is elligeable.KENYA.Whats happenning explanation will be highly appreciated
May 3, 2017 at 10:27
Hello,i just confirmed the DV lottery results and it says not selected..Can i still wait for the word
selected or i just forget it.
May 3, 2017 at 04:08
Thank you for your response so fast.
May 3, 2017 at 03:33
Hello there, I tried so many times to check mine and my wife’s result but every time it says invalid information or session timed out but most of the time it says invalid information, I’ve checked so many times and I am sure that the information I entered was correct. What can be done for this problem, any help would be appreciated.
May 3, 2017 at 03:50
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-information-entered-not-valid/
May 2, 2017 at 09:25
My cn starts from 2018….. what does it mean? Thank u
May 2, 2017 at 13:56
It relates to the fiscal year of the lottery.
November 6, 2016 at 14:40
Hello Mr.Simon,
I have applied for the Visa and got this case number 2017AF000029XX I have submitted the application on September the 21st 2016 the confirmation that appeared was AA0061IXXX which is not like the rest .I hope I don’t hear any bad news .any idea why my confirmation number is different ?
appreciated ur help
November 6, 2016 at 15:06
That is all normal – no problem. Relax and wait some months while they process your DS260. I edited your case and confirmation number for your privacy – keep those numbers private.
September 26, 2016 at 20:20
HELLO BRIT SIMON I AM ANXIOUS AND I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE MY CN IS SUBJECTED 2017AF00004XXX J4AI MY DS260 ON JUNE 19TH AND UNTIL I AI NOT YET MY 2NL CAN YOU LOCATE ME WHEN I HAVE IT
2 MY WIFE EXPECTS OUR FOURTH CHILD WHICH PROVISION TO TAKE IF I AM PROGRAM FOR AN INTERVIEW
September 26, 2016 at 20:40
1. Your late submission of the DS260 caused a delay. Be patient.
2. https://britsimonsays.com/how-to-add-a-newborn-child-to-the-dv-case/