The July visa bulletin contains the data on how many selectees have been notified for DV2017. It’s a LOW number – 10,000 less than DV2016. So, considering DV2016 has just gone current, it seems certain (at first glance) that DV2017 will be current for all regions also – so that takes away a worry that has plagued the DV lottery over recent years. There is no need for “high case numbers” to be worried (apart from maybe a few cases in Nepal).
To be clear, there will be enough visas in DV2017 for all. There is no country (other than Nepal) that can hit the 7% country limit at these levels.
Regional breakdown (plus 2016 numbers):
AF – 38500 (45034)
EU – 28500 (27011)
AS – 13499 (15002)
SA – 1954 (3000)
OC – 1450 (1500)
These numbers represent winners and family members.
This low number should reduce DS260 backlog times.
The country breakdown can be seen at
One last point. 84000 is a low number of selectees. There may be a plan to release a few more selectees later in the year (sometimes referred to as a 2nd draw), but it is not certain. If it happens it may be something like 5000 to 10000 more winners in the world (so a small number compared with the initial draw). Now, I do not know if that will happen! It has happened in some previous years, but we can’t be certain. So – for those not selected they can check again around October.
June 15, 2016 at 22:50
Dear BritSimon, a question just for the potential second draw. Do you think the second draw might be done the same way , not more than 7 % per country ? And another question, regarding the potential second draw . One of my friends few years ago , 2012-2013 ( I don’t remember exact year) didn’t win in May and checked back On July 16-17 and she won . How often it happens that second draw might be not only in October but in July as well ? Thank you
June 16, 2016 at 00:57
There might be a small draw – check in October. It will be small – so don’t hold out a lot of hope for that.
June 18, 2016 at 15:12
Hello BritSimon
If a draw were to happen in October, would we be informed via email or will there just be a general message on their website?
Thanks again
June 18, 2016 at 16:05
No email, no message, you just check again.
June 18, 2016 at 10:02
Hi Elena
Just out of interest, was your friend who later checked in July told to do so via email? Or did your friend just check on the off chance?
Thanks
June 16, 2016 at 06:11
love your blog and the info Simon…. but those ads are really irritating! Can’t u pls get rid of them?
June 17, 2016 at 21:01
#
June 16, 2016 at 11:50
hi dear brit please can i send e-mail to the consulat to ask about my case . if so please do you have an example of e-mail.thankyou so much
June 16, 2016 at 22:49
Use your own words.
June 16, 2016 at 14:30
Dear simon
I am a beneficiary of dv lottery program. I became 21 years old in 5 january 2016 but my age went to freeze up to 8 August. I paased my interview and i have my visa until 30 september. Now can i travel to the united states after 8 of august or i have to enter to the usa before the 8 of august which my age is frozen up to?
June 16, 2016 at 22:27
30 September
June 17, 2016 at 06:14
hi simon,
i was selected for further processing for dv2017, and i’ve submitted my ds260. I was born in bosnia, but now i’m an australian citizen. so i understand that my country of chargeability is why i have an EU case number, but does it affect my case that i don’t have a bosnian passport, i only have an Australian one?
June 17, 2016 at 17:07
No problem.
June 17, 2016 at 10:04
sir could you please list the name of all those disease that cause the rejestion of visa
June 17, 2016 at 10:44
Epilepsi,mental disease,
June 17, 2016 at 10:47
Epilepsi and mental disease.
June 17, 2016 at 17:00
1. Scroll up and look for the search icon (magnifying glass).
2. Type “diseases” and click.
3. Read.
June 17, 2016 at 11:16
Plz Mr Brit,can you plz respond to my question. I don’t know what to .Mr Brit. When you send an email to the kcc to unlock your ds260, the unlock it’s automatically done on your ds260, or they send you a link to follow in your email. Now I want to know if it’s via email,which one then use ? The one you fill on the edv or the one on your ds260?sorry for my English
June 17, 2016 at 16:52
You don’t need the email. Once they unlock you can see it in the DS260 form.
June 17, 2016 at 17:21
Thank you Mr Brit. I have been just unlocked. Thanks for your patience
June 17, 2016 at 11:19
How does it works with Nepal?? My case number is AS28XX, is it 100% safe or do they ignore some of the early cases?
June 17, 2016 at 16:51
100%
June 17, 2016 at 17:04
Dear Mr. Simon,
when we they say there are 50,000 visas each year, is it including derivatives, or only counting applicants?????
June 17, 2016 at 17:08
Including derivatives
June 17, 2016 at 20:12
Hi BritSimon, This is a great forum. You discussed earlier that the number of applicants selected is around 10,000 less than the last year (2016 to 2017). How does the state department select applicants? Do they randomly select say 120,000 applicants, once selected they assign numbers and then check to see if these applicants comply to the minimum requirements and if not they get thrown out, leaving around 84,000 for processing? Or is there some other way they select. Does the 84000 include derivatives?
Thanks for your help.
June 17, 2016 at 20:40
The selectees includes derivatives. The process was described in this older article here:-
https://britsimonsays.com/the-lottery-draw-process-holes-theory-and-so-on/
June 18, 2016 at 06:49
Thanks
June 23, 2016 at 15:24
One last question, if after going to the interview and you are successful and they assign you a visa, at what point can you start applying for a job in the US? Surely any employer will want a green card number or copy of the green card to show you can work in the US? So do you have to first arrive in the US wait for them to deliver the green card before you can apply for any jobs? Thanks
June 23, 2016 at 15:49
You are eligible to work as soon as you arrive – you don’t need to wait for the GC. You will need the SSN which typically takes 2 weeks.
June 18, 2016 at 01:10
dear sir will the hepatities b causes rejection of visa
June 18, 2016 at 01:15
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/what-are-the-diseases-that-can-cause-denial/
June 18, 2016 at 02:01
dear sir
it’s been almost a week without changing of my stats
interview 13\6
till now it shows ready,the co said am on ap
but my stats still not changed???
is it normal???!!
June 18, 2016 at 02:02
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 18, 2016 at 02:14
can u send me a link for numbers of visas issued 2016?
and thanx for responding
June 18, 2016 at 04:02
The last data we have is the April 1 file – which you can find on my site.
June 19, 2016 at 12:37
Hello
I want to make sure if your photo that you attached at the initial form got accepted and you have been selected for further processing
Is there is any possibility that this photo may cause a rejection to your visa ?
June 19, 2016 at 13:46
The rule is that , the foto must not be 6 month old
June 20, 2016 at 11:44
How they will be able to know it’s not 6 month old or more ?
Taking into account there are no differences in my appearance at all
June 19, 2016 at 17:10
A very small number of cases get rejected over their photo.
June 19, 2016 at 16:24
Hi brits, please when do I get my 2nl form? my case # is AF2016 549xx, and when u think will be my interview date? Please help me mr.simon
June 19, 2016 at 17:01
a week to 10 days from now…
June 19, 2016 at 17:18
HI MY CASE NUMBER FOR 2015/2016 IS 2016AF0049829. DO U KNOW IF I STAND A CHANCE OF BEEN INTERVIEW THIS AUGUST 2016? PLEASE REPLY I NEED AN ANSWER.THX. MRS.KERKULAH
June 19, 2016 at 17:22
Yes, you should get a 2NL in a week to 10 days.
July 18, 2017 at 13:21
did you managed to get an interview
June 19, 2016 at 22:38
Hello Brit, I am a dv 2017 winner with CN 2017AF00007xxx. I have already submitted my DS260. When do you think I will be interview and is my CN okay to be issued a visa
June 20, 2016 at 14:30
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
June 20, 2016 at 02:27
Hi Brit Simon,
I arrived in USA 2 days ago. I am planning to apply for my SSN tomorrow. Do I need to get my work permit (EAD) first before I can apply for my SSN? Secondly, will I get my SSN before my actual green card arrives?. I want to look for job as soon as possible as I heard that you need your SSN before you can get apply for a job and a green card may take up to 2 months to receive. Thanks for the clarification.
June 20, 2016 at 02:49
You don’t need an EAD. The SSA office might not have a record of your entry yet – wait a few days. THe GC will take 60 to 90 days.
June 20, 2016 at 05:10
If I have a low eu case number but my interview location is in Sydney, AUS, do the OC cases take precedence over EU ones?
June 20, 2016 at 14:22
No
June 20, 2016 at 10:45
How To Request For Unlock DS-260 To KCC. Please Give Example .. I want Edit Some Details .. How To unlock More Than One DS-260 In Same Case Number Please Suggest Me
June 20, 2016 at 14:10
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
June 20, 2016 at 14:53
sir i am from nepal and i am the selectee of dv lottery 2017. my case number is 2017AS000059XX. Is it safe or not?
June 20, 2016 at 15:17
Read my recent post on basic questions.
June 20, 2016 at 15:45
Hi Brit, i am a winner for 2017 dv lottery in Ghana. My problem is that i have laminated all my original documents,that is high school, university degree and diploma even though i have certified copies as well. I did that to protect the original certificates. Will that cause a problem for me during interview. Thank you
June 20, 2016 at 16:21
I don’t know if Accra embassy objects to that.
June 20, 2016 at 16:39
What about other U.s embassies. Reading their instruction, i saw you can send either the original or certified copy. In my case i have both ; certified copy and a laminated original. I am pretty sure i should be ok but want to know if there is any rejection based on this anywhere. Thank you Mr. Britts
June 20, 2016 at 17:41
I don’t know.
July 1, 2016 at 15:19
@Yaw, you should be fine. My birth certificate was laminated and it was not a problem. In Ghana too. All the best.
July 3, 2016 at 20:13
Thanks@dreams. I wil be happy to link up if u are from ghana. Pls u can contact me with my email:[email protected]. thanks
June 20, 2016 at 17:42
hello brit,
i had an interview today and i got selected, my case is 2016AS****59** from nepal. A paper is given to take my passport, but i was not advised anything about green card payment and the envelope that need to be present while entering to usa.
I needed to make profile in http://www.ustraveldocs.com and while filling the form what date is needed to kept in “Priority Date: i am confused. would you provide me a guide,
June 20, 2016 at 18:53
Put anything you like in the courier site. It doesn’t matter, just make sure you provide your case number.
June 20, 2016 at 21:22
hello brit simon,
I arrived in USA few days ago and wish to activate my green card online and pay the 165$ fee. Do you know which form I have to fill in? Thank you,
June 20, 2016 at 21:32
Ahhh you already arrived – you pay online – the system is called Elis. The embassy gave you information about paying.
June 20, 2016 at 21:24
Another thing, I applied for my SSN today and was told I would receive my SSN within 2 weeks. I tried to open a bank account and was told that I can open my bank account only after I receive my SSN. Is that information true?
June 20, 2016 at 21:33
The banks are free to set their own rules. Some banks will open a bank account without the SSN
June 21, 2016 at 03:44
Dear Mr Simon greetings again from Ethiopia. I have three question on the ds-260 form the questions are under number 9,10 and 11. If I feel in the following way . Am I write?
Due to that after I completed my 12 grade in senior secondary school I attend vocational program. I want to qualify with my senior high school certificate.(Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate)
9. Present work/education/training information
Answer-High school
10. Previous work/education/training information
Answer- Vocational School
11. Additional work/education/training information.
Answer-Ethiopian Management Institute ( My current employer organization) as
Office Administrative Officer
June 21, 2016 at 03:53
That looks wrong. What is your present occupation (work etc). That should be in number 9.
June 21, 2016 at 13:28
hi dear brit please i passed my interview in june 14 and my status was updated on june 17 and still shows ready.what do you think dear.thank you so much
June 21, 2016 at 15:05
Patience!
June 21, 2016 at 15:18
ok thanks dear even if its not easy but its all i can do
June 21, 2016 at 14:34
How can i apply for the Green card lottery directly? is there a link for it?
June 21, 2016 at 14:38
It will re-open in October – don’t apply by any other site.
https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
June 21, 2016 at 17:51
thank you Mr Simon for your reply. Is there a mechanism to unlock the submitted ds-260 form to adjust question number 9 only. If not is that affect my visa case
June 21, 2016 at 18:31
Please learn to use the search facility on my page….
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-unlock-my-ds260/
June 21, 2016 at 21:17
Dear mr Brit
I have been selected among the dvlottery 2017 and with the education qualification i did not pass my high school exams but i completed it.Please can the CO base on that to deny me visa?
Thank you
June 21, 2016 at 21:42
You should check the requirements defined by your embassy.
June 21, 2016 at 22:00
What may be the highest case number for nepal in edv 2017
June 22, 2016 at 01:09
I don’t know.
June 22, 2016 at 03:59
Dear Brit, I have a complicated question. If I am 22 years of age and did nothing really after Highschool(12 years education) took 4 gap years but I plan to study next year anyways can my father sponsor me if he is not a US citizen? I have family friends that can sponsor me. I don’t think the 4 years gap will cause a problem, do you?
June 22, 2016 at 04:01
No it’s not a problem.
June 22, 2016 at 04:50
Dear Mr Brit
Do the US embassy have different requirement for different countries for just one lottery program?Any way am from Ghana so can you verify for me if a CO can deny me visa based on the fail on my high school certificate.
Thank you
June 22, 2016 at 13:59
That is likely to be a denial – Ghana are particularly strict.
June 22, 2016 at 16:25
Mr Brit please help me here as i dont want to waste time and money for processing.Please as I said earlier i am a citizen of Ghana and i won dv 2016 and have completed senior high school but did not pass my exams.Can a CO deny me visa base on my results slip ?Please be sincere with me.
Thank you
June 22, 2016 at 16:40
Thanks mr brit
June 22, 2016 at 17:12
Again. YES they can deny that. Whether they will deny or not – I cannot say with certainty.
June 23, 2016 at 11:44
Hi simon
Firstly, we really appreciate your effort in replying for our inquiries.
Secondly, my wife has selected in the dv lottery 2017 and both of us traveled to work in different countries outside our homeland for years but we have never stayed their more than 6 months. in some cases we were travel for four or five months back to our country for one or two weeks then travel again,In this case.
1. We have to write in ds260 those period of travel outside our country as “places where we lived”.
2. Is it mandatory to us to have “a police certificate for those countries”?.
we are currently settled down in our country for more than two years.
Thanks…
June 23, 2016 at 13:40
1. Yes.
2. Possibly. If the time in any country ADDED UP to more than 1 year – then yes. And if it is even close to one year for a country, get a police report.
June 23, 2016 at 17:59
Hey Simon I have a question regarding my name, consider my name is John William Smith Doe.
1. When I submitted my application for the lottery, I wrote my name as the following: First name:John , Last name: Doe and William Smith as the middle name is this correct because if not, what do i write in the ds260?
2. Does my sponsor have to be Us citizen or lpr?
3. Lastly a friend of mine who didn’t win is asking by when can we confirm if there is a second draw or not, I told him October :p anyways thank you for your help and have a nice day!
June 23, 2016 at 18:16
1. That seems correct.
2. Usually yes. Must be a tax payer in the US and temporary visa holders are temporary…
3. Yes – October.
June 24, 2016 at 09:02
Good day, I’m select in lottery 2017 1st step. What should I will do
Tanks
June 24, 2016 at 14:20
Read the link above that says “DV lottery Guide”.
June 26, 2016 at 07:41
HI Simon, I have salary bank account which the total transaction is 80000$ for last three years, but the balance is only 10K in my account.
What do you think embassy will consider total transaction or current balance amount since I have bought car and jewelries?
June 26, 2016 at 13:37
Balance.
June 26, 2016 at 20:53
I think the US government should take in account the case of some of us who have been playing this lotto for years now, by adding another counter on the system, that will for example automacally select those who have been playing for a certain number of years or plus hey! Just sayin…
On that note, I’d say thank u to mr Brit for the assistance… it’s really helpful.
June 27, 2016 at 02:09
LOL!
June 28, 2016 at 03:15
Hi Simon,
I want to fill affidavit form for my cousin who has won DV 2017, please help me in filling the form since it is my first time and I couldn’t get one point which made me confused.
Is there any process/ office for affidavit form in US after I completed and signed the form to verify/Stamp.
Or I should just submit the original form with document to my cousin to go to embassy.
June 28, 2016 at 03:56
No stamp needed – just send to your cousin with 1040/W2, recent Payslips, and photo ID
June 28, 2016 at 10:23
Mr brit,
Pls mr brit i have two high school certificates, one from school and the other private examination. Pls when filling the ds260 i only added the school own. Can i send both certificates for the interview. Thank you.am from ghana and i was selected for 2017
June 28, 2016 at 10:48
PLS i should have added some details, i had grade E (english) in the school exams but had grade C (english) in the private exams. Will that cause a problem.I got very good results in the other subjects. I took both exams in the same year and i want to send both certificates to the interview. Thank you
June 28, 2016 at 13:51
Ghana embassy is very picky about these things. Your case is risky.
June 28, 2016 at 12:50
Hi there,
Thank you for all the valuable info on your site, it’s a huge help.
I just have a brief question regarding the lottery. I’m from Australia, and have been drawn in the 2017 lottery. I have filled out my DS-260 and I’m still waiting to hear back. I am planning a holiday to the US in August, and would only be travelling over on the visa waiver program which we’re eligible here for in Oz. Would it still be okay for me to holiday in the US in this time period, or is it better not to? I filled out my previous five visits to the States in the DS-260 as asked, so I’m also wondering whether or not I would need to amend the DS-260 to include this trip if/when I get back from it?
Cheers
James
June 28, 2016 at 13:46
No problem in travelling on VW program.
Once back, depending on your case number, you can update your DS260.
July 4, 2016 at 09:44
Great, thanks for clearing that up.
I’m assuming that should I go on the trip and then alter my DS-260, this will delay my receiving of an interview date?
My case number is 2017OC000005XX.
Cheers
July 4, 2016 at 14:44
No, not necessarily a delay.
June 29, 2016 at 11:08
hey brit
i applied at the initial form using a photo that i had taken about a year ago and i did use this photo for the dv lottery 2016 program and i have not been selected for further processing but at 2017 dv lottery program i have been selected for further processing by the same photo !
so i just want to make sure if their system can detect that i have applied using the same photo two years in row ?
and if this may cause any disqualification for my case ?
taking into account there is no difference at my appearance in that photo and my appearance now
thank you in advance
June 29, 2016 at 14:19
That was a silly thing to do. It is a risk, but a small one.
June 29, 2016 at 15:09
yeah you are right it was a very silly thing from me
my main concern that is their system can detect that i have applied using the same photo two years in row ?
June 29, 2016 at 15:12
or exactly where the risk come from ?
June 29, 2016 at 17:50
Their system can detect re-used photos, yes.
June 29, 2016 at 15:34
taking into account the large number of applicants every year !
thank you again
and sorry for the too much questions i have asked and that because i’am a little bit worried about my case
June 30, 2016 at 00:01
hello brit
i got selected for further processing in dv lottery 2015 and filled the DS260 but then got rejected at the interview
now i want to apply for student visa
so i just want to make sure is the refusal of my immigrant intent visa may affect my chance of getting the student visa ?
thank you
June 30, 2016 at 01:28
It could be taken into account. You must show ties to your home country.
June 30, 2016 at 02:25
Would you please explain to me how much this may affect my chance of getting the studant visa ?
a-high effect
b-moderate effect
c-low effect
Thank you again brit because it is a long process i don’t want to waste my time on it if it’s impossible
June 30, 2016 at 03:12
b.
June 30, 2016 at 17:47
Hello sir
I got rejected a dv lottery visa at the interview this year and after that i got a scholarship at a post graduate school in the us .
So i want to apply for F1 visa .and i just read about the dual intent issue over the internet
My question is does the rejection to my lottery visa able to affect my f1 visa ?
Or what exactly the general case of dual intent looks like ?
June 30, 2016 at 20:49
Your previous case can add to the immigrant intent suspicion BUT that suspicion is there anyway. So – you must be very careful to show ties to your home country to convince the CO that you will return to your country after the visa period is over.
June 30, 2016 at 18:03
About the above question
Their system can detect reused photos at the same year not at diffrent years ,because i have not been selected at 2016 lottery and i have read that they remove the non selected applicants from their data base at the end of each fiscal year , because it’s a huge number to search within
Am i right brit ?
Is that what you meant by your yes answer ?
Thank you again
June 30, 2016 at 20:35
No you are not correct. There have been cases of earlier year DV applications be referred to. The cases that have been removed are only from CEAC – that is NOT their main database, and they have publicly stated that they keep all information from all submissions (19 million this year).
July 3, 2016 at 13:47
hi brit
I am a winner of 2017 dv lottery but I have an issues on my date of birth and my surname can this affect me.?or can I correct it on my ds260?
example:name is smith but was spell simth. and the date of birth :instead of march 10th 1982 it was February 10th 1983. can all this be corrected on the ds 260? or can affect me..am in ghana..
July 3, 2016 at 15:03
You can and should correct it in the DS260. However, Ghana embassy is suspicious that people make these mistakes as deliberate fraud, so they are highly likely to disqualify you at interview. If that happens your fees will be lost – so think carefully about the risk.