**** UPDATE ****
I am getting reports of people experiencing a problem during submission. People see “submission in progress.” This sort of error usually means the servers are getting overwhelmed with activity. My best advice is STOP entering for a few days. The system will be quieter in a few days time. There are no prizes for being first!!!! PATIENCE!
It is important to not enter more than once. However, if you don’t get a confirmation number, you cannot check your entry in May 2017. There is NO workaround for that. So – if you have a problem , you may as well wait a few days and try again. Hopefully it will work at that time and you get a confirmation number.
I advise trying a different browser (for example, if you are using Chrome, try IE or Firefox).
Please note that the DV2018 instructions and FAQ specify that an issue like this could happen and the applicant should try again. This is question 22 on the instructions everyone should have read.
*******************
OK the entry period for DV2018 has started. It will last until November 7th. There is NO advantage to rushing the entry now, or waiting until the last minute. The entries are chosen at random from the whole entry period.
Entering the lottery is easy and free. DO NOT use an agent to apply for you, as doing so usually causes problems. The agents get details wrong (which can cause disqualification), they charge you money to do something you can do yourself and I have known many cases where agents blackmail winners for money later in the process.
Good luck!!!
November 6, 2018 at 05:08
Dear Simon, it is urgent:
I filled dv lottery on behalf of a couple. first application is ok. the problem is with the second – i put in a wrong (husbands ) last name on behalf of a main applicant. should i re-enter again or there is no chance?
November 6, 2018 at 06:41
Do not enter again.
November 7, 2018 at 10:17
what if win with this?
November 7, 2018 at 14:53
Win. Then ask.
July 11, 2018 at 07:16
Hi Brits, I am a selectee of 2018 DV with a case # AF…000518…when will I receive my appointment letter
July 11, 2018 at 14:59
https://britsimonsays.com/scheduling-concerns-in-af-region-for-dv2018/
March 19, 2018 at 11:55
I submit my ds26Oform in march when can I be scheduled for interview
March 19, 2018 at 13:51
It depends on your DS260 and your case number.
May 7, 2017 at 20:50
I am rundomly selected for further processing for the dv lottery 2018 but i submitted an old photos in the entry application. should i continue with the DS-260 and submit new photos for the interview or i will be disqualified immediately?
May 7, 2017 at 21:39
You can continue. How old were the photos and had you used them in dv2017?
April 25, 2017 at 22:04
I am impatient. When does 2018 dv results come out?
April 26, 2017 at 01:40
Impatient and unable to read the instructions?
April 17, 2017 at 06:41
Hi, do you poses an information about winning chances from Tajikistan?
April 17, 2017 at 13:36
The same as any other country in EU region – around 1%
April 10, 2017 at 16:40
Is it clear what percentage of Iranian dv cases do not go on AP?
April 10, 2017 at 16:44
No, of course not. It isn’t some quota – it is based on the need for AP or not.
April 9, 2017 at 21:42
Have you ever heard that an iranian case dud not go on AP FOR DV ?
April 10, 2017 at 00:13
Yes of course!
March 30, 2017 at 18:20
Ho simon
Do you think for dv 2018 the AP will be longer for iranian considering trump orders?
March 30, 2017 at 21:10
Possibly.
December 30, 2016 at 15:28
Thank you BritSimon for your reassuring words. I feel good now. I hope one day soon I will send you a message about my winning DV. It is my big wish to go and live in US.
December 30, 2016 at 14:34
Ok. well, I did my best to prepare a photo according to the instructions given. However, still very small things might not be matched, e.g. the maximum height from top of head to chin should be 69% of the total height of the photo. Will I be disqualified if it is e.g. 70%?
In general, do you know a tool that can exactly check all the criteria of a suitable photo for DV?
December 30, 2016 at 14:57
There is no such tool. The CO has no such tool. They just LOOK at the photo. So – STOP OVERTHINKING THIS!!!!
Relax.
December 30, 2016 at 01:01
Thanks for your answer. The photo was me. Just wanted to make sure that if it is my own photo and being accepted everything else associated with the photo is fine.
December 30, 2016 at 01:08
The technical acceptance of the photo does not imply “everything else associated with the photo is fine”. If you followed the instructions, you will be OK.
December 28, 2016 at 18:10
If the photo has been accepted by the system does it mean that it has been a photo with the right criteria or it may still have problem?
December 28, 2016 at 18:39
You could take a photo of a donkey and the system would accept it. The technical criteria could be met, but the photo would of course cause a problem.
November 9, 2016 at 06:34
I am separated from my common law partner of several years who had kids from another woman before we met. i entered DV2018 and made no mention of him or his other kids because i have no access to them and having pictures of them was obviously not possible as their mother wouldn’t allow that. Would that be grounds for disqualification?
November 9, 2016 at 14:25
As long as you were not married to him, no problem.
November 7, 2016 at 20:12
Hi Mr BRITSIMON
iam 19 years old my Mather sent her entry of dv lottery 2018 and she used may photo as a child and i sent my entry using the same picture that my mam used. is that makes me disqualifed or error my entry
November 7, 2016 at 20:32
No problem.
November 5, 2016 at 16:58
Dear Semon,
greetings!!
When was in my country u help me a lot thank you!!! so much for that now am traveling to US now its 3 month and 20 day’s and i got a problem i didn’t get my green card and to know my green card status i go online and it ask me green card 165$ payment receipt number and i didn’t print it during payment.
1. How can i get my receipt number back.
2. And if is there a way to check online with out receipt number please advice me.
Thank you!!!
November 5, 2016 at 17:42
The best thing is to call USCIS. They can track it for you.
November 5, 2016 at 18:01
Thank you Brit! i will give them a call and i will let u know.
November 4, 2016 at 15:12
Hello brit,please after the all submission of entries are closed which month precisely they will do the random selection & how many days are they using to do the randomly selection.
November 4, 2016 at 18:30
It doesn’t matter when they will perform the draw or how long that draw takes. They release the result in May.
November 4, 2016 at 13:30
Asked you if somene is married and he filled unmarried can he fill up again next year or there will be prblm
November 4, 2016 at 14:35
He can try.
November 3, 2016 at 16:42
Hi Brit,
I am a DV2017 selectee but I’m thinking about entering the 2018 lottery just in case something went wrong with my 2017 application. I’m worried though that entering the DV2018 lottery may affect my 2017 application (for example in terms of showing “intent to immigrate”).
I have not started the 2017 application process yet.
Is it best to not enter the DV2018 lottery in my case?
Thank you!
November 3, 2016 at 17:41
There is no problem entering DV2018
November 2, 2016 at 05:31
For guys having problems with confirmation number not appearing, it could be an issue with an adblock addon or software you are using.so as Brit says, use a different browser, preferably with ad blocking disabled.
November 1, 2016 at 22:07
Hi Britsimon.
When I sumitted my application form of DV-2018 diversity visa lottery, appeared on the screen the return of full application again, but nothing appears more. Neither appear that the application is in progress. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?. CAN I RE APPLY AGAIN?
November 2, 2016 at 00:39
If you did not get the confirmation code, you should try again. Use a different browser.
November 1, 2016 at 14:56
HI,Britsimon,
why not announced number of online entries Received during Each Registration Period as in the previous.
November 1, 2016 at 18:07
It always takes a long time to get that data, this year is not unusual.
October 30, 2016 at 23:06
mistakenly i entered my husband year of birth wrong 89 instead of 79 what can i do ? if he wins will they refused to correct it or will they deny it ?
October 31, 2016 at 04:40
See if he wins first!
October 29, 2016 at 11:59
Hi Simon.
Please help me on this. my husband and i are separated but not legally. we are not living together and not staying the same country and are not intouch . i’m so confused about marital status questions. i separated form him form local court based on his absent. i have baby gilr with him but i cant get his current photo if i list his name in the application form as husband. what shall i do? please advise, can i omit his photo?
October 29, 2016 at 19:49
You are either legally separated or married.
October 30, 2016 at 04:39
hi Simon
thanks for your response
we are not officially separated because he didn’t sign the documents but based on our legal system here i can solely apply separation form him which i did. i’m afraid that US wont recognize this, can i use old photo of him, i already check the photo with photo tool and it accepted .
October 30, 2016 at 05:18
THat is your choice.
October 30, 2016 at 05:52
Thanks Semon.
sorry my about my questions, what am asking is will i be disqualified for submitting old photo of my husband who will not be there with me at time of the interviews. i mean i’m only worried about his picture. please advise and thank you so much
October 30, 2016 at 14:52
It is somewhat risky.
October 28, 2016 at 23:03
Hi Mr Simon I want to apply the DV 2018 for my mom but where it says number of children what can I put? We are 5 but all of us are married and above 21 years, should I put 0?or 5
October 28, 2016 at 23:14
0
October 28, 2016 at 21:59
Hi,britsimon
i have question Do the same rules applied by the children in the picture and whether that affects the child’s head few
October 28, 2016 at 22:02
The same rules apply BUT they tend to be more relaxed about the children’s photos.
October 28, 2016 at 22:18
can i send my children photo that you can check before i send it if you r not mind
October 28, 2016 at 22:30
There is no need – simply follow the instructions.
October 28, 2016 at 16:38
Hi BtitSimon,
I want to apply for DV2018 have 2 children but 1 not in my custody and I don’t have a picture of him. So what typically happens in my case.
October 28, 2016 at 18:30
You must list all the children and you must provide photos for each child.
October 26, 2016 at 18:10
1) early entry of Dv 2018 is more chance to select than late entry applications is that correct?
2) Is selection processes based on 33 day and each day of entry period has its chance?
October 26, 2016 at 18:51
1. No. It’s RANDOM.
2. Yes – random. Nothing to do with the day of entry.
October 25, 2016 at 13:42
Hi Simon , I had blood cancer in 2011 , so i have BMT in 2011 and now my blood test and bone marrow are good , my question is that if i win the lottery , is it possible to reject in medical test or it doesn’t have problem?!
thank you
October 25, 2016 at 13:49
No problem
October 24, 2016 at 18:04
Hi BRIt
The back ground of my photo not whait can I change it to be wait by photo shop is it OK
October 24, 2016 at 18:08
If it is a plain light color, it will be fine. If not it is better to retake the photo.
October 23, 2016 at 20:07
Hi Brit, I hope everything is fine with you. I am a DV 2016 winner with the immigrant visa stamped in my passport. It will expire in next 3 months. Can I still I apply?
October 23, 2016 at 23:05
Apply for what? The DV2018 lottery??? Yes you can apply – anyone can.
October 21, 2016 at 12:27
Hi brit, I plan to apply for dv 2018 but I can not find new digital photos of my step children from my husband previous marriage because they live with their mother. The children will not appear for interview and will not emigrate to USA. Can I use the same photos for the children that we used for dv 2017 (taken last year) ?
Thank you.
October 21, 2016 at 14:06
I believe they are using new technology to match photos from a previous year entry. The instructions specify that using those photos will cause disqualification.
October 21, 2016 at 15:54
Thank you again for your quick reply.
October 21, 2016 at 02:27
Hi Mr Simon, I have a serious matter I submitted my application but while copying to save the confirmation code it didn’t save my confirmation code, I don’t have a printer to print the confirmation code, and I pasted sent to my email but when I checked it didn’t save it, I closed the window already, what can I do?? Please help me I want to retrieve my confirmation number for DV 2018???
October 21, 2016 at 02:51
Once the result is out you will be able to retrieve your conf number with your name, date of birth and email address used in the submission.
October 21, 2016 at 03:44
thanks so much, you are an Angel, my sister as well says you are an angel because you helped her so much till she got her visas with her family from Congo DRC. Thank you Sophia is lucky to have you as a Dad
October 19, 2016 at 05:23
Hi mr Britsimon
I Submitted my dv 2018 application and i used public computer where many people sent their entry is it makes me disqualified if we sent our entry one computer and 50 pearson
October 19, 2016 at 05:31
THat is no problem.
October 19, 2016 at 03:31
My cace number is AS00004302.
How much time it will talk to get second letter ?
October 19, 2016 at 05:39
https://britsimonsays.com/DV2017-basic-questions/
October 18, 2016 at 00:38
Hi sir I would like to ask you about my entry that I will submit soon next week . I am married with one daughter age 2 . I want to include the sibling of my wife and she is 9 year old .the reason that I want to include sibling of my wife is . She is currently living with me & my wife since the age of 2 and her mother died when she was 1 year old and her father never takes care of the baby and have new wife and live somewhere I don know . So I want to ask you that, can I include sibling of my wife in my entry ? she lives with me and my wife long time ago cos father lives somewhere I don know.
Thank you so much
October 18, 2016 at 00:53
You cannot include her unless you legally adopted her two years ago.
October 17, 2016 at 20:28
Hi Brit!
I had a problem. With Chrome I can’t finish my registration. The system kept sayin “Submission in progress “ and I not recieve confirmation number. What should I do?
October 17, 2016 at 20:42
Restart your PC, and use a different browser.
October 16, 2016 at 20:56
Hi Mr Britsimon
I AM WINNER OF 2017 AND MY CASE NO. IS 2017AF7*** I COMPLETED MY DS-260 AUGUST BUT STILL I DID NOT GET MY 2ND LETTER AND WHEN I CHECK MY DS-260 IT SHOWS ME COMPLETED WHAT IS WRONG IAN WORRIED MY CASE WHAT CAN I DO
October 16, 2016 at 22:25
All you need to do is WAIT. You submitted your DS260 late – and now it will take some time to process it before your case can be scheduled. Your interview will take place around February to March.
November 6, 2016 at 07:04
hii, submitted online DV form(2018), but i didn’t get 16 digits confirmation number and i m scared to re enter the form as the law says, ” individuals are entitled to submit only once and else shall be rejected” what should i do? Thanks
November 6, 2016 at 14:56
If you didn’t get a confirmation code, your entry was not submitted – so try again.
October 18, 2016 at 16:02
hey cirro,hope your are from kenya, Im aslo a winner of 2017 can we chat and know more about our embassy emphassies
October 16, 2016 at 08:30
My ear and neck are not clear in the attached photo for Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery. How can I chang the photo although I got the confirmation number?!
October 16, 2016 at 13:40
You cannot change the photo.
October 15, 2016 at 07:13
Simon, my brother doesn’t have high school degree but he work experience more than 20 years. Do you think this is enough for his interview?
Thank you
October 15, 2016 at 07:32
https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
October 16, 2016 at 13:15
Hello Brit sir
my friend is married and has a child. Her husband previously had 2 child from his first wife. He now doesnot live with previous wife any more but they are not legally separated.
my friend is eligible for dv but she cant manage photo of those 2 childs. So is it possible to apply only listing her husband and her child only..?
October 16, 2016 at 13:30
No – the children must be listed (if they are under 21)
October 14, 2016 at 11:09
Hi britsomonays
I’m somali living in south Africa as rufugee
And I don’t have a passport so if a win how can I go to usa
plz give me a more detailed information about the passport
October 14, 2016 at 13:53
IF you win, the embassy will waive the requirement for a passport and will issue you a travel document.
October 14, 2016 at 07:09
Hi Brit
please what if by that time you still don’t have the required Certificate but you have Professionals Certificate in I.T software engineer and three years experienced in Tilling (Tiler)…will u qualify
October 14, 2016 at 15:02
The certificate will not qualify you, nor will experience as a tiler.
October 13, 2016 at 16:34
Hi Brit
please am a little confused here, with this ongoing DV 2018, the educational level they have added Primary Only, high school no degree, high school degree eetc…And they are saying high school Certificate qualifies only so why did they included Primary Only & high school no degree
October 14, 2016 at 01:34
The education requirement must be met BY the time of INTERVIEW, not entry.
October 13, 2016 at 12:14
Britsimon that happened to me too I submitted for my sister and never got a confirmation number. The system kept sayin “Submission in progress “.Is there any means we can contact DOS before we resubmit new entry in order to avoid duplicacy..I think we have to make sure no confirmation number was assigned. YOUR THOUGHTS..I appreciate your dedication to helping countless in needs.
October 13, 2016 at 15:38
No. If you didn’t get the confirmation number you need to try again. Make sure you do not have a popup blocker.
October 12, 2016 at 19:41
Hey Simon,
Would it be OK to apply for DV Lottery 2018 while I am 2017 selectee with a risky case number?
October 12, 2016 at 22:50
Yes
October 12, 2016 at 16:52
Hello,please answer my question