*** Update – the system is fixed. Many are still having problems – but that is because they are entering information incorrectly – see https://britsimonsays.com/faq/checking-esc-page-check-without-mistakes/
OK – so there is an official confirmation of the issue. This might take a day or two to get resolved. Something similar happened a couple of years ago and it took around 3 days to fix. So – everyone relax. Stop checking every 5 minutes and no need to call KCC or anyone else – they know!
Now – in terms of reasons. I am now 100% certain it is not related to the old photos. For those that are worrying about that being the reason – it is not the reason you cannot check. Using an old photo was a silly thing to do – it is clearly stated in the rules not to do that – but that is NOT why you can’t check the result.
As best as I can guess (and this is speculation or an educated guess) the reason (for those that might want to speculate) is probably to do with how the system stores the entries.
In DV2012 there was a huge problem that caused a redraw – but as part of the court case there was a description of the system that stores the entries. The entries are too numerous to be stored on one physical drive (think about a hard drive). For good reasons they separated the entries into different drives. In DV2012, that was done by date. So – the first few days were on drive 1, then drive 2 for a few days then drive 3 and so on. In DV2012 the draw only included entries on drive 1. The whole selection process was then repeated with all drives and results re-announced.
So – imagine they still separate the data on different drives. That could be by date of entry, name of entrant, or some other reason. Somehow they will be separating the entries. Now – if certain drives (one or more of the several drives) cannot be accessed for the checking, it would be as if the entry doesn’t even exist (which explains why the forgotten conf number link also doesn’t work for those cases). That does not necessarily mean those entries were not included in the draw. As long as they were included in the draw, then the draw will be considered fair and not need to be repeated (like DV2012). All they need to do is plug in the drives – and people will be able to check their results. Once that happens we will be watching or people that experience the glitch but do get selected. There will have to be some cases like that – as well as many that will be not selected once they can see their results. Remember – for every person who is selected – there are around 100 more who are not selected.
So – everyone – please be patient and keep checking my site for updates.
May 3, 2017 at 17:48
BritSimon, thank you very much for all your updates and relevant information. Your site is the only source of information now! Thank you for doing this for all of us!
May 3, 2017 at 17:50
Thank God and thank you for the great work Brit,I’ll follow you for other updates.
May 3, 2017 at 18:00
If you weren’t here i would’ve never figured it out thanks a lot. God bless you!
May 3, 2017 at 18:05
Hi there, I have a quick question for you about the dv lottery and there possibly being a second round? Do you have any idea when the second round takes place as I was led to believe that I basically only need to check once to see if I’ve been successful and that would be that or can I keep checking for the duration of the dv 2018?
Thanks in advance
Andy
May 3, 2017 at 19:03
In some years (DV2017 being the most recent) there has been a second draw around October. However, that only happens if they under select (not enough people) in the first draw. I suspect they have selected enough people this year (judging by numbers on OC region).
May 3, 2017 at 18:05
Thank you u r gr8
May 3, 2017 at 18:10
Do you known how many entries are we talking about?? Thanks
May 3, 2017 at 19:01
Judging by the traffic on my site – THOUSANDS, probably hundreds of thousands.
May 3, 2017 at 20:25
Wow… thanks! My husband is one of them!
And your opinion about this is Good or is just a glitch ?
May 3, 2017 at 22:38
It will be fixed.
May 3, 2017 at 18:12
Thank you !!
May 3, 2017 at 18:14
it seems everyone who have submited on 24th october receive an error.I have seen some cases like this.
May 3, 2017 at 20:27
I submitted on the 24th… and I was not selected 🙁
May 3, 2017 at 20:55
Mine and my sister’s was on the 9th and both have errors now
May 3, 2017 at 23:01
I dont think so, I have got a “have not been selected” on that day too
May 3, 2017 at 18:17
THANKS FOR YOU i follow you
May 3, 2017 at 18:20
And what about this i find it in the DV-2018 instructions and FAQs :
We cannot accept group photographs; you must submit a photograph for each individual. Your entry may be disqualified or your visa application refused if the photographs have been manipulated in any way, or do not meet the specifications explained below. Submitting the same photograph that was submitted with last year’s entry (DV-2017) will result in disqualification. See Submitting a Digital Photograph for more information.
May 3, 2017 at 19:00
What is your point?
May 3, 2017 at 21:23
As i see that submititing an application with old photo will be disqualifated and in my case i have submitted with a photo of DV-2017 and i have the message error
May 3, 2017 at 22:58
Me too, I submitted photo from DV-2017 and I also have the same error. I suspect we were all disqualified. Sadly.
May 3, 2017 at 18:21
Thank you so very much for your effort and information!
May 3, 2017 at 18:23
Thanks for the updates, you’re doing a great job 🙂
May 3, 2017 at 18:26
Thank you very match ?
May 3, 2017 at 18:28
Thanks
May 3, 2017 at 18:29
Thank you!
May 3, 2017 at 18:30
Brit for president! Thank you for your incredible work mate
May 3, 2017 at 18:59
LOL – sadly I am not eligible since I an a Brit-Simon
May 3, 2017 at 18:35
First of all, I’de like to thanks so much Brit, you have been helping people along time ago, and I appreciate you.
I’de like to discuss something with you (because I admit you are an expert).
1) As far as I remember, in DV2012 , there were no problem checking the results (Nobody experienced an ERROR Message), so I think DV2018 case is different.
!!!!!!! But !!!!!!!
2) I read a post in a forum that someone has won and his brother has won as well, and that is similar to what happened in DV2012.
Check this link :
http://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2018-all-selectees.336257/page-3
So, what do you think?
Is there a probability that DV2012 fiasco is present now again, and they will do a redraw?
Can you, by anyway, collect some information about winners applying dates?
May 3, 2017 at 18:59
1. It is different. I explained how above.
2. Two brothers being selected is not suspicious. It’s a random lottery.
May 3, 2017 at 18:36
Thank you for your site ?
May 3, 2017 at 18:39
Thank you very much I am following you now and then
May 3, 2017 at 18:39
Thank you so much for your updates x
May 3, 2017 at 18:40
If I won I will meet you in USA
May 3, 2017 at 18:55
Thanks for the update.
May 3, 2017 at 19:04
Thank you dear BritSimon and we are speechless to express our gratitude for what you are doing every time. BIG BIG BIG thanks to you and endless help & efforts.
May 3, 2017 at 19:05
Guys, what I noticed it that entries that had “1” as the 5th digit in the confirmation code were available yesterday. However, entries with “3” in the 5th digit in the confirmation code were all blocked. I had 2 entries starting “20181…” and they opened. And 6 other entries that started with “20183…” are still blocked. Check what you have as a 5th digit.
May 3, 2017 at 19:14
I have some blocked ones at 20181, 20182, 20183…. so no. Good try – but no.
May 3, 2017 at 19:18
Hello Stacy,
That is not true
My confirmation number has (3) as a (5th) digit, and I could check my result getting as usual the HNBS result
May 3, 2017 at 19:23
I’m a 20181xxx and it says Invalid.
May 3, 2017 at 23:06
I think you are right I got the same issue
May 3, 2017 at 19:11
Thanks you for the information. This is an amazing blog, is very important for the people. Congratulations.
May 3, 2017 at 19:21
Hello,
It seems the first letter of the family name is more important: K or S being blocked but not D for example. It confirms the theory of multiple servers to be involved. 2012 deja vu ?
May 3, 2017 at 19:32
Hi Simon my case is 2018AF41*** do I have a chance
May 3, 2017 at 22:46
Yes.
May 3, 2017 at 19:33
Many thanks , is it true ? :
10. If the digital photographs I submitted on my E-DV application did not follow the instructions and
rules for the Diversity Visa program, what will happen?
The entry photograph must be recent (taken within the last six months). Submitting the same
photograph that was submitted with last year’s entry (DV-2017) will result in disqualification. If
you did not follow the instructions for entering the Diversity Visa lottery, your entry may be
disqualified. Failure to enter the correct photograph of each individual into the E-DV system may
result in disqualification of the principal applicant and refusal of all visas associated with the
case at the time of the visa interview. Entries are subject to disqualification and visa refusal for
cases in which the photographs are not recent, show manipulation in any way, or fail to meet
the program specifications.
Source :
https://uz.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/78/2016/10/DV-Frequently-Asked-Questions-English.pdf
May 3, 2017 at 22:46
That is straight from the instructions that were available to you when you entered. Why is that a surprise???
May 3, 2017 at 20:12
Hi bri, am michael i have tried several times since this dv lottery started but have not won before. I’m even fed up with it.
Can a friend add me to his or her DS 260 now that he or she has won as a brother or relation?
May 3, 2017 at 22:41
Obviously – NO!
May 3, 2017 at 20:17
Thank you so much for the information! I’m unable to check my status like many other people, however, I’m kind of panicked because I think I used the same picture I did for the DV2017. Which is the same picture I used for my J1 visa in July 2015 and A1 visa in January 2017.
Do I have a reason to believe that I will be disqualified? I mean, the US Embassy approved my visa despite using an old picture.
May 3, 2017 at 22:40
That is what the instructions say – so there is a risk that they enforce the rule.
May 3, 2017 at 20:25
I do not think so Melek, if it is ,why they gave us confirmation number?
May 3, 2017 at 20:28
Thank you for the update. I will follow you forever even if i am not selected.
May 3, 2017 at 20:33
I still haven’t seen any EU selectees. What is the highest case number for EU?
May 3, 2017 at 22:35
I don’t know
May 3, 2017 at 22:46
but we know about AF and OC
May 3, 2017 at 22:49
We know about OC to some extent. Not AF.
May 3, 2017 at 23:09
isn’t it AF45XXX ?
May 3, 2017 at 23:19
No. That is one number we heard of. It doesn’t mean that’s the highest.
May 3, 2017 at 20:41
Hi simon
I knew that some people has reported that they win but I can see here in the blog that few ( almost no ) winners are reporting their winning ? Do you think this is Ok ?
May 3, 2017 at 22:34
Yes
May 3, 2017 at 20:44
Thanks for update, very clear.
May 3, 2017 at 21:45
has a theory about first letter in last name. maybe working only from A… to K… last names
May 3, 2017 at 22:10
lots of people selected from OC which is a small region. Still no one from EU. I know you said there was a couple of people selected but judging from previous years there should be many more people reporting that they were selected. i haven’t seen anyone yet
May 3, 2017 at 22:24
I have seen EU selectees.
May 3, 2017 at 22:15
just wondering, if a old photo was used or something else disqualify you. would it state that or just say not selected? so possibly correct issue for nest drawing.
May 3, 2017 at 22:24
Not selected.
May 4, 2017 at 09:49
Ty for your help in everything, was going crazy trying to find answers until I came across your post.
May 3, 2017 at 22:26
Thank you so much !You are doing a great job!
May 3, 2017 at 22:31
yes i know you have but there should be more. i have been checking both this forum and immigration dot com and there is none. last year there were many EU selectees within the first 24 hours
May 3, 2017 at 22:52
Well we don’t know how widespread the not valid problem is.
May 3, 2017 at 23:11
My brother won the 2018 and he needs to fill a DS260 form does he need to fill one form for each family member meaning wife and kids or only one form for all family, and is a question on the form “petitioner is my” what do you put in there the name of a guarantor that lives in US?
Another question is what kind of job are going to do in Us?
May 3, 2017 at 23:19
Each person needs a DS260.
Petioner is Myself.
Job – be honest.
May 3, 2017 at 23:24
When he does the form for wife and kids he should put his case number and what about who is the petitioner on the form for wife and kids is going to be still Myself
May 3, 2017 at 23:39
The principal selectee should be the petitioner.
May 3, 2017 at 23:42
Thank you so much for your help
May 3, 2017 at 23:14
Thank you Brit-Simon for everything you are doing to help people out from all over the world, I have one question, pardon me if you had answered this question before and I missed it somehow.
I just remembered that I might have used old photos from DV2017 for my parents and little sister (1 year old photos), would this be an issue at the embassy at the time of the interview or something that may prevent someone from actually being invited to the interview?
May 3, 2017 at 23:17
Have you been selected?
May 3, 2017 at 23:25
Not yet 😛 I have the same Information entered not valid issue, for my dad and for my mom and even my brother has the same issue.
However, my mom was selected in 2015 but her number was high (AS) and never been invited for an interview! but this is another story 🙂
May 3, 2017 at 23:39
So see if you are selected first and then ask the questions.
May 3, 2017 at 23:27
txs Brit!! question… do you think is there any chance for those who submitted same photo as previous year? (I know the instructions are crystal clear)
May 3, 2017 at 23:36
This rule has always been there, but this year they made the rule clearer and specifically stated that re-used DV2017 would cause disqualification. We have yet to know whether they will follow through on the threat.
May 3, 2017 at 23:55
thanks Brit for the great work,
I have a question if you could answer it please :
does this have anything to do with people who has the “has not been selected” ?
and thanks a lot
May 4, 2017 at 00:00
No. Not selected means not selected.
May 4, 2017 at 00:22
Have you checked your Diversity Visa (DV) 2018 status recently? Additional entrants have been added to “selected” status! Check your status using your unique confirmation number on the Entrant Status Check (ESC) website http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.
Selected entrants are encouraged to complete the online DS-260 application immediately to schedule an interview appointment at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
what about that ?!!
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/diversity-visa/if-you-are-selected.html
I think it’s the government website right
May 4, 2017 at 03:28
Yes – it’s just them being foolish.
May 4, 2017 at 01:27
I feel there is an issue with not selected too! I asked on official account if it’s include not selected and they replay there is a technical issue and it will be fix and check again in 24 hrs
May 4, 2017 at 00:08
can you give a link to their twitter response please? I can’t find it.
May 4, 2017 at 00:11
Nevermind, I found it:
https://twitter.com/TravelGov/status/859810724025176068
May 4, 2017 at 00:12
Hi brit
Did you hear if someone has been selected this year ??
Thanks
May 4, 2017 at 03:30
YES!!!!
May 4, 2017 at 00:22
I won last year and applied for a friend who is selected for dv 2018 further processing
May 4, 2017 at 01:38
HI Simon, I noticed that this year that confirmation page has different style for male vs female. Confirmation letter for males had seal on top, but it was not present for any of my female family members.
May 4, 2017 at 03:23
really? Odd.
May 4, 2017 at 02:12
What does AF and OC mean
May 4, 2017 at 03:02
2 regions Africa and Oceana
May 4, 2017 at 03:08
Oh my… How many times does Simon have to say? It has NOTHING to do with the photos! ffs
May 4, 2017 at 03:20
Quite. FFS.
May 4, 2017 at 17:52
Whens is right time to check my status, since am told not selected. Do I keep on checking or play next time
May 4, 2017 at 18:49
DV2019