****UPDATE – please read to the end to see who is affected****
So – in the last week to two weeks people from EU and AF (and some signs of OC region selectees receiving the same warning). regions are starting to receive notices as shown below. The notice is being sent to people who had interviews prior to the present month, and were placed on AP for any reason.
“The Congressionally-mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas (DV) each year, drawn from random selection among all entries, to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
The Department of State in Washington informed U.S. consular sections worldwide to halt processing DV cases whose initialappointment was scheduled prior to July 2018 .
We regret at this moment we are unable to continue processing of your DV 2018 application, however in September 2018 please check the visa bulletin(https://travel.state.gov/contel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for information regarding DV visa number availability. Visa application and associated fees cannot be refunded. In September 2018 we will review all DV 2018 case files and return passports and original civil documents through the courier service.
Selectees for DV 2018 who did not receive a visa may enroll again for the DV 2020 program in the fall of 2018.
Regards,
Immigrant Visa Unit
U.S. Embassy London”
The explanation is this.
First, we need to understand how visas are allocated – so I am going to describe a hypothetical situation. When KCC schedule cases for interview (CP not AOS), they pre-allocate a visa for each person on the case. So – a family of 5 would have 5 visas allocated. If an embassy had 4 interviews scheduled with a total headcount of (for example) 20, they would have 20 visas to account for. During the month, let’s say they approve two cases, place one case on AP and refuse one case.
10 visas of the 20 are approved, 5 are refused and 5 on AP. At the end of that month, the embassy must send back the unused visas, so that they “account for” all 20 visas allocated – 10 approved, 10 returned to KCC. If another case from a previous month was cleared on AP for a family of 3, the embassy might use 3 of the 10 visas to be returned, and return the remaining 7 OR they might return the 10 visas and ask KCC to reallocate 3 visas to the clearing AP family of 3. That reallocation process takes time, and involves communication between KCC and the embassy.
So – now we understand how that works, we can understand how the message above might happen.
Let’s take AF region to start with.
KCC (with the Visa Office) scheduled nearly 2200 interviews for August – those interviews haven’t started yet. From Xarthisius’ CEAC data we can see that 13500 visas were issued up to July 19th – it will be higher by now, but we need people to scrape the data to know the numbers. But in any case – take the 13500, or call it 14000, and add the AF scheduled interviews for August – that would be around 19000. Assume they have another 4000 people scheduled in September (1800 – 2000 cases), and we would seem to be at the quota. However, of the 5000 people scheduled in August, there will be no shows, refusals and AP cases. Those allocated visas will be returned to the pool at the end of August, so there is a chance for people to get visas allocated in September (from August interviews) or in August (from July interviews).
Even with all that, I think there will be a shortfall under the quota in AF region. Therefore, AF selectees told they have to wait for a visa to become available may have a decent chance of getting a visa.
KCC are acting like visas will run out because they have to assume all people interviewed will be approved. That won’t happen, so there will be a shortfall in the end in AF region. The question is whether they have time to re-allocate the visas. The unused visas from August interviews can be reallocated by KCC, but the September unused visas can only be used by the embassy for its own cases from previous months.
EU has a similar story – but the numbers are tighter. Therefore it is much more likely in EU region that cases will miss out. NOT cases scheduled already for August and September, but cases clearing AP, and perhaps cases on adjustment of status. Cases that enter AP during August could be impacted if the AP continues to September. Cases that enter AP in September are unaffected because their cases would time out anyway if not completed by September 30.
Cases on adjustment of status are similar to AP, in that they don’t have an allocated visa. So – AOS cases are also at risk.
The same might happen in other regions too (with the exception of Asia, I believe) but I don’t know for sure. Overall, the number of visas issued globally will not reach the 50,000 level. But because processing was so slow this year, there are too many interviews that have been left until too late in the year. I will write another article explaining why the processing has been so slow this year.
PLEASE. Before you ask for explanations about your region, please read the example about AF region. The same concept applies to all regions. FURTHERMORE, do not ask me about XXXX country. This is not at the country level, this is about regional quotas.
About the CEAC data. This data gives us important understanding of the process, and the remaining visas. Not enough people are doing the scraping, so we have not had an update for a while. Please go to The scraping site and give some of your time to scrape the numbers.
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/login.html
Who is affected?
- Cases from AS region should not be affected since their region is not going to reach the quota. So – exclude AS region from the following comments.
- Cases scheduled for August CP interviews are not affected if their case is approved by the end of August.
- Cases scheduled for September interviews are not affected at all, because their cases cannot continue processing after September anyway.
- Cases that are already in AP from any previous month up to and including July are affected.
- Cases still going through the AOS process are affected
Questions I am being asked:
Q: Does this mean it is over for cases affected?
A: NO! There is a risk to the affected cases, but that does not mean ALL the affected cases will not get visas. Some will. Some won’t. I cannot tell you about *your* case. YOu have to wait and see.
Q: Can any DV2018 case be approved after September 30th?
A: NO – under no circumstances.
Q: Why is there a difference for different regions?
A: Each region has its own quota.
AF is NOT near it’s quota, but KCC are “assuming” all scheduled cases will be approved. There are nearly 10000 people scheduled in August and September. THOUSANDS of those 10000 won’t be approved – hence there will be a shortfall. The unused visas from August will be returned to KCC at the end of August, and re-allocated in September – but we don’t know whether there will be enough of those to satisfy all remaining cases by then. Same thing will happen with unused visas from July interviews – but there are a LOT less of those because fewer cases were scheduled in July.
EU is very near it’s quota already, and and there are not many interviews scheduled. Success rate in EU is higher than AF, so the quota will be met.
AS is nowhere near its quota and has few interviews scheduled, so quota should NOT be a problem for AS. The visas are only allocated to AOS cases at the end of the process (drawn down from a system called IVAMS), and I am assuming (hoping) that the system is smart enough to be able to see the numbers available by region.
OC and SA are near the quota and have enough cases scheduled to reach or nearly reach the quota.
August 10, 2018 at 16:49
Hi Simon,
One day I asked you a question about the courier ,if I need to add my family members to register….so,you wasn’t sure! Maby becauce you applied alone…I just want to inform everone about, if you are the main applicant, you must register also the others in your family,coming with you…I could’nt do it in the beginning because I forgot to
add the 3 zero s at the case nbr like 2018EU00023xxx?
August 10, 2018 at 18:36
THere are different courier systems at various embassies – I don’t know specifics on every embassy and believe that people should be able to follow available instructions.
August 12, 2018 at 17:48
Hi saimo my question is if AP cleared in AF region for all applicant but there are no enough visas for the numbers remaining and the number not reach 50000 visas for Dv2018 for all regions at the end of September AP cleared they place visa from the remaining of 50000visas for dv 2018
August 12, 2018 at 19:11
Not all AP cases will clear – so it’s a pointless question.
August 15, 2018 at 04:14
Hello Britsimon. The unused visas in August will be assigned in cases higher than 39500 in september, Africa DV 2018??? Thanks for your answer
August 15, 2018 at 05:51
No.
August 15, 2018 at 07:56
OK. Thanks
August 15, 2018 at 07:58
Hi Simon I have a question. Please hear me out.
I already got an interview scheduled in Germany between Sep 5-15th (don’t want to post specific date). I recently got married, added my wife, submitted a new DS260. Consulate replied me now that they had to put her on the waiting list since there are currently no more visa’s available. They tell me to bring her anyways in case they get another visa allocated.
My question is will my case (including her) be processed before the AP cases that are in Frankfurt? Or is this totally up to them?
Will this totally depend on how many cases get denied or are no show ups the next few weeks at that particular consulate?
Are you able to say how high/low the chance for her is, especially if they ask me to bring her along anyways? I read your article twice, but I am not sure I 100% understand. I am sorry.
Thank you kindly.
August 15, 2018 at 14:33
I cannot predict the chances one way or the other. Frankfurt don’t have many cases, and not many are denied, so there is certainly some risk.
August 15, 2018 at 22:10
Totally understand.
I am now hoping to be able to schedule my wife for a later date for a separate interview. Reason is, if the leaves the US for the interview and won’t get a green card, she won’t be able to get a new non-immigrant visa and so she won’t be able to come back to the US for another 2 years.
So I am hoping they can tell me once her GC is available and schedule her for a date in late September. Is that a valid reason or do you have to have a medical reason or something like that to be able to schedule a later, separate interview. Because that’s unclear for me from reading this.
>>If your spouse and/or qualified unmarried children will immigrate at a later date and travel separately from you, they are not required to participate in your interview. They will be scheduled for a separate interview appointment. You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews, if needed.<<
What do you think? Thanks!
August 16, 2018 at 00:57
You won’t get a separate interview. There is no time, and the procedure doesn’t work.
August 15, 2018 at 18:31
Dear, BritSimon
I would like to ask about AF cases, my case is above 50,000 if any hope of interview appointment ?
August 16, 2018 at 01:03
No.
August 15, 2018 at 18:33
DV 2018.
August 16, 2018 at 04:13
Some case under AP since june .
My question are cases must completed on September special old time ago like cases under AP since jan, feb, march ,April,May , june are all these AP must be clear on September or the is no limit time for Ap even lottery becasr lottery not like other immigrants program it will be over on 40 of September
August 16, 2018 at 04:33
September 30 is the final day for approvals. However, some AP cases won’t be ready in time, and those cases will never get approved.
September 17, 2018 at 04:43
Hi Brit
I am from african region but live in australia
I have been put on AP since june , they told to wait as they requested visa numbers of my family (5) .
Do you think there is any chance of getting visa numbers before 30/9
Thank you
September 17, 2018 at 14:24
There is a chance if your AP clears.Contact the embassy.
August 16, 2018 at 18:57
Dear, BritSimon
I would like to know, why low cutoffs numbers this year AF 39500 in compare to previous years? is it from clear Trump race discrimination about mainly Africans?
August 16, 2018 at 19:06
No. He’s a racist idiot for sure, but that is not the reason for these low cutoffs. It is more about new security measures that were introduced during the Obama administration and have caused slower processing.
August 16, 2018 at 19:15
I thinks some things wrong done this year to Africans exactly & off course unfair procedure , may god do a positive changes to overcome africans visas lost.
August 16, 2018 at 19:22
My question dear, about 50.000 DV is it to principles applicant’s only or their derivatives included?
August 16, 2018 at 19:28
Includes derivatives.
August 16, 2018 at 19:46
What about deducted 5000 visas, to countries with low imigrants to U.S. last year, how could it will be distributed?
August 16, 2018 at 19:52
I don’t know what you are talking about.
August 17, 2018 at 12:21
Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually-allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. This resulted in reduction of the DV-2018 annual limit to 50,000. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.
August 17, 2018 at 15:35
Right – 5000 are taken for NACARA – NOT low immigrant countries!
August 17, 2018 at 10:55
When some one is put on Ap will the consor inform you on the day of your interview
August 17, 2018 at 15:28
Sometimes, not always.
You should read the FAQ though…
August 17, 2018 at 15:21
I did interview on June but my wife place on AP but me and my kids co said ok but but when check status me and the kids showing Ready and my wifr AP that mean fhe what that ready mean?
August 18, 2018 at 09:25
Hi Brit
do you think . there is a second draw for dv 2018 from africa
best regards
August 18, 2018 at 14:24
I don’t know.
August 18, 2018 at 21:09
I received an email from da embasy to summit passports,new medical and police reports because the AP is comple.
A link was dia to book an appointment to summit the said documents but went i try to book an appointment, my first appointment date is what appears.
August 18, 2018 at 21:57
Why not just give the documents to the embassy???
August 20, 2018 at 08:36
Hello,
“…Those allocated visas will be returned to the pool at the end of August, so there is a chance for people to get visas allocated in September (from August interviews) or in August (from July interviews)…”
Do you know how long does visa reallocation process takes? For example, from July interviews.
My interview was on 11th of June but after that I had been sent to AP (additional medical exam) and our pre-allocated visas returned to KCC.
I’ve got 1 of 4 visas ISSUED (principal applicant) on 31st of July but another 3 (family members) got into a queue of “visa numbers waiting”…
Thank you
August 20, 2018 at 14:18
It will vary case by case.
August 20, 2018 at 19:06
Tnx Simon.
Went to the embassy to drop my documents today but was told I can’t thus I must book an appointment. I explained to them but they insisted. Am stuck. Don’t know what to do. Did a new medical exams, travelled all da way to Dakar and the DV will soon end.
August 20, 2018 at 23:54
So you have to do what they said then.
August 22, 2018 at 03:40
If my case placed on Ap for long time after sometime Showing last update with new date i want know this update from the embassy that did my interview or Washington.
Second question is the Ap clear from embassy or Washington ( l mean last dision
August 22, 2018 at 04:18
I don’t know.
August 22, 2018 at 06:48
My question is Adminstrative
processing clear from embassy or usa
August 22, 2018 at 14:51
I understood your question and said I don’t know – it varies by case and the type of AP.
August 23, 2018 at 14:06
Hi Simon…
I had interview in June, Albania. All documents were complete. They didn’t want any extra thing. But my visa is already in AP. I sent mail to emabassy. They said, your process isn’t complete.
Is normal or not.?
Is it about couta which you mentioned before ?
What you advice me ?
August 23, 2018 at 15:13
Some cases need AP – the time of that AP varies. Since your AP went into a new month, and visas are now low for EU, you are at risk. All you can do is wait.
August 24, 2018 at 12:33
Good Afternoon Mr Brit, I had my interview on the 9th of August but wasn’t issued a visa because I did not have a certificate of Non conviction with me. But,
– the Co, asked me to get it as soon as possible because they were running out of visas for 2018
– Co also returned my passport and gave me a pink form.
I deposited the documents ( certificate of non conviction and passport ) at the courier the next day.
I checked my case number online and it was on AP but when I checked later it showed Issued.
What do I do?? Cuz I am yet to receive a call or email from them.
Thanks very much Sir.
August 24, 2018 at 14:08
You do nothing. You just thank God for being one of the lucky guys on earth. Your visa is issued!
Congratulations!
August 24, 2018 at 18:51
Thanks . I am grateful
August 24, 2018 at 14:21
You wait.
August 24, 2018 at 18:54
Ok Mr Brit. Thanks very much and God Bless You for everything.
August 26, 2018 at 00:48
Hello Sir… My interview is scheduled on September 13. I included my husband from the very beginning of the entry. I had my traditional wedding on December 2015 and formalised it at the attorney general’s office on July 2018 so as to get the marriage certificate as passed by the law recently in Kenya…. In my ds 260 I had indicated our date of marriage as December 2015. I have an affidavit from a commissioner of oaths showing we formalised our marriage….Do you suppose that the consular may deny us approval since the certificate is of year 2018? Can the affidavit help in assuring its true? Kindly help me!
August 26, 2018 at 01:14
I cannot give you a definite answer. Cases like your have been approved, and others denied.
August 26, 2018 at 12:20
In Kenya you need to certify your marriage certificate at Sheria house if it does not have a seal.. affidavit is not necessary
August 26, 2018 at 15:22
Hi, Brit Saimon
Really I would like to thank you very much for your guidance & valuable informations, which was found here in richable dialogue.
When I checked the Excel Sheet of DV 2018, I observed some cases in Africa above 52000 was issued visa, my case as I mentioned early is AF51xxx, please your clarification is highly appropriated.
Best Regards
Pharmacist: Bashir Elgizoli
August 26, 2018 at 15:38
AF region was current in August before the number was reduced for September. Around 100 cases were scheduled in August that were above the 39500 limit that was later implemented. Those cases were able to be interviewed and approved.
August 26, 2018 at 15:42
Many thanks Brit for your reply.
August 26, 2018 at 15:49
I would like to ask about AF status is it possible to be corrected to current at September?
August 26, 2018 at 16:15
No.
August 27, 2018 at 09:21
Dear Simon,
As 30-Sep-2018 is the last date line for 2018 DV winners, so is it possible to arrange your travel after this date if you get your visa before this,
Thank you,
August 27, 2018 at 09:58
Hello Karim,
You can wait for Simon’s response but I think that it will not be different from mine.
Common sense is telling me that is possible even normal. Dv visa is generally for 6 months; most of visa issued in august 2018 will expiry in january or february next year 2019. So as long as your visa is valid you can travel.
Regards,
Umwimukira.
August 27, 2018 at 13:55
Yes
August 27, 2018 at 10:25
good morning sir, i had interview with my husband since 14 august, they kept our passeport and documents for some verifiactions but since that day the ceac still shows ready for interview. do you think is normal the ceac doesnt show AP ? thank
August 27, 2018 at 13:58
Sometimes the embassies don’t update CEAC well.
August 30, 2018 at 09:33
Hey have you gotten a response from them so far?
August 27, 2018 at 11:18
When will they start issuing visas to those who are in waiting list,am anxious.Africa region
August 27, 2018 at 12:41
Hello,
1) Unused visa numbers from refused and AP cases at your local embassy can be given to cleared AP aplicants any time.
2) Those visa numbers which come from the KCC pool can be given next month (in september) as the CO worldwide have the right to keep unused visa numbers only till the end of each month.
Am I correct?
August 27, 2018 at 13:37
Yooji,I think this is what has been happening for months before July.APs which ran to the next month after July and have been cleared have not been issued with visas
August 27, 2018 at 14:05
Correct. This month is no different.
August 27, 2018 at 14:07
Ray,
This is possible for EU region. They can stop giving numbers in september if quota will be exceeded too much. But for AF region – I guess the level of refuse will be high and quota will not exceed much. So if your case is cleared already you have good chance to recieve the visa…
August 27, 2018 at 14:04
Yes
August 27, 2018 at 14:01
The process is ongoing.
August 27, 2018 at 12:02
Hi brit. I’ve been reading your blog for more than a year now, and they’ve been very helpful with my case. I’m a 2018 dv winner with CNAF00033***. My case has been scheduled for interview at the Ethiopian US embassy for 4th of September. But now people there including those hired to give info at the embassy are saying that the embassy has run out of dv visas and thus it is unlikely for me to receive one. I thought interview is scheduled only if a visa number is available. How likely is this to happen?
Thanks in advance
August 27, 2018 at 14:03
You will be fine. Just focus on preparing well.
September 6, 2018 at 11:28
Hi brit. So the interview was today. The CO looked into my document and told me everything was good. Then she told me that since my case num is high, there is no guarantee. She said visas are almost finished and they are going to be selective on issuing any to all winners that have passed their interview recently, and returned all my documents including the passport. Then she got on the phone and told me there is some good news. Since I’m from Eritrea(very few Eritreans go to U.S. via DV comparing to Ethiopians), I may be given priorities & that she will let me know the final decision next week. She took only my educational documents and that was it. They did that to everyone with DV cases that day. I dont understand any of this. If this was my first scheduled interview, shouldn’t there be already a visa allocated to me? Or are they cutting off Ethiopia as Africa has almost reached its quota, since both Ethiopia and Egypt had a high number of selectees. And if they are, why schedule so many people with out enough visas? Any thoughts on this? Or is there anyone with a similar case
September 6, 2018 at 16:08
What the CO said makes little or no sense. Your country is unimportant, Ethiopia itself is not near the country limit, AF region is nowhere near it’s regional limit, and yes, cases are assigned visas during scheduling.
I think you were interviewed by the office cleaner.
Now, have some patience and wait for the outcome.
August 27, 2018 at 14:45
Dear Mr. Brit
comments show over selectee for dv 2018 than the available visas . which means there is no second draw for 2018
best regards
August 27, 2018 at 15:49
Obviously there is no second draw for DV2018! People are asking about DV2019.
August 28, 2018 at 16:24
I want to appreciate for all the guidance I got from this platform.for quite some time I was a silent follower but learned so much.Today my visa has been issued after being put in the visa waiting list.for sure after the interview,there is nothing much one can do but,”wait and see”as Brit emphasises.Thank you all especially Brit
August 28, 2018 at 16:57
Congratulations.
August 30, 2018 at 19:35
Hi Brit. My interview is next week. I’ve prepared every document needed to avoid any risks except for one. Birth certificate. I couldn’t get the original one from my country Eritrea cause the government doesn’t allow it for people like us, a refugee in a neighbouring country Ethiopia. I’ve a birth certificate issued by the government of Ethiopia for refugees, a baptism certificate(although it only shows my baptismal name not my given name) and all my other docs state my birth date. My question is, from your dv cases experience, how strict are COs to having an original birth certificate? Am I at any risk of AP? If so should I get an affidavit of birth to increase my chances?
Thanks in advance
August 30, 2018 at 19:57
I don’t have any experience of that situation.
August 31, 2018 at 13:49
Yafiet,
I try to answer for your question… but it is not very precise. Executive your own investigation.
First of all read info on DOS website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Eritrea.html)
Government of Eritrea issue birth certificates. However, you stated that you are eligible to recieve it. So in case of Unobtainable birth certificates: Some birth records may not be obtainable if, for example:The appropriate government authority will not issue one.
In these cases, please obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government authority stating the reason the applicant’s birth record is not available. With the certified statement the applicant must submit SECONDARY evidence.
(Just read about it https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html)
If you have more question refer it to Consular section in the state of your interview. (All Immigrant Visas for Eritreans are handled at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa or Nairobi.)
Good day!
August 31, 2018 at 20:42
Thanks a lot Yoojin. I did read all those instructions. But none are related to our case. Cause even getting an authorised paper stating why the certificate is unobtainable is a lot difficult for us. Thats why I got the baptismal certificate and a special birth certificate issued for refugees. I just wanted to know how important the birth certificate is, cause its all abt convincing the CO now. Nothing more we can do abt it
August 31, 2018 at 05:46
Hi Simon after 9months of Ap embassy ask me to submit the medical my medical will be available September first week I’m AS region is there any chance to get visa embassy can allocate me visa before end of September? We are family of 3 It’s really stressful time of my life
Thanks for your help
August 31, 2018 at 08:02
I think that it is a good sign. They can not ask you the medical for nothing.
Then as Simon always says: the best thing you can do is follow their instructions carefully and then wait and see the outcome.
None can guess the outcome! Just be patient, follow the instruction and pray!
Good lucky
August 31, 2018 at 14:29
Visas are available for AS region – so yes you have a chance.
August 31, 2018 at 15:34
Thanks Simon I can sleep now ??
August 31, 2018 at 08:39
Hey Brit. Thanks for the tremendous help you provide to thousands of people out there. You’re blog has been very helpful to me. God bless and reward.
August 31, 2018 at 14:36
Thanks!
September 1, 2018 at 13:11
Dear, I interviewed on may 31th 2018 at the embassy in Monrovia and was placed on the administrative processing, on 8/15/2018 I sent an email and haven’t received a reply yet, however I checked case status and its say updated on 08/16/2018 and its read READY, My question, will they call me?
September 1, 2018 at 15:37
I don’t know = wait and see.
September 1, 2018 at 14:52
Hi Simon How many days will take to reallocate visa in September if my region was current .my region was AS! My medical was ready to give on Tuesday coz Monday embassy is holiday (reallocating visa number will easy or hard ) normally how many days will take ! Anyone have any experience like this !
Thanks
September 1, 2018 at 15:38
There is no “normally”. Wait and see.
September 3, 2018 at 21:07
Hi Brit, i had interview since 17th of July, and some other documents were required that were added on 8th of august but my status since updated on 10th of august till now no more updates, could I contact the embassy or what? I’m from africa
September 4, 2018 at 00:26
You can contact the embassy if you want – or just wait.
September 4, 2018 at 06:30
Hi Simon,
I want to thank you for all your advises that you gave us and want to inform you that after our interview about an hour ago our visas been approved.We are a family of three in Turkey(with our 7 years old doughter)LOL
September 4, 2018 at 16:24
Nice!
September 4, 2018 at 17:49
Hello Brit.
I am an applicant of AF
I was put on AP since June and my status now shows issued . Shown like this for a week now and I am yet to receive a call from the embassy.
Please I wish to know if after showing issued its possible that I still not get visa.
Thank you.
September 4, 2018 at 18:34
It is certain once the visa is in your hands.
September 5, 2018 at 14:19
Ok Brit. Thank alot. Just have to wait then.
September 4, 2018 at 21:35
Hello brit,
I am DV2018 winner. When we presented for the interview on 12-Aug-2018 we were informed by the consular that we don’t have chance to get visa and chance is zero for all applicant’s which was being interviewed in such day due to shortage of time, but i have passed the interview now case is under going necessary AP in your opinion is there any chance to grant me visa till Sep 30th.
Case No: 2028AS11***
Thanks,
Ahmad
September 4, 2018 at 21:40
I know less about your case than the CO or yourself. So – I have no opinion.
September 5, 2018 at 02:37
Did they keep u’r passport?
September 4, 2018 at 21:43
Dear Simon,
How are you today? Two questions but a quick summary. Had the DV Medicaid late February 2018 and had visa interview first week March. Consular said we are approved but asked that we submit some extra documents. We were able to submit in two weeks. Since then we have been on ready till date. Followed up a few times and was told out case is being processed. Followed up again today and got a reply that they are waiting for KCC to send them visa numbers.
1) Are all medical examinations valid for 6 months?
2) If the Medical examination is valid for six, surely ours has expired by now. Is there a chance that if visa numbers are received from KCC on time, we will be asked to do new medical exams?
Thank you very much for your time.
September 4, 2018 at 23:38
1. The doctor might shorten that validity – that is up to them.
2. Yes
September 21, 2018 at 12:54
Hi BritSimon,
Thought to update. The embassy contacted me telephonically on Friday 14 September 2018. Said they have good and bad news and that which do I want first. I said the good news. The lady told me that the good news is they will issue the visa and the bad news is I have to do a new medical. I was asked to inform them as soon as the new medical is done. They also wanted to know the validity of the new medicals.
New medicals was started same day and completed the following Monday. Doctor said it’s valid for six months and the embassy will get the results on a Wednesday. I called the same day to inform the embassy. Was told they will work on the case. Then two updates followed on the 18th and 20th but status still showed ready. Today 21st September, I checked and it still showed ready, so I called and was told to wait for DHL to contact me. Status has since changed to AP.
Fingers crossed now.
September 26, 2018 at 17:29
Hi Brit,
Thought to update you. Visa issued today. Embassy is Johannesburg. Passports incoming.
Thanks a lot for you efforts here and your invaluable advise.
Where are you in the states if you don’t mind sharing?
September 26, 2018 at 18:24
California.
September 26, 2018 at 19:02
Fantastic. Have a blessed day further.
September 5, 2018 at 02:58
Dear simon i am dv 2018 wineer bit my case is to put on adminstrative processing on several monthes so i contact the enbassy by via email the embassy response is We regret to inform you that the total number of visas allocated under the 2018 Diversity Visa Program has reached the limit. Depending on the worldwide demand, additional visas for 2018 DV program may be allocated in mid-September. We kindly request you to email and check whether numbers are available to process your case in mid-September. So brit by this word i have achance to get visa pls predict me .thank u brit
September 5, 2018 at 03:20
I cannot predict your chances – you haven’t even told me your region!
September 5, 2018 at 05:34
Oww brit soory my region is AF brit you cannot predict my chance but the respond of the embassy is positive ?
September 5, 2018 at 14:04
It is standard wording, so not positive or negative.
September 5, 2018 at 12:38
I just want to thank you Simon for you outstanding work here. Really appreciated. I got my interview on August 1 finally (AF29***) went through AP for a couple of weeks and my visa issued on the 17th. Your help in simplifying this somewhat complex and sometimes frustrating process cannot be overstated.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
September 5, 2018 at 14:15
Congratulations!
September 5, 2018 at 15:49
Good afternoon Brit,
I’d appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on this: I just finished my AoS interview today (EU239**), and after the interview I was approved and the officer told me that I am now in the system and that I should receive my card in the next week or so, and that I should make sure my name and date of birth is correct etc. My attorney also mentioned that as of now I am registered in the system as a permanent resident.
However I didn’t get any updates on the USCIS website, it still says fingerprint review complete. Do you know if visas for EU ran out at this point, and if so how did I get approved; I know someone in EU got approved on August 28th. So is there still uncertainty for me at this point after all this?
Thank you
September 5, 2018 at 15:53
Exercise some patience.
September 5, 2018 at 19:50
OK, now the case has been updated 🙂 Thank you
September 5, 2018 at 20:02
Yup. Patience pays.
September 6, 2018 at 10:52
hi simon i wanna ask
my interview was in 8 August , My case is Asian (AS) but my interview was in africa in sudan and unfortunately he give me Administrative processing
i heard that visa may run out from the embassy of khartoum for this month
should i concern about it or my visa is still as asian and even if it run out from africa i could take?
September 6, 2018 at 11:46
and i wanna know also about my chances
September 6, 2018 at 16:09
Of course you do. I don’t know.
September 6, 2018 at 15:55
Your case is in AS region – so AS visas won’t run out.
September 7, 2018 at 16:02
Hello brit in a few days on adminstrative processing cases especialy submitted specific documents for the embassy the case is resolved ? or not? and when start additional visa allocated for AF region plese give me some information clearly i am from africa region thank u
September 7, 2018 at 17:03
Once missing documents are submitted, the embassy/CO review the documents and make their decision. That can go either way.
September 7, 2018 at 16:22
Hello Brit. Thank you very much for you’ve been a Blessing to me and my family. I finally called the Embassy and I was told to come and collect my Visa. I have it now with me. I have been more of a silent member of your Blog and I learnt a lot from here via other people’s questions and your responds to their questions . You made this process so easy and comfortable for me. Thank you very much for all you do for us all. No man can pay you for this but God alone will reward you.
God Bless you and your family like Never Before.
THANK YOU.
September 7, 2018 at 17:04
Thank you for breaking your silence to let me know the positive outcome. Congratulations!
September 7, 2018 at 21:16
Hello Brit,
First, thank you for your blog, it helps a lot when we are dealing with a lot questions and anxiety during this long DV process.
My wife and I went through an emotional roller coaster this week : my case is from EU region, we asked to transfer our interview location from Paris to the country were we live now. The interview was scheduled earlier this week. Everything went well, we had all the document from the embassy checklist plus some, as a bank statement, that I brought, thanks to information found on your blog (this doc was required).
After the interview, the officer congrats us because our case was accepted (pure happiness…) BUT unfortunately , they were not able issue the visa because they didn’t have any visa number left since the file was a transfer from Paris Embassy. They will contact them to check if there is any available visa but with no guarantee (despair…).
Do you think there is a chance to get it ? Is it a good idea to call Paris embassy to understand what’s going on and be sure that my case is not missed again ?
Thanks !
September 7, 2018 at 21:39
It was unwise to transfer the case. I assume you were originally scheduled at the Paris embassy – and they will have been allocated the visas for your case. If you are from EU region, you have a high degree of risk since EU visas are almost exhausted.
September 7, 2018 at 21:51
Thanks for you quick answer ! We transferred our case one year ago, in sept 2017 and the appointment has always been scheduled to my current embassy (Canada). They asked us if we already had an interview In Paris and we don’t… this allocation issue really makes no sense to me…
September 7, 2018 at 22:25
Then you did NOT “transfer” the case! You changed the choice of embassy early in the process. That is different. In that case – there should be a visa allocated through the Canadian embassy – it has nothing to do with Paris.
September 9, 2018 at 20:58
Hi Brit,
I just happened to check my status on CEAC website and it is has been updated to “Issued” the day after my interview, but with a comment in the text below that my case is under “administrative processing”. What does it mean ?
September 10, 2018 at 03:51
It means you need to learn patience.
September 14, 2018 at 22:23
End of the story : 2 days after the interview, the IO was kind enough to call us and tell that they found some visa numbers for the family. So “issued” was meaning “issued” fortunately ! We receive our passport today with the visa stamped in it.
Best of luck to everyone for this stressful long journey and thank you again for your blog Brit !
September 14, 2018 at 23:07
Great!
September 7, 2018 at 22:34
It looks like there was a glitch in the allocation process in Canada embassy and that’s why I didn’t understand as well the officer explanation that they need to get a number from Paris. I guess I will have to wait if they are able to fix this and hope for the best. Thanks for your answer, Brit.
September 9, 2018 at 18:16
Hi Simon
I’m a winner of 2018EU35XXX and affected by the EU cut off
Q1- since when did we know anout an EU cut off?
Q2- as if the beginning of the process May2017 after the win-was it predictable that a case no like mine hadlittle chance if getting processed due to region cut offs?
Q3- were EU numbers current at any point in time (like you mentioned for AF region) and could I have placed an interview without getting any kind if notice from the KCC.
I’m asking because my lawyers have insistedin March/Aprilthat I cannot schedule an interview unlessI receive an email from KCC.
Thanks for your response!
September 9, 2018 at 20:42
I already answered similar questions from you. The point is your case number is too high. You cannot gain any advantage from your DV2018 selection.
September 9, 2018 at 22:52
Dear: Brit
What about refused visas in September? Is it will be allocated to 2018DV or not?
September 10, 2018 at 03:53
There is very little time – so not entirely.
September 10, 2018 at 11:11
Hi, Mr Brit,
I want to ask you a question about passports with DV visa. If anyone lose his/her passport which has DV visa on it, and has’t enter USA till Sep 30. What will happen ? Lose his/her chance. ? (Only I wondered)
Thanks for all you support from the beginning.
September 10, 2018 at 13:51
I prefer to spend time on real questions, not hypothetical ones.