First let me address people checking their results and later on this page I have some comments for winners. Please read the whole page carefully and note the embedded links. Click the links. Read. Please.
Britsimon
As I write this it is almost midnight on the East Coast America and 9pm in California on the evening of May 8, 2019. The DV lottery results were published 36 hours ago. It is early morning in Asia, and people in Africa and Europe are still mostly asleep but waking up. I explain that for some context for what I am about to explain.
I received HUNDREDS of messages yesterday from people frustrated because the DV lottery Entrant Stats Check page has been crashing and was unavailable for much of the past 36 hours. Some people have managed to check their results, but traffic to the site is still high and the site will most likely continue to be difficult to check for another day at least. It did come back online for a few hours this evening – but traffic has once again caused outages.
So – as I mentioned in my earlier post, to avoid frustration just don’t bother trying to check every five minutes. Learn some patience and leave it for a few hours or even days and then check. This is a long process, there is NO ADVANTAGE in checking early, and there is no race to start the process. EVERY winner will wait at least 6 months after today before ANY interviews. Some cases will wait almost 18 months. So what is the hurry????
Now I am, predictably, getting many messages from people that cannot enter their details correctly. They swear they are following directions on the site but the site rejects their entry. As of this time I do NOT believe their is any system problem stopping checking other than availability of the system. So – people that do get through are most likely just not following instructions. I created a post to help people check their results and that post is here. Please click this link and read how to accurately check your entry.
I am also getting questions from people that lost their confirmation code. On the ESC page there is a link that reads “Forgot Confirmation Code” or similar. Click that and follow directions to retrieve your code.
For winners
First – congratulations on your selection! Please read the letter you saw, it points out that among other things, selection for further processing does NOT guarantee a Green Card. There are minimum requirements that must be met and there are a limited number of visas. It is not first come first served, there is an order to the process (Case number order in each region).
Please understand this is a long slow process. Very few of the winners will be interviewed this year. Most winners will be interviewed in 2020. So slow down and take some time to read about the process. I have produced a lottery guide, a guide on completing the DS260 and literally hundred of articles and a FAQ to help you avoid mistakes. Please go through those things. The lottery guide link is at the top of each page as is the FAQ. Most questions are answered if you read that information. I am one person, I have a really busy full time job and spend much of my free time helping DV lottery selectees like you, but you can make my task easier with a little effort on your side. Please respect my time and take your opportunity seriously.
About the DS260. I recommend that NO ONE completes that form until they know what they are doing. The form is a formal application for immigrant visa. Completing it has implications and completing it badly can cause disqualification. So STOP and learn before you jump into completing that form. There is no advantage to completing it fast, and most of you will have to wait months or even a year before ANYTHING happens on your case.
Now a word about the selectee numbers and the implications of the case numbers. Of the case numbers I am hearing of selected winners I am hearing some very high case numbers, MUCH higher than the past couple of years. Each year, KCC select more winners than there are visas available, knowing that some will not continue the process, some will not meet requirements and so on. However, they vary how many selectees are drawn. Ideally they should select less than 100,000 people including family members. In some years they have selected around 80k people and that means almost everyone can get an interview, and in other years they have selected 125k or even 140k people. That is far too many and inevitably some people never get invited to interview – there are numeric cutoffs imposed (varying numbers by region) and case numbers above those numbers will not get an interview. No interview means no Green Card. It’s a tough realization, but that could happen in any year.
So – as of today we do not know how many selectees have been selected. We will find that out in a month or two, but until then all we know is case numbers. However a couple of important points about case numbers.
- Each case number represents a winner AND whatever eligible family members (spouse and children under 21) they have. Each one will take a visa slot for one of the 50,000 visas available. So a family of 5 takes 5 of the 50k.
- Next, you need to understand that cases are not consecutive. There are “holes” between the numbers. So the numbers might go 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and so on. 3, 4 and 7 in that example are “holes”. We don’t know how many holes there are yet and we don’t know how many selectees there are overall. So if you have case number 10001, there are not 10000 cases in front of you. There are less than that. Now – although the numbers I am hearing sound very high, it is possible that there are more holes than usual. No one knows. To understand why the holes are there at all, please read this “holes theory” article. Just note that the word theory is in the scientific sense. We KNOW this theory is a fact, and have proven it in many different ways.
Once we know how many selectees have been chosen, we will know more. Until then you can review the historical bulletin numbers (link above) to see what happened in previous years.
Within a day or two I will post again and will guide you through the process. This process demands honesty and respect, and so do I. I am not here to help liars, I am not here to be taken advantage of. I do this because I want to, and I am someone who has benefited from the DV lottery process.
Lastly let me start your journey with a word you will need to learn over the coming months. Patience. Patience is key in this process. Please remember that.
May 9, 2019 at 04:58
Please fix to May 8th, 2019 my friend, otherwise people will go crazy hahahahaha
May 9, 2019 at 05:10
Haha – thanks!
May 9, 2019 at 20:05
Hi Simon
I would like to know if person by mistake writing instead of last name first name the last name the person can check her application or not is this will impect on her application or not
May 9, 2019 at 21:14
As long as the person corrects that in the DS260 it is normally not a problem
May 9, 2019 at 05:04
Good morning Sir,
Thank u for that information we have the same problem of checking the 2020 results on the 8th, 2019@1pm the results was on unable to come.
Thx
Mk
May 9, 2019 at 05:08
Please read the article above.
May 9, 2019 at 05:04
Please i didn’t see my resultat at yesterday I need help please
My number confirmation is
202090EIUJSMMB23
May 9, 2019 at 05:07
Did you read the article above????
May 9, 2019 at 06:01
Hi sir, This is Imran Khan. I hoped this year I will be a winner but not selected I have tried more then 10 years why? I am not selected
May 9, 2019 at 06:14
Your chance of selection is once every 200 years.
May 9, 2019 at 06:22
Thanks for your efforts, we hope to win
May 9, 2019 at 06:24
Thank you very much
And God bless you. We really need patience here, I for example have not yet check the results.
May 9, 2019 at 06:31
Yes. Thank you sir, is there second draw untill September? Can I keep cheking untill September.
Regards
May 9, 2019 at 06:40
I don’t think so.
May 9, 2019 at 07:09
Thanks Britsimon
May 9, 2019 at 07:20
Hi Britsimon I know that this is probably your busiest time however have a quick question. My daughter received her green card by the diversity lottery last August 2018.
She wasn’t quite ready to move to New York. Though we did come to New York in January 2019 to activate her green card. Stayed 3 weeks and returned back to Melbourne.my daughter is a ballet dancer in Melbourne and has s contract until end of November 2019 which she would like to finish her contract at the time, she tried by phone to contact Melbourne embassy by phone without success. However she did send an email and received a generic response , Her question was to see if she could stay in Melbourne until end of 2019 before permanently moving up the states dec/jan. their response was that she was allowed to remain outside the states up to 12 months. If this is the case would she be ok to move to the states no later then the departure date of her visit I. January 2019. I am worried that the immigration officer when she lands in Los Angeles may deny her entry if she doesn’t move in August 2019 which is 12 months from the date her visa was granted.
I thank you for any information you may offer . Kind regards liz
May 9, 2019 at 11:30
The 12 months info was accurate, but an officer could still give her a hard time if they are in a bad mod. However, that doesn’t mean certain denial of entry. I have an entry in the FAQ that explains absences a bit more – so read that. She would help her situation by taking a trip to the USA prior to 6 months absence.
May 9, 2019 at 07:35
The site is still down unable to check the results
May 9, 2019 at 08:13
I should have read this before… I rushed and filed a DS260 already and now I am risking the chance that I don’t get my J-1 visa. Is there a chance to withdraw the DS260 form?? My number is EU33XXX which makes it on a borderline likely for an interview according to VB from previous years
May 9, 2019 at 11:37
Arrrgggghhh.
No you cannot withdraw, and yes you have caused yourself a problem, and yes your number may be high, although we don’t know yet.
I’m struggling to find anything positive to say….
Nope, nothing.
WHAT WAS YOUR RUSH????
May 9, 2019 at 11:41
We don’t know what the rush was.. I wish I could put the clock back. We are now thinking of requesting to reopen the DS-260 form so that the immigration officer for J-1 visa is less suspicious of our intent, when the form is “incomplete” at the time of the J-1 interview. Do you think this is a smart thing to do?
May 9, 2019 at 12:02
No! You must NOT lie. You HAVE immigrant intent. Honesty is the best policy and if you screwed up the J1 then at least you will have a future GC.
May 9, 2019 at 12:08
Well we are not lying, we just wanted a way for my partner to be able to work in the US while I do a phd in the US for 5-6 years. Green card would be nice, but we dont care, as long as we can be there fore that period of time…
May 9, 2019 at 12:23
You don’t seem to be paying attention.
You already understand that the DS260 is an immigrant visa application, and you submitted it.
So – you already established your intention, and describe a situation where your husband would be able to work while you study (i.e. as an immigrant)
Unsubmitting, even if that were possible, does not mean you no longer have that intention. You showed your hand.
May 9, 2019 at 18:54
You screwed it up, but it’s not automatic. You need you HARD proof will go back to your country (permanent employment, properties, husband and children back home, etc….). But since we’re talking about a J1 Visa (so probably young with no stable job, no assets,no family ties and with the ultimate evidence of immigrant intent which is a submitted ds260), I doubt you will be able to show what they consider as hard evidence one won’t be tempted by overstaying his Visa. Not everything is lost, if numbers are high this year, maybe there will be more gaps than last year’s, and your number may get current. I advise you to not apply for the J1 Visa you haven’t done it yet, and if it’s too late, don’t LIE.
May 9, 2019 at 08:21
Hi Brit, we really appreciate what you are doing. You are like the candle in a very dark night.
Is there any way to communicate with you privately?
Regards
May 9, 2019 at 11:39
There is usually no need. Everything you need is in my blog, and questions are best asked and answered publicly so that others can learn.
May 9, 2019 at 21:13
Brit, I left Iraq with my family when I was 6 years old and lived in Dubai and left to Canada when was 18 to study in university, and just Graduated. Do I have to provide Police Certificate from country of nationally (Iraq) or DUBAI and Canada will do?
Regards
May 9, 2019 at 23:19
What do the instructions say?
May 9, 2019 at 08:54
I have playing this lottery for 15 years… and not yet selected.
May 9, 2019 at 09:12
Thank you very much for your support
May 9, 2019 at 09:28
can you help me my confirmation is 20208VNQFXLVBKLF
May 9, 2019 at 11:45
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-entrants-and-winners-please-read-this/
May 9, 2019 at 09:50
Hi Brit, thanks for all the information you’re providing here, I got selected but I have to be really patient coz my case number is 2020AS20XXX,
May 9, 2019 at 10:30
hi sir i fill dv 2020 but i have no selected and i keep the confirmation number in October ?
and i think dv 2021 i fill in INTERNET cafe?
May 9, 2019 at 11:57
Yes, but a second draw is unlikely.
May 9, 2019 at 10:53
Hi , I’m thankful that i’m selected , i have a problem with case number , i have tried to remove the zero’s as you advised but still , my case number has way too many zeros than the middle ones
May 9, 2019 at 12:05
LEADING zeros. Not the middle zeros.
May 9, 2019 at 11:31
Hi Brit I just checked mine and wasn’t selected but am super glad because my big sister has been selected, her case numb is 2020AF00047XXX
Hope and pray she has a chance
From Cameroon
Thanks
May 9, 2019 at 13:02
Wow
Congratulations
May 9, 2019 at 12:19
Congratulations to her
May 9, 2019 at 12:46
Yes. Patience… Patience… and Honesty…
My husband was a dv winner in 2018. We got our reply in 2017 and went for our interview in Sep 2018, which was the last month.
Just follow all that Brit says and all will go well. The entire process gives you enough time to prepare yourself adequately. And remember it is an expensive and emotional process….
May 9, 2019 at 12:58
Hi Brit your blog was very helping
I really have some issues and do not understand about my confirmation number. 20208GS5A30RRUE4. Am from Cameroon. Please sir I need more explanation if you don’t mind. Thanks
May 9, 2019 at 13:09
You just wasted your time and mine with this horribly vague question.
May 9, 2019 at 13:18
Am sorry sir
But I have read your blogs and the rest. I understand some and others I don’t. I just needed the explanation to my confirmation number do I have a chance.
May 9, 2019 at 13:27
Oh my.
You have to check your selection using your confirmation number.
May 9, 2019 at 13:25
Hi,
my sister is having a baby in june. She has been selected, so u think she should complete the ds-260 now or wait for the baby?
May 9, 2019 at 14:03
??
May 10, 2019 at 11:20
Same here ilirjan. I got selected for 2020. Having a baby this August. I will wait for the baby to arrive and fill out the DS260 form with his details. It’s a hussle re-opening the ds form once you submitted and making addition. Initial interview for 2020 will start in October so heaps of time. Don’t rush with ds260 form.
May 9, 2019 at 13:29
Thank you very much sir
May 9, 2019 at 13:39
I have a question please. Can you be in the United states and play the DV? I am from west Africa.
May 9, 2019 at 13:46
Yes
May 9, 2019 at 13:48
Sir..I have a problem..I understand the website has being busy…but I timed the right time and after entering all my information including my dv confirmation number, since I haven’t lost the printed information I got the day I applied, am told that it,s not valid and that I should confirm …please what can be the problem. Can I send you my details for assistance. Thank you.
May 9, 2019 at 15:05
Is there a deadline to check the results
May 9, 2019 at 19:38
No
May 9, 2019 at 16:33
Thank you a lot for ur effort ,,will soon gonna come back to u when things got right be blessed indeed u a good person everseen!!!
May 9, 2019 at 18:17
I’ve been selected for further processing.
If my chargeablility is stated as SUDAN (which is my nationality), but I was born in SAUDI ARABIA. Will that cause any problem? Do you recommend that I go ahead and provide my Saudi Arabian birth certificate as an official document?
May 9, 2019 at 20:35
You have a problem.
You should have an AS region number. You actually have an AF region number. That will mean certain disqualification UNLESS you had some legitmate reason to choose SAF (such as being married to someone from Sudan at the time of entry).
May 9, 2019 at 23:09
My parents are both african (born in africa and have african citizenships). I have an African citizinship too.
May 9, 2019 at 23:51
That won’t help. You will be disqualified.
May 10, 2019 at 00:04
But how is that my fault? The application form gave me the option of choosing my chargeablility country!
Was I supposed to lie?!?!
May 10, 2019 at 00:30
You didn’t read the instructions which CLEARLY point out the country of chargeability is normally the country of birth. If you ignore the clear instructions, then yes – it is your fault.
May 10, 2019 at 00:35
Ok, what if I get a birth certificate from Sudan?
May 10, 2019 at 00:38
That is immigration fraud. A very serious offence.
May 9, 2019 at 18:54
Hi Brit, a married couple both won the lottery. Can they go ahead with different applications? Thanks in advance.
May 9, 2019 at 20:37
If they want, yes. Kinda silly – but sure.
May 9, 2019 at 19:53
Brit had really helped me a lot .
Am in Ghana now, will be taking my flight next month to USA,
I followed all his guidelines and here I am now waiting for my flight to arrive and take off to the dreamland.
Brit . +233246592440. You can chat me and join our group of all care for all.
Goodluck to all 2020 selectees.
I was 2019 selectee. Ghanaian. Byeeeeeeeeeee
May 9, 2019 at 20:33
Please I didn’t see my result In deed help please my confirmation number is 202087HYHPDTYK4Y my dear
May 9, 2019 at 22:11
Did you read the article above?
May 9, 2019 at 21:00
Hello
That’s my second year i applied for green card and i’ve selected.my case number is 33k from turkey.I guess it is impossible to take an interview within that high number.Should i be disappointed about it?
May 9, 2019 at 23:17
It is too early to know for sure.
May 9, 2019 at 22:18
Hi Brit,
Both me and my wife got selected but both numbers are very high ( AS15XXX and AS 16XXX). Since you already discussed about the seeing relatively higher numbers this year, does that mean that our CN will be current earlier than the same CN got current in previous years? ( I looked in to you visa bulletin data and saw in 2012 CN number are relatively higher, it seems like this year we have a similar pattern)
May 9, 2019 at 23:42
It is too early to know for sure. In a few weeks and months we will know more, but this is a LONG process – so no need to know everything today. Please look at the lottery guide linked above, read the FAQ, and hold off submitting your DS260 for now until you understand more.
May 10, 2019 at 00:14
Hi Brit
I read carefully your guide to fill the DS260 and intend to follow it. What are the disadvantages of submitting the form early?
May 10, 2019 at 00:35
1. There is no advantage to submitting the DS260 when you won’t hear ANYTHING for about a year.
2. Submitting the form demonstrates immigrant intent, wjich ca cause a problem for any future non immigrant visas. So – since your number is high compared to the numbers that normally would be possible, you may never get an interview, but will have affected your chances of being approved for other visas.
All that is in the FAQ., Please stop submitting forms and start reading/learning.
May 10, 2019 at 07:47
Thank you Brit. Really appreciate your advice and will follow it. My mother and brothers hold GCs and live in San Diego and I am visiting them regularly.
I started the first few pages of the DS260, I will leave the rest for now. Would it be saved for ever or will be removed from the system after certain time, if not completed?
Thanks
May 10, 2019 at 21:35
I suspect it is saved forever, but I don’t know for sure.
May 10, 2019 at 02:55
Yeah, I went through most of thing in you blog and I read post regarding AoS from MOM. I’m planning to wait till at least early September before I complete the DS260, don’t want to jeopardize my current F1 Visa.
Also, just another quick question, me and my wife are both F1 studying at the same university. But my wife is transferring to another university in a different state. So, by the time I fill the AoS we both will be at different places. Do you think this will complicate the process?
May 10, 2019 at 03:34
Well no, because you will process and interview together.
May 9, 2019 at 22:41
Hii
I have 2 questions i hope u can help me and i’ll appreciate it so much…
1) The city of my birth is Makkah so it has 2 spellings.. Makkah and Mecca i’m not sure which one i used in the original form so is it ok if i choose the one in my passport to apply for ds 260 even if it was different than the original?
2) I have 2 emails i’m not sure which one i used in the original form so if i changed it in ds 260 is it ok??
Thank u so much 🙂
May 9, 2019 at 23:43
1. Just write the most accurate version.
2. No problem.
May 10, 2019 at 20:58
Thank you so much for ur fast replies
I just wanna make sure this is ok? the email part i mean my friend told me they don’t pick u if u change ur email or even one letter from the 1st form that’s why i was so worried..i don’t wanna lose this golden chance..
Thank u again..
May 10, 2019 at 21:09
This is what mentioned in my results page
If you are scheduled for an interview, you will receive an e-mail notification message. These important e-mails will be sent to the email address you provided on your initial application. Notify KCC at [email protected] if your e-mail address changes to ensure you receive all notifications regarding your Diversity Visa case
I still have both emails but i’m scared they will think i’m lying or something if i choose a different one in my ds260 form.
Sorry 4 taking this much of ur time
May 10, 2019 at 23:11
You should find smarter friends.
May 9, 2019 at 22:54
hi Brit, I have checked but it reads “You have not been selected for further processing…. “, does it mean that I’m not going to be selected?
May 9, 2019 at 23:45
Yes
May 9, 2019 at 23:42
Mr brit,
Someone told me he is trying to retreive his code but when he follows steps at the end he only see las name, year of birth but the code does not appear. First I denied but I tried with my own case and fought he was right
May 10, 2019 at 01:10
hello Brit , what kind of form can use my Sponsor(Petitioner) I-134 or I-864 for interview , thnx
May 10, 2019 at 01:45
Only the 134.
May 10, 2019 at 02:28
Hi BritSimon, Appreciate for your work to help us out. This website is a great help. I have gone through your post, but i have aproblem. For the DVLottery 2020, i forgot my confirmation number.
So i click forgot confirmation number and key in all the details, it jumps back to previous page, with my name filled but my confirmation number is blank.
so i tried again, key in false infos at the forgot confirmation page, it jumps back too with the infos filled except my confirmation number
so i tried forgot confirmation number and click 2019, it says invalid
What’s your advise on this. THank your very much ahead
May 10, 2019 at 23:27
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 10, 2019 at 02:41
HI. I am now in F1 visa in USA So, what do I have to do furthur? I came ti know that I can change my status from United States?
May 10, 2019 at 02:46
Yes, but what is your year, region case number.
May 10, 2019 at 05:18
Hey Brit thanks for your patients, pls I have a question with the numbers of cases, will der be a chance for a second draw????
Waiting for your reply
May 10, 2019 at 15:59
Probably not.
May 10, 2019 at 05:34
Manage to login and YES, it says you have been randomly selected for further processing. Excited!! I read most of your blogs but it doesn’t say have much regarding children.
1.My wife is about to have a baby this August, do I wait until August when his born and include him in the DS260 or should I just fill the form and submit now without his details. I don’t want to call KKC later trying to add another kid on my DS260. To much of a drama.
2. If given a chance for interview, do I have to take all my kids to the embassy. I can’t imagine sitting there for hour or two with a crying young baby. Rav New Zealand.
May 10, 2019 at 16:00
1. You haven’t mentioned your case number, but waiting until after the birth won’t harm you at all.
2. Yes. They cry. The CO rushes you to approval to get the crying kids outa there. It’s a brilliant plan.
May 10, 2019 at 06:33
Hi Brit
I’m just wondering is it possible to say you haven’t been selected and then later on say that you have been selected?
May 10, 2019 at 18:09
yes, it is possible but the chances of that happening are tiny
May 10, 2019 at 21:15
This year, no.
May 10, 2019 at 06:53
Sorry to clarify I’m talking about results on website thanks
May 10, 2019 at 15:55
EU 33k here. Firstly thank you so much for all the hard work you’ve put documenting the whole process. Secondly, I really keep my fingers crossed for getting interviewed. As adivised, I’m holding off completing ds-260 until after more info is available.
May 10, 2019 at 22:32
Yep – good plan.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 10, 2019 at 07:24
Hi sir,thanks for your help, i am cellected, but presently, am not in my country of origine so how can i start the proces when time cames, are my supposed to go back to my country before any begining of process or i can go to any usa embassy over here?
May 10, 2019 at 21:23
You can interview wherever you live. However, in some cases a “foreign” US embassy cannot evaluate your education documents and so that might introduce a delay while they check with your “home country” US embassy.
May 10, 2019 at 07:28
Hy Brit,
My daughter was selected in this draw of DV 2020. There is mistake in sequence of name, its name -last name-middle name, whereas in her all documents the sequence is Name- middle name- Last name. ( Still haven’t made passport) will it effect negatively in the process, or how should she proceed , it would be very appreciatable if you can shed some light in this case.
Her case number is 851× Nepal.
May 10, 2019 at 21:27
That is covered in the FAQ, but basically it will be OK if she corrects that in the DS260. Please do read the FAQ though.
May 12, 2019 at 09:35
Thank you Brit, for providing us with prompt reply,and giving us so much information, through your Blog. We really learnt a lot from your FAQ and has give peace of mind and be patience.
You really have a sense of humour to give some witty straight forward reply. Which brings smile on face.
Thank you once again.
May 10, 2019 at 07:52
Hey sir
I filled wrong date of birth(one day difference to the original date of birth I.e April 05 instead of April 06) when i enter the dv lottery 2020 so will it affect me if I got selected?
May 10, 2019 at 21:36
Usually not. But get selected first!
May 10, 2019 at 07:58
Hii @ BritSimon
Is there any chances for second letter (email) for Case Number 2020AS000123** ? Case Number is from Nepal.
May 10, 2019 at 21:37
I don’t know.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 13, 2019 at 06:27
my friend too have the similar case number from Nepal
May 10, 2019 at 08:10
Hi, thanks for all the helpful info, after spending a few hours on your website I became an expert in this DV lottery process.
I got selected this year but my case number is way too big AF618XX, I know we still don’t have details on how many are selected and so we can’t possibly know what will be the cut numbers by the end of DV2020, I’d be lucky if things go the same way as in 2014 since they reached AF81000 and more. Can’t wait to read more details regarding DV2020 entries number and expectations on your website.
May 10, 2019 at 21:38
Yep – more info over the coming weeks.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/