I hear people asking – why is BritSimon telling us a way to get disqualified??
Well every year I get to hear similar stories about what people have done on their DV entry and how can I help fix it for them. It normally goes like this…
“My friends told me to apply as single even though I am married…”
“I was annoyed with my husband and we planned to divorce so I left him off the entry…”
“My child is away in another country so I left him off the form, how can I add my child…”
“I split up from my husband years ago, and although we never got divorced, I did not put him on my entry…”
In every case like that my answer will be the same. There is nothing you can do, you will be disqualified. Every time. Got that? Every time.
So – if you want an easy way to be certain to get disqualified – this is the most obvious and certain thing you can do. Leave a legal spouse or child off your eDV entry. Simple.
Am I making my point?
Now if you are about to enter the DV lottery and want to avoid the heartache, expense, and hassle of being disqualified, this is the single most important bit of advice I can give you.
INCLUDE your spouse, along with any child, adopted child orย step child under 21 years old (who is not already a US citizen) on the entry.
It does not matter whether you intend to apply for a Green Card for them as your derivative. It does not matter if you are planning to get a divorce. It does not matter if you do not have custody of your child. IF you have any derivative family that would be an eligible derivative, they MUST be on your entry form.
Now, how about some answers to specific scenarios.
You are separated from your spouse, but do not have legal separation papers. You must include him/her on your entry. Don’t have a photo? Use an old photo or take a photo of a neighbor. If that spouse is not going to apply ย for a DV Green Card with you, the photo won’t matter. However, leaving him/her off your entry will get you disqualified.
Plan to take the kids at some later date? Put them on the entry. If you win, you don’t have to process their case, but again, leaving a child off your entry will get you disqualified.
Getting the picture?
Ok so the other question I get asked is how will they know. Surely someone could pass the interview and wait until later then bring the spouse/children later – perhaps after the winner is a US citizen. Well let us assume that because of bad record keeping in your country the US embassy does not find out you have a spouse or kids that you didn’t declare. Let’s say you have been living in the USA for over 5 years and now have citizenship. So – you apply to sponsor your children. You will be deported. Your citizenship will be taken away. Because you obtained the Green Card by fraudulent omission, your citizenship will be revoked. So – if you proceed with this and think you canย sort things out later, you NEVER will be able to admit the existence of the spouse/child that you left off your eDV entry. Their existence proves your fraud.
So – good luck with your entry. Please don’t make this simple mistake. If you do, I cannot help you.
Easiest way to get disqualified from DV lottery
May 8, 2016 at 03:48
Hey i am 17 now and I want to apply for green card dv2018 I will be 18 xt year can is still apply for the green card
May 8, 2016 at 05:05
Yes you can IF you meet the education requirements.
May 8, 2016 at 08:24
Dat mean my entry will nt be discarded
May 13, 2016 at 14:09
Hi brat
I got dv thos year and i had included mu wife in 2nd letter also what if i want to left behind for some year and travel alone
May 13, 2016 at 15:29
You can leave your spouse behind, but it will be expensive and slow to sponsor her later.
May 14, 2016 at 04:06
Thanks brat but i mean to say i have included my wife in ds 260 form also but i want to leave her behind as she is pregnent and she cant be abe to travel at the time i will be getting the visa so what will be the procedure for leaving her behind i want a suggestion from you.
May 14, 2016 at 06:07
You are making a mistake. Your visa won’t be ready for months, and you can delay your interview until timing is right. That is a better way.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/dv-process-versus-family-based-immigration/
June 8, 2020 at 03:42
Hi Brit, What will be your take on a case involving a married woman winning as the primary applicant, and having her husband and her step child as derivatives?
1)Would the man who is a derivative on the lottery, have to prove with any document, the initial relationship he had with his child’s biological mother? In this case, he never got married to the child’s biological mother before finally settling down with the primary applicant. The child now happens to be a step child to the primary applicant.
2)Does the involvement of the step child on the lottery pose any complication, hence require any special document?
June 8, 2020 at 05:32
1. Just the birth cert for the child which will list him as a father.
2. Not really.
May 14, 2016 at 07:53
Thanks brat sir for your kind reply and suggestion and i have gone through your link but due to the certain circumstances i would choose not to take my wife in which my wife have also agreed.
So brat sir is it possible
May 14, 2016 at 14:11
Yes
June 7, 2016 at 05:27
Hi great Simon,
I was living in US from 2000 to 2005. I got married for american citizen in 2002 and applied for Green Card. Everything was fine until 2005 even I got my GC. But then things were weird – I left USA and never comeback again. My wife has a new family and I have a new family too. She has a kid and I has a kid too. We are a legally separated since 2005, but we don’t have any legal document about that. I live in EU she lives in USA.
Now the girl (and mother of our son) I live with won DV2017. We have a plan to get married and this is the easiest part.
I’m stuck. I don’t know what to do. OK- my girl will has to send DS260 for now. But what about me? I don’t have divorce certificate. Can I go without this document?
I know my story is like brazilian soup movie, but this is a real story and I really need your help.
Thanks
PS: My english is not really good – sorry about that.
June 7, 2016 at 05:55
You cannot re-marry until you have been legally divorced. To do so would be bigamy – and any immigration process based on a bigamous marriage would be considered immigration fraud – and you would lose whatever status you have by that point (Green Card or citizenship) and face criminal charges.
Contact the American woman, and ask for a divorce. Do it quickly and perhaps there will be time to re-marry in time to be processed. Ask your girlfriend to delay filing the DS260 for a few months so the two of you can process together once the divorce is finalized.
June 7, 2016 at 07:17
Thanks for the Reply BritSimon.
I have a few more questions:
When is the deadline we can filing the DS260?
Is the way I can check my marital status online?
Thanks
June 7, 2016 at 14:17
There is no hard deadline but it could probably be around May or even early June 2017.
No for the marital status.
June 12, 2016 at 00:00
Hi,
Can one adapted a sibling if fortunate to win dv?
June 12, 2016 at 00:54
Not until you are a citizen (5 years) and then the process to sponsor a sibling takes about 12 years).
June 12, 2016 at 20:42
How about if one had adopted siblings and play the dv lottry and win, will there be any complicating issue at the Visa interview?
June 13, 2016 at 01:58
You cannot adopt a sibling
June 23, 2016 at 23:13
I know probably a lot of people must already have asked you dis question but my sis is 17 anlottery she will turn 18 in jan and she will be doing her year12 examination in November first from dates 2 nd -10th November 2016 she is bright and I know she will pass well I am migrating and I want to take her with me next year can she apply for green card dv lottery
June 23, 2016 at 23:15
She can apply, yes. However, it’s a lottery – with low winning chances….
June 23, 2016 at 23:20
Not to disturb you or any thing but her entry will not be disqualified
July 6, 2016 at 10:27
Hello Simon,
I got married six months after submitting form DS 260 and now my name is already scheduled for an interview to be done on July 14, 2016. Could you help me understand the following two issues.
1. Is it too late now to inform the embassy and KCC on my new marriage status?
2. Is there any chance of being disqualified during my interview due to my delay of informing KCC and embassy?
I appreciate your help.
July 6, 2016 at 14:18
You should discuss this with the embassy.
July 11, 2016 at 23:38
Hi Brit, if one is married with step children which parents are going to be listed as the rightful parents of the children, is it the married or the biological parent? That is when the children information are being included on their ds260 form.
July 12, 2016 at 00:09
Both parenst (the biological and the STEP parent) need to list the children.
July 12, 2016 at 09:40
I meant for example, if I has the children by Mary and now married to Josephen, who’s going to be their mother on the ds260. N what proof will I have to give at the CO interview?
July 12, 2016 at 14:10
Each person needs their birth certificate That will show actual parents. But on the DS260 the married couple will both list the children as their children because American law treats the step child as a biological child.
July 12, 2016 at 18:18
Thanks ever so much Brit!
August 22, 2016 at 20:32
Hi,
I just wanted to ask a question that is I am applying for dv lottery this year with my parents and myself alone can I do day????……
August 22, 2016 at 20:36
Yes. The winner must meet the education/work experience requirement.
October 16, 2016 at 20:41
Hi Brit,
I wanted to double check if I can apply both alone and as the son of my parents in their application?
Thanks,
Massi
October 16, 2016 at 22:26
Yes.
August 22, 2016 at 20:33
With parents becoz I am 17
September 14, 2016 at 16:09
Hi can one apply for Fiancรฉ visa while he still has applied for Dv Lottery.are there any cons?
September 14, 2016 at 16:20
No cons really – it is possible.
October 3, 2016 at 06:17
Hi man great tips thanks, I however have a question I would like to apply for US DV lottery, I want to cheat in oder to really increase my odds of winning. Like changing my names and using my old previous photos? Will my photos be detected?
October 3, 2016 at 06:28
Very bad idea.
October 3, 2016 at 11:44
Hi. I am currently undergoing a divorce from my husband who is a US citizen. I would like to apply for the DV lottery. Would I have to include him in the application?
October 3, 2016 at 14:53
You must include your accurate marital status and therefore it will expect your husband.
October 3, 2016 at 21:05
Hi
I wanted to ask if care giving is classed under vocational education.My mom did this last year in a university
October 3, 2016 at 21:08
It might be. It depends on the course…
October 3, 2016 at 22:08
Hi
Is this possible, by mom and dad are both unqualified for the dv lottery but me my brother and 2 sisters are can we fuss with the immigration officer so that we can all go together.plus I am apply with my father name and his job is qualified but not that much
October 3, 2016 at 23:05
You need to clarify your questions if you want good anwers.
If your parents do not meet the requirements, then they cannot process a win if they are selected. If YOU are selected you cannot include your parents in your case.
October 4, 2016 at 19:30
Hi
I wrote wrong year of birth by mistake will I be disqualified
October 4, 2016 at 19:31
From the dv lottery program
October 5, 2016 at 11:05
hey, anyone can help me please??? i applied on the DV 2018 but my friend applied for me as well without my permission so now i have 2 submissions with the same details and same photo but the study level is different when i applied i put it primary school and my friend put it high school is there any problem with this?
October 5, 2016 at 13:41
Yes of course there is a problem. You will be disqualified.
October 5, 2016 at 22:31
Hi BritSimon, i was wondering if i could apply seperately for green card even though my parents already already listed me on thier application. Thanks for ur time.
October 5, 2016 at 23:40
By “apply for” do you mean enter the lottery? If you are aged under 21, you can be listed on your parents entries (they must list you) and you can also enter yourself. However, if you win (not them) you cannot take them.
October 6, 2016 at 22:08
Hi BritSimon,
I am applying for the dv lottery and I’ve Chosen “DIVORCED”and this is the reason, I got divorced in 2013, we went through legal divorce process, and i have some documents of the divorce but I do not have the divorce certificate.
Will it cause any disqualification in the end?
October 6, 2016 at 22:17
My second Question is; on the Dv Lottery application form which indicates “Number of Children” if i have no child to list, should i leave it blank OR I should write 0?
October 7, 2016 at 01:27
0
October 7, 2016 at 01:28
The divorce is registered through a court/legal system – so there should be a way to get a duplicate divorce document.
October 7, 2016 at 09:50
Thank you BritSimon
October 7, 2016 at 11:45
Hi BritSimon,
I have completed the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form and clicked the Submit button, but I’ve been waiting for more 30 Minutes and is still “Submission in Progress”. I have not received a confirmation as at now that i’m sending this message. I’m confused whether to continue waiting or to do a new registration. Please what should I do
October 7, 2016 at 13:37
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-entry-open/
October 7, 2016 at 22:48
Hi Brits I am dv 2017.during my initial application I put wrong month of birth.instead of 01 January I put 01 jully wil that couse denial Despite filling the ds260 correctly. Thanks
October 8, 2016 at 00:42
Usually that would be forgiven.
October 7, 2016 at 22:56
Also if my host went to us as a rettlement purpose(refugee status) but currently hold us passport will that also lead to disqualification.thanks brits
October 8, 2016 at 00:42
That is Ok.
October 8, 2016 at 04:16
Hi brits. I did ask u two question so which one is OK or both
October 8, 2016 at 06:38
If you don’t click reply I have no idea what you are asking about. Make your question clear and click REPLY for a follow up question.
October 9, 2016 at 06:34
Hello.
i have 2 children who are American citizens ..
i read above that i must not include them in my entry ..
shall i put ( Zero ) in the number of Children column ?
and if i mentioned them , is it better for my situation to get it or not ?
thank you .
October 9, 2016 at 14:08
It is optional to list them if they are citizens. So – if you don’t want to list them write zero.
October 9, 2016 at 10:19
Hi Brit am a 2017 winner I played single and got married in December the same yr but my wife has a child but I added both of them on the ds260 . My question is I did not list the child as my child or step child but I listed the child as my wife child. Will this cause me any problem at the interview? If yes, what do u think will be the solution to this?
October 9, 2016 at 14:02
The step child must be included on your form. Unlock your DS260 and add the child.
October 9, 2016 at 19:48
If you are selectee of 2017 and your case being on process can I apply again the dv2018 and if selected again how will that effect my case on dv2017.or how wil two cases Goes on.
October 10, 2016 at 04:11
You can apply again. No impact to either case.
October 11, 2016 at 04:34
Sir if you want to delay your interview what method would be used, my case number is current am not yet submitted. Thanks for your assistance
October 11, 2016 at 05:44
Delaying DS260 submission is the best way.
October 11, 2016 at 22:30
Enter your comment here…pls am never been married but I have two kids but there was a mistake in my entry d v 2018 d one who played for me said am single didn’t include my kids is that a problems for me when I win
October 11, 2016 at 23:24
IF you win you would be disqualified.
October 12, 2016 at 06:44
Hi,
I have 5 stepchildren and I never saw them because they live with their mother in another country. I want to apply for dv-lottery 2016 (which I should do this month) but my husband does not have pictures of his children and the mother refuses to provide us with pictures. What can I do in this case?
October 12, 2016 at 18:21
You MUST list the children and you MUST have photos of children for the entry.
IF the children are never going to emigrate to the USA, then the accuracy of the photos won’t be checked.
October 14, 2016 at 03:21
Sir. I was born in an inelegible country,(MรXICO) but my husband was born in one is elegible. (VENEZUELA) I’m planning to apply claiming for my husband’s nationality.
However to increase our chances to win. Can he submit another aplication by himself? Since he is applying in mine (in one way) and he would be applying by himself, could this lead to desqualification?
October 14, 2016 at 05:31
You can both enter.
In question 5 you puts your place of birth. In question 6 you answer NO and chooses his place of birth.
October 14, 2016 at 07:50
Hi Brit,
I am planning to apply for DV2018 and I have a question regarding the application process, i.e. stating all living children – we gave one child for adoption at birth (currently he is in foster care) – do we have to put him on the application as well and if yes how to solve the issue with a photo (since we do not have one).
October 14, 2016 at 14:55
If the adoption isn’t concluded then you may still have parental rights at this point. It would be best to list the child. For the photo, I assume the child will not attend the interview with you, so no CO will be able to tell if the photo you attached to the entry was of the actual child….
October 16, 2016 at 00:08
Hi! A few questions: if I put the mailing address that is about to change, will it be a problem in case I win? Secondly, I don’t plan to go with my husband in case of immigrating, is it ok if his birth date and city of birth are inaccurate?
Thank you!
October 16, 2016 at 14:11
The address is no problem.
Details should be accurate.
October 16, 2016 at 02:16
hello please i’m planning to enter the Dv lottery 2018 but wanna ask a question. I’m presently out of my country and i am from cameroon in africa. I’m not legally married yet but i got married traditionally and i have a two years son with my wife. we are still planning to do the legal marriage when i return home. Is it ok if my wife and i enter the Dv as single and include our son? . and what if one of us succeeds and we get lagally married then? Please help me.
October 16, 2016 at 14:06
If traditional marriage is recognized in your country, then it is safer to list the marital status as married. A legal marriage is also a good idea.
October 17, 2016 at 01:53
I submitted an old photo , can I still change it even after receiving the confirmation notice
October 17, 2016 at 19:19
No.
October 17, 2016 at 07:35
I have a 20 year old daughter, her father has never been a part of our lives, is there a chance for a single parent to win?
October 17, 2016 at 19:00
Yes
October 17, 2016 at 13:37
Hi again!
My little kid has dual citizenship. (Venezuelan -from he was born- and Mexican for me). But he has not a Venezuelan passport anymore, and can’t get it again, he has a Mexican one though. My husband and I will be applying, but I wonder (In case of winning the lottery) if is there any problem to make all the process with his Mexican passport.
October 17, 2016 at 18:24
No problem.
October 18, 2016 at 15:52
I’ve already filled out my application, but now I’m concern about the last name. Should’ve filled out the last name with just one last name? I wrote both of my last name. Just like is shown in my passport. Will there be any problem for this?
October 18, 2016 at 19:20
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/name-confusion/
October 18, 2016 at 23:51
Thank you so much! I read your post, therefore I assume that there won’t be any problem.
October 17, 2016 at 14:06
Hi Brit,
Sorry for taking your time but I would like to make myself 200 % sure before applying …
I am living with my unofficial spouse and we have one, 7 years-old, child. No legal marriage or family documents were ever signed (except those related to pathernity) and we are both eligable to apply.
I understand from all I read that we both may apply as singles with a child (on both forms child has to be listed) ? Correct ?
Thank you in advance for your replay
October 17, 2016 at 16:57
Correct.
October 18, 2016 at 14:33
Hi Brit,
Please I need your help here. I’m stuck to the “Submission in progress” or “Check Submission” page of the dvlottery visa application form. I have clicked it several times to get it submitted and get the confirmation number but no success. Pls what next should I do. Do I have to start the registration all afresh? Thanks Oliver
October 18, 2016 at 14:49
Yes. Change your browser and start again.
October 22, 2016 at 07:03
Here’s the problem, if i have a biological child in another country that I have never met. BUT I put 1 child in the ‘child box’, the next page requires details of that child (name, address, photograph) none of which I have or have access to as I no longer have contact with the mother.
I am happy to include that I have an eligible child (although i have no intention including her on Greencard) but then cant provide required info.
So what to do?
October 23, 2016 at 14:16
I can’t advise you what to do beyond following the instructions.
October 23, 2016 at 03:21
Hi,
I’m Applying DV for my parent. I and my siblings are all over 21 years old. Should I list all three of us in our parent’s application?
Thanks and regards,
Manoj
October 23, 2016 at 14:32
No.
October 23, 2016 at 04:47
I’m over 21. I was born in an ineligible country. I have a passport/citizenship from the ineligible country. My parent were born in the eligible country and still live there. Am I eligle to use chargeability rules and apply for DV using my parents’ country of birth?
October 23, 2016 at 14:31
Possibly.
https://britsimonsays.com/country-of-chargeability-for-dv-lottery/
October 23, 2016 at 17:44
Me and my husband have the same last name, but our children have another. Is it okay to fill the form this way or we need to something about it?
October 23, 2016 at 18:45
No problem.
October 24, 2016 at 12:26
Hi brits .wil they compare the information on the initial application and the D’s 260 during the interview. My date of birth on my initial application is 01 July 1992 while that of my ds260,birth certificate, and passport is 01 January 1992 wil that cause a problem.thanks
October 24, 2016 at 14:15
Yes they will compare, and they will ask about the difference.
October 24, 2016 at 14:57
I am a winner of 2017 ,But i dint not upload the pictures of my wife and my son .besides i have already indicated that i am a married person and i have send DS260.So i just want to confirm that Am i qualified or disqualified.
October 24, 2016 at 16:14
If you entered as single (without the spouse and child) and in reality you had a spouse and child at the time of entry you will be disqualified.
October 24, 2016 at 16:38
Hi, thanks for the tips ๐
I have applied for myself, my wife and our daughter.
I am worried that we won’t be able to satisfy the government charge aspect. But we have enough money to show that I would at least be able to support myself. Am I am to process only my application if i am selected for an interview and hopefully sponsor them for a green card when I get settled?
Thanks in advance
October 24, 2016 at 17:03
That is a bad solution to a simple problem.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
October 25, 2016 at 06:59
I have a similar question… as my wife and 16 year old daughter are hesitant about relocating…. I applied and included them. If they decide they don’t want to go, as the other poster asked, am I able to process only my applicant and sponsor them later if they change their minds?
October 25, 2016 at 13:42
Yes – but read this.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/dv-process-versus-family-based-immigration/
October 24, 2016 at 17:06
I entered as married and also indicated my son but I didn’t put their pictures I only put my picture plz ur help am I disqualified
October 24, 2016 at 18:12
You cannot complete your entry with derivatives UNLESS you have uploaded their photos. So – what you are saying does not make sense. Be more clear.
October 24, 2016 at 22:12
Hi Simon,
I have applied and my photo is ok, but I am not sure of the validity of my spouse and children’s photos. Will that get me disqualified?
Thanks.
October 24, 2016 at 22:26
Typically not.
October 25, 2016 at 01:12
Hi Simon. I have a question. A friend of mine is divorced, has a new wife and has three children. All of them are adults. I wonder if it’s supposed to fill that information out on the application or can be ignored. How could they know if it’s true or false? There are no registrations of that information in his visa B1/B2. Thanks a lot for your comments.
October 25, 2016 at 01:14
By the way. The children are from his first wife.
October 25, 2016 at 01:25
So sorry for my question. I didn’t read well about the children that has to be consider are only those who are under the age of 21. Even though I wonder how is possible to be this qualified when information is not completely accurate. How do they know?
October 25, 2016 at 03:08
They spend a long time on background checks.
October 25, 2016 at 02:56
I uploaded my picture instead of their pictures cuz that time I didn’t have pictures of my wife and son.
October 25, 2016 at 03:07
OK – then you might be disqualified for that.