The DV lottery instructions seem to confuse people about the main requirements for the DV lottery process. The first requirement is about country of eligibility which I will address in another post. The second requirement is education/work experience. So I would like to address some common misconceptions. The rules say this.
Requirement #2: In addition, to meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV program,
you must have either:
a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of
elementary and secondary education;
OR
two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two
years of training or experience to perform. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online
database will be used to determine qualifying work experience.
I highlight the either/OR because that is the first misconception – You only need to qualify by one or the other, not both. If you meet the education requirement you do not have to worry about proving work experience.
The second misconception is that each adult (husband and wife) needs to meet the requirement #2. That is normally not the case (the exception being to do with cross charging which I will explain in another post). The principal selectee only needs to meet the requirement.
OK so let’s look at the two options. The first is the simplest and best way to qualify.
Education requirement
The intent of this requirement is to take in immigrants that have achieved an education equivalent to a USA High School education. Note the “USA” part. They are dealing with immigrants from all over the world and needed to establish some “level” in USA terms that can be compared to other countries. So – the level they chose is High school. This is the point at which an American child has graduated high school and is qualified to enter s US University (college).
The term High school is confusing. For instance, in the UK where I was educated, “High school” ended at 16 years old – and that would NOT be sufficient to meet the DV requirement. In UK terms a child would have to attend 2 further years of education beyond 16 years old (receiving “A levels”) to be qualified to enter a University – and that is the level required therefore. Other countries will have other standards – and each embassy is able to set the level required based on their understanding. This has led to some changes over the years that has caught people out. Some embassies publish specific and quite detailed information such as this information for DV2015 from the Kenyan US embassy or the information from the embassy in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka by the way was a recent example of changing their standards and there are some sad stories about that on the internet.
There is a page which offers a listing for many countries here. However, be very careful with the information as it is not 100% accurate or up to date and some countries will have varied their requirements (again Sri Lanka is an example).
So – hopefully by now you have understood that there is a minimum requirement for your country. The various embassy websites are a good place to get information on the level required.
Does a higher education satisfy the education requirement???
Another common question I get asked is “I have a Bachelors degree/masters or whatever, surely I don’t have to show my High school A levels/High school diploma”. The answer is a bit of a grey area. It makes sense that someone having gained their masters or whatever must have met the requirements BUT there are some exceptions to that logic. For example, it is possible to obtain a Masters degree without having finished 12 years of elementary and secondary education and for that reason some Consular Officers will be “picky” about seeing the HIgh School level proof. There have been many reported cases where COs have insisted on this and I am sure there have been cases of denials based on this.
Vocational education
The rules specifically exclude vocational education as being used to qualify on education grounds. For example, if a selectee were to leave school at 16 and then immediately or later go into a vocational program such as teaching or nursing, the time spent in that vocational training/education could not be used to satisfy the educational requirement. In cases such as this, the selectee may need to consider whether their work experience is sufficient to meet the requirement #2.
Work Experience requirement
Ok let’s say you cannot qualify on education grounds. It is possible to base your eligibility on your work experience – although doing so is harder than education so you would only use this as a fallback method. Why is it harder, well with education you either do or you don’t meet the requirement. You present your proof and as long as you understood the standard correctly you are done. Work experience cases are “judged” by the CO based on the proof you can supply at the interview. They are subjective therefore – it is a matter of how well you can convince the CO that you meet the requirement.
So ok – what is the requirement? The instructions say it is 2 years experience, gained in the previous 5 years, in a job that meets the standard described in the O*Net database. The standard to be met is a job that is classified in job zone 4 or 5 with a SVP (Specific Vocational Preparation) rating of 7.0 or higher. Not all jobs will meet that criteria – it is generally jobs which require a higher level of education, or skills.
How do you check your job? Well you navigate to the O*Net database and enter your approximate job title in the Occupation Search field. You will get a list of similar jobs and you should find the one that is closest to your work by title. For example I typed in “teachers” and from there I chose “Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education“. Scroll down the page and find the section “Job Zone” as shown here:-
You can see that Kindergarten teachers is a job at the correct qualifying level. However if you look at a Teachers Assistant – then you can see that is NOT a qualifying job.
Sometimes of course your exact job title will not appear. You can choose a similar job that explains what you do and if necessary you might want to detail your job duties to show they align well with the skills, tasks and so on of the job you wish to use as proof.
How to present the case…
OK – you believe you have found the right job description in the O*Net database. You are soon to attend the interview – how do you prepare.
Well first of all, you have to understand that your credibility will come in to play. The CO has some latitude about how they approve these work experience cases, your task is to give them a good case to be able to approve you.
I would suggest preparing a well organized and professional looking file to include as much as possible of the following:-
- The print out from of the job to which you are aligning your experience.
- Employment letters such as job offers, promotion letters and so on.
- Letters (preferably notarized) from current and former managers, colleagues and so on.
- A description of your day to day duties in the roles covering a minimum of 2 years.
- Details of any vocational training or education that supports you in your job.
- Examples of work product if possible/applicable.
Make this as complete as possible. As I said your credibility counts, so look professional, have a professional demeanor and make sure what you present is well presented, free of typos etc. You generally should not need professional help in preparing this file – and if you think about it the use of a professional could cause the CO to question whether yuou are really at the level you are claiming.
It is worth spending some time on this point, if you fail to convince the CO and have not qualified on education you will be denied and there is no appeal process (if processing outside of the USA).
OK hope that helps. Feel free to comment or ask questions below, I will come back to you as fast as possible.
I recently created a video on this same subject – so feel free to look at that too.
May 28, 2018 at 03:18
Hello Brit,thanks for the wonderful work..we are grateful. I have got two days to my interviews. My grades at A.level miss a principle pass, all of them are secondary passes/ subsidiaries.but the embassy am gonna do interviews set up laws recently that for someone to qualify must have Alevel certificate with atleast one principle pass and one secondary. I have got the A.level certificate but all my grades secondary passes. I have realized the change in law when i have already done with medicals with my family.
Do u think we should end with medicals and dont pay visa fees because will be rejected on grades? Medicals with my family have taken alot of cash and visa fees will too..
2. I am a 2018 winner but before i entered the draw, i had gonne back to school and pursuing my deploma in computer science and am completing it in july this year..on my primary occupation on form 260 i put student cause i had gonne back to school..do u think if i dont qualify on grades, i can tell the Co to let me bring my degree which i am about to complete before to replace my low grades since my deploma completion will be before the end of 2018 lottery?
Am so confused and need your logical advise before i fall victim of non refurdable fees
Thanks brit
May 28, 2018 at 05:01
1. You have to make your own decision.
2. That may be possible.
June 5, 2018 at 10:56
Hi Brit, I won the 2019Dv lottery and I just submitted my D-260 application a week ago– I later realized that in the ‘PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE’ I included two institutions I worked for — then there was ” Did this job require 2 yrs experience” I said YES . but I never added another work experience after that cos it was basically self employment. However, I have a Bachelors degree. Is that okay?
June 5, 2018 at 14:02
Yes
June 5, 2018 at 19:57
THANK YOU SOO MUCH. MANY BLESSINGS
October 24, 2018 at 10:33
hi, can you please show me how to add work experience in dv lottery form 2020,
If you help me will be appreciate Thanks
June 5, 2018 at 21:35
Hello Brit,
it’s me again thanks for your previous answers and your kindness.
My brother last year got his high school diploma and now he is attending to the university. my question is what should I put at the ” number of educational institutions attended ” i put one i don’t know if it is a right answer. please I need your judgment.
thank for your time
June 5, 2018 at 22:17
How can I possibly say how many institutions your brother attended. I don’t know him or you!
The question is how many institutions (schools, colleges etc). So – answer!
June 6, 2018 at 02:44
Hi,
My sister does not have the educational requirement.
When considering work experince her job designation is” administrative assistant” which is in job zone 3. But mainly she doing thr HR job duties which same to the job duties in HR specialist( which is job zone 4).
She can only take job description including HR duties but cannot change the designation to HR. How she have to fill the ds 260 application?
June 6, 2018 at 04:35
She should carefully consider whether she wants to try for the GC or not. It sounds like she is likely to be refused.
October 9, 2018 at 09:40
Hi Simon, if i’m qualifying with work experience, Do i need to fill the Ds 260 forms?
October 9, 2018 at 14:02
Yes
May 13, 2019 at 14:08
hi brit .I have the same question, I have submitted my medical faculty degree and high school diploma so what should I enter in the number of institutions?. another Issue is that as I mentioned earlier I am a medical doctor .in the question of do you want come to us to do work as a medical doctor but you are not liscenced .I answered yes . and I answered the question that was are you a part of or worked in professional , social or charitable organization ? I entered yes because I have been worked as a medical doctor with non governmental organization mentioned in my work experience . so am I right ?.thanks
May 13, 2019 at 15:52
Number of institutions is the number of schools attended. Use some judgement.
Your answers are OK.
June 6, 2018 at 08:04
Hi Simon,
For work experience documents, I plan bring along the actual contracts I have signed in the past and the current one. In addition to notarized and certified letters from my previous and current employers, to the interview (once hopefully scheduled), CN 2018AF7xxx, submitted DS260 on may 27th 2018)
1. Would these contracts have to be notarized and certified? they are from three different countries, Kenya, Sudan, and Sweden.
thank you in advance
June 6, 2018 at 14:16
1. No
June 6, 2018 at 15:08
I don’t know why I numbered a single question. Thank you!
June 19, 2018 at 21:46
Hi Simon is heavy equipment operator such as excavator, backhoe,compater ,dozer,grader,crane and marine engine mechanic qualified to use work experience in his favor
June 19, 2018 at 23:23
Did you read the article above and follow the instructions?
June 20, 2018 at 01:07
Hi brit
first i wanna to thank u again for ur restless supporting. God bless u with ur all family
just I have a question about vocational education
1.in our country secondary education is taking from 9th to 12th grade then at 12th grade takes secondary education examination if scored attend to college if not college is not allowed. But I was joined technical school after successfully completed grade 9 & 10. In the technical school l studied 2 years(11th & 12th) for both academy subjects and vocational subjects, at grade 12 I took secondary education examination for academy and I scored diploma. At this time I graduated by mechanic from the technical school and I get secondary education certificate.Then after I joined to health colloge through my academy results and graduated diploma in health science by radiology technician.
So as I have
1-secondary education certificate with the result of diploma(12th complete and passed)
2-certificate of mechanic from technical school(10+2)
3-certificate of radiology technician diploma (12+2) from health college
can affect me the excluded of vocational education from dv as I have all mentioned above?
I know, it is difficult to know for each country education system all over the world, but I need ur support as I guided above
Does the vocational excluded me from education qualification? I am worried about this sir.
am really sorry for repeatedly bothering u
Thanks in advance sir.
June 20, 2018 at 04:41
As you recognize – I cannot know all the systems, and cannot guess how the CO will judge it.
June 20, 2018 at 06:38
Thanks sir
But As a dv education requirement is high school diploma
– I have secondary education certificate with its result (passed high school diploma) it is the only examination of secondary education provided by our country and it takes at 12th grade
-And I have 12+2 diploma from the health college
I have high school diploma and health college diploma
1-can this be enough for education qualification, regardless of my technical education? but I filled it in my ds260.
2-I am little confused about why vocational education is excluded
what is the main reason to be excluded? I search it many times but I couldn’t able to find the exact reason.
Thanks in advance sir.
June 20, 2018 at 14:34
1. The requirements for education vary by embassy – I don’t keep track of the requirements.
2. It’s written in the 9FAM guidance. I don’t know why it was decided that way.
June 22, 2018 at 10:52
Hello Simon, and thank you for being such a solid source of information regarding the dv visa.
I am about to submit my ds 260 and was hoping to get your opinion on my particular education situation:
-There is an overlap in my study abroad dates. This overlap might be perceived as a mistake but is 100% truthful since I stayed enrolled at my home university while also being enrolled at the university abroad for the length of the exchange program. Do you think this could be flagged as a mistake?
Also, for Highest level of education I have selected “advanced degree” and listed information about my Master of Science degree. After my masters I listed by bachelors and went all the way back to high school. High school starte before I turned 16.
-Do you feel like I should list Middle and Primary school as well (since those count towards the 12 year secondary education count in the US)?
Thanks a lot in advance.
June 22, 2018 at 13:49
1. No
2. No
June 30, 2018 at 19:36
hi brit,
i have finished 3 years of high school in my country, and the last one (12th grade) in us high school from where i have school transcript. I don’t have a diploma from US because I was there only one year and at the time there was no graduation exam in my country, so I don’t have official high school diploma. I was also admitted in US college, but gave up that chance before even going there. I finished college and masters in my country. Can I have problems regarding my high school education ?
thanks a lot
June 30, 2018 at 19:37
also, in ds260 i wrote “high school diploma” by mistake
July 1, 2018 at 01:37
Possibly – the CO will decide.
July 1, 2018 at 21:58
Sir in the ds 260 I wrote that I worked as a substitute teacher but this job not required two years of experience and I have high school diploma shoud I bring my work certificate to the interview or is not necessary I knew that I answered this question before but please I want a specific answer with yes or no thank you so much
July 1, 2018 at 23:21
Prepare as best as you can.
July 7, 2018 at 15:27
Hi Simon
If am not qualify by education as at when am selected can I write my high school exam in my country and present my certificate during my interview
July 7, 2018 at 16:40
You must meet the qualifications by the time of interview.
July 15, 2018 at 07:50
Hi Brit
I am Sri Lankan and my dv interview on next month.i have advanced level exam with 3 credits.i have secondary education from school with O/Level 1996 and I did A/Level exam as private candidate in 1999.i sat in A/L class after the O/L at school and my school leaving year also same as a level exam year.i want to know is there any issue for dv visa ? I sat the a level exam as a private candidate
July 15, 2018 at 17:03
I don’t know for sure. The CO will decide.
August 6, 2018 at 17:22
Hello Simon,
I am a DV 2019 selectee and I am filling out my DS 260. I have a High School Diploma from a US home-school institution as well as an Associate in Arts degree from a US college (studied online from abroad). I live in Europe and I am currently not employed because recently I quit my previous job and I am now looking for a new job. My questions are:
1. Since I am unemployed at the moment when filling out the DS 260 form, do you think it is a problem if I put ‘Unemployed’ as Primary Occupation? (I have 2 previous jobs which I listed to answer the question: Were you previously employed…
2. If I start working in a new job after submitting the DS 260, do I have to unlock the form to change my primary occupation from “Unemployed” to the new job?
Thank you very much in advance! I appreciate your advice!
August 6, 2018 at 17:55
1. You write the truth.
2. If you have time while waiting you can do that, yes.
August 6, 2018 at 18:22
Thank you very much!
August 6, 2018 at 23:43
My cousin owns a hairdressing salon. Even though hairdresser falls under job zone 3 can she present herself as a business person at the interview?
August 7, 2018 at 01:45
Maybe – if that is really her role. If she had many staff and made a significant income (more than a hairdresser) then she could try and make a case that she is a business person with a hairdressing business. Otherwise she is a hairdresser who owns the business.
July 21, 2019 at 11:07
Hi Simon, I’m in a similar position. I Still haven’t submitted my DS260 form as yet for 2020. I see that you told this person to make a case that she is a business person with a hairdressing business and if she had many staff and made a significant income. Well I have 6 staff that pays rent to me weekly and I also have a supply store also in the salon so I do make a significant income. Please, I’m just trying to get a better understanding of what you meant when you said “business person”.
July 21, 2019 at 14:56
Right – so whether you cut hair or not, you make make money from the business. If that business generates all or most of your income, you are running a business. You would have various things to prove that such as the shop lease, the contracts with your staff, the statement of income showing earnings and taxes being better than a hairdresser – see the point?
May 23, 2019 at 02:27
Can you tell me more about your cousin case? Did she get approve? I’m in the same position and want to know what did she present herself as? Please I look forward to your response.
August 7, 2018 at 03:15
BA degree from 10+3 In Ethiopia… is this meet the req’t of education….Any one having experien please share me,,,,??
August 14, 2018 at 13:31
hello Simon greetings from Nepal. i’m one the 2019 dv lottery selectee. i filled my ds 260 on june and unlocked and resubmitted on 9 august.
here in Nepal we get school leaving certificate at age 16 and we get +2 certificate at 18 from different institution when i filled my ds 260 while mentioning my schooling institution i mentioned the name of institution correctly but incase of degree and diploma option i choose high school no degree instead of school leaving certificate and the consultancy person told me the correct option is high school no degree not slc because in us there is no slc system will this cause me problem in interview or vis denial should i unlock again ? cn 2019AS1XXX
August 14, 2018 at 15:07
Punctuation is important.
However, I don’t think you need to change that.
September 24, 2018 at 20:51
Hi sachina i am also from nepal cam i get in contact with u?
CN 2019AS4XXX
August 19, 2018 at 13:54
my address is “ranasinghkiteni, baglung” which is included in my citizenship card, but in my slc document adress is “ranasingkitenee, baglung” by mistakely. does it disqualify in my visa interview ? or should i correct my document ?
August 19, 2018 at 15:50
Not a problem.
August 30, 2018 at 21:34
Hi Brit, my wife won the lottery. We found only her high school and master original degree diplomas. She has 3 more university degrees but we found only copies. We can request to the university new official diplomas. Is it really necessary? Shall we justify all the degrees that appear in our DS260 or is it enough with the high school and master original diplomas?
August 30, 2018 at 22:12
It is up to the CO what to accept – so you can decide what you want to show. Better preparation reduces the chance of delays.
September 11, 2018 at 16:36
hello Brit. My wife who won has high school and bachelor degree. Also, she needed 2 years of training or work for her curent job as sales asistant manager, but I would like to put NO on this option in order to not prepare all the documentaion for work requiremnts. Should be ok? thank you
September 11, 2018 at 16:43
Putting no on that option would be inaccurate, and does not have the affect you are assuming. The CO will always prefer to qualify a case by education as it is simpler. So – answer all questions accurately!
September 24, 2018 at 18:34
Hi Brit, I have a high school diploma from Norway, and two degrees at a university here in the U.S, will I be fine with that as an education requirement? Thank you!
September 24, 2018 at 20:26
Typically, yes.
October 1, 2018 at 16:22
Hi Brit, thanks for the great tips you give to us every now and then, God bless you for your work.
my question is The CO interested in the high School grade or the certificate?
October 1, 2018 at 16:43
They are interested in the education level attained, and that is normally proven with documents.
October 9, 2018 at 10:26
Dear sir.
Myself ujwol poudel. I don’t have Education but I have more than 12 years of an experience in deferent hotel /Catering services /global companies/ in the office and side besed. I am eligible for dv?
Recently working as a cleaning supervisor in Saudi Arabia.
October 9, 2018 at 14:01
Read the article above.
October 12, 2018 at 00:00
I am nepali working as a plumber since 10 year in UAE Dubai but i have not completed high school level educatio .
On the basis of plumber work experince ,can i fill edv 2020 ?
Please answer me sir
October 12, 2018 at 03:42
Read the article above!
October 12, 2018 at 13:14
1.I finished 11 grade only and I’m 28 years old if I won the lottery would they accept me? 2. And if not what should I do in few months till the interview of the DV starts so I can win it? 3 And what shall I write in education question whats my level? Please answer my 3 questions I need to know because usually I pick high school with no degree
October 12, 2018 at 13:50
1. Read the article above.
2. Get a time machine.
3. Pick whatever makes sense.
October 13, 2018 at 11:43
What do you mean by time machine?the thing I want to know am I have a chance if i win or not?
October 13, 2018 at 14:34
I told you to read above. Do that.
May 13, 2019 at 17:42
thank you brother. I started school from 7th grade because there was not schools before 9/11 in Afghanistan. I mean I had learned required subjects from my father and gave an exam taken by our high shool and I passed the exam and directly admitted in 7th grade in 2001 and completed 12 grade high school period . after that I have passed university entrance exam and passed to medical faculty and finished it in 2017 . does it matter I mean in ds 260 form I submitted high school from 2001-2007 .and in certificate there are three years marks just indicating that you have finished high shool period in 2007..thanks
May 13, 2019 at 17:53
Jawid. You are a highly qualified individual, but you are asking some really basic questions. I understand you are nervous, but this is a simple enough process. Just answer the questions truthfully and exercise some common sense.
October 14, 2018 at 11:52
Hi Brit,
what of if you have a National Diploma (took 2 years to complete) and Higher National Diploma (HND) (also took 2 years to complete), the HND being the latest achievement? What option do you suggest i select from the Highest level of education achieved.
Thank you.
October 14, 2018 at 15:08
Just choose whatever you think makes sense. It is not important.
October 15, 2018 at 16:15
Iam dv2019 winner iam barber is it good work or not
October 15, 2018 at 16:40
Read the article above.
October 19, 2018 at 03:13
Hi Simon I recently filled a edv lottery for 2020 and I am from Nepal I completed my +2 qualification now when I was filling the form.i was confused and I fill High school in my form, I want to know is it acceptable for qualification for edv selection?
October 19, 2018 at 03:17
No problem.
October 19, 2018 at 08:07
Have a good day Brit
I have high school diploma and bachelor degree so I intend to qualify as my education.Also I work as an accountant and I got this profession through 4 years university education not “at least 2 years training/experience” but accountant is represented on O*Net database in Job zone 4.What should I write “no or yes” to question “Does this job require at least 2 years of training or experience?”.Thanks in advance.
October 19, 2018 at 13:31
“Yes”
October 20, 2018 at 14:05
My sister has 5 years as Kindergarten Teacher. She wants to apply for DV lottery.
Based on her work experience, following the list below from DV application, what point to check:
Primary school only
High School, no degree
High School degree
Vocational School
Some University Courses
University Degree
Some Graduate Level Courses
Master’s Degree
Some Doctorate Level Courses
Doctorate Degree
October 20, 2018 at 14:48
Her work experience doesn’t have anything to do with a list of education levels attained.
October 29, 2018 at 11:51
Hi Brit.
Just want to ask you in the form it says High school degree and high school no degree.
Just wondering which one i should fill. Am a bit confused.
I have finished my highschool education and i have a certificate for it.
Thanks in advance
October 29, 2018 at 14:05
Pick one. Doesn’t matter.
November 3, 2018 at 04:10
Hello Simon
I already graduated my high school and I am currently 17 and will turn 18 in the August 2019. So, I wanted to know if I am eligible or not.
The confusion arose because of the criteria mentioned. It says that high school graduate can apply for the DV; also that, there is no any age limit to which they can apply for. But then it also mentions that under 18 may get rejected. I don’t get it.
The exact text is: “There is no minimum age to apply for the diversity lottery program. However, because of the requirement of a high school education or work experience for each applicant at the time of application, it will effectively disqualify most persons who are under the age of 18 years.”
I would be very thankful to you if you could clarify my confusion.
November 3, 2018 at 04:30
If this is for DV2020 – you can enter as any interviews are at least 1 year away.
November 6, 2018 at 13:16
Hi Brit. I have a questions about dv 2020, parts of educational and work experience. When fill dv 2020 i made a mistake I picked high school diploma and I don’t have it, but i will obtain my work experiences next twice weeks. Even though i have supernatural certificate in English. Will i qualify or what?
November 6, 2018 at 14:45
The draw process doesn’t care what you picked.
November 7, 2018 at 05:05
Hi
when I entried in 2019 dv lottery in 2017 in part of city of birth I entried my state because in our passport is place of birth is our name of state can it be problem
November 7, 2018 at 14:40
It should not be a problem.
November 7, 2018 at 07:58
Hi Brit
Thanks for your efforts on this blog although i came across it after submitting my entry. Just curious, in the education section i ticked ” Other Graduate courses” as my education level.Do you think i could stand a chance in the first selection process?
November 7, 2018 at 14:43
The draw is completely random.
November 8, 2018 at 14:59
Hi, Brit
Thank you for such a detailed article. I graduated high school from Saudi Arabia and I have Secondary school certificate and a bachelor degree yet I don’t think my high school education qualifies since I chose a speciality that didn’t have math or science. I intend to take my GED in their official center in Saudi Arabia. My question is is that International GED qualifies as high school education?
November 8, 2018 at 18:23
GEDs do not meet the criteria.
November 8, 2018 at 18:52
Hi Brit
I finish junior high school I never continued now I have diploma in computer hardware and also train peopke for 2years but now am working has security officer have also worked there for 7years do you think I can qualify for that I have all the documents to proof
November 8, 2018 at 20:23
It sounds like you are not qualified. But the article above can help you decide.
November 15, 2018 at 01:54
Hello. I am from Nepal. I have completed 10th grade but couldnt graduate high school cause I got failed. After completion of my high school I started a job as a teacher exactly for 2 years. In between two years I heard GED will help me to continue my bachelor so I went for it. Currently I am studying bachelor in computing honors degree from UK university. I got that though you complete bachelors or masters you should have high school degree not even GED. My question is I have 10th grade result and 2 years of experience in teaching field also have completed diploma and advanced diploma degree with good grade. I am also able to genuinely proof that I have studied high school I didnt drop it cause I have marksheet of high school though I got failed. Am I eligible to get a visa or still I am unlucky to not get a visa ?
November 15, 2018 at 03:51
I don’t know whether your HS studies will meet the requirements, as that is country specific. The GED or work experience won’t help.
November 18, 2018 at 09:03
hi Brit
I am dviste2019
I have a technical high school diploma and I have 3 years of professional experience as a health insurance operating agent
I read that the vocational school was disqualified. I completed my technical high school diploma after 13 years oh study. So I’m a little confused.
can you tell me what you think?
November 18, 2018 at 15:15
The answer is specific to your case. I cannot tell you whether you are qualified or not. As a backup, you could check if your job qualifies you.
November 22, 2018 at 09:37
Hello Simon, am among the 2019 selectees but I have a question
1.when applying for the green card, I used an address of the cyber guy because I didn’t had one of my own and all the information is channelled to him. What can I do to change my email so that I can get the communications directly to me?? He has threatened to sale my green card if I don’t include his cousin as my fiance
November 22, 2018 at 15:38
The email is not important. As long as you have the details of the case you don’t need the email. Don’t be threatened, tell the cyber guy “Britsimon says he is a moron”, and if he persists you can tel him that you will email KCC explaining the threat, cc’ing the cyber guy on the email so that KCC knows all about him and his threats.
November 23, 2018 at 01:18
Hello Brit
A friend of my chose vocational instead of high school will it affect him
November 23, 2018 at 05:41
Maybe.
November 23, 2018 at 10:46
Hi Mr bir,I will take my degree at the end of this year or 2019 what I will fill for dv 2020 is it university degree or some university course?
November 23, 2018 at 20:41
If you are selected, ask then.
November 25, 2018 at 09:14
Hi Simon,
I am confused about the requirements.. 🙂
Regarding to your link and (also from other websites) Realschulabschluss is enough. I do understand that the vocational stuff doesn’t count.
But regarding on the definiton “12 years of school”, it is not.
So your link for Germany says:
Abitur / Fachhochschulreife / Realschulabschluss
Which is by the way:
1.) Abitur (13 years of school)
2.) Fachhochschulreife (12 years)
3.) Realschulabschluss (10 years, which does not qualify to study)
I have done this:
1.) Realschulabschluss +
2.) first year technical vocational college +
3.) second year technical vocational college
(left without graduating, would be equal to Fachhochschulreife) +
4.) 3 year vocational education and training in IT
(German Vocational Training Act)
Is there any reliable source for education? I mean an official website from the government like the O*Net database?
I also checked my job roles from the past and they seemed to qualify. But as you wrote, it is more up to the consular officer then.. (When we leave a company, we get reference letters which describes our roles, duration and so on)
My interview location will be Frankfurt OR Montreal. It is not sure yet. I am scared about Montreal, because they won’t [ don’t have to 🙂 ] understand the german school system..
November 25, 2018 at 15:31
There is not a centralized database to consult. Each embassy establishes the required level for their own country, so you are correct, an interview in Montreal would require AP because Montreal would have to check with the German US embassy.
The wisest choice is to go fully prepared to prove education AND work experience is met. Give the CO an easy way to make a decision.
November 25, 2018 at 18:32
Thank you for your eye-opener.. 🙂
My idea was some kind of catalogue, which where they look at.. Or turning back to KCC and ask them.
1.) So they go back to the German US embassy..
Are you in known, if this is the standard procedure? (Yepp, it makes sense..)
2.) Would you say reference letters are proof enough? Or is it common to ask for other type of documents?
(I will make copies and write the job number on it)
I am currently outside of both countries and applying at companies which where I can start in Canada/Germany and continue in the US.
If the Green Card shouldn’t work, I would be happy to continue in Canada. Basically, it will depend on the job offer where to start now.
But my intention is not to kick myself out by going to Montreal.. I do understand that it’s my own judgement. 🙂
Maybe you can tell me about what you’ve heard?
November 26, 2018 at 04:26
1. Already answered.
2. Fully discussed above. Again – it is subjective and case dependent.
Interviewing in Montreal will most likely cause some delay.
December 7, 2018 at 14:03
mr brit
you have mention in this post early thatwhat do you mean by this
“That is normally not the case (the exception being to do with cross charging which I will explain in another post)”
what do you mean by this.
December 7, 2018 at 15:00
https://britsimonsays.com/country-of-chargeability-for-dv-lottery/
December 7, 2018 at 14:49
mr brit
you have mention in this post early that
“That is normally not the case (the exception being to do with cross charging which I will explain in another post)”
what do you mean by this.
December 21, 2018 at 17:31
If I take a alevel course instead of staying on in school to do 3 alevels. After my two year course I received the exact same qualifications as I would have received in school (3 A-levels) So do I qualify to enter dv lottery? The college is not a vocational college its not to specialise in a specific job title it’s jus to do A-levels.
2.)Or if I did a 2 year alevel course online would that be another option for me to qualify as it also gives the same qualification as doing 2 years in school?
Thanks
December 21, 2018 at 23:39
1. Probably.
2. Online courses do not help.
January 2, 2019 at 18:22
Hi Brit,
I submitted my DS260 form in May and the supporting docs in November 15. i have A -certificate from Uganda and a bachelor’s degree though While filling the DS260form, I entered only 1 institution (university) where I attained a bachelor’s degrees. Do I have to unlock and add my A level (high school) institution. Thanks for your effort.
January 2, 2019 at 18:38
Your DS260 should have all secondary level education (roughly age 12 and above).
January 2, 2019 at 18:44
Hi Brit,
I submitted all the required docs in mid November. I have a Uganda A level certificate and a bachelor’s degree though when I was filling the DS260 form I only provided one institution as university with a bachelor’s degree. Do I need to unlock to add the high school(A level institution).
Thanks.
January 14, 2019 at 13:58
Hi Brit,
Even if my highest education is a university degree, when applying for the lotteries , am i supposed to select high school as my highest level of education since that is the requirement?
January 14, 2019 at 15:37
No – you choose degree.
January 26, 2019 at 18:41
Good evening Brit, I’m a 2019AF45xxx winner. I did a professional training of 3 years in 2007 to obtain the CAP in automobile mechanics. I continued in the evening general education since the class of 3rd to date in Terminale to seek to obtain the BAC Génerale 2018-2019 free candidate. It must be said that I do the mechanics at an individual in the neighborhood where I live. My concern is that I put on my passport MECANICIEN. I wanted to know what would be good to put in the DS-260 between ELEVE and MECHANIC the fact that I am not register in normal course of the day like the others? Or take back the passport and put ELEVE? Thanks for helping me.
January 26, 2019 at 22:41
I don’t know education/passport procedures in your country (you haven’t even told me the country). So – you need to use your own judgement.