Status update to discuss some of the issues or realities under the COVID-19 scenarios we are living under. This video also addresses the changing economic landscape and how that could make life more difficult for new immigrants over the coming months.
Heath Insurance for immigrants
April 13, 2020 at 01:10
Hi Britt I need some help organizing the documents that need to go with each form for the AOS package. Do you have a forum or a video on that. I have checked the AOS forum it has all the list of documents required but it does not specify which documents goes with a particular form. Thank you and have a good night.
April 13, 2020 at 02:54
No. The forum list is all you need.
April 13, 2020 at 09:44
Thank you
April 10, 2020 at 00:21
Hi Brit, I have a small question to ask you. On the sample of cover page on the AOS package that you shared to us, at the end you did include affidavit of support and form I-134. Do we have to fill out those form too. Thank you and have a good night
April 10, 2020 at 13:09
AOS is a different process, and questions should be directed to the thread in the link below. There is a new for 944 that addresses financials.
https://forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2020-aos-only.340762/
April 10, 2020 at 13:24
Thank you
March 30, 2020 at 13:59
Hello Brit ?
Wishing you the best, thankful for your support.
I WAS SCHEDULED AN INTERVIEW IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL AND A FEW DAYS AGO GOT THE EMBASSY EMAIL THAT INTERVIEWS ARE CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 UNTILL APRIL 30.
LATER THAT NIGHT GOT ANOTHER EMAIL GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO RESCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE LINK.
I’M TRYING TO SCHEDULE ALL THIS THREE DAYS BUT THERE SAYS: THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE DATES FOR THAT LOCATION.
Why do you think happens this? Is because they ate closed now or I wont have the chance to schedule another interview appointment?
Thank Zheni
March 30, 2020 at 14:42
Well the embassy will be unable to make more appointment slots available until they re-open. So, keep trying once the embassy reopens.
March 29, 2020 at 15:57
Hi Brit!
How are u? I hope you are fine.
I want to inform you of one possibly scenario, “cause I always follow your blog and I think it could be helpful know that.
Yesterday I conctacted one of the most famous lawyer in NYC, to have informations about this situation.
I explained my situation (I should receive my 2NL in April and interview in June) and I asked her if the visa issuing could be extended because of Covid, that is a situation that never occurred before during dv lottery.
I didn’t expect an answer , instead she did!
She explained me that AILA is already trying to ask to Uscis & State department to extend the deadline by at least 60 days because of virus.
In add to this she answered that when embassies will resume visa processing , immigrant visa interviews will take priority and Dvlottery cases have the highest priority for scheduling, as they are time-sensitive.
March 29, 2020 at 16:56
Please be careful with spreading such information. Your understanding is incorrect – and you seem to suggest their request is about DV specifically, which it is not. The AILA has asked to extend all deadlines – that is correct, but this does not apply to the DV lottery deadline. They are referring to processing deadlines – a quite different thing. The DV lottery deadline would require a change of law to change the date, not a change of policy.
https://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-correspondence
Now, regarding the other point, I do assume that immigrant cases will be prioritized as much as possible over non immigrant cases, and they will do what they can to prioritize DV cases to process as many as possible before the end of the year, but I caution against building false hope around that assumption.
March 29, 2020 at 17:09
Ok Brit, I Just inform you what she said to me.
I asked her specifically for dv lottery and she said to me these things.
I don’t want to build false hope, but I wanted to inform you about that ?
However , if it will be true , Us governement will officially inform all of us, I guess.
So for the moment I only reported a general information from a lawyer.
Thanks for your time, have a nice day!
March 29, 2020 at 17:13
If you are interested about her reply I can forward the email to your email address.
April 9, 2020 at 03:34
I am curious about what exactly she told you but I am also very skeptical that will be true. This is not a lawyer-friendly process and most likely she will not know much about it. Extending the year with even 2 months seams very much impossible. KCC will start the next batch of applicants next month, extending this year will mean backlog and they’ll have to hire more people. I don’t think that the DV lottery is that important right now.
Don’t want to sound too pessimistic but it depends where are you in the process. got canceled by the embassy, then the chances of getting an interview are not too bad. got canceled by KCC also seems not too bad. not current but close to get current not so great. a very high case number, may not happen.
but all this getting worst day by day with embassies being closed.
April 9, 2020 at 13:02
I have already explained why this isn’t possible – and I have checked the subsequent filed lawsuit, and found my assumption was correct. This matter is dead. There is NO possibility that 30 September date will change.
March 28, 2020 at 21:18
Hi BritSimon,
Quick question for you regarding embassy closures, potential timelines for re-opening of embassies and your opinion on if the country where you interview matters.
We’re Germans living in London, UK. CN is current and docs as well as DS-260 have been processed, so we’re basically ready for scheduling once embassies reopen.
The question is, do you think we’d have a better chance if we’d contact KCC and „move“ our interview location to Germany by updating the DS-260? Or would that complicate the case more? As of today it looks like Germany has at least a better handle on Covid-19 and might be open for business sooner than the UK.
I appreciate there is no easy and clear answer, just looking for your opinion.
Thanks and all the best! #staysafe
March 29, 2020 at 15:19
Your basic premise is that Germany reopens before London. I have no way to make that guess, so there is no way to give an opinion.
All I can say is that changing interview location is better done before scheduling. Changing after scheduling is risky.
March 23, 2020 at 22:03
Hello sur,
Just wanted to know if kcc is still sending the 2nl for AFrica zone?
Am AF35XXX and I was waiting to be scheduled for may interview in Cameroon.
THANKS for answering me and take care please.
March 23, 2020 at 23:39
Some people were sent 2NLs for May interviews and then 1 to 2 days later those interviews were cancelled when the embassies were all closed. So – I don’t know if more 2NLs will be sent in this month or not. Wait and see.
March 24, 2020 at 11:22
Hello martial I am a winner also from Cameroon. Can we share contacts?
March 24, 2020 at 11:33
Of course,
697256072 is my WhatsApp nbr, so you can text me anytime
March 21, 2020 at 07:27
Hi Simon,
You probably remember me. I`m a GC lottery winner 2019 and currently live in Chicago from end of last year.
As everything you talking about in the video is true I just want to point one thing not every potential job site will be closed. I currently work for a tool production company and today as we came to our job they told us about the potential lockdown. We started at 2.30 PM as we work 2nd shift and it came as a shock to me because I didn`t know that the state of Illinois could be the next one to shut down. At 3 PM the governor announced the lockdown and they told us we will be closed till at least April 7th. Another shock came about 9 PM when our supervisor announced to us that we will remain open because we produce electrical supplies and electrical tools and they may be in need for people working in the electric sector as without power the whole country will need to shut down. We know we will work from Monday onwards until the current situation will not change and as we know it may change anytime. The other point is that a lot of new people coming to US may be looking for any job out there and there is a lot of jobs paid cash to hand in US which can help too. I know a guy that is working in such job and they will remain open as well.
Unfortunately current situation do not only affect US but other countries too, I used to live in UK last 9 years and still have friends there and they telling me that the situation is still steady there but do not look good at all for the future. About 0.5 mln people already lose their jobs in UK since the outbreak of the virus, mostly people on zero-hours contracts so the situation is almost everywhere the same in any country so I would personally encourage people to still come to US now even that it may be risky. From the other side as most of people know the situation with the virus will not be over in 2 or 4 weeks the peak of infected people will expect to show in about 45 to 60 days, so the lockdown will be in effect for at least so long as this is a lesson all countries are taking from other earlier infected countries. But still I would personally relocate to US as it may be a chance you will never get again and I am happy with my decision as my life changed a lot since coming to US.
Good luck to everyone on their journey to new life.
And best regards to you Simon
Stay safe everyone
March 21, 2020 at 16:16
Hi Lukasz. Glad to hear you are doing well. There are indeed going to be some opportunities, and many people will carry on as normal, but clearly the macro situation will be bad. Take care.
June 13, 2020 at 12:22
Hey Lucasz, thanks a lot for your message. I am at a total loss I am a 2018 winner. I already got my gc I went to the US just to activate it. Now I am back in my country and with the whole covid situation not sure about how I will do once back in the US. I have to make the final move to the US end of October. I lost the job I got I was supposed to start in May because of Corona.
Simon please after your permission can i ask Lucasz or any dv winner who moved to the US lately to get in touch with me I just need some info. I know that your blog is a real gem but as you always say you help only with the pre US step. Please if anyone esp those who moved to the US with kids can help me with realistic answers. Thanks a lot brit and all the people in this blog.
June 13, 2020 at 17:45
Ask whatever you like. At the end of the day though each person will have a different experience. The area you choose, your profession etc all factor into things. Obviously certain industries such as hospitality are terribly affected right now, so you need to use a little calm logical thinking. Also be prepared with enough money, and contacts to be able to survive a bit longer than you would normally expect.
June 14, 2020 at 18:15
Thank you Simon. Really appreciate it. 1)People who travelled with kids and pregnant what health insurances did you go with? Even if they differ from state to state obviously I just need an idea.
2) I got my gc mailed to a US address I also applied for a new social security card ( because the one I have says not allowed to work because I got it when i was an international student long time ago) bit I never got the new social sec card. Do I still have to file taxes or I fall in the non-filler category?
Thanks a lot to anyone who can help with answers or advice.
June 14, 2020 at 19:23
1. ACA plans are best – use the search above to understand healthcare.
2. Any LPR has to file taxes.
March 21, 2020 at 07:07
Hi brit ,if embassies in europe reopen in june or mid may ,do you think they can fit the remaining cases in remain 4 months taking in consideration 60-65% response rate ,Im Eu 47xxx and already devastated and depressed ,evey day when I wake I hear another bad news this is too much to handle ?
March 21, 2020 at 16:11
No, there will almost certainly be impacts because there will not be enough interview slots remaining before the end of the year (and the end date cannot be changed).
However, not all embassies will have the same closure period, and KCC might decide to make the region current to allow scheduling where possible. Therefore some people would miss out, but it may not just be high case numbers.
Of course I am only stating one possible scenario – there are others, I am only making the point that you should be realistic, but also wait and see.
March 21, 2020 at 17:27
thank you simon I hope they make regions current and embassies start working ,because we are going through very tough times ,if it wasnt for you it will be tougher you are helping us alot ,see you in better times my friend.
March 21, 2020 at 02:17
Hello Brit my interview is early April, first week . US embassy in my country have not shutdown by US government but my country president have stop all public gatherings for 1 month therefore US embassy in my country have stop working . I have received any email from either KCC or US embassy in my country. How can I handle this?
March 21, 2020 at 05:20
Wait for instructions from the embassy.
March 20, 2020 at 20:47
Dear Brit,
I had the interview scheduled in 2 April but following the escalation of Cov 19 in my country the embassy canceled the interview. Just asking could be a possibility for a new date within September 2020. And does the next numbers (VB of May) have more priority compared to us.
Regards
March 20, 2020 at 22:03
No one knows the answers you are looking for. Wait and see.
March 20, 2020 at 17:15
Does kcc send 2NL to the cases that become current for May?
March 20, 2020 at 21:31
They started sending the 2NLs, but they are also sending cancellation notices for May interviews.
March 20, 2020 at 22:22
In albania all that received the 2nl yesterday today receive an email from kcc not embassy that interviews are canceled and sorry for this convenience. Does this mean the the process of dv 2020 is canceled or that the interviews will be scheduled in a later moment? Is there any possibility to postpone the final of the fiscal year for example not in september but as many month as it will be in stand by?
March 21, 2020 at 01:27
DV2020 is not cancelled. If embassies reopen they will try to reschedule appointments. The deadline cannot be extended however.
March 21, 2020 at 07:16
Hmmm this is not good…. Got visas already just waiting for travel ban to be uplifted…. Pray it happens soon
March 21, 2020 at 13:57
Than this is a serious risk for high numbers. I am 45k eu
March 20, 2020 at 12:03
Hello sir?
Do you think EU54xxx (Albania) still has a chance because there are only 4 months left?
Thank you
March 20, 2020 at 15:08
With everything going on, there is obviously risk now. All you can do is wait and see.
March 20, 2020 at 10:56
Hi Brit,
Thanks for all this help.
I will be current in May, I am waiting for the doctor documents, so I can mail everything in April and take vantage of early filing.
I was wondering, that it is true that maybe this is year AOS process will be faster, but the USCIS won’t schedule any in person interview, and the police stop the biometric service (for the moment)
So I was wondering, how could be faster, if at the end everything is in pause in the country too?
Sorry if my question look like stupid, I would like just to understand how they are going to handle the DV lottery.
Thank you very much
March 20, 2020 at 15:03
This has never happened before – so I don’t know.
March 20, 2020 at 10:14
Hi Britt,
Can the 330$ administrative fee and the 1225$ AOS fee put together is one payment check for 3 persons. Thank you and have a nice day.
March 20, 2020 at 15:00
Please don’t repeat questions already answered.
https://britsimonsays.com/status-update-video-posted/comment-page-1/#comment-222184
March 21, 2020 at 11:10
Thank you for responding Britt,
Actually I wanted to ask if I can put all the fee for the AOS in one check for the whole family or we have to make a check for each person in the AOS package. Thank you Britt and have a nice day.
March 21, 2020 at 16:23
Click the link I gave you!
March 20, 2020 at 09:41
One question Sir…
Does KCC still working and checking docs and ds260’s and scheduling interviews?
For example, I’m in EU in small country of 3.5M people and only 45 infected by virus.
USA embassy here told me that they will continue with interviews in my country.
I’m EU 34xxx.
You think I got some chances because my country is still good?
March 20, 2020 at 14:58
KCC will probably continue to some extent.
Wait and see.
April 8, 2020 at 21:37
Hi, for what it is worth, I called KCC two days ago with queries, and asked them this question at the same time. At that stage they said they were open “just like any other day”.
March 21, 2020 at 09:11
Sir, do you know what is the highest cn which approved doc recieved by kcc?
March 21, 2020 at 16:21
No.
March 20, 2020 at 08:45
Simon, what is amazing about your blog is that I sometimes feel like you are talking about my particular case and there is no doubt others feel the same :)! Tourism/hospitality is my career and this is a very important reminder to have alternative plans…. With high case numbers though 🙂 , let’s wait and see what the future holds for us. Thank you Simon. Your videos are very very meaningful. Keep it up and stay safe
March 20, 2020 at 14:57
You too.
March 20, 2020 at 06:51
For those who are not yet current (I expect mine to be current in June) AS19XXX, with the situation of delay, looking at the reality, is it worth pursuing the DV? I am looking at the reality of the picture now. I was optimistic until yestrday till i saw the clearer view now. I belong to the software industry. So not sure how much of that is impacted in terms of employment.
Your comments are appreciated. Thanks again for everything.
March 20, 2020 at 14:50
The economic impact will be felt Globally. However, skilled jobs such as software will be fast to recover. The real question is do you feel better in a recovering USA, or a recovering home country.
March 20, 2020 at 05:35
Hi Brit,
Do you think if the United States sends checks to Americans will it also include green card holders as well?
March 20, 2020 at 05:47
I don’t know for sure because the bill is not passed, but it would probably include LPRs.