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February 16, 2016 at 12:31
what about dv process and pregnancy as well as new comer child?
February 16, 2016 at 14:22
Thanks – I will work on that.
June 19, 2018 at 14:15
Hi Mr Simon
I have been selected for the DV 2019.But l only have completed grade 10 and other certificates like beauty salon training (1year),4month computer training and I had thought 4 years in kindergarten as an assistant teacher. But the instruction says selectees must at least complete grade12 and not to aplay below this.So what shall l do. Do l have a chance because my children are top and smart students.One female 19 years old 11th and the other 12 years old boy 6th. What shall l do to win the visa.
Thanks for your help!!!
June 19, 2018 at 18:09
From what you are saying you are unlikely to be approved. In that case, proceeding would be a waste of time and money.
February 26, 2016 at 19:43
Hi we have just arrived in the USA through the DV lottery and have missed the ACA dates to enroll for healthcare as they finished on the 15th feb, so whilst we are waiting to find jobs have taken travel insurance through a company in Australia to cover any hospital visits we may need etc, the only thing is I have just realized this doesn’t cover Dental and this morning my daughter has woken up with a throbbing tooth, any advise on Dental plans in the USA we are staying in Gilroy California ATM whilst we wait for my husbands Nursing license to be recognized, so far this process has taken 6 months so I would advise any Nurses to start this process at least a year in advance so you don’t end up in our situation. We have been in the country 2 weeks so far and even though we spent a year planning completely overlooked Dental.
February 26, 2016 at 19:53
Immigration is a life event that means you can enroll in ACA outside of the annual enrollment period.
In the immediate term, you probably have no choice but to pay for the dental treatment directly. Tell the dentist you are uninsured and they will normally negotiate a lower fee structure (because the “full” prices for anything are eye watering.
Good advice on the credentials timing. Starting off in a country is hard.
March 8, 2016 at 21:35
Dear Brit
My wife is the principal… But I have just renewed my passport and now I have a new passport number.
Is it required that I ask to unlock and change the passport number and expiry date ..?
My number is AS71XX
Thank you
March 8, 2016 at 22:25
You could go to the interview without correcting that, but because you have a lot of time since you are not current yet, you should unlock and correct it. That will reduce the chance of issues during the interview.
March 18, 2016 at 12:41
1- what are the financial supportive documents / information to be submitted at the time of the interview?
2- is there any minimum cash amount required for a family of 5 to be in main applicant’ s bank account ??
3- is cash alone ok or having a sponsor in USA is a must?
4- what are the specific vaccinations we have to complete and are required by the embassy at the time of interview?
Many thx Brit
March 18, 2016 at 14:36
1, 2, and 3 – https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
4. The panel doctor will decide what you need.
March 29, 2016 at 21:27
What Documents are required to fill out DS260 form?
March 30, 2016 at 02:11
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-do-i-complete-the-ds260/
March 29, 2016 at 23:40
how to make the “USCIS immigrant fee payment” I created an account but when I selected “USCIS immigrant fee ” it doesn’ t work .I can’t understand Many thnx
March 30, 2016 at 01:11
Follow the instructions you were given by the embassy.
May 7, 2016 at 09:18
Hello))
I have so many questions to ask you hoping you will help me a lot.
First I live in Belarus and the country where I need to go for an interview is Poland, but the latter needs a visa for visiting. Can I change the interview location into Russia cause it will be easier for me?
May 7, 2016 at 18:11
Are you 2016 or 2017? To get an interview in Russia you would need to quote a Russian address as your current address.
May 10, 2016 at 14:57
Thank you, I guessed so. My current address is not in Russia. I will apply in Poland. Thank you again.
May 9, 2016 at 23:31
Hi
I have applied for dv lottery visa and my number is 20171Z83BRTxxxx l have not been selected and l want to go for J1 work and travel program for the 2nd time is this going to low my chances of getting a J1 visa?
What if l don’t mention that l have applied for the dv lottery visa in my application form for the J1 visa will that be found ?
May 9, 2016 at 23:33
Entering the lottery and not getting selected is not “applying for the lottery visa”. It isn’t a problem.
May 11, 2016 at 08:58
That means l don’t have to mention on the J1 visa application that l have applied for permanent residence visa?
May 12, 2016 at 07:05
What if l don’t mention that l have applied for the dv lottery visa in my application form for the J1 visa will that be found ?
May 12, 2016 at 13:32
I already told you it is not a problem.
May 10, 2016 at 08:49
That means l don’t have to mention on the J1 visa application that l have applied for permanent residence visa?
May 10, 2016 at 13:33
What means???? What conversation is this about?
May 11, 2016 at 12:12
Hello)
Please tell me if it is necessary to write zip-codes in the application ds-260 and how to write properly street addresses, first number of a house, then name of the street in full and apartment, like this – 3 Novaya St Apt 240?
Thank you
May 11, 2016 at 14:02
If the address is in your country, just write it as you would in your country!
May 12, 2016 at 06:06
Good morning, thank you. I have one more question. I lived in another city for a year but I don’t remember the whole address, only the city and the street. Should I write instead of zip code “I don’t remember”?
Sorry for my simple questions.
May 12, 2016 at 13:37
Just write as best as you can remember. It is trivial…
May 16, 2016 at 21:34
Should I write much about my present and past jobs? Feeling embarassed a bit
May 16, 2016 at 21:39
You are supposed to list your work history – so yes.
May 23, 2016 at 12:26
Hi
If I write the name of my secondary school where I finished the 10th and 11th forms. Is that ok? We have only 2 types of secondary schools in our country: basic (compulsory) and upper secondary (not compulsory).
May 23, 2016 at 13:56
List it all.
May 23, 2016 at 12:33
I mean our upper secondary schools are not the same as high schools in the USA,
May 23, 2016 at 16:38
Writing literally Secondary school (my 16th and 17th years) instead of High school is ok?
May 23, 2016 at 17:34
Would that be enough to enter a University with no further education?
May 24, 2016 at 07:16
sure, not)). Ok, I have 3 educational documents: 1. certificate of basic education (1st-9th forms) 2. certificate of secondary education (10th-11th forms) 3. diploma of higher education. It would not be wrong if I list them all, right?
May 24, 2016 at 15:29
List them all.
May 25, 2016 at 06:02
Thank you a lot. You are doing a great job!
May 29, 2016 at 19:23
Evening Brit,
We are three in a family – my husband, son and I (the principal applicant).
Now my husband will have to perform his contract and he can not immigrate along with me immediately, only in 3 years.
My question is as follows: should he complete and send his application right now?
May 29, 2016 at 20:52
He can send the application and try to keep the GC alive or not request a GC and you can sponsor him later (although that would be a more complicated process and take 2 years.
May 30, 2016 at 07:25
Thank you.
I see, there are two ways out in this situation, but if his visa upon the GC expires and he does not cross the us border, will it be possible to ask for an extension of it? I guess, no. Could you pls propose any other variant?
May 30, 2016 at 15:53
He can’t extend it.
He can enter the USA within the original validity (6 months after issuance). Then he could stay in the USA a few weeks and during that time apply for a re-entry permit which allows up to 2 years absence. That would be the best plan.
June 19, 2016 at 12:50
Hello, thanks for all your replies. I have one more question for you to answer. If I do not remember exactly the name of the street where I worked in 2007-2008, to tell the truth I remember, but not sure about it, should I write that street or write so that I do not remember?
June 19, 2016 at 17:09
Write your best guess.
June 18, 2016 at 09:55
I am the selectee from Nepal and my case number is 2017AS000059XX. Am i safe with this case number?
June 18, 2016 at 15:01
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
June 19, 2016 at 13:01
I am in Europe and my case number ends in 7885. Should I hurrying up with my application which is ds-260? Or it doesn’t matter much if I submit in July or in January for example, right?
June 19, 2016 at 17:09
You can delay if you wish.
June 20, 2016 at 07:51
ok, thank you, what month is the last for submission DS-260?
June 20, 2016 at 14:18
There is no formal date. May is late, June is risky, July is too late.
June 21, 2016 at 20:31
Sorry for not replying as I had to.
I see, thankee. So, what do you think it would be better to submit DS-260 in July and then to make changes in the appointment at the embassy or to delay and submit later, for instance in January?
June 21, 2016 at 21:39
I don’t know what you are trying to achieve – so I can’t tell you “the best” option. However, delaying submission until January is not risky.
June 23, 2016 at 07:50
Hi, Brit! Thanks for your really precious comments. My spouse is a military officer working on a contractual basis until July 3, 2019. I assume delaying a submission would be the best option for us as my kid and I can immigrate later. My spouse first will join us there for a while, then ask for a re-entry permit and return home until July 3, 2019. So the period of his absence will be much shorter, I believe. By the way, does the fact that he is a military and has the permission to carry a pistol at work have an effect on the council’s decision to be made or not? Maybe, we should not even try to submit, it will be waste of time and money. Thank you)
June 23, 2016 at 13:43
Yes, delay your submission until April/May at most.
The pistol is not a problem.
June 21, 2016 at 11:19
I see, thankee. So, what do you think it would be better to submit DS-260 in July and then to make changes in the appointment at the embassy or to delay and submit later, for instance in January?
June 21, 2016 at 15:08
You have not replied to our earlier conversation – so I am not going to answer since I cannot know the context!
June 23, 2016 at 21:58
Greetings and many thanks for all your replies to me. It is so kind of you.
Please tell me what the expiration date means in my ds-260. It is 03/31/2017. Should I apply till that date?
Thanks in advance.
June 23, 2016 at 23:16
It is about the form itself – not your case. Ignore the date.
June 27, 2016 at 12:49
Hello,
Thank you, Simon. In this regard I have a new question to you. I already won DV-2017 but due to the problems mentioned above I’d like to delay submitting the application and want to submit a new entry for DV-2018. Is it allowed?
June 27, 2016 at 13:49
You can re-enter DV2018 this October, and IF by some chance you got selected again, you would know in May of next year, and you could process on that win. However, winning twice is rare (outside of OC region). If you don’t win you could then submit your DS260 for DV2017, and there would be enough time for an interview before the end of the year.
June 27, 2016 at 18:36
Thanks for commenting a lot.
June 29, 2016 at 08:11
Hello,
Today I checked my child’s photo again I had sent for the entry and felt sad. Its technical characteristics are right, but as for the head size it doesn’t comply with the requirements. The head is too big and there’s a shadow under the chin. Will there be a disqualification further?
Thanks.
June 29, 2016 at 14:28
Would you please stop stressing about every trivial detail!!!!
R E L A X
June 30, 2016 at 11:41
You are absolutely right. I am too stressed out about the whole situation, because it means so much to me. Thank you, Simon! I do appreciate every comment of yours, rely on them, and I am going to proceed, no doubt.
Have a nice weekend:)
July 1, 2016 at 11:49
Dear Simon,
Regretfully, my husband cannot request for a GC now. His job is too serious for that. But I won’t give up and as far as I understand, I shouldn’t fill in his application form and answering the questions “Is your spouse immigrating to the U.S. with you?” and “Is your spouse immigrating to the U.S. at a later date to join you?” my both replies must be “No”. Am I right?
Thank you.
July 1, 2016 at 14:07
Correct
October 24, 2019 at 00:21
Dear Brit,
Not sure if this post is still valid, but What if i plan later to call my kids to the States (with another process of course, and before they turn 21), should i answer “Not immigrating with me”; then at a later date join me, as YES? Thank you for your time.
Ps. Wife is not going, answered No to everything regarding this question.
October 24, 2019 at 00:59
Yes
July 14, 2016 at 08:39
Hello Simon,
Hope you are fine today. My new question is as follows:
1. Besides working as a foreign sales customer service specialist I also give English lessons to kids, pupils and students as a private English tutor, but I have no any legal document to prove it except for my diploma of higher education. Should I mention about it or leave it?
Thank you a lot.
July 14, 2016 at 14:08
It’s up to you….
September 23, 2016 at 08:44
Good morning dear Simon,
Hope you are doing great.
Please reply to my question regarding an entry for DV-2018:
1. Should I enter my mailing address in English or transliterate it from my native language?
Thank you very much for your time and careful attention in advance.
Regards,
Alyona.
September 23, 2016 at 13:10
Write it in a way that would be understood in your country
September 28, 2016 at 12:16
Dear Simon,
If I have an Apostille affixed to my Diploma, should I translate it as it is not in English?
Thank you a million.
My best wishes,
Alyona.
September 28, 2016 at 12:53
No
October 11, 2016 at 13:14
Hello,
Do you know what is the validity of a Police Certificate? If I do it now and my interview is going to be in May, for instance, will that be right?
October 11, 2016 at 15:06
A police cert should be recent – less than 6 months old. The exception is if it is an older police cert from a foreign country which you have not revisited since the police cert was produced.
October 9, 2016 at 09:14
what if i entered married(actually i am not) and then entered my girlfriend’s photo and all the details. will i be able to take her with me if i a selected as the lottery winner, or will i be disqualified
October 9, 2016 at 14:05
It’s a risk you don’t need to take. Enter single (AND ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH!), if you win you can marry and add her that way.
October 27, 2016 at 02:11
what do you do if you are married but separeted haven’t seen your spouse in 10 years and you still list your spouse, but have not recent photo that meets the requirements
October 27, 2016 at 05:24
Well you can risk not using a recent photo if the spouse is not going to attend the interview. But it is a risk.
November 12, 2016 at 16:31
Hello,
In ds-260 there’s a question about permament residence in the US. I am having an issue. My two friends are living in the US and both are residents. The one can give the address for the Green card to be mailed but has no opportunity to room me. The other is ready to lodge me but is afraid to send me the address for a permament living. She says that the embassy will call her and ask lots of questions. Is that true?
What would you advise me in this case?
I appreciate your reply a lot.
Alyona.
November 12, 2016 at 20:41
The embassy won’t call her. Just use your best judgement.
December 6, 2016 at 13:26
Good day Simon,
Should I write my patronymic name in “other names used” if I got married and only changed my surname? I remember that when I was issued a previous passport, there was no patronymic name written in English, only in my native language. Yet, it is translated from Russian in my birth certificate.
Thank you very much.
Best wishes.
December 6, 2016 at 14:35
Yes.
December 7, 2016 at 12:17
hello,
thanks.
My child is only 5 years old. He has no phone or email. May I write mine in his application being the main applicant?
Enjoy the day!
December 7, 2016 at 15:08
Of course.
December 9, 2016 at 18:44
Hello,
If an applicant serves in the army, and the place where he does it has no street or whatever, as it is just a military unit, may I write in “The Employer Address” as follows: Military Unit, no street?
Thank you
December 9, 2016 at 19:10
You would give the military postal address.
January 15, 2017 at 14:00
Good day dear Simon,
My application has already been sent but I am going to be unoccupied after January 21, 2017. Should I ask to open the application and make the necessary chahges?
Thank you in advance.
January 15, 2017 at 15:26
There is no need
January 17, 2017 at 06:00
Dear Simon,
I am going to be a certified translator soon. May I myself translate my personal documents needed for the US embassy?
Many thanks.
January 17, 2017 at 15:14
No.
January 24, 2017 at 09:34
Dear Simon,
Does unlocking of submitted applications substantially slow down the process of scheduling interviews?
Thank you
January 24, 2017 at 20:56
Google search “britsimon does unlocking cause delays”
January 16, 2017 at 05:58
Dear BritSimon,
I filed I-130 for my mom & dad and they both got approved. Now, while filling out DS-260 online form for my mom, I am bit confused about following questions. I would like to apply DS-260 (consular processing) for my mom first, and then after her interview is completed, I would initiate 2nd half of my dad’s process – filling out DS-260 and so on.
Under this circumstances, how should following be answered for my mom’s form
Is your spouse immigrating to the u.s. with you? No
Is your spouse immigrating to the U.S. at a later date to join you? Yes or No?
Do you have documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with U.S. law? There are no complete documentation as such as of now, but I suppose as part of the medical examination this will be provided (after getting undocumented vaccines) which can then be submitted during the interview. Should I answer “Yes” then?
In advance, thank you so much!
January 16, 2017 at 16:56
I only advise on DV lottery cases.
March 21, 2017 at 22:56
Hello Simon
Due to the new Trump’s administration. I think it is important to have experiences and recommendations of how handle into U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a port-of-entry.
For example:
1. What to say to their questions
2. What documentation give them (visa, sealed packet, record vacinattion, x-rays, etc)
Thanks
March 21, 2017 at 23:40
The POE experience is still the same. Answer questions honestly (you will hardly be asked anything at all. Give them the packet. It really isn’t any problem.
May 12, 2017 at 17:19
Question 1: Submitting original documents / certified copies and photocopies of each document. If I only bring originals (and not certified copies) to the interview, will they take the original certificates, or will they take the photocopy that we also need to bring? Sorry about a simple question, but the instruction is unclear – I’m not sure if I have to make certified copies of everything just in case I don’t want to give away my original education certificates.
Question 2: Evidence of vaccinations. I have an old health clinic card from Finland, as I got my vaccinations when I was a kid. Do they want an official and stamped translation of this paper also (from Finnish to English), or is this card something I will show to the doctors at the medical examination?
Thank you!
May 13, 2017 at 04:48
1. They will keep the photocopies.
2. Yes
June 20, 2017 at 13:46
Hi!
As of DS260 – if my child from the first marriage will not come with me to US. Am I need to complete her DS260 (I’m even don’t know her passport number) or it’s can stay INCOMPLETE and this wouldn’t affect my interview invitation? I’m afraid that’s when one of applicants is in INCOMPLETE, I can not to be invited.
Thank you and best regards.
June 20, 2017 at 14:41
It is fine to leave some derivatives as incomplete.
January 11, 2018 at 13:42
Hi,
I applied for green card lottery in the year 2016. On May 2017 I was selected. Two months later, I filled the DS 260 form and submitted it. I was replied stating that once after the processing of my form is completed I will receive a mail to inform the date of interview. But thereafter I did not receive any such mail. And I mailed KCC two times to get clarified regarding this.Again I received a reply stating that my form is being processed. I need to know why is it being delayed to get a mail about the interview. Is it because the DS 260 form was submitted two months after the confirmation of being selected ?
Please give me a clarification to this issue of mine.
Thank you!
January 11, 2018 at 14:49
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 28, 2018 at 08:10
my interview is already scheduled. I am having issue with the sponsor.He is unable to get IRS Documents.Can I change the sponsor before the interview
May 28, 2018 at 12:11
Yes
June 9, 2018 at 10:05
hello mr Am 2018dv Winner with My 7Yr Old Daughter .&thank God Our Vissa AprovedMy Quation Is 1 Is There Any Problem For My Daughter FUrther PrOcesse b/c I Want To Left Her Home Countrey Jest For Few Time .when Am Stable Get Work,,.i Will Thak Her.I Ask This Quation B/c I Heard life As Asingle Mother Is Difficalet In Usa Pleace What Is Ur Advice?thank U
June 9, 2018 at 14:21
Your daughter can come later, but must use her visa before the expiry date,
June 30, 2018 at 13:04
Hi simon
Military deteils mistake what happen in this situzation ?
Thanks
June 30, 2018 at 14:57
I don’t know because your question is so vague.
July 1, 2018 at 11:53
Hi simon
I mean write FOA for military detelis. what happen if that detelis is mistake .
Sorry for vague question
Thanks
July 1, 2018 at 14:33
Too vague to answer.
August 12, 2018 at 08:16
On form ds-260, does a 12 year old child need to electronically sign the form herself? or can her parent click the sign button for her?
August 12, 2018 at 14:00
No one cares who clicks.
August 28, 2018 at 11:10
Hello Simon please i need your help
My parents both submitted their forms separetly stating am their only son…..so can I still apply for the program making it (3) or will it lead to disqualification and am 18 years old
August 28, 2018 at 14:20
You can apply also.
October 30, 2018 at 19:23
What to expect at your medical examination? Mine was yesterday.
The doctor takes some of your blood, your urine, takes an upper body x ray, gives you the flu vaccine and sends the results to the US Embassy.
I knew all of this because I read the DV instrustions from the US, but what I didn’t know was that he takes a look at your Whole body. I was surprised when he said to pull down my underwear… So yeah he saw my penis. (It was written in the instructions of the US dv lottery for my country to be prepared to take off your clothes but I thought it was for the x ray.)
Anyway,
Was he looking for any skin diseases, Sex change operations etc?
October 30, 2018 at 22:55
Syphilis and Gonorrhea, either of which can cause denial. I’m constantly amazed that some people think stripping in front of a doctor is something of a shock. Wait until you’re 50. You have bigger surprises coming!
October 31, 2018 at 16:33
I wasnt shocked, it was just something that I had never read or heard before. You should make a FAQ page about the medical exam, it costed 205 dollars per person. The doc also gave me a CD to give to the us border/customs, if I get the visa.
Also thank you 🙂
October 31, 2018 at 21:01
The exam and the costs vary per country.
October 31, 2018 at 20:26
Hi sir, BritSimon
I wish to ask you i won the 2019 DV, i was married in at end of 2012 year and having two children,
I have submitted 260DV online,
So my doubt is that which i have it i didn’t remember my original DV was single or married bcz on that time when i was applying for DV i was married so i did not rememer which marital status i gave in orignal DV form now i have already 260 Dv family form, so how can i know my orignal form DV was given single or married thank you
October 31, 2018 at 21:06
Most people simply always tell the truth, then they don’t have to wonder if they lied.
April 7, 2019 at 07:51
Experience stories of new immigrants in USA
May 10, 2019 at 09:38
I was given an interview date by the KCC, which turns out to be a very awkward date for me to attend
What, if any, are the exact consequences of having rearranging the interview date?
Do you know fully the mechanics from the DV Lottery program’s side, as everything seems to be so “methodical” so, is there any allowances for rearranging appointments
Surely this must happen often for many applicants – It would be helpful to understand the consequences and/ or the mechanics that go behind it, as everything seems to run in a sequence?
There is no FAQ on this exact question, unless you can send me a link of where there is a FAQ on this
If you don’t have a FAQ on this, can I suggest this situation and what it means / what it involves
May 10, 2019 at 21:45
I have a FAQ, and I have a default position. Don’t reschedule unless it is UNAVOIDABLE. Awkward is not unavoidable.
If you do reschedule you are not guaranteed an interview date and your pre-allocated visa will be lost meaning you are gambling that they can reallocate a visa for you later.