The new visa bulletin has been released, but in not a huge surprise the numbers have not increased, AT ALL. It is a complete repeat of the numbers from last month. After the HUGE numbers last month, this really shouldn’t be considered a surprise.
More surprising to me is that they still have not published the selectee numbers for the year. As I explained before – this is HIGHLY unusual. I don’t know why they have done that – it may be a decision on their part, or it may be due to the UK lawsuit I have going, OR it may just be a simple mistake – really – I would not be at all surprised with any of those options.

Those that are current, and have forms processed early enough, can normally expect their 2NL in the next 2 to 3 weeks from now. This is supposed to be the same every month. VB from the 8th to the 15th of each month, and 2NLs in the second half of the month. For the last few months there have been 2NLs in daily batches, but we seem to be moving to a more normal procedure where almost all the 2NLs are sent before the end of the month, with just a handful being sent earlier this month. I would normally expect all the interview 2NLs to have all been sent by the end of this month, but we can see recently they are exceeding that to try and get as many interviews in as possible. They can be sent right up until the last day of the month, and even the first few days of the following month during exceptional times.
To those new to looking at VBs, let me explain what the “except” XXX country means – and you can also read this post on how to read the visa bulletin.

October 24, 2025 at 03:07
Hi Simon,
I’m hoping you might be able to offer some insight into my situation with the DV process through the Sydney Consulate (Australia).
I didn’t receive my 2NL/interview notice until October 8, 2025, due to a technical issue that was acknowledged by the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC). Because of that delay, I was only given 20 days instead of the usual 30 to send in my required documents.
I mailed everything to the Sydney Consulate immediately after receiving the notice, but I’ve now received an email stating that several original documents are missing, including my original birth certificate, original education certificate, and AFP National Police Check (Name and Fingerprint Check).
The green instruction form provided by the consulate was quite unclear and didn’t specify that original versions of those documents were required or that the AFP check needed fingerprints. I’ve since learned that the AFP police check takes around two weeks to process, but the email I just received is asking that all missing originals be received by mail within 5 days, or my interview could be cancelled.
Given that the shortened submission window was due to KCC’s technical issue, this has left me in an impossible position. I’ve done everything as quickly as possible, but processing times for official documents are out of my control.
Have you seen similar issues this year where applicants received their 2NLs late due to KCC errors and were then given reduced timeframes to submit documents? Do you know if the consulates typically allow some flexibility in these cases when there’s documented proof of technical delays?
Thanks so much for your time. Any guidance or insight would be really appreciated.
October 24, 2025 at 10:12
The process for documents is brand new – they did not do this before and no other embassy is behaving like that. They actually did reduce their 30 day window to 20 days.
It remains to be seen whether they will actually cancel interviews. That would be very odd. IN every other embassy if you are missing a document, you interview anyway as planned and follow up after the interview with the document. So – that should be the process Sydney follow – but since this is new, I don’t know what they will do.
Get the documents back to them that you can, and say to them that you would like to attend the interview as planned, and you understand you will be on 221g status while the missing police check is provided.
October 7, 2025 at 21:48
Hi Simon,
I received an email from the Sydney Consulate requesting confirmation for interview in November.
In the email they stated: “Your appointment will be cancelled if your documents are not received thirty (30) days before your interview.”
A document they have requested is a Police Check – which will take at the earliest 1 month from today to receive due to availability of appointments.
Given I won’t have this key document 30 days before my interview – will they still allow me to attend or will I have to reschedule this interview?
Really appreciate all the hard work you do in helping fellow Diversity Visa applicants!
October 7, 2025 at 22:21
The 30 days thing won’t be applied hard and fast. They just responded to someone else that 20 days would still be OK – and I find it doubtful that they would actually cancel interviews at all to be honest.
October 2, 2025 at 23:24
Hi Simon,
I need urgent help with my Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery process.
I was selected for the DV2026 program (case number 2026OC000005XX) and recently received an email from the U.S. Consulate in Sydney (Australia) saying my case had been transferred from KCC. The email stated that I had 24 hours to confirm my interview appointment, but when I log into the Entrant Status Check (ESC) site, all I see is the original selection notice. There’s no sign of the 2NL (Second Notification Letter), which should contain my interview date and time. I have checked my emails daily and not received anything up until now.
I’ve emailed both KCC and the Sydney Consulate, but the consulate doesn’t take phone calls, and so far I’ve had no response.
At this point, I’m very stressed as the 24-hour confirmation window is closing, and I don’t want to miss my chance.
How did I resolve this? Any urgent advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much
October 2, 2025 at 23:36
Relax. This isn’t a big deal. You don’t need the 2NL to register, but even if you did you can ignore the 24 hour thing. Just relax.
October 1, 2025 at 23:28
Hi Brit Simon,
My case number is 7xxx (Asia) for dv 2026, I submitted my DS 260 in may 2025 but so far no news from them…. is this normal? Should I have received 2NL a long time ago? My case number was already current a long time ago…
October 1, 2025 at 23:43
Its not abnormal, but you can email KCC to ask progress of you want.
September 29, 2025 at 18:30
Hi, Simon I wanted to consult you on the website xarthisius.xyz is it outdated or is there another link? Thanks
September 29, 2025 at 18:53
It is still correct
https://dvcharts.xarthisius.xyz/ceacFY25.html
September 29, 2025 at 08:36
Hello BritSimon
I hope you are doing well
Is it confirmed for $1 DV lottery 2027?
September 29, 2025 at 09:12
It will only be “confirmed” when the lottery instructions are released.
September 26, 2025 at 17:53
Hi Simon, it seems like the DV2027 Entry date will not follow the normal procedure, if you study the previous years entry date procedure, You will see that it supposed to start on October 1st to November 4th and they normally publish instructions 1 week to…
I can see that the delay may be for them to implement the passport and $1 fees.
What’s your thoughts on that? What’s the possibility for DOS to implement either or both??
September 26, 2025 at 19:26
It may be delayed for that – but I don’t have any more info to make an informed guess. So – let’s wait until next week….
September 26, 2025 at 08:51
Hello BritSimon
I’ve a question regarding the 2026 Dv lottery please
Will the 2026 DV Lottery be payable now?
Thank you for the feedback
September 26, 2025 at 09:52
Perhaps you mean the DV2027 lottery. The entry period for that will be announced soon
September 27, 2025 at 00:00
Yes
I mean DV2027
September 19, 2025 at 11:42
Hi,
I hope you are well.
I have a question regarding the DV2026 second visa bulletin. It has been 5 business days since the second bulletin was released. Some forum users have received interview appointments on the 4th and 5th business day after the second bulletin. Interestingly, their appointments were scheduled in October.
From what we observe, it seems that no one has received appointments for November yet. In your opinion, will interview scheduling continue in the coming days, or is it normal for this temporary stagnation to occur?
I apologize for asking so many questions. I am somewhat anxious and concerned because of my case number (2026EU000073XX). My case was transferred to Bangkok before the new August 28 rules were announced, and I am unsure how these rules might affect my interview scheduling or requirements. This is why I have been asking frequent questions.
Thank you very much for your kind guidance.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused, and I greatly appreciate your help.
September 19, 2025 at 13:43
I assume you are mainly referring to Ankara, but I don’t have any “inside” information, and reliable data is in short supply. So – I am not going to try and interpret what may or may not be happening.
September 18, 2025 at 09:57
Have the 2nls for the September Visa bulletin been released?
September 18, 2025 at 10:25
Some have, yes.
September 17, 2025 at 23:12
Hey britsimon iam AF29K how can i tell if my ds has been processed….?
September 17, 2025 at 23:46
You email KCC and ask them.
September 17, 2025 at 16:05
Hi Simon, is it true that the DV lottery entry requires now $1 fees? If so, which method are we gonna pay???
September 17, 2025 at 16:31
Yes there has been a new rule published, BUT it is not sure that it will apply in the next entry period. We have to wait and see the details…
September 17, 2025 at 10:18
Hi BritSimon plz any update on the $1 DV registration application fee to be implemented?
September 17, 2025 at 12:12
Not much to say. It’s a published rule – but the announcement says they need 30 days notice to implement it – so when DV2027 is announced we will see whether they implement it or not.
September 14, 2025 at 12:25
i just viewed ds260 and at top i saw expiration date 10/31/2025 what does that mean ?
September 14, 2025 at 15:36
It is simply about the form version – not your case. You can ignore it.
September 13, 2025 at 15:42
Unrelated question but anyone else faces the issues of CEAC website for DS260 just times out within seconds and goes to the login page every single time on every browser?
September 13, 2025 at 15:54
No
September 28, 2025 at 17:26
That true the question of Nick for Ceac.state.gov about Ds260 timeout it will few seconds.
And what about that issue’s?
September 15, 2025 at 08:35
yes
September 13, 2025 at 06:02
Hey 👋,
I want to ask do you think there is any relation between the announcement regarding the embassy changes on August 28 and the second bulletin remaining unchanged? Some people think this was deliberately done to move cases back to the main post that had already been transferred to another post.
September 13, 2025 at 09:13
The first bulletin was completely overblown, so it isn’t surprising at all that there is no movement for the second bulletin. I very much doubt that has anything to do with the recent announcements.
September 13, 2025 at 05:24
They still haven’t released the selectee numbers. Is it possible that they withhold that information from the public altogether moving forward?
September 13, 2025 at 09:10
Maybe. Seems nuts – but we will see.
September 13, 2025 at 02:45
Hello Simon,
I would like to ask about the 2NL process. Normally, how many days after the Visa Bulletin is released does KCC start sending 2NLs to DV winners?
For DV2026, some case numbers are already current for October, but no 2NL has been received yet. Could you please clarify the usual timing?
September 13, 2025 at 09:09
That answer is in the article above, just like it is every month…
September 13, 2025 at 02:30
Hi Simon,
I hope you’re doing well! I’m excited to share that I recently got my visa from Nairobi and plan to travel before September 30th. Even though it expires in February next year, I feel it’s wise to seize this opportunity before the end of the 2025 fiscal year. I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead!
September 13, 2025 at 09:08
Best of luck.
September 13, 2025 at 00:46
Is this the same fffing circus as last year?
September 14, 2025 at 06:44
Yes
September 12, 2025 at 18:03
Still no admission or notification about the UK shambles. Would they defer to your court case result for the potential re-entry of applicants or simply ignore it until October 25 when entry reopens for 2028?
September 12, 2025 at 19:30
I don’t know what they will do about announcing selectee numbers, but I have no doubt that we will see UK winners in DV2026.
September 12, 2025 at 18:01
So it means there will be a second? Am saying this bcoz we don’t know the total selected.
September 12, 2025 at 19:29
We don’t know, one way or another.
September 13, 2025 at 09:21
Hi Simon,
I am from ethiopia and I am dv winner 2026 and i have submitted DS260 on MAY 15 ,my case number is 9K and I would like to know when will I receive the 2nl?
September 13, 2025 at 11:08
You can only be scheduled when your case is current, your DS260 is processed and your embassy makes the capacity available. I don’t know when all those things will be true in your specific case.
September 15, 2025 at 12:18
Hi Simon
My case number 9k so it’s current since the visa bulletin is under 17500. Do you think i will receive 2nl end of September?
With regards ✨️
September 15, 2025 at 12:24
I don’t know.
As well as being current, your DS260 needs to have completed processing, AND your embassy has to have capacity. I don’t know those things…
September 12, 2025 at 17:58
My name is Alex mensah from Ghana Africa I’m still waiting for my faaback
September 12, 2025 at 19:29
Faaback??