If number isn’t selected immediately could it be selected later?

[EternalForeigner 58]

There’s little official clarity in this but if an applicant’s number isn’t selected in May, there are some who advise checking again each month or so after because it could be selected if some other selectees falter or something to that effect. 
 

Is it actually a thing that other unselected numbers may be chosen later? Or if a number isn’t selected then that’s it it’s done for the year?

[JeanneAdil 6,894]

No, if your were not among those selected as USCIS overselects as some do not qualify so extras are already there and no new drawing will take place

so they already have the over 55,000 selected

 

Here's why the DOS over-selects:

• Ineligibility:

  Some winners may not meet the requirements for a DV, such as not having the necessary education or work experience, or having criminal records. 

   
• Failure to pursue the process:

  Some winners may not be able to obtain the required documentation or financial resources in time, or they may simply choose not to pursue the visa process. 

   
• Time limitations:

  The DV program has a time window for processing applications, and the DOS needs to ensure all visas are issued before the end of the fiscal year. 

Edited Wednesday at 02:11 PM by JeanneAdil

[Sm1smom 257]

17 hours ago, EternalForeigner said:

There’s little official clarity in this but if an applicant’s number isn’t selected in May, there are some who advise checking again each month or so after because it could be selected if some other selectees falter or something to that effect. 
 

Is it actually a thing that other unselected numbers may be chosen later? Or if a number isn’t selected then that’s it it’s done for the year?

This has happened a couple of times in the past, it is not often, and I doubt additional selectees will be selected for DV 2026. Nonetheless, you may still want to keep your confirmation number and check again a couple of months down the road (not every month checking though). 

[Sm1smom 257]

9 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

No, if your were not among those selected as USCIS overselects as some do not qualify so extras are already there and no new drawing will take place

so they already have the over 55,000 selected

 

USCIS does not play any role in DV selection process, this is all done by the KCC. 

[JeanneAdil 6,894]

18 hours ago, Sm1smom said:

This has happened a couple of times in the past, it is not often, and I doubt additional selectees will be selected for DV 2026. Nonetheless, you may still want to keep your confirmation number and check again a couple of months down the road (not every month checking though). 

 DOS choses over the 55,000 entries and what happens is someone does not qualify (could be for lack or education and/or work experience) or they do not need to interview and DOS goes to the list of standbys that are already been chosen and notified

[EternalForeigner 58]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

 DOS choses over the 55,000 entries and what happens is someone does not qualify (could be for lack or education and/or work experience) or they do not need to interview and DOS goes to the list of standbys that are already been chosen and notified

Do standbys see a selected status then?

[Sm1smom 257]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

 DOS choses over the 55,000 entries and what happens is someone does not qualify (could be for lack or education and/or work experience) or they do not need to interview and DOS goes to the list of standbys that are already been chosen and notified

Hmmn no, this is not correct. That is not how the selection process works. DOS does not go down any standby list of already chosen AND notified selectees. 
 

Yes the DOS typically selects well over 55,000 in the initial selection. However, in very rare instances, if it looks like the set aside DV (which could be 50,000 and not 55,000, as a matter of fact because of the NACARA Program) will not be used up in a particular FY, the DOS may select additional applicants later in the FY. This is why the Entrant Status Check page (website where applicants check their entries) tells those not initially selected to hold on to their confirmation number until the end of the FY and check again. The DOS is not going down any list of already chosen and already notified selectees in this case.