Need Advice: DV2025 Winner with an Omission in Initial Lottery Entry

[kemaltutkun]

Hello everyone,

I am a DV2025 winner and need advice regarding a mistake I made during the lottery application process.

Here’s my situation: My spouse has a son from a previous marriage (my stepson). While completing the initial Diversity Visa lottery entry, I mistakenly did not include him in the application. At the time, I thought only family members planning to immigrate with me needed to be listed.

I have since realized this was a significant error, and I corrected it in my DS-260 form, where my stepson is now properly listed. However, I am very concerned that this oversight in the initial application may cause problems during the interview and potentially result in a denial of my visa.

Has anyone here experienced a similar situation or come across cases like this? How should I approach this issue during the interview?


Thank you in advance for your advice and insights!

 

[SusieQQQ]

You don’t mention the age of the stepson.
If the stepson is under 21, yes you should have included him. It is very clearly stated in the instructions, so unfortunately not knowing is not an excuse.There have been a number of cases of denial over this that I have heard of, but I believe I have heard of one where the CO let it go. There’s not much you can do other than hope that the CO is lenient, while preparing for the worst case outcome of denial.
if he is over 21 you were not required to list him on the initial entry (though he should be on the DS260 iirc] and it won’t be an issue.

 

[kemaltutkun]

My stepson is under 21, so I understand that my case is now at the discretion of the Consular Officer. I plan to explain the situation honestly during the interview. I am fully aware that there is no way to undo the mistake I made, but I still want to try my chance.