DV interview questions
This question comes up often – what are the typical DV interview questions? People are nervous about the interview as if they are going to be asked some really difficult questions or be held for an hour being questioned like a prisoner!!!! I have known people who want to prepare and practice their answers to all possible questions – just to be safe!
Well RELAX! The interview is usually a complete anticlimax. In a typical Embassy appointment there will be two or three stages. It isn’t always like this, but this will give an idea.
First you will be called to a window and asked to present some minimum documentation (Passports, birth certs etc). You will be asked to pay for the fee ($330) and that might be at a cashiers window.
Then you will be called for the actual interview which will typically last a very few minutes – sometimes less than 2 minutes!
The CO will look at your paperwork, and may request additional documents. They then may ask general questions such as:-
“Where did you study?”
“What work do you normally do?”
“Where will you live in the USA?”
“Who will you live with in the USA?”
“What is your relationship with the people you will live with?”
For most people that is the most that will be asked – and they are not looking to trick you or catch you out. If something needs more explanation or documentation they may go into that – but again it isn’t normally in depth. If you have recently married, you can expect some questions about your marriage (where you met, what trips you have taken together and so on).
Obviously the best answers are the most real/honest answers. Don’t try and impress the CO or say what you think they want to hear. As long as you meet the requirements and have followed the instructions the visa will be approved!!!
You can also read many accounts of actual DV interviews at this link –
December 14, 2016 at 14:24
Hi Mr.Simon
I want to ask about the sponsor ,does the us embassy in cairo need it or just an address in USA for the dv immigration
December 14, 2016 at 15:01
Cairo often ask who will be your host/sponsor.
December 27, 2016 at 08:42
Hello there.on behalf of Ethiopian dv 2017 winner i want to say sorry.there is no body to share theire interview exprience yet.Ethiopians winner think .
December 27, 2016 at 16:24
There are some…
https://britsimonsays.com/interview-experience-stories/
January 3, 2017 at 21:54
Hello brit..thankyou so much for this blog it has help me & my husband alot. Just a question we are having our interview on Feb 6th. My husband & i we are not employed anywhere,but we do sell cakes from home…we pass our secondary high level school. Will we get the visa?
January 3, 2017 at 22:25
I don’t know. It depends on the education of the principal selectee only – and the standard required by the embassy for your country.
January 4, 2017 at 20:10
Hello Mr. Brit Simon,
this is Sameer From Afghanistan. i am 21 years old and one of the DV winner and my case number starts with 2017. i have received a notification that my interview is on 10th January. my concern is that i am graduated from high school ( high School Diploma) and i am working with a Company which is a direct Contractor with US Army NATO/ ISAF since August 2012.0 So my question is Do is have to take any HR letter with me that can prove i have been working here at the interview date or its not necessary ?
thanks in advance for your help.
kind regards,
Sameer
January 4, 2017 at 21:06
If in doubt, take additional documents.
April 11, 2017 at 12:14
Have u finished ur interview
January 11, 2017 at 16:40
My niece is a D. Winer her interview is on 15th Feb in Nairobi. She had a D+ in her education and someone told her requirements is C and adviced her not to pay because it’s waste of money that she will not get the visa. Is it true
January 11, 2017 at 19:06
She should contact the embassy to check that.
January 24, 2017 at 12:04
Hi Cecilia, the minimum required is D- in KCSE.
January 20, 2017 at 02:31
Hi Brit,
Is Bank statement necessary while appearing in dv interview?and what about affidavit?Reference letter?My friend has sent me a reference letter without his signature..Doesit work?I am from Nepal.
January 20, 2017 at 03:13
Nepal recognize the host system through a “welcome letter”
January 21, 2017 at 13:44
Hi Simon,
I have been selected in May 2016 and submitted my application straight away, and I was single back then. I’m still waiting for my interview (not scheduled yet) and I got married couple of weeks ago. Wondering what would happen to my wife? Will she be able to go to the interview with me (although I was single in the application I submitted)?
Thanks,
Bashar
January 21, 2017 at 16:54
You unlock your DS260 immediately and add your spouse to your form and create a DS260 for her.
You will be interviewed together and they will be looking for proof that your relationship was genuine and not fraudulent to simply get an extra GC.
January 22, 2017 at 08:09
Thanks a bunch for the information Simon!
January 23, 2017 at 04:49
Hello again brit! I’m the principle applicant . and i didn’t pass my high school education. But i completed my certificate and diploma in university here. Will i get the visa?? or do i still have to attend the interview on Feb 6th???
January 23, 2017 at 05:23
I can’t be certain – that is for the CO to decide.
January 23, 2017 at 05:50
okay thanks
April 28, 2017 at 15:31
Hi wendy im winner 2017dv but icant pass 12 grade exam 2013 i get 289 score can i get my visa ?
January 23, 2017 at 15:26
Hi. We have an interview in Feb. Unfortunately an agency submitted our application and never added our youngest son. When we received confirmation his number was NOT on it.
When I completed the DS-260’s I did add him though.
What does our interview mean in terms of his case (ie. has it been overruled already?)
What did the KCC office really do? (process only or pre-selection etc…)
Or do they only decide this at interview stage?
We do not want to waste money on something that has a very unlikely possibility of being successful.
January 23, 2017 at 16:34
So your original entry did not have the child listed – but the child was already born by the time of the original entry (October 2015)? In that case denial is 100% certain.
January 24, 2017 at 09:24
He was not on the original application.
I added him at the time of completing the DS-260.
And the KC office included him as a beneficiary for the interview.
What does one make of that?
Usually I would assume that the KC office should already have denied an interview because he was not on original entry, but they offered an interview still.
We are happy to go ahead with all the costs involved if our case is not a definite denial just because of him.
Please advise
January 24, 2017 at 20:58
Like I already said, denial is 100% certain in this case. KCC do not disqualify cases – they leave that to the embassy.
January 25, 2017 at 03:23
HELLO BRIT, IM A 2017 WINNER AND WILL BE GOIG FOR INTERVIEW THIS COMING FEBRUARY. WHEN I WAS REGISTERING, I WASNT CERTAIN ABOUT MY PLACE OF BIRTH SO I CHECKED THE UNKNOWN BOX AND SUBMITTED MY ENTRY. WHEN I WAS SELECTED AND FILLING THE FORM DS 260 I ADDED MY PLACE OF BIRTH.. IS IT LIKELY THAT I WILL BE DENIAL BECAUSE I COULD NOT INCLUDE MY PLACE OF BIRTH AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION
January 25, 2017 at 04:58
I have not heard of that before, so I don’t know.
January 28, 2017 at 14:11
Hi sir,
Am please to informed you that , I’m a winner in the DV 2016 , and I submitted my DS260 on November 8,2016. How long will it’s take to get an update.
January 28, 2017 at 15:05
If your number is low enough you may get an interview 2NL in 1 or 2 months (for April or May interview)
January 29, 2017 at 20:28
Hi Sir,
Im a 2017 winner n submitted my Ds260 form Oct.3,2016. I have not being schedule a interview date up to now.I want to know how long it takes to get a interview date. 3 months or 5 months
January 30, 2017 at 02:04
If your case number is current you might get an interview in April or May.
January 30, 2017 at 07:13
Hi ,I’m 2017 winner , i added my spouse when was filling the DS-260 forms,but now i want to remove her from it.though i have not submit it yet ,I HAVE just save but want to remove my accompany.
January 30, 2017 at 07:25
You cannot remove the additional name, but you do not have to submit her form.
January 30, 2017 at 07:40
i want to add a different person as my spouse
January 30, 2017 at 17:23
You don’t just pick someone you want to add as a spouse. You add the only spouse you should have.
January 30, 2017 at 19:32
i have two wives the first said she is no more interested so i want use my second wife
January 30, 2017 at 19:37
So you will need to explain all that at the interview. They will expect divorce paperwork for the first wife. If the DS260 doesn’t allow the adding of a second spouse you will have to contact KCC.
January 30, 2017 at 14:34
Hi Simon,
I know that you don’t have a certain answer for this… But if you can just give your view on this from your experience…
I have been selected and submitted my application, still didn’t get contacted by the embassy yet (my number should be in the next bulletin or max the one after). I AM SYRIAN – one of the seven banned countries!! Do you think that I have any chance?
Thanks,
Bashar
January 30, 2017 at 15:06
You are banned for now. I can’t predict how long that will last.
February 6, 2017 at 19:27
Dear Simon, I have the same status and am from Iran. Are we banned now or can be expected our CN will be shown in the coming VB?
February 6, 2017 at 19:43
At this moment, the ban is lifted by a court ruling. The government is actively trying to appeal that decision and the ban may be reinstated. BUT in the meantime KCC is operating as normal. Check my recent posts about that.
February 6, 2017 at 03:03
Hi again Brit. I just returned from the embassy. My interview when well…i gave them all the required documents,and also paid my diversity visa. But they gave me a form to go and get the missing documents. Affidavit of support, Federal tax return forms (1040 and W2) and sponsor letter. Should i be worried???
February 6, 2017 at 04:02
It’s a shame you did not take the affidavit of support to the interview!! No need to be worried *IF* you comply with their instructions.
February 6, 2017 at 04:05
okay thanks brit! Good day
February 6, 2017 at 16:33
Hi Simon;
Our interview will be soon and i have some questions:
1-Does the interview will be for us(me and my wife) at the same time ?(I mean at the same window interview(just to support her..LOL..she is much too shy).
2-We are in Algeria so we are planning to speak in English language(French is our second language) but my wife wants to speak in Arabic Language( because her fear for being stressed due to the accent and speed questions of the CO). Shall I agree with her and let him choose the language that she want just for The self confidence?
*She’s the principal applicant and she have an intermediate level in English Language.
Thank you Simon.
February 6, 2017 at 17:33
1. Yes.
2. She should speak English preferably. The questions are not hard. Relax!
February 6, 2017 at 20:18
This is a very helpful blog! I am applying for the DV visa and am currently unmarried. My fiancee is American and currently residing in the US, and it is likely we will get married while I am in the USA. If I tell them that I intend to live with my fiancee, even though she is an American citizen, is that likely to count against me?
February 6, 2017 at 20:26
No.
February 9, 2017 at 09:39
Hi,
My husband was a 2017 winner in France, 2017EU00016***, the interview was yesterday (februrary 8th 2017) in Paris. I was so stressed about this interview because I’m in love with New-York and I really want to move over there. After we gave the papers and paid we went to another counter to start the interview, the woman was really nice, she spoke sometimes in french and sometimes in english.
During two weeks, I was training my husband, I was asking different questions in english with the help of your testimonials.
So the d-day, he was ready, but it wasn’t necessary. The woman ask some questions like
did you do overstay in USA?
did you have problems with the law?
did you have special visa to go to USA?
where and when do you want to move?
And after she said “congratulations” she asked to my husband “what do you want to do in America?”
Bonne journée and it was done…
THANKS to brit simon, because your website was my bible from the start to the interview…and I still need it because I’m pregnant and I already find on the website all the answers.
February 9, 2017 at 14:41
Congratulations!
February 16, 2017 at 18:46
Hi Simon pls I filled my dv forms on October 2016. pls I want to ask that when will I go for the interview appointment.Thanks
February 16, 2017 at 18:48
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions
February 22, 2017 at 06:51
Hi dear, have wrong date of birth on my result but correct on all other documents and I want to fill my ds 260 form which date of birth should i enter please sir.
February 22, 2017 at 14:17
THe CORRECT date of birth (from birth cert and passport)
February 26, 2017 at 08:15
I want to know how much it takes to receive passport after approval in interview because they said to me it’ll take 2 weeks and tomorrow is last day and didn’t receive anything ?
February 26, 2017 at 16:00
Patience.
February 26, 2017 at 15:01
Hi Simon pls am from Ghana and am among of the dv selectee i wanted to know if the US embassy is still issues the visa’s for the Ghanaian. am a little bit afraid of Mr. Trump travelling ban because my friend in America told me that he has started sacking the blacks from the USA and they go door to door. Thanks
February 26, 2017 at 15:54
“sacking the blacks” – utter nonsense.
Ghana embassy is still processing and issuing visas to selectees from Ghana.
February 26, 2017 at 16:58
Ok thanks
February 26, 2017 at 16:58
Ok, thanks
February 26, 2017 at 19:36
Hi sir,
I’m a winner’s of the DV 2017, and my case is number 2017AF196xx, I want know all requirements document’s to submit at the interview
February 26, 2017 at 23:23
Have you read the instructions?
February 28, 2017 at 20:17
I want know about been to the US embassy with your ex wife that pass off and going back with new marriage woman that won with you what should I do?
February 28, 2017 at 23:05
Take lots of documentation.
March 1, 2017 at 09:41
Thanks a lot
March 1, 2017 at 14:21
How u sir:
Doing the time my wife and I was playing at the caf’e the guy miss spell her father name.can you please advise me?
March 1, 2017 at 14:52
It doesn’t matter, as long as her DS260 is accurate.
March 4, 2017 at 11:17
Hi
My wife went at the embassy before with her ex fiancée child and now that the child is no longer with her,can u please advise me?
March 4, 2017 at 14:58
Please clarify, was it your wife’s child with the fiancée? If so, On the original entry, did you BOTH list the child? Also, is the child listed on the DS260s of you both?
March 9, 2017 at 16:48
HI BIt
I want to congratulate you effort for the support you have been giving to the dv winner i follow your guides carefully and i am now in U S.Once more thank you very much and i wish the best to everybody still processing.They should take courage because the questions are direct if you prepare well.
Thank YOu Mr. Bit
Thank GOD ALMIGHTY
March 10, 2017 at 06:42
Hi BRIT:
IN DOING MY DS260 I PRESENTED MY IN LAW ADDRESS FOR MY AFFIDAVIT, AND SHE SEND IT,BUT NOW THAT MY UNCLE WANT TO SEND ME ANOTHER AFFIDAVIT, CAN I USE IT?
March 10, 2017 at 07:59
Yes
March 10, 2017 at 10:20
I didn’t envolve it earlier in my ds260 please advise me
March 14, 2017 at 04:11
i brit, where can i find your sample question and answer during the interview?
please send me the link?
March 14, 2017 at 04:25
Google “britsimon interview questions”
March 16, 2017 at 21:27
Hi brit pls am a dv winner but the name on my high school cert and tertiary is Oppong Ruth and the name on my appointment letter and birth certificate is Ruth Oppong pls am asking if there will be any problem since all the document us not starting from the First name or the surname. Thanks
March 16, 2017 at 22:29
It is probably Oppong, Ruth – which is a normal way to write lastname, firstname. Therefore it should not be a problem.
March 20, 2017 at 15:57
Hi Brut Pls I submitted my dv forms on October 14 but I have not been schedule yet so am asking how many months does it take for the interview.
March 20, 2017 at 17:09
The DS260 forms take several months to process. Assuming you are current you might get a May or perhaps June interview. Patience.
March 23, 2017 at 16:40
Please am haven the educational requirement shs but I really didn’t do well but haven the certificate can I receive a visa?
March 23, 2017 at 17:18
I don’t know. You must meet the requirement specific to YOUR embassy/country
March 24, 2017 at 16:57
Hi sir,
I’m a winner’s of DV 2017, and my case number is 19xxxx, and i lost my confirmation signature , that was send to me the first time I play the DV lottery 2015. and I used it’s for the first time to check in May 3, 2016. And now am worry a lot about it’s , can i contact KCC , when I received my 2NL to give my interview date?
March 24, 2017 at 18:25
You can retrieve the conf code on the ESC site.
March 24, 2017 at 19:52
But we can’t retrieve the conf code on the ESC site, because of the E-mail address the man used in internite cafe while playin for us. he’s can’t be fine right now, because of current development in my country , He was taken alway from the site , by the government.
March 24, 2017 at 22:59
You just need the email address, not access to the email. You might need the 2NL, But KCC will be able to tell you the date of your interview.
March 27, 2017 at 11:47
Hi Brits,
I am in a fixed. I need advise. I have never married though I have been raising children with a girl friend. I used to play the lotto including my children. One day deep in the night she escaped with the children. I tried all I can to get access and custody of them and also asking her back. Tried the courts of law driving me bankrupt. All my endeavour failed. Time to play came. After a long thought and begging for children’s photos and birth certificates in vain I played alone. This time round I won. I am worried of the Children’s question. And if I ever success i still need my children with me in the US. Hopefully their mother and her parents will stop being hostile to me. I am thankful to any advise for this situation.
March 27, 2017 at 13:47
https://britsimonsays.com/easiest-way-to-get-disqualified-from-dv-lottery/
March 27, 2017 at 12:06
Hello Brit
Please my inital letter of my surname was letter “A” instead of “E” on my basic school certificate but my high school and university transcript all contain “E” at initial, and “E” is the write way to begin with my name.
I want to ask will this affect my chance of gaining a visa..
Pls Brit any help
March 27, 2017 at 13:46
As long as you used the correct name on the DS260 and your passport and birth cert say the same, it should be no problem.
March 27, 2017 at 14:18
Hi brit
My problem is that, on my basic school certicate, the initial letter of my surname is “A” instead of “E” but I have with my secondary school and university transcript they are all beginning with”E”.do I have a chance to to get disqualified for visa.
Pls I need an advice
March 27, 2017 at 15:18
I already answered this.
March 31, 2017 at 07:23
Hello Brit
The middle name spelling – in passport and citizenship it’s Prashad, whereas, in D-260 and academic documents have Prasad. Is this become problem or what else should I do?
Next, the intended place i filled in that D-260 form was Miami, but, I have no people from there around, so I want to change. How I should do it?
Please it’s emergency. I need your advice
March 31, 2017 at 13:06
Your DS260 should have the correct name. If you are not scheduled you should unlock it, and then you can update the address also. If you are scheduled, you will have to do both things at the interview.
April 3, 2017 at 16:23
i have child born after i win dv lottery when i complete DS 260 i Add the child . the child is 5 months and i have her confirmation number on ds 260 but she isn’t in appointment letter just me and my wife i e-mail Kcc many time they always answer me THAT THEY HAVE THE CHILD INFORMATION IN MY CASE FILE but still i wonder why they child is not in the appointment letter please tell me??
April 3, 2017 at 16:31
It is normal. The 2NL is based on the entry details.
April 3, 2017 at 18:02
you sure about that is normal?and they will allow my child to enter the embassy?
thank you for answer me
April 3, 2017 at 19:38
Why would I say it if I weren’t sure!
Contact the embassy to discuss with them if you prefer.
April 4, 2017 at 14:07
thank you so much for reply i just wonder …there is user here telling you that she didn’t add her child in the first entry and this child in 2NL ??????so is that normal for my child i add her in right time to not to be in 2NL???
thank you so much
April 4, 2017 at 15:26
Yes, and if you saw my response to that person I said it makes no sense. I’m not going to keep repeating myself.
April 5, 2017 at 02:31
Hi Simon, I am a 2017 winner from Liberia. The name on my high school documents and WAEC result is Sonnita Kollie because the man that was helping my mum at that time was kollie, now after some years back my dad came to take over my responsibility and I decided to used my biological dad’s name and that was what I played with in the dv lottery Sonnita Thorma Abdulai, now my interview has been sheudle for next month will this be a problem or will I be denied visa for this.? Please help me.
April 5, 2017 at 04:26
It may be a problem. Show what proof you have of what happened.
April 5, 2017 at 06:50
Thanks Simon for your quick response, if I may ask what kind of proof? So I will be denied Visa?. Please help me.
April 5, 2017 at 07:19
I have a proof of change of Name, but what happened between my Mom and dad was just simply and my dad decided to go faraway from my mum that’s all no communication and no feeding.prove of their argument that I don’t have.
April 5, 2017 at 13:54
No – but you have a birth cert, passport and so on – then you should have other proof of the other name for education. They don’t care about your parents argument. Use your common sense.
April 5, 2017 at 04:17
Hi brit my wife won the lottery and her number is 2017AF00014…. pls when should we expect a letter for our interview?
April 5, 2017 at 04:22
britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
April 6, 2017 at 07:59
Sorry brit I didn’t get you please
April 6, 2017 at 15:02
If you had looked at the link I had provided, you would know that your interview scheduling depends on your case number and your DS260 submission date. So – when did you submit?
April 16, 2017 at 00:17
I am a DV winner 2017. While playing my middle name was not mentioned. And I have it on all my documents and included it while filling out the DS260.
My letter came and it was not mentioned. Will I be considered as my interview is due on the 25 the of April?
April 16, 2017 at 05:20
Yes. It was added to the DS260 – so that is fine. The 2NL is often sent without name corrections.
April 19, 2017 at 14:30
Hi
If you are selected how is the process thanks
April 19, 2017 at 17:48
If you are selected there is plenty of time to learn. Wait to be selected.
April 26, 2017 at 13:21
Hi Brit thank u for your helpful advise and I have 1 child ,I legally separated with her at court I didn’t list his name on original entry can I list him on Ds260?
April 26, 2017 at 14:33
https://britsimonsays.com/easiest-way-to-get-disqualified-from-dv-lottery/
April 26, 2017 at 15:49
In dv instruction it is complex and I like to understand in simple word of English there is no rised question like this I seen ur 1st answer but is it yes or no thank u for ur patience.
April 26, 2017 at 16:33
You lied on your entry. You should stop the process.
April 26, 2017 at 13:42
Dear Brit ,
I had been in Saudi Arabia for 2 years, and tried to get Saudi police report but they provide only Saudi nationalities only not to other citizens, Does it need in the case of Nepal while interviewed?
Pls help …
Regards,
Ram
April 27, 2017 at 05:06
Thank u can I stop the process or exclude my child the one I want to is I not needs to lay at the time of entry but I never know what was needed pls incase for now I ask u to tell me the way to keep the chance of my child as I am understand ing many ideas and information s from ur links God bless u
April 27, 2017 at 05:14
You can’t fix this. It would be fraud to continue. I will not help you commit fraud.
April 27, 2017 at 06:37
Fruad is something cheating but this is really I have a child I legally separated with his mother I was apply 1st as I am single pls give positive advice
April 28, 2017 at 00:31
So – you say you didn’t cheat/lie. Does that mean your DV entry had your status as separated (not single), and that you listed your son and included his photo?
May 3, 2017 at 05:37
Hi,
I am currently living in the states on an L1 and for work I travel 10 months of the year. I have a number in the visa lottery, but my question is if I try to apply for it from within the states do I have to stay within the USA? Or can I leave and go back in?
I can’t really just stay within the USA so I am wondering if this is possible for me.
thanks
May 3, 2017 at 06:03
Your travel profile will be problematic. Consider CP (home country).