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 –
May 5, 2017 at 01:37
Hi BritSimon, I would like to ask if I have to take m’y DV lottery interview in thé country where I live nos, or in m’y country of birth.Thank you in advance
May 5, 2017 at 01:53
Where you live.
May 6, 2017 at 13:37
here is my confusion question , please give me suggestion as soon as possilbe , If the person have HIV positive and he/she has beeb dv holder and he/she go to usa or no , the hiv person has permit or no to go to the united state please
May 6, 2017 at 15:05
Yes
June 22, 2017 at 12:31
What happen if I win dv but didn’t attend the interview?
June 22, 2017 at 20:26
Once the year ends (September 30th) you will have lost your chance.
July 3, 2017 at 11:51
I subscribed ma DS 260 Application on 12 June 2017, Please I wanted to know which month ma interview that could be scheduled please
July 3, 2017 at 13:52
Read this to understand.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 7, 2017 at 15:55
Hi I would like to know that I’m Indian passport holder but I was born in nepal and have nepali birth certificate and got higher secondary education from Nepal. Kindly let me know if I can apply for DV
May 7, 2017 at 17:43
The lottery is based on place of birth.
May 9, 2017 at 14:36
My father an American citizen . He did file for me since 2010 and now they told to pay for my visa now and he paid at the end of May. How long will it takes to get an appointment for interview
May 9, 2017 at 17:20
I don’t answer questions on any cases OTHER than DV lottery.
May 10, 2017 at 09:18
Hi there, I have two questions :
1 : I got married to my wife traditionally since 2010 and we have two beautiful kids. On January 27-2017 i legalized my marriage in the court of law . I played the DV last year October,2016 and included my wife and two kids and i was selected . I will like to know if there will be any problem looking in to the fact that i played including them when i have not legalized even though i did legalized before the result came out………?
2 : I am a holder of 4 years Vocational Aptitude Certificate (CAP) in ( Building and Construction ) , I have 8 years working experience as a ( Construction Manager ) , presently i am studying Chinese Language in a University in China which will award me with a (Certificate of Attendance ) in August . I will like to know if my qualification is ok for the visa….?
I will be waiting for your response . Thanks
May 10, 2017 at 14:22
1. No problem
2. https://britsimonsays.com/education-or-work-experience-qualifying-for-the-dv-lottery/
May 10, 2017 at 19:05
hello i filled the ds-260 form two days after the resaults what do i have to do now? do i need to post mu photo now? whats the next step?
May 10, 2017 at 20:14
You wait.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
May 11, 2017 at 12:56
Hi Brit I am winner of the dv lottery with case number 00005xx but I am struggling to fill the D’s 260 form but they are telling me that the date of birth does not correspond to what they have what should I do?
May 11, 2017 at 13:21
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2017-basic-questions/
May 11, 2017 at 19:52
Hello! Thank you so much for a terrific website, it has helped me a lot.
I have a question regarding the interview. I have no contact in the U.S. nor do I have a plan yet where to live. Of course I have some cities on my radar but I don’t plan to make anything official before I know for sure I get my visa. Do you think I will be in trouble if I answer “I don’t know yet” on their question? Best regards. Sebastian
May 11, 2017 at 20:32
You have to provide a US address. You can change it at the interview or finally at the POE (arrival airport) – but for now you must have an address.
May 12, 2017 at 05:14
I have entered a KinekPoint adress in my DS260 which is basically just a P.O. box which in case I don’t get a “real” adress atleast can receive my GC.
Do you think I can tell that adress or am I better off trying to find a real house adress?
Thank you once again.
May 12, 2017 at 05:32
By the time you enter the USA, you must use a REAL address.
May 12, 2017 at 08:45
Is a hotel adress sufficient? I’m not sure I would want to rent a house or a flat before I know I can stay.
May 12, 2017 at 13:53
No. That address is where your GC will be sent – so a friends address…
May 12, 2017 at 17:05
you mentioned that first stage is to check documents. my question is :-
If I live in different country where I will make the interview and all documents were issued from my country like birth certificate, degree, police certificate…etc. what kind of legalization they need? is legalization from my country’s ministry of foreign affairs enough? or they should be legalized from our embassy in the country where I will make the interview?
May 13, 2017 at 04:51
Legalization standards vary by country.
May 13, 2017 at 05:12
For the current month when will they send 2 SNL? 2017 DV
May 13, 2017 at 05:24
1 to 2 weeks.
May 14, 2017 at 06:59
I am from Somalia iland i am one of the dvselectees but my worry is i have university degree from one of the Universities in Somalia.
People told that Degrees of One of the universities in Somali will not be allowed for processeing visa winning
May 14, 2017 at 15:52
I don’t know if that is true – but you should also show education before University.
May 16, 2017 at 00:54
hi simon in 2015 my uk visa application got refused under deception but i was given right to appeal against decision but i didn’t appeal against it (i was not banned for reapplying . the refusal happen due to a bank statement that i submit) now i have been being selected for further processing of green card application i did fill in ds260 and send it to KCC , do you think my previous deception will have a impact on my green card lottery application . please help me thx
May 16, 2017 at 02:44
I don’t know whether the UK would share that info with the USA
May 16, 2017 at 16:40
Hello Brit, my question is ……
1 : I was selected for 2018 DV that came out two weeks ago. I have already filled my DS260 form but i still need to include my kids passport numbers before i submit. It will take 3 weeks before their passports are ready.
Won’t i be late submitting my DS260 after 3 three weeks….?
May 16, 2017 at 22:30
Hello Mr.Simon, Thank you for this amazing website.
I want to ask what exactly should we write in the “Course of study” section for both middle – high school and university?
Thank you
May 16, 2017 at 22:32
Something such as “General studies”.
May 17, 2017 at 13:04
for both high school and university ?
May 25, 2017 at 11:40
Hi, my half sister has just won dv and she is wondering if she could go with her immediate brothers and us. Is that possible? If yes what is her space or the amount of people she is allowed to go with. Thanks am waiting for your response.
May 25, 2017 at 20:25
No that is not possible. A winner can only take their spouse and children under 21. It takes 5 years to gain US citizenship – and after that a citizen can sponsor other family members but that can take a very long time (depending on the relationship).
May 28, 2017 at 20:00
Hi, I won the Dv lottery as a couple but currently my wife has travelled outside my home country and I wish to go alone. Does that have any negative impact on my visa issuance?
May 28, 2017 at 20:34
No
May 31, 2017 at 08:30
Hello BritSimon,
Thank you for the wonderful job that you are doing on this site.
Please i will like to ask you this question :
– I don’t have access to my previous email address that was used during the first DV registration form. The reason is that, i lost my previous phone number that was used for verification each time i signed in to my email.
I got a new email address …….and i have included it to my DS 260 Form.
1 : I will like to know if KCC will send my interview date to the new email address ………?
I look forward to hear from you. Thank you.
May 31, 2017 at 13:16
1. They might do – but it doesn’t matter, the 2NL email doesn’t have your interview details.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/what-does-the-2nl-look-like/
May 31, 2017 at 12:14
Hi Brit!
Finally we had our interview this week in Europe. The interview was very smooth.
A first lady checked our papers, checked that we had them all. Then we were asked to go and pay Visa’s fee. Finally we have waited another hour for the “real” interview. Basically they took our fingerprints and were said “Your visa is approved”. No question. But we have 40 y.o with a strong background on our visa applications, married for a long time. So I guess that’s why they didn’t ask much.
I would like to thank you Brit for all your support and all the help you’re bringing to everyone during our amazing and long journey.
I got lucky, not it’s up to us to have a great life.
Best
Alex
May 31, 2017 at 13:11
Congratulations!
June 7, 2017 at 07:04
congratulation!
I also selected for DV 2018. I wish I get a very smooth interview like you.
June 28, 2017 at 10:31
Dear Alex,
Would you share, what are required documents that you are prepare to the interview? both applicant and sponsor?
Best,
June 28, 2017 at 17:06
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!
Someone else might not need the same document that you need. So read the instructions to understand what YOU need.
June 4, 2017 at 00:24
HI Brit.
Thanks for your support and my question is my wife is the principal winner for this event and we have every documents organise but i just relise my mothers sir name on my birth cert is different form the the ds260, can this create problem for us ?
June 4, 2017 at 00:47
No
June 5, 2017 at 10:56
Hi Simon, we have completed our medical and heading to the embassy on Wednesday. We don’t have concrete plans of where we are living at this time, we gave the address of a friend in the US who would be able to put us up for a few weeks if needs be. I take it this will be ok in their eyes or do they expect us to have already investigated jobs etc?
June 5, 2017 at 13:26
That’s all OK.
June 11, 2017 at 15:24
Hello! How is ur interview going on?
June 6, 2017 at 22:20
What is the cause of administration process?
June 7, 2017 at 00:14
There are various causes.
June 6, 2017 at 22:35
If your WAEC certificate have some mistake with your name but u play with the correct name, is this possible to still come with your certificate name on ur WAEC.
June 7, 2017 at 00:13
Yes
June 7, 2017 at 07:07
Dear Simon,
About the sponsor at the US, he is my sister’s friend. We have never met before. Is it possible with the relationship with the sponsor?
Best,Pisey
June 7, 2017 at 13:48
Possible, but a little risky.
June 7, 2017 at 11:33
Hi Brit,
am not happy about the outcome of my interview with my wife but very grateful about your support that is why i have come to seek for your advice.
anyway we won and have gone through all the process for the interview but unfortunately when it got to our turn the CO told me the “husband” that my information is registered as married to someone else which i have no idea who she was, but i never believe my girlfriend could do the lottery with my information as married without that being untrue so and for that matter we were denied for the visa because the CO could not even believe weather is true or not.
I called her later after the interview she told me is true yes she applied it thinking i could have her attention if all things work fine but because am still there with my wife she wouldnt proceed . now this is what she has put me through the CO has put permanent suspension on my dv lottery, i will not be eligible to apply dv again.
Please i have got my girlfriend case number and everything information for the application can you give me on advice what to, do we stand a chance of been call again. i want to report to it to the kCC too. i need your advice to prove my innocent to Kcc
June 7, 2017 at 13:32
Wow that is very unfortunate, but if you see it from the point of view of the embassy, it appears to be clear evidence of fraud. You can apply again (the lottery process is random so would pick you again). In a year when the girlfriend doesn’t apply, if you are selected you would be wise to have a sworn affidavit from the girlfriend admitting what she did in this lottery.
June 8, 2017 at 07:50
Pls i want to know about the permanent suspension the CO has placed on me, i have lost confidence, can it be lifted what do you suggest i do
June 8, 2017 at 21:17
I do not know what they may or may not have done regarding suspending you.
June 7, 2017 at 13:48
thank you …am also going to write to the kcc reporting with her case number
June 8, 2017 at 11:37
Hi Brit,
Thank you for the wonderful job. Please i will like to ask you this question :
my spouse has won a DV 2018 and we filled and submitted form DS- 260 two weeks ago but KCC didn’t yet notified/replied us so for the interview. did we need to resubmit the DS-260 form again.
thanks!
June 8, 2017 at 20:57
Read this
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
June 8, 2017 at 17:19
Good evnx sir i am a selectee of the Dv 2018 session from Cameroon,my case number is more than 46,000 but below 50,000 do i stand a chance of being contacted by KCC for interview or is my case number too far off to be considered for interwiew,plus what are some of the tests that is required by the embassy that must b undergone to b considered,i know the embassy assigns special centres for these medical but i intend to undergo a private medicals just to b sure,thanks waiting for ya response
June 8, 2017 at 20:41
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions/
June 8, 2017 at 22:31
Hi Brit, I have interview coming up. With my children….i was never married to their fathers So he don’t get to win with us…..my question is…..my interview is 8 hours drive away from my town.
1. Do the father of the kids have to go to the interview?
2. Do I need anything from the father?
June 9, 2017 at 01:27
1. No
2. You might be asked for proof of full custody AND/OR permission from the father to take the children to the USA.
June 9, 2017 at 18:45
I’m a winner this year 2018,I want to know can two person sending you an affidavit support ?if yes please give me an explanation
June 10, 2017 at 14:45
No. One.
June 9, 2017 at 22:46
Please can two person send you an affidavit support….. I want need an explanations from u please.
June 10, 2017 at 14:36
You only use one.
June 11, 2017 at 15:21
I know in the DS260 require only 1 person but can I spare another 1 support?
June 11, 2017 at 15:52
You submit one I-134.
One.
1.
Less than 2.
7 less than 8.
Is that clear now?
June 10, 2017 at 09:11
Hi sir, my wife and I won DV 2018 , but the playing the typist make mistake used my wife father’s name without my name. INSTEAD of Georgette Wayne Jallah, the typist used Georgette Wayne only, and my name is Raymond s Jallah. So I’m kindly asking you to provide guidance.
June 10, 2017 at 14:19
In the DS260, enter the names exactly as they should be (i.e. matching your Passport and other documents)
June 12, 2017 at 01:15
Hi Brit, I just received my i-34 from the sponsor. I have interview coming up with my three children.
I am going to my sister in Texas but my sponsor is my sisters friend in different state because he makes more money…my question on page 4 question 38 he marked ” I intend” then on page 8 he wrote ……i will see to the provision of housing, work, transportation, and schooling for the children, I will see to this for five years.
1. Am I good to go?
2. Dose he need to write more?
June 12, 2017 at 01:23
1. Yes
2. No
June 14, 2017 at 23:07
When this year interview with start 2018
June 15, 2017 at 00:33
Please always check the FAQ
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2018-basic-questions
June 17, 2017 at 22:03
hello I am a dvlottery winner and I am spanish resident. I am Iranian and I don’t own a spanish passport. I have only resident permit. on my lottery winning page it says my Foreign State Chargeability: IRAN
Post: MADRID
does it mean i should go to madrid for interview?
June 18, 2017 at 01:23
Yes.
June 18, 2017 at 10:26
Hello my wife won dv lottery this year. We did custom law marriage in mosque in august 2016 and they gave us proof of this marriage. In october she applied for dv lottery as married and added me in her application. But we did legal court marriage after results are announced in may . However my wife is pregnant (from January). How is our chance ?
June 18, 2017 at 13:28
no problem.
June 20, 2017 at 07:43
I loss my confirmation number, please help me how do I get it again.
June 20, 2017 at 15:03
Read what I already told you!
https://britsimonsays.com/july-2017-visa-bulletin-released/comment-page-1/#comment-75272
June 22, 2017 at 17:10
Hello, i went for my DV interview on tuesday, the 20th of june, 2017, the CO was just about to hand me a date for collection when he suddenly looked on his PC and asked me if i have ever been to the US before, and i replied no. he asked me if i have been to the states before since i might have been finger printed, and i replied no, he then decided to give me a sheet and said he need to do an administrative process, so he said he will call me and that was it. now i am very confused and really don’t know what to do now. will i be refused the visa? please, kindly assist me with a possible outcome since i am totally confused.
June 22, 2017 at 20:19
I have no way to guess what the CO did or what will happen.
June 23, 2017 at 05:05
Hi dear Simon,
Thank you very much for the superb and selfless work you are doing. My family and I have benefited so much from following your site.
We had our interview on 6 June in Johannesburg. Very friendly Consular Officer and staff in general. The questions are simple and general just like most have already shared their experiences. Everybody is there to help as long as you remain honest.
The Consular Officer told us our visa has been approved and it takes 7 to 10 working days to be issued. We brought up our situation that we don’t stay in South Africa and that we can’t travel out of South Africa if we leave our passports at the Embassy. We were hoping to hear that our situation will be taken consideration and our visa could be issued in a day or two. Instead we were advised to retrieve our passports to travel and send them back with DHL. We were given a yellow paper that indicates that our case could not be finalized due to outstanding documents for which a tick was placed in front of “other” , and passports handwritten to specify.
We travelled back with our passports and sent back them the following day with DHL. Our case was put under “Administrative Processing” on NVC from the day of our interview until our visa was issued on 19 June. We have now received our passports on 22 June through DHL for which we had to pay collection fee as delivery was across the border.
We were very relaxed during all these process because of all the useful information from this site.
Thank you once again.
May God bless you.
June 23, 2017 at 05:51
Congratulations
June 28, 2017 at 17:37
Hi Brit, my sponsor send me i-34 and verification of employment only….i have interview in three day.
Would that be enough?
June 28, 2017 at 17:43
I don’t know for certain.
June 29, 2017 at 01:45
Hi Brit, my sponsor send me i-34 and verification of employment only….i have interview in three day.The letter
Would that be enough?
I have send that message earllar now….
He Have send me
I-34
Employment verification
Copy of passport
2015 income forum
Pay stubs
But he said he is working on filling 2016 income tax….
1. Am I safe now?
June 29, 2017 at 04:31
I can’t say you are “safe”.
June 29, 2017 at 05:27
So if find someone that can send me
I-34
2016 income forum
Passport
And how much money they have in bank
Just getting nervous as the interview is in few days.
Would that make me safe?
Thanks.
June 29, 2017 at 05:56
You are probably OK – but you have to understand that only the CO can say you are “safe”.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
June 30, 2017 at 09:45
Hi please i really worrying about some mistake on my name .
I play will a middle name Abu s kaba ,but on my WAEC documents I have Abul kaba with no middle name.
Please help me it that any problem cuz I really worrying about it please tell me something.
June 30, 2017 at 16:45
The education documents don’t establish identity – that is through the birth cert and passport. So – as long as you have the DS260 accurate, you stand a good chance. If you are in Ghana, rthey tend to be suspicious about this sort of thing.
July 1, 2017 at 09:23
Thank you …I’m in Liberia.
July 3, 2017 at 14:58
Dear Simon,
I’m currently a visa agency in Cambodia, am I qualify for a Dv 2018? As I heard that the applicant need to sumitted form by themselves no need an agency, is it something wrong if the applicant is an agency?
Best,
July 3, 2017 at 15:45
As long as the agency have submitted information accurately, there is no problem.
July 3, 2017 at 16:17
My fiancée won DV 2018. There was a mistake on her date of birth on her WASSCE result (Higher school certificate), however she has taken her school leaving testimonial which has her correct date of birth as it is on her birth certificate and passport.
What should we do?
July 3, 2017 at 18:45
She should submit the DS260 with the correct date of birth, The education document is not how DOB is established.
July 3, 2017 at 21:39
Hi Brit, i had an interview today in Ethiopia and was only ask two questions…Thank you very much for the help you gave me so I could be successful. You have helped me so much through this long 2 years journey… I really appreciated the time you spent to help me…i am sorry for asking so many questions it’s because I believe you would do your best to inform me which you did. This was one in a lifetime moment… I will never forget what you do for people around the world. Thanks.
July 3, 2017 at 21:46
Congratulations!
July 6, 2017 at 04:15
Hi Brit,now that I have my visa, am I able to engage my girlfriend….or do I have to go to the US for some time and come back?
July 6, 2017 at 22:55
You can get engaged…
July 6, 2017 at 11:32
The CO said your visa is approved and gave me a yellow paper to do payment for my GC and other stuff..and also another paper which tells where and when to pick my passport. when I checked my visa status ,
it says in Administrative process . is it normal?
July 6, 2017 at 22:49
Almost all cases show a brief period (1 or 2 days) of AP after interview. The FAQ explains this – please read the FAQ
July 7, 2017 at 01:55
Hi Brit, how do I check my visa status I am DV winner
1. Do I select immigrant Visa or non-immigrant Visa?
2. what does the case number look like…is that the number from d’s 260 or the one that stars in 2016AF0003****?
I’ve been trying and it’s not letting me please help.
July 7, 2017 at 09:41
I don’t know what you are checking.
July 7, 2017 at 17:31
Hi Brit, I am DV winner and getting air ticket now…coming from Ethiopia.
1. Can i Use any airline…like emirate, Qatar, Lufthansa and ethiopian airline?
2. Do I need visa from the country I am making a Transit?
July 7, 2017 at 17:32
1. Yes
2. I don’t know.
July 7, 2017 at 22:27
Dear Simon,
I observe that when there is error in one`s name, or date of birth on the original entry, the person is advised that if he/she has the correct information on DS-260 and it matches what appears in the passport, then it is not a problem.
If so,does this means that the CO does not consider or give credence to the original entry only the DS-260?
I am married but while completing the form the operator mistake ably marked unmarried instead of married because he was under pressure due to mass influx of people that was on him to complete their form/ there to play the lottery. Can this be corrected on the DS-260 form? Is there a chance for me for the visa?
July 7, 2017 at 23:46
No. Your error is unfixable.
July 8, 2017 at 12:18
hi Sir,
Can you please help me explain the meaning of this notice of the DS 260 login page.
On Thursday, July 7, 2017, from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. (Washington, DC time), portions of CEAC will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. Users will not be able to pay fees. Maintenance is expected to be completed by 4 p.m. but might be extended beyond this time. Thank you for your understanding.
July 8, 2017 at 13:05
That maintenance period has passed, so try again now.
July 9, 2017 at 13:50
i. finally had an email from the embassy asking that i kring all my previous travelling documents and documentation on my arrests and charges in the States and documentation ön when i entered the States and when i left the States i am confused. iguess that is right? I löst my chance i am syre.
July 9, 2017 at 21:12
I don’t understand your question.