One of the blog members asked for a page solely for people to post their interview experiences. So this is it – with some rules!!!
First – NO questions on this page. Let’s keep it for interview experiences only – good and bad. I will probably delete questions to try and keep the page focused on interview experiences
Please at least mention your embassy (city and country, like Accra, Ghana) and brief details about what questions you were asked and any interesting points about documents you were asked for and any tips you can give others. This will be useful to others who have not yet had their interviews. People could use the search function to look for their embassy.
July 11, 2018 at 06:08
My Interview Experience AT Abu Dhabi Embassy, UAE.
AF284** from cameroon
Submitted on the 14 may 2017, unlock on the 29 April 2018 to change interview location from Cameroon to Abu Dhabi.
Resubmitted on the 30 April 2018.
Current in May 2018.Recieved 2nl on the 20 may.
Interview date : 8 July at US embassy Abu Dhabi
I arrived the embassy at 6: 20 am. I was the seventh person to arrived. We waited till 7: 30am, later on we were asked to form line for the security checking.
Once checked we went to the waiting room where we were given a token number. My number was 607.
I waited for 35mins for my number to appear on the counter. I was called to window 7.a nice lady surely Iranian greeted me and asked me to provide ;
My passport, appointment letter, original high school certificate and a copy. Birth certificate and a copy. Affidative of support, tax income of my sponsor, passport pictures. And next she send me to the cashier to pay the visa fee. 330 dollars., I went to window 9 to do my fingerprints.
When finished I went back to my sit to wait for the final interview. We waited till 9:30am.
At 10:00 the made a general announcement. The system had a problem so they could not proceed with any case. So they had to reschedule all visa both immigrants and non immigrants. I was called again to window 7, the lady apologized for the disappointment and gave me another appointment letter for the 10 july with ny passport but she kept all my documents.
On Tuesday 10 july, I arrived the embassy very early at 6:00 am. I was the first to arrived. We waited till 7:30 am. Then the security checking started. We finished and we went to the waiting room. I was given a token number, 600.
. at 8:20am I was called to counter 8, the lady greeted and asked my passport and appointment letter. And told me to sit down the officer will call me for the interview. At exactly 9:10am I was called to window 1, A cool matured man surely from middle east greeted me.
Co; good morning
Me: good morning
Co: how are u
Me ;I’m good and sur and u
Co : swear to tell the truth etc, ( took my finger prints)
Co ; for howlong have u been here!?
Co ; what are u working
Co; your highest education
Co; who is your sponsor to u
Co ; is your sponsor your real blood brother (he insisted?)
Co!; congratulations your visa have been approved. U will recieved your passport by poste. And gave me a white paper.
Co ; if at your first entry in USA u don’t prove your relationship with your sponsor u will be returned at the bother.
Thanks brit for everything. Thank God I change my interview location just one month before I went current. With all the problems dv cases assigned at US embassy in Cameroon are facing I was very lucky.
July 11, 2018 at 14:56
Congratulations.
July 30, 2018 at 09:28
hello Mr Brit
“if at your first entry in USA u don’t prove your relationship with your sponsor u will be returned at the bother.”
what is a clear meaning of this statement
July 30, 2018 at 14:19
Ask the CO.
July 12, 2018 at 04:46
Hi dear
Regarding the payment, did you make it in US Dollars or UAE Dirham?? Do you know if they accept either one of these?
Thanks
July 11, 2018 at 10:00
I had my interview in Auckland on July 5 and just picked up my passport & documents today! Everything went smoothly. The medical exam was a little confusing; the consulate sent me an email prior to the interview with instructions but attached the wrong forms so the people working the front desk at the doctor’s office had to print out the right one for me. The NZ Consulate asks for most of your documents 2 weeks beforehand so I dropped all of those off before. I would read the instructions in the email super carefully because the consulate is really specific about which documents to send/which to bring, but it can be hard to decipher.
The interview itself was very straightforward! I arrived 15 minutes early for my interview and was let upstairs; the guard sent my documents through the X-ray, and then I was sent to the immigrant interview window where the lady went over my documents with me, collected my bank statements & CV, and explained the process to me. She took my fingerprints and then sent me over to pay.
After that, I waited a little while and then was called up to an interview window. My officer was super nice and we had a great chat about the place I am moving to. I just graduated from university in the U.S. so we talked about that! He asked me about my name change, why I wanted to move to the U.S., and whether I’d enjoyed college there. Everything went smoothly, and he said I was all set. However, he told me I was good to go but that he wasn’t approving my visa yet because I had to go through one more name check that would take 24-48 hours. He mentioned that everything was fine and I should expect my passport to be ready in the next week.
This made me a little confused, so I obsessively checked my status throughout the weekend (lol). It was listed as AP until Tuesday, and then I received an email saying that my passport was ready for pick-up on Weds July 11. When I went to pick it up, the lady told me that they’d gotten the expiration date wrong on the first visa they printed so they had to re-print it, and that was why it had taken a little longer than normal!
So, nothing to worry about in the end. Everything went really smoothly, and the consulate was super super friendly, efficient, and nice. They were helpful whenever I had any questions. I would just say prepare all of your documents well in advance and bring everything — it’s always better to have more. This site was super helpful to me in preparing all of my documents so thank you for all of your advice & help!
July 11, 2018 at 15:03
Well done!
July 11, 2018 at 13:40
Interview location: Skopje, Macedonia
Date:11 July 2018
Our interview was scheduled at 8.30 a.m. but we arrived half an hour earlier. After security screening, a guy met us and sorted our documents. After 1 hour we were called at a counter where they took the documents, they only asked about US address, if we have ever been to US before, what are we planning to work, when did we marry and asked for proof of relationship since we married after winning the lottery. We didnt have an affidavit of support, only bank account with sufficient funds. If you have ever been issued a visa, take the last issued one with you.
After 15 min, we were called on another counter for interview with CO, he was very kind, asked if we ever had problems with the law, when do we plan to go to US, how long we were together before marriage and thats it, only a couple of minutes.
If you have all needed documents there is really nothing to worry about. They are all very kind, the admission of documents and interview take no longer than 10minutes.
Good luck to all and thanks Brit for your help.
July 11, 2018 at 15:32
Congratulations.
July 11, 2018 at 15:04
Firstly praise be to the Most High God for everything that has happened in my life and then I would also very much love to thank you Mr. Simon for your generous and patient support to all DV winners. May God bless you abundantly. I have been a silent reader of your blog for more than a year now and have learned plenty from it. I just hope that I will one day be able to contribute something to make life easier for humanity without expecting anything in return, just like you are doing here.
So here is a brief account of my DV experience,
Case number: AF289xx
Country of chargeability: Eritrea
DS260 submission date: 4th of May 2017.
Unlocked twice on the 21st of June and 3rd of August for some changes. (Just wanted to be as accurate as I could)
2nl received on May 16, 2018.
My Interview was on July 02, 2018 at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa.
The actual interview was for about 2 minutes and I was asked the following questions,
– How long have you been living in Ethiopia?
– What is the highest level of education you have
aquired?
– What did you study?
– Who is your host and where does he live?
– Do you have a fiance or a girlfriend that you plan
to marry?
The CO then said your visa has been approved and I was over the moon with joy.
Picked up my visa on July 06, 2018
Documents I was asked for are,
– Passport with a copy (laissez passer in my case
because I am an Eritrean refugee in Ethiopia)
– birth certificate with a copy
– medical results in a sealed envelope
– appointment letter (2nl)
– Ethiopian police certificate. (No police certificate
is required from Eritrea just like it says in the
reciprocity page for Eritrea.)
– high school certificate (matriculation results)
– I took my university temporary degree to the
interview but the CO returned the copy with the
original.
* Lastly do not forget the 9040 ETB interview fee.
So this is how it happened for me and I wish everyone success in the coming two months or so. God speed!
July 11, 2018 at 15:35
Well done!!
July 24, 2018 at 10:54
ThankFul
Thank you for sharing your experience
I am an Eritrean waiting for my 2nl
I need some information. Can you contact me [email protected]?
July 11, 2018 at 18:19
Hi Simon,
Here’s my experience at US embassy in London
Appointment date today 11th July 2018 at 10:00
I arrived in front of the embassy at 09:30 with my 3 kids (2 US citizens)
Outside the embassy they checked the DS 260 for me and my daughter. We passed through the security checks and made it inside the embassy ground floor. We were checked in on the system at a desk by 2 ladies and asked to go to 1st floor, on the left by window 20 and wait to be called.
When we got there, it was 09:47 and the last number called was I908. Our number was I910. At 10:00 we were call to window 20 and received by a gentleman :
CO: good morning, how are you?
All at once: good, thank you
CO: so you won the lottery visa. is it the first time you play the DV?
Me: yes
CO: I don’t need your sons as they are US citizens but they can stay for support (smiling)
Me: thank you
CO: we received your medical examination. All good. Here’s you chest X-ray for you to keep
Me: thank you
CO: can I have your highest degree, birth certificate, police records please
Me: with the certified translation (for birth certificates and French and Guinean police records). Highest degree MSc Public Health from UK university
CO: great, thank you. You were married once and divorced?
Me: yes, here’s my divorce paper and certified translation
CO: thank you.
Then, looking at my daughter CO asked: where were you born?
My daughter: xxxx
CO: where you 16 when you left your country of birth?
My daughter: what? Oh no I am only 14
CO: joking
CO: do you have an affidavit of support
Me: yes, here’s the form
CO: thanks, who is the person to you?
Me: a family friend
CO: can I have your old passport as I believe you have a valid visitor visa to US on it.
Me: sure (handing over the old passport)
CO: you will not need this one anymore. We will cancel it once your DV is approved. I am happy with all your paperwork.
Please place your hands for the fingerprints ( we executed one after the other)
CO: here is the ticket to present to window 19 for payment and wait to be called again
Me: thank you
My daughter and I went to the next window and paid the fees. When we sat down, I checked the time,it was 10:16
At 10:20 we were called to window 23 to a different CO (lady)
CO: good morning. I need you both to check your fingerprints one more time.
We both executed
CO to both of us: please raise your right hands and swear that all you said is the truth and nothing but the truth
Both: I swear
CO: your visas have been approved. Congratulations!!! You should receive your package within a week or 2 via mail. You are all done, have a good day
Both: thank you, same to you.
We left the building and I checked the time when we passed the door it was 10:29!!!
Out of curiosity I checked the status of the visa at 16:00 today and mine was “issued” and my daughter’s “AP” but I am sure it will be “issued” in a couple of days.
I hope this will help for people attending the embassy in London.
Thank you Simon for your support and all your dedication. I wish the best to all selectees !!!
PS: when I wanted to change my address in the states, both COs told me they did not need it.
July 11, 2018 at 18:23
Forgot aome details, case number 2018AF367xx
1st NL 02 may 2017
2nd NL 11th may 2018
July 11, 2018 at 21:22
Congrats. The address in the DS260 is where your GC will be sent. If that is not somewhere you would want your GCs delivered, you MUST change the address at the POE. Insist on doing so.
July 11, 2018 at 22:16
Country: Indonesia (Asia)
Case no: 2018AS8xxxx
Lottery Submission: first days of October
Results checked: December – I found my Submission Confirmation accidentally when I organized My Documents folder
DS 260: Late December. Unlock on January and resubmit on April
Announced in Visa Bulletin: 14 May 2018
2NL sent: 17 May 2018
Interview: 10 July 2018, Jakarta
I just realized that I won the lottery in December. At that time I didn’t know what case number is, visa bulletin, or Simon. This was my first DV entrance. First thing I want to do is to complete the DS260 as soon as possible. Submitted it as single in the same month, but unlocked later in January after I immersed myself in Simon’s article. I decided to marry. I resubmitted it on 4th week of April, having added my wife.
As Simon said, you don’t need to rush the DS260 submission. You can submit as late as May and still receive the 2NL.
Be aware that you can’t delete or change the applicant name once you added them. You can only change the application form. So be careful.
If you or your wife only has ‘given name’, put FNU in First Name field on DS260 form. I was restless for months because I put NLN when I added my wife, and learnt later from the DS260 form to put FNU instead. So there’s inconsistencies in name.
Also make sure at least a week before to prepare and recheck your document completeness.
I was so sure that I prepared everything, until I found out that my wife birth certificate was not translated! And I found out night before interview. We are lucky the interview time is 12.30 tomorrow.
The next day, we arrived at embassy around 11.45. Went to the gate, guards told us to wait until 12.30.
FYI, there’s no seating or any comfort waiting room in the embassy. Behind the gate is a checkpoint room for security screening. So it’s only logical that if you arrived early, you should wait outside the embassy.
I waited along three other families that were also attending IV interview (not DV though). One man has waited for 13 years of sponsorship by his parents. Others waited months for K-1 (fiancee) and K-2 (kids).
At exactly 12.30, we were called to make a queue. The guard apparently has no list of names scheduled for that day, instead he asked every of us an appointment letter. Showed him 2NL, not enough. Showed him 1NL. Next he asked my wife letter although she was my beneficiary. Tried to explain but it didn’t satisfy him. I knew it can happen. Didn’t think I’ll need this, but the night before, I printed an email communication with the embassy to confirm whether my wife is in their system. I showed him the reply from embassy “Confirmed. Your wife has been added to the system”. He let me in.
*Realized or not, interview process actually starts from a security checkpoint. There’s no point in preparing complete documents if you can’t pass this first layer. Guards don’t necessarily communicate with CO. In my case they didn’t know I’m already in the system. I’m not saying they’re disconnected, just know at this point, be prepared and bring any documents that can proof as fact.*
Inside is a small room where officers scan your belonging. Any electronic devices shall be collected here. If you have water you’ll be asked to drink it a little for security purpose. Only then you can bring it, although it’s not necessary being the availability of fresh water inside.
Pass the screening room is an alley that connects to the Consular Service room.
Consular room is a small room consisting of many windows (loket). Windows 1-5 is for US citizen, 6 is cashier, 7-11 is for immigrant visa. Having read many interview experience story, where there’s kids room, vast area and lake view, our consular room is a bit off from my imagination. But i am not here to review the consular room.
At 13.00, a nice lady requested immigrant visa applicants to line in front of Windows 7. I was in the 2nd queue.
Lady: Your documents please
Here are the documents she took:
Passports
My University and High School Certificate (returned my wife’s)
My Marriage ‘Husband’ Certificate (returned my wife’s)
Birth Certificates
While browsing through our documents, she asked:
Lady: You have acquired DS260 confirmation pages right?
Me: Yes I have (I didn’t handed her the page, and she didn’t asked)
Lady: Do you ever work abroad?
Me: Only on project-based
Lady: Not longer than 1 year?
Me: Only a month
Lady: Bring this to Windows 6 and make payment
Me: Ok thanks
*Went to Windows 6 to give the bills and waited for 10 minutes. Called my name and showed the amount to pay in the LED. Rp. 9.570.000. I already checked the currency rate at embassy website so I handed her an envelope with exact amount. She started to count. FYI you should pay only in IDR cash. It is stated in embassy instructions.*
Lady: Alright show these to the CO (hand over two receipts)
Me: Ok thanks
I took a seat for good two hours. I don’t know what took a long time for CO to call my name, but I guess it’s because all other immigrant involved toddler / kids to be interviewed so they got prioritized. I spend my time watching others interviewed by the CO, reading mags, chat with other immigrants, until there’s no one left. We are the last one for immigrant case that day. At 14.50, our name were called by the CO to Windows 7.
*For those who are curious about the interview, you’ll be standing in front of a Window, separated by a thick glass, and you’ll be communicating with CO through intercom. (Like a loket KRL).*
A gentleman greeted us from far with a good smile
CO: Hi
Me: Hi
CO: I appreciate your patience. I am sorry we are having trouble with the computer so you must wait so long
Me: The good thing is it’s working now
CO: So you won the DV! I guess you’re excited about it
Me: Yes I am!
CO: Ok so here’re your documents *handover my certificates and supporting documents.* I gave you high school, university, marriage, and birth certificates. Please check again.
Me: *Check my documents* Yes documents are complete
CO: Please put four fingers of your left hand on the scanner. *scan* Then your right hand *scan* and both of your thumbs together *scan* *repeat for my wife*. Perfect. Thank you.
CO: We’ll start interview process. Do you prefer to conduct in english or bahasa?
Me: English is fine
CO: You’re ok too? *ask my wife*
Wife: Yes
*Whole interview process, the CO only asks my wife. I was married after DV result, maybe that’s why.*
CO: Where did you two met?
Wife: On my last companies. I resigned though.
CO: Which company is that?
Wife: *Answer*
CO: What type of company?
Wife: Developer
CO: Like a house developer?
Wife: Yes
CO: How long have you been dating?
Wife: 2 years
CO: When was your first date?
Wife: Answered
CO: How did he propose? Did he kneel and say something romantic?
*Should be an easy answer, but my wife had difficulties in choosing word and started to panic* I suggest you choose bahasa if it’s easier for you.
CO: *Call my name* It seems you want to add something
Me: *Explain*
CO: How did your parent suggest of the wedding?
Wife: Sorry, what did you say?
CO: *repeat the question*
Wife: What did he say? *stare at me*
Me: *explain to her*
CO: Ok wait a moment *switch off the intercom and asked his superior*
I guess he didn’t convinced with the answer.
CO: Do you have any photos of both of you together?
Me: Yes I do. Here’re our wedding photos. Here’re before we’re getting married. And here’s with our family.
CO: *call my wife name* which one are you on this photo?
Wife: *answer*
CO: *Look at the photo again* Oh I see.. You’re wearing different glass in this photo. *return our photos then circle something on a white piece of paper*
CO: Do you know what this is? *lifting the paper*
Me: Is that..?
CO: Congratulations I approved your visa. Please note that you’ll get back your passports along with sealed envelope in a week. You are not to open the document. Bring it with you – not in a baggage – and hand it over to airport officer when you arrive in USA. If you open it you will start the whole process again. Just don’t open the envelope. If you have any questions please email to address I circled here.
Me: Should I come to pickup the documents?
CO: Depends on your options
Me: I didn’t presented any options
CO: Let me check it for you *went to ask supervisor*
CO: Yeah it’ll be sent to your address by RPX
Me: Thank you very much sir, have a good day! *big grin*
CO: You too!
The whole interview took around 5 minutes. CO asked for photos if he/she was not convinced. Financial statement was not mentioned at all.
I then make a seated, organize my documents, and left the room.
I feel relieved that the journey went according to plan.
Longest seven months in my life full of jump and ride.
Answer with confident and don’t make up things in the interview. You are prepared and have documents to support you. It’s enough.
At the end of day, everyone go home with a smile. Me being the last.
Thank you Simon your blog has been very informative. You don’t need to pay lawyer or agent to help you in the DV process.
Just follow instructions and if in doubt, check with britsimon. I constantly visited it even now because I feel like I’m struggling with everybody else, having doubt, questions and found answers.
I have made small donations and this is the least I can give back to community. God bless you all.
July 12, 2018 at 00:54
Thank you for the detailed account of the interview- it helps!
And thank you for the kind donation!
July 12, 2018 at 01:42
You’re welcome Simon.
I decided to write the interview regardless the outcome. Experience is still an experience.
My status has been in ‘ready’ status until yesterday.
Today it’s been issued.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/how-to-check-your-case-status-on-ceac/
Best,
July 16, 2018 at 16:15
got my immigrant package today .
it contained sealed envelopes, passports and a handbook of how to pay immigrant fees.
July 16, 2018 at 17:24
Cool!
July 13, 2018 at 07:13
Consulate: Johannesburg, South Africa
Date and Time of Interview: 12 July 2018, 13:30.
I arrived approximately 40 minutes before the appointment, and joined the queue outside of the consulate while my family went into Sandton City to wait for me to return. I was the first IV applicant in the line and there were 3 other men in front of me. About 30 minutes before the appointment, a South African lady came outside to greet us and tick us off on her iPad (to make sure that we had a scheduled appointment for that day). At this time, two more families who won the DV Lottery arrived as well, and all the IV applicants were asked to stand in a line, as I was the first IV applicant, I was first in the line. She asked us to please follow her inside.
We walked into a small security room where the guards asked me to place all my belongings into a plastic container which went into a metal detector (they also ask you to turn off your phone, I left mine with my family). I walked through a metal detector, collected my file and wallet, and was asked to proceed to the interview building by following the yellow steps.
I walked through the garden and made it to the interview building where a South African man met me and asked me to give him my appointment details, my passport, my cellphone number and my email address for courier purposes. He asked me to go to the waiting room and wait to hear my number, “1”.
I got called to a window and another South African man asked me for all my documents. I gave him my: Passport, UNABRIDGED Birth Certificate + copy, High School certificate + copy, Bank Statement + Car Ownership Licence, Police Clearance Certificate. He asked me where my Sponsor documents were and I told him that I don’t have one, I will support myself. He said that they do need one but I will still have my interview. He handed me an invoice and said I must pay. I paid, and waited for my number to be called.
“1 to Window 6 Please”
CO: Raise your right hand please, do you swear that everything you say is the truth?
Me: I swear.
CO: Where did you matriculate
Me: *Answered*
CO: When did you matriculate
Me: 2013
CO (after typing on her computer): Do you have plans for what you are going to do in the United States?
Me: I intend to work, preferably as a salesman, as I have been working as one since I matriculated.
CO (small talk about what I sell): Where do you intend to stay in the United States?
Me: South Carolina, and where are you from in the States?
CO: I’m from Florida (and typed on her computer some more, and looking at my bank statements). Alright everything looks fine, I am going to approve you this afternoon. You may leave, go have lunch. (hands me my birth certificate and police certificate)
Me (almost in tears from the joy): Thank you so much have a great weekend. Thank you.
Brit, I want to say thank you, you made this so much easier for all of us, I cannot express my gratitude enough, if we ever meet in the USA, I want to buy you a beer. Thank you so much for all of the help you give us.
Connor
July 13, 2018 at 14:43
Nicely done!
July 14, 2018 at 06:54
Hello Everyone,
I am happy to announce that I finally got my IV stamp from the Embassy in Tunis on July 11. My interview was on July 5/6. AF29XXX.
Below is a summary of my background and DV experience.
Background info for any relevance it might have:
Bio: i am a Tunisian national. I’ve been living in the US for the last 2 years (F2) accompanying my Wife who’s been on OPT. We’ve also lived in the US 10 years ago, while i was grad student myself. we have a US born child (2005) and a newly US born child (June 2018). I lived in Bahrain and Saudi for about 5 years each.
AoS vs. CP: I switched 4 times. first selected AoS. it was an intuitive choice given I was already in the US. then started to understand the intricacies of each choice. CP seamed more convenient and fitting to my situation. i needed to leave for vacation in the summer of 2017. My understanding was that it could be problematic to come back on a F visa while having the intention to AoS. I switched to CP. Then we became pregnant and the due date was about what I estimated the interview date would be (didn’t end up be the case since the Visa bulletin pace was unlike any other previous DV year.) I switched back to AoS. Then the VB pace made it clear that I would be stuck the whole 2018 summer waiting for the interview, in addition to the risk of visas being used up before a USCIS interview. I switched back to CP in March.
DS 260 unlocks and updates: a couple of times: (1) to add the Alias/other names used (2) to add violation of visa terms: in 2004 there was a requirement for certain countries’ citizens to report to CBP before traveling. I didn’t pay attention to that requirement. I was advised it qualifies as a violation of my visa terms. I disclosed it accordingly (3) to add a conviction (court sentenced fine for a traffic accident causing injury to another motorist).
Embassy communication: sent an email once to inquire whether my Police certificate from Bahrain would be acceptable. I had it issued in March 2018, while the certificate mentions a validity of 3 months, which would be expired before my interview by a couple of weeks or so. emailed the Embassy referencing the general rule of the 1-year validity. They responded that it would be acceptable as long as I didn’t go back to Bahrain since the time the PCC was issued.
Interview day (1):
We were called to the first window. it was a Tunisian/American officer (Officer 1). Here is how it went:
Officer 1 (in Tunisian/Arabic): are you the winner of the lottery or is it your wife?
Me: I am the winner
Officer 1: would you like to change the address you have in the US
Me: No, we will keep it. (I had it set at my Brother’s address in the US)
Officer 1: (one by one) give me your passport. Birth certificate. Marriage certificate. Tunisian PCC. Bahraini PCC.
Me: Here you go ….
Officer 1: we need a translation for the Tunisian PCC
Me: Sir, according to the pre-interview checklist from the Embassy website, the PCC does not require a translation. For everything else (except also court convictions) the request for translation is made clear in bold and underlined.
Officer 1: No, we do need a translation for the PCC
Me: Ok
Officer 1: How long have you lived in Saudi
Me: 5 years
Officer 1: I will then need a PCC from Saudi as well
Me: Sir, according to the reciprocity schedule of the DoS, Saudi PCC is not required for those who are not resident of Saudi anymore
Officer 1: We will see.
…Then finger printing…
Officer 1 to my wife: Passport, birth certificate, PCCs, etc.
… same issue with the translation of PCC, then:
Officer 1: Marriage certificate
my wife: my husband gave it to you already.
Officer 1: we need a separate one for you
my wife: Ok
…Then finger printing….
Officer 1: have a seat. we will call you at the cashier window.
…
Cashier: Tunisian Dinars or US Dollars?
Me: US Dollars, please
Cashier: it will be $660
Me: here you go
Cashier: have a seat. an officer will call you.
…
We were called to a different window. It was an American officer (Officer 2). Here is how it went:
Officer 2: Hello, do you speak English?
me: yes, please
Officer 2: where do you live?
me: we’ve been living in the US for the last 2 years. my wife was studying. she’s on OPT right now. I was accompanying her.
Officer 2: So you’re the F2.
Me: Yes, Sir.
Officer 2: what did you study?
Wife: Masters of …
Me: we’ve also lived in the US 10 years ago for 2 years as well
Officer 2: Ok
Officer 2: would you swear that the information contained in this file are true?
Me: I do (raising my hand)
Officer 2: do you have your High School Diploma and translation?
Me: Yes, here you go.
… scanned it and gave it back…
Officer 2: Do you have a bachelors’ degree?
Me: Yes, I also have a masters’ degree from a US university
Officer2: Do you happen to have your bachelors’ degree with you?
Me: Yes, here you go. Do you need the translation for it?
Officer 2: no need. looked at it and gave it back.
Me: Here is also my Masters’ degree.
Officer 2: looked at it and gave it back.
Officer 2: You don’t have a PCC from Saudi?
Me: Sir, according to the reciprocity schedule in the DoS website, Saudi PCC is not required for those who are not resident of Saudi anymore
Officer 2: ok, If that’s the case, then you’re good
Me: I have a printout from the DoS website in this regard
Officer 2: ok, let me see it, it will save time
Me: here you go. the relevant parts have been highlighted.
Officer 2: Ok, you’re good. but we still need a translation of the Tunisian PCC.
Me: Sir, I followed the instructions provided in the Embassy’s pre-interview checklist. the translation is specifically clearly mentioned for some documents. the PCC is not one of them. (I was showing the checklist)
Officer 2: We do require it. but let me see the checklist. if, it’s the case, then we will need to correct the information. …. you’re right, but we do require it.
Me: No problem. we will have it done.
Officer 2: so that will be that for both of you and the additional marriage certificate for you (looking at my wife). Here is a paper mentioning the missing documents, you may come any day between 10am and 11am
Me: Ok. Thank you. We expect to be back tomorrow.
Officer 2: Ok, then.
Me: Thank you.
Interview day (2)
The following day, back to the Embassy with the requested documents:
Officer 1: ok, so, may I have both PCCs with translations, and Marriage certificate for the wife with translation.
Me: Here you go.
Officer 1: Ok, have a seat.
…
Officer 1: here is a ticket for the passports pick-up (3rd following business day)
Me: Ok, thanks. so does that suppose …
Officer 1: that supposes that you’re all set
Me: Thanks. Sir, please note, my wife hasn’t taken the oath yet.
Officer 1: don’t worry. you’re all set.
Me: Ok. Please I would like to provide you with my cell number in Tunisia
Officer 1: Sure.
Me: Here you go (on a piece of paper). Thanks.
…we left the embassy
about 20 min later, a phone call. It’s the Embassy!
Officer 1: Hi, we apologize, your wife has to come back for the oath.
…. back to the embassy.
Officer 1: have a seat, we will call you.
….
Officer 2: Hi, we apologize for the inconvenience. Your wife has to take her own oath. The cases have to be treated on a standalone basis.
Me: No problem at all.
Officer 2: would you swear ….. true
Wife: I do.
Officer 2: ok. let me make sure this goes through and that nothing more is required, so that we don’t have to call you again. (tapping on his computer)
Officer 2: you’re all set.
Me: Sir, I have a question …. we had a new born, a US new born. she’s not mentioned anywhere in the DS 260.
Officer 2: she’s a US citizen, right?
Me: Yes
Officer 2: In that case you’re fine. We will see you next week for the pick-up, then.
Me: Ok thank you. Have a nice one.
….
as you noticed: no question about the financial aspect or the i134, which I had ready upon request. Also, no explicit “congratulations” or “welcome to the US” or “You’re approved”, which I read in some of the posts. I would have preferred that! But the passport pick-up ticket was reassuring enough.
…
NVC Website status check:
the evening following the first appointment, the status changed from Ready to Admin.Processing
the evening following the 2nd appointment, the status changed back to Ready
stayed for 1 more business day
2nd business day: changed to Admin. Processing
3rd business day (pick-up day): changed to ISSUED! By mid-day.
It has been a long and mentally exhausting journey. This community was of great help. I hope I will measure up to the opportunity. May God make, whatever good come easy for everyone.
Dear BritSimon, I can’t thank you and Sm1smom @forums.immigration.com/threads/dv-2018-all-selectees, enough, for your time and the aresources you’re providing to this community.
Thank you!
July 14, 2018 at 14:35
Congratulations, and thanks for the detailed update…
July 15, 2018 at 14:14
Simon, what does he (phillips) mean by marrige certificate for the wife. We have one copy that states both our names. Can you please elaborate if you have any idea? Thanks
July 15, 2018 at 17:14
I can’t read his mind.
July 15, 2018 at 21:23
I’m not sure what it meant, by my own personal interpretation is that each person (husband & wife) should have their own full set of documents. In this case they needed a marriage certificate each.
If possible just get another one issued, or make a copy and get it certified/notarized but most importantly follow specific embassy instructions/checklist (where you’re being interviewed)
July 16, 2018 at 00:48
One marriage cert is normally enough for a couple.
July 15, 2018 at 13:11
To day was my interview at Riyadh embassy the councillor told me that my visa approved and kept my passport with him .But didn’t ask me about my high school certificate is it ok,
I would like to thanks u Simon for your support
July 15, 2018 at 17:13
THey took what they needed. RElax.
July 16, 2018 at 11:04
Thanks , after your interview and co said you are approved, how many days does it take to receive your package?
July 16, 2018 at 14:57
Did you check the date of his experience story to now?
July 17, 2018 at 07:07
Dear Simon
A short feedback about my experience at the Bucharest Embassy, Romania, case 2018EU21XXX:
I followed your advice and over-prepared the documents. I had a check list from the Embassy, but I brought more documents in addition, including previous letters of employment, translated in English, bank statements on the accounts on my name and on the accounts on my parents name (where I was also formal beneficiary) to prove my family has sufficient financial means and I would not be a public burden in US, written conformation from my US host that he agrees to receive my documents on his post address and that will host me, few exchange of emails with US companies for job placement corresponding to my education.
The process went smoothly just as previous blog visitors indicated. The slightly different thing was when the officer was asking about financial means he briefly went through the history of transactions, probably to see if if precedes my lottery winning or I just made one big deposit with other people’s money just before the interview to show I have financial means. As the statements were for the last 2 years , everything was ok. Few questions followed about my US host, where he lives, from where do I know him, what is his job, what company he works for. He performed some operations on the computer, I’m not sure if he cross-checked the info provided or not, but everything I said was very accurate. After few other formal questions the officer informed me that he will approve the visa and I will receive my passport through courier.
I have been reading your blog for the past year, it was very helpful and guided me through this very complicated process. I know you are doing this on your free time, so I would like to thank you very much for your time and your patience!
July 17, 2018 at 14:00
Thanks for the feedback, and congratulations. Interesting point about the CO checking the transactions – you did well to prepare well.
July 17, 2018 at 21:20
Dear Brit, I’d like to share my sad story so you get the fresh info on the next matter and share that with similar cases to come.
We got rejected because we overstayed our visas in 2008, leaving the Usa on Oct 20. 2008. Which means we have a ban by Oct 20. 2018. At the interview we were told that we are 20 days short since thay can only issue visas by Sept 30. 2018. Best regards from 5 of us. Thanx for being there through the sleepless nights, keep up the good work! Good luck!
July 17, 2018 at 23:03
Yeah – this is pretty mach what we discussed would be the likely outcome if no waiver was offered. It’s a bit harsh for the sake of 20 days – but the overstay was long.
You can of course apply for future lotteries. Best of luck.
July 21, 2018 at 02:02
Hello Brit,thank you so much, i refer lot of information from you website, my case around 20 days AP,I got visa, Thank you so much
July 23, 2018 at 10:19
Thank you very much BS for all the advices and instructions i received from your page.
My own interview was scheduled to take place in Yaounde Cameroon on March 6th 2018. I just had a child who was just 3months old and followed your instructions on how to add her to the list since she wasn’t on the original case.
We arrived the embassy at 6:30a.m in the morning since our schedule time was 9:30a.m. Already they were many people on the line outside waiting.
At about 7a.m the security outside began letting people inside.Our documents were checked and we were allowed inside the embassy gate
We sat outside for about an hour and suddenly we were asked to go inside the embassy.We were given numbers upon entering and immediately asked to go pay the interview fee at the first window.Since i was the principal winner i went ahead and paid for the 04 of us.At this time all our documents were taken from us
After this we sat in the hall while waiting for our number to be called since many people were already there and were being interviewed.
After about an hour we were called in the second window where we were asked to do the finger print and the guy asked me why i had not brought a police clearance from Dubai since i had lived in Dubai for more than a year.I told him i had left Dubai long ago and it was impossible for me to have it.He told me the consolar officer will require it when we go for the proper interview.As we went and sat down i was really in panicking mood because they was no where i could provide it now.I just asked God to help see us through.
Finally at about 11:45a.m our number was called at window 05 this time around by the consolar officer.We went straight up and greeted him, it was a nice white gentleman a God sent to our case.He greeted us back and asked us to raise our hands and swear.We did that and he asked us to take our finger print again while he was going through our documents and returning the originals to us.He then asked us for how long we have been married.we answered together.
Suddenly he told us that he will only issue our visas when we bring the Cameroon non conviction certificate.
We thanked him and left immediately with our hearts filled with joy and immediately went straight to town and made the non conviction certificate and returned immediately same day and dropped it at the gate where he had asked us to drop it.
N.B in Cameroon the embassy does not accept the Cameroon police clearance certificate.Instead they accept but the non conviction certificate.
We had done but the Cameroon police clearance certificate which is shown on the list of requirements.Fortunately for us we were lucky
After about 2weeks i was called to come collect our visas and i did just that the next day
We traveled to the U.S. early May and are now living happily the American dream.
Thank you the U.S. for changing our lives
Let God continue to bless this wonderful country
That was my interview experience
Thank you SIMONS FOR EVERYTHING
July 23, 2018 at 15:18
Awesome. Work hard, and make a good life!
July 23, 2018 at 20:25
Good day everyone
Case number: 2018AS46xx, Country: SYRIA
After a long year since I was selected for further processing in may 2017, and with different versions of the travel ban I finally reached the USA through the hard way.
When the last version of the travel ban took place back on December 2017, and with Sudan was lifted from the banned countries I applied for Sudanese citizenship, thanks to the Sudanese authorities, obtaining the citizenship is quiet easy for the Syrians and Yemenis due to the on going war there, the only provision is to live in Sudan for 6 months and then apply, after almost 5 more months and with some paper work the passport will be ready.
My interview was scheduled on April 3rd, I scheduled for my medical exam on March 1st even before I got the 2NL(got it on March 5th),the appointment was on March 8th and I get the sealed envelope on March 15th.
My appointment in the embassy was at 7.30 in the USA embassy, Khartoum, I was the second one in the line and after the usual security screening we entered the embassy.
In the interview hall I was handed a paper that describes the order of the documents they want from the diversity visa applicants:
1- the interview appointment(only the main applicant)
2- the passport + 2 new photos.
3- the education certificates + translation + photocopies (only the main applicant)
4- birth certificate + translation + photocopies.
5- Civil registration certificate (which is kind of Sudanese ID) the original authenticated and translated + copy for each.
6-marriage certificate translated + copies.
7- military certificate (which I will not have as neutralized person) and I couldn’t bring one form Syria.
8- the sealed medical envelop.
9-police certificates.
10- form I-134 and the other forms(which I didn’t have, only a letter from my friend whose in the US declaring that I will live with him for 6 months)
after about 30 minutes I was called to window 3, where I submitted the documents and added explanation of why I couldn’t bring police certificate from Syria, and the court record because I left my public job in Syria without notice which consider a crime, and I did mention that on the DS 260, and IELTS certificate. Then I was called to a different window to pay the fees (330 USD).
After that I was called to window 5 for the interview and it was in English (you can ask for interpreter to Arabic if you want),the officer was a very kind man.
CO: do you swear that……..
ME:yes I do.
then he ask me about how long I have been in Sudan and where I was before that and when the last time I went to Syria which was more than 3 years ago, we talked about my job and where I am going to live in the USA and then:
Me: Can I add something?
CO: of course.
Me: After travel ban 3, I applied for the Sudanese citizenship and it will be ready after about a month according to the authorities.
CO: OK I will come back to you soon, please sit down.
After two minutes he called me again and told me that he can’t approve my visa because of the presidential proclamation,BUT when the Sudanese citizenship is ready I should contact them so they can reconsider my case.
Before the interview I was considering to postpone the interview by unlocking the DS260 until the citizenship is ready, but I thought It would be better to keep it on time and see what will happen because I understood that the refusal because of the travel ban is not final, and they are considering different options, and basically because I ran out of patience ;), and it turns out it is a good choice after all because it gave me more than enough time before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
My status on CEAC changed to REFUSED and the date to April 3rd
On May 14th every thing was ready, I emailed the embassy and they replied to drop the required documents in the immigrant box office out side the consular section, in the same day the date on CEAC changed to May 14th but still refused and the date changed again on the 17th.
Then I entered in other WAIT period, they even didn’t reply to my emails until June 19th the last update date changed but the status still refused. After one week, on June 26 the status changed to ready and then AP in the same day.
The next day on July 27,2018 my status on CEAC changed to **ISSUED** finally.
I got an email to collect my passport with the visa on June 2nd, the next day I collect it, booked on the 6th, my BOE was JFK airport where it only took me 5 minutes to get my visa stamped and get inside the USA without any questions at all.
Thank you Simon for the great work you are doing and your help and patience on me and on everyone else, every thing I did was related to your posts and answers, GOD PLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
July 23, 2018 at 20:30
Really cool. That’s the first time I have heard a REFUSED turn to approved.
July 23, 2018 at 21:24
it is (June) 27, 2018 and then (July) 2nd I got the email, and I don’t know why the ISSUED word didn’t appear between the symbols, sorry for that :),
July 24, 2018 at 16:09
Thank you Sam for sharing your experience from Khartoum. As I haven’t seen one here.
If you see this, I have a question. Translation of documents in Khartoum. Where did you go to get them translated?
Thank you in advance.
July 24, 2018 at 19:30
University of Faculty of Arts,Translation and Arabicization Unit, Al Khurtum, Sudan, Barlaman Ave, I think this is the only acceptable center for translation by the US embassy and the ministry of foreign affairs.
July 25, 2018 at 06:07
Thanks Sam. How many days did it take?
July 25, 2018 at 11:54
Usually less than a week
July 24, 2018 at 17:42
MY INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE USA Embassy YAOUNDÉ, CAMEROON.
24th July 2018.
I Will like to say a very big Thank you to God almighty and to our daddy Britsimon for all the help and advice he gave us.
Woke up at 4am, prayed and took my bath. By 5am, listened to inspirational songs and speeches to gather courage and confidence!!
By 6am rechecked all my documents and by 6:45am was on my way to the embassy.
I arrived the embassy at 7:15am and there was a queue one side for non-immigrant visas and the other for immigrant visas (DV).
Passed through first security check, good enough I carried only my documents in a file.
So we the dv applicants were asked to sit down and wait for the first group while I was in the second group. While we were there chatting, they called our group to go and submit our files and pay our immigrant fee of 185000frs or $330. They also asked us to separate our documents that is original and photocopies in separate folders. (Please bring your own separate folders don’t expect them to give you)
So I took my number and sat down. When they reached my turn, it was first to go for finger prints and sign up for selective service and was asked small questions like
-Why did you make a new birth certificate?
-Are you married?
-Do you have kids?
And after answering they took my ID card and placed it on my passport and asked me to go and sit down for the final interview.
Me: Good day sir (smiling)
CO: Good day (while typing)
Raise your right hand up and swear.
Me: I did.
CO: Are you married?
Me: No sir
CO: Do you have children?
Me: No sir
CO: What do you plan to do in the USA?
Me: Further my studies on web designing.
CO: Place your left hand on the machine so I can take your fingerprints.
Me : I did
CO: What will you do after you graduate?
Me: Start working.
CO: congratulations, your visa is approved!!!
Me: Thank you very much sir!!!
So guys that’s how my interview went. There’s really nothing to be scared. Just pray and believe God will grant to you what he has promised you!
Good luck and hope it help those awaiting.
Thanks!!!
July 24, 2018 at 17:45
It’s easy when you are properly prepared. Well done!
July 31, 2018 at 03:22
Hi Brit
I read most of the questions and your answers. Some visa applicants are not on DV. They requested visas for their wives or husbands. I could assume most of those are from Morocco where people were put on AP for more than 8 months. USA consulate in Casablanca holds the visa first for couple of weeks, but they keep saying to people they should wait 6-9 months. This has nothing to do with DV visas. So, what do you think is the reason for applying AP on those cases even though they are cleared by uscis and nvc ?
July 31, 2018 at 03:53
I only answer questions about DV lottery cases.
July 31, 2018 at 11:34
Case number: 2018AS90**
Interview Date: July 29
Country: kuwait,
country of chargeability: United Arab Emirates(By mistake and It must be kuwait also)
We arrived Us embassy at Abu Dhabi at 7:30 am, my wife was the main applicant,
they collect our passport copies, birth certificate(Issue from kuwait),personal photos Police Certificate from Jordan, UAE, medical test,
university degree only(They did ask about high school degree),
bank statement for my wife only as she’s the main applicant, I informed him I’ve mine plus the affidative of support also
and he didn’t take them, only my wife bank statment while I am argue with him to take mine but he rejected, then I paid the 660$, after 1 hours they call our number
and we went to CO window, a good lady (It’s seem a US Citizen) ask very simple questions like below:
For how many you are in UAE?
What are you working?
When you did married?
How many times you visited US?
Where are you travveling?
Do you have any relative their?
and keep typing on the computer while we are asnwering, at the end she told us our visa is approved.
Some points I want to write it down as I keep asking too much question to Mr. Simon where he always answered each of us, always keep the correct answer, advised to be prepared very well:
1- No issue in my country of chargeability as It’s Different from country of birth, where’s is in the same region even they didn’t ask about.
2- My child is a US Citizen, they didn’t ask anything about him, I was afraid to ask me how my wife delivery in us? who paid the bills?…etc
they asked only for birth certificate, plus passport copy.
3- I brougt bank statement for me plust affidative of support from my wife’s uncle with tax return and they didn’t ask, I was so surprised.
At the end today I’ve checked the status and It’s finally issued.
Many thanks for you Mr. Simon for your help, really thank you.
Good luck for all others in their interview.
July 31, 2018 at 14:16
Congratulations.
August 1, 2018 at 19:43
Hi Brit.
I’m a Kenyan so my interview was at the US embassy in Nairobi. Case number AF 25***
My story is a bit different. ?? So I got that email that I was selected and later got another one that had my interview date.
This was in May and my interview was in June the first week.
First I went to KNEC paid KSH 2320 verification fee so that my KCSE results can be verified and sent to the Embassy.
I also applied for my police certificate the same day, I paid Ksh 1050 for that.
I decided to book my medicals early. I got a date – 16th and 17th May from the IOM guys. Everything was good until I went to get my results. The doc told me I had abnormalities in my chest. I remember a month before that I got a cold that lasted a whole week something that had never happened before. I tried explaining this to him and he said he knows but the embassy won’t accept the results. He told me I had to get a sputum test for the next three days. He also told me that I’ll have to miss my interview and he said he’ll ask the embassy to reschedule. I was done with the sputum test and asked to wait for 52 days. I was sooo angry because I had spent ksh 18000 on medicals and I had to add another ksh 9000 for the sputum test. I felt like giving up but I didn’t. I decided that life must move on because I was asked to wait till 20th July.
I was out of town last week when I got a call from the Embassy and was told they just received my package from IOM and they have a free day on Monday 30th and I should attend the interview at 6.30AM. I was shocked that they managed to reschedule my interview.
First if the doc asks you not to attend the interview do as he says because on the day you’re interview is supposed to happen you’ll be asked to go home till they get your results.
Anyway so I get there on Monday morning and they forgot to include my name in their list. I was asked to wait till around 9.15 I got there at 6.30AM. Anyway I waited and finally was asked to proceed.
I get to the hall and there are so many people. Good thing DV lottery was a different line. My number was called and the guy asked for my original certs, and checked. My KCSE results were already there so he counter checked.
I had gone US few years ago and he asked about that, he also asked me if I loved music because of how I was dressed, he was such a happy guy.
Few minutes later my number was called and it was interview time. A white lady interviewed me.
CO : Good morning I love your hair it’s beautiful
Me : *smiles* it’s a wig for bad hair days
CO : I think I need one too
Me : Every woman does *laughs*
CO : How was your trip to US? What did you love about it?
Me : how clean the city was and how good my photos looked like
CO : *laughs*
CO : so are you single single or single never been married?
Me : Single never been married. I have a boyfriend.
CO : will you go with him?
Me : he got a five year visa he’ll come visit me
Co : will you travel alone?
Me : Yes
CO : you’ll be so bored lt’s a long trip
Me : yeah I’ll download lots of music.
Co : so I’m approving your visa
Me : for real? So that’s it?
CO : Yes. Easy right?
Me : Very. I don’t believe it.
She didnt ask for my Ds260 I actually gave her my sponsor’s letter though she hadn’t asked about it.
Later that day I checked my status from Ready to AP and later to issued. Today I got an email that my package is ready for collection, I went to DHL and signed for it.
I’m still shocked and happy !!! My plan is to travel in a few weeks time so that I can come back and sell my house stuff. Thanks a lot Brit this site came through for me.
August 1, 2018 at 20:22
Nice!
August 3, 2018 at 10:15
Many people said here about sponsor letter from USA. I wonder, is it I-134 Form OR just simple letter with ID attached? I am SORRY for question here.
August 3, 2018 at 13:46
I-134
August 3, 2018 at 18:45
OMG, Tax forms are so private info. I wonder, how people share it with another person….
August 3, 2018 at 19:30
The idea is that this is a close friend/relative that is prepared to financially support you. So – a little lost privacy shouldn’t be a problem.
August 4, 2018 at 11:24
Hello Simon,
Thank you so much for all the help. My interview and 3 family Members was today Saturday 4/Aug at Nairobi embassy.
Truthfully it was swift. Went thru the check points and called to give in my documents and then paid.
Then was called later for the real interview. It took less than 5 mins, CO just asked when we got married, when I finished school, if those are the only kids I have, and where am gonna live in the states.
The visas were already approved before we got to the window, cos all our four forms were there waiting. And when he was done, he just pulled them out and told us to wait for email that will tell us to pick passports from DHL, in about 4 days.
And that was it!
Thanks once again!
August 4, 2018 at 13:29
Nice!
August 6, 2018 at 04:56
Hello Simon,
Thank you so much for this blog and your support.
I had an interview today at the US embassy.
Let me share that as part of my contribution.
Location: Tokyo
Number of applicants: 1
Date: August 6th, 2018
Wait time: 3 hours
Martial status: Single, never been married
Documents submitted: 2 photos, passport, Birth certificate and its translation, University certificate, Bank statement of USD25000 savings (I had I-134 but was never asked), DS260 copy, Police certificate, Medical examination report.
First I was called to submit above documents, then was called again for biometric then I had an interview with Consular.
Consular: You are applying for DV visa?
Me: Yes
Consular: (Finger print and swear to tell the truth)
Consular: Where do you plan to live?
Me: Chciago
Consular: You graduated from XXXX university?
Me: Yes
Consular: Are you working now?
Me: Yes
Consular: What do you do?
Me: Internal auditor at an investment bank
Consular: Have you committed any crime?
Me: No
Consular: Are you married or have children?
Me: No
Consular: You will receive visa in about an week
Me: Am I all set?
Consular: Yes, you can go now.
This process took about 3 minutes.
Consular was not friendly but quite punctual.
To be honest, I was prepared to show more documents so it was weird it ended this simple but I am happy for the result.
Thank you again for your amazing blog and your support.
Regards,
K
August 6, 2018 at 04:58
Congratulations!
August 6, 2018 at 06:56
Hello Dear Brit.
Here is my interview experience:
consular section Nairobi, Kenya
August 04 2018. 7:00 AM
CN 2018AF32XXX
Am from Burundi
Arrived at the embassy at 6:06′ and passed through two security check and deposed all my electronic items.
Then went in got the number and was told to go in the waiting area to sit.
After around an hour and half, was called to window 9 a lady asked me my birth cert, PPC, high school diploma asked me whether I habe been in another country and took my fingerprint and asked to sign a form about SSS as I am 22. Then she told me to go to the cashier(window 10) and pay the visa fee.after, the cashier told me to go back in the waiting area and wait fir me to be called.
went there and after around 20 min heard a voice in the speaker calling my name and my number to window number 5 for interview. The CO was
a white aged man looking serious and didn’t smile.
co: hi good morning
Me: gd morning Sir
CO: called me in my name and took my fingerprint
Me: laughed. Yes Sir as I was putting my finger on the apparutus.
Co: he had my diploma and asked” you got this in burundi? Is it for high school”
me: Yes Sir
Co: what have you done after high school?
me: continued my university
co: which uni and which major?
Me: told him
Co: well, where are you goin in the US?
Me: Texas
Co: what’s the relationship with the sponsor?
me: uncle
co: brother of your mom or dad?
me: mom
he typed something and said your visa is approuved and added ” this is a good news” as I was quiet and overwhelmed since he didnot ask about the aff of support. Then I said thk you sir.
He then gave me a white sheet and instructed me on how to pay the greencard fees and told me I will get my visa after 4 days at the DHL courrier that I had created.
Was very happy since the night before I was bothering Brit with the questions of an updated w2 amd payslips with fear inasmuch as a fellow buundian winner was put in AP due to the fact that she brought an “outdated supporting doc”.
am very grateful to Brit for his guidance throughout this journey.
Brit you are a blessing to the DV winners. Most of Burundian don’t know english but they know many things about the process as I have to explain them many of Brit’s Post.
You therefore help many than thousands of your blogreaders.
I don’t have the Credit card for me to donate but feel willingly to donate as soon as I get the credit card.
Don’t know whether there is another easy way like a bank account for us african who are not so much familiar with tech.
May God Bless Britsimon
May God bless the Unites Staes.
August 6, 2018 at 16:49
Congratulations!
August 6, 2018 at 09:22
If possible please delete my CN’s last digits
August 6, 2018 at 16:12
Hi I missed my interview in July 02/ 2018 due to my mother accident with right hand broke up so I cannot attain in interview is it possible to take my interview date again
August 6, 2018 at 17:50
So you then waited a month before thinking about this?? You don’t seem too serious about this life changing opportunity!
Feel free to contact the embassy and ask them.
August 7, 2018 at 03:55
Hi brits. Thanks very much for your time and your kindness.
My interview was the 17th July at 8:30 am Yaoundé ambassy in Cameroon.
I came at 7:30am. We waiting about 30min before in.
Once inside the ambassy the ask me to buy the interview fee 185000fcfa. After that we (dv winners) wait about 2 to 3 hours sit. Because they receive other type of visa. When the start whit us. They called me on the window To give my fingerprints. 15 min later. The called my number the second time at other windows.
Co: good morning
Me: good morning
Co: swear to say the truth today
Me: I swear
Co: are you married?
Me: no
Co: have you children?
Me: no
Co: are are you fiancé ?
Me: no
Co: congratulations I approve your visa
Me: thank you.
I picked up my visa the 19th and I travel the 24th because already reserved my flirt since on June.
I am now in USA. Britsimon thanks you very much. You do a great job. Now I am waiting to do a donation.
August 7, 2018 at 04:18
Nice and easy!
August 8, 2018 at 12:55
2018OC13XX – Australian primary applicant
Submitted DC260 – mid May 2018
Unlocked and resubmitted – mid June 2018
Embassy – London
Got married to a Brit (same sex) in May after getting 1NL, but before 2NL
Firstly, a huge thank you to BritSimon! Your advice was invaluable.
We went to the embassy 45 mins early and checked in on the iPad at security. My husband’s name wasn’t on there, but the worker called someone and they sent us up to floor 1.
By the time we got upstairs our number was already being called. We met a person who I assume was an assistant. He asked for my passport and DC260 confirmation pages. Then gave us our chest xrays back (CDs). Then he took both of our fingerprints. He scanned our photos – these are the big 5cm x 5cm – didn’t bother cutting them up.
Then he went through the checklist document by document and asked for my photocopies. These were:
– Birth certificates
– My university degree – not partners (didn’t bother checking my high school certificate)
– Police certificates (both of us – for Australia and UK as I’ve lived in both)
– Marriage certificate (he asked if we had two photocopies as this would be useful)
– Proof that we can support ourselves (we had bank statement with £70k) – note this was never listed on any of the document checklists – so lucky I had gone to the bank and got the most recent bank statement stamped by them
He checked these off on a checklist.
He then casually asked us questions like where do we plan on living and what will we do for work. We said we weren’t sure yet but maybe NYC or LA – and listed our occupations. We were told to take a seat and wait for a case officer. About 5 mins later we were called to another window where a very polite lady greeted us.
She got us to confirm our fingerprints and then typed on the computer for a few mins. She then asked if I had a university degree, which I said yes. And then where we planned on living. Do we have family that we can stay with while we get on our feet? (yes). Do we have jobs lined up? (no). Then she said – “okay we’re going to issue the visas for you”.
Such a relief!! After reading hours of content on your website to make sure I had everything checked off, it was finally the result we wanted to hear.
We then paid the visa fee at a separate window and the cashier gave the case officer the receipt. I wasn’t given any folder or anything to take with me when we go to activate our green card, but I assume this will come with the passports. They said it will take up to 2 weeks to get them back.
Thanks again for BritSimon and everyone on the DV forum who helped. And I wish everyone else going through the process the best of luck!
August 8, 2018 at 15:38
Spoke too soon .It’s now gone into AP. BritSimon is there anyway of contacting the London Embassy staff via phone to see why?
August 8, 2018 at 17:50
That is normal. You just need to be patient for a day or two.
August 9, 2018 at 20:37
It was issued today 24 hours after the interview. I can’t believe it’s happening .Thanks so much BritSimon .
August 9, 2018 at 21:11
Great!
August 8, 2018 at 20:39
Hi Good Day to All:
I am from South America (SA) For every one in the 2018 lottery has been a challenging year. But i had my interview on 6th August 2018.
7:00 Arrive at interview for Appointment at 7:30
Officers were in Line outside checking people appointment letter alongside the ipad they had. After that we had to go get our case number and all information printed and pasted at the back of our passport at another booth.
We were escorted one by one through security and were told to lodge our stuff by the locker such as car keys etc.
We went into the embassy and were given a number and we waited for our number to call of course there was a lot of persons for immigrant visas as well.
8:30 we were called at a window to hand in our documents so it was me and my spouse.
They asked for our Medical, Original and Copy of Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificate and copy, ds 260, Police Clearance, Pictures and Academic Certificates. Once that was finish our finger were scanned and we were told to go back and pay and take back the receipt.
10:00 We were called to another window for the final interview..We had to do the oath.
Co. ask for our passport with B/B2 Visas
And then the Co. ask ?
1. Do you have Kids
2. When did you play the Lottery
3. What business we do?
4. Co. ask for results to verify some academic qualifications which we presented and had in our file.
He then cancel our B1/B2 visas…and told us congratulations your immigrant visas has been approved.
Any thing in life you go and do you have to be prepared this is one in a lifetime opportunity that people get and a little
preparation can take you a far away. We never know what the questions is going to be but be honest and sincere.
We got married after the DV winnings but we were living under common law relationship for years. We had our B1/B2 Visas together at the US Embassy back in the years and we travel together and that was sufficient for them to verify our relationship.
ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE WHO IS GOING FOR THEIR INTERVIEW
August 8, 2018 at 22:02
Awesome – well done. Just a question – was your entry as single or married (common law relationship )?
August 8, 2018 at 23:21
I applied as single but after the winnings i got married. But about 5 years back i applied for b1/b2 visa and me and my husband went for the interview as common law and we were both issued.
August 8, 2018 at 23:46
OK cool. The B1/B2 application as common law has no bearing, since each of your visas was individual. For DV, one is the principal, and only a legal marriage can qualify a derivative spouse.
August 15, 2018 at 12:36
Mr. Simon
My case is similar to Madonna
My entry was done as married but I was in a common law relationship and got marry legally after I was selection.
B 1/ B2 visa was also apply for as married.
Visa was approved however I was not ask to provide proof of marriage or proof of our relationship I figure it is because I have kids with my spouse.
Only question asked by CO is place of employement and we were approved.
However one of my kids DOB was incorrect on visa when i collected the passport I took it back along with package to the embassy and it was corrected on the same day and given back to us.
August 15, 2018 at 14:29
Thanks. I have known of a couple other cases like that – also approved, but one case in Sydney was recently denied.
August 18, 2018 at 03:38
Hi Madonna thanks for sharing, I have my interview in Caracas in September and wonder how it took to have your passport back, did you picked it up at zoom or it was delivered?
Thanks and good luck In the usa
August 12, 2018 at 22:53
Hi all,
I had a bad experience today with the interview. It was because I had an appointment at 8:00 am and it totally slipped of my mind but then tried to reach at 9:00am. After reaching the security guard took our passports asked the reason of being late. They then talked to the officer but the officer asked us to reschedule the appointment.
August 12, 2018 at 23:08
I don’t get it. This is a life changing opportunity. 25 million people entered to try and win a Green Card. And you let it slip your mind!
August 16, 2018 at 12:07
Interview Date:12th of July
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Time: 13:00
Completed my DS260 in October 2016
Case number: 2018AF30XXX
Arrived at the embassy 12:45, walked straight in no line outside, as most people before have said you have to give phone in and they scan you.
Now inside the Embassy, I was applicant number 5, so waited for about 20 minutes then got called to the counter where I dealt with a South African gentleman.
Him: Married?
Me: No
Him: Kids?
Me: No
Him: Been convicted of a crime
Me: No
Him: Thanks, you make my life easy, I need unabridged birth certificate (which I did not have at the time as our department that issues this is sometimes unreliable) Bank statements or Affidavit of support, Police Clearance, Passport, Proof of schooling and any degrees or qualification
Me: I dont have my unabridged but I can promise it will be ready next week, has this messed up things?
Him: Not at all, you will just have to courier it to us when you get it but do not leave it too long as Diversity Visas can reach their threshold, have the rest of supporting documentation?
Me: I do, here it all is (hands over) (affidavit of Support not bank statements)
Him: *Took my digital fingerprints and made my file with all documentation*
Him: Okay thank you, go pay and come back to the sitting area where you will be called for your interview, they will say number 5
Side Note with him, family before me were also applying for DV, he was strict with them as some of their documents were not in English and he was warning them that they need in English and to be certified of else they will be declined.
I went to pay, they first didnt accept my dollars as one of the notes is before 2003 and they dont accept those notes, but luckily they accepted my VISA card, paid and went back to sit.
Thought I would wait a while as 3 families were ahead of me, sitting for no more than 3 minute and then I get called to another window for my interview (assume because I was by myself they knew it would be quick with me) Now i spoke to a kind American lady.
Her: Raise your right, you swear these documents are truthful and what you tell me is truthful.
Me: I swear
Her: Whats your highest qualification
Me: Bachelors degree, but I am studying now in my postgrad in management accounting
Her; Nice, I was never too good with numbers, how do you know the sponsor
Me: Family Friend (they really are)
Her: Okay, where do you plan on staying?
Me: New York once I am on my feet, but the sponsor stays in Kentucky so I will go there first
Her: Okay great, well I will pre approve you for now, just please get the Birth Certificate to us as soon as you get it, so we can process you
Me: Thank you so much, will have it over asap
Her: fingerprints again then you can be on your way
Me: *did my fingerprints* and then thanked her again and left
(No more than 2 minutes with her)
Side note, my sponsor signed my i134 and scanned it and I printed that, didnt need to be a “wet” signature as in raw ink.
I got my birth certificate the next week, couriered via DHL then saw it reach the embassy, now a waiting game, My CEAC status went to AP for about 10 days, then to Ready for about another 10 days and then back to AP for a couple of days then ISSUED 🙂
Thank you so much Britsimon, BIG BIG BIG help, and people if you just read questions, most likely your question has already been asked.
August 16, 2018 at 15:36
Thanks for the detailed story!! Best of luck!
August 17, 2018 at 05:24
First of all, let me take this opportunity to thank God, Simon and all forum members for your precious time and contribution to this dv stuffs.
Case number: 2018AF29XXX
Embassy: Senegal
Interview Date: 07/08/2018
Time: 08h00 GMT
I will skip the struggling of not getting 2nls on time and all disappointments most of us had and still have in this year dv.
Some mistakes/Missing info in DS 260:
1. I forgot to state my secondary school and I realize it late I cannot change the DS260.
I have 2 bachelor degrees and a master degree, I thought it wasn’t necessary to state my secondary school left 20 years ago but I was wrong, as Simon always said: The DS 260 MUST be as accurate as possible.
2. My passport expired and I renew it late so I didn’t change it on DS260(Simon advised to bring both in the interview; what I did and the CO didn’t ask the old one and when I insisted he just checked on his computer just to make sure he entered the correct one and told that it is ok.
Medical issues:
For those who are waiting for their interview; for your own benefit get test especially the STDS and TB as TB takes time to be cured. Even if you do not get a chance of being interviewed; you are doing those test for your own good and being tested 3 months before your interview may save your life and secure your dream; American dream.
Hear me very well on this I am not talking about doing your medicals 3 months before interview or some other time; I just saying that it is better to know your health status even if you are not applying for visa or anything.
Sponsor:
It is a must in Dakar. You have to be with an i-134 as you have to be with birth certificate or police report. The i-134 is a MUST in Dakar.
The day of Interview:
Me: Good morning Sir
CO: (Was a guy of my age): Good morning, how are you?
Me: I am fine; thanks. And you?
CO: I am good.
CO: English or French?
Me: English please.
CO: Ok;
Me: Fingerprints stuffs and swearing…
CO: Your are from….X country?
Me: Yes Sir;
CO: Nice! How many times did you play?
Me: What you mean? In this fiscal year or?
CO: No; I mean present and the past
Me: 3 times I think
CO: That’s correct (checking in his computer)
CO: I see you studied in xxxxx country
Me: Yes Sir; I got a bachelor degree in xxxxx from xxxx University
CO: Ok; Tell me how you played
Me: I was in my office.. blabla.. I fill the form as I did last year.. blabla…
CO: And when did you know that you won?
Me: September 2017
CO: How did you take your picture? You took it with your phone?
Me:(How the heck did he know)! Yes Sir; I checked picture requirements on official website, took the photo with my phone and adjust it on my computer.
CO: Ok. When are you planning to move to the US?
Me: I have to deal with my current studies and perhaps in 3 to 5 months.
CO: I see you are currently at xxxx University
Me: Yes Sir;
CO: Where do you intend to stay in the USA
Me: xxxx state and xxx city
CO: Do you have family in the US?
Me: I have just my …..xxx there.
CO: No brothers, no sisters..,?
Me: No Sir, just my ……xxxx
CO: Do you have a sponsor?
Me: Yes Sir, xxxxxx(her name)
CO: who is she to you?
Me: a xxxxxx
CO: (Checking the documents..) I see, she lives in xxxx city?
Me: Yes Sir
CO: Your visa is approved! Don’t book/buy tickets; it may take a while to print it. Come back next Tuesday 14/08 to get back your passport.
Me: That is it?
CO: Yes sir! Welcome to the US!
Me: Thanks
I insisted that I have two passport (Old/ expired and New one as I mentioned above); He said that is not a problem. He rechecked again my name and passport number and said that everything is fine.
I was very happy; I thank God for everything and Simon for everything too without forgetting all of you forum members for your contributions.
There were two CO on different windows and where I was sitting I can easily follow the whole interview, I saw a lot of people who got rejected, few who got approved and I was in the last group I saw almost everyone interview on that day and it was very very scaring.
I was also surprised by the length of my interview; it was long and thanks God it went well.
Here come also other frustrations
From the day of my interview 07/08 till the day I was given to come back 14/08: my case status on ceac website was “ready” the whole week! I freaked out and the case of my friend (I met a beautiful girl through the forum and by coincidence our case numbers were very close like 1 and 2 and obviously we had the same day of interview); so the case of my friend pass to AP the day after interview and the next day to “Issued” whereas mine was still on “Ready”.
But I remembered Simon once said that the case are analyzed “individually” every case is different. But I was always asking myself why mine is taking too long.
After one week(on the day I was told to come back), I went to the embassy hoping that I was just an update issue; when there; they told me that my visa is not yet available and by surprise my friend’s too(Her case was “Issued” for the whole week).
I asked why it is taking too long and the guy told me that is normal and asked me to come back next Tuesday or Thursday to see if my visa is available.( The way he was speaking, he was not sure when the visa will be issued).
Meanwhile my friend got a call late on the same day (Tuesday 14/08) to come and collect her sealed packet on Thursday.
When I rechecked my visa status late on the same day(Tuesday14/08) my case were updated to “AP” I was relived(Hoping that was the usual AP which comes before the Issued).
Wednesday 15/08 was a holiday; case still showing AP; and finally Thursday 16/08 it turned to “Issued”.
Once again I thank Simon for his dedication to this community. No words express my gratitude; just a thank you and blessing to you and your whole family.
Good lucky to everyone out there waiting for interviews. Prepare your documents on time, follow the instructions, ask questions our Father/Brother/Mentor… Mr Simon is there for us; do as he says and everything will be fine.
August 17, 2018 at 05:57
Nice!
August 23, 2018 at 12:59
Hi, I’m from Senegal and I would like to share with you.
Thank you
August 18, 2018 at 15:09
Hi Simon,
Regarding Rutanga interview,
Do they know how many times everyone played the lottery in previous years and they save the old photo too even though he/she was not selected?
August 18, 2018 at 15:10
Yes – they have access to that data if needed.
August 23, 2018 at 20:46
I did’t add my secondory shool detail in DS260. But put my masters and bachelor degree info. Do I have to unlock the form and add the detail?
August 23, 2018 at 21:14
Yes, you should.
August 18, 2018 at 15:20
Lol , what if someone mistakenly used an old photo which was used 2 years ago.
The lottery rules states that if someone used previous year not year(s) photo will be disqualified.
What do you think? 🙂
August 18, 2018 at 16:31
That could theoretically lead to denial – BUT that generally does not happen unless the entry photo is old enough that the persons appearance has changed.
August 18, 2018 at 20:21
I don’t know how many times I play previously is that a big problem?
August 18, 2018 at 20:42
Why on earth would that matter.
August 18, 2018 at 17:02
Okay, thanks 🙂
August 23, 2018 at 18:39
It’s been a crazy year and a half, and now here is my interview experience, or at least the more meaningful details of it, is quite long as is.
I had the interview at the Jerusalem embassy, Israel. Although I was already living in the US on a student visa I decided to go through consular processing since I had what appeared to be an almost impossibly high number (AS11XXX). Since I wasn’t really sure I wanted to go through the process I delayed submitting my DS-260 until mid. April. I became current in August and receive my 2NL June 20 for an interview on August 1st.
Ordered police records, it takes about three weeks for them to be delivered to the embassy. Scheduled the medical exam, needs to be at least two weeks prior to the interview.
I wasn’t sure I had my army records and tried to order a copy, but they had just stopped sending out hard copies and started sending digitally signed copies instead. I emailed the embassy and a week later they replied that they were unaware of the issue and that I am required to bring hard copies. Luckily, I was able to find the originals.
Now there were a couple of errors in my original entry that had worried me. First, as my place of birth I entered mu hometown, but it turned out that my birth certificate had the municipality of the hospital ads my place of birth, and I was surprised to see that it was different than what I had thought. In addition, for some reason the date of birth for my child was off by a day, probably a typo when filling out the entry. I had corrected both mistakes on the DS-260 and hoped for the best.
Overprepared everything I could think of, and arrived to the embassy. There seems to be free parking on the premises, but also there seems to be plenty of parking around the embassy. Before entering the security guard had me open the medical envelopes, which was a bit odd.
At the first window the friendly clerk asked for our documents, and she was clearly unused to dealing with DV cases. I was relieved to see she had the police records for me and my wife because I wasn’t given confirmation that there were sent. She DIDN’T ask for my high school diploma, instead asking for my highest degree certificates. Luckily I brought them but hadn’t made copies. The diploma for one of my master’s degrees was in Latin (old school, I know…) and I didn’t have it translated, but also had a transcript in English. I also hadn’t bothered photocopying them, thinking I only needed the high-school diploma, but she did it for free, together with other copies I didn’t have (I had an original certified copy for one of the birth certificates but she wanted a photocopy…). She didn’t even ask for army records but I gave them nonetheless. Didn’t ask for the birth certificate of another child we have who is a USC, although the instructions required it. Asked if we had a sponsor and I replied that no, we are self-sponsored, but that we had an affidavit of support. She said that the CO might ask for it, and sent us to pay the fees. When we returned she asked for the affidavit of support, which was unfortunate for us as we had hoped to return it to the affiant unopened).
The CO seemed somewhat awkward, as if wasn’t sure what he was doing or was just having a bad day. I can’t recall all of the questions but most of them were along the lines of what other stories describe. Surprisingly he didn’t ask anything about the birthplace discrepancy. He asked me and my wife about our work experience (was a little concerned at this point since last year my wife was put on AP for having a STEM degree). Asked if I had finished my doctorate, and if I had before starting it in the past. Surprisingly he also asked me and my wife to describe how we met, even though we have been married for 12 years and having two children, one of them in the US. Had brought photos to prove our relationship and that I finished my studies (holding a J visa I was worried that it might be an issue, since I previously inquired with the USCIS if I can do an AOS on a J visa and they said that only after I finish my degree, which is apparently not true), but he seemed happy with our answers, it generally seemed like he was going through the motions. After a few more questions he said that the application is documentarily okay, but that there seems to be an issue with my student visa, as it seemed like I had violated the terms of the visa. He said that there is a familiar communication problem between the consular system and the SEVIS (a system that monitors student visas), and that these things are usually resolved within 2-3 days. I had encountered this issue in the past, and came prepared with letters from the university (a very reputable one US university) stating that I was in good standing, but he was uninterested and said that they are going to check for themselves anyway. He then directed us to the next window where the clerk gave us confused instructions about receiving the passports and entering the US. I inquired about the possibility of getting expedited delivery, as I was able to do several times in the past for my J visa, but the clerk seemed even more confused and said that they only do so in emergency cases and I didn’t want to push further.
For several days the case status stayed on READY. After five days or so it changed to AP for all three of us, and a week after the interview my case was changed to ISSUED but the status for my wife and daughter remained on AP. After a few more days I emailed the embassy to ask if there is any problem but didn’t get a reply. When five business days had passed and I still hadn’t received a tracking number I contacted the emailed they had listed for such instances but was replied that I needed to contact the regular email address to inquire about my status. On Aug. 15, two weeks after the interview, the status had changed to ISSUED for all of us, and on the 16th we received a tracking number, picking up the passports the following day. The issuance date for my visa was the 8th and the other two were issued on the 15th.
Flew back on the 20th. We flew through Paris and before boarding we were taken aside by an officer who seemed to expect us and who asked to see our immigration packages. When landing at Boston saw that they now have automated machines instead of the customs forms, and these don’t really have the right option for activation trips, so we were directed to skip them and go directly to the border officer. He was extremely friendly, and didn’t ask for the x-ray CDs. He asked some questions about winning the lottery and my studies, but it seemed mostly like small talk.
The following day I took my child to the SSA to get an SSN, as the forms we received said that children under 18 should do so even if we ask to receive an SSN, but the clerk said that we better wait for 30 days to make sure that the officer at the POE hadn’t requested one as they often do, as that might create double SSNs, which is something to avoid.
That’s it. All in all its been a nerve-wracking year and a half, and in retrospect it was probably better to process through AOS to avoid the tremendous travel costs and rupturing our lives, but you know what they say about hindsight. Thanks Simon for all of your help, it has been greatly appreciated!
If anyone has any questions about my experience I’d be happy to share more details.
August 23, 2018 at 18:45
Thanks and congratulations!
August 24, 2018 at 11:12
Hi Brit,
My husband and I really wanted to thank you for this great website, and for your prompt responses whenever a question was asked. We took the time to read all your posts so that we could understand the process. We were one of the lucky numbers above Africa´s final cut off that were scheduled for the interview. As soon as our interview got scheduled we scheduled our medical examinations because the process takes forever here in Angola. After the interview got scheduled we had 6 weeks to prepare everything and it took 5 weeks for the medical results to be ready.
Our interview was last Friday in Angola. We took your advice and took the necessary and unnecessary documents just to make sure that they were not gonna ask for anything that we did not have. The interview itself was very short and straightforward. The CO only asked if I had gone to school in the US and how long I had been working in my current job position here in Angola. On Tuesday I got a call from the embassy asking to go get our passports and other documents. We got them on Wednesday
We are moving shortly.
Once again, thanks a lot for your great page.
August 24, 2018 at 14:09
That’s awesome. Have a great life in the USA!
August 24, 2018 at 20:43
august 22. us embassy Belgrade.After all the checks we got to first window where they collected our documents.Second one is where we have to pay 1.320,00 dollars for four member family and the officer said take a sit and wait to be called for interview.We have to wait for about 3 hours to be called.we were the only one for dv visa that day, but there were aprox 80 for touristic visas.Finally the co has called us for an interview.The questions were simple, rise your riht hand, finger prints, what year have you finish your college, what is that college….. My daugther broke a leg and they gave us a wheelchair for her, and asked is she always in the chair.I said no, and told my girl to stand up for the co to see, and he said i belive you.All the documents are fine but i forgot to take out the police certh for my wife.He said we have miss one document, and we have to bring that as soon as possible, and gave us refusal letter.We collected that paper next day and gave them,They told me to come alone because we have done all the necessary thing (all four of us).I was waitting for about two hours in the embassy, and when i saw that co is bringing the yellow envelopes with him i knew that our visas were approved.He told me have i nice trip and gave me back our pasport with visas inside.It was along journey but paid well in the end.Good luck to all of you who are waitting for your interview.Be well prepared or overprepared as the Mrs. Simon would said.Thank you brit for this blog, it help us a lot.Greetings from Serbia,.
August 24, 2018 at 21:04
Best of luck in the USA!
August 24, 2018 at 21:00
Hi simon ( 1) can i use one month old photo to play dv2020 for today i take my phot for preparing upcoming lottery dv2020???? Thank you
August 25, 2018 at 08:49
This is my story,
So after a long rollercoaster I was very pessimistic and was sure I would not interview because my extremely high case number. But despite everything and probably because the banned countries I received the 2NL email.
My interview took place in Jerusalem, I went through all the usual processes. I spent a lot of time on this amazing forum and only thanks to that I had all the information and all the necessary documents that made the interview smooth and fast, at the end the officer told me I had completed application.
After few days that my status remains on AP and that’s was pretty stressful I decided not to check the status anymore and whatever will be will be. A few days later I received an email and on the same day a phone call from the courier company, who wanted to arrange an appointment with me to bring me the visa, I thanked them ant told them that I can come to them and immediately was on my way 🙂
I would like to thank you all again and a special thanks to you Simon and good luck to everyone.
August 25, 2018 at 11:33
Congratulations! Have a nice life in USA.
August 25, 2018 at 16:23
Congratulations.
August 25, 2018 at 19:36
Interview Experience at the US Embassy Yaounde Cameroon.
Praise and glory to God almighty for divine favours and answered prayers.
Sincere thanks to you Sir Brit’s for your guide, kindness, patience and voluntary services which contributed in no small way to my success in the DV 2018 journey.
Date = August 7 / 2018
Interview time = 8:30 am
Arrival at about = 7am
Security Checks = 7:30am – 9:30am
Documents taken :
-passport -Non conviction -Birth certificate -2nd letter – DS 260 Confirmation page and Academic Certificates. Two photocopies of each.
After a considerable wait in the innerskirts of the Interview Hall for about 4 hours, my number was called up at about 1:30 pm:: FEES = 330 USD. (185,000 FCFA)
INTERVIEW PROPER :
me: Good day sir, “”smiling
CO: Good day, how are you today? “”smiling as well
Me : I’m fine thank you.
CO:Raise your right hand and swear that all uve provided here is Truth,
Me: did just that
CO: (Smiling) Place your four fingers,
Me: ***
CO: where do you intend to live in the USA?
Me: ***
CO: Alright, Is this the address you would like to receive your permanent RC if everything works out well today?
Me: Yes Sir
CO: what do you do now, ?
Me: I am masters Student…
CO: wow so you have a Bachelor’s degree?
me: Yes sir
CO: ” Looking very satisfied and pleased with all my documents, he concentrated on typing and even prolonged my Interview by asking me very friendly and personal questions about my parents and my new life in the USA, ”
me: Although these questions were so friendly and somewhat joke like, I responded to each of them seriously with a face full of captivating and jovial smiles. Instead of being stressed up, I rather enjoyed the Interview because much simplier questions were asked than I expected.
CO: before i knew it , the well fed, nice looking (Handsome) and friendly White man pulled out a yellow paper telling me ” I would approve your Visa make sure you come here in person on Thursday 9th and pick up your passport and travel package he went further to congratulate me repeatedly and told me WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES ”
Me: before I could receive my short yellow paper, I discovered that I had thanked him twice. And that was that.
May the good Lord continue to bless and strengthen you Sir Brit’s for laying this platform which is shaping destinies through Orientation and remarkable guidelines. I would never forget you.
I cannot go without extending a friendly hand of gratitude to my fellow cohorts and pears who took upon themselves the sacrifice of narrating their detailed Interview experiences all over the world,,,
August 25, 2018 at 23:13
Congratulations!
August 26, 2018 at 01:08
Well done!
September 5, 2018 at 07:39
Hello Simon, I’m regular visitor of your website and it very helpful and productive. thank you for your generous contribution to Dv applicants.
Now I want to share our little interview experience.
We are from Eritrea and my wife won the lottery. case number 2018AF131** interview location US embassy Nairobi Kenya. Our interview appointment was on feb 2108 but we missed it. We schedule second appointment on May but it was cancelled for medical reasons “X-ray staff”. medical results were ready by 11 July but it was very difficult to secure 3rd appointment after several email conversation with the US Embassy which were very helpful!! they Email us appointment on Sep 4 2018 at 8:00 am.
We reached to the Embassy at 6:30 already 30 to 40 people were on the line.
After security checks we submitted of our documents in window 6 and finger prints were taken, we pay interview fee on window 10 and we waited for about 20 to 30 mints.
We were called to window 6 the the actual interview started.
WE: good morning
CO: Morning How are you
CO : Adults please rise Rt hand and swear your documents are genuine and every thing you tell is true.
We: Swear…..
CO: when do you finish high school any education after that ?
My wife answered.
CO: when did you get married and wen did you meet your husband
We Answered almost together
CO do you have any job
My wife Answered ….
CO: Today I approve your Visa but no visa numbers she told us. And she gave as the option whether to collect or leave our Passports.
The CO was very nice, friendly and efficient. She was also very beautiful and happy.
Now we are happy but still worried as this is the last month of this year.I try to revise what a visa bulletin and try to understand what it mean related to our case in you website.
But still I have a concern my case is still ready and what do you think about the visa number.
Brit thank you very much. God bless you!!!
September 5, 2018 at 14:10
You will have to wait to see if they will be able to allocate a visa to you.
September 13, 2018 at 16:21
Tsegai can you please tell us what happened then ?
September 5, 2018 at 19:07
Interview experience at US Embassy, Khartoum, Sudan.
Date: September 4th 2018
Time: 8:30 am
I arrived at 7:45. Had a quick security check and left my belongings at the reception, you get card to retrieve them on the way out.
Went in to interview hall, a security guy took my name and gave me a document with instructions to prepare the documents in a specific order and told me to sit in the waiting area while I do that,
30 mins later they called my name, and I was instructed to drop off the documents at a specific window.
10 mins after that I was called to pay the fees (330 USD in US DOLLARS ONLY, local currency is not accepted)
10 minutes after I was called to interview window:
Co: good morning. Do you speak English? Or would you like to have an interpreter?
Me: I speak English and I don’t need an interpreter
Co: okay, would you please raise you hand to do the oath?
Me: I do, and I take the oath.
Co: so tell me a bit about your education, did you go to university after high school.
Me: I did my bachelors in X uni, X country and my masters in Y uni, and Y country in such and such.
Co: okay. And where other than those two countries have you lived before, as he is looking at the computer screen (at my DS260 information probably)
Me: I have lived in this and this countries.
Co: okay, thank you. Where do you plan to go in the US, if you get the visa today?
Me: I plan to go to Z city where I have a friend of mine who I’ll be staying with for the activation trip.
Co: it’s a nice city. How do you know this friend of yours?
Me: I tell him how I know my friend.
Co: okay. And you have mentioned another person as your sponsor. How do you know her?
Me: we have a mutual close friend and we met a few years ago and became friends as well. She moved to the US a few years ago.
Co: okay good. So tell me what is your plan if you get the visa?
Me: first I will go to my friend for the activation trip and then return. Then next year I will move there, start looking for jobs while I stay with my friend. That will be the priority.
Co: okay good.
Co: well congratulations, your visa has been approved. You should receive an email a week from now to come to the embassy and pickup you passport. Here are your original documents and receipt for the payment.
Thank you, and good luck in the US.
That’s basically it, it was a very quick interview, and we had a bit of chitchat in between, as you would in any normal conversation. I was over prepared and most of the documents were not super essential, but I had them anyway as hey covered all information in my application. All from some travel history docuemtns(ticket and bookings) to my university degrees and experience documents but none were requested . Only the essential ones as per checklist on the embassy’s website.
I want to thank Simon and community here for this website. Without it I would be lost as many of the questions and answers here are not found anywhere else.
Pro tip: I used an app for RSS feed to follow all comments for the past 6 months to see what people discuss here so to be on top of things.
Patience and preparation is what it took. As Simon says 😉
Thank you sincerely and remember to give a donation to this website so it keeps on going! Thank you Simon, for these great efforts and for all the hard work. This is truly life changing for many.
See you in the US!
September 5, 2018 at 19:15
Thanks for the detailed info!
As for seeing you in the US – that would be great, but it is a big country! 🙂
September 9, 2018 at 16:58
How did you get the app for the RSS feed please?
September 7, 2018 at 15:00
Hello Brit,
I trust you are well. I had my interview on the 5th of September.
My husband, my 7 old daughter and I got to the embassy at around 8:20 am, our interview was scheduled for 9:10 am. When we got there the security guard asked us to wait and that they’ll call us when they’re ready. At 9 we were called. We already read on the embassy’s website that we had to leave our phones and belongings at the gate, so we just left everything in the car. We were escorted to a hall. There were about 10 people in the hall. we were asked to take a seat. Our number was called and we went to the cashier to pay the visa fees. The cashier asked to see our documents. We went over prepared so she removed unwanted documents. After that we got seated again. We waited for about 45 minutes, we were called to a window. A lady there took our finger prints and then asked us to sit down again. We waited for over 2 hours 30 minutes! But as we waited, others were being interview, and boy did it freak us out. You could actually hear questions being asked by the CO. Anyways, at about 12:30 pm, we were called to a window to be interview by the CO. Prior to that day, the embassy emailed us the documents we needed to bring. So we’re in front of the CO. We say good morning sir. He asked us to take the oath, we swore and he took our finger prints. We then stood for about 7-10 minutes and I kid you not, the next thing is he said was, your visas have been approved, you may continue with the process, your passport will be returned to you in a few days. We were dumbfounded. He didn’t ask us one single question! Now I think I have an explaining for this. I actually work with one of the US government agencies here in my country. I have a badge that give me access to the embassy. Before being employed they ran security checks on me and everybody close to me. So they have a lot of information on me and my husband i suppose. Another thing i was a bit scared of was the fact that on our original entries, we applied as married but we weren’t legally married. We did our traditional wedding before the results and out court wedding after the results. We also went with pictures we took of us before and after the results. They didn’t ask to see any of it. So another challenging thing was that the US agency I’m working for is sending me to a workshop in southern Africa and my flight is scheduled for Saturday September 8th. I told the CO that i was going to need my passport to travel but he said if he gave it to me that i would lose my chance of getting a visa. He said the last issuing date is the 15th of September, so I have to return my passport by then. My heart sank, the return date on my ticket is September 15th. So now i had to chose between my visa and my promotion at work. I chose my visa of course!! I decided not to take the passport. I tracked my status online today and it says issued!!!!!!! Somebody please shout AMEN!!!! I would like to thank you Brit for all your hard work. The work you do here is really selfless, I truly appreciate it and I am eternally grateful! Where is the donate button on this site!!!!!!!!!!!
September 7, 2018 at 15:47
Congratulations. You won’t get the promotion – but you have to resign now anyway!! 🙂
September 7, 2018 at 16:10
Thanks! Better for me to resign ?.
September 10, 2018 at 13:31
Hi Mr Simon once more congrats for the work u re doing on dis site
i had my interview since on de 21 of august i dint have my birth certificate and my non conviction with me , but i send it the next day. so i was put on AP till today. just trying to find out when cindy said the co told her last issuing date is the 15th of September, those it mean is for her or everyone who is till waiting for their visa.
Thank again…
September 10, 2018 at 13:59
That comment was not accurate. The last day is September 30.
September 10, 2018 at 11:29
Hi Brit . I just want to thank you for your advices , it was very helpful .
My interview was yesterday and we finally got our visa . Thank you again .
September 10, 2018 at 13:54
Great!
September 15, 2018 at 07:36
US EMBASSY NAIROBI, KENYA
SEP 10, 2018
dv 2018 visa interview
hi everyone, here is my interview story.
i arrived at 6:30 AM Monday morning. people were already queuing so i joined. we were screened by security at the main entrance. they check your name against theirs for the day’s interviews.
i then was directed to pick a number which you wait to be called.
when you are first called you surrender your secondary school certificate, birth cert, police clearance, passport, two 5cm by 5cm photos for verification. you then pay visa fees; i paid 34,650 Kenyan shillings.
when giving my documents when first called i was asked questions like
HOW OLD ARE YOU
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED
HAVE YOU SERVED IN MILITARY
HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR
ARE YOU MARRIED
HAVE YOU ANY KIDS
during the main interview is was asked the same questions apart from questions about my host and i responded with detailed answers. in no time i was approved by 11:00AM.
I-134 was asked but never had any. they ask questions about the host to ensure they can support you during your stay.
SEP 10 – INTEREVIEW + APPROVAL
SEP 11 – AP + ISSUED
SEP 12 – PICKED ALL MY DOCUMENTS FOR TRAVEL.
the interview was a walk in the park. 99% of question are in the DS-260.
THANKS A LOT SIMON BRIT, HOPE THIS SERVES MANY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
September 15, 2018 at 14:28
Congratulations!
September 15, 2018 at 13:03
Hello to all, my name is Samuel Johnson.
to all of my brothers and sister from Africa regions the diversity program
interview is very easy to be successful.
the prerequisite in passing your interview is your high school documents.
or if you don’t have the high school documents all you need to present is vocational
training certificates make sure your passport is still valid.
if you’re married sure proof of your marriage,
examples, like weeding photos, married certificate joined bank account,ordinary photos with your spouse.
i have help many Africans with diversity problem they are successful.
secondly doing your interview don’t take bad money with you in paying
for the visa, to my married people if the counselor is asking one person
please don’t interrupt the conversation. if the counselor need
additional information he/she will ask you for more clarity.
for more information leave me your email address God blessed you all.
September 16, 2018 at 03:12
[email protected]
September 16, 2018 at 19:39
All the best to the dv 2019 selectees. It’s my prayer that mighty Lord will grant us all the visa. Amen
September 20, 2018 at 02:06
Hello to all!
2018SA16XX
Finally got my interview last Monday 17th in Caracas Venezuela
Appointment at 8am and got there 730; got in directly because of the country situation very small quantity of people at the consulate
Got a number and was called after a few minutes, got instructions to pay and come back
At 8 am got a pre interview they review the documents
They kept copies but the criminal recotd the original
Then ask simple questions to verify the info of the DS260 mostly
How was our longer stay in the US ( me and my wife)
If I ever stayed 6 months or longer in the states or any other country
What’s my profession and my wife’s
If it’s our only marriage
And that’s it
BE careful to brind TWO copies of marriage certificate it’s not in the instructions but the require so I left a certified copy to avoid delays etc
We sat down again and waited 10minutes to be call for the interview
Very kind ask if we wanted the interview in English or Spanish
I said English was ok
The interview lasted 3 minutes ….
Longest stay in the US
If it was our Only marriage
Any stayed in other country for more than 6 months
Didn’t even ask for financials statements which I had all
Any other nationalities ( my wife does )
Then she said .,, you visas are approved,,!
I got back and it stayed on the CEAC page as AP all day Monday and at 2 pm the day after turned to ISSUED!
I will hopefully go and pick up passports tomorrow
Thanks god it ended like this after such a long journey, thanks Simon for your kind support and all of you for posting your comments
All the best for all of you and wish you success and happiness in you coming future
September 20, 2018 at 02:43
Great!
September 20, 2018 at 13:50
I want to repeat! ITS MANDATORY to have copies of all documents for each aplicant, meaning common documents as Marriage certificates, they need a complete file for each on, its mandatory
September 20, 2018 at 16:59
Thanks so much
September 23, 2018 at 15:23
My dear friend when you pass your interview f dv lottery will you buy the visa or its free
September 23, 2018 at 15:33
You pay for the interview ($330), then if successful, you pay a fee for the GC ($220).