DV interview questions
This question comes up often – what are the typical DV interview questions? People are nervous about the interview as if they are going to be asked some really difficult questions or be held for an hour being questioned like a prisoner!!!! I have known people who want to prepare and practice their answers to all possible questions – just to be safe!
Well RELAX! The interview is usually a complete anticlimax. In a typical Embassy appointment there will be two or three stages. It isn’t always like this, but this will give an idea.
First you will be called to a window and asked to present some minimum documentation (Passports, birth certs etc). You will be asked to pay for the fee ($330) and that might be at a cashiers window.
Then you will be called for the actual interview which will typically last a very few minutes – sometimes less than 2 minutes!
The CO will look at your paperwork, and may request additional documents. They then may ask general questions such as:-
“Where did you study?”
“What work do you normally do?”
“Where will you live in the USA?”
“Who will you live with in the USA?”
“What is your relationship with the people you will live with?”
For most people that is the most that will be asked – and they are not looking to trick you or catch you out. If something needs more explanation or documentation they may go into that – but again it isn’t normally in depth. If you have recently married, you can expect some questions about your marriage (where you met, what trips you have taken together and so on).
Obviously the best answers are the most real/honest answers. Don’t try and impress the CO or say what you think they want to hear. As long as you meet the requirements and have followed the instructions the visa will be approved!!!
You can also read many accounts of actual DV interviews at this link –
December 14, 2018 at 09:09
Hi Simon, i would like to know if i can provide bank statements and other financial support documents of my sponsor who lives in the same country i do(kenya) because i do not have form i-134 from a sponsor in the states. Thank you
December 15, 2018 at 04:00
That is of no help.
May 5, 2019 at 08:25
please I have a question if you win the lottery but you did the mistake age the that you took is not your correct age during the interview in ambassy can you tell them to correct your age because is not your normal age can you tell them to correct it if they will accept
May 5, 2019 at 14:22
You correct the date of birth in the DS260.
December 15, 2018 at 08:15
Please how long will it take for your interview date to be given after completing all the forms and send
December 15, 2018 at 15:03
It varies. https://britsimonsays.com/dv2019-basic-questions/
December 29, 2018 at 21:04
Hi Brit,
I was recently interviewed in Accra with my wife we were approved by the CO currently awaiting further information on our case. We have been married for 6 and a half years with two kids,we had all required documents and had followed the procedure. However before our interview, i remembered we had made my dads uncle stand in for him to endorse our marriage certificate at the time of our marrige. Our marrige certificate therefore read “john isaac snow” in place of my father instead of “bernard coleen brown”.
I had made efforts to get this corrected at the registry and that was done on file and in the register of marriages before our interview. I subsequently requested for a certified copy of the corrected marriage certificate, however, i could not get the certified copy with the corrected name before our interview. I presented the very original copy of the certificate given to me on the day of my marriage which had my uncles name as my fathers name. All other documents including my ds-260 form had my fathers correct name .
Nonetheless, as I indicated above the CO approved our case immediately and gave us a sheet to register for pick up. He also told us our visas would be ready in 2 weeks and they kept cooies of all our documents and passports and returnes all originals.
1. Could this mistake on my marriage certificate cause a subsequent denial of our case?
2. Its been 3 weeks and counting and we do not have our visas or any notice or whatsoever. Could this mistake warrant am AP on our case?
3. Should I go ahead and aubmit the corrected certified marriage certificate to the consulate even though they have not asked for it? Note that the name difference on all other documents and that of the marriage certificate never came up on during the interview.
I would be glad if you could assist me with some insight on the above question.
Thank you.
December 29, 2018 at 21:22
1. Possibly. It is difficult for me to know what the CO thought about your case and documents.
2. Same answer as 1.
3. I would do that personally – but it’s your choice. The AP you are on, may not be to do with the marriage cert.
December 30, 2018 at 10:42
Thanks for your prompt and enlightening response. The CO who interviewed me and my family actually said this after our interview “YOU GUYS PREPARED VERY WELL FOR THE INTERVIEW”.
None or the documents we submitted to the first window for inspection came up for question and when we met the CO he didn’t ask a single question about any of our documents. The closest comment on our documents is the comment in BLOCKS and quotation marks above.
Our worry really is with the deafening silent for 3 weeks now and the unavialability of any working platform to check the status of our visas.
December 30, 2018 at 11:17
Could we be put on AP for the purposes of documentation and not be informed or notified about it?
December 30, 2018 at 15:22
Yes. Or security concerns, or anything they want to check.
December 30, 2018 at 15:22
Even when you can check in CEAC (2 days time) you will only see the status of AP, refused or issued. No explanation.
January 1, 2019 at 16:36
I checked on Ceac today and my status shows READY and for my 3 derivatives as well. It’s been ready since 14th December, 2018. We were interviewed on 6th December. Does this mean we are on AP or what might be causing the delay in processing?
January 1, 2019 at 16:47
Again?? You are on AP. I don’t know why. You have to wait.
December 30, 2018 at 16:06
Hello Brit, does the above narration mean anything for my case though with respect to we getting the visas.
February 12, 2019 at 11:53
Hello Naa_K… have you received your DV package now?
December 31, 2018 at 05:41
Hi mr britt
Ma case no is 14xxx i think ma scedule held in march but i am geting marred after 2 weeks and the kcc ask me a adoc and i send it they reply its complete and valid.
My question is after geting marred can i unlock my ds260 and add her as spous. If i add her is it affect the schedule of my entrance for interview.
Can they give her another day of interview after they review of her ds 260 form. can its slow down ma process by add her.
December 31, 2018 at 05:46
You should ask KCC to unlock your form now, tell them you are getting married. The ideal would be to interview together, with a delay if needed.
February 14, 2019 at 14:05
I am not the principal applicant but can I ask a question?
February 14, 2019 at 14:39
Yes
February 21, 2019 at 02:12
Hi brit
My question is if i went for interview and iam not happy at all will that fail me?
Because it happens to many people when they are going to stand infront of somebody to answer question’s they always feel that type of way…..
February 21, 2019 at 02:24
Of course not. It’s not a talent show.
February 25, 2019 at 10:31
Which one of the forms are appropriate for DV afidavite of support.
Please help me out w
February 25, 2019 at 14:56
I-134
March 4, 2019 at 11:27
Hi Brit I was 18 years old when i played the DV lottery and won will they have a problem with my age at the interview?
March 4, 2019 at 11:57
I graduated high school when i was 16( because i had four promotion) and i started college last year . I have met all the requirements. I am just worried about being denied due to my age . I will be turning 19 four days before my interview.
March 4, 2019 at 14:38
No
March 9, 2019 at 10:41
hello Brit,
when filling my form ds 260,i made an error on the information relating my carear,and educational background and now i have been program for interview, can that be a major problem to me?
March 9, 2019 at 15:19
How can I possibly answer when you don’t give me any detail about the error?
March 15, 2019 at 11:44
Hi Brit,
When I look at the instruction from my embassy it doesn’t say I should present affidavit of support I-134. So is a bank statement enought?
Very best
March 15, 2019 at 15:36
If you had read the instructions when you entered the lottery you would have seen the instruction about the I-134. Some embassies always demand it, some rarely demand it, but ALL can demand it, and will decide case by case. Read the FAQ.
March 16, 2019 at 10:50
Some comments about my IV interview. March 2019 Moscow, Russia
Q1 – Do you have any other kids except the ones you mentioned in DS260?
Q2 – Could you please tell me more about your job.
Q3 – Does the job fall under anti Russia sanctions?
March 22, 2019 at 06:56
Good Morning Brit,
Just to understand few things.
1. If your IV visa is about to expire and kids are in school. Is it possible to go with family and activate IV and return immediate until kids school close ?
2. Can GC be mail to a US Embassy in countries outside the USA?
3. Can IV visa be used to reenter the USA when kids vocation starts in June?
4. Should immigration at POE be informed that the family will move in permanently when kids school are on vocation?
Thanks
MB
March 22, 2019 at 15:32
1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. Always tell the truth if asked.
March 23, 2019 at 23:22
When is DV2021 opening?
After I am selected when will I be doing my medicals and interview.
How much fee do I have to pay in all.?
After passing my interview, when do I enter the state?
When will I get my green card?
Where do I live in the state if I have no friends nor relatives?
March 24, 2019 at 04:23
Entry period will be in October.
It’s a lottery with a chance of winning of 1 in each 200 years – so your other questions are premature.
March 29, 2019 at 18:56
Hello
Well my question is can the medical exam somehow affect my chances to get a visa … knowing that im a smoker and lately i started coughing and my interview is planned in few weeks.
Thank you
March 29, 2019 at 20:56
Generally not likely.
March 29, 2019 at 23:46
Please do you have to pay the visa fee at the bank or you will take it to the embassy?
March 30, 2019 at 04:19
The embassy.
March 31, 2019 at 06:36
Hey Brit, I got married through judge and only had lunch dinner with relatives , so for this question,” Where was your wedding venue ?” How can I handle it
March 31, 2019 at 13:59
The truth.
March 31, 2019 at 12:37
HEllo
I’m a bit worried about the diference between the pictures … the one i used when i first applied to dv lottery and the one in my passeport (with beard) and the ones i’m planning to carry the day of my interview (with beard) … knowing that now i’m bearded …
March 31, 2019 at 14:05
The ones you provide on the day of the interview will show your current appearance – so – no problem.
March 31, 2019 at 17:11
He is worried BRIT. Please respond
March 31, 2019 at 18:08
I already did.
March 31, 2019 at 17:28
At first submission of his documents he realized his passport didn’t have a place of birth and later went at the passports office for this to be rectified but the passport number changed does it and submitted a new one . will it have a problem at visa issuance. Thanks
March 31, 2019 at 18:33
We aren’t seeing it Brit on the platform
March 31, 2019 at 20:05
https://britsimonsays.com/please-get-scraping-for-may-2019-interviews/comment-page-1/#comment-173492
April 2, 2019 at 23:24
It possible for one person to send the affidavit of support and another person host you?
April 3, 2019 at 00:14
Yes
April 3, 2019 at 22:25
is there any problem to use one address for your green card to be mailed during the time of filling in the ds 260 and another address during the time of medical exam who going to send your affidavit of support?
April 4, 2019 at 03:15
No
April 9, 2019 at 14:29
hi simon!!
what is the chance for someone that once win the lottery and looses?
i notice that anyone that win and was denied got a higher chance to win again.
please brief me about the processes
April 9, 2019 at 16:28
The chance of selection varies by region – but is around once in 200 years for AF region for example.
The draw is RANDOM – so no preference is given to ANY case for ANY reason.
April 15, 2019 at 06:57
Hiya mate ,you alright,I would like to ask that they do a criminal background check during or prior the GC interview? Do they require a proof of criminal background from the winner’s country?
April 15, 2019 at 13:40
A police certificate is one of the documents needed for the interview.
April 16, 2019 at 11:59
Hi i entered the lottery statinh the nsmes of my kids . Unfortunately I’ve not gone through with the adoption procedure of two of my kids. Will this hamper my chances?
April 17, 2019 at 01:59
Yes.
First they might disqualify you for listing derivatives you should not have included.
Next they could have human trafficking concerns.
Third you would probably have to choose between the USA and you children – which presumably is a choice you would not make easily.
So yeah – you created a mess.
April 17, 2019 at 12:50
hello BritSimon, I just want to know why is this year process so slow and also want to know if they have reach those who in 20, 000 and above.
April 17, 2019 at 23:10
Please read my recent articles.
April 18, 2019 at 18:01
where can I find it please
April 19, 2019 at 01:30
Use the calendar view at the bottom of each page to go back through each article in date order.
April 20, 2019 at 12:31
Hello simon
I just wanna know if a bank account is required in a dv interview !! Could they ask for it ?!
April 20, 2019 at 16:16
Yes.
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
April 20, 2019 at 20:32
I have a question about the court records … the email says i should take the same documents i sent to kcc to the interview … but according to the court records its only valid for three months … and now its been 5 months since i have sent it to kcc
So should i get a new one ?! Or should i just stick with this 5 months old one ?!
Thank you
April 20, 2019 at 20:45
If it were my case, I would get new ones.
April 21, 2019 at 14:10
Thnx a lot sir
Do you think that talking in english while passing the interview would give me more chance to get a visa … knowing that i have the choice to talk in arabic or french ?!
April 21, 2019 at 15:54
Officially, no. Realistically, yes.
April 21, 2019 at 17:26
Can you please tell me what questions do they usually ask ?! To see if i can chose english or another language
April 22, 2019 at 04:58
Read the FAQ and interview stories.
April 21, 2019 at 17:57
My case Europe 187XX, but I dont receive 2nl letter about my interview for may.What this problem.
April 22, 2019 at 04:59
Did you submit documents? When?
April 22, 2019 at 23:24
Is it possible to get and to print the ds-260 even after receiving the final e-mail telling when is my interview ?!
April 22, 2019 at 23:37
Try it.
April 23, 2019 at 21:45
I did … and it says case number not valid … is there any other solution ?! I have one i printed right after sending it about months ago but its messed up
April 23, 2019 at 22:00
Try your case # without including 0 s
April 25, 2019 at 11:53
Thank you naira
April 23, 2019 at 03:53
due to the catastrophic situation in Sri Lanka. All the interviews cancelled. unfortunate
April 23, 2019 at 04:02
Over 300 dead and hundreds more injured. Horrible and sad.
April 23, 2019 at 04:34
my interview supposed to be held in this week. but cancelled. what to do. life is that.. feel really sorry for the Sri Lankans and foreigners affected. praying this kinda things will never happen again
April 28, 2019 at 10:43
Hi Gingz, is it rescheduled or pemenently canceled?
April 28, 2019 at 12:10
@Gingz, any update for your interview?
April 30, 2019 at 03:57
Hi AS68xx are you from Sri Lanka?
April 30, 2019 at 04:34
Hi AS68xx. If you a Sri Lankan. Please send a email to [email protected]
April 23, 2019 at 17:53
Sending prayers and love their way.
So unfortunate
May they rest easy ???
April 25, 2019 at 12:03
I am a smoker and im a bit worried about my medical exam … the doctor asked me and i honestly answeared her
How bad is this ?!
April 25, 2019 at 14:20
You think there are no smokers in the USA??
April 25, 2019 at 13:36
My deepest sympathy to the people of Sri Lankans and Foreigners affected but will this have impact on those who have not receive their 2NL and is interview cancelled for all region? Once again my deepest sympathy keep courage.
April 25, 2019 at 14:22
I know some interviews were cancelled, but what will happen next, I don’t know.
April 30, 2019 at 10:03
God bless everyone.
April 25, 2019 at 14:27
okay, thanks
May 1, 2019 at 10:05
@BritSimon sincerest thanks to you and your amazing work- my wife and i have just had our visas approved in London- cannot thank you enough! Fwiw we had an i134 completed but the co said they dont ask for it for dv cases and was satisfied with bank statements to show proof of savings.
May 1, 2019 at 14:22
Yeah, but it varies based on the case before them. So – it’s always worth being over prepared, and that’s why it felt so easy!
May 5, 2019 at 08:43
Hi good morning if you win can you pay to immigration fee before 7h may
May 5, 2019 at 14:24
It sounds like you are not yet a winner, but you have posted 5 times today. Please – no more questions unless you win.
May 8, 2019 at 17:43
What photo do they use for a green card ?! The one from the passport or the one i provide the day if the interview ?!
May 8, 2019 at 22:21
The one you provide at the interview.
May 9, 2019 at 10:12
My would-be wife was born in eligible country for DV, so to claim her eligibility we submitted our form in September 2018 but we got officially married after few months of submitting the form. Will I remain eligible for DV lottery. My application status is success.
May 9, 2019 at 11:56
If YOU are the winner and you were not already married, no, you will be disqualified.
May 10, 2019 at 01:38
in the DS-260 form what address should I provide in the US if I was selected with the DV lottery? as I don’t have any friends or relatives living there, and I still don’t have any work plans yet
May 10, 2019 at 01:48
You will need an address of someone you can trust. That address is where the GC will be sent. However, if you are dv2019 you are rushing things for no good reason.
May 10, 2019 at 17:57
what do you mean by rushing things? I shouldn’t fill the form DS-260 yet? I got selected for the dv2020, just checked yesterday
May 10, 2019 at 22:49
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
May 12, 2019 at 09:52
Hi Brit! My question is when my husband applied for Dv2020,his given name on his passport was Abobacar Elh . Surname is EID. He is a selectee now. The passport was renewed this year. His name on his passport now is changed to AboubaKar and Elh is put together on his surname ( Elh Eid)(that is how it appears on his birth cert). Will this minor discrepancies on name cause problem to our application? We are currently filling out our DS260. Thanks and more power.
May 12, 2019 at 13:55
He should complete the DS260 with the accurate name.
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-dont-submit-ds260-until-you-read-this/
May 13, 2019 at 17:54
If I faced to interview from my native language, is that a minus point to approve my visa?
May 13, 2019 at 17:55
Not really – but try to speak some English to show you have a chance of thriving in the USA.
May 13, 2019 at 18:10
Thank you very much sir. I can speech English but not in very much fluent. Therefor at the interview I am not sure about that weather I can understand some questions very well. What’s the best way I should do at the interview?
May 13, 2019 at 18:20
Relax about it. You’ll be fine.
May 13, 2019 at 18:32
Ok sir. If I selected my native language at the interview, can I speech both of English and my native language?
May 13, 2019 at 19:10
If they speak your native language at the embassy where you interview – yes.
May 17, 2019 at 07:17
Hello Simon just want to say thank you and your team for the great work you are doing. Also please I like to know which diseases can restrict a person from been granted a visa?
May 17, 2019 at 08:25
They’re mentioned in the FAQ.
May 17, 2019 at 20:00
Please read the FAQ article about that.
May 25, 2019 at 07:52
Hi please am hepatitis B positive. Please I wish to know if i be will restricted a visa
May 25, 2019 at 13:47
Read the FAQ
May 26, 2019 at 00:55
Hello Brit !!
I am Dv winner of 2020 from Nepal.My case number is low around 3000. I have mistakenly ticked on university degree in my entry form since I was running my bachlor degree.later on ds 260 I correct it and submitted as well.is this a problem?
Also Im from Diploma background(Certificate level) after which student get admission into university nd I have to submit my diploma documents as my university degree will not be completed before the interview.
May 26, 2019 at 01:21
No problem.
June 1, 2019 at 21:17
Hello sir / madam
Is it possible for an applicant to correct information on DS 260 after the interview is done ?
June 1, 2019 at 23:21
No
June 19, 2019 at 00:32
Hi, I filled out my DS 260 for form with my passport because it was not available at the them, if I don’t unlock and send the passport information does it have any effect on my information? Because I saw an option there “Other Travel Document” which I chose.
June 19, 2019 at 05:29
That doesn’t make sense.
June 19, 2019 at 00:34
I am compared to unlock the DS 260 form in order to put in the passport information? Do I need to inform the KCC?
June 19, 2019 at 05:30
You will need to do that later.
June 19, 2019 at 06:01
Hi, I have been selected as dv lottery 2020 and already filled DS 260 form…. my case # is 611 so when can I except to have my interview
June 19, 2019 at 13:50
https://britsimonsays.com/dv2020-basic-questions/
July 4, 2019 at 17:17
Thanks for your response. But when do you think I can do that, do I need to be told first? Many thanks!
July 4, 2019 at 17:57
Yes. Wait.