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.
February 9, 2023 at 05:42
Hi everyone! Hope some of you will find my experience useful. However when reading my interview experience take into account that me, my husband and our daughter have been to the US many many times on B1/B2, each time have spent at least a month but never overstayed, never had issues with law inforcesment, and I have immediate and extended family living in the US. With that said here is my experience.
Case no.: 2023EU11k
Country: Armenia
Interview at Islamabad Embassy
DS260 submitted May 10
Case unlocked May 13 to add high school
Case unlocked Sept 8 to add newborn
Current: January
2NL: December 21
Interview date: Feb 1st
Status: Issued
Our interview was scheduled at 9am we were at the bus terminal to the diplomatic enclavement at 7am but they didn’t let us in till 8.30. The bus takes you directly to the US embassy where you will be guided from the entrance to security. I was allowed to bring baby bottle with pre made milk for my 7 month old. You can carry diapers and necessities for your baby in a clear shopper bag. However best to call them beforehand and ask if a certain item is allowed. In the waiting/interview hall there are drinking fountains and washrooms so no worries.
1st window I submitted our 2NL and 2 photos for each applicant and received a token number. After a while our number was called out for the 2nd window. There I submitted all the documents that were required and COPIES for everything! Take copies and extra photos! Cuz here they asked for another set of photos which I had. Take as many supporting documents as you can even if you think you don’t need them Take them. Make sure you carry translations and copies for everything you have. I am an armenian citizen, my husband and kids are Pakistani citizens so the papers vary. We had to submit fingerprints here too after that was asked to be seated and wait for the CO to call us.
We waited for about an hour till our turn came. The greeting and how are you part was very casual. He asked couple of questions about my birth certificate and if I had transferred from yerevan I said no I live in Pakistan I didn’t transfer. They were having technical issues after they fixed it he called me again.
Him: before we begin you have to take an oath
Me: yes but before we do so I would like to inform you that the kids’ passport numbers have changed after submitting DS260 and I would like to correct
Him: oh thank you for letting me know. The rest is current and correct?
Me: yes
Him: okay we’ll take your fingerprints and begin. So tell me how did you and your husband meet?
Me: we met in Canada in college
Him: okay and you have 2 kids. Tell me about your travel history
I told him
Him: have you or your husband ever had any issues with law
Me: no sir
Him: as I understand you have valid US visas do you remember when do they expire?
I actually had the old passports with visas in them so I gave them to him cuz he said they have to cancel those visas. After this he gave me an information paper about domestic abuse and how to go on about it in the US (it’s a standard procedure)
Him: so I’m going to refer your application for approval congratulations. You can collect your passports within 2 weeks
He handed me over the instructions how to register to pick up the passports and the interview was over
Right after the interview for couple of days ceac was showing Administrative Processing after which it changed to Issued. I received an email that the passports are being processed for delivery and went to pick up from Karachi pick up point exactly a week after the interview.
The embassy staff was very friendly and helpful. If you have any questions before or during the interview don’t hesitate to ask/clarify
February 9, 2023 at 23:46
Thank you very much!
February 23, 2023 at 15:18
Mr Simon, not enough words can be used to express my profound gratitude and thanks for all the help your blog, live video sessions and patiently taking time to answer our questions no matter how repetitive they were. Haha.
I entered the 2023 DV Lottery draw whilst already in Hungary and it was no brainer for me to select Budapest as my interview location since I was going to be here for more than a year.
I originally come from Ghana and with case no. AF22671 I wasn’t really worried about getting an interview date. Fortunately for me, when coming to Hungary, I came along with ALL documents bearing my name. From birth certificate to all academic certificate, I carried everything along. Haha.
I received my 2NL on 20th December 2022 with my interview scheduled for February 1st at 1:30 PM. Prior to getting my 2NL, I had already applied for and received Police certificates from both Ghana and Hungary. Getting them wasn’t difficult. They all arrived in less than two weeks.
On February 1st, I arranged all the requested documents in two separate envelopes. One containing Originals and the other, copies. At, 1PM I arrived at the embassy and was allowed in at exactly 1:25PM.
I was ushered to the first windows where the lady took my biometrics and documents. She put the documents into folders and requested for the medical report which I gave to her.
She then said the Hungarian Police certificate was the wrong one and I needed to submit a corrected version. She then asked me to go pay the fee.
I run into some problems paying the fee. For some reason, my bank kept declining the transaction, but I was allowed to go out of the embassy, withdraw some cash from the nearest ATM, then back into the embassy. My advice, ALWAYS SEND CASH.
After paying the fee, I was told to wait, and the CO will call me shortly. At this point, I was really prepared for every possible question I would be asked. I had read extensively from your blog and was well prepared or so I thought.
I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW THE WHOLE THING WENT. Nothing could have prepared me for that.
The CO calls me, makes me swear the oath and I was ready for the questions, but she rather looks looking through my documents again and says
CO: I see you are a student here in Budapest. You arrived in 2021 and studying Public Policy. You are not married and erm……everything looks great. (not even looking at me at this point……just focused on the documents)
ME: The other lady said something about the Hungarian PC.
CO: Yes, I will show you how to get the corrected version. (still looking down at the documents)
ME: OK.
When taking the documents to the embassy, I decided to include what we Ghanaians call a National service Certificate. It is a document you get after serving your country for a mandatory period of 1 year upon completion of a tertiary institution.
CO: I see you’ve served your country already. I know your scholarship demands you go back to your country to serve, but I see your service certificate. That’s fine.
ME: (I was quiet, cos it wasn’t really a question, right?) lol
CO: Alright, I have just one question for you. Do you have any plans of becoming a diplomat?
ME: Yes. It is actually my dream.
CO: Great. Maybe you can work for the foreign service someday. Congrats. I will approve your visa when you submit the new PC.
ME: Thank you!
Right after I exit, I go straight to the post office and apply for a new PC. I take my time to follow every instruction. It takes only than usually to arrive.
February 16th. New PC arrives. Submitted at embassy same day,
February 17th. AP
February 23rd. ISSUED.
I didn’t expect the whole interview process to go as smoothly as I experienced with just one question asked.
February 24, 2023 at 00:04
That’s awesome. Congratulations!!
April 15, 2023 at 01:45
Mr. Simon, I am speechless without word can be used to express my profound gratitude and thanks for all the help your blog, live video sessions and patiently taking time to answer our questions no matter how repetitive and over again.
I entered the 2023 DV Lottery draw whilst already in CHINA and it was no brainer for me to select in 2020 and 2023 in china as my interview location since I was here for more than a year.
I originally come from an Ethiopia and with case no. AF369** I wasn’t really worried about getting an interview date. I went to Addis to reunite with my family after that covid issues, then got 2Nl which I need to come back to china to do interview , I came along with ALL documents bearing my name. From birth certificate to all academic certificate, I carried everything along and make police certificate for three month in addis and I was over prepared.
*All translated and authenticated carefully including Birth certificate, Police certificate and all supporting document need to be in English.
I Went early to Guangzhou US consulate because my interview was at 7:50 am I was at checkpoint advance onee hr to pass all security issues. there is local people to arrange your document before you go the window to be asked all document and they put the documents into folders and requested including : Ethiopian police certificate, passport , photo and Birth certificate and translated.
I run into some problems paying the fee. My advice, ALWAYS CASH.but the finance said this doular is old version of serious and I advice you have new version of cash dollars. lol.
After paying the fee, I was told to wait, and went to the window who check my document and I was called by the CO . At this point, I was really prepared for every possible question I would be asked. I had read extensively from your blog and was well prepared or so I thought.
I have listened you very carefully and there no one except Mr. Brits can give you real and genuine advice, I am not exaggerating this scenarios he is right person to give you real advice and tips . for me its seems that he got all information form insider but not he is indisputably a Professor!! please dont listen other youtuber bla bla Curtis law and bla bla youtuber is liars listen listen listen Brits simon guaranteed you will be success and Nothing could have prepared me for that.
The CO calls me, makes me swear the oath and I was ready for the questions, but he rather looks looking through my documents again and says
CO: what is your name ? You are not married and erm……everything looks great. (not even looking at me at this point……just focused on the documents)
ME: my name is X X X
CO: are you married ?
ME: Not yet.
CO: what is your highest degree?
ME: Doctor.
CO: you working in china?
ME:yes
CO:As what capacity?
ME: Postdoctoral Fellow.
CO:all seems to be good and congratulation.
He asked me do you want to leave your passport or you will go back then send passport ? I said II have to check with security if I can go back without passport or not then inform you .is that okay ? he said sure. i went to my place where i live and send passport .
My advice is just relax and over prepared as Mr. simon always said and be honest.nothing is trick there. It will be issued soon.
April 15, 2023 at 21:46
Congratulations!!
April 15, 2023 at 22:38
Hi, there
I have been grateful continuously tovMr Simon for facilitating this platform which I have benefited tremendously during my interview recently.
I have had an interview JHN consulate that started at 7:00am though I was on the queue an half an hour earlier.
As the time arrives the security started screening process and got access to go through.
The first thing they request was my passport and then she directed me to prepare original documents with copies each. Once she made sure that I have all the documents (school records, pc, birth certificate, I-134 with latest tax return) , directed towards cashier which I paid in cash. Once I paid cashier told me that she give the receipt to the interviewer officer, so I went back to sit where they were calling for the interview. As my turn arrives the interview officer requested me for finger print and take an oath.
CO: State your name
Me: stated my name
Co: are you married
Me: no
Co: any kids
Me: no
Co: where are you working currently
Me: stated where I work
Co: busy checking my school records (it seems fine)
Me ____
Co: checking the I134 and tax return
She has told me on this that there is a quick fix thing which your sponsor income is less than the threshold to accommodate so you can found a co sponsor and send us the I134 and tax return of the Co sponsor.
Me: ok
Co: everything is fine
Me: thanks
And I left with that recommendation which I believe everyone who read this could get a lesson or be aware that you need to double check your sponsors ability or income during preparation.
My status showed refusrf221g at the beginning but
I attached my new co sponsor I 134 and tax return it is on “Ready” though I don’t understand why it’s on ready after I did interview.
Thanks to those who share their stories as well
April 16, 2023 at 14:00
Thanks for the detailed account of the interview.
The requirement for income for the sponsor is shown here:
https://britsimonsays.com/all-about-public-charge-affidavit-of-support-i-134/
April 24, 2023 at 15:14
Hello,
CN 2023EU19XXX
Embassy: Paris, France
Interview: 12 April 2023 at 08:30AM.
DS-260: Submitted on 25 May 2022.
I realize the accounts of Paris embassy experience are scare. So, here’s another one to help the ones following.
At 08:30AM sharp I was on line to enter the embassy. Before entering the embassy, I had to go through some documents check and was asked for:
1. My passport
2. 2NL
3. Interview registration confirmation.
Very quickly I went through security where all my electronics (phone had to be switched off) were kept, and was given a number to which I would be called later.
I paid the $330 and waited for approximately 5 minutes until I was called to a booth.
There, I was asked for my birth certificate and my police certificates (I have dual residency in Europe), followed by my diploma.
Questions asked:
1. Confirm my US address for the Green Card and SSN to be delivered
2. Have you been to the US before?
3. Walk me through your studies and diplomas.
Finger prints taken.
I was then asked to wait for the CO to call me. I must have waited for 30 minutes approximately.
Took the oath.
Questions asked:
1. Have you been to the US before?
2. Have you always followed the rules and come back to your country?
Finger prints taken again.
The CO said: I’m happy with your file. Congratulations!
And that was it, really!
I was overprepared with all kinds of supporting evidence including an I-134 and was never asked any of those apart from the above mentioned.
I was out of the embassy at 9:45AM.
19 April 2023: Administrative Processing
20 April 2023: Issued
24 April 2023, 5PM: Email notification to collect my passport
24 April 2023, 6PM: Passport with visa collected.
Thank you Brit for your support through this great experience.
Veronique
April 24, 2023 at 22:47
Sounds like it was EASY!. Well done and thanks for taking the time to capture the experience.
May 16, 2023 at 10:52
Hello BritSimon,
Thank you so much for all you do for DV lottery winners.
We all are so grateful for the information you constantly share on your website, twitter and youtube channel.
I am from Cameroon and live in Cameroon. So will love to share my experience and that of another family.
Country: Cameroun
Embassy: Yaounde, Cameroon.
Case Number: 2023AF39XXX
2NL date: 30th March 2023
interview date: Mid May 2023
Arrival and we went through the normal checks and had to wait with the others outside.
My husband was asked to pay the visa fee $330 ( 215,000FCFA)
We waited for an hour and was called in.
First document checks and reception and collection of finger prints and we were asked to sit and wait for the second interview (main interview).
CO: Congratulations Sir and Madam. What’s your name
My husband: XXxx
Me: XXXx
CO: Place your right hand for finger prints
We: did
CO: Raise up your right hand and take an oath
We: OK
CO: have any of you ever travelled before?
My husband: NO
Me: yes, I travelled in 20xx to xxx for a brief training.
CO: Have any of you been married before?
We: No
CO: When did you get married?
Me: DD/MM/YYYY
CO: hands our originals and says congratulations your visas have been approved.
Few take aways,
1. Be truthful.
Especially families please endeavour to say the truth and ensure all what you filled in the ds260 was the truth. A Family of 7 was rejected because the husband has been previously married and the first spouse left him and traveled to SA without legal divorce. He went ahead and married the new spouse without legally divorcing the first. when he was asked if he had ever applied for a visa he refused but the CO pulled out his file and told him he see he once applied to travel to SA. That’s when the whole story started unfolding.
He tried explaining himself but the CO told them to provide a legal divorce document of the first marriage.
It’s so sad how our African countries issue marriage certificates without checking the previous marriage history of spouses.
2. Have extra money
We did the conversion rates at home and what was asked was way extra.
3. Endeavour to register appointments for all derivatives. I registered my husband’s appointment and forgot to register mine. hand to do it that morning.
May 18, 2023 at 14:11
Copied from an excellent post by TOH Jérôme on the Ask questions page.
Hello Brit,
Trust you’re doing good with family🤗. Just to give you feedback on my interview. I’m case number 2023AF00031XXX, had interview in U.S Embassy Yaounde, Cameroon on Tuesday May 16th, 2023
I received my 2NL on Wednesday 29th March, 2023. I had to subscribe for your daily mail post which has helped me a lot, learning through other peoples questions asked here. I took the pain to read/re-read every question you answered via my mail until now. Through this I have gained so much value and now equipped with proper information that can help me further in future and possibly help any other person in need
Showed up at interview way before time, was calm with all documents complete. Later on went through normal security check and document verification by Embassy support personnel. Interview was pretty straight forward, less than 2 minutes😊 as a single applicant, a recap
CO: Warmth greetings, good morning Sir😅!
CO: Now raise your right hand, You have to take this oath, that you promise to say the truth and only the truth
Me(Response): Did as asked
CO: What is your name Please?
Me(Response): gave my full names
CO: Have you ever travelled to another country before?
Me(Response): I had travelled before, so I gave the country and even added confidently by specifying the duration period
CO: Are you married?
Me(Response): NO
CO: Do you have a child?
Me(Response): NO
CO: Do you have a fiancee, girlfriend or someone you intend to marry later on, smiled 😉 at me? (She later on said the reason was just in case your partner happens to apply in future, so that we know by putting her name in the system will facilitate the process, just in case she ever apply for a visa)
Me(Response): NO
CO: Ok, CONGRATULATIONS sir, welcome to USA. You will have to wait for 1-2 weeks for your visa to be printed. You will be notified by mail. That’s all, you can go now😊
So, I was approved Brit. I want to thank you 🙏 personally on this occasion, for taking upon you to serve others in this manner free of charge, others on YouTube may charge for this but you’re doing it for free, God bless you and your household, you will never lack financially, peace of mind and long life to you with family, I wish you the very best and hope just to see you one day inorder to show my appreciation/respect
JUST FEW TIPS/ADVISE***
1) I see many persons abandoning the whole process/forms to be filled by someone else and they just wait to be told what to do, I don’t think is the right way to go, even if some other person has to fill and follow up your process, you should at least know everything happening by reading the information needed and if better, take out time to do all by yourself. The blog by Brit here has everything from A to Z, don’t be lazy, take out time to read and re-read
2) You can also subscribe by mail on the britsimon blog, so that whenever he answers a question, you can receive in your mail, then read them and learn as sometimes you might even have the same question to ask Brit, that way you won’t be repeating questions already answered, take out time to read
3) There are also guidelines for new immigrants. When approved, you can even take the burden to start reading and know what is expected of you as we plan to take this new phase of life in another land, very important
Though long, I believe someone will always learn. Best wishes to all approved 2023
May 22, 2023 at 06:14
being almost 5 months in 221g. any advice guys would be highly appreciated
May 22, 2023 at 18:17
If you are Iranian, that is sort of normal. If not, check with the embassy.
June 3, 2023 at 01:55
What is 2NL please explain me I don’t have any information help me please
June 3, 2023 at 10:22
2NL is the notification of interview appointment. It is in the FAQ
May 28, 2023 at 20:23
Our interview experience in China Guangzhou 🇨🇳
dv2023 winner
Case number 9k
My wife was the main applicant
We submitted ds260 on 10th October, 2022
2NL received 15th February
Did our Medical 27th of March 2023.
The interview date April 10th at 7:50am
We arrived at the embassy at 6:30am
The gates were opened at 7:30am
We provided our appointment letter and passport to start the entry check list and went through a security check.
After entry, we went into the building where we waited in queues for them to check our appointment documents and later we were given a ticket number for the next counter.
We waited for about 20 minutes and our ticket number was called. We went to the counter and the teller verified our documents.(This is where we felt a-bit shaken because she said one of the PCC we presented is not up-to the standard required, but in China different cities have different formats which she didn’t want to accept and wrote it down as a mistake)
The lady checking our documents also asked about our parents last names, and kept repeating about 5 times as if to have us confused.
The documents she checked were:
1. Ds260 confirmation page
2. Birth certificate with photocopy
3. Education certificates with photocopy
4. Police certificate
5. Marriage certificate with photocopy
6. Passports NO copy
7. Two American (2)passport pic
8.Medicals
9. I-134 form ( but she actually didn’t know why we gave her that form, she didn’t know what it was and my wife explained )
After Submission, we waited about 10 mins patiently in the queue and was called to a counter.
We greeted the CO who was a very cool dude and he asked us to confirm our names and date of birth. Then he asked us to take an oath and proceeded to take our fingerprints.
CO: have you been to any other country for over a year apart from Kenya 🇰🇪 and China 🇨🇳?
My wife and I answered
CO: Have you been refused a US visa
My wife answered
CO: did you get married in Kenya 🇰🇪 or China 🇨🇳 ?
My wife answered
CO: currently what do you guys do in China?
My wife and I answered
CO: Have you used any other name apart from the one in your passport?
My wife and I answered
CO: Have you had any criminal records in the past ?
( that’s when he checked our PCC to confirm if our duration of stay matched the years in the PCC)
He noticed I had a gap of 6 months and he needed the PCC for those months.
In China mostly you will have to get PCC from every city you’ve lived in for over 6 months. In our case we had about 6.
He also told us the PCC we provided were ok and that the Chinese lady who said it was not up-to standard was wrong.
CO: how long have you two been in China
My wife and I answered
CO: where are you going to live in the U.S
My wife and I answered
CO: are you a member of the CCP?
My wife and I answered
CO: everything looks good. Karibu (in swahili) which means welcome to America.
He checked all our documents and stamped all the copies and gave us back the originals
He gave us a 221g form and told us to send the 6 months pcc together with our passports.
On May 9th we sent the documents to the embassy.
On May 22nd our status changed from refused to ready .
On may 23rd it changed to Ap
On May 24th it was issued.
On May 25th they sent our passports and we just received it today ( May 27th)
May 29, 2023 at 08:58
Awesome – congratulations!
June 24, 2023 at 11:28
DV2023 EU9k – Skopje / Interview in early April / Freshly married couple
ASKED DOCS:
– x2 fee of 330$
– Both passports
– My high-school diploma (Principal selectee, male)
– Both birth certificates
– Both police certificates
– Both court certificates
– Original marriage certificate & a copy of marriage certificate
– Both medical exams
– x1 color photo of both
– DS-260 confirmation page of her
– Photo album
// What we haven’t
– Certificates of each passed year of high school
– Any supporting documents from our friend from US
—
THE INTERVIEW:
Where did you went in high school?
– Told the name of the school and the city.
How was your experience in high school?
– It was good. (than asked what was the course of study) I wanted to go IT, but ended up on some mechanical but it was interesting to learn different skills.
Did you had a lot of friends in high school?
– Yes, that’s usual here.
Were most of you continuing school together?
– Yes, with at least 10 of my friends we were even from kindergarden together until high-school.
Have you lived at any time out of your country for longer period?
– Both: No
Is the guy you’ve named in US your friend?
– Yes, he is my friend from my hometown.
You will stay with him at first, right?
– Yes, probably until we got our SSN there.
The addres is this right… (and started saying it)
– Yes. (I continuied saying it so he getsots impression that i know it)
So, you know where you’re going?
– Yes, in ‘that’ city area is he living, the weather is good, there are a lot of opportunities so we would like to start there.
You’re working in a company now, right?
– Yes.
You have never been accused for something right?
– Both: No.
Have any of you had any previous marriages and divorces?
– Both: No.
How did you met each other?
– I saw her on our mutual’s friend wedding, but got in touch a bit later because i was struggling to find her on social media (he he), common way to start with someone nowaday.
What was the thing from her that attracted you at first?
– (hmm) Her smile at first, but then when we started communicating of course you get to know each other better and that’s how we started dating. (Actually her tits attracted my view at first, but…)
When did you got married?
– Told the exact date and year.
We will approve your visa!
– Thank you very much.
June 24, 2023 at 11:47
Thanks and congratulations!
June 28, 2023 at 07:38
Dear Simon,
Here’s to thank you for your selfless help and support answering our questions from filling the DS-260 until going for the interview. We are forever grateful for the information you share with and for DV lottery winners.
Our details are as follows:
Case Number: 2023AS6###
Number of Applicants: 2
Chargeability Country: Sri Lanka
Interview Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
DS-260 Submitted in May 2022 (initially and then unlocked)
DS-260 Re-submitted in July 2022
2NL received in April 2023
Renewed passport (primary applicant) after receiving the 2NL
Medical Examination completed in May 2023
Interview in June 2023
Status: Issued
Interview Experience:
Our interview was scheduled for 07.45am. However, we arrived at the embassy an hour before. We were politely asked to stay seated in the queue outside by the security officers. At 07.30am, two embassy staff came out and asked to make a queue for non-immigrant visas. Then it was our turn (Immigrant Visas). One staff checked our passports and asked us to proceed to the security check. At the security check we were asked to leave our mobile phones and we were allowed to carry in only our document folders.
Once we entered the embassy, we were given tokens (two separate types for immigrants and non-immigrant visas) and were asked us to stay seated. After sometime, we were called to a counter to submit our documents. The staff in the counter collected our originals and copies separately and asked us to pay the visa fee to a separate counter and bring the receipt back to her. Once it was done we were asked to stay seated again.
After a few minutes, we were called to a separate counter to give our biometrics (fingerprints).
After about 10 minutes, we were called to another counter by the CO for the interview and it went like this…
1. CO took me and my husband’s fingerprints
2. Took the oath
3. The CO, very politely asked us a few questions such as,
– Our full names
– Where we are from
– How long we have been living in UAE
– Our professions
– Countries we have lived in (while checking our police certificates)
– If we are married (while going through our marriage certificate)
– If we have children
4. Checked my (primary applicant) educational documents (A/L, Bachelors and Postgraduate Diploma)
5. The CO returned all our originals back.
6. Lastly, the CO said, “Your visas are approved and you will receive the passports in a week or so”
We thanked the CO, double-checked if we have all our original documents back with us and came home with happy hearts.
After 48 hours, we received a notification message from Emirates Post (local courier company) letting us know that our passports are ready for collection.
Thank you again Simon for your support throughout this experience. Best Wishes!
June 28, 2023 at 08:01
Awesome! Congratulations.
July 7, 2023 at 04:51
Hi H,
Kindly let me know if you need a sponsor to apply from Abu Dhabi.
I am also winner Sri Lankan citizen applying from Abudhabi.
July 16, 2023 at 01:39
DV2023 winner
Case number: 2023AS74XX
Hello,
I am from Mongolia and am hereby sharing my interview experience in US Embassy Ulaanbaatar. I found out about my selection late (in January 2023) and submitted my DS-260 on Jan 31st, 2023. Received 2NL on Mar 7th, 2023.
The medical examination:
Went through the medical tests a week before the interview. Our children had to take blood tests for tuberculosis diagnosis. But the test result of our elder son it turned out to be weak positive and thus he needs to take sputum test for verification that nearly took 2 months. Even without his medical report/envelope we were directed to go through interview anyway.
We received an email from the US Embassy on March 13th notifying that we have two separate appointments (first one: Document submission and second: Visa interview) and provided us with an instruction along with checklist for preparation for document submission.
The document submission schedule: Apr 3rd /Monday at 1:30.
Upon entering the Embassy, my wife and I waited for about 20 mins and were called at the counter after a given ticket number. A lady (translator) reviewed all of the documents we provided and gave back some of my wife’s documents such as her educational and training certificates because she is not the principal applicant. Then she wanted to clarify about the reference of real estate that we provided. She asked why it was gifted to me and I explained. She asked us to bring the Gift Deed of the real estate at the visa interview and took our biometrics.
The interview schedule: April 5th at 1:45pm.
This time, we had to bring our children (3 and 6 years old) as per the instruction. There were 3 other families sitting and waiting together in the waiting room who claim that they are also DV2023 winners and wished us luck for the interview. After 5 minutes, we were called into another counter and the interview starts:
CO: Congratulations on winning the Diversity Visa (DV) program!
Me: Thank you
CO: Looking at our kids, and replies “they must be getting bigger, how old are they?”
Me: Smaller one is 3, taller one is 6 years old.
Then CO took our fingerprints and biometrics.
CO: Can you please raise up your right hand and take an oath.
We: Did it accordingly.
CO: Ok, when did you marry each other?
My wife: in 2019
Me: But we have been together for 7-8 years.
CO: Have you ever been married before?
We: No
CO: Do you have any other children?
We: No
CO: Have you ever been in other countries for more than 6 months?
ME: I have been in the USA for almost 3 years, in Russia for 4-5 years and in China a few months to take HSK course.
CO: Is Chinese difficult language to learn? (smiling)
Me: Speaking Chinese is actually easier than our Mongolian but writing and memorizing Chinese characters is quite a challenging experience.
CO asks my wife if she also studied in China.
My wife: Yes. I received my master’s degree in Shanghai.
CO: Then your Chinese must be pretty good. (Smiled)
My wife: Yes, mine is much better than his (laughed, teasingly looking at me)
CO: Where do you want to go in the USA?
Me: Chicago probably.
CO: All right, everything looks good. But since the medical report of your elder son is missing, I am going to have to put you on 221(g) and approve your visas once we receive it. Any questions?
Me: Only one question: “What if something comes up in his sputum test result and turns out to be positive?
CO: Oh, that’s a hypothetical question, let’s not predict anything at the moment (smiled). But the most important thing is your child’s health and he needs to be treated if that happens.
WE: Okay, thank you!
Then CO gave us back all the documents except for our passports and photos. Bye, waiving hands at our kids as well.
The sputum test result came out on its 58th day, and doctor informed us that he is fine. We were so happy hearing that and submitted his medical report at the Embassy right away that day.
June 2nd: Medical report submitted
June 14th: Status changed from Refused to Ready
June 23rd: Status changed from Ready to Issued
June 23rd: Received a call from the Embassy to pick up our passports with visas
I must admit that the overall experience from the beginning until the visas get issued was a quite a bit stressful but it was mostly just a worry that made us anxious.
I am truly grateful to Simon and all the other applicants for sharing their experiences and advices.
July 17, 2023 at 19:30
Thank you for that detailed interview experience!! It might be the first I have for that embassy!
July 28, 2023 at 17:20
Yaounde, Cameroon
Scheduled time: 7:30 AM
After making sure I had every item on the interview checklist, I placed them all in one bag and went to bed. I was so anxious I could not sleep all night. Ended up getting a bit of sleep at about 4AM and missed my alarm which was set for 5:30AM. I woke up at 6:10AM, showered quickly and got a cab to the embassy. I would have forgotten some stuff if I didn’t put them together the night before.
I arrived the embassy at 6:45AM and met a queue of about 20 people which eventually increased.
By 7AM the security checks began. They checked out bags outside, took and registered all our electronic devices and then gave us numbered folders for our documents. For this step, carrying as little as possible to the embassy will safe you some time.
We were then ushered to sit at the lobby and some staff came to help us sort our interview documents as required by each individual’s case. From there we were asked to pay the 330usd fee (215,000FCFA). This was followed by biometric scan (finger prints) and presentation of documents. With the documents verified, we all sat in the waiting room and the CO called up individuals for interview in a ranked manner.
My interview proper was pretty straight forward. I think I enjoyed my conversation with the CO
CO : Good morning! Bonjour!
Me: good morning sir.
The CO then asked me to take the oath and I did accordingly. Holding my A -level certificate, he smiled at me and said “this is impressive, we don’t see this very often. You must love academics. (for context I did extremely well at the A-level)
Me: thank you sir, I try my best
CO: What do you intend to do in the US?
Me: I’ll like to further my medical education by training to become a specialist
CO: Oh, you are a physician?
Me: Yes, sir
CO: are you married?
Me: No sir
CO: But do you have a fiancé?
Me: Yes
CO: Do you intend to marry before leaving?
Me: Yes, we have a wedding project
CO: What does she do? Is she a doctor too?
Me: No she’s a journalist
CO: *smiling* Isn’t that dangerous here?
Me: *laughing* well she tries her best to keep safe
He consulted his colleague then and asked me to provide her name stating it will help them easily process her case when I petition for her later.
CO: Do you have relatives in the US?
Me: Yes (gave him a few details)
CO: Will you like to maintain your address or change?
Me: I’ll prefer NC
CO: Yeah, they have some excellent medical schools there. I think that’s a better choice.
After checking if everything was okay
CO: Congratulations, and welcome to the USA.
Me: Thank you sir
CO: *with a broad smile on his face* I think this time around by selecting you, the US won the lottery and not the other way round. You will receive a mail once your visa and immigration package arrives DHL Yaounde for pickup. Usually takes about 1-2 weeks but closer to 1 week.
Me: Alright, thank you very much.
CO: Do have a nice day
Me: Thank you, have a nice day as well
In all, the whole process took about 2 hours 30mins from security check to leaving the embassy. Would have been even shorter if I arrived earlier. I think those interviewing here on same day receive the same time on the 2nl and on the day of their cases are processed in order of arrival. My case was AP for one day then issued. Visa was ready for pickup exactly 48hours after my interview.
Thank you Mr Simon, been watching your brilliant videos all year round on YouTube.
July 29, 2023 at 11:29
That’s an excellent account of the interview. And such a kind comment about you being the lottery prize!
Now, about your fiancee. I wish you had married before the interview. It will take years to bring her outside of the DV program.
August 5, 2023 at 10:05
I’m writing this to document my DV23 experience.
Case No: AF46k
Embassy: Doha, Qatar 🇶🇦
My interview was 3 weeks ago and I was put on 221g because of wrong foreign state of chargeability (FSC).
Long story short, I was born in Qatar, however I chose to put my Country of chargeability as Somalia which is my nationality and my parents country of birth.
Normally your FSC will be your country of birth, wife’s country of birth and parents* (if your parents weren’t a resident at the time of your birth)
During my interview, the first question I was asked was
CO: Arabic or English?
I replied: English is fine.
CO: When did you graduate high school?
I replied
Shortly afterwards, the CO was quick to point out that I put the wrong FSC, I even noted a small sticky note on my file labeled “wrong FSC”
However, I came prepared, not only were my documents complete and up-to-date, I was also armed with a copy of the DV23 instructions and FAQ page, my parents passports from the time that I was born.
I proceeded to clarify that I charged to my parents country of birth, citing that Qatar has no path to residency or naturalisation, deeming every visit temporary in nature along with the fact that you have to renew your work permit every year.
The CO took a pen and underlined the relevant points in the DV23 FAQ page I gave him and stood up and said “let me check with my supervisor”
He came back and said some nonsense about “that rule that you cited is when for example if your father wins the lottery and lists you as a derivative”
I replied: “that’s not what it says on the rules”
The CO was extremely courteous though, saying that he’d let it slide if the countries were in the same region however it’s hard because of regions and quotas and that he’ll do his due diligence and that he’ll check in with Washington and let me know.
I asked the CO: “so I’m going to be on 221g?”
He replied: “yes, and you know 221g?”
I replied: “yes, I’m hip”
The whole interaction lasted around 15-20 mins, which is significantly longer than a normal DV interview.
Shortly afterwards I received an email from the embassy requesting some additional info about my parents which I answered.
Ultimately, my case was cleared and was told to send in the passport. All in all, I spent days a total of 8 days in 221g, after that status changed to ready (1 day) and the AP (4 days), and finally issued.
My passport wasn’t stamped however because it’s not recognized by the U.S DOS.
22 CFR 42.2 states that:
“The alien’s passport was issued by a government with which the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations, unless the Department has specifically authorized the placing of the visa in such passport”
I was issued a DS232, which is basically a paper with the visa on it along with the immigrant packet.
I know that my case is a unique one, I hope that it will be useful to anyone that.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions, I will do my best to answer them.
August 5, 2023 at 12:25
That’s awesome. It’s nice to have such a case well documented. Thanks!
August 31, 2023 at 12:11
Hi Simon,
There are not enough words to express my gratitude to you for the service you are providing for us. We applied in 2021 for the DV lottery for the first time, and since then we followed all the instructions in your YouTube videos, blogs, live sessions and Q&A sessions. With that, me and my husband were able to get our US visas today. Thanks a lot Brit.
I went to the interview from ’employment path’. Me & my husband gathered all, (I mean “ALL”) needed documents and got ready for the interview. I remembered that you mentioned in your videos/ blogs that, people who go from the ’employment path’ need to provide genuine evidence to get through this interview. So I made sure that I covered every aspect. (Appointment letter, promotion letters, salary increments, service letters, professional certificates, Employment Providence Fund History Reports, Onet document highlighted with all my relevant responsibilities etc…). This was an immense help for us to pass the interview.
We entered the embassy premises @ 1pm (our scheduled time) and we were taken for the interview around 2.50pm. We had the interview for about 5 minutes.
💫💫💫💫 Interview Questions 💫💫💫💫
CO – What’s your highest educational qualification?
Me – Bachelor’s degree in IT
CO – Without having the ALs, how did you manage to enter for this degree program?
Me – Before entering the degree program, we were asked to cover a foundation level examination as an equivalent qualification for ALs.
CO – What was the duration of it ?
Me – 1 year
CO – Okay.. What’s the degree duration?
Me – 3 years
CO – When did you complete your degree?
Me – 2015
CO – Could you please give a small summary on your employment history?
Me – <>
CO – What’s the last designation you held?
Me – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer
CO – Can you explain to me your responsibilities as a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer?
Me – <>
CO – Can you give me some examples on what you are doing?
Me – <>
CO (looking at my husband) – What are you doing at the moment?
Him – I’m a Software Developer
CO – Great.. Who is your sponsor? And how do you know him?
Me – <>
CO – Okay.. Where are you both planning to live after going to the US?
Me – Since my sponsor lives in California, we both thought of going there first, so we can get his help during our first few days in the US. After that, based on the jobs we get, we will move to the relevant areas.
CO – Great.. So how long have you two been married?
Me – For 4 years
CO – And when & how did your’ll meet each other?
Me – We both worked under the same employer in 2016. That’s where we met.
CO – All seems good. Congratulations. You’ll get a call within a few days to come and collect the passports.
Me – Thank you very much sir.
💫💫💫💫Things we noted during our stay till the interviewer called us💫💫💫💫
* 3-4 people (who went from ’employment path’) got rejected. They all had in-depth interviews and took more time than people who went through the education path. They (including me) all were asked career based questions.
* Please take extra cash in hand. A couple of our notes got returned due to a bad watermark issue. In a case like that, better to have extra cash in hand.
* Me & husband stayed in Malaysia for the last 9 months and before that, we stayed in Sri Lanka. Though the US Embassy’s reciprocity page mentioned that we need to get a police clearance certificate(PCC) from Malaysia ONLY if we stayed there for more than 1 year, during our document submission they said that we need to present a PCC if we ever stayed in another country for more than 6 months. Fortunately we had both our PCCs with us (Sri Lanka & Malaysia).
💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
Received 2NL – 22nd June 2023
Medical Test – 9th July 2023 (in Sri Lanka)
Interview – 15th August 2023
Interview Location – Sri Lanka-US Embassy
Call to collect the passports – 22nd August 2023
August 31, 2023 at 16:19
Thanks for the detail description!
Congratulations and best of luck for the move!
September 16, 2023 at 03:59
Bula Britsimon.
Thanks you so much for your videos and blogs. I gained knowledge of DV &how to read visa bulletin,etc. Many thanks.
DV2023 Winner
Case no.2023OC2020
Suva, Fiji embassy
.
*We completed DS260 in Nov 2022. *Got 2NL on 21st July 2023 for 5th Sep 2023 interview but Interview rescheduled for 7th Aug 2023 @8:30am -which we are very grateful for.
*applied police clearance on 24th July
*medical examination on 25th July for the 3 of us
*7th Aug Interview was like 5min.
Interview day Summary:
*arrived at 7:45am at Suva embassy at first gate
*Security checks x 3 times then enter interview room
*waited for a while before my husband was called to the counter..hand in our sealed medical envelope, original passport,passport photos., original education transcripts, birth certificates then copies of them. Thry gave back the original docs. We had Form I134 but they did not ask.
* paid our embassy fees
* waited for a while then our name called for interview
*did biometric for my husband and I &oath interview ?:
* Did you get married before you married each other
*How many children you have
*Did you have any other children outside marriage
*have you ever been in prison
*what kind of work you do . ? to my husband.
*said my husband police clearance not yet received. We confirmed we did it the same day . They have received mine only.
*what kind of work you plan to do in USA to.my husband
*mentioned sm of my husband line of work in USA
*Consular officer Concludes we will contact you 1st week of Sep to pick up your passport. Then Gives us a yellow form with Refused 221g stating await my husband police clearance. We got home by 10:30
* We got email to.pick up our passport and visa packet on 6th Sep 2023
*plane ticket ready for us to leave for LA by this December
September 16, 2023 at 11:42
Congratulations and best of luck in the USA!