Interview experience stories

Case number: 2017AS000029xx
interview location: kabul-Afghanistan
last submission: 1st August 2016
got 2NL: 14 October 2016
interview date: 06-December-2016

i think i am the first person from afghanistan that is sharing his experience , appointment was on 7:30 Am and we were over preperd all docs were sorted , my wife was principle applicant, we arrived at the embassy at 6:45 Am and waited about 25 mints then we entered the embassy and tell 8:30 we pass all securty checks and Documents submission also payments then we waited for about 40 minutes and the CO called us for interview . the interview took about 3:30 minutes and the asked my wife just 4 main questions and 1 question from me like bellow
Co: hello and wellcome
we: xxxxx
Co: so u both applied for Dv right ??
we: xxxxx
Co: are they ur husband and son ?
wife: xxxxx
Co: when u graduated from secondry?
wife: xxxxx
Co: when u got married ?
wife: xxxxx
Co: what is ur education level now ?
wife: xxxxx
Co: so Mr u were worked as a camera man ?
I : xxxxx
Co: ok i believe that all Documents are orignal and all are fine But we didnt recevied urs medical report yet, when we received it we will issue ur visa it may take 15 days or 1 month. we told its ok sir ,,
my wife was on medicine at the medical test day so the Doctor told her that take ur all medicine, when its finished then come to clinic for test and we did the same thing and the last test was one the before of interview.
the Co was an older man maybe 40 years old and he was very friendly and kind person ..
they didnt asked as for i134 form and we didnt have it . now we are waiting for our visa i dont know when it will be issue
tanx for reading and i am so sorry for my bad English hahahaha

simon sir a million tanx from you u helped me very much

hi BritSimon,

I’am from Ethiopia, i’am a Dv 2017 winner, i didn’t know that i won the dv untill this novembre 2016 when i was ready to fill the DV2018 i checked for the result and i saw the message that i was randomly selected. i sent my DS-260 form on the 11th of novembre and now i’m wait for my interview.
My question is: in the meantime i got married (between the intial dv form that i filled in novembre 2015 and the answer that say’s that i’m randomly selected), so i had to includ my spouse, do u think my current situation while affect my chance to obtain the visa? and my case numbre is 2017AF00019xxx.

thank you for your time.

Hi Simon,

I haven’t seen any interview experiences related on your blog yet for the Embassy in Paris so I’ll had mine:

Date: November 2016.

Documents given to the officer: medical results, birth certificate, passport, various diplomas, police records. Nothing else. (no I-134, no bank statements, no job offers, no relatives in the US).

The interview lasted around 3 minutes at the most:

Officer: ” Please raise your right hand: Do you swear that all the documents presented here are legitimate?”
Me: “I solemnly swear” (just to sound like beloved Obama)
Officer: “wha did you apply to the lottery?”
Me: “when?” (couldn’t hear well the right speaker, my eyebrows pointing to the roof)
Officer: “no…Why?”
Me: ” ohh, because bla bla bla”.
Officer: “Is this the original of your birth certificate?”
Me: “yes, I have another one here if needed”.
Officer: “Can I see the original of your degree diploma”? (He only had the copy).
Me: “here it is.”
Officer, 2 minutes later: “Ok, your visa is approved!”
Me, with big smile, “thank you Sir.”

He did not asked me where I planned to go in the US, with whom I planned to live with, what kind of job I was looking at.

Simon, thank you very very much for your help. I would only emphasize to futur french dv winners to absolutely enter their Embassy interview date on the following website https://ais.usvisa-info.com/fr-fr/iv as soon as they have the 2nd confirmation letter.
I almost missed that step and it’s a requirement to actually enter the Embassy.

Cheers, and thanks again,

FLB.

I would like to share my interview experience as this forum helped me a lot to go through my DV 2017 process up to the point where I now have my visa.
I am from Cameroon and my visa was scheduled at the U.S. Embassy in yaounde at 7:30am. November 15.
I arrived the embassy at about 6:50am. Meet others there who had their own issues to be handled. The doors where not open till 7:00 even if you came at 5:00am I pity you for the standing lol
At exactly 7:00 the firs were opened for check in. Got to the first stage our passports were asked to see if you are actually scheduled that day. Phones not allowed and were taken during this initial stage. Went into the next stage presented our passports again. And the guards there told us to sit outside as the hall was already full. So every DV winner sat outside. That was when I realized we were we were just 5 of us for the DV process. 1 couple and the rest singles two boys two girls. Hmmmm?????
We sat outside for about 30 minutes before we were called to pay the visa fees. We all did but was asked to sit outside. That was when we noticed we were going to be the last to be interviewed. Hmm while outside the first person came out smiling. We the DV winners knew it was going to be a great day and a blessing. God never sleeps. I just love Jesus so much cause when he opens the door no one can close it. Later we were called to come inside as people had taken their visa and were going home happy.
Cut the story short. When it was out turn they called according to numbers. By this time, the hall was empty. We really were panicking. The First Lady called me asked I give the photocopy of just my birthday certificate and passport. I was really worried then cause I read where others said they had to present photocopy of all documents. Two each including the ds260 and invitation letter ???. I was extra prepared. Only to realize at the cash office they took all my originals but no photocopies ???????????I was scared man. I stated asking the others I was told they took theirs. But the other girl said her situation was the same. That was when I relaxed again. So at the second desk I was asked only photocopy of birth certificate and passport this time they took that girls documents. Well. While I was there I had to extend my eyes further ???. There I saw they wrote ok in a form with capital letters. I was again happy. She took that and asked me to sit again later called for my phone number.
Window 3 now. Hmmm tension. Those couples were the first that got their visa approved. This was the beginning of breakthrough. We were all happy. The second guy was also approved ???????????? I was the third in line.
CO: good afternoon
Me: good afternoon
CO: where is ……..
Me: it’s my village in ……
CO: in the initial entry you put ….. As place of birth but your birthday certificate is something else
After checking age realized she had not checked well. She said ah ok this is it you were correct Then my heart was pounding. This people had every way to catch someone. Look at me that knew I was clean all round.
CO: with whom are you going to stay with in U.S.
Me: family friend
CO ok
CO: what you intern to do in the USA
Me: …..
CO: are you married
Me: no
CO: ok your visa has been approved congratulations. You can pass by on the 17 and collect your visa package
Wow. I was more than happy I could hear the others also shouting behind. Three so far had been accepted upon. Wow. I left the place didn’t wait for the others I just was so happy and thankful to God for this process of patients and trials cause it was not really easy
On the 17 of November went and collected my passport. Saw the others that was when we realized that all of us that day made it through the interview. Now I have my visa at hand.
First I give thanks to the almighty Jesus Christ for the door that God has opened no man can shut. Then thank you Brit for this wonderful site I can’t reward you for your kindness to us all but I believe with the sincerity of my heart your pocket will never run dry. You will have money and gods guidance from individuals you did not dream would know you. In Jesus name.
I shared my experience so that others will also benefit just as I also benefited from others.
Word of advice like what Brit said you should always be prepared never tell a lie. Those people see even the least thing you didn’t know they knew.
My documents were from ordinary level to postgraduate diploma. Medical sealed as I did it but in Douala. Non conviction and two passport size photographs of 5*5. Ds 260 form . I took the invitation letter but it was given back to me. In fact all the things I did photocopy of were returned back to me. My case was so special. God was, is and will still forever be involved in my case.
Thank you all and thank my destiny helpers for being there my lovely sweetim.
NB case number AF201700012….
Thank you and I wish you all the best as that Tuesday was a blessing to all of us that part took at the interview so will your day be to. Amen.

Hi Brit,
First of all I would like to thank you as your posts supported me lot to be prepare for the interview. I would like to share my interview experience with others.

Case Number: AS4XX
Interview Date: 3 Nov 2016
Embassy: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Time: 1.00 pm

I went to the US embassy around 12pm (1 hour before my interview) and informed to the security guard that I’m having an interview at 1pm. Then the security guard said we are taking people in sharp at 1.00pm and better go somewhere and come back around 12.45pm. I went to security point around 12.45pm and there was a family (Husband, wife and a kid) on the queue in front of me. At the gate security they kept my phone and gave me a tag to keep with me to get the phone back when I’m returning. I entered from the main door of the embassy and there was another security point and given me a token. When I was arriving, there was only the above mentioned family at that place. Time was around 1.15pm. As the mentioned family came in before me they have taken first. Later my token number displayed on the screen and I went to counter number 2 to submit my documents. There was a pleasant lady at the counter with a file, there is a printed paper pasted with some details and photo on that file. But I noticed that was not my photo, I informed to the lady at the counter that was not my picture, she replied that’s what she is also wondering about that and noticed that’s someone else file. She went in and bought my file. First she was asking my passport, birth certificate originals and translations, I-134 with the required documents, I had 2 sponsors ready and one sponsor’s some documents were not with me as they requested. Then the lady was asking the address I have mentioned when filling the form? I said the sponsor with the lesser documents. Then she said she will use documents from both of sponsors, one as a sponsor and the other one as per my US address. All went well there. Then my token number displayed on the screen to pay the visa fee, good that I had some extra cash with me, the visa fee has increased than the mentioned amount on the embassy check list as per the exchange rate has changed. I was waiting with the other family at the waiting area and their taken number has called before me as they came earlier than me. They went in to room number 5, that’s a closed room and we cannot see anything inside. After 10mins they came out, I was asking them has it finished? Then the guy said no. My number has displayed on the screen and I went to room number 5, once I saw the visa officer I surprised, I have seen him outside of the embassy when I was arriving to the security point before I entered to the premises. The interview questions as follows.

CO – Hello, how are you
Me – Good thank you
CO – What are you doing?
Me – XXXXXXX
CO – What is the company you are working for?
Me – XXXXXX
CO – How do you know your sponsor?
Me – Family friend
CO – Which state your sponsor stays?
Me – XXXXXXX
Then the CO was checking my documents again, especially police report, there were 2 police reports of me as I stayed in UK for 4 years.
CO – Have you stayed abroad?
Me – Yes, I was in London
CO – What did you do there?
Me – XXXXXX
CO – How long have you stayed there?
Me – XXXXX (mentioned the duration and the time period)
CO – What is the name of the company you are working for?
Me – Company name and the place I mentioned
CO – Congratulation you have been granted visa to go the United State of America.
Me – Thank you so much (I was over the moon that time)

The CO gave me a yellow colored paper and it mentioned come and collect your passport on 10th (exactly after a week from the date)
Once I’m coming out side from the interview roomk, still the above mentioned family was there with a yellow colored paper.
I had a chat with them and they showed me the yellow colored paper on their hand, it says they put in to the administration process and will let them know when it’s ready. I noticed they have referred only the check list provided from the embassy for the required documents. They haven’t referred any of the forums such as Britsimonsysy.com or any other.
Moral of the story – Be well prepared before the interview, be honest and truthful when you are facing the CO. Refer the supporting materials and etc…. As Simon saying always this is the process that checking your patience, how the things you are handling and how important this is to your life.
Thank you very much Brit for all the posts and GOOD LUCK to others who will face interviews in the future.

I want to firstly thank God almighty for his grace and to brit for his endless help concerning my case.

Case number 2017AF 00012***
Submition day.. 10 may 2016
Reopened once
Interview invitation on the 20 of october 2016
Interview date 8 november 2016
Interview location.. yaounde Cameroon embassy.
Derivative.. none
Interview time.. 7:30 am

I wake up at 5am, had a brief prayer then refreshened up. By six I was ready to take of for interview.
Bought a taxi And arrive the embassy by 6:45 am. When I arrived I Saw some other visa applicant standing outside.
When it was 7:30 we all stood In various lines according to the various interview time waiting for the first security check that has to do with the opening of personal belongings.
After the first security check, we were now ushered into the room were the second and more intensive check was don.
Passports were shown, names were verified and people were scanned.

After that, were given numbers for any one with belongings.
when we moved to the reception hall numbers were given to Us according to the manner we will be interviewed.
I was called up for submission of documents

List of documents;
* a valid passport and a photocopy of its biographical page
* advanced level certificate ( at least two peppers excluding religion) and two photocopies
* appointment letter and 1nl form
* confirmation page
* certificate of none conviction
* birth certificate original and two photocopies
* marriage certificates if applicable
* proof of relationship if applicable
* other additional documents
* two 5′ by 5′ photos

documents and payement of visa fees which was 330dollars i.e 195000fcfa and was asked to wait for interview.
It took about two hours, I was call up for interview.

When I got at the consular officer the interview goes as follows.
Co.. how r u dox
Me I’m fine..thanks and u?
Co…I’m ok
Co..requested finger prints
Me.. took finger prints
Co..requested me to swear an orth
Me. I did
Co.. u got ur advanced level on the ***
Me..yes
Co..hv u applied for a visa before?
Me..yes
Co..which category
Me. ****
Co..dont worry now u r here
Co..what will u be dox in us
Me..***
Co..Were will u live
Me.. minnesota
Co..do u knw minnesota is very cold
M.. Yes
Co..ok congratulations welcome to minmesota
Me.. thank you
Co..gave me a yellow pepper indicating to pick up my package in two days time
Me.. thanks sir.. have a nice day

And that was it.
Still to pick up my package.

My advice to applicants

The us embassy in Cameroon is struck as far as documents r concern, so bringing fake documents might not only be suspended permanently from entring the states but could be jailed.
Make sure u r prepared well because questions can be asked from any angle.
And relax cause u r not fighting any war.

Thank u once more belove brit for everything.

Hi Britsimon,

My green card was granted this morning! Thank you so much for this wonderful resource and all the assistance you provide to green card hopefuls!

My case number was Oceania 3**, had my interview scheduled for 9.15am this morning in Sydney. The following occured:

Walked to the interview, left my electronics including watch and phone in my suitcase at the hotel, so I’m not 100% about the time, but I think we arrived at the consulate about 8.50am. We went to the building yesterday so we knew where we were going and wouldn’t get lost when it matters. Clicked this fancy TouchPad near the lifts which said “US embassy”. It thrn announces lift E. So we went into lift E, no buttons, it just goes straight up to 10. Got out, walked towards the right past a doctor and dental clinic and saw the security section, a security guard asked if we had mobile phones, we said no as we’d followed the instrucations and left them at he hotel. He seemed surprised. We went inside to the left to a table with two people. We were asked to hand over our paperwork. They did my husbands first and then mine. She took all of the paperclips off my paperwork (holding the original and copy together) and took only one of the photos and put them all into a clear sleeve each with the passport open to the photo page with one of the photos at the front. She gave me the resume (which the consulate document from the US site listed as a requirement, but it’s obviously not) and gave everything else not on the list they email you back to me. She took my bank and tax documents for proof of no public charge and put them in the slip but you could tell this wasn’t necessary paperwork. She handed us these and we walked a few metres to go through the metal detector. The security guard made a big deal about electronics and didn’t seem to believe me when I said I had none. Went through, asked to take anything I would need at the consulate from my bag and they took it and put it in a cubby and gave us a ticket with a number to collect later. Sat down and waited for the lift. A security guard told us it was here, got in and went up to the consulate floor. Got out, went to a window counter to the right, he asked for passports, they were provided and he asked what time our appointment was, I said 9.15. He said go through the door to my right, take a ticket for the visa right in front of you and sit down and wait for our number to be called.

Went inside, took ticket, sat down. Waited maybe 6 minutes and were called to a window. Handed over plastic sleeves with documents. She asked for my finger prints, four fingers together on right hand, then left, then both thumbs together. Then my husband. She tore off the slip at the bottom of the document list they email you and told us to go to the cashier at counter 8 to pay the fee and then come back to her counter. We did. She must have gone through the documents while we were gone. She handed me the not necessarily ones and said take a seat and your number will be called for your interview. Sat back down, maybe 7 minutes later we were called over the speaker to counter one.

I was expecting a sit down interview, but again it was at a counter behind glass. The guy asked us to take an oath holding up our right hand. He asks me whether I’ve applied for the DV lottery before, I said this was my fourth time from memory, he laughed and said fourth time the charm. He asked me what my highest level of education is, I said I have two bachelor’s degrees. He typed this in. He asked whether we had any children and I said no. He asked whether we have lived anywhere else aside from Australia for more than a year and I said no. He said your visa is approved, expect it via courier in the next week.

It literally took about 30 minutes. Maybe even slightly less. I brought a book with me and read maybe one page.

Very excited! My husband still isn’t sure if he’ll come with me or if we’ll live apart for a few years because of his career here (I don’t think I’ll migrate permanently… Two weeks holiday a year is a bit rubbish when I get 4 weeks in Australia) but we’ve got some time to figure it all out.

Now we just need to work out where we want to go to activate it. I’m thinking Hawaii.

One piece of advise to anyone in relation to the medical, we did it 3 weeks out from the interview, I was thinking we could do it two weeks before to get as much validity as possible before we had to activate the visa, but my husbands blood test came back false positive so he had to redo it a week after the medical date. We picked it up from Brisbane on Friday when we flew to Sydney early Monday. So we would have screwed ourselves if we didn’t do it three weeks before. Keep that in mind, tests may need to be redone and that takes time.

Thanks again Britsimon for all of your help!

Hello all,

I’m a couple of weeks late in writing my experience, but I think I should write it, as it could help others. Our story has a sad beginning, but a happy ending.

First, the details: I am from Brazil for the DV, living in Germany and married to a Russian girl. We both registered for the DV and I won, using Russia as the country of eligibility. We had our interview in Frankfurt a few weeks ago.
After paying the visa fees we waited a few minutes until someone called us for a preliminary check of our documents. The lady started speaking in German, but I asked her to switch to English, since although I speak German I am more comfortable with English. I told her “Would it be ok if we spoke in English, because my wife and I are not German?” to which she replied (still in German): “If you are not German we should end this interview right now!”. As you can imagine, I was quite shocked and did not understand why such a behavior. Then she showed us a piece of paper saying that, when filling out the original DV entry form, I had selected Germany as my country of birth. I was then even more shocked and confused, as I did not recall making such a mistake. I firmly said “No! I did not select Germany!”. After that she left us and went to talk to someone else in the consulate about our case.
After a couple of minutes she came back, a little bit more polite and explained to us that this mistake would most certainly cause our disqualification. She said she would anyway go through our documentation, but that she could not guarantee anything.
After she was done, she asked us to sit down and wait for the “actual” interview with the CO. He called us some 15 minutes later and said that we had a 99.9% chance of disqualification due to our mistake. He asked a couple of questions about our marriage, how we met and educational background. Then he gave us a denial sheet saying that, unless we could produce proof showing that I selected the correct country of birth on my e-DV form, we would be disqualified.
We left the Consulate completely sad. We went back home and I tried to find proof that I had selected the correct country of birth, but the eDV confirmation page has only the country of chargeability.
I started researching and I found a post here on Britsimonsays where a person had made a mistake in the country of chargeability (not the country of birth, like me) and Simon had replied saying that, in that case, the country the person had wrongly selected was still in the same region (Europe) as the correct country and that, since this mistake had not increased her odds of winning the lottery, it could still be accepted by the Embassy/Consulate.

That’s when I had an idea to write a letter to the CO arguing that my mistake had not been premeditated and that, even with that mistake, Germany and Russia are still in the European region and that did not increase my chances of winning. I also said that the DV Guidelines (as described in the INA) do not require the disqualification of an entrant due to the a mistake in the country of birth (in fact, the guideline doesn’t even mention that case). It was a long shot, I knew, but we posted the letter anyway and waited.

I am happy to say that it worked! They received our letter and after 2 weeks, we got a package with our visas.
This was in no small part thanks to Simon’s website and all the information contained here.

Good luck to all of you who will be having interviews for the DV. (If you want a little more than luck, just print out the whole DV Guideline and take with you to the interview, just in case) 🙂

Hi Brit. I have sworn affidavit to correct the discrepancy in my name since in my country that is the only way to authenticate a name. As I indicated to you some months ago, All my documents are having two names registered on them except my Srnior High that has three names. Will this be a problem to me? Thanks.

Abu Dhabi Embassy

First of all, I want to thank Simon and this wonderful site for all true and reliable informations.

Our interview was delayed by the Embassy with a phone call. I suggest you ask via e-mail for a confirmation of the new appointment.
The time spent at the Embassy was 2.5 hours.
The first step was the security check at the entrance where the officer checked the passports and the appointment letter. As per their requirements, devices are not allowed so we decided to leave all in the car. We had only documents.
After that we walked into the room where already at 8 am expecting 7 people.
Throughout that morning we were 13 and on that day were processed only immigrant visa.
Around 8:15 or so, they have started calling the first numbers, like the post office. At our turn, we delivered the original documents along with translations, before with those of the principal applicant (such as educational qualifications, birth certificate, police certificates, etc.) and then the same for those of my wife. Do not forget to bring copies of passports of all applicants, as they will be asked.
After checking everything, the lady not really friendly, even asked us the bank statement that we had with us.
At the end, she told us that we would have returned the originals after the interview. (I noted that she put the sticker of the empost on the passport and this gave me an hope.)

At the second step we paid the fee for two people, in a different counter, 660 $.

A the third step, we took fingerprints, fairly quickly between the two things.

At the fourth step, where anxiety was felt most clearly, they accomodated us all in an area where one at a time was called for the interview in a separate room.

At our turn welcomed us a very kind lady, there was also an awkward stage as my husband accidentally hit my foot and I expressed my pain. (a funny moment)
Apart from that, before start with questions, took again fingerprints, then she asked us to take an oath and started with the classic questions read on this site:

How long have you been in UAE?
What do you want to do in USA?
Have you friends or relatives in the US?
Which cities have you visited and for how long?
More than an interview been a dialogue and took around 3 or 4 minutes.

At the end, has told us that in two or three days we will received an email when pick-up the passports. At that point she delivered the paper with written congratulations with a big smile. We thanked and expressed our gratitude and we went away happy and excited by the Embassy.
After 3 days of waiting we got the passports.

I recommed to be prepared and be well informed.
Good luck to all

Hello Simon, I want to say a sincere thank you for all of the assistance that you have provided through this journey. My wife and I had our interviews today in Montreal, and we were successful at obtaining our visas. We got the “visas are approved” speech that we were anticipating. As you mentioned in another post, as long as you have all the documents and you meet the eligibility requirements, there is nothing to be nervous about. My case number was 2017SA00000XXX.

I will post in detail my experience today, in a later post this evening. Off to have a cold one! Thanks again sir!

Hi simon
If CEAC said that my visa is printed but if the embassy didn’t call you. That it is ready or not? Awaiting for your reply

Hi Brit,

I want to know what happens if my wife is 7 months pregnant at the time of the interview and we had to deliver the baby before we leave for US?

case # AF3878**, filled in DS-260 June 6, 2015, never opened. Received 2NL May 19, 2016 for July 9, 2016 interview @ 9:00 am. Arrived @ 7:30 am. Enter the Embassy 9:45, did security check and view documents. Called to window one to do payment. Called to window six did fingers print. Called to window four for the main interview. Less than five minutes: CO: HI, ME HI, CO: HOW LONG YOU BEEN TOGETHER, WHEN YOU GOT MARRIED? WHICH COLLEGE ARE YOU IN AND WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING? The CO then told us she had no question(s) for us congratulation your visa is approved, come pickup xxx. Thanks Mr. Simons for everything. Greetings to your daughter.

interview experience at US embassy Nairobi, Kenya
i would like to share my interview experience with you guys because it can help someone out there. i was scheduled to attend my interview sometime in July 2016 but my medical was put on hold because my x-ray came out abnormal and i was forced to take tb test which i was to wait for 8 good weeks to obtain results. therefore, this meant that i had to miss my interview appointment. i was forced to reschedule my appointment using an online link but there was no available slots to accommodate my interview. i used to call the embassy and they kept telling me to check for availability of slots in the online website. after my results were declared tb free around late august , i called the embassy again and thru the grace of God they gave me an appointment during this last month of sept and this is the experience.
i arrived at the gate at around 5.40 a.m and they opened the gates at around 6.00 a.m and there was some security checks where we were told to produce the appointment letters together with the passports.we were told to leave all the electronic gadgets at the gate and we were ushered in. we were given numbers and told to wait outside. i was called in at counter 9 and was requested to hand in some document, they also took my finger prints and told to pay 330 usd and bring in the receipt after doing so was told to wait outside. after around one and half hours, i was called in to counter 7and i took an oath. the following were the questions.
1. what is your name
2. what is your highest level of education
3.what did you study there and how long did it take
was is it a degree or diploma
4. when did you finish your secondary education
5. what was the name of your secondary school
6. which grade did you attain
7. which state are moving to
8. who is your host
8.how r u related ( i answered that my host was my uncle)
9. is your relationship paternal or maternal
finally, congratulations welcome to america. the co pulled out a green and white sheet and she explained what i was needed to do.
guys just be confident and be honest. during the interview session the co was typing down what i was answering. special thanks Britsimon and the rest who have contributed in this dv journey.

Background

We are from Sierra Leone, currently living in Tanzania for over 4 years now
Played in the 2014 DV period for 2016 fiscal year as principal with my spouse and 3 children as derivatives- 5 in total
Checked results in May 2015, but was not selected
Entered again in October 2015 for the 2017 fiscal year
In 2016 May I checked for the results of the 2015 entry but in error I used the confirmation code for the 2014 entry and realized I had been selected, but thought the selection was for 2015 entry – i.e. the 2017 fiscal year
Finally realized my selection was for 2014 entry (2016 fiscal year) and hastily submitted DS-260 on 22nd May
Going through the submitted details I realized I had submitted a few wrong information on the DS-260
Requested UNLOCK on 27th June, and made necessary corrections

Received 2NL in July for interview on 1st Sept at 07:30 AM
After receiving the 2NL we set out to obtained our supporting documents:- police reports, academic certificates, work experience (certificates of employment, recommendations/ endorsements from former and current employer and colleagues), Civil and other documents, and also booked our medical appointments (at our own cost)

Interview day- Dar Es Salaam Tanzania

We were at the embassy 30mins ahead (first in the queue) for our 7:30 AM appointment
Showed our appointment letters and we were asked to stand aside and waited (somehow calmly but expectantly) as other people joined the queue.

Security checks
We were ushered in for the security checks. We left all other items except our documents related to the interview. We had arranged all our documents in a folder with plastic sleeves, but security protocol does not permit such and we were asked to remove everything and take out the bare supporting documents holding them on our hands as we went through into the waiting room
Entered the room with my family and waited. Our last child age 4 is normally hyper, sometimes unmanageable and would always be up and about drawing the attention of people; but on that day he was way composed and very manageable. He even fell asleep as we waited- this was a big relief
We were called to the first counter where a lady sweetly greeted us and requested our documents which she patiently helped us to systematically organize per individual beginning form myself (the principal applicant)

Diplomas- original and copy
Employment history (certificate of service from past employers, Letter of introduction from current employer, letters of recommendations from current and former colleagues) – original and copy
Birth certificate – original and copy
Wedding Certificate – original and copy
Police clearances from my country of chargeability and country of current residence- Original only
Financials (bank statement, Stock investments, Social security contributions statement) – original and copy
Medical reports from the recommended medical personnel- sealed as received from the doctor

For my husband they did not take his diplomas
We submitted his police clearances (for all 3 countries he had lived and worked), medical reports (sealed), birth certificate and his letter of introduction form his current employer

Children
Medical reports (sealed) and birth certificates

Submitted 2 passport sized pictures for each applicant according to the dimensions specified on white back ground, with our current valid passports
We had obtained a new passport for our last born (4yrs old) as his passport was about 7 months to expiry
Our XRAYS were not taken but we had them with us
The lady asked me to make payment to the cashier (they accept payments in local Tanzanian shillings TZS and USD, but I had converted my local TZS to USD)

There were other people being interviewed for other visa categories
We waited for over 2 hours, and were finally called to the other counter where a young soft spoken man (the CO) greeted us and requested to take an oath that the information we are providing is correct. Our finger prints were taken and the interview commenced

CO (to me): What’s your highest education level?
ME: XXXXXXxx (I verbally mentioned my professional qualifications/ courses taken)
CO: What are you doing in Tanzania?
ME: Accompanied my husband who is working here…………..
CO (talking to my husband): so what are you doing here?
My HUSBAND: I am XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX working for XXXXXXXX
CO (to me again): how long have you been working?
ME: in Tanzania or in total?
CO: Both Tanzania and your home country
ME: Tanzania over 2 years, total over 10 years
CO (to my daughter): where do you stay?
MY DAGHTER: XXXXXXXXX
CO: Which school do you attend?
MY DAUGHTER:XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CO: What grade are you in?
MY DAUGHTER: XXXXXXX
CO: What’s your favourite subject?
MY DAUGHTER: XXXXXXXXXXXXX
CO: What do you want to be when you grow up, would you want to take your dad’s profession?
MY DAUGHTER: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CO (talking to my other son): How old are you?
MY SON: 11 Yrs
CO: Which school do you attend?
MY SON: XXXXX
CO: where do you stay?
MY SON: XXXXXXXXX

CO typed into the system for some time and said to us “you guys are ok” he turned around and took out some blue tags (5 in total) handed them to us and asked us to come back Wednesday 7th at the time indicated on the tags to collect our visas and get additional instructions

The whole interview lasted roughly about 2 mins

I grabbed my daughter and my elder son who were standing next to my right as my husband was carrying the 4 yrs old who was asleep but was waking up at that time. A few tears ran down my eyes, we thanked the CO, left the counter and waved good luck to the others who were waiting for their interviews

Finally Wednesday 7th we collected our visas and packages and received instructions on paying the USCIS fee for the Green card, and presenting the package at the port of entry upon arrival in the US

USA, we are coming

Thanks to God, not forgetting Brit and others who had shared their experiences which helped us to be adequately (and overly prepared)

NOTE:
Please ensure you do not add new applicants/ dependants (except a new child born after the initial entry or a marriage which has to be proven with sufficient evidences)
Prepare all your supporting documents and review them for accuracy
We later learnt that other applicants who were interviewed that same day were not successful because of improper documentation; so as Brit usually advice, kindly ensure all documents are in place. Better to be “over prepared” – it was worth it

Hello Brits,

This is very long post but hope you will have the time and patient to read. And give some answers to the question to clear my doubt.

I’m very grateful for the help you have been providing for DV Winners from all around the Globe. Your information has been very resourceful to everyone who visits this site. I usually visit various blogs of this site to get an insight on the different processes involving the DV. I read other people posts and the replies you gave help me to understand how the various DV processes work. However; people only shared their success stories about being issued DV visas but I have not read stories about someone who was disqualified regardless of the reason(s). I know it is very difficult to share a failure story but once you are bold enough to tell others of your failure story it may help them to learn from your mistakes. I believed by doing this you are generous and also helping our dear Brits as he helps us all. Having said all this I have a story to share with everyone.
I’m from Liberia West Africa and my family was part of the 2016 DV progress even though we were unsuccessful. My wife played alone and won so she added me and my daughter (not her child). We got all our supporting documents including Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificates, school documents as require by US Embassy here, affidavit of consent for the kid from the mother since we were taking her with us, medical report from designated clinic, and Police Clarence Certificate. We were to be at the embassy by 10:00AM local time but we were there by 9:30AM local time. We went through the formalities of documents submission. To cut the story short by 11 AM we were at the widow for the final interview.

Councilor : Sir can you please put your right hand up?

Me, my wife and kid : Put our hands up.

Councilor : Can you please repeat after me?

My wife and I : We repeated whatever he said.
.
Councilor : Sir who is Mary.

Me : She’s the mother of this kid. Holding my daughter in my arms.

Councilor : Do you have anything still going on between the both of you ( still referring to my kid’s mom).
Me : No, there is nothing between us now.

Note: Before the interview started I saw our passports, birth certificates and marriage certificate all stacked up before the councilor like he was about to give them back to us but he just needed more reason to do so.

Councilor : Sir I don’t want to waste your time we’ve already concluded your case.
We won’t be issuing you a visa this year you can try another time and then pushed our documents through the window. He also gave us a paper stating reason for denial. There were other things listed on this paper as reasons for denial but he ticked the one that said “you added a spouse who was not part of your original entrant and you have not provided enough documents to established a relationship”. The quote may not be word for word but it was something like the above quote. He did not ask my wife a single question and she was the principal applicant I don’t know why.

.
Now what actually surprised me was this I was not the principle applicant but he preferred asking me rather than the principle applicant for whatever reason I don’t know. Up to know now I can’t understand.
Brits can you please answer the below questions for me:
1) Is it right to ask the derivatives that were added to the program rather than the principal applicant? I mean leaving the applicant without asking he/she a single question and only asking the spouse?
2) At the embassies do the Councilors conclude your case before intervening you? I’m asking this question because the Councilor said and I quote “I don’t want to waste your time we have already concluded your case. This statement actually shocked me.

Finally, my advice to all diversity visa winners is to just be honest when filling in the DS260 online form. Whatever information you provide there, is what you will be asked. The Councilors are not there to disqualify you or looking for reason(s) to do so.They just want to know the authenticity of the information you provided on the DS260. Once all the information are genuine you have nothing to worry about.

I actually expected the CO to ask for her documents also and treat both of us as principal applicants which would have lead to the embassy issuing DV1 visas to both of us. Because of that, we also took along all of her of her documents but the Co did not request anything after she give me her closing comments. And when we picked up the visas it was DV1 & DV2, which had me quite surprised.