DV Lottery Interview Experience

I have looked at this forum a million times throughout my journey and have found it sooo amazingly helpful I thought I would share my experience in the hopes that it might help some people.

I am from Australia, and applied for the DV Lottery in November 2010 on a whim. I didn't really think I had a chance but I guess you have to be in it to win it! My friend and I both entered and I put my number in a safe place because I knew it was a long wait! I checked my number in May and it came up with the message 'You HAVE NOT been selected.' I wasn't really surprised to be honest so I threw away my piece of paper. Sometime after that I read that there had been a mistake and the lottery that was drawn had not been random and they were going to do it again. I was excited but I had already thrown out my piece of paper with my number so I thought that was a bit unfair. Low and behold after a few days I received an email telling me my number and to check again July 15th. I thought that this was some kind of sign so I kept the email and was feeling alot more positive this time around.

After another two months of waiting (Waiting becomes a theme in this process) I checked it on the morning of the 15th. I could not believe my eyes that I had been selected! I almost thought it was too good to be true and after the last draw being wrong I didn't get my hopes up too high, and not knowing much about the process I wasn't sure what my chances were. I knew I was in for a long process but I had ALWAYS wanted to live and work in America so I was beyond excited! I filled in my forms that weekend and sent them away to KCC. I used an express post bag but it didn't have tracking and it was frustrating not knowing if it had arrived, so I would advise anyone who is sending their forms to use tracking.

I evenutally emailed them asking to confirm whether they had my forms. They said they had been received. I went back onto the DV website to check my status again (strange I know) and it said I 'HAVE NOT BEEN SELECTED.' I was using a different computer that was older and didn't have the up to date internet explorer so it came up wrong. Use and UP TO DATE browser when checking otherwise you could get the wrong message. I went home and checked again and all was in order.

After this there is a MASSIVE wait until you hear from them again for your interview time. My interview was at the end of November, and although this is pretty early I still felt like I was waiting FOREVER! I went and had my fingerprints done, had my medical which was easy, and then got all of the other documents in order. The selectee site that the DV government gives you isn't that comprehensive, so I searched this forum for Sydney Consulate information. I found some great stuff that told me exactly what to take, and to also take a photocopy as well.

During the wait before my interview I did alot of research online. I think I must have known everything there was to know about the process. Of course I still had some doubts in my mind and had read horror stories about people not getting a Visa for various reasons. There is a great place that takes american size passport photos just near the embassy, so I did that the day before.

THE DAY: I stayed at a place just 1 street away from the consulate in Sydney which was the way to go. You want to be able to walk to your appointment so that you know you won't get stuck in traffic. At 7:40am I arrived at the consulate and went up to level 10 where you go through security. It wasn't open yet but there were three others waiting there. It opened maybe 5 minutes after I got there so we went it, I didn't take a bag cause then you have to check it in, and the others had all kinds of things so I got to skip past them and was the first to sit down. After 5 minutes of waiting a lady took about 4 of us up the elevator to the Consulate. If I could recommend ANYTHING it would be to go straight to level 10 at about 730am. That way you are first and you won't have to wait. I have read things about getting in the elevator last so you get out first and are first in line, but this didn't really matter because in the end whoever is the most organised will get through the fastest anyway.

We got up to the embassy level at about 755am, where number 1 was called, then myself. I went up to a window and presented all of my documents listed, original with photocopy underneath and was asked to sit down and wait. I had everything they had asked for and anything they didn't want to see (financials) they gave straight back to me then and there. Only give them what they have asked for, and if they want anything additional they will ask you themselves. They then took about 5 minutes to review my documents.

I was then asked to go to the window to pay, so I went there and paid with credit card. This for me was much easier then messing around with money. I sat back down and about 5 more minutes later was called up for my interview. The lady asked me the following questions:

- What was your longest stay in the US?
- What visa were you on for that stay?
- Have you ever had any immigration problems?
- What is your highest level of education?
- Where did you get your bachelor from?
- Do you have any children?
- Have you ever been married?
- Where do you intend on living?
- Have you ever commited a crime?

That's all for today, your visa will be with you in a week.
I walked out of the doors at 8:20am. It was such a quick and easy process. I actually couldn't believe how easy it was. Only a couple of days later my visa had arrived. I am moving in February and could not be more excited!

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions!