Successful DV Interview in London

[wobblyal 1]

I had a successful Diversity lottery interview this morning in London. I arrived just after 7pm (6^th person in the queue for an 8am appointment) and was out of the building by 8.50am.

Just a few points which will make the process bit easier:

Have all your paperwork and copies (they definitely wanted copies of the various documents) in a logical order and without protective coverings. I got the black lady that everyone seems to think is unfriendly, but I managed to charm her so we had a good old chat during the process. She said that I was the best DV interview she had ever done, so my obsessive document filing and checking appears to have paid off (or maybe it was my magnetic personality)

My bank statements were more than sufficient to prove I would not be a liability, she said that they look for enough money to be self sufficient for about 3 months in the US

The entry date is definitely tied to the medical; I ended up having two medicals (one way too early on the advice of the doctors), and one a week before. Based on the first medical (in October) I would have to enter the US by sometime in March; my second one allows me to enter by 13 July; so 4 months difference which is quite significant

Not relevant but surprisingly I only even heard one American acent and that was the second interview, all the front line staff appear to be British

As many people on the forum say; relax, I stayed over in London to avoid any transport mishaps, but kept waking up after dreaming of forgetting interview documents etc. Fortunately the only thing I forgot was my toothbrush and a change of clothes, but I can live with that ))) The whole process is easy and friendly, so DO NOT WORRY

They did not seperate people by appointment time (from what I experienced), so I would highly recommend coming early regardless of interview time...the queues got pretty nasty after 7.30am and they only let 4 people in at a time

Last but not least, thanks for all those who contribute to these forums, they are invaluable and following them every day over the last 7-8 months has made the whole process so much easier.

[Blessed137 1]

CONGRATULATIONS??

[flying_postman 6]

Congrats on the successful interview.

A question, you mentioned "without protective coverings" for the documents can you clarify a bit, I'm a bit concerned if this may be an issue with the CO since I recently laminated my high school certificates as the edges are a bit frayed over time.

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Congrats! Do you know where you are planning on settling in the USA?

[sam416 3]

Congrats

[Hassan.12 0]

Congratulations

[wobblyal 1]

Congrats on the successful interview.

A question, you mentioned "without protective coverings" for the documents can you clarify a bit, I'm a bit concerned if this may be an issue with the CO since I recently laminated my high school certificates as the edges are a bit frayed over time.

I had all my documents in plastic envelopes, but they wanted just the paper (there is a message on the information board while you are waiting stating that documents must be removed from protctive covers). I believe this is just to save time instead of having each candidate fiddling around getting documents out at the interview.

In your case I would probably not worry as they gave me all my original documents back and kept the copies. I believe the "case officer" just needs to verify that the copies are true.

The copies have holes punched through them and inserted into a file, while the originals are returned unscathed.

As mentioned in my post, I think we tend to get over stressed about trivial details (easy to say in retrospect)...as long as you have the copies and originals (or certified copies of originals), it will go smoothly. I did not have my degree certificates as they are in frames, so I had them notarised in the UK and presented these as the orininals at the interview...they did not event comment on this.

[flying_postman 6]

^ Thanks for the reassurance, I was considering cutting them out when I read that, but the stress/paranoia can get to you as the interview date gets closer (In my case in May)

Edited January 24, 2015 by flying_postman

[wobblyal 1]

Congrats! Do you know where you are planning on settling in the USA?

Not 100% sure yet but and leaning for somewhere in California (being a surfer from Durban) ) I am going on holiday for a week and then starting serious preparations when I get back.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Lamination is a big no no when it comes to documents. It is a known method of trying to conceal forgeries.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Not 100% sure yet but and leaning for somewhere in California (being a surfer from Durban) ) I am going on holiday for a week and then starting serious preparations when I get back.

Lots of ex-Durbanites in San Diego and LA.

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Yes, I know of two people in the last year who moved to San Jose.

Good Luck with the move!

[wobblyal 1]

Lamination is a big no no when it comes to documents. It is a known method of trying to conceal forgeries.

I had my degree certificates in frames so took them to a notary to have them certified...I submitted the certified copies at the interview (the notary did not require that I remove them from the frames). I guess this would be a "safer" option if taking laminated copies may pose a problem.

[seanjoe 1]

Congrats mate. I am in Houston and we got the great gulf for us; but if you need any help give me a call. Just pm me for details and I would be glad to help. I'm struggling myself a little bit, but information is power when you come here. Tot siens!!!

[wobblyal 1]

Congrats mate. I am in Houston and we got the great gulf for us; but if you need any help give me a call. Just pm me for details and I would be glad to help. I'm struggling myself a little bit, but information is power when you come here. Tot siens!!!

Dankie! I am reading books and case studies of people who have already made the move and trying to get my ducks in a row, amazing how much stuff you have to finish when you want to move! )