We (myself as the principal applicant + husband + 16yo son) had our interview at the Auckland Consulate yesterday (case 2014OC13XX). I put a LOT of effort into providing very complete records, for which they seemed very pleased and complimented me twice on making their job so easy.
I had received a letter on the 20th of June outlining the paperwork they wanted mailed in advance (eg Police Clearance authorisation, copies of all qualifications (not just school ones), copy of my curriculum vitae, copy of value of assets/proof of funds etc) and so on.
Arrived at the Consulate at 8.45am for our 9am appointment. Went to the first window where we had fingerprints taken, and the woman checked to make sure all the records were complete. Interestingly she asked if our old passports were available if required (they were at home in another city in New Zealand). I said yes, but they would have to be mailed if needed. She said probably wouldn't be required, but 'just in case' she would note that. The letter did not mention bringing old passports, so I figured we should be ok.
After that we paid our application fees at the cashiers window and waited for the interview itself. About 15 minutes later we were called to the window, a quick ID check (one hand of fingerprints) and then we were asked to swear that everything in the forms was correct. We were then asked to sign the forms. The CO asked what part of the US we would move to, and I said not sure yet - we will go wherever the jobs are! That was pretty much it, and then he told us our applications were approved, and that we would get our passports & the folders of entry materials next week!
I asked if we received anything at the interview to confirm approval, and he said "no, but trust me, you've been approved". We all had a laugh about how that was sort of an anti-climax.
We were back at our hotel by 9.45am and cracked open our bottle of champagne to celebrate at 10am - yep, we really did drink at that hour of the day!
After lunch at a lovely restaurant on the waterfront (Euro) we flew back to our home city, and when I checked CEAC last night our status had already been updated to "Issued"!! Wow, that was quick!
We are planning to enter the US in December, before coming back to finalise our permanent move.
So sorry for all of you in OC with case numbers over 1450 who are missing out on the DV2014 - after waiting nearly two years from when we entered, it feels amazing to finally have it come to fruition!
