Folks,
Here is a piece from a sister web-site, a nigerian experience:
I have benefited tremendously from this site and cannot but pay my dues. Here is a brief of my experience. It hope it helps where it matters.
Chronicle Of Events during Processing Of Diversity Visa Lottery Date Event 3-may-05 KCC issued letter of notification and probably released it for mailing.
17-may-05 Received letter in Nigeria. Letter was delivered to my mail box
18-may-05 Picked up letter from mail box.
26-may-05 Confirmed a possible residential address and support relative in the U.S.A.
1-jun-05 Ds 230 & 122 forms were filled and cross checked.
2-jun-05 Completed forms were mailed to KCC via courier.
16-jun-05 Processed confirmation of result from WAEC. Paid a total of N350 for confirmation of result.
7-jul-05 Wrote embassy in Lagos and confirmed that all affidavits to be used must be notarized at the embassy.
12-aug-05 Checked at SCID Alagbon, Ikoyi and confirmed requirements for a Police certificate; print out of second letter, introductory letter, passport information.
2-oct-05 Discussed with sponsor on need for affidavit of support. Sponsor gives assurance that document would be notarized and sent upon confirmation that second letter has been received from KCC.
4-oct-05 Received second letter from KCC
5-oct-05 Telephoned hospital to establish cost requirement for medical examinations. Approximately $110. Wrote sponsor to confirm receipt of 2nd letter and informed him that processing for affidavit of support may begin.
6-oct-05 Commenced medical examinations. Blood sample and x-ray photograph were taken.
8-oct-05 Wrote sponsor on details of my application and other information that can Used in filling form 134
11-oct-05 Sponsor replies and guarantee to act as soon as possible
12-oct-05 Moved items from Calabar to Lagos.
24-oct Took digital Passport pictures for police report. Went to police criminal investigation department to process my police clearance. The processing took about five hours but was completed on same day.
Total cost of processing was N2, 100. Completed medical examination at kamorass specialist Hospital. The medical report was handed over to me in sealed format. However, I was informed of my HIV and Hepatitis status - negative as expected. One worry was that I hadn’t the slightest idea of the content in what was handed to me and the worry might well linger till Nov. 15; the date scheduled for my interview. Was given three shots of separate immunization and another round scheduled for Nov. 24.
29-oct Received affidavit of support documents from sponsor
9-nov Changed some local currency to dollars $840
10-nov Made copies of all documents. Arranged all originals and copies into separate folders.
14-Nov Spent time praying for God’s guidance during interview scheduled for next day. Bought some clothing and neatly ironed them preparatory for next day. A friend offered to accompany me to the embassy which I accepted; at least it was some form of emotional support.
5-Nov Woke up early enough, dressed up and perused documents I’d to be sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind. I got to the embassy at 6.55 a.m. and felt good about my arrival time because somehow I’d nursed fears on traffic conditions on the Island.
At embassy, I was ushered to the security check – in point, dropped my mobile phone and moved on only to be turned back because I had my passport on a blue background. I was ruffled because I was neither informed to come along with a passport nor told I had any outstanding document to present. Rather my being with passports was to forestall a just-in-case scenario. Maybe I goofed by having the ones on a blue background.
Quickly, I rushed to get the required format of photograph. Somehow, I didn’t have enough local currency so was constrained to change some dollars. Changed $1 for N130 and took 6 passports@N1000 for anyone in Nigeria this was sheer exploitation because the normal rates are $1 for N144 and took 6 passports@N200. Truly, it’s better to be well prepared than wait till last minute because everything will be done at a price (ignorance fee). In all, I maintained my calm knowing that what lies ahead was much more important than the exploitations.
Returned to security point, didn’t have any other squabbles, and opened all my sealed envelopes including the medical reports. I proceeded to waiting area and found a sea of heads all waiting to be interviewed about 250 in all. I was tagged DV60 which inferred that not everyone present was for the diversity interview as was my case. Maybe about 62 in all.
Paid $370 and sat waiting for next instruction. After about an hour I was called to cubicle 4 to turn in my documents. I had no issue with it as I had all my documents prepared. Interestingly one document was never requested i.e. the affidavit of support. I wondered why and asked the clerk if it wasn’t an omission. He explained it wasn’t required. After about 6hrs of further waiting I was called for my interview.
The consular officer was a young and amiable lady. She read to me the basis for qualifications (rhetoric’s) and asked me about my qualification. I told her I’ve been a practising engineer for about 5 years. She gave me some questions for solve in geometry, algebra and basic mathematics all of which I solved with calm and ease. I think she was more fascinated at my presentation of solutions than the actual answers which were obviously correct. She wore a pleasant smile as she acknowledged my solution to the questions. I knew she was pleased with me.
She gave me a formatted letter scheduling me to come in a month’s time and pick up my VISA. Guess what her last words were, .
. . . . . .
Congratulations Mr. “Dmem”
I was delighted as I walked out of the embassy but tried to manage my emotions. At last, I can consider myself a citizen of the United States of America, but for now I’ll do a lot of waiting b4 the pick up of visa.
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS KCC: KENTUCKY CONSULAR CENTER SCID: STATE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT WAEC: WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL USA: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.