I found this note that was done by my friend last year and i think its inspirational and with a lot of wisdom.
Dv2012AFTAZ
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Join Date
Sep 2011
Posts
177
For the DV 2013 lucky ones and future entrants.
The DV is really an epic Journey and you guys start checking tomorrow I would have just completed my journey. A small piece of advice, divide the DV process mentally in 5 stages so it becomes more bearable.
Stage 1: (Early October)
Take proper Photographs, review the required details properly and double triple check your entry before submitting.
Keep your Confirmation number safe. Email it to your account and others print several hard copies. Print a pdf copy. Do what it takes not to lose it. The confirmation number is the one a most important thing you need throughout the DV process.
After this find ways not to think of this at all remember it’s a very small chance so hopes should not be too high. If it’s your destiny it will happen you have done your part by putting in a valid entry.
Stage 2: (May 1st)
Personally I checked on May 5th or something and was not selected. The site would be too busy on the first day so even if you do find yourself not selected try checking again in a week.
For me it was ok no problem it was not meant to be. Let’s move on and keep October next year in mind.
When I heard of the Redraw I was cool. Ok here comes another chance let’s see what happens. Even at this stage I still had my CN and thankfully DOS did email us in case we had destroyed it the first time round.
Rechecked on July 22nd and was very pleasantly surprised to know I was selected! It was only then that I got serious about the whole affair
Stage 3: (post May 1st)
A lot of us get crazy at this stage and rush like a bullet train to submit our DS forms and other requirements to KCC. I feel that is the biggest mistake. The interviews are still several months away even for those with low CN’s
My advice, print out the forms read them carefully enter the requirements with all the documents in hand take your time recheck several times you do not want to make a silly mistake her that may disqualify you!
When sure with your papers send it out by courier or any service that will provide you with a confirmation of delivery to KCC.
Now comes the hardest part, based on your CN number you will start receiving notifications of your interview date and this is the longest wait in the world for many of us.
Great source to know when you may expect an interview is the visa bulletin. Friends at this stage you are overwhelmed with emotion, stress and anxiety some of us need to wait close to and even over a year before our interview date!
Use this time to find the requirements change your lifestyle and START SAVING MONEY. You will need it both at the interview as well as when you move. For most of us moving there will not be a job waiting on a platter!
Stage 4: (The Interview based on CN number)
This is where I am at right now a day to go for my interview!
Most of us will get an email from noreply@... To check our status on ESC again. when you do so you will find that your congratulatory letter of selection dated May 1 has changed to a interview appointment letter. This will happen around 6 to 7 weeks before the actual interview and it means its now time to get your final act together.
It’s my personal advise that the Police clearance and medicals should be done only after this stage. Do medicals 2/12 weeks before interview and the PCC 3 to 3 !/2 weeks before. Of course check the lead times required in your country!
Recheck all your papers Birth certificate in Long form, Education details, marriage certificates etc. it’s all there on the Selectee notice for you. This is not hard!
Go to the interview prepared. Read posts and interview experiences from this forum. This forum is like family and has the best of information that you will never find on any other English website!
Stage 5: (post interview)
Hope to be here on May 2nd!
After a successful interview start planning you have at the most 6 months to make your first move! For some it may be less if the visa is linked to your Medicals!
There is wealth of options; most of us would have issues in moving quickly because winning the DV is gust like winning the lotto you only plan when you get it! On can make an activation trip and return for a few months wrap up things and go back. Others can obtain reentry permits and live another 2 years away…..
I hope I have put up a decent explanation of the journey for those who will be lucky tomorrow and I will be around to assist as I have been assisted by this amazing forum.
Admin is this going to be made sticky?
CN : 2012AF00045***
Entry Dated :17th Oct 2010
1st NL Received :22nd July 2011
Sent Forms to KCC :28th July 2011
DHL Confirm delivery : 01st August 2011
2nd NL : March 8 2012
PCC Country 1 & 2 : Done
Medicals : April 14 2012
Interview : May 1 2012 - Successful
Visa Pick-Up: May 3 2012
P.O.E : SFO CA .07/13
GC : August 3rd 2012
SSN Received : Aug 22 had to apply for it after 3 weeks
Re-Entry Permit : applied 17 July Bio-metrics 7th august