How to Prepare for DV Lottery Interview as a Derivative

How to Prepare for DV Lottery Interview as a Derivative

A derivative is basically the eligible immediate family member who is deriving visa benefit for a principal applicant.

When it comes to DV Lottery, the derivative(s) does/do not influence the visa decision of the principal applicant. Meaning if the derivative fails to pass their interview for any reason, it will not impact the principal applicant’s visa unless in fraudulent cases.

{Now that we have clear this out of the way, let’s go to topic}

Basic Checklist

Interview Appointment letter; if you are not attending an interview with the Principal Applicant then you must have your interview appointment letter. This letter will be your means of entry to the embassy premises. But if you are attending interview together with the principal applicant, then one letter will suffice.

Confirmation page; this will be the DS260 confirmation page . It will contain the name of the derivative and the case number of the principal applicant.

Passport; valid and unexpired passport with minimum 6 months validity and minimum 2  used pages free.

Passport photo; (2) 2×2 inches or 5cm x 5cm color passport photo with your full name and DOB written on the back. DO NOT STAPLE

Birth Certificate; the original birth certificate and if you are unable to obtain it, please check the reciprocity page on the State Department’s website for your embassy’s procedure. 

Medical Exams; Typical, the medical exams results will be sent directly to the embassy  electronically. However, some U.S. embassies  still utilize hand delivered report by the visa applicant. So inquire from the medical facility if you might need to come back to pick up your results for interview day.

Police Clearance (s); if you meet the requirement for police clearance then make sure you have it or them. If you are unsure, please refer this video (insert video title)

Visa Fee; $330 per applicant. Derivatives are considered applicants at this stage and must also pay this fee. The fee must be paid in USD or local currency equivalent.

You may bring your educational certificates and work experience, but know that it will not be used in determining your visa eligibility since only the education or work experience of the principal applicant will be used in the visa approval determination.

If you are not attending this interview with the Principal Applicant, then you need to consider bringing relationship evidence and marital status evidence.

BUT if you are attending together, then there’s no need for you to also bring relationship evidence and marital status evidence.

If you have children then you have to go over this checklist for each derivative.

If you are derivative through who the eligibility is derived from, please WATCH my video on YouTube (WATCH THIS If Your DV Lottery Eligibility is Derived from Your Derivative)