What is the Diversity DV Visa Lottery?

The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) program, also known as the US green card lottery, is a U.S. government program that offers up to 55,000 green cards (permanent residency) annually through a random selection process. The program prioritizes applicants from countries with historically lower levels of immigration to the United States, aiming to enhance diversity within the immigrant population. Eligibility typically requires meeting basic educational or work experience qualifications.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must meet the eligibility requirements:

Country of Birth: You, your spouse, or your parent must have been born in a country with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Specifically, the country must have sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years. A complete list of eligible countries is published annually by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) on their official website.

Education or Work Experience: Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Education: Possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Work Experience: Have at least two years of work experience within the past five years in a job that requires a minimum of two years of training or experience.
- Job Eligibility: Detailed instructions for determining if your occupation qualifies can be found on the DOS website.

Can I apply for DV program from the US?

Yes, you can apply for the DV program in the United States or overseas.

How Do I Apply?

To apply, you must submit your application online at the DOS Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website: https://dvprogram.state.gov.

Paper applications are not allowed.

There is no fee to enter the DV program, but if you are selected and scheduled for an interview, you will need to pay a visa application fee.

When Can I Apply?

The application period for the Diversity Visa Lottery occurs annually for a limited time, typically from early October to early November. The exact dates are announced each year on the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website.

Application Period

Timing: The application period usually lasts a few weeks, from early October to early November of each year.
Submission: The entry form must be submitted electronically on the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website during the designated application window.
Early Application: It is strongly recommended to submit your application as early as possible within the application period to avoid potential technical issues and ensure timely processing.
Late Submissions: Submitting your application at the last minute may increase the risk of encountering technical difficulties and potentially prevent you from entering the lottery that year.
Save Your Confirmation: After submitting your application, carefully save the confirmation number and any other related information. You will need this information to check the results of the Diversity Visa Lottery later.

How Will I Know If I Have Been Selected for the DV Program?

Selection Process:

Random Selection: The U.S. Department of State (DOS) uses a computer-generated lottery system to randomly choose individuals for the Diversity Visa program each year.
Checking Results: You can check your selection status using the confirmation number received during application. The Entrant Status Check portal (https://dvprogram.state.gov/ESC/) typically opens in early May.

Next Steps (For Selected Applicants):

Required Steps: Selected applicants will need to follow specific procedures, which typically involve submitting documents, undergoing a medical exam, and attending an interview at a U.S. Consulate.

Detailed Instructions: DOS provides comprehensive instructions on the visa application process each year. You can find them here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-instructions.html

Malescu Law can assist

If you are a DV lottery winner, our immigration lawyers can assist you with obtaining the green card through the DV lottery program. We have successfully obtained green card approvals for DV lottery winners.

Contact us or schedule a consultation.

Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers