Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 55,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who
come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The State Department (DOS) holds the lottery every
year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries. The DOS selects the approximately
110,000 applications since many will not complete the visa process. However once 55,000 are issued or the fiscal year ends,
the DV program is closed. If you receive a visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live
and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under
the age of 21 to the United States.
You are eligible for the Diversity Visa Program if:
- You or your spouse must be a native of a country that is eligible to participate in the Diversity
Visa Lottery. You may also be eligible to apply if your parent was born in a country that is eligible to participate. (The
State Department will publish the names of countries that are eligible to participate before each year's lottery.)
- You must have a high school diploma or the equivalent, defined in the United States
as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR you must have two years of work experience
within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform.
Before
each year's lottery drawing, the Department of State will publish explicit instructions on how to apply in press releases
and the Federal Register. Please follow all directions exactly. Millions of applicants are rejected each year for failure
to follow the directions. Instructions are usually posted in August,
and the registration period is usually held in October each year.
You may also call the State Department's Visa Lottery Information Center at 1-900-884-8840 for more information.
Contact us today toll free 800.993.9097.
To determine if you qualify for the Diversity Visa, or if you already applied and have been selected to obtain
permanent residency/green card status, please contact us to speak with an experienced immigration attorney today. Our immigration attorney serves clients in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, Princeton, New Jersey; Virginia; New York; Delaware; West Virginia; Ohio; Georgia and more.
