What is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (often called the "visa lottery")?
Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act annually makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas to randomly selected entrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
When is the next random selection "visa lottery"?
The Department of State has announded that the DV-2009 diversity visa "lottery" online entry will open at Noon EDT on October 3, 2007, and end at Noon EST on December 2, 2007. The DV-2008 program is now over.
Which countries have historically low rates of immigration to the US?
The countries listed in 2008 as exceptions were Brazil, Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. If you were born in one of these countries, you cannot apply. This list is subject to revision for the 2009 lottery. The revised list was not available from the Department of State website as of the date of writing.
What eligibility standard do I have to meet other than being a national of a country other than a listed country?
You must have a high school diploma reflecting 12 years of elementary and secondary education or you must have two years work experience wiithin the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years' tranining.
What are my chances if I am a qualified applicant?
There is no way to tell whether an individual application will succeed or not because selection is through a random drawing. Overall, with over five million applicants for the DV-2007 and the numbers capped at 50,000, about 1 in 100. In practice, because of the high disqulaification rate, the per country limit, and because useage rates vary widely from one country to the next, applicants from some countries have significantly better success rates in the lottery than others. The government selects more than 50,000 winners through the lottery to ensure that available visas are used. The number of winners thus exceed that actual nuimber of visas that willl be issued.
Can I submit multiple applications to increase my chances of selection?
No. If you do this youi will be disqualified. However, you can be listed on your spouse's application as a derivative beneficiary. You can file an independent application of your own, where you list your spouse as a beneficiary. So, if you are married then you get to enter twice; once in your own right and one more time as the dependent.
If I am ineligible to apply as a national of a listed country but my parents or spouse is from a non-listed, i.e., eligible couintry, can I still apply?
You can claim the spouse's country of nationality as long as you immigrate together. You can also claim your parents' nationality if your parents were not born and not resident in the country of your birth at the time of your birth.
How do I apply?
You have to apply online at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. You will need a computer with internet access and be able to upload scanned or digital photographs-we suggest you have your photograph profesionally taken..
Can I apply on a paper form or by mail?
No. You must apply online usiing a computer.
How will I know if I succeeded?
You will receive mail from the United States Department of State advising you of your selection and giving you instructions about what to do next in order to obtain your immigrant visa.
Can I defer my decision to immigrate after I am informed about my selection?
Not indefinitely. If you are selected in DV-2009, you will likely have September 2008 deadline to apply for adjustment or for your visa. If you have not applied for a visa by rhe deadline, you lose the benefit altogether.
I am in the United States. Can I apply?
Yes. It does not matter whether you are in the Uniited States or abroad. If you are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status, you may be eligible to adjust your status as a diversity immigrant.
Is there an application fee to enter the visa lottery drawing?
No. You will pay a fee when applying for a visa or for adjustment of status.