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DV Diversity Lottery

DV Diversity Lottery

Each year, the U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery program (Green Card Lottery) makes available 55,000 permanent residence visas through a computer-generated lottery drawing. These visas, also known as "Green Cards", allow an individual and his or her family to permanently reside and work anywhere in the United States.

For someone who does not have a close relative in the U.S., or does not have a reliable job offer in the U.S., this program serves as a beautiful opportunity to immigrate to the U.S. without having to resort to other US immigration procedures.

The application process for the DV Program has changed. The Department of State will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Forms submitted electronically at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov during the 60 day registration period, usually between November 1 and the end of December.

Take a moment to follow as we take you through the information and application process step-by-step.
Overview

In 1990, Congress introduced a visa lottery program known as the "Diversity Visa Lottery". This program is presently administered by the US Department of State.

These visas are only made available to applicants from "low admission" countries and distributed among six geographical world zones (Africa, Asia, Europe, South and Central America, Oceania and North America).

Qualified entries are randomly selected and there are no ways to increase the chances of winning.

Quick Facts

  • Within each region, no one country may receive more than seven percent of the available Diversity Visas in any one year
  • The program is called DV-2009 because visas will be issued for qualified winners during the fiscal year 2009
  • A greater number of the 50,000 allocated applications are selected by the Department of State because some applicants are not eligible to receive Permanent Residence Status.

Did you know?

The winner's  spouse and his or her children who are age 21 or younger are also eligibleto receive their Green Cards.

A Green Card holder has the  same rights and obligations as a US Citizen except voting and holding certain Governmental jobs.

Application procedures are basically  identical every year. However this year's Diversity Program is submitted electronically through the EDV Entry Form.

Approximately  10 million people applied last year to the DV Program.

3 million applications were  disqualified for failing to submit a proper application.

Undocumented applicants in the US (Illegal Aliens) are allowed to apply for the Green Card lottery.
But, later they must be eligible to apply for adjustment of status, since they probably do not want to leave the United States and incur a 10-year bar to reentering this country.
Any applicant can apply from within the United States or from abroad. Any return address may be used. (for winning notification)
Quick Facts

  • "Diversity Visa program" is the official name given to the "Green Card Lottery"
  • Green Cards allow an individual and his or her family to permanently reside and work anywhere in the United States
  • Each applicant has an equal chance of success

Eligibility Requirements

In order for an applicant to be  eligible for the DV program, he or she must:

• Be a native of a  qualifying country.
All countries are eligible for the DV-2006 EXCEPT:
Canada, Pakistan, Vietnam, Mexico, Dominican Republic, India, Mainland China, El Salvador, Jamaica, Colombia, Haiti, South Korea and United Kingdom

• Meet the  education or training requirement of the program.

Quick Facts

  • Native of a qualifying country means the country in which the applicant was born
  • Macau, Northern Ireland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are eligible countries
  • If the applicant was not born in a qualifying Native country, he or she can "claim chargeability" to the country of birth of a Spouse or a Parent.

Dates

The exact dates at which the DV Program takes places varies every year. The 2009 DV Lottery Program calendar should be from around November 1 to around the end of 2007
Notification of Winners:  May and July 2008
Green Card Interviews:  Start November 2008 (to be confirmed)

Quick Facts

The US department of State accepts submissions only for a specific period of time called: "The Application period". Applications must be electronically submitted during that period of time.

Selection Process

Applicants will be selected  at Random by computer from among all qualified entries.

Applicants must  meet eligibility requirements.

Each applicant has an  equal chance of success.

Only one application is allowed per eligible person. Multiple applications will be disqualified. However, both Husbands and Wives may enter separate applications.
Winners are notified. Persons who are not selected will not be notified.


Quick Facts

  • U.S. Embassies and consulates will not be able to provide a list of successful applicants
  • Applicants registered for the DV-2009 program were selected from the approximately 10 million qualified entries. This year's number of winners was approximately 107,000.
  • Last year 41.38 % of all applications, (3 million applications) were disqualified because these applications did not comply with DOS regulations.

Lottery Q & A

1. What is the 2009 Green Card Lottery?

The US congress authorizes every year the allotment of 55,000 permanent resident status visas (green cards) through a computer generated lottery drawing to those who find it difficult to immigrate to the United States through other channels. Permanent Resident Status gives you and your family the legal right to work and live permanently in the United States.

2. What are the requirements to enter the Lottery program?

You must only meet two requirements to be eligible:  a. You must be a native of a qualifying country b. You must have a high school education or experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training. Qualifying country: Each year, the US State Department calculates the number of permanent residency visas that were previously allocated to each country. Based on these calculations, the US immigration Service chooses which countries can participate in this year's lottery. In most cases, as long as you are born in one of the eligible country, you can apply.

Education or Training Requirements: a. Applicants must have either a High School Diploma (or equivalent to a US High school education) b. Or two years of work experience within an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.
3. Which countries are not eligible?

Eligibility is determined by country of birth. Persons born in China, Taiwan, India, the Philippines, South Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Poland, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, El Salvador, or Jamaica are ineligible, regardless of their country of citizenship or the country in which their parents were born. Persons born in all other countries - including Northern Ireland and Hong Kong - are eligible.

4. Is my current place of residence important for the lottery?

NO. The applicant's place of residence (where you live) is irrelevant. You can apply either from overseas or you can apply from within the United States.

5. Can undocumented people already living in the United States still apply?

YES. However the 3 year and the 10 year bar on admission of the 1996 US immigration law may apply. If you have been out of status for an extended period of time and if you are selected, it is recommended that you seek legal advice prior to applying for adjustment of status to permanent resident. (Section 245 of the INA).

6. What is the selection process?

Applicants are selected from a random computer generated lottery drawing. The Diversity Immigrant program apportions visa issuance among six geographic zones: (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America (other than Mexico), Oceania, and South America (including Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean). Each of one these six regions are divided into high and low admission quotas. A greater portion of the visas go to the low admission regions as opposed to high admission regions which will be entirely excluded from the lottery. (see list of countries which are not eligible). No single country may receive more than 7% of all allotted visas.

7. Can a person already registered for an immigrant visa in another category still apply for the 2006 program?

YES. There are no restrictions to enter the Lottery.
8. Can applicants be a native of a country which is not eligible?

YES. Under the provisions of Section 202(b) of the US immigration and Nationality Act, in the following cases: Case 1: The applicant can be "charged to" the country of birth of his/her spouse, if he or she was born in an ineligible country but his/her spouse was born in an eligible country. Case 2: If an applicant was born in country which is not eligible but neither parents were born there, he/she may "be charged" or claim nativity in one of the parents' country of birth.
9. May a Husband and a Wife each submit a separate entry?

YES. If otherwise qualified, a husband and a wife may each submit one entry. If either is selected, the other would be entitled to derivative status. However, husbands and wives may not sign for each other. Each one must sign his or her own entry.
10. May applicants submit more than one application to increase their chances of winning?

NO. If the name of ONE SINGLE APPLICANT (First AND middle AND Last Name all together) appears more than once in the database, the applicant will be disqualified. There are no other ways to increase your chances of winning, the process is a computer generated Lottery drawing.
Important Terms
Alien

Any person not a citizen or national of the United States.

Acquired Citizenship

Citizenship given at birth on children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent(s).

Adjustment of Status

Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant status without having to leave the United States. Beginning in October 1994, section 245(i) of the INA allowed illegal residents who were eligible for immigrant status to remain in the United States and adjust to permanent resident status by applying at an INS office and paying an additional penalty fee. Section 245(i) is no longer available unless the alien is the beneficiary of a petition under section 204 of the Act or of an application for a labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A), filed before January 15, 1998. Prior to October 1994, most illegal residents were required to leave the United States and acquire a visa abroad from the Department of State as they are again now.

USCIS, formerly INS

U.S. Citizenship and US immigration Services

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries generally receive a lawful status as a result of their relationship to a Lawful US Citizen.
Child

Generally, an unmarried person under 21 years of age who is: a child born from union in matrimony, or your spouse children from a previous marriage. As well as adopted children and children under lawful custody.
Citizen

A person who has full rights privileges and protection of living in the United States.

Country of Birth

The country where you were born.
Chargeability

The independent country to which an immigrant entering under the preference system is accredited for purposes of numerical limitations.
Diversity

A category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for nationals of underrepresented countries and countries adversely "affected" by the US immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-236). The annual limit is now 55,000.

Derivative Citizenship

Citizenship conveyed to Children through the naturalization of parents.
Fiscal Year

Currently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30.
Former Allegiance

The previous country of citizenship of a naturalized Citizen.
Green Card

Officially known as: "Alien Registration Receipt Card" which is the identification card of a Permanent resident.
Immigrant

An alien admitted to the US as a lawful permanent resident. Immigrants are those persons accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the U.S. They may be issued immigrant visas by the Consulate abroad or here in the United States once adjusted to Permanent Resident Status by the INS.

Immediate Relatives

Spouses, Immediate parents and Children of US citizens.
US immigration and Nationality Act

The Act (INA), which, along with other US immigration laws, treaties, and conventions of the United States, relates to the US immigration, temporary admission, naturalization, and removal of aliens.

Nationality

The country in which the person is considered a National or a Citizen.
Native Country

Usually means someone born in that country.
Naturalization

The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth.
Permanent Resident Alien (Green Card holder)

An alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Permanent residents are also commonly referred to as immigrants; Lawful permanent residents are legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States. They may be issued immigrant visas by the Department of State overseas or adjusted to permanent resident status by the USCIS in the United States.

Residence

The country where in which the alien was living before coming to the United States.

Visa Waiver Program

Allows certain citizens of certain selected countries to travel temporarily to the United States under the nonimmigrant admission classes of visitors for pleasure and visitors for business. Or to enter the United States without obtaining nonimmigrant visas. Admission is for no more than 90 days.

Consumer Alert

In recent years, many people have been subjected to the wrongdoing of scam artists and other deceitful advertisers for the sole purpose of abusive commercial gains. If you have been the victim of such deceitful practices please inform us immediately so that we may report these violators to the appropriate authorities. Below are some of the important facts to remember when you apply for the DV Program by yourself or with the help of an outside service:

1. Only one lottery entry is allowable by the State Department. Filing more than one entry will result in your automatic disqualification.

2. Be aware of ads or attorneys who promise lottery winnings through the use of legal loopholes if you use their services. Winning entries are selected at random. No shortcuts, advantages, or legal loopholes can increase your chances of winning. Despite their claims, they are not affiliated with the US government and may actually jeopardize your chances by filing more than one lottery entry.

3. If an attorney or advertised service assists in the preparation of your lottery entry, be sure that your own name and address is given IN THE APPLICATION for notification purposes to expedite your receipt of the winning lottery notification letter.

2700 N MacDill Ave. Ste. 218 / 300 S Duncan Ave. Ste.135B
Tampa, FL /  Clearwater
(813) 874-2802 / (727) 466-0784 
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