DV Lottery: A Comprehensive Guide

What is the DV Lottery?

The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery) is an annual lottery program conducted by the United States Department of State that makes 50,000 permanent resident visas available to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Eligibility Requirements

Country of Origin

To be eligible for the DV Lottery, you must be a native of a country with a low rate of immigration to the United States. The list of eligible countries changes each year and is announced by the Department of State.

Education or Work Experience

You must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Application Process

Online Application

The DV Lottery application is available online during a specific registration period, typically between October and November. The application requires basic personal information, education and work experience details, and a digital photograph.

Random Selection

After the registration period ends, a computer-generated random lottery drawing is conducted to select applicants for further processing.

Visa Processing

Notification

Winners of the DV Lottery are notified via email and are instructed to submit a formal visa application.

Interview

Applicants must attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate to complete the visa process.

Documentation

Applicants must provide supporting documentation, including proof of identity, education, and work experience.

Green Card Issuance

If the visa is approved, the applicant will receive a Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) card. After two years, the CPR holder must apply to remove the conditions on their residence by filing a petition to lift the conditions on residence.

Additional Information

Family Members

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be included on the DV Lottery application and may also receive visas if the applicant is selected.

Fees

There is no fee to enter the DV Lottery. However, there are fees associated with the visa application and processing.

Chances of Winning

The chances of winning the DV Lottery vary depending on the number of applicants and the number of available visas for the applicant's country of origin.