Wednesday October 3, 2018 registration for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program has started. Registration for the Diversity Visa stays open until noon, Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday, November 6, 2017 and is free.
What is the Diversity Visa Program?
This Congressionally mandated program, often called the Green Card Lottery makes available up to 50,000 immigrant diversity visas (DV) each year, drawn from random selection among all entries, to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
How to apply:
Applicants can access the electronic DV entry form (E-DV) at the official E-DV website, dvlottery.state.gov, during the registration period. DV instructions also are available on the Department of State’s public webpage at usvisas.state.gov/dv/instructions.
The Department accepts DV entries ONLY through the E-DV site, which has complete instructions. There is no fee to enter. All entrants must print and retain their online confirmation page after completing their DV entries so that they will be able to check their entry status as explained below.
It is very important for entrants to keep a record of your unique confirmation number until at least September 30, 2019.
Check your status:
Beginning May 7, 2019, DV-2019 entrants will be able to use their unique confirmation number provided at registration to check the online Entrant Status Check at dvlottery.state.gov to see if their entry was selected. Entrant Status Check will inform successful entrants how to apply for DVs for themselves and their eligible family members. The Department also will confirm visa interview appointments through the Entrant Status Check.
For DV-2020, the Department will not send notification and visa appointment letters by mail or email, in an effort to prevent fraud.
Stop Diversity Visa Fraud:
We encourage entrants to prepare and submit their own entries. Entrants may have someone submit the entry for them, though they should be cautious if the assistant tries to charge them a fee. Whether an individual submits an entry directly, or an attorney, friend, relative, etc., provides assistance, only one entry may be submitted in the name of each individual. Entrants remain responsible for ensuring that their information is correct and complete. All entrants, including those not selected, will be able to check the status of their entries by directly accessing Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website. Please keep your own confirmation page! Don’t share this with someone else.
More questions about the Diversity Visa Program? Visit: usvisas.state.gov/dv/instructions.
