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What is the Diversity Visa Lottery Program?
Each year, 50,000 immigrant visas are made available through a lottery to
people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United
States. None of these visas are available for people who come from
countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States
in the past five years. The State Department's National Visa Center holds
the lottery every year, and chooses winners randomly from all qualified
entries. Anyone who is selected under this lottery will be given the
opportunity to apply for permanent residence. If permanent residence is
granted, then the individual 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.
What
does the Law Say?
The legal foundation for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program comes from the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Please see INA
′ 203 for more information.
Who
is Eligible to Enter the Diversity Visa Lottery?
，
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.
，
See the State
Department information on the DV program.
How
Do I Apply?
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. Please watch the State
Department Website for more information on the Diversity Visa Lottery
Program. Instructions are usually posted in August, and the registration
period is usually held in October each year.
How
Much Does the Lottery Cost?
There is no fee for entering the diversity visa lottery. If you win, you
must pay a fee for an immigrant visa and a separate visa lottery
surcharge.
How
Can I Find Out If I Won?
Only the winners will be notified by mail at the addresses listed on their
applications. Winners will be sent instructions and information on fees.
Being selected as a winner in the diversity visa lottery does not
automatically guarantee that you will be issued a visa, even if you are
qualified. The number of entries selected is greater than the number of
immigrant visas available, because not everyone selected will be qualified
for the visa or will choose to complete the processing. Once all 50,000
visas have been issued, the diversity visa program for the year will end.
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