The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, is a U.S. government program that provides a pathway to permanent residency in the United States for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. Each year, the program makes 55,000 diversity visas available through a lottery system, offering a unique opportunity for people around the world to pursue the American dream.
What is the DV Visa Lottery?
The DV Visa Lottery was established by the Immigration Act of 1990 to promote diversity in the U.S. immigrant population. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State and aims to diversify the immigrant pool by selecting applicants from countries with historically low numbers of immigrants to the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the DV Lottery, applicants must meet two main requirements:
- Country of Birth: Applicants must be born in an eligible country. Countries with high numbers of immigrants to the U.S. over the past five years are typically excluded from the lottery. The list of eligible countries can change each year.
- Education or Work Experience: Applicants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.
How to Apply
The DV Lottery application process is conducted online through the U.S. Department of State’s official DV Lottery website. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria based on your country of birth and educational or work experience requirements.
- Complete the Entry Form: Fill out the online application form (DS-5501) accurately and completely. The form typically asks for personal information, including name, date of birth, country of birth, and education/work experience.
- Submit Photographs: Upload recent digital photographs of yourself and any dependents (spouse and children). The photographs must meet specific requirements regarding size, composition, and quality.
- Submit the Application: Once the form is complete and the photographs are uploaded, submit the application. Make sure to keep the confirmation number you receive after submission, as it will be needed to check your application status.
Selection Process
Winners of the DV Lottery are selected randomly by a computer-generated drawing. Selected applicants will be notified through the official DV Lottery website and must then follow specific instructions to apply for a visa.
Next Steps for Selected Applicants
If you are selected in the DV Lottery, you must:
- Complete the DS-260 Form: Submit the online immigrant visa application (DS-260) and provide additional required documentation.
- Attend a Visa Interview: Attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. You will need to bring your confirmation page, passport, birth certificate, and other supporting documents.
- Medical Examination: Undergo a medical examination by an approved physician.
- Receive Your Visa: If your visa application is approved, you will receive a visa to enter the United States as a permanent resident.
Benefits of the DV Visa
- Permanent Residency: DV Lottery winners and their immediate family members (spouse and children under 21) receive a green card, granting them permanent residency in the United States.
- Work and Study: Green card holders can work and study in the U.S. without restrictions.
- Path to Citizenship: After five years of permanent residency, green card holders may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Conclusion
The DV Visa Lottery is a valuable opportunity for individuals from eligible countries to gain permanent residency in the United States. By promoting diversity, the program opens doors for many to pursue their dreams in America. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, submit your application accurately, and follow the instructions if selected. For more information, visit the official DV Lottery website or consult with immigration experts.
List of Eligibility Countries for the DV Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is designed to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by selecting applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases a list of eligible countries whose natives can apply for the DV Lottery. Countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the past five years are excluded from participating.
Here is a general guide to understanding the eligibility, but be sure to check the official DV Lottery website for the most current list as it can change annually.
Regions and Eligible Countries
Africa
- Most African countries are eligible, including but not limited to:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Congo (Kinshasa)
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Asia
- Eligible countries in Asia include:
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Nepal
- North Korea
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- United Arab Emirates
- Yemen
Europe
- Most European countries are eligible, including:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France (including components and areas overseas)
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
Oceania
- Eligible countries in Oceania include:
- Australia (including components and areas overseas)
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Nauru
- New Zealand (including components and areas overseas)
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
North America
- The only eligible country in North America is:
- The Bahamas
South America, Central America, and the Caribbean
- Eligible countries in this region include:
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Countries Ineligible for the DV Lottery
Countries ineligible for the DV Lottery typically include those with high immigration rates to the United States. As of recent updates, the countries excluded from the DV Lottery due to high numbers of immigrants in the past five years include:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (mainland-born)
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- South Korea
- United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories
- Vietnam