FAQ: What Is A Diversity Visa?

• A diversity visa is an immigrant visa that you receive after you have “won” the diversity visa lottery, applied for a visa, and been approved. This lottery system gives 50,000 visas to people from countries that have sent the fewest immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years. Not everyone who is drawn in the lottery will receive a visa.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, is a United States government lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card. The Immigration Act of 1990 established the current and permanent Diversity Visa (DV) program.

How does diversity visa work?

What is the Diversity Visa lottery? Each year, the Diversity Visa program allows 50,000 randomly selected people—only from countries that don’t send many immigrants to the United States—to obtain permanent residency (commonly called a “green card”).

Who can apply for Diversity Visa Lottery?

To enter the lottery, an applicant must possess either a high school diploma (or its equivalent) or have two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires, at a minimum, two years of training or experience. Only one entry per person is permitted.

How long is a diversity visa valid?

A diversity visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.

What countries qualify for Diversity Visa?

Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.

How many green cards are issued per year?

Since the employment‐​based system has a cap of 140,000 green cards per year, this means that every year there are about twice as many petitions being filed for green cards for immigrants as there are green cards being issued to them.

Which countries are not eligible for DV Lottery 2022?

For DV – 2022 (the most recent lottery, with entry period in 2020), natives of the following nations are ineligible: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland and Hong Kong), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea,

How much is the diversity visa fee?

Before the interview, each applicant must pay the Diversity Visa fee. For DV-2020 applicants the fee is $330 per person. This fee is nonrefundable, whether a visa is issued or not.

How do I apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery?

Diversity Visa Program

1. Submit an Entry.
2. Selection of Applicants.
3. If You Are Selected.
4. Confirm Your Qualifications.
5. Submit Your Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
6. Submit Supporting Documents.
7. Interview.
8. Prepare for the Interview.

How do I register for 2020 lottery?

Applicants have to submit entries for the DV- 2020 program electronically at dvlottery.state.gov. There is no cost to register for the DV Program. Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted.

Can I stay on green card forever?

A Green Card is Forever Once the 2-year conditional period is up, it’s time to apply for the removal of the conditions since it cannot be renewed like the 10-year green card. Though the 10-year green card can be renewed, there are immense benefits at that point to apply for naturalization.

How do I know my visa is approved?

Check the Status of Your Visa You can check the status of your application any time at this website: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx. Please wait at least three business days following your visa interview to check on the status of your application.

Is Green Card Lottery really random?

Entering the green card lottery is free. The drawing is random and by computer. You can only find out whether you have won by going to www.dvlottery.state.gov (typically beginning May 1). If you win and are permitted to apply, you will have to pay a fee, but that will be in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Why is Nigeria not eligible for visa lottery?

It would have happened anyway it seems. Nigeria has been excluded because over 50,000 Nigerians have been issued green cards over the last five years. If a country exceeds this number then you are excluded from the Green Card Lottery. Please note that for those who are eligible the Green Card Lottery is currently open.

When can I apply for Diversity Visa 2022?

The online registration period for the DV – 2022 Program began on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and will conclude on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5).

Can illegal immigrants apply for visa lottery?

People living in the U.S. illegally are rarely able to succeed in a green card application, no matter what basis they’re applying on, lottery or otherwise.