Diversity Visa Program (DV Program):
- The DV Program is an annual lottery conducted by the U.S. Department of State to grant permanent residency (a green card) to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
- The DV Program makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year.
- The DV Program is also known as the "green card lottery" because it is based on a random selection process.
Application Process:
- The application period for the DV Program typically opens in early October and closes in early November.
- You must submit your application during the specified application period to be eligible.
- The application must be submitted electronically on the U.S. Department of State's website.
- There is no fee to submit a DV Program application.
- Applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as nationality, education/work experience, and language proficiency.
Selection Process:
- Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements are entered into a random selection process.
- Computer-generated random selections are made for each region of the world and are based on the number of visas available for each region.
- Selected applicants are notified through the Entrant Status Check on the Department of State's website around May.
Further Steps for Selected Applicants:
- Selected applicants must follow specific instructions to complete the immigrant visa application process, including providing additional documentation and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- The final decision on issuing a green card is made by a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview.
It is important to note that the chances of winning the green card through the DV Program are relatively low, as millions of people apply each year. However, it is a chance for individuals from eligible countries to pursue permanent residency in the United States.