Immigration Information Center

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• Immigrant Visas - An Overview
• Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
• Family-Based Immigrant Visas
• The Diversity Visa Lottery Program
• Asylum and Refugees
• Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Visas
• Immigrant Visas Resource Links
• Immigrant Visas Contact Form

The Diversity Visa Lottery Program

Each year approximately 55,000 people are selected by lottery to file a petition for an immigrant visa. The lottery is available to people from nations with a comparatively low rate of immigration to the United States in the last five years. These "low admission" countries are further categorized in "high admission" and "low admission" geographic regions, and nations within a high admission region receive fewer slots in the diversity lottery. Because applications for the diversity lottery are only accepted for a short period of time each year and because lottery winners must obtain immigrant status by the end of the year in which they are selected, people who wish to be included in the diversity lottery should seek a competent and experienced immigration attorney who understands the lottery to assist them in filing their lottery application and visa petition as soon as they become eligible for the lottery. If you wish to apply for a diversity visa, an experienced immigration lawyer can assist you in carefully preparing and submitting your application. If you have questions about the diversity lottery, call an immigration attorney today.

Diversity Visa Lottery Program Requirements

To be eligible for the diversity lottery, you must be a foreign national of a low admission country and have a high school diploma or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. Immigrants selected by diversity lottery typically are allowed to immigrate with their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21.

Applying for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program

Applications for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program are only accepted during a designated application period each year. Instructions are typically posted in August and registration held in October. Only one entry per applicant may be submitted for each diversity lottery period, and people who have already sought a visa under another visa category are eligible to participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery Program as well. Additionally, applicants selected by lottery must petition for and obtain immigrant status by the end of the fiscal year in which they were selected. Failing to obtain immigrant status within the required time period renders the lottery winner ineligible for a diversity visa.

Each year millions of applications are disqualified from the diversity lottery for failing to meet the filing requirements. Additionally, each year approximately 55,000 applicants are selected for only 50,000 available visas and thousands of applicants who are selected by lottery fail to obtain immigrant status in time to obtain a diversity visa. Working with an experienced immigration lawyer as soon as you become eligible for the lottery can help to ensure that you obtain immigrant status within the required period of time. An immigration attorney can assist you in preparing and submitting a lottery application and visa petition that meet all requirements and avoid unnecessary delays or rejection.

Conclusion

Each year millions of the people who complete the time-consuming process of applying for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program never have a chance. Simple errors result in their applications for the lottery being rejected. Something as simple as meeting the strict time guidelines for electronic submissions or sending a picture that meets specifications has cost many people the opportunity to live and work in the United States. Additionally, thousands of people who are actually selected by lottery fail to obtain immigrant status in time to obtain a diversity visa. Don't let simple errors deprive you of the chance to participate in the Diversity Visa lottery Program; if you have questions about the lottery or need assistance, consult with an immigration attorney.

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