Every year millions of people, all over the world, enter the U.S. Diversity (DV) lottery to try and snag one of 55,000 DV visas that offer the chance to permanently live and work in the United States. Because of this popularity, securing a DV does require a bit of luck, but there are tips and tricks that will help you improve your chances to be selected and avoid some of the common problems that prevent applicants from being successful.
Understanding USA DV Eligibility & Requirements
To understand how the DV program works and the qualifications, first you need to understand more about the Diversity Visa program itself. It was established in 1990 to help people from a larger range of countries immigrate to the US. That is why the DV program is open to people from some countries but not others. Every year, people from countries with a high number of US immigrants are excluded, which allows more people from other countries to have the opportunity. This is why country of origin is so important and why program eligibility varies from year to year.
The two main qualifications for the DV lottery are country of origin and level of education/work experience.
First, Country of Origin, which is the country where the applicant is born – not necessarily current citizenship. The DV program requires that the applicant must be from a country whose natives are eligible for the DV program year. Usually, every country worldwide is eligible, except those that have high levels of immigration to the U.S. like China, India, Mexico, Canada, and others. This list changes every year and is something that is key to determining your eligibility for the DV program.
TIP#1:
Know and understand how Country of Origin is determined. If you are from a restricted country, you may be able to use the country of origin of your spouse or, in limited circumstances, your parents.
Second, Education or Work Experience, in which the DV program requires that the applicant must have at least a high school education or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires two years of training.
TIP#2:
Most applicants meet this requirement with education; if you are a secondary school graduate, be sure your degree meets the requirements and is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.
Overall, the DV Lottery qualifications are fairly low and allow many many people worldwide to apply. Also, the application process is fairly straightforward and done on-line without an application fee. However there are some important things to know and understand about the DV program’s application process..
First, timing is key. The application window usually opens every year around the start of October and closes at the beginning of November. Entries are only accepted during this window of time and only valid for one year. The selection results are announced in May of the following year, and visas must be issued by the end of September. People lucky to be selected must check the results themselves and take the follow up steps to complete the application process.
TIP#3:
To maximize your chances of being selected, if you are married, encourage your spouse to enter as well, thus doubling your family’s chance of selection. An applicant may enter every year, and there is no charge to apply.
Second, accuracy in the DV entry form is very important. Any wrong or missing information can result in your entry or application being denied. You should read and understand the instructions carefully before submitting your entry. Information missed or withheld about your current spouse, children who do not live with you, ex-spouses, stepchildren, and adult children is often the source of problems for applicants.
TIP#4:
Photographs must have been taken within six months. Don’t try to use old photos as even this small mistake can cause a visa denial.
Applications are only accepted online through the official US Dept of State DV Lottery website during the October-November period and are free of charge. Once the application is submitted a confirmation number will be provided. This confirmation number is essential to check your status in May.
TIP#5:
The US State Department will not notify you via email or phone that your entry has been selected in the lottery and will provide further instructions. However, you must check the website yourself in May to check your status and move forward with the DV visa application.
Remember that being selected in the lottery is just the first step in the entire DV process. After being selected, the lucky applicant must follow up with the indicated U.S. Embassy to continue their application and receive application instructions. Applicants will be asked to submit form DS-260 and provide additional supporting documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, police certificates, and proof of education or work experience. Also, all applicants must undergo a medical examination and, finally, be interviewed at a designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The required visa fee will be collected at the time of the interview and is paid directly to the U.S. Consular section.
TIP#6:
A DV visa interview is different from a tourist or student visa interview and is more concerned about documents showing that you meet the program requirements and not about details of your trip to the US. Be sure to have all your education and civil documents on hand and be sure to check that all passports are valid for several months.
If everything goes well, your DV visa will be issued and you will be authorized to travel to the United States and start the process for being issued your LPR cards permitting work and full-time residence. Be sure to use your visas by the visa validity date because, after September 30, they become invalid and can’t be used.
Tip#7:
Be aware that there is widespread fraud and many scams associated with the DV lottery program. The Department of State recommends not to use the services of any company offering free DV entries unless they provide you access to the entry confirmation code provided when a DV entry is submitted. Also, the US Department of State will never email or contact you on social media to inform you of winning the DV lottery or ask you to pay any visa fees ahead of the DV interview. Any such contacts
are a scam and should not be used.
Conclusion
The Diversity Visa Lottery provides an amazing opportunity for people from all over the world to take the life-changing step of immigrating to the United States. While the DV process can be challenging, with luck, and attention to details, it can become a reality.
Watch How To Be Successful In The DV Lottery
DISCLAIMER:
This blog does not endorse or advocate for any illegal activities. All content presented here is intended for educational purposes only. The viewpoints expressed do not constitute legal advice and are solely based on the writer’s opinions and experiences. Please use the information provided responsibly. Any advice given is of a general nature and should be applied to your specific circumstances with caution and consideration.
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