Roger Sterling
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2015
- 13,010
- 23,653
- WHAT is the Visa Lottery
Visa Lottery is the popular name for the yearly U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program. Its purpose is to bring in immigrants from countries that contribute a low number of immigrants through other options like family reunion.
The program was created by the US Government over 20 years ago. It is organized by the US Department of State. For every DV Program 50,000 Diversity Visas are available.
- WHERE can I enter ?
You must enter on the Electronic Diversity Visa (eDV) website. There is only ONE eDV website: dvlottery.state.gov.
- WHEN can I enter ?
Registration for DV-2018 is possible between 12.00 p.m. EDT (GMT–4), Tuesday, October 4, and 12.00 p.m. EST (GMT–5), Monday, November 7, 2016.
Entries for DV-2018 can only be submitted during those few weeks.
After the Entry Period is closed you cannot enter the 2018 Visa Lottery anymore.
- WHO can enter ?
1. To participate you must be born in a country that is eligible. It does not matter where you now live or which citizenship(s) you hold. What counts is your country of birth.
- There are two exceptions this rule.
- If you are not eligible but married to a spouse who was born in an eligible country.
- If your parent(s) was/were at the the time of your birth not citizens or residents of the country where you were born.
3. You cannot have issues preventing immigration into the U.S.
The following countries are NOT eligible for DV-2018.
AFRICA
Nigeria
ASIA
Bangladesh, China mainland-born*, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam
*Macau SAR, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan qualify
EUROPE
Great Britain/U.K.*
The U.K. includes: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, S. Georgia and S. Sandwich Islands, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands
*Northern Ireland does qualify
NORTH AMERICA
Canada, Mexico
CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru
- Is there a requirement regarding age ?
No. There is no minimum or maximum age set for Entrants.
- How much must I pay to enter ?
Nothing. There is no fee. Entering is free.
- What do I need to enter ?
You must have a valid, active email address. If you do not have an email address create it on-line before the Visa Lottery officially opens. In many countries Google-mail (gmail.com) is a good option.
- When will I know if I won ? How will I know if I won ?
Entrants Status Check (ESC) will become possible on the eDV site on Tuesday May 2, 2017. To do the ESC you must enter your Entrant Confirmation Number, your last name as given on the Entry Form, your year of birth.
- Must I provide a photo for the Visa Lottery ?
Yes. When you submit your Entry Form you must upload your photo with it.
If you enter information about a spouse/child/children you must upload their photos too.
For more information and to check whether your photo meets the requirements go to travel.state.gov/photo
If you want to submit your Entry by mobile phone download our DV Lottery PHOTO TOOL. It is available for FREE on Google Play. It is the App with the camera in the icon.
- Must I submit documents when I enter ?
At the moment you enter you do not need to provide documentation. If you are selected and apply for a visa you must provide official documents.
- Do I need a passport ?
You do not need a passport to enter the Visa Lottery. But you must know how your name (last name, first name, middle name - if applicable) is spelled and will be written in your passport when you apply for one. If you are selected you will need a passport.
- How often can I play in one Visa Lottery ?
You can enter one time in each DV-program. (Once in DV-2017, once in DV-2018, etc.)
You can double your chance if you are married and your spouse is also eligible for the DV-program. If you win he/she gets a Green Card too based on your win, if your spouse wins the same goes for you.
- I was selected in a previous Lottery. But I did not apply for a visa because of personal circumstances. Will that be held against me if I enter now ?
No. You can participate in DV-2018 without any problem.
- I am currently living in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa. Can I participate ?
Yes. However some J-2 visa have a 2-Year Home Res. Rule that can pose a problem if you are selected and apply for an immigrant visa.
- Why is it called the 2018 Visa Lottery. It is now 2016.
The 2018 Visa Lottery starts in 2016 with an Entry Period. Next year - in 2017 - the Selection of Entrants will be done.
The visas are officially issued in 2018 and therefore this program is called DV-2018.
- Why is it called the Diversity Visa Program ?
Because the visas are given to people born in countries with low immigration rates into the US. A low rate means that less than 50,000 people immigrated from a country over the previous five years.
- What is the difference between a Non-Immigrant Visa and an Immigrant Visa ?
Most Visas that are issued are Non-Immigrant which means they allow for a temporary stay for tourism, business visits, to study and/or to temporarily work.
An Immigrant Visa allows to permanently live and work in the U.S. The Diversity Visa is an Immigrant Visa.
- What is the difference between an Immigrant Visa and a Green Card ?
The Visa is the notice in your passport allowing you to enter the US. After your arrival you will receive your Permanent Resident card. This card is known as the Green Card.
- If I win and get an Immigrant Visa can a bring my spouse and my children ?
Yes. Your spouse will be issued a Green Card too. Same sex spouses also qualify.
You can bring a child/children if they are unmarried and still under 21 years of age when their Immigrant Visa is issued.
On the Entry Form you MUST list your spouse and/or ALL your unmarried children that are under 21 years of age on the date that you submit your Entry Form. You must give their biographic information and their picture, regardless whether your spouse/child/children will immigrate with you or not.
- If I win do I get a Green Card right-away ?
No. What you win is a chance to apply for an Immigrant Visa.
You - and if applicable family members immigrating with you - must submit your Visa Application and successfully complete the Visa Procedure that follows.
- Can I give you my name and other information so you can enter me ?
We are not an agency providing services.
- How do I make sure I enter the Visa Lottery correctly ?
By using our DV-2018 ENTRY Guide. This Guide contains the information you need, step-by-step instructions, and practical tips. It also has a printable worksheet to help prepare your Entry.
