What is the DV Lottery?

The Basics

The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery) is a U.S. government program that provides up to 55,000 permanent resident visas (green cards) each year to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

To be eligible for the DV Lottery, you must be a native of a qualifying country, have at least a high school education or its equivalent, and have at least two years of work experience in a skilled occupation.

The DV Lottery is a random lottery, and there is no guarantee that you will be selected. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of being selected, such as submitting a complete and accurate application and selecting a diverse range of countries on your application.

Benefits of the DV Lottery

There are many benefits to winning the DV Lottery, including:

• The opportunity to live and work in the United States
• Access to free education and healthcare
• The ability to sponsor your family members for permanent residency

If you are selected for the DV Lottery, you will be able to bring your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 with you to the United States.

How to Apply for the DV Lottery

The DV Lottery application process is simple and straightforward. To apply, you must submit an electronic application form (DS-5501) during the annual registration period, which typically runs from October to November.

The application form asks for basic information about you, your family, and your education and work experience. You must also submit a recent photograph of yourself and your family members.

Once you have completed the application form, you must pay a non-refundable application fee of $33.00. You can pay the fee online or by mail.

After You Apply

After you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation number. You can use this number to check the status of your application online.

The DV Lottery results are typically announced in May. If you are selected, you will be sent a notification letter and instructions on how to proceed with your application.

Conclusion

The DV Lottery is a great opportunity for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States to live and work in the United States. If you are eligible, I encourage you to apply for the DV Lottery today.