Each year, the U.S. Department of State administers the Diversity Visa Program to allow foreign nationals the opportunity to become permanent U.S. residents. Like any lottery, the odds of winning are extremely low, yet it offers a free opportunity to throw your name in the proverbial hat that is simply too good to pass up for many foreign nationals otherwise unable to seek permanent residency by other means.
This year’s lottery will open at 12pm, EDT, on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 and will close at 12pm, EDT, on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Applicants must submit entries on-line during this period at www.dvlottery.state.gov. The application is fairly straightforward and generally does not require the assistance of an immigration lawyer to complete. However, if an applicant is selected, he or she must take certain steps to secure the visa opportunity and process the appropriate documentation within a specific timeframe, so it may be prudent at that point to engage an attorney for assistance navigating the process. Also, if the foreign national has a criminal record, entered the US without permission, or stayed in the US beyond the date authorized by a nonimmigrant visa, he or she may also want to consult with an immigration attorney prior to entering the lottery Program.
While the Program is designed with the best of intentions, there have been an incredible number of scams over the years attempting to pray on those entering the lottery. Please beware of these scams! The only way to determine whether you are selected in the lottery is to return to the website at www.dvlottery.state.gov beginning May 1, 2012 and login using your confirmation number. Successful applicants will then receive specific instructions of how to proceed to obtain the visa.
Please note that residents of the following countries are ineligible for the Program due to federal regulations: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. For additional information, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types_1318.html.