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Diversity Visa Lottery Green Card Process
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Your Guide to the DV Lottery Process.
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery gives eligible people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States an opportunity to apply for permanent residence. Being selected does not guarantee a green card, and applicants must meet specific requirements and complete the process within strict deadlines. This guide explains how the Diversity Visa Lottery green card process works, who may qualify, and what selected applicants should expect.
The Diversity Visa Lottery is a multi-step process that begins with registration and, for selected applicants, may lead to an application for permanent residence. Selection allows you to move forward with the process, but you must still meet the program’s eligibility requirements, complete the required application, and have a visa available.
The process generally involves several steps:
Timing is especially important. Diversity visas cannot be issued after September 30 of the fiscal year for which an applicant was selected. Delays in completing required steps can therefore affect your ability to receive a diversity visa.
Before entering the Diversity Visa Lottery, you should understand the basic eligibility requirements and provide complete and accurate information on your entry. Your country of birth, education or work experience, and family information can all affect your eligibility if you are later selected.
Eligibility is generally based on your country of birth rather than where you currently live or the citizenship you hold. Because the list of eligible countries can change from one DV program year to another, applicants should check the requirements for the specific year in which they are entering.
If your country of birth is not eligible, you may still qualify in certain circumstances through your spouse’s country of birth or, in limited situations, through a parent’s country of birth.
The principal applicant must meet either an education or qualifying work experience requirement. Generally, this means having completed a high school education or its equivalent.
Applicants who do not meet the education requirement may qualify through certain work experience. The work must meet the specific requirements of the Diversity Visa Program, so work experience alone does not automatically establish eligibility.
Your initial DV entry must include required information about your spouse and eligible unmarried children under age 21. Failing to list a family member who was required to be included can affect your eligibility if you are later selected.
Family circumstances can change after an entry is submitted, such as through marriage or the birth of a child. Different rules may apply in these situations, so applicants should follow the instructions for the specific DV program year.
The Department of State selects more applicants than the number of diversity visas ultimately available. Being selected therefore means that you may proceed with the application process; it does not guarantee an interview, visa, or green card.
Your case number and visa availability can affect when you are able to move forward. Selected applicants should monitor the Visa Bulletin and follow the instructions for their DV program year throughout the process.
Being selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery allows you to move forward with the application process, but it does not guarantee a visa. Selected applicants must continue to meet the program’s requirements, wait for visa availability, and complete the process before the end of the applicable fiscal year.
Selected applicants receive a case number that helps determine when they may become eligible for further processing. The Department of State publishes monthly updates in the Visa Bulletin showing which case numbers are current.
Because more applicants are selected than the number of visas available, some selected applicants may never become eligible to receive a diversity visa. Monitoring the Visa Bulletin can help you understand when your case may be able to move forward.
Selection does not remove the program’s eligibility requirements. You must still establish that you meet the applicable education or work experience requirement and are otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.
Information provided in your initial DV entry may also be reviewed during the application process. Errors or omissions involving your identity, country of birth, marital status, or required family members can affect your eligibility.
A spouse and qualifying unmarried children under age 21 may be able to receive diversity visas as derivative beneficiaries. Each family member must meet the applicable requirements and complete the required parts of the immigration process.
If your family circumstances change after you enter the lottery, such as through marriage or the birth of a child, you may be able to add the new family member to your case. Children who turn 21 during the process may also receive age-related protection under the Child Status Protection Act in some circumstances.
Diversity visas are available only through the end of the fiscal year for which an applicant was selected. A diversity visa generally cannot be issued after September 30 of that fiscal year.
This deadline applies even if you were selected but your application is still being processed. Applicants should therefore pay close attention to visa availability, application instructions, and requests for additional information throughout the process.
The Diversity Visa process is time-sensitive, and mistakes or delays can affect whether you complete the process before the fiscal-year deadline. Common issues include:
Because Diversity Visa eligibility is tied to a specific fiscal year, keep track of your case status and complete each required step as soon as you are eligible to do so.
The Diversity Visa Lottery process involves strict deadlines, eligibility requirements, and limited visa availability. Questions may arise about your case number, family members, adjustment of status, or whether information in your original entry could affect your application.
If you need help understanding your eligibility or the next steps in your case, a Texas immigration attorney can review your circumstances and explain your options. Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law assists applicants in Dallas and Houston with immigration matters. Contact the firm to learn more.
If you are already in the United States and file for adjustment of status, you may be eligible to apply for a work permit while your application is pending. Filing an adjustment application does not, by itself, give you permission to work, so you should make sure you have valid employment authorization before beginning or continuing employment.
Missing an important deadline can affect your ability to receive a diversity visa. Diversity visas are available only through the end of the fiscal year for which an applicant was selected, and a visa generally cannot be issued after September 30. Applicants should follow government instructions carefully and respond promptly to requests for information or documents.
A spouse and qualifying unmarried children under age 21 may be eligible for diversity visas as derivative beneficiaries. Family members must meet the applicable requirements and complete the required immigration process.
If you marry or have a child after submitting your original DV entry, you may be able to add that family member to your case. Different rules apply when a spouse or child already existed when the initial entry was submitted but was not properly listed.
The basic Diversity Visa requirements are based on federal immigration law and apply nationwide. However, applicants who are already in the United States and eligible to seek adjustment of status will follow the USCIS process, while applicants pursuing an immigrant visa abroad generally complete consular processing through the Department of State.
Where you live may affect which USCIS field office handles parts of an adjustment of status case, including an interview if one is required.
Being selected in the DV Lottery does not guarantee that a visa will become available. Selected applicants receive case numbers, and visa availability is updated throughout the fiscal year.
If your case number does not become eligible for processing before the end of the applicable fiscal year, you generally cannot receive a diversity visa based on that selection. This is why selected applicants should monitor the Visa Bulletin and other instructions issued for their DV program year.
