The Diversity Visa Lottery

Diversity Visa Lottery system for DV-2010 to open October 2

The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery system will open for applications on October 2, 2008.  Those considering entering the lottery should apply as early as possible.  In the past, extremely heavy demand in the final days of the registration period has resulted in some applicants being unable to register for the program.  No entries will be accepted after noon EST on December 1 2008.

This year, for the first time, applicants will be able to check the status of their application via the e-DV website. In order to check their status, applicants must retain a copy of the confirmation page from their application process.

About the Diversity Visa Lottery

Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) holds the lottery every year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries. The DOS selects more applications than the 50,000 visas available because many will not complete the visa process. However once 50,000 visas are issued or the fiscal year ends, the DV program is closed.

If you receive a visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.

Entering the Diversity Visa Lottery

The DV-2010 lottery will be conducted entirely electronically:  Applications are to be submitted through a dedicated website at www.dvlottery.state.gov.  Paper entries are not accepted.

Successfully registered entries will result in the display of a confirmation screen containing the applicant's name and confirmation number.
The confirmation page will also provide information and instructions to check online the status of their entry during the processing period. All successful entrants will be notified by mail of their successful entries; those individuals not selected will not receive any notification.

The processing time may vary, but as an example only, the application period for the 2009 DV lottery closed on December 2, 2007; and lottery winners were notified by mail between May and July 2008.

People may prepare and submit their own entries or have someone submit the entry for them. Regardless of whether an entry is submitted by the individual directly or assistance is provided by a third party, only one entry may be submitted in the name of each individual and the entrant remains responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is correct and complete.

Please note:  There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. The Department of State notifies successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter, and NOT be electronic mail. To learn more, see the Department of State Warning and the Federal Trade Commission Warning.

Further Information
Further information on the Diversity Visa Lottery can be found on the travel.state.gov website.