The U.S. Department of State, through its Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), administers the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, an annual immigration opportunity to the United States. Up to 55,000 immigrants can enter the country through this program each year.
The Diversity Visa Program runs annually, typically in October. Selectees are randomly chosen from the entry pool. Those selected may then apply for the diversity green card lottery.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is open to applicants who satisfy essential eligibility requirements, including:
You must be from a country with a low U.S. immigration rate to apply. The U.S. Department of State reviews all countries annually, and eligible countries each year, which changes annually.
One of the diversity visa requirements is that applicants must have completed a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a education comparable to a 12-year program in the United States. Only formal courses of study meet this requirement; correspondence courses and GED do not fulfill this requirement.
You must have at least two years of experience within the last five years in an occupation requiring training and experience. According to the U.S. Department of Labor definitions, the job must have required at least two years of training or experience requiring at least two years of training or experience.
Refer to the Department of Labor's O*Net online database to know whether your occupation qualifies for a U.S. diversity visa. Here is how:
The application process for the DV U.S. Program involves multiple steps, each with strict deadlines. Here is a breakdown of the Diversity Visa application steps:
During the open period each fiscal year, entries will be submitted electronically on the Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) website. The lottery visa form consists of two sections: one for the primary entrant and another for any derivatives (if applicable). You must complete each section accurately before proceeding to the next. Once all sections are complete, the entry will be submitted to the DV Processing Center.
Ensure that your photo and photos of any dependents fully comply with the DV entry photo requirements outlined in the instructions for that application year. Submitting a non-compliant photo may result in disqualification of your case.
Late entries and paper forms are not accepted, and the law permits only one entry per person each year. Multiple entries will result in disqualification. Once an entry is submitted, you will see a confirmation screen with your name and a unique confirmation number. It is essential to save this confirmation number, as it is required to check your entry status, and if selected, you will use it for future steps.
Applicants are advised to complete the lottery visa form without using an agent. If you need assistance, ensure you are present to provide the necessary information during the application process.
The Department of State randomly selects applicants yearly based on regional and country-specific visa allocations. The KCC does not notify successful DV U.S. applicants by letter or email. Entrants must check their entry status by visiting the official DV website.
Entrants can check their status on the E-DV website using their confirmation number. Selected applicants will receive additional instructions and details on any related fees.
Selected entrants should promptly complete the Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (Form DS-260) to schedule an interview at the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Selection does not guarantee a visa; entrants must meet all eligibility requirements. DV entrants can check the status of their applications on the E-DV website from May through September each year.
The principal applicant must have either a high school diploma or two years of qualifying work experience to qualify for a U.S. diversity visa. You must meet these requirements to be eligible for a diversity immigrant visa, and the application fees paid will not be refunded.
Selectees' family members must also complete Form DS-260 as part of the diversity visa application. Selected entrants must enter their DV case numbers and update the personal and family details provided in their initial entry.
Ensure you include all relevant family members on the original entry form. Omitting a spouse or child may result in ineligibility for a diversity green card lottery. Conversely, listing a spouse or child who is not your spouse or child will also make you and your family ineligible. You must update your case if your family circumstances change, such as when you get married or welcome a new child.
Once the Kentucky Consular Center processes your DS-260 application form, you will receive instructions for submitting the required supporting documents. Each family member accompanying you to the U.S. must prepare copies of original documents and, if necessary, translations. Bring original documents to your visa interview.
Required documents include:
Once KCC reviews your DS-260 form, you may receive an email notification to log into the Entrant Status Check on the Electronic Diversity Visa website to view your interview details. Print this information and bring it to the interview. Every family member applying for a diversity immigrant visa must attend the interview.
Interviews are scheduled when visa numbers become available. The Department of State allocates diversity visas by region and category each month, and updates are posted in the Visa Bulletin. You can check the bulletin regularly to track the availability of a diversity visa number.
After receiving your interview date, complete the following steps:
Registering for the DV U.S. Program is free. However, selected applicants must pay the nonrefundable Diversity Visa fee of $330 before the interview. Other potential fees include medical examination costs or expenses to obtain certified copies of necessary records.
At the end of your interview, the consular officer will inform you of your visa status:
Visa Approval: If approved, you will get instructions on when and how the Embassy will return your passport and visa.
Visa Denial: If denied, the officer will explain the reason for ineligibility. Some applications may require further administrative processing, which may delay the final decision.
The Embassy will affix your visa to a page in your passport. Review the information carefully to ensure there are no errors. If you find any, contact the embassy or consulate immediately.
You must arrive in the U.S. no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. Generally, a diversity visa is valid for up to six months from the issue date, though this may be shorter if your medical exam expires sooner.
You will also receive a sealed packet of documents. Ensure you leave this packet unopened and present it to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry upon arrival in the United States.
After your visa is approved, pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to obtain your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 or Green Card) before traveling to the U.S.
USCIS will not issue a Permanent Resident Card until you pay this fee.
For more information on how to apply for Diversity Program, visit the Department of State's website.
After carefully considering the eligibility requirements for the DV Lottery Visa, visit the official Electronic Diversity Visa (E- DV) website to begin your application.
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