What is the American lottery visa?
The American lottery visa, also known as the diversity immigrant visa, is a visa program run by the U.S. Department of State that allows up to 50,000 people from underrepresented countries to immigrate to the United States each year through a lottery system. The goal of the program is to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S. by providing an opportunity for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. to come live and work here.
To apply for the diversity visa lottery, you must be a native of a qualifying country. Most countries in the world qualify, except for countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past 5 years. Citizens of Canada and Mexico are also not eligible. You must also have a high school education or equivalent work experience. The application process takes place online each year during a designated registration period, usually in October. If you are selected in the lottery, you can then apply for the immigrant visa.
What are the requirements to apply for the diversity visa lottery?
There are a few basic requirements you must meet to be eligible for the diversity immigrant visa lottery:
– Native of qualifying country – You must have been born in an eligible country. Most countries qualify, except those that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past 5 years.
– High school education – You must have graduated from high school or have two years of work experience in a job that requires two years of training.
– No criminal history – If you have certain criminal convictions, you will be barred from eligibility.
– Not from an excluded country – Citizens of Canada, Mexico, and other countries excluded based on immigration levels are not eligible.
– Submit entry online – You must submit the entry form and required information online during the registration period each year.
As long as you meet these baseline requirements, you can enter the lottery for a chance to be selected. Being selected does not guarantee you will receive a visa, as you must still complete the immigrant visa application process.
When and how can I apply for the diversity visa lottery?
The diversity visa lottery registration period opens for a short window of time each year, usually in early October. The exact dates are announced ahead of time on the State Department’s website.
To enter the lottery, you must submit an electronic diversity visa entry form (E-DV Entry Form or DS-5501), along with a digital photograph meeting the visa requirements, online through the State Department’s electronic diversity visa lottery website.
The entry form requests information such as:
– Full name
– Gender
– Date and place of birth
– Postal mailing address
– Country of eligibility
– Photograph meeting requirements
– Education level
There are no fees to submit the online lottery entry form. You can only submit one entry per year during the registration period. Multiple or fraudulent entries will make you ineligible for that year’s lottery.
After the registration period closes, the State Department will randomly select applicants through a computer-generated lottery system. You will be notified by mail if you have been selected, usually sometime between May and July the following year.
What are my chances of being selected in the lottery?
Each year millions of people around the world apply for the diversity visa lottery. However, only up to 55,000 applicants are selected through the random lottery process. For this reason, the chances of being selected are quite slim.
According to the State Department, in recent years the chances of being selected have ranged between 0.5% and 6%, depending on the region:
| Region | Chance of Selection |
|---|---|
| Africa | 6% |
| Asia | 2.9% |
| Europe | 2.6% |
| North America | 0.7% |
| Oceania | 2% |
| South America | 3.4% |
As you can see, your chances vary significantly depending on what country you are from. Applicants from Africa generally have the best odds, while those from North America have the slimmest chances. But no matter what region you are from, you realistically have a low probability of being chosen.
You can increase your chances slightly by submitting just one entry per year. Submitting more than one will disqualify you. But ultimately, luck plays a huge role in whether you are picked for further visa processing.
What happens if I am selected in the visa lottery?
Being selected in the diversity visa lottery does not automatically grant you a visa. It simply means you are eligible to apply for the immigrant visa through the U.S. consulate in your home country. There are further steps required if you are chosen.
If selected, you will be notified via the information you provided on your original lottery entry form. The notification letter will provide instructions on next steps to complete the visa application and schedule an interview appointment.
There are a few important things to keep in mind if you receive a selection letter:
– You must meet all eligibility requirements – Even if selected, you can still be disqualified if you do not actually meet requirements like education level.
– There are deadlines – You must complete required forms and activities within the allotted timeframes.
– There may be a waiting period – Depending on demand, you may not get an interview appointment for several months.
– Not everyone who applies gets a visa – There are more lottery selectees than available visas, so an interview does not guarantee visa issuance.
– Family members can apply – If granted a visa, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also apply for visas.
You will need to provide documents proving you meet requirements, complete medical exams, pay required visa fees, and attend an in-person interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The consular officer will determine if you qualify for the visa. If so, you can then travel to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
If I get the visa, can I work or study in the U.S.?
Yes, if you are granted an immigrant visa through the diversity visa lottery program, you will become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
As a permanent resident, you have authorization to live and work anywhere in the United States. Most jobs are open to you except for certain government and high-security positions. You will also be issued a “green card” as evidence of your permanent resident status.
You can also study in the U.S. You will still need to apply and be admitted to a university through the normal processes. As a permanent resident, you can apply for federal student aid and in-state tuition rates at public universities.
Your immediate family members granted immigrant visas may also work and study in the U.S. as permanent residents.
Some key benefits you gain with permanent resident status include:
– Live and work anywhere in the U.S.
– Own property in the U.S.
– Attend school and access federal financial aid
– Travel freely in and out of the country
– Get protection under U.S. laws
– Become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years.
So yes, the diversity immigrant visa offers a great opportunity to permanently relocate, work, study, and live in the United States through the lottery program.
Is there an application or processing fee?
There is no fee to initially submit the online entry form to register for the diversity visa lottery. However, if you are selected and apply for the immigrant visa, there are numerous fees that will apply.
Typical diversity visa fees include:
– Diversity Visa Lottery Fee – $330 per person
– Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee – $220 per person
– Medical Examination Fee – Varies, often $200-$300
– Affidavit of Support Review – $120
– Embassy Administrative Fees – Varies by embassy location
Additionally, if any family members apply for immigrant visas, they will need to pay the same applicable fees. All fees are non-refundable regardless of whether a visa is ultimately issued or not.
Applicants are expected to pay all diversity visa fees in a timely manner according to provided instructions. Inability to pay fees can result in delay or denial of visa applications.
The fees cover the administrative costs of processing diversity visa applications and issuing immigrant visas. While not cheap, most applicants consider the fees worthwhile for the life-changing opportunity to permanently immigrate to the United States.
How long is the visa valid for?
The diversity immigrant visa issued allows you to travel to the United States as a permanent resident. This status is generally valid for life, unless revoked due to specific legal reasons.
However, the initial immigrant visa itself can only be used for one entry into the United States within a limited timeframe. Specifically, the visa expiration date is printed directly on the visa along with your name and photo.
The visa validity period is typically 6 months from the date of issuance. You must enter the U.S. at least once before the expiration date printed on the visa.
On your first entry, the immigration officer will take your visa packet and issue you a permanent resident card valid for 10 years. As long as you do not abandon your U.S. residence, you can continue to live in the country well beyond the initial visa expiration.
It is important to note that a diversity visa can only be used once for entry. If for some reason you do not use it to enter the U.S. before expiration, you cannot simply extend the visa. You would have to start over and reapply through the lottery for a new visa in the future.
For this reason, it is critical that diversity immigrant visa holders carefully check the expiration date and make arrangements to complete initial entry before it expires. This will allow you to activate your lawful permanent resident status.
Can the visa be renewed or extended?
Unfortunately, diversity immigrant visas cannot be renewed or extended. The visa packet you receive is valid only for that specific visa expiration date printed directly on the visa for a single entry.
Once the expiration date passes, the visa is no longer valid and cannot be used. There is no option to renew or extend the validity period of the original visa.
If your visa expires before you have a chance to use it, you will need to enter the diversity visa lottery again in a future year. If selected again, you would have to repeat the entire visa application process as a new applicant.
The only exception is if extreme circumstances prevented you from using the visa while valid, such as serious documented medical emergencies. In that case, you can contact the embassy to determine if they will reissue the visa on humanitarian grounds. However, there are strict qualifications for such waivers that usually do not apply.
To avoid problems, mark your visa expiration date on your calendar and make travel plans as soon as you obtain the visa. The expiration time frame is short, so you need to act quickly to complete U.S. entry within the valid period. As long as you enter before expiration, you can then live permanently in the U.S.
Can I apply for a green card through the lottery while on another U.S. visa?
Yes, you can apply for the diversity immigrant visa through the lottery even if you are currently living in the United States on a different, temporary visa type. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria for the lottery, your current legal status in the U.S. does not disqualify you.
Some examples of other nonimmigrant visas you might hold while entering the diversity visa lottery include:
– Student visas (F-1, M-1, etc.)
– Exchange visitor visas (J-1)
– Temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1A, etc.)
– Tourism or business visas (B-1, B-2)
The diversity visa lottery registration is open to all eligible applicants worldwide. The location where you submit the entry does not matter.
However, if you are selected and qualify for a diversity visa, you will need to go back to your home country and apply for the immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate there. You cannot convert a nonimmigrant visa to an immigrant visa from within the United States.
You will also need to carefully check whether winning the lottery affects your eligibility to remain in or re-enter the U.S. on your current visa. In some cases, changing intent to immigrate may preclude extension or renewal of temporary visas.
So while you can certainly enter while holding a temporary U.S. visa, you will need to make some adjustments if ultimately selected through the diversity visa program. Proper planning and coordination will be necessary to transition your status.
Do I have to live in the U.S. after getting the visa?
If you are granted a diversity immigrant visa, you must enter the United States and establish permanent U.S. residence to maintain your lawful permanent resident status. You cannot simply obtain the visa and continue living long-term outside the United States.
Once you receive the immigrant visa packet, you will need to make plans to complete initial entry into the U.S. prior to the expiration date on the visa. This activates your lawful permanent resident status.
You are expected to make the U.S. your primary home and permanent residence. This means you should:
– Get a residence with a U.S. address.
– Obtain a Social Security number and card.
– Start filing U.S. tax returns.
– Maintain most assets and economic ties in the U.S.
You do not have to remain in the country every day of the year and can travel outside the U.S. for periods of time. However, immigration officials may question if you are out of the country more than you are present in the U.S.
Frequent or long trips abroad can put your resident status at risk. You need to show you are making the U.S. your fixed, permanent home and have not abandoned residence.
Having a diversity immigrant visa requires you to establish bona fide permanent U.S. residency. While flexible travel is allowed, you cannot simply live permanently in another country and retain the visa long-term.
Can I apply again if my visa is denied?
Unfortunately, if your diversity immigrant visa application is ultimately denied by the consular officer at your visa interview appointment, you are not allowed to reapply in the future.
A visa refusal is a permanent disqualification from the diversity visa lottery program. This “one-time” rule applies even if your visa was denied for a minor technical reason.
The U.S. government instituted this policy to prevent applicants from continuously applying repeatedly in different years after being rejected. It helps discourage visa fraud and repeated processing of deficient cases.
For this reason, it is extremely important to make sure you meet all requirements and complete all forms accurately before your consular interview. If anything seems unclear or questionable, get professional guidance well in advance.
Likewise, if illness or other circumstances mean you will be unable to attend the interview as scheduled, contact the embassy immediately to reschedule or delay. Receiving a refusal due to not showing up for the interview permanently bars you.
In short, you have one chance with a diversity visa application. If denied, there are no appeals or options to simply reenter the lottery. Take great care to confirm eligibility and follow instructions closely from start to finish.
What are the main reasons for visa denials?
There are a variety of reasons why diversity visa applications are refused each year. Some of the top reasons immigrant visas are denied by consular officers include:
– Unqualified occupation or education
– Insufficient evidence of financial support
– General ineligibility discovered
– Fraud or misrepresentation
– Criminal/security grounds
– Abandonment of residency
– Medical inadmissibility
– Failure to follow instructions
– Problems at interview
Occupation and education requirements are common denial reasons, as applicants may exaggerate experience or degrees. Insufficient income/assets and criminal histories also lead to frequent visa refusals.
Sometimes general visa rules will disqualify applicants, like having used the lottery before or legally living in another country. Other times, problems occur at the interview itself if applicants cannot persuasively prove eligibility. Simple failure to bring required documents can also cause denial.
Fraudulent applications, misrepresentation, inadmissibility, lack of convincing documentation, and abandonment of residency are also ground for refusal. This illustrates the importance of carefully following all instructions and confirming you actually meet requirements.
If your case has weaknesses on any eligibility fronts, consult immigration attorneys and visa specialists before applying. They can provide guidance on requirements and whether potential issues might lead an officer to deny the visa.
Conclusion
The diversity immigrant visa lottery program provides an exciting opportunity for people around the world to gain permanent resident status in the United States through random selection. However, interested applicants face challenging odds and a strict application process.
Meticulously meeting all requirements, following instructions, avoiding mistakes/omissions, and thoroughly preparing for the interview can improve your chances of success. But even then, the competitive nature of the lottery means there are no guarantees. With persistence and a bit of luck, some applicants will join the millions of immigrants who realize the American dream each year through this unique visa program.