Diversity Visa
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), also known as the DV Lottery and the Green Card Lottery, is a program administered by the Department of State to promote diversity within the U.S. immigrant population. It makes up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) available each year to immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to enter the DV program, the applicants must be natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. If not, the applicant may claim their spouse’s or a parent’s country of birth if certain conditions are met. In addition, the principal applicant must have at least a high school education or equivalent or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.
Registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery
The DV Program online registration period is announced by the Department of State each fiscal year. Applicants must submit an electronic entry through the official DV Lottery website. Each year, the Department of State determines selectees through a randomized computer drawing based on the allocation of available visas in each region and country.
Application Process
The selectee and all family members applying for the DV Program must complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will review the completed DS-260, after which the case will be scheduled for an interview when and if a visa number is available for the applicant.
Adjustment of Status v. Consular Processing
DV selectees who are residing in the United States may apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS), provided that an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time of filing the adjustment application and they are otherwise eligible to adjust status. All DV selectees, including family members, must be found eligible and obtain their visa or adjust status by the end of the fiscal year.
Although being selected in the DV program may seem as the shortest pathway to immigrate to the United States, it does not guarantee the issuance of a visa, and Selection only means that selectees may be eligible to apply for a Diversity Visa. Time is of the essence in immigration matters, and when it comes to applying for a Diversity Visa, it is even more critical to act promptly upon learning of being selected, given the stringent timeframe for issuance of a Diversity Visa.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the Diversity Visa application process, book your consultation now.
Diversity Visa
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), also known as the DV Lottery and the Green Card Lottery, is a program administered by the Department of State to promote diversity within the U.S. immigrant population. It makes up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) available each year to immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to enter the DV program, the applicants must be natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. If not, the applicant may claim their spouse’s or a parent’s country of birth if certain conditions are met. In addition, the principal applicant must have at least a high school education or equivalent or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.
Registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery
The DV Program online registration period is announced by the Department of State each fiscal year. Applicants must submit an electronic entry through the official DV Lottery website. Each year, the Department of State determines selectees through a randomized computer drawing based on the allocation of available visas in each region and country.
Application Process
The selectee and all family members applying for the DV Program must complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will review the completed DS-260, after which the case will be scheduled for an interview when and if a visa number is available for the applicant.
Adjustment of Status v. Consular Processing
DV selectees who are residing in the United States may apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS), provided that an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time of filing the adjustment application and they are otherwise eligible to adjust status. All DV selectees, including family members, must be found eligible and obtain their visa or adjust status by the end of the fiscal year.
Although being selected in the DV program may seem as the shortest pathway to immigrate to the United States, it does not guarantee the issuance of a visa, and Selection only means that selectees may be eligible to apply for a Diversity Visa. Time is of the essence in immigration matters, and when it comes to applying for a Diversity Visa, it is even more critical to act promptly upon learning of being selected, given the stringent timeframe for issuance of a Diversity Visa.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the Diversity Visa application process, book your consultation now.
Diversity Visa
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), also known as the DV Lottery and the Green Card Lottery, is a program administered by the Department of State to promote diversity within the U.S. immigrant population. It makes up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) available each year to immigrants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to enter the DV program, the applicants must be natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. If not, the applicant may claim their spouse’s or a parent’s country of birth if certain conditions are met. In addition, the principal applicant must have at least a high school education or equivalent or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience.
Registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery
The DV Program online registration period is announced by the Department of State each fiscal year. Applicants must submit an electronic entry through the official DV Lottery website. Each year, the Department of State determines selectees through a randomized computer drawing based on the allocation of available visas in each region and country.
Application Process
The selectee and all family members applying for the DV Program must complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will review the completed DS-260, after which the case will be scheduled for an interview when and if a visa number is available for the applicant.
Adjustment of Status v. Consular Processing
DV selectees who are residing in the United States may apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS), provided that an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time of filing the adjustment application and they are otherwise eligible to adjust status. All DV selectees, including family members, must be found eligible and obtain their visa or adjust status by the end of the fiscal year.
Although being selected in the DV program may seem as the shortest pathway to immigrate to the United States, it does not guarantee the issuance of a visa, and Selection only means that selectees may be eligible to apply for a Diversity Visa. Time is of the essence in immigration matters, and when it comes to applying for a Diversity Visa, it is even more critical to act promptly upon learning of being selected, given the stringent timeframe for issuance of a Diversity Visa.
To learn more about how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the Diversity Visa application process, book your consultation now.