American Green Card Lottery Access Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any of the following 21 questions to read the answer.
1.WHAT DO THE TERMS "ELIGITILITY, "NATIVE" AND "CHARGEABILITY" MEAN? ARE THERE ANY SITUATIONS IN WHICH PERSONS WHO WERE NOT BORN IN A QUALIFYING COUNTRY MAY APPLY?
Your country of eligibility will normally be the same as your country of birth. Your country of eligibility is not related to where you live. “Native” ordinarily means someone born in a particular country, regardless of the individual's current country of residence or nationality. For immigration purposes “native” can also mean someone who is entitled to be “charged” to a country other than the one in which he/she was born under the provisions of Section 202(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
For example, if you were born in a country that is not eligible for this year’s DV program, you may claim chargeability to the country where your derivative spouse was born, but you will not be issued a DV-1 unless your spouse is also eligible for and issued a DV-2, and both of you must enter the United States together with the diversity visas. In a similar manner, a minor dependent child can be “charged” to a parent’s country of birth.
Finally, if you were born in a country not eligible to participate in this year’s DV program, you can be “charged” to the country of birth of either of your parents as long as neither parent was a resident of the ineligible country at the time of the your birth. In general, people are not considered residents of a country in which they were not born or legally naturalized if they are only visiting the country, studying in the country temporarily, or stationed in the country for business or professional reasons on behalf of a company or government.
If you claim alternate chargeability, you must indicate such information on the E-DV electronic online entry form, question #6. Please be aware that listing an incorrect country of eligibility or chargeability (i.e. one to which you cannot establish a valid claim) may disqualify your entry.
2. ARE THERE ANY CHANGES
OR NEW REQUIREMENTS IN THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR THIS DIVERSITY VISA (DV)
REGISTRATION?
All DV-2010 lottery entries must be submitted electronically from approximately noon on October
3, 2008 to approximately noon on December 2, 2008. The U.S. Government will release the exact dates during the month of October 2008. No paper entries will be accepted. Therefore, no signatures are required when submitting an entry.
Several questions and options for answers have been added to DV-2010 to gather additional information.
• Country where you live today?
• What is the highest level of education you have achieved, as of today? You must choose one of the ten options indicating the highest level of education you have achieved: (1) Primary school only, (2) High school, no degree, (3) High school degree, (4) Vocational school, (5) Some university courses, (6) University degree, (7) Some graduate level courses, (8) Master degree, (9) Some doctorate level courses, and (10) Doctorate degree.
• “Legally Separated” replaces the term “Separated” used in previous DV programs as an option under the question “What is your marital status?” Legal separation means that a court has formally declared that you and your spouse are legally separated. Legal separation means that your spouse would not be eligible to immigrate as your derivative.
3. ARE SIGNATURES AND
PHOTOGRAPHS REQUIRED FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER, OR ONLY FOR THE PRINCIPAL APPLICANT?
Signatures are not required on the Electronic Entry Form. Recent and individual
photos of the applicant, his/her spouse and all children under 21 years of age
are required. Family or group photos are not accepted. Check the information on
the photo requirements at http://www.americangreencard.com/howenter.htm for more information.
4. WHY DO NATIVES OF
CERTAIN COUNTRIES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE DIVERSITY PROGRAM?
Diversity visas are intended to provide an immigration opportunity for persons from countries other than the countries that send large numbers of immigrants to the U.S. The law states that no diversity visas shall be provided for natives of "high admission" countries. The law defines this to mean countries from which a total of 50,000 persons in the Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based visa categories immigrated to the United States during the period of the previous five years. Each year, the USCIS adds the family and employment immigrant admission figures for the previous five years in order to identify the countries whose natives will be ineligible for the annual diversity lottery. Because there is a separate determination made before each annual E-DV entry period, the list of countries whose natives are not eligible may change from one year to the next.
5. WHAT IS THE NUMERICAL LIMIT FOR DV-2010?
By law, the U.S. diversity immigration program makes available a maximum of 55,000 permanent residence visas each year to eligible persons. However, the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997 stipulates that beginning as early as DV-1999, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually-allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. The actual reduction of the limit by up to 5,000 diversity visas began with DV-2000 and is likely to remain in effect through the DV-2010 program.
6. WHAT ARE THE REGIONAL DIVERSITY VISA (DV) LIMITS FOR DV-2010?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines the DV regional limits for each year according to a formula specified in Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Once the USCIS has completed the calculations, the regional visa limits are announced.
7. WHEN WILL ENTRIES FOR THE DV-2010 PROGRAM BE ACCEPTED?
The DV-2010 entry period will run through the registration period. Each year millions of people apply for the program during the registration period. The massive volume of entries creates an enormous amount of work in selecting and processing successful individuals. Holding the entry period during October, November, and December will ensure that selectees are notified in a timely manner, and gives both the visa applicants and our embassies and consulates time to prepare and complete cases for visa issuance. You are strongly encouraged to enter early in the registration period. Excessive demand at end of the registration period may slow the system down. No entries whatsoever will be accepted after noon EST Sunday, December 2, 2007.
8. MAY PERSONS WHO ARE
IN THE U.S. APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?
Yes, an applicant may be in the U.S. or in another country, and the entry may
be submitted from the U.S. or from abroad.
9. IS EACH APPLICANT
LIMITED TO ONLY ONE APPLICATION DURING THE ANNUAL E-DV REGISTRATION PERIOD?
Yes, the law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period. Individuals for whom more than one entry is submitted will be disqualified. The US Government will employ sophisticated technology and other means to identify individuals who submit multiple entries during the registration period. People submitting more than one entry will be disqualified and an electronic record will be permanently maintained by the US Government. Individuals may apply for the program each year during the regular registration period.
10. MAY A HUSBAND AND
A WIFE EACH SUBMIT A SEPARATE APPLICATION?
Yes, a husband and a wife may each submit one entry if each meets the eligibility
requirements. If either were selected, the other would be entitled to derivative
status.
11. WHAT FAMILY MEMBERS
MUST I BE SURE TO INCLUDE ON MY ENTRY?
On your entry you must list your spouse, that is husband or wife, and all unmarried children under 21 years of age, with the exception of children who are already U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents. You must list your spouse even if you are currently separated from him/her, unless you are legally separated (i.e. there is a written agreement recognized by a court or a court order). If you are legally separated or divorced, you do not need to list your former spouse. You must list ALL your children who are unmarried and under 21 years of age, whether they are your biological children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country, unless such child is already a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. List all children under 21 years of age even if they no longer reside with you or you do not intend for them to immigrate under the DV program.
The fact that you have listed family members on your entry does not mean that they later must travel with you. They may choose to remain behind. However, if you include an eligible dependent on your visa application forms that you failed to include on your original entry, your case will be disqualified. This only applies to those who were family members at the time the original application was submitted, not those acquired at a later date. Your spouse may still submit a separate entry, even though he or she is listed on your entry, as long as both entries include details on all dependents in your family. See question #9 above.
12. MUST EACH APPLICANT
SUBMIT HIS/HER OWN ENTRY, OR MAY SOMEONE ACT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON?
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 an attorney, friend, relative, etc., only one entry may be submitted in the name of each person and the entrant remains responsible for insuring that information in the entry is correct and complete. If the entry is selected, the notification letter will be sent only to the mailing address provided on the entry.
13. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR EDUCATION OR WORK EXPERIENCE?
The law and regulations require that every entrant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or, within the past five years, have two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience. A "high school education or equivalent" is defined as successful completion of a twelve-year course of elementary and secondary education in the United States or successful completion in another country of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a high school education in the United States. Documentary proof of education or work experience must be presented to the consular officer at the time of the visa interview. To determine eligibility based on work experience, definitions from the Department of Labor’s O*Net OnLine database will be used.
What Occupations qualify for the Diversity Visa Program?
The Department of Labor (DOL) O*Net Online Database database groups job experience into five "job zones." While many occupations are listed on the DOL Website, only certain specified occupations qualify for the Diversity Visa Program. To qualify for a Diversity Visa on the basis of your work experience, you must, within the past five years, have two years of experience in an occupation that is designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) range of 7.0 or higher.
How Do I Find the Qualifying Occupations on the Department of Labor Website?
Qualifying DV Occupations are shown on the Department of Labor O*Net Online Database. Follow these steps to find out if your occupation qualifies: Select "Find Occupations" and then select a specific "Job Family". For example, select Architecture and Engineering and click "GO". Then click on the link for the specific Occupation. Following the same example, click Aerospace Engineers. After selecting a specific Occupation link, select the tab "Job Zone" to find out the designated Job Zone number and Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating range.
14. HOW WILL SUCCESSFUL
ENTRANTS BE SELECTED?
All entries received from each region will be individually numbered. After the end of the registration period, a computer will randomly select entries from among all the entries received for each geographic region. Within each region, the first entry randomly selected will be the first case registered, the second entry selected the second registration, etc. All entries received during the registration period will have an equal chance of being selected within each region. When an entry has been selected, the entrant will be sent a notification letter directly from the US Government, which will provide visa application instructions. The US Government will continue to process the case until those selected to be visa applicants are instructed to appear for visa interviews at a U.S. consular office, or until those qualifying to change status in the United States apply at a domestic USCIS office.
Important Note: Notifications to those selected in the random lottery are not sent by email. Should you receive an email notification about your E-DV selection, be aware that the message is not legitimate.
15. MAY SELECTEES ADJUST THEIR STATUS WITH USCIS?
Yes, provided they are otherwise eligible to adjust status under the terms of Section 245 of the INA, selected individuals who are physically present in the United States may apply to the USCIS for adjustment of status to permanent resident. Applicants must ensure that USCIS can complete action on their cases, including processing of any overseas derivatives, before September 30, 2010, since on that date registrations for the DV-2010 program expire. No visa numbers for the DV-2010 program will be available after midnight EST on September 30, 2010 under any circumstances.
16. WILL ENTRANTS WHO ARE NOT SELECTED BE INFORMED?
No, entrants who are not selected will receive no response to their entry. Only those who are selected will be informed. All notification letters are sent within five to seven months from the end of the application period to the address indicated on the entry. Since there is no notification provided to those not selected, anyone who does not receive a letter five to seven months from the end of the registration period should assume that his/her application has not been selected.
17. HOW MANY INDIVUALS WILL BE SELECTED?
There are 50,000 DV visas available for DV-2010, but more than that number of individuals will be selected. Because it is likely that some of the first 50,000 persons who are selected will not qualify for visas or pursue their cases to visa issuance, more than 50,000 entries will be selected by the US Government to ensure that all of the available DV visas are issued. However, this also means that there will not be a sufficient number of visas for all those who are initially selected. All applicants who are selected will be informed promptly of their place on the list. Interviews for the DV-2010 program will begin in October 2009. The US Government will send appointment letters to selected applicants four to six weeks before the scheduled interviews with U.S. consular officers at overseas posts. Each month visas will be issued, visa number availability permitting, to those applicants who are ready for issuance during that month. Once all of the 50,000 DV visas have been issued, the program for the year will end. In principle, visa numbers could be finished before September 2010. Selected applicants who wish to receive visas must be prepared to act promptly on their cases. Random selection by the US Government computer as a selectee does not automatically guarantee that you will receive a visa.
18. IS THERE A MINIMUM
AGE FOR APPLICANTS TO APPLY FOR THE DV-2010 PROGRAM?
There is no minimum age to apply for the program, but the requirement of a high school education or work experience for each principal applicant at the time of application will effectively disqualify most persons who are under age 18.
19. ARE THERE ANY FEES FOR THE DV PROGRAM?
There is no fee for submitting an electronic lottery entry. DV applicants must pay all required visa fees at the time of visa application directly to the consular cashier at the embassy or consulate. Details of required diversity visa and immigration visa application fees will be included with the instructions sent by the US Government to applicants who are selected.
20. DO DV APPLICANTS RECEIVE WAIVERS OF ANY GROUNDS OF VISA INELIGIBILITY OR RECEIVE SPECIAL PROCESSING FOR A WAIVER APPLICATION?
No. Applicants are subject to all grounds of ineligibility for immigrant visas specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act. There are neither special provisions for the waiver of any ground of visa ineligibility other than those ordinarily provided in the Act nor special processing for waiver requests.
21. MAY PERSONS WHO ARE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR AN IMMIGRANT VISA IN ANOTHER CATAGORY APPLY FOR THE DV PROGRAM?
Yes, such persons may apply for the DV program.
22. HOW LONG DO APPLICANTS WHO ARE SELECTED REMAIN ENTITLED TO APPLY FOR VISAS IN THE DV CATEGORY?
Persons selected in the DV-2010 lottery are entitled to apply for visa issuance only during fiscal year 2010, from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. Applicants must obtain the DV visa or adjust status by the
end of the fiscal year. There is no carry-over of DV benefits into the next year for persons who are selected but who do not obtain visas during FY-2010. Also, spouses and children who derive status from a DV-2010 registration can only obtain visas in the DV category between October 2009 and September 2010. Applicants who apply overseas will receive an appointment letter from the Kentucky Consular Center four to six weeks before the scheduled appointment.
23. IF A DV SELECTEE DIES, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DV CASE?
The death of an individual selected in the lottery results in automatic revocation of the DV case. Any eligible spouse and/or children are no longer entitled to the DV visa, for that entry.
24. WHEN IS THE OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE PERIOD FOR ENTRY INTO DV-2010?
Online entry will be available during the registration period beginning at noon EDT (GMT-4) on approximately October 3, 2008 and ending at noon EST (GMT-5) on approximately December 2, 2008. Exact dates will be released by the U.S. Government during October 2008.
25. HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT I HAVE IN FACT BEEN CHOSEN IN THE RANDOM DV LOTTERY?
After the individuals have been selected at random from among all qualified entries through the State Department E-DV lottery computer program, they will NOT be notified by email. Those selected will be notified only by letter through the mail between May and July 2008 at the addresses listed on their E-DV entry. Only the randomly selected individuals will be notified. Persons not selected will NOT receive any notification. U.S. embassies and consulates will NOT be able to provide a list of those selected to continue the visa process.
The US Government will send the letters notifying those selected. These letters will contain instructions for the visa application process. The instructions say the selected applicants will pay all diversity and immigrant visa fees in person only at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the time of the visa application. The Consular Cashier or Consular Officer immediately gives the visa applicant a U.S. Government receipt for payment.
The US Government have never sent e-mails to notify selected individuals, and there are no plans to use e-mail for this purpose for the DV-2010 program.
Only internet sites including the ".gov" indicator are official government websites. Many other non-governmental websites (e.g., using the suffixes ".com" or ".org" or ".net") provide legitimate and useful immigration and visa related information and services. Regardless of the content of non-governmental websites, the Department of State does not endorse, recommend or sponsor any information or material shown at these other websites.
26. IF I AM SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING A VISA THROUGH THE DV PROGRAM WILL THE US GOVERNMENT ASSIST WITH MY AIRFARE TO THE US, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LOCATE HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, PROVIDE HEALTHCARE OR PROVIDE ANY SUBSIDIES UNTIL I AM FULLY SETTLED?
No, applicants who obtain a DV visa are not provided any type of assistance such as airfare, housing assistance, or subsidies. If you are selected to apply for a DV visa, before you can be issued a visa, you will be required to provide evidence that you will not become a public charge in the U.S. This evidence may be in the form of a combination of your personal assets, an Affidavit of Support, Form I-134 from a relative or friend residing in the U.S. and/or an offer of employment from an employer in the U.S.
27. ARE MY CHANCES
OF BEING SELECTED IN THE CURRENT DV LOTTERY INCREASED OR GUARANTEED IF I USE
THE SERVICES OF THE AMERICAN GREEN CARD LOTTERY ACCESS CENTER? SINCE THERE IS
NO CHARGE TO ENTER THE LOTTERY, WHAT DOES THE SERVICE FEE COVER?
There is never a guarantee of being selected in the Green Card Lottery. If
you EXACTLY follow the rules, everyone within a specific region has an equal
chance of being selected. Over 95% of all digital photos we receive do not meet the Lottery requirements. We review them and make any needed adjustments or get new digital photos from you if corrections are not possible. We also review your entry data to see if any changes are needed. We then hold your materials for entry into the Lottery during the acceptance period. You are reminded that American Green Card
Lottery Access Center is a service company, not a governmental agency. We offer
year-round assistance in submitting your Green Card Lottery entry in EXACTLY
the manner required by the US Government. The fee is for our services. Please
see Our Services and Fees for additional information
about what we do for you.
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