The USA Green Card Lottery, also referred to as the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, is a Congress approved, official U.S. Government program that issues over 50,000 permanent immigration visas every year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
Background
The selection process involves an annual lottery where winners are chosen at random. The U.S. State Department manages the lottery program and each year randomly selects 110,000 qualified applicants from the entries. The State Department selects more than the annual allotment of visas since many selected will not complete the immigration process. Once the 50,000 permanent visas are issued the lottery is closed until the next year.
Enrollment into the lottery program is free and is open to all persons around the world with only two entry requirements. You must be a native of a qualifying country, and you must have obtained a minimum level of education or work experience. Since 2003, applications for the Green Card Lottery are no longer accepted by mail, they must be submitted in electronic format across the Internet.
The winners who receive a visa through this program will be allowed to enter, live and work permanently in the United States.
References
Fast Facts
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Education
Applicants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or have two years work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years training.
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Application Form
Applicants may access the application entry form at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/. Paper entries will not be accepted and failure to complete the application form in its entirety will disqualify the applicant.
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Multiple Applications
Applicants who submit more than one application will be disqualified.
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Qualifying Countries
You can see a list of qualifying countries at http://travel.state.gov/pdf/2009DVInstructions.pdf .
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Instructions
You can find specific instructions and eligibility for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program located at http://travel.state.gov/pdf/2009DVInstructions.pdf .
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Lottery Instructions
More Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery instructions are available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html .
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Additional Information
More information on the Diversity Visa Program can be found at this webpage: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html .
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Spouse and Children
The winner's spouses and unmarried children under age 21 may also apply for visas to immigrant to the U.S. with the winning applicant.
