Diversity Lottery

Overview

Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 55,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Of such visas, 5,000 are allocated for use under NACARA beginning with DV '99. The State Department (DOS) holds the lottery every year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries. The DOS selects the approximately 110,000 applications since many will not complete the visa process. However once 55,000 are issued or the fiscal year ends, the DV program is closed. If you receive a visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.

Entering the Diversity Visa Lottery

You cannot enter the Diversity Visa Lottery through the USCIS website or by filing any application with USCIS. The program is managed by the U.S. Department of State.

The 2009 Lottery online entry begins at Noon Eastern Daylight Time, on October 3, 2007, and ends at Noon Eastern Standard Time on December 2, 2007. Further information will be posted here when the U.S. Department of State makes it available.

For more information on this program, please see the State Department webpage on the Diversity Visa program, in the Related Links section of this page.

Please note: There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form. The Department of State notifies successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter, and NOT be electronic mail. To learn more, see the Department of State Warning and the Federal Trade Commission Warning in the Related Links section of this page.