There is Still Time to Apply for the 2022 Diversity Visa Program

by Mike DeBlasi | November 1, 2020 10:20 am

The U.S. Department of State has continued the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program[1] (aka “Green Card Lottery” and “DV Lottery”).   The program, created by the Immigration and Nationality Act, establishes an annual limitation of 50,000 immigrant visas for diversity immigrants.  It provides an opportunity for people from countries with historically low rates of immigration.

All applications for the DV-2020 lottery must be received between noon on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, and noon on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. 

For DV-2022, persons born in the following countries are not eligible to apply: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.

Persons born in Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.

For detailed instructions, requirements, and entry procedures for the DV-2022 Lottery, visit the U.S. Department of State website: https://dvprogram.state.gov/[2].

Applicants must meet simple, but strict, eligibility requirements to qualify for a diversity visa:

#1:  Have been born in a qualifying country, have a spouse born in a qualifying country, or in some cases qualify through the parents’ country of birth.

#2:  Meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV program by having either:

• At least a high school education or its equivalent, or
• Two years of work experience within the past 5 years in an occupation that requires at least 2 years of training or experience to perform.

Applicants are selected through a randomized computer drawing.  DV numbers are distributed among six geographic regions, and no single country may receive more than 7% of the available DVs in any one year.

There is no fee to submit the application.  Only one entry per person is allowed during each registration period.  Be aware of fraudulent websites posing as a government agency, requesting an application fee, or promising a visa in exchange for a fee.

DV applicants will not receive a notification letter or email informing them that they are a successful DV entrant.  Applicants can only find out if they were selected to continue with DV processing by checking their status online through the DV Entrant Status Check at https://dvprogram.state.gov/[2].

Good luck to all applicants!

About the Author:  Robin Vermette

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