Each year, the United States Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the “Diversity Lottery” or “Green Card Lottery”) allows approximately 50,000 randomly selected individuals to obtain permanent residency if they are natives of countries with historically low levels of immigration to the United States. This year, the Diversity lottery application period opens Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and ends on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST.)
As a preliminary step, interested individuals should ensure that they are a native of a country with generally limited immigration to the United States. A list of eligible countries and instructions for applying are provided here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-instructions.html
Prospective applicants must meet the education/work experience requirement of the Diversity Visa Program by possessing either a high school education or its equivalent, or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform.
Finally, selectees for the Green Card Lottery must be admissible to the United States. Individuals with certain criminal backgrounds or those who pose other security-related concerns may be ineligible for the program.
Applicants are encouraged to submit entries for the 2024 Green Card Lottery electronically on www.dvprogram.state.gov. This is the only website used to submit applications, and it is free to apply. Applicants should submit their application as early as possible, as heavy demand may result in website delays near the end of the application period. Only one entry per person is permitted; submission of more than one entry per person will automatically disqualify all entries for that person.
Entrants will be able to visit the Entrant Status Check website, www.dvprogram.state.gov, after May 6, 2023 to determine whether their entry has been selected.
If you are interested in applying for the 2024 Diversity Visa Program and have questions about the application process, your eligibility, suitability of your education or work experience, or your admissibility to the United States, please contact Stephen Antwine, Esq. of Green & Spiegel at (215) 395-8959 or at santwine@gands-us.com
