News Updates

Registration Period for the 2011 Diversity Visa Lottery to Begin October 2, 2009

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program provides a maximum of 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year for persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.  Essentially, this program provides certain nationalities with the opportunity to win the chance to apply for a green card, without having to qualify in one of the family-based or employment-based categories. 
 
Note that those selected in the lottery must still complete the last stage of the green card application process, and will be vetted for grounds of inadmissibility to the U.S., such as criminal or immigration violations.  In short, winning the lottery does not guarantee a green card.  However, for those who are eligible, this is a no-cost means to qualify to apply for permanent residence in the U.S., and we encourage our eligible clients to do so.  Millions of people apply each year so the odds of winning are not great, but it is still worth a try.
 
Fraud warning:  Please note that there is no cost whatsoever to apply for the DV lottery.  Some individuals have sought to make a business out of the lottery, by charging a fee to apply on someone's behalf and/or stating that using their service will increase one's chances of winning.  Please beware of any such claims, as they are likely scams.
 
For the next fiscal year, individuals born in the following countries are NOT eligible to apply, because these countries provided more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years:  Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.  Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.
 
The 2011 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery online entry period will begin at Noon EDT on October 2, 2009, and will end at Noon EST on November 30, 2009. 
 
Application instructions and details regarding the program are available at the Department of States' website.

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