Diversity Visa Green Card Lottery

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2009 DIVERSITY VISA (“GREEN CARD”) LOTTERY TO BE ACCEPTED STARTING OCTOBER 3, 2007

The DV-2009 Lottery online entry begins at Noon EDT on October 3, 2007, and ends at Noon EST on December 2, 2007. For information on the program, see http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.  The application instructions have not yet been posted, but Dept. of State says it will post them on the web site soon.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, known as the “visa lottery,” makes 50,000 permanent resident visas available annually to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Winning applications are drawn by random selection.  The program carries strict eligibility requirements.  First, the applicant must be born in or “chargeable” to an eligible country.  The applicant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or at least two years of work experience, within the last five years, in a job that requires two years of training or experience.  The qualifying job categories are listed on the DV program web site.  The spouse and minor (under 21) children of the winner are entitled to obtain permanent residence with the winning applicant, and they need not meet the educational/employment requirement.  All DV immigrants are required to establish that they will not become “public charges” in the U.S., and this is done by showing that they are self-supporting, have the necessary skills and education to find employment in the U.S., or have family or friends who will support them financially. One important cautionary note about the DV program:  Dept. of State actually selects more than 100,000 applicants for the 50,000 “green cards,” assuming that many winners will not continue the application process.  Those who are selected and do intend to continue the process must act quickly and carefully to help increase their chances of obtaining the “green card.”