2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Program
The U.S. State Department has released information about how to register for the fiscal year 2008 Diversity Lottery. Entries must be received between noon (Eastern Time) on October 4, 2006, and noon on Sunday, December 3, 2006. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form at dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. Paper Entries will no longer be accepted.
A maximum of up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DV) each fiscal year will be made available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Citizens of countries that have more that 50,000 persons immigrate to the United States each year are not eligible to participate in the Diversity Lottery Visa Program.
Requirements for Lottery Entry:
1. Citizens of the following countries ARE NOT eligible to participate: Canada, China (mainland born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
2. However, even if you are from one of the above-mentioned countries, you may still be able to participate in the Diversity Lottery program. First, if you were born in a country that is not eligible, but your spouse was born in a country that is eligible, you can register for the lottery. Second, if you were born in one of the ineligible countries, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may apply for the program if at least one of your parents was born in an eligible country.
3. Applicants must meet either the education or training requirement of the diversity lottery program. You must have EITHER a high school education (or its equivalent), OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. Visit the State Department Web site for a list of qualifying occupations.
If you cannot meet these requirements, you should NOT submit an entry.
Important Facts
1. Submitting more than one application will disqualify you from registration. Every application received will have an equal chance of being selected.
2. No fee is charged to enter the diversity visa lottery program.
3. Those applicants who are selected will be notified by the Kentucky Consular Center with specific instructions on how to proceed. Persons not selected will not receive any notification.
4. In order to receive the immigrant visa, you must meet all eligibility requirements under U.S. law. This means that persons who have previously entered the country illegally, have criminal convictions, or who are from countries identified as sponsors of terrorism will not be eligible for the visa.
For more information, please visit the State Department's detailed instructions for Diversity Visa Lottery application.