immigrant visas

2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Begins

The U.S. Department of State announces the beginning of the 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) program with a registration period from noon EDT on October 4, 2006 until noon EST, December 3, 2006.  Applicants are encouraged to apply early and not wait until the last days in order to ensure that their application is processed.  Only one application per person will be allowed; submitting more than one will disqualify the applicant.

Interested applicants should log on to  http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html for specific instructions on the program, including who may apply and the specific instructions on how to submit an application.  Currently these instructions are only available in English; applicants should check frequently for the posting of instructions in Spanish and French. Applicants are reminded that, for the fourth year, entry submission will be permitted only by electronic means at www.dvlottery.state.gov - no paper entries will be accepted under any circumstances.

The Consular Section would also like to remind prospective applicants that there is no entry fee and to caution applicants to only log on to the Department of State link www.dvlottery.state.gov to submit their entry. There are many fraudulent schemes concerning the DV lottery; applicants should read and follow the instructions carefully and use only trusted sites. 

Note that to qualify as a diversity immigrant, the following requirements must be met:

(1) The alien must be a native of, or chargeable to a diversity country; and

(2) The alien must have at least a high school education or equivalent or

(3) The alien must have, within five years of the date of application for a diversity immigrant visa, at least two years of work experience in an occupation, which requires at least two years of training, or experience.