DV Lottery-2018

Green Card DV lottery overview:

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (Green Card DV lottery) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The DV Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).

Most lottery winners reside outside the United States and immigrate through consular processing and issuance of an immigrant visa.

Green Card DV lottery Eligibility Criteria:

If you are a native of one of the following countries, then you are excluded from entering the Green Card DV lottery  program this year:

Bangladesh

Brazil

Canada

China (mainland only)

Colombia

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Haiti

India

Jamaica

Mexico

Nigeria

Pakistan

Peru

Philippines

South Korea

United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)

Vietnam

Note that United Kingdom includes the following dependent areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Northern Ireland does qualify.

For an applicant to adjust status under the Green Card DV lottery Program, you must establish that you:

• Have been selected for a diversity visa by DOS’s lottery;
• Have an immigrant visa immediately available at the time of filing an adjustment application (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status); and
• Are admissible to the United States.

Green Card DV lottery Application Process

To obtain a Green Card, you must file Form I-485.

Supporting Evidence for Form I-485

Submit the following evidence with your Form I-485:

• Form G-325, Biographic Information, if you are between 14 and 79 years of age
• Two passport-style photos
• Copy of birth certificate
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
• Copy of passport page with non immigrant visa (if applicable)
• Copy of passport page with admission (entry) or parole stamp (if applicable)
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
• Certified copies of court records (if the individual has been arrested)
• Copy of the principal applicant’s selection letter for the diversity visa lottery from DOS
• Copy of the receipt from DOS for the diversity visa lottery processing fee
• Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility (if applicable)
• Applicable fees

Green Card DV lottery Other Considerations:

The adjustment of status process for diversity visa winners must be completed by September 30 of the fiscal year the lottery pertains to. Visas cannot be carried over to the next fiscal year.