Thursday 3 October 2024

Update
Last year was the first time since the program’s inception that UK-born persons were eligible to register for the US Diversity Visa Lottery. UK born citizens are eligible again this year for the DV-2026 Program.

For fiscal year 2026, up to 55,000 diversity visas will be available. To apply, applicants must submit their entry electronically at dvprogram.state.gov during the registration period. The registration period began yesterday, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 PM, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and concludes on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applicants may submit only one application per person; duplicate entries will disqualify the applicant.

Overview
The Diversity Visa Program aims to increase diversity in the US immigrant population by selecting immigrants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US. Specifically, the Department of State distributes diversity visas among six geographic regions, and no one country may be issued more than seven percent of the available diversity visas (“DVs”) in any one year.

Each year, the DV Program makes up to 55,000 DVs available for individuals from underrepresented countries, which means countries from which less than 50,000 natives immigrated to the US in the previous five years. Applicants must meet simple, but strict, eligibility requirements to qualify. Namely, in addition to being born in a country with low rates of immigration to the US, applicants must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or have two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. Registration is free and the Department of State makes selections through a randomized computer drawing. Selected candidates can apply for an immigrant visa. They may enter the US and get a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card, to permanently live and work. This opportunity opens the door for individuals with nonimmigrant visas and those who are not eligible for nonimmigrant visas to pursue an easier path to US permanent residency.

Visit Diversity Visa Program site for the official application instructions, and contact your Laura Devine Immigration attorney or enquiries@lauradevine.com for further guidance.