Diversity Visa Lottery Form: Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

The DV Lottery allows eligible individuals from low-immigration countries to apply for U.S. permanent residence.
Ensure form completion accuracy, following instructions on eligibility, required documents, and proper photo submission.
Secure confirmation post-application, check status using official websites, and avoid fraudulent submission channels.

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, more commonly referred to as the Green Card Lottery, provides a unique opportunity for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States to apply for permanent residence. This comprehensive guide offers a thorough walkthrough on how to complete the DV Lottery form, ensuring that your application is correct and adheres to all stipulated requirements.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Diversity Visa Lottery Form: Step-by-Step Guide

Before you start the application process, verify that you fulfill all the eligibility criteria:

Country of Birth: Your birth country must be on the list of eligible countries, typically those with lower U.S. immigration rates. You can find an updated list on the official U.S. Department of State website.
Education or Work Experience: At minimum, you need a high school education or its equivalent. Alternatively, you should have two years of work experience within the last five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Step 2: Access the DV Lottery Website

Visit the official U.S. Department of State’s DV Lottery website: dvprogram.state.gov.
Note: The registration period usually spans from early October to early November. It’s crucial to submit your application within this timeframe.

Step 3: Prepare Required Information

Before beginning your application, gather all necessary information:

Personal Details: Including full name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, and country of eligibility.
Photograph: A fresh passport-style photo that complies with U.S. visa criteria, detailed below in Step 4.
Education or Work Experience: Evidence of educational qualifications or relevant work experience.
Family Details: Information about your spouse and children, if applicable.

Step 4: Take a Proper Photograph

Photo Specifications: Complying with specific size and composition rules, the photograph must:
- Be taken in the last six months.
- Display a full-face, front view with a neutral expression.
- Be in color, with a plain white or off-white background.
- Be formatted in JPEG (.jpg), with dimensions of 600×600 pixels.
****Important**: Do not wear glasses or headwear (except for religious purposes); avoid heavy shadows.

Utilize the U.S. Department of State’s Photo Tool on their official site to confirm your photo meets all requirements.

Step 5: Begin Filling Out the DV Lottery Form

Visit the “Begin Entry” page on the DV Lottery website.
Complete the CAPTCHA verification to proceed to the application form.

Step 6: Fill Out the Applicant Information (Part 1)

This section requests your personal and biographical information:

Name: Input your last/family name, first name, and middle name if applicable, exactly as in your passport.
Gender: Indicate male or female.
Date of Birth: Format should be day, month, year (e.g., 01 January 1990).
City Where You Were Born: Provide your birth city/town.
Country Where You Were Born: Select from the dropdown list.
Country of Eligibility for the DV Program: Typically, this is your birth country. However, you may use your spouse’s or parents’ birth country if eligible.
Passport Information: Include passport number, country of issuance, and expiry date. If you are stateless or from an exempt country, indicate this where prompted.
Photograph: Upload your digital photo, using the photo checker tool for compliance.

Step 7: Fill Out Contact Information (Part 2)

Mailing Address: Provide a complete address including:

Address line 1 (required), line 2 (optional for additional detail),
City/town,
District/county/province/state,
Postal/zip code, if necessary,
Country.

Country Where You Live Today: Select your current country of residence.
Phone Number: This is optional but recommended for contact.
Email Address: Ensure it’s valid and accessible, as you will receive confirmation here.

Step 8: Fill Out Education and Marital Status Information (Part 3)

Education: Select the highest level of education you’ve completed:

Primary school only,
High school, no degree,
High school diploma,
Vocational school,
Some university courses,
University degree,
Advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, etc.).

Marital Status: Select your current status:

Unmarried,
Married (indicating if your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident),
Divorced,
Widowed,
Legally separated.

Number of Children: List the number of unmarried children under 21 years of age. Include biological, adopted, and stepchildren.

Step 9: Family Information (If Applicable)

If applicable, you’ll need to provide information for family members:

Spouse’s Information: Include full name, gender, birth date, city/country of birth, and a compliant photo.
Children’s Information: For each child, provide full name, gender, birth date, city/country of birth, and a compliant photo.

Step 10: Review Your Application

Double-check all information for accuracy, as errors can disqualify your entry.
Reverify your photo meets specified guidelines.

Step 11: Submit the Application

After filling all necessary fields and verifying data, click the Submit button to send your application. You’ll be redirected to a confirmation page.

Step 12: Receive and Save Your Confirmation Number

Upon submission, you’ll be assigned a confirmation number, indispensable for checking your application status. Record this number securely.
Print or screenshot the confirmation page for archival purposes.

Step 13: Checking Your Application Status

Check Results: The U.S. Department of State does not send notifications via mail or email about selection. You must visit the official DV Lottery website in May following the application year to check your status.
Use your confirmation number to determine if you’ve been selected.

Important Tips

Submit Only One Application: Multiple submissions will automatically disqualify you.
Apply Early: Avoid last-minute applications, as the site experiences heavy traffic close to the deadline.
Beware of Fraud: Only apply through the official U.S. Department of State website and never pay outsiders to submit on your behalf.

Following these comprehensive steps will guide you effectively through the process, enabling you to submit your Diversity Visa Lottery application with accuracy. Should you need further assistance, governmental and immigration resources, like the U.S. Department of State’s official guidance, provide excellent support. Additionally, VisaVerge.com’s analysis emphasizes the significance of early preparation and attention to detail during this process. Good luck in your pursuit of obtaining a Diversity Visa!

Learn Today

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: Annual program for receiving a U.S. Green Card via a lottery for countries with low immigration rates.
Country of Eligibility: Country qualifying you for the Diversity Visa Lottery, usually your birth country or that of your spouse/parents.
High School Education: Minimum educational qualification required for the DV Lottery; equivalent to U.S. high school diploma level.
Confirmation Number: Unique code received upon DV Lottery application submission; required for checking application status.
Compliance: Adherence to specific requirements and guidelines, such as photo specifications for the DV Lottery application.

This Article in a Nutshell

Unlock your American dream with the Diversity Visa Lottery, a chance for individuals from underrepresented countries to gain a U.S. Green Card. Ensure success by confirming eligibility, gathering necessary documentation, and submitting a flawless application. Early preparation and attention to detail can be your ticket to a new life.
— By VisaVerge.com