When is the deadline to submit the DV Lottery Visa?
By: Dayna Lally, Esq.[1]
Generally, the Secretary of State designates a 5-week period of time between October and November to register for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (“DV”) program.
The entry periods for the most recent Diversity Visa Programs are listed below:
- 2023: October 6, 2021 – November 9, 2021;
- 2022: October 7, 2020 – November 10, 2020
- 2021: October 2, 2019 – November 5, 2019;
- 2020: October 3, 2018 – November 6, 2018; and
- 2019: October 3, 2017 – November 7, 2017.
How Many Diversity Visas Are Available Each Year?
55,000 diversity visas are available each year.[2]
Who Qualifies For The Diversity Lottery?
To be eligible for the Diversity lottery, an applicant must:
- Be a native of a country with historically low rates of immigration to the United States; and
- Have either a high school diploma or its equivalent (a GED is not equivalent); or
- At least two years of work experience in an occupation requiring a least 2 years’ training or experience.
What Countries Qualify for the Diversity Lottery?
In 2021, natives of the following countries were not eligible to apply for the Diversity Lottery because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five (5) years:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[3]
Can Husband and Wife submit Separate Diversity Lottery Applications?
Yes, each spouse may each submit one entry if each meets the eligibility requirements. If either spouse is selected, the other is entitled to apply as a derivative dependent.
Consult With a Diversity Visa Lawyer
If you have questions about filing in the Diversity Lottery, contact Diversity Visa Lawyer, Dayna Lally, by email to [email protected].
Dayna has successfully helped people from all over the world. Check out our client testimonials!
Disclaimer: This blog article is provided by Lally Immigration Services, LLC for informational and marketing purposes. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. No reader should act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any information presented in this article, or elsewhere on this website, without seeking the advice of appropriate legal counsel, or other professional counsel, licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. Lally Immigration Services, LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability with respect to any actions taken, or not taken, based on any content of this article or website. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
[1] Dayna Lally, Esq. is an immigration lawyer in Boston and the owner of Lally Immigration Services, LLC in Woburn, MA. Dayna assists with visas, green cards, citizenship, and more!
[2] INA §202(e)
[3] See: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2023-Instructions-Translations/DV-2023-Instructions-English.pdf
Photo 17073142 © Zentilia | Dreamstime.com
Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/16/2022
