The Diversity Lottery allows up to 55,000 eligible applicants to come to the United States under a random lottery program to live and work in the United States permanently. The number of eligible applicants has been decreased by 5,000 for the last few years to provide relief under a 1997 act passed by Congress. The applicants are randomly selected from regions other than principal sources of immigration to the United States, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America (other than Mexico), Oceania, South America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. No one country may receive more than 7% of available diversity visas.

GREEN CARD LOTTERY (DV) BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Applicants can enter the diversity lottery to apply for a green card if they reside in low admission regions. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Within the last five years prior to applying, the applicant must have at least two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience. They must also obtain their green card within the same fiscal year they apply for it.

GREEN CARD LOTTERY (DV) ENTITLEMENTS

United States lawful permanent residents, or “green card holders”, have the right to live and work in the United States permanently, travel to and from the United States, attend public schools and colleges and become a US citizen when eligible to do so.