The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, often known as the Visa Lottery, provides a rare chance for individuals from select countries to obtain a U.S. green card and achieve their American dreams. With millions competing for just 50,000 visas each year, the odds can seem daunting. However, there are effective strategies to boost your family’s chances of success. This guide will explore how you can legally and strategically increase the likelihood of winning a U.S. green card.
Understanding the DV Lottery
The DV lottery selection process is entirely random, making the competition fierce. Each year, millions of eligible individuals from various countries apply, but only a small fraction are selected. Knowing this can help you better navigate the process and use strategies to improve your odds.
Leveraging Family Entries
The Power of Spousal Applications
One effective way to enhance your family’s chances is to ensure all eligible members participate, including both spouses and unmarried children under 21. The more entries your family submits, the higher your chances of winning. For example, if you and your spouse are eligible, you can each apply. If either one of you wins, the other can apply for a green card as a derivative spouse, effectively doubling your chances.
Eligible Children in the DV Lottery
Encourage your eligible children to apply as well. If they meet the educational or work experience requirements (usually starting at age 16 to 18), their participation can be beneficial. While winning children cannot immediately bring their parents to the U.S., their victory can pave the way for future family reunification. For instance, if your 20-year-old child wins, they can become a lawful permanent resident. After five years, they can apply for U.S. citizenship and then petition for you to join them in the U.S.
Understanding DV Lottery Eligibility Requirements
To maximize your family’s chances, it’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria, which include country of origin and educational qualifications. Each family member must independently meet these requirements to apply.
Ensuring Compliance with DV Program Rules
Every individual entering the DV lottery must meet the eligibility criteria on their own. If a family member does not fulfil the requirements for employment, country, or education, they cannot apply under their name.
Random Selection Process
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be from eligible countries, which are determined based on their low rates of immigration to the U.S. Each year, the U.S. government specifies which countries qualify for the lottery.
Random Selection:
After the application period closes, a computer algorithm randomly selects winners from the pool of eligible applicants. This selection occurs across six global regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America/Central America/Caribbean.
Regional Limits:
To promote diversity, no single country can receive more than 7% of the available visas in a given year. This ensures that applicants from smaller countries have a fair chance of being selected.
Notification:
Selected applicants (referred to as “Selectees”) are notified through a Selection Letter sent by mail, typically between May and July of the following year after the application. Unsuccessful applicants do not receive any notification.
Next Steps for Selected Applicants:
Being selected does not guarantee a green card; it allows the individual to apply for one of the 55,000 Diversity Immigrant Visas available each year. Selected individuals must complete additional steps, including submitting the DS-260 form and attending a consular interview
How can I check if I was selected for the DV-Lottery
To check if you were selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery, follow these steps:
Visit the Official Website:
Go to the U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa website at dvprogram.state.gov.
Access the Entrant Status Check:
Click on the DV Entrant Status Check link available on the homepage.
Enter Required Information:
You will need to input your Confirmation Number, Last Name (or Family Name), and Year of Birth. This information must match what you provided during your application.
Authentication:
Complete the authentication step by entering the characters displayed in the box to confirm you are not a robot.
Review Your Status:
If you were selected, you will see a Selection Letter that includes a barcode and a long case number, along with instructions for the next steps in the immigration process. If not selected, you will receive a message indicating that you were not chosen.
While the DV lottery is highly competitive, it remains a valuable opportunity to secure a U.S. green card for you and your family. By having all eligible members participate, you significantly enhance your chances of success. Remember, the process is random and there are no guarantees, but strategic participation can help you beat the odds and move closer to your American dream.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the United States straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for an immediate Relative Visa or a Student Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the United States. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
