The Visa Lottery Program is also officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This annual program offers millions of people the opportunity to enter to earn a US visa, with winners selected at random.
The registration period for the Visa Lottery for 2023 (DV-2023) was from October 7th, 2021 to November 10th, 2021. Meanwhile, the results of the DV program for 2024 will be announced very soon, on May 6th this year, 2023.
To determine if you are a winner, you must complete verification of entrant status directly with the United States Department of State. Next, you’ll need to enter your confirmation number, as you won’t receive a letter or Gmail notifying you if you’ve won.
Winners and their immediate family members can become legal permanent residents with green cards to work, study and live in the United States. Likewise, after five years, these individuals have the opportunity to apply for United States citizenship.
The US government issues thousands of residency visas to up to 55,000 people each year, so entering this sweepstakes is easy and simple.
The State Department documented that 14 million people took part from 2016 to 2018. And that despite the fact that 55,000 visas are issued every year.
What if you are among the winners?
Selecting for the Visa Lottery does not guarantee you will receive a Green Card. After that, you have to confirm your suitability, because if you don’t meet the study or work requirements, you won’t be able to take part.
The passport must be in good order and you must have a university degree or at least two years of professional experience.
You must also file Form DS-260 online and submit supporting documents. With this in mind, your interview will not be scheduled until you send scanned copies of the required documents.
Finally, you need to prepare and attend the interview; In it, an official at the US Embassy or Consulate will ask you several questions. This is about your application and your documents, and finally the officer will tell you whether the application was approved or rejected.