Diversity visa what is

See Ineligibilities for U. In some instances, the law might allow you to apply for a waiver for the ineligibility.

If you are able to apply for such a waiver, the consular officer will advise you on the steps to take. Kentucky Consular Center Information.

You are about to leave travel. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel. Cancel GO. Skip to main content. Gov Travel. Passports International Travel U.

Stay Connected. Law Enforcement. Diversity Visa Program. Entering the United States When traveling to the United States, the primary or principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as family members with visas. About Visa Denials In some situations the consular officer does not have sufficient information needed to process your application to conclusion, or you may be missing some supporting documentation.

More Information. They use computer programs to allocate a specific amount of visas to each world region. Each year, the State Department ensures that each country receives no more than 7 percent of any available Diversity Visas. You can typically check your status in early May, the year after you submitted your Diversity Visa application.

You need to use your confirmation number to check your status. If you win the DV lottery, the State Department will send you a numerical rank letting you know when you may finally apply for a visa. You should act fast because there are more people selected in the DV lottery than available visas. The final step is to apply for and obtain your green card.

The visa bulletin will let you know when you can submit your application. Visas are available beginning October 1. Visa applicants can submit their applications up to 90 days in advance. Most DV lottery winners live outside of the United States. CEAC will send your application to your U. Your consulate will likely approve your application if you meet the eligibility guidelines. Some DV lottery winners live in the United States. In this case, you should apply for a green card with U.

For further guidance, check out our article on how to complete Form I If all goes well, you will eventually receive a visa issuance. Applying for a green card can be complicated, but working with a good immigration attorney can make it easier. If you can't afford the attorney fees and don't want to handle your green card case alone, we may be able to help.

If you are eligible , our free web app will walk you through the process and help you prepare and file your application with the U. Click "Get Started" to see how we can help make your American dream come true!

If somebody else helps you, you should be present when your entry is prepared so that you can provide the correct answers to the questions and retain the confirmation page and your unique confirmation number. Kentucky Consular Center Information. You are about to leave travel. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.

Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel. Cancel GO. Skip to main content. Gov Travel. Passports International Travel U.