September 30, 2008

2010 Diversity Visa Lottery Begins October 12th

The Department of State's annual Diversity Visa lottery for fiscal year 2010 ("DV-2010") will begin this year at Noon EDT on October 2, 2008 and will end at Noon EST on December 1, 2008. Instructions and an FAQ for DV-2010 are on the Department of State's website at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.

Each fiscal year, the Diversity Visa lottery offers green card availability for up to 55,000 individuals (and their derivatives) through a random computer drawing administered by the Department of State's Kentucky Consular Center ("KCC"). To qualify for the lottery, applicants must meet certain requirements set forth by the Department of State. This includes proof that the applicant is a qualifying native in a country designated as having sufficiently low levels of immigration to the U.S., as well as satisfaction of an education (high school or equivalent) or work experience requirement (two years of employment in a qualifying occupation). Winning the Diversity Visa lottery makes applicants eligible to apply for permanent residence within a designated time frame. In order to receive the green card after winning the DV lottery, applicants must satisfy all requirements of the permanent residence process.