September 13, 2010

2013 Diversity Visa Lottery Begins October 4th, 2011

The Department of State's annual Diversity Visa lottery for fiscal year 2013 ("DV-2013") will begin on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at noon EDT and will end on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at noon EDT.  Instructions and an FAQ for DV-2013 are on the Department of State's website at:  http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.

For fiscal year 2013, 50,000 diversity visas will be available.  The Diversity Visa lottery offers green card availability for through a computer-generated, random drawing.  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.