Diversity Lottery (Green Card Lottery)
There is no fee for entering the diversity visa lottery. Only if you win, you must pay a fee for an immigrant visa and a separate visa lottery surcharge. So do not pay anybody what you can do for free!!! You will find your free application at the bottom of this page.
Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 55,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Of such visas, 5,000 are allocated for use under NACARA beginning with DV ’99. The State Department (DOS) holds the lottery every year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries. The DOS selects the approximately 110,000 applications since many will not complete the visa process. However once 55,000 are issued or the fiscal year ends, the DV program is closed. If you receive a visa through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program you will be authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. You will also be allowed to bring your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States.
Entering the Diversity Visa Lottery
You cannot enter the Diversity Visa Lottery through the USCIS website or by filing any application with USCIS. The program is managed by the U.S. Department of State.
The 2009 Lottery online entry begins at Noon Eastern Daylight Time, on October 3, 2007, and ends at Noon Eastern Standard Time on December 2, 2007. Further information will be posted here when the U.S. Department of State makes it available.
Related Links:
- How Do I Participate in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program
- U.S. State Department Diversity Visa Program
- Diversity Visa Lottery Instructions
- U.S. State Department Fraud Warning
- Federal Trade Commission Fraud Warning
Application Instructions
Please read the DV-2009 Application Instructions carefully. Applicants may be disqualified for not completing the application form correctly or by submitting more than one application. Use the link below to view the instructions.
NSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2009 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2009) (PDF)
DV-2009 Instructions
Photo Validator
Before beginning the application process, you can verify that your picture complies with all requirements by clicking the link below.
Photo Validator
Application Form
The application form is prepared in two parts, one for the primary applicant and one for dependents (if any). Each part must be completed correctly and completely before going to the next part. After all parts are completed, the application will be submitted to the DV-2009 Processing Center for handling. Click the link below to begin the application process.
Begin Standard Application
If you would like to use an SSL-encrypted web connection, you may click the link below to continue. Please be aware that by using SSL encryption, your connection may be noticeably slower.
Begin SSL* Application (Recommended)* Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) are cryptographic protocols that provide secure communications on the Internet for such things as web browsing, e-mail, Internet faxing, instant messaging and other data transfers.
All above information is taken from the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Consular Affairs). Good luck there are 55,000 chances for it.