Every year, 50,000 green cards are reserved for immigrants from countries that have low rates of immigration to the United States under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), a diversity visa offer a quick path to a green card for immigrants and their immediate family.

Under the program, DOS randomly selects recipients for the diversity visa in a lottery. DOS distributes the diversity visas among six regions and no country can receive more than 7 percent of the available visas in a single year. DOS maintains a list of countries that are eligible.

The registration period for next year’s diversity visa lottery typically runs from early October through early November. Winners are typically announced in May. The State Department maintains a list of countries whose citizens may apply for a diversity visa.

Diversity green card candidates may apply either while residing outside the U.S. or while residing in the U.S. Candidates residing outside the U.S. must apply through DOS. Candidates residing in the U.S. must apply through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the diversity visa program, an applicant must:

• Hold citizenship in a country with a low rate of immigration to the U.S.
• Be admissible to the U.S.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent or at least two years working within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training.
• Have an immigrant visa available at the time of filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence of Adjust Status). Check the latest Visa Bulletin for visa availability.

Application Process If Living Outside the U.S.

A diversity visa applicant must:

• Fill out an Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form by the November registration deadline.
• Be selected in the diversity visa lottery. Winners are announced in May.
• Apply for the visa by Sept. 30 by filing online form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application) and scheduling an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Pay the required fees.

Application Process If Living in the U.S.

A diversity visa applicant already living in the U.S. under another visa must:

• Fill out a State Department Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form by the November registration deadline.
• Be selected in the diversity visa lottery. Winners are announced in May.
• Apply for the diversity green card by Sept. 30 by filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence of Adjust Status) to USCIS.
• Submit the following to USCIS with Form I-485:
  • Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record)
  • Form I-601 (Application for Waiver Grounds of Inadmissibility if applicable
  • Two passport photos.
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of passport page with a non-immigrant visa.
  • Copy of passport page with admission (entry) or parole stamp (if applicable)
  • Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
  • Certified copies of court records if the applicant has been arrested
  • Copy of selection letter for the diversity visa lottery
  • Copy of the receipt from DOS for the diversity visa lottery processing fee
  • Required fees
• Schedule a green card interview with USCIS by Sept. 30.

We Can Help

If you are concerned that your interview will not be scheduled by Sept. 30, please contact our team for assistance. If you have any questions about the process or if you need help whether you’re in the U.S. or elsewhere, contact us. We’re happy to help.