FY23 Diversity Lottery Registration Runs Through 09.Nov.2021
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The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has given instructions for entry into the fiscal year (FY) 2023 diversity visa (DV) lottery, more commonly known as the “green card” lottery. The FY23 diversity lottery will give up to 55,000 immigrant visas to qualified candidates. Registration for FY23 started 6th October 2021 and will finish up 9th November 2021, around early afternoon Eastern Standard Time (EST).
FY23 Diversity Lottery Process
Check below for the detailed FY23 Diversity Lottery registration process.
Eligibility Limited to Designated Countries
The purpose of the DV lottery is to give permanent resident status to people from nations with low rates of immigration to the United States. Hence, the initial step is to review the list of excluded nations of origin. Whose nationals are generally NOT eligible to apply. There are two exceptions to this rule (1) people with a spouse who was born in a qualifying country and, less commonly, (2) certain foreign nationals who were born outside of their parent’s country of birth and residence.
Education / Work Experience Requirement
DV lottery candidates are also subject to an educational or work experience requirement. Candidates should have no less than a secondary school education (or the same). Or two years of work experience within the past five years in a qualifying occupation. Qualifying occupations are, per the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), those that require at least two years of training or experience. The instructions give guidance on the qualifying education requirement. And how to determine the amount of experience required for one’s occupation.
Instructions to Apply for the DV Lottery
DV lottery registration is only possible through a designated online portal. Candidates should read the rules and frequently asked questions (FAQs) before finishing the registration. The candidate should have a valid passport at the time of entering the lottery.
Applications should be finished and contain accurate data regarding marital status and the names of family members. It is important to include any spouse and all living, unmarried children under 21 years of age. Similarly, the instructions set out specific requirements for the submission of photos of the candidate and all listed family members (spouse and kids). Failure to give all the data and photos requested will result in disqualification.
Confirmation Number Requirement
After submission of an appropriate electronic entry, the confirmation page will guide the DV candidate. Moreover, to review the data, and will provide the candidate with an individual confirmation number. Also, it is important to retain this information to check back to find out whether one is selected in the lottery.
Lottery Results Posted Online in May
After registration is finished, the DOS conducts a lottery to choose the candidates who might have the option to seek permanent residence under the DV program. Using the confirmation number discussed above, a candidate can see the outcome of the case online https://dvprogram.state.gov/ starting 7th May 2022, and finishing 30th September 2023. Moreover, the Entrant Status Check is the ONLY means by which the DOS notifies people regarding the DV lottery results.
Selection No Guarantee of Green Card
The DOS will give a maximum of 55,000 DVs in FY23. Unused immigrant visas, if any, will not carry over to the next fiscal year. Since some of those selected in the lottery ultimately won’t wish to finish the permanent residence process. Or will not be eligible to do so, the DOS selects far more than 55,000 lottery applications to better guarantee that all of the available DVs are used. This implies that “winning” the DV lottery doesn’t ensure that one really will get a green card under the DV program.
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Instructions After DV Selection
The DOS gives extra guidelines to people who chose in the DV lottery on how to further pursue the green card process. Candidates who are abroad should process for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consular post abroad. This is known as consular processing (CP). After the immigrant visa is given, the individual is allowed to travel. To the United States and gain admission as a permanent resident at a U.S. port of entry. People who are in the United States might choose to use CP or, more commonly, file for adjustment of status (AOS), if otherwise eligible to do so.
Legal Advice and Assistance
There are specific procedural requirements attached to eligibility for both AOS and CP. There are extra procedural varieties that are specific to the DV lottery program and strict timelines. The DV lottery entry process is intended to be user-friendly. Also, people typically complete their entries without the help of lawyers. Once chosen, however, winners frequently seek immigration attorneys to assist them with the CP or the AOS processing.
Winning Requires Submission
Every year, numerous people become permanent residents through the DV program. However, readers are cautioned not to rely on the lottery unless and until the process of obtaining permanent residence is completed successfully.
