DIVERSITY VISAS: REGISTER NOW
Kerosky & Gallelli
(707) 433-2060 / liliana@legalkg.com
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides for a class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For Year 2023, up to 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) will be available. There is no cost to register for the program.
Applicants are selected in through a computer-driven lottery and then must meet eligibility requirements to qualify for the visa. Because the intent of the visa is to promote diversity in US immigration, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
If you are a native of one of the ineligible countries, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify:
· Your spouse is a native of a country that is not in the list above. If so, you may use your spouse’s country of birth.
· Your parents were not born in your country or legally residents in your country at the time of your birth. If so, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents.
Selected applicants must also meet the following educational/work experience requirements:
· Possess at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education; OR
· Have two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform.
There is a limited period of time during which one can register for the DV Program. Applicants must submit entries for the 2023 program electronically at dvprogram.state.gov between 12:00 pm (noon), Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Wednesday, October 6, 2021, and 12:00 pm (noon), Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT5), Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
All entries must be submitted electronically on the Electronic Diversity Visa website during the registration period. Once the submission is made, the applicant will receive a confirmation number which should be printed for your records. The confirmation number is very important because it is the only way to check the status of entry and to receive information on the visa if selected.
Author of this guide:
Attorney Liliana Gallelli has been practicing law since 2004, specializing in immigration and currently a partner at the law firm Kerosky & Gallelli. All aspects of immigration including deportation defense, asylum, family petitions, naturalization and business visas. Also elimination of criminal record. To contact Ms. Gallelli, please email liliana@legalkg.com. The content of this article is not intended to be legal advice.
Immigration Attorney (Liliana@legalkg.com)
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