If you would like to move to the United States but don't satisfy the regular visa requirements, you may be able to gain entry through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Mandated by Congress, and informally known as the "green card lottery," this program provides up to 55,000 diversity visas (DVs) annually to a random selection of applicants who meet specific eligibility requirements.
Check the U.S. Department of State website to determine if you are from an eligible country. The program is designed to provide immigration opportunities for people from countries that don't send large numbers of immigrants to the U.S. The list of these countries varies yearly. You may also be eligible to participate if one or both of your parents were born in an eligible country that is different from your country of birth.
Ensure you meet the education and employment requirements. According to the State Department website, you must have either a high school education or equivalent, or at least "2 years work experience within the last 5 years in an occupation that requires at least 2 years of training or experience to perform."
Check the department's website to determine when the program will next run. The DV lottery is typically held in early autumn, and the application window is usually only one month long.
Apply online at the DV lottery section of the State Department website during the annual registration period. You will need to answer all questions, provide all requested biographical information and submit passport-style digital photographs of yourself. Receipt will be acknowledged by the department, which will send you a confirmation number.
Check the status of your application online. The State Department doesn't notify successful DV applicants by email.
