U.S. Department of State Announces Entry Dates for the DV-2018 Diversity Immigrant Visa “Lottery” Program
The U.S. State Department has announced dates for the Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery for fiscal year 2018. The DV-2018 Lottery application process – which is an online filing only – will run from noon (Eastern time) on October 4, 2016 until noon (Eastern time) on November 7, 2016.
This program, mandated by Congress, issues a maximum of 55,000 Diversity Visas (DV) each fiscal year and is made available to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the USA. Eligibility requirements include evidencing that one either possesses a high school education or its equivalent or two years of qualifying work experience.
Nationals of the following countries will be excluded from the lottery this year (due to high rates of immigration):
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible. In addition, persons born in Ecuador are eligible for the DV-2018 drawing.
We would recommend that if you have any questions or are interested in having our firm assist in submitting your lottery application, please contact partner Michael Wildes at michael@wildeslaw.com.
