The Immigration Lottery in the USA (also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa or the DIV) was started for the purpose of receiving a Green Card. This program grants 50,000 permanent resident visas annually to people from countries which have lesser number of immigrants to the USA.
Eligibility for Immigration Lottery:
The eligibility criterion bars all those countries which have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous five years to apply for the immigration lottery to the US. The numbers of eligible/ineligible countries vary each year, depending on the statistics of the previous five years. However such immigrants do not include people who have migrated to the US on grounds of refuge, asylum, and the like.
Lottery Procedure:
The lottery visas are distributed both on regional and national basis, with each region sending lesser number of immigrants to the US in the previous five years receiving more diversity visas.
Following selection, a written notice is sent in the period of July-August to the applicant (or the application sending attorney). Those selected are considered for the fiscal year beginning the following October 1st. A new application is needed for each year.
A chronological number is assigned to each selected person. The names selected have lower rank numbers. More people are notified than the visas available so that those with lower rank numbers have a better chance of actually getting a green card. The diversity visas (which are exhaustive) are limited according to the area of the world and by country.
The Department of State publishes a list every month showing the rank cutoff number. Only people with rank below the cutoff can apply. Applications can be submitted at a consulate/immigration office if the applicant is in the US. The rank number must be below the cutoff when applying for the green card and also when the visa is issued or when the adjustment of status takes place.
An Immigrant Visa application can only be filed electronically through the Internet.
Abolition of the Immigration Lottery:
However in December 2005, the US House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (South Dakota) and Congressman Bob Goodlatte (Virginia) to add amendment to the border enforcement bill H.R. 4437 ( The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act ) to abolish the immigration lottery system. Proponents of the bill opine that the lottery could be manipulated for terrorist and disruptive elements to enter the country.
