Hey there, intrepid travelers and aspiring U.S. settlers! At iVisa, we aim to be your go-to source for stress-free travel document applications.

We're diving into a unique opportunity that many globe-trotters might not be familiar with: the United States Electronic Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Often referred to as the “Green Card Lottery,” this program offers 50,000 visas annually to people from countries with historically low numbers of immigrants to the U.S.

So, if you've dreamed of making the Land of the Free your home, this might just be your golden ticket! Let’s unpack everything you need to know about this exciting program, including its benefits and application process.

The United States Electronic Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly called the Diversity Visa (DV) Program or the "Green Card Lottery" is an annual program administered by the U.S. Department of State.

The primary goal of the DV Program is to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S. by offering immigrant visas to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.

For 2024, 55,000 Diversity Visas (DVs) are up for grabs. If you're picked, there are some basic rules you need to follow to get the visa. It's all done by a computerized random draw.

And remember, these visas are spread out over different parts of the world, so no one country can get more than 7% of the total visas available in a year.

Wondering if you are eligible for the DV program? Let’s look at the key criteria to see if you’re fit to apply for the Diversity Visa Program this year.

1. Country of Origin:

* You must be from a country with low numbers of immigrants to the U.S.

If you're not, you can still qualify if:

* Your spouse is from an eligible country. Note: Both of you must enter the U.S. together.

* Neither of your parents was born or lived legally in the country you were born in, and one of them was from an eligible country.

2. Education or Work Experience:

* Have a high school education or its equivalent.

OR

* Have two years of work experience in the last five years in a job requiring two years of training or experience. The U.S. Department of Labor’s database lists qualifying jobs.

**Only apply if you meet BOTH criteria.**

Navigating the Diversity Visa Program can be daunting, but we're here to simplify the process. Let's focus on the countries whose natives are eligible for DV-2024.

Africa: Countries include Algeria, Angola, Benin, and Kenya, among others. Notably, Nigeria is excluded from this year's eligibility.

Asia: Eligible nations span from Afghanistan to Yemen, including countries such as Indonesia, Israel, Japan, and more. However, countries like Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan are not eligible.

Europe: Many European nations, including Albania and the Vatican City nationals, are eligible. Important inclusions are Austria, France, Germany, and Russia. Great Britain (United Kingdom) and its associated territories are the main exclusion.

North America: The Bahamas is the primary eligible country from this region. Canada and Mexico natives are not eligible for DV-2024.

Oceania: Countries in this region, like Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand, are all eligible.

South America, Central America, and the Caribbean: From Argentina to Uruguay, many nations are eligible. Exclusions in this region include Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.

If you're still unsure if you qualify, use our visa checker tool to check for your specific country.

For the DV-2024 Diversity Visa Program, certain countries are ineligible due to high immigration numbers to the U.S. in the previous five years. For 2024, citizens from the following countries will not be eligible to apply:

Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South Korea), United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela, Vietnam

Note: There are two exceptions; citizens of Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible to apply for the DV-2024 program.

While we understand the desire to know your chances of being awarded a visa, the system is a lottery. Applicants are chosen randomly based on those who qualify for the program. There is no way to increase your chances of being chosen beyond having a complete application and meeting all the requirements when you apply.

The application for the DV Lottery Program only requests a few items:

* A valid passport.

* A recently-taken professional photograph.You can use our online passport photo service to get updated, government-compliant photos from the comfort of your home.

* Your email address.

* Valid payment methods. You can select between Paypal, Venmo, or debit/credit card.

It’s also necessary to get a professional photo of your children and your spouse if needed (in case you apply with them).

We know big changes can be daunting, especially when it requires large amounts of paperwork. That’s why we simplified the entire process. Follow these steps to apply with us:

1. Fill out our simple online application form with your passport details and education information. Double-check all your answers and pay our processing fee via credit or debit card, Venmo, or Paypal.

2. Our experts will check your application and ensure you have everything you need. If we need any changes to be made, we will reach out via email with further instructions.

Once it's ready, we hold onto your application until the DV Lottery Program starts in October. We’ll submit the form and email you the confirmation number when the application process opens.

3. All you have to do is check its status in early May 2024. You must save your confirmation number so you’re able to see if you were selected or not.

You’ll also receive a preparation guide to prepare for the interview if you’re one of the randomly chosen winners.

The application process can take a long time since there are many forms to fill out and many requirements despite the short application window (October to November). That’s why we advise starting your application with us as early as possible so we can send it through as soon as the application window opens.

The winners from the lottery normally get a notification seven months after their application, and waiting to receive an interview at the embassy can take up to 14 months. So don’t delay.

This visa has no government fee; however, when you apply through us, you must pay a small processing fee of about US $45.

1. Ensures you apply on time: The DV-2024 application window is tight and easily missed. We allow you to fill out your application much earlier and submit it on your behalf to ensure you don't miss this deadline by providing timely reminders.

2. Avoid website delays: As the official website may experience delays due to heavy demand, especially during the last week of registration, our streamlined process can help you bypass this common hurdle.

3. Single entry assurance: The stringent rules allow only one entry per person. Any duplicate entries will disqualify an applicant. Our process ensures that each applicant has only one valid submission, reducing the risk of accidental multiple entries.

4. Guidance with forms: The DV-2024 requires the submission of the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form (DS-5501) exclusively online. Our simple forms and expert guidance ensure no incomplete or erroneous entries.

5. No browser issues: While the official DV site suggests using updated browsers and mentions potential issues with older ones like Internet Explorer 8, our platform is designed to be compatible with a range of browsers, offering a hassle-free experience.

If you need more info about the US and your visa options, contact our customer support team anytime via online chat or email at help@ivisa.com.