Every year, thousands of Ukrainians apply for the Green Card visa lottery
As reported on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, due to technical issues, the registration period for DV-2019 has started again, and all applications submitted before October 18, 2017, must be resubmitted by participants for consideration.
Visas in the lottery are distributed among six geographic regions, and no country can receive more than 7 percent of available visas in a single year. The ShareAmerica portal has prepared answers to the most common questions regarding the DV-2019 visa lottery.
Why is my country not eligible for the DV program this year?
Countries from which more than 50,000 immigrants have emigrated to the United States in the past five years are not eligible for the DV lottery. Since this calculation is done annually, the list of countries may change from year to year.
The following countries are not eligible for the 2019 lottery: 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, Macau, and Taiwan are eligible.
What does a diversity immigrant visa entitle me to? Will the U.S. government help me find a job?
If you are issued a diversity immigrant visa, you will be able to live and work in the United States. The U.S. government will not pay for your flight, find housing or a job for you. As part of your visa application, you must demonstrate that you are unlikely to need assistance from the U.S. government to cover living expenses. You do not need to prove that you have any specific amount of money. The consular officer will consider the totality of your circumstances during the visa interview.
Can I use a photo submitted in last year's application?
No – applications with previously used photos will not be considered. You must provide a photo taken within the last six months.
Can I apply for a DV visa if I already have a U.S. visa?
Yes, you can apply even if you already have a U.S. visa.
How much does it cost to participate in the visa lottery program?
Participation in the program is free. If you are selected, you will need to pay visa fees at the embassy or consulate when you have your interview. Beware of scams involving payment of fees during registration for the visa lottery!
Why are there not enough DV visas for all those selected in the lottery?
The program provides for the issuance of 50,000 DV visas. More than 50,000 people are selected in the lottery because some of these individuals do not meet the requirements for a visa or decide not to go through the visa process, and the U.S. government wants to ensure that all 50,000 visas are issued. Only the first 50,000 qualified applicants and their accompanying family members will receive visas. After these visas are issued, the program will end.
If you want to receive a visa, you must act quickly when selected. If you miss or reschedule your appointment with a consular officer to a later date, or show up without the necessary documentation, you risk losing the opportunity to obtain a U.S. visa.
USEFUL LINKS:
• dvlottery.state.gov – official website for application registration
• Diversity Visa Program Entry Instructions – Instructions for the DV-2019 Diversity Visa Program on the U.S. Department of State website (English)
• Інструкції щодо проведення лотереї з розіграшу диверсифікаційних віз на 2019 рік (ДВ-2019) on the U.S. Department of State website (Ukrainian)