Country / Territory
United States
Registration for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery ends on Monday, November 7, 2016 at noon EST. Foreign nationals who wish to register for the FY 2018 DV lottery must submit their online registration forms and accompanying digital photographs by that time. Applicants must carefully follow the State Department’s official lottery instructions to avoid having their registration disqualified.
Each fiscal year, the U.S. Department of State makes 50,000 immigrant visas available through the DV lottery. Foreign nationals selected in this year's lottery will be eligible to submit a green card application during the 2018 fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2017.
The DV lottery is open to natives of certain countries that have historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Entrants must also have a high school education (or equivalent) or at least two years of qualifying work experience.
Individuals from countries with high rates of U.S. immigration are not eligible to register. For the FY 2018 lottery, natives of the following countries are ineligible: 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.
People born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan can participate.
Natives of Ecuador are eligible to register for DV 2018.
People who cannot register because of their country of birth may be able to qualify through a spouse who was born in an eligible country or, in certain circumstances, through a parent's country of birth.
The State Department chooses lottery winners by random computer selection. Results will be available starting May 2, 2017 on the official DV lottery entry status website. The official website is the only legitimate source of information about lottery results. The State Department does not notify entrants by letter, e-mail, fax or telephone.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
© 2016 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alfred Chong and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Jonathan Ying discuss the steady rise of Japan's tourism sector, applications for permanent residency and the overall appeal of Japan as a place to live.
Awards
Fragomen and TBB received the “Partnership with an International Charity” award at the 9th Annual Better Society Awards.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock shares how the UK’s salary threshold is impacting businesses.
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
O diretor Gustavo Kanashiro compartilha como os cidadãos luso-brasileiros poderiam potencialmente solicitar o visto E-2 dos EUA para investidores.
Fragomen news
The AILA NJ Chapter presents Director & Pro Bono Counsel Barbara Camacho with the Pro Bono Champion Award.
Podcast
Members of Fragomen's Education Practice discuss the UK's digitisation of the immigration system and its impact on the UK education sector.
Blog post
Senior Manager Alfred Chong and Senior Business Immigration Consultant Jonathan Ying discuss the steady rise of Japan's tourism sector, applications for permanent residency and the overall appeal of Japan as a place to live.
Awards
Fragomen and TBB received the “Partnership with an International Charity” award at the 9th Annual Better Society Awards.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock shares how the UK’s salary threshold is impacting businesses.
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.