Consular Section Press Release

Diversity Visa-2008 Lottery Opens October 4, 2006

The 2008 Diversity Visa lottery (DV-2008 ) will begin at noon U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on October 4, 2006 and end at noon U.S. Eastern Standard Time on December 3, 2006.  To apply, applicants should go to www.dvlottery.state.gov.

General Information

The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually (Green Cards), drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.  Mongolian nationals are eligible to apply for the 2008 Diversity Lottery if they meet all other requirements.

Requirements

Applicants must submit their application using the electronic Diversity Visa entry form at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. 

Applicants must also have EITHER a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform.  For more information about qualifying work experience, please see the Frequently Asked Question link on the DV homepage. 

Also, all entries by an individual will be disqualified if more than ONE entry for the individual is received, regardless of who submitted the entry.

Important Information: Avoid Being Cheated

There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites.  Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to “complete” lottery entry forms.  There is NO CHARGE to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form.  The Department of State notifies successful Diversity Visa applicants by letter, and NOT by email.