US Diversity Visa lottery registration begins on 3 October 2017

The lottery registration for Diversity Visas (DVs) for 2018 opens on 3 October 2017.

It was stated by JD Supra, an online content distribution platform, that entries must be submitted electronically through www.dvlottery.state.gov between noon on 3 October and (Eastern Standard Time). It asked qualified applicants to register as soon as possible. The platform also cautioned that due to huge demand it may lead to system delays in the registration period’s final days.

Administered annually by the Department of State, the DV Lottery provides immigrant visas (green cards) each year to persons from countries where fewer applications for immigration are received by the US. In 2017, 50,000 DVs are available. The visas would be distributed among six geographic regions, with more number of visas going to regions which see lower rates of immigration and with no visas being issued to nationals of countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to America in the last five years.

Nationals of the countries who are not eligible to apply are India, China (mainland-born), the United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Brazil, Bangladesh, Canada, Dominican Republic, Colombia, South Korea, El Salvador, Haiti, Pakistan, Peru, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria and Philippines and Vietnam.

Eligible to apply are nationals of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Eligible to register are those having a high school education or its equivalent or work experience of two years within the last five years in an occupation needing a minimum of two years of training or experience to carry out a job.

If you are looking to migrate to the US, get in touch with Y-Axis, a prominent consultancy for immigration services.