If you’ve ever dreamt of living in the United States, the Diversity Visa (DV) program might be your ticket to making that dream a reality. The DV program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, offers a chance for individuals from eligible countries to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa. In an effort to streamline the application process and increase efficiency, the program has undergone some changes for fiscal year 2024 (DV-2024) and beyond.
In the past, DV program participants were required to submit various supporting documents along with their initial application. However, starting from DV-2024, this requirement has been modified. Now, selectees only need to complete and submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application form for themselves and their accompanying family members to the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC).
Once the KCC receives the DS-260 form, they will review it for completeness and process the information provided. This includes verifying the data in both the application and the original entry. If the selectee’s visa case number is current, as indicated in the Visa Bulletin, their case will be eligible for a visa interview.
One of the reasons behind this change is a recent review of the document review process conducted by the Department in consultation with overseas posts. The findings revealed that by eliminating the step of submitting supporting documents to the KCC, the number of DV appointments scheduled during the earlier months of the program year can be significantly increased. This means selectees will have a higher chance of securing an earlier visa interview slot.
Instead of submitting supporting documents directly to the KCC, all required supporting documents for DV-2024 selectees will be collected and evaluated during the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa application is made. This change will take into effect starting the 2024 Diversity Lottery and onwards for all future lotteries unless stated otherwise.
To ensure you’re prepared for your interview, it’s crucial to review the list of documents necessary to support your eligibility. The list of required documents can be found on the official website of the U.S. Department of State. It’s recommended that you familiarize yourself with these requirements well in advance of your interview. Failure to provide all the necessary supporting documents to the embassy or consulate will result in the refusal of your visa application.
While being selected to participate in the Diversity Visa program is undoubtedly an exciting opportunity, it’s essential to understand that selection does not guarantee a visa or an interview. Each program year concludes with some selectees receiving neither. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach the application process with realistic expectations and be prepared for the possibility of not being granted a visa.
If you submitted a registration during the open period for the 2024 Diversity Visa, selectee results are now available on the Electronic Diversity Visa Program website. Here, you can check your entrant status to see if you were selected to apply. If you are selected, you are encouraged to complete the online DS-260 application immediately to schedule an interview appointment at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Visit the travel.state.gov website for more information on the Diversity Visa Program.
