- The 2019 Diversity Visa Program registration period will start at noon, EST, on October 3, 2017 and will continue through noon, EST, November 7, 2017. During this registration period, interested applicants should submit entries using the electronic DV entry form (E-DV) at dvlottery.state.gov. The annual Diversity Visa Program provides an opportunity for a U.S. Green Card to 50,000 individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. For 2019, natives of the following countries are NOT eligible to apply because each of these countries sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years: 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. A computer-generated, random drawing chooses candidates for the Diversity Visas from the pool of lottery participants. Applicants should be aware of possible fraudulent e-mails soliciting personal information or requiring payment for participation in the program, and should always communicate directly with DOS regarding the lottery.
- The October 2017 DOS Visa Bulletin “Final Action” chart for employment-based preference cases contains some important updates as we enter Fiscal Year 2018. As anticipated, the DOS released immigrant visa numbers to all qualified EB-1 Priority Workers. The EB-2 “Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability” for All Chargeability areas, Mexico, El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras, and the Philippines will become current. EB-2 China advances 1 year to a cut-off date of May 22, 2013 and EB-3 China progresses 2 full years to January 1, 2014. EB-2 India advances 3 weeks to a cut-off date of September 15, 2008 while EB-3 India experiences no change.