Registration for the Diversity Visa 2019 green card lottery runs from noon on Oct. 3 through noon on Nov. 7.
The U.S. Department of State advises that you not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays.
The qualifying countries are the same as last year. Natives of all countries qualify EXCEPT Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, South Korea, the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. People born in Hong Kong , Macau , and Taiwan are eligible.
Winners get their visas during the 2019 fiscal year that runs from Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2019. Some in Congress want to end the Diversity Visa program, so if you qualify it is best to enter this year.
Here’s the answer to some common questions about the DV lottery.
Q . If I am in the United States without lawful status and I win the lottery, can I get a green card?
A . In most cases, no. That’s because you need to travel home to get your immigrant visa. By leaving you may face the “unlawful presence” bar to returning. One notable exception is for some overstayed F-1 students. For them, the unlawful presence bar only rarely applies.
Q . How come, year after year, my home country is left off the lottery eligibility list?
U.S. citizens can petition for an Alien Fiancé(e) visa
A . A country’s nationals are not eligible if 50,000 individuals or more have immigrated from that country over the prior five years.
Q . If I win the lottery, can my family immigrate with me?
A . Yes. Your spouse (including same-sex spouses) and unmarried children under 21 can get green cards when you do, no matter where they were born.
Q . Are there other requirements?
A . You must have at least a U.S. or home country high school degree or you must have worked at least two years in a job in which two years of training, experience or education is required.
Allan Wernick is an attorney and director of the City University of New York’s Citizenship Now project. Send questions and comments to Allan Wernick, New York Daily News, 4 New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004 or email to questions@allanwernick.com. Follow him on Twitter @awernick.
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Start registration here-Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form:https://dvprogram.state.gov/application.aspx
DV 2019 Green Card lottery Opened Today -What You Need To Know
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