The Diversity Visa Program

The United States has long been known as a melting pot of different nationalities, backgrounds, and races. To encourage this mix of cultures, the Department of State (DOS) offers 50,000 visas annually to people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. This is called the diversity immigrant visa program, or DV.

Unfortunately, the DOS has warned potential immigrants that there is currently a major scam involving diversity visa fraud. To ensure that you qualify for the true DV program, talk to a knowledgeable Orange County immigration attorney. For more information regarding diversity visas, contact the offices of Garg & Associates, P.C., today at 949-540-6704.

How the DV Program Works

With the diversity visa program, the Department of State tracks the amount of countries that send the highest number of immigrants to the U.S. The DOS then sets aside 50,000 visas specifically for immigrants who are not from the countries on this list. People from the eligible countries can then apply to a visa lottery. The DOS then randomly selects 50,000 eligible people from this group and offers them visas.

Who is Eligible?

The most important factor for the DV program is nativity in an eligible country. If you were not born in an eligible country, you may be able to use your spouse’s country of birth if he or she is from an eligible country. In some cases, you may be able to use a parent’s native country as your own.

Additionally, there are also education and work requirements to qualify for this program. An experienced immigration attorney can explain these requirements as they may relate to your situation.

Contact Us

If you are interested in coming to the U.S. through the diversity visa program, it is important that you apply to the DOS directly rather than fall victim to a scam. For help with the diversity visa application process, contact an experienced Orange County immigration lawyer from Garg & Associates, P.C., at 949-540-6704 today.