(c) Diversity Immigrants.

(1) In general. - Except as provided in paragraph (2), aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 201 (e) for diversity immigrants shall be allotted visas each fiscal year as follows:

(A) Determination of preference immigration. - The Attorney General shall determine for the most recent previous 5-fiscal-year period for which data are available, the total number of aliens who are natives of each foreign state and who

(i) were admitted or otherwise provided lawful permanent resident status (other than under this subsection)

and

(ii) were subject to the numerical limitations of section 201(a) (other than paragraph (3) thereof) or who were admitted or otherwise provided lawful permanent resident status as an immediate relative or other alien described in section 201(b)(2) .

(B) Identification of high-admission and low-admission regions and high -admission and low-admission states.

- The Attorney General -

(i) shall identify -

(I) each region (each in this paragraph referred to as a "high- admission region") for which the total of the numbers determined under subparagraph (A) for states in the region is greater than 1/6 of the total of all such numbers, and

(II) each other region (each in this paragraph referred to as a "low- admission region"); and

(ii) shall identify -

(I) each foreign state for which the number determined under subparagraph (A) is greater than 50,000 (each such state in this paragraph referred to as a "high-admission state"), and

(II) each other foreign state (each such state in this paragraph referred to as a "low -admission state").

(C) Determination of percentage of worldwide immigration attributable to high-admission regions. - The Attorney General shall determine the percentage of the total of the numbers determined under subparagraph

(A) that are numbers for foreign states in high- admission regions.

(D) Determination of regional populations excluding high- admission states and ratios of populations of regions within low -admission regions and high-admission regions. - The Attorney General shall determine -

(i) based on available estimates for each region, the total population of each region not including the population of any high-admission state;

(ii) for each low-admission region, the ratio of the population of the region determined under clause (i) to the total of the populations determined under such clause for all the low-admission regions; and

(iii) for each high-admission region, the ratio of the population of the region determined under clause (i) to the total of the populations determined under such clause for all the high-admission regions.

(E) Distribution of visas. -

(i) No visas for natives of high-admission states.- The percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives of a high- admission state is 0.

(ii) For low-admission states in low-admission regions. - Subject to clauses (iv) and (v), the percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) in a lowadmission region is the product of-

(I) the percentage determined under subparagraph (C), and

(II) the population ratio for that region determined under subparagraph (D)(ii).

(iii) For low-admission states in high-admission regions. - Subject to clauses (iv) and (v), the percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) in a highadmission region is the product of -

(I) 100 percent minus the percentage determined under subparagraph (C), and

(II) the population ratio for that region determined under subparagraph (D)(iii).

(iv) Redistribution of unused visa numbers. - If the Secretary of State estimates that the number of immigrant visas to be issued to natives in any region for a fiscal year under this paragraph is less than the number of immigrant visas made available to such natives under this paragraph for the fiscal year, subject to clause (v), the excess visa numbers shall be made available to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) of the other regions in proportion to the percentages otherwise specified in clauses (ii) and (iii).

(v) Limitation on visas for natives of a single foreign state. - The percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives of any single foreign state for any fiscal year shall not exceed 7 percent .

(F) Region defi ned. - Only for purposes of administering the diversity program under this subsection, Northern Ireland shall be treated as a separate foreign state, each colony or other component or dependent area of a foreign state overseas from the foreign state shall be treated as part of the foreign state, and the areas described in each of the following clauses shall be considered to be a separate region:

(i) Africa.

(ii) Asia.

(iii) Europe.

(iv) North America (other than Mexico).

(v) Oceania.

(vi) South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

(2) Requirement of education or work experience. - An alien is not eligible for a visa under this subsection unless the alien-

(A) has at least a high school education or its equivalent, or

(B) has, within 5 years of the date of application for a visa under this subsection, at least 2 years of work experience in an occupation which requires at least 2 years of training or experience.

(3) Maintenance of information. - The Secretary of State shall maintain information on the age, occupation, education level, and other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas under this subsection.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

DV will make permanent residence visas available to persons meeting the simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Applicants for Diversity Visas are chosen by a computer -generated random lottery drawing. The visas, however, are distributed among six geographic regions with a greater number of visas going to regions with lower rates of immigration, and with no visas going to citizens of countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years. Within each region, no one country may receive more than seven percent of the available Diversity Visas in any one year.

For DV, natives of the following countries 1 are not eligible to apply because they sent a total of more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years:

CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.

1 The term "country" in this notice includes countries, economies and other jurisdictions explicitly listed in the List of Qualifying Countries by Region:

EUROPE:

ARMENIA

AZERBAIJAN

BELARUS

ESTONIA

GEORGIA

KAZAKHSTAN

KYRGYZSTAN

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

MOLDOVA

RUSSIA

TAJIKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

UKRAINE

UZBEKISTAN

(European countries not qualified for this year's diversity program: GREAT BRITAIN. GREAT BRITAIN (UNITED KINGDOM) includes the following dependent areas: ANGUILLA, BERMUDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, CAYMAN ISLANDS, FALKLAND ISLANDS, GIBRALTAR, MONTSERRAT, PITCAIRN, ST. HELENA, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. Note that for purposes of the diversity program only, Northern Ireland is treated separately; Northern Ireland does qualify and is listed among the qualifying areas.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY

Applicant must be a native of a qualifying country.

Native of a qualifying country: In most cases this means the country in which the applicant was born. However, if a person was born in an ineligible country but his/her spouse was born in an eligible country, such person can claim the spouse’s country of birth providing both the applicant and spouse are issued visas and enter the U.S. simultaneously. Also, if a person was born in an ineligible country, but neither of his/her parents was born there or resided there at the time of the birth, such person may be able to claim nativity in one of the parents’ country of birth.

Applicant must meet either the education or training requirement of the DV program.

Education or Training: An applicant must have EITHER a high school education or its equivalent, defined in the U.S. as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; OR two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform:

O*NET -SOC Occupation Title O*NET-SOC Code

Accountants 13-2011.01

Actuaries 15-2011.00

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers 23-1021.00

Administrative Services Managers 11-3011.00

Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors 25-3011.00

Advertising and Promotions Managers 11-2011.00

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians 17-3021.00

Aerospace Engineers 17-2011.00

Agricultural Crop Farm Managers 11-9011.02

Agricultural Engineers 17-2021.00

Agricultural Inspectors 45-2011.00

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041.00

Air Traffic Controllers 53-2021.00

Aircraft Engine Specialists 49-3011.02

Airframe-and-Power-Plant Mechanics 49-3011.01

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers 53-2011.00

Anesthesiologists 29-1061.00

Animal Scientists 19-1011.00

Anthropologists 19-3091.01

Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1061.00

Appraisers, Real Estate 13-2021.02

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators 23-1022.00

Archeologists 19-3091.02

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 17-1011.00

Architectural Drafters 17-3011.01

Archivists 25-4011.00

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062.00

Art Directors 27-1011.00

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121.00

Assessors 13-2021.01

Astronomers 19-2011.00

Athletic Trainers 29-9091.00

Atmospheric and Space Scientists 19-2021.00

Audio and Video Equipment Technicians 27-4011.00

Audiologists 29-1121.00

Audio -Visual Collections Specialists 25-9011.00

Auditors 13-2011.02

Aviation Inspectors 53-6051.01

Avionics Technicians 49-2091.00

Biochemists 19-1021.01

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042.00

Biologists 19-1020.01

Biophysicists 19-1021.02

Boat Builders and Shipwrights 47-2031.05

Boilermakers 47-2011.00

Bookbinders 51-5012.00

Broadcast News Analysts 27-3021.00

Broadcast Technicians 27-4012.00

Budget Analysts 13-2031.00

Calibration and Instrumentation Technicians 17-3023.02

Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers 49-9061.00

Camera Operators 51-5022.04

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture 27-4031.00

Carpet Installers 47-2041.00

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 17-1021.00

Cartoonists 27-1013.03

Ceiling Tile Installers 47-2081.01

Central Office and PBX Installers and Repairers 49-2022.01

Chefs and Head Cooks 35-1011.00

Chemical Engineers 17-2041.00

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052.00

Chemists 19-2031.00

Child Support, Missing Persons, and Unemployment Insurance Fraud Investigators 33-3021.04

Child, Family, and School Social Workers 21-1021.00

Chiropractors 29-1011.00

Choreographers 27-2032.00

Civil Engineering Technicians 17-3022.00

Civil Engineers 17-2051.00

Claims Examiners, Property and Casualty Insurance 13-1031.01

Clergy 21-2011.00

Clinical Psychologists 19-3031.02

Coaches and Scouts 27-2022.00

Commercial and Industrial Designers 27-1021.00

Commercial Pilots 53-2012.00

Compensation and Benefits Managers 11-3041.00

Composers 27-2041.03

Computer and Information Systems Managers 11-3021.00

Computer Hardware Engineers 17-2061.00

Computer Programmers 15-1021.00

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021.00

Computer Security Specialists 15-1071.01

Computer Software Engineers, Applications 15-1031.00

Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software 15-1032.00

Computer Support Specialists 15-1041.00

Construction Carpenters 47-2031.01

Construction Managers 11-9021.00

Copy Writers 27-3043.04

Coroners 13-1041.06

Cost Estimators 13-1051.00

Costume Attendants 39-3092.00

Counseling Psychologists 19-3031.03

Creative Writers 27-3043.02

Credit Analysts 13-2041.00

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents 33-3021.03

Curators 25-4012.00

Custom Tailors 51-6052.02

Dancers 27-2031.00

Data Processing Equipment Repairers 49-2011.02

Database Administrators 15-1061.00

Dentists, General 29-1021.00

Desktop Publishers 43-9031.00

Dietetic Technicians 29-2051.00

Dietitians and Nutritionists 29-1031.00

Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio 27-2012.02

Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021.00

Dot Etchers 51-5022.08

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063.00

Economists 19-3011.00

Editors 27-3041.00

Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School 11-9032.00

Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033.00

Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program 11-9031.00

Educational Psychologists 19-3031.01

Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors 21-1012.00

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay 49-2095.00

Electrical Drafters 17-3012.02

Electrical Engineering Technicians 17-3023.03

Electrical Engineers 17-2071.00

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers 49-9051.00

Electro-Mechanical Technicians 17-3024.00

Electronic Masking System Operators 51-5022.09

Electronics Engineering Technicians 17-3023.01

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer 17-2072.00

Electrotypers and Stereotypers 51-5022.10

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021.00

Elevator Installers and Repairers 47-4021.00

Embalmers 39-4011.00

Engineering Managers 11-9041.00

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032.00

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1123.00

Engraver Set-Up Operators 51-5023.08

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 19-2041.00

Epidemiologists 19-1041.00

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers 13-1041.03

Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 43-6011.00

Exhibit Designers 27-1027.02

Family and General Practitioners 29-1062.00

Farm and Home Management Advisors 25-9021.00

Film and Video Editors 27-4032.00

Film Laboratory Technicians 51-9131.04

Financial Analysts 13-2051.00

Financial Examiners 13-2061.00

Financial Managers, Branch or Department 11-3031.02

Fire Investigators 33-2021.02

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers 17-2111.02

First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors - Logging Workers 45-1011.05

First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors- Construction Trades Workers 47-1011.01

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers 49-1011.00

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives 33-1012.00

Fish Hatchery Managers 11-9011.03

Fitters, Structural Metal- Precision 51-2041.02

Food Scientists and Technologists 19-1012.00

Food Service Managers 11-9051.00

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1124.00

Forensic Science Technicians 19-4092.00

Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors 33-1021.02

Foresters 19-1032.00

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043.00

Funeral Directors 11-9061.00

Gas Appliance Repairers 49-9031.02

Gas Compressor Operators 53-7071.02

Geographers 19-3092.00

Geologists 19-2042.01

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers 51-9195.04

Government Service Executives 11-1011.01

Graduate Teaching Assistants 25-1191.00

Graphic Designers 27-1024.00

Hand Compositors and Typesetters 51-5022.01

Health Educators 21-1091.00

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071.00

Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics 49-9021.01

Historians 19-3093.00

History Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1125.00

Housekeeping Supervisors 37-1011.01

Human Resources Managers 11-3040.00

Hydrologists 19-2043.00

Industrial Engineers 17-2112.00

Industrial Production Managers 11-3051.00

Industrial Safety and Health Engineers 17-2111.01

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists 19-3032.00

Instructional Coordinators 25-9031.00

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage 13-1032.00

Insurance Underwriters 13-2053.00

Interior Designers 27-1025.00

Internists, General 29-1063.00

Jewelers 51-9071.01

Job Printers 51-5021.00

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates 23-1023.00

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2012.00

Landscape Architects 17-1012.00

Law Clerks 23-2092.00

Lawn Service Managers 37-1012.01

Lawyers 23-1011.00

Librarians 25-4021.00

Loan Counselors 13-2071.00

Loan Officers 13-2072.00

Locomotive Engineers 53-4011.00

Machinists 51-4041.00

Management Analysts 13-1111.00

Marine Architects 17-2121.02

Marine Cargo Inspectors 53-6051.03

Marine Engineers 17-2121.01

Market Research Analysts 19-3021.00

Marketing Managers 11-2021.00

Materials Engineers 17-2131.00

Materials Scientists 19-2032.00

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1022.00

Mathematical Technicians 15-2091.00

Mathematicians 15-2021.00

Mechanical Drafters 17-3013.00

Mechanical Engineering Technicians 17-3027.00

Mechanical Engineers 17-2141.00

Mechanical Inspectors 51-9061.02

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 29-2011.00

Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111.00

Medical and Public Health Social Workers 21-1022.00

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042.00

Meeting and Convention Planners 13-1121.00

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 21-1023.00

Mental Health Counselors 21-1014.00

Metal Fabricators, Structural Metal Products 51-2041.01

Microbiologists 19-1022.00

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education 25-2022.00

Millwrights 49-9044.00

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers 17-2151.00

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines 49-3042.00

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic 51-4061.00

Model Makers, Wood 51-7031.00

Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors 33-1021.01

Music Arrangers and Orchestrators 27-2041.02

Music Directors 27-2041.01

Musicians, Instrumental 27-2042.02

Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121.00

Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts 15-1081.00

Nuclear Engineers 17-2161.00

Nuclear Medicine Technologists 29-2033.00

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 51-8011.00

Nursery and Greenhouse Managers 11-9011.01

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072.00

Obstetricians and Gynecologists 29-1064.00

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 29-9011.00

Occupational Therapists 29-1122.00

Offset Lithographic Press Setters and Set-Up Operators 51-5023.02

Operations Research Analysts 15-2031.00

Optical Instrument Assemblers 51-9083.02

Opticians, Dispensing 29-2081.00

Optometrists 29-1041.00

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 29-1022.00

Orthodontists 29-1023.00

Painters and Illustrators 27-1013.01

Painters, Construction and Maintenance 47-2141.00

Paralegals and Legal Assistants 23-2011.00

Park Naturalists 19-1031.03

Paste-Up Workers 51-5022.02

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic 51-4062.00

Patternmakers, Wood 51-7032.00

Pediatricians, General 29-1065.00

Petroleum Engineers 17-2171.00

Petroleum Refinery and Control Panel Operators 51-8093.02

Pewter Casters and Finishers 51-9071.05

Pharmacists 29-1051.00

Photoengravers 51-5022.03

Physical Therapists 29-1123.00

Physician Assistants 29-1071.00

Physicists 19-2012.00

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1054.00

Pilots, Ship 53-5021.03

Pipe Fitters 47-2152.01

Plant Scientists 19-1013.01

Plasterers and Stucco Masons 47-2161.00

Plate Finishers 51-5022.11

Podiatrists 29-1081.00

Poets and Lyricists 27-3043.01

Police Detectives 33-3021.01

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1065.00

Political Scientists 19-3094.00

Postmasters and Mail Superintendents 11-9131.00

Potters 51-9195.05

Power Distributors and Dispatchers 51-8012.00

Power Generating Plant Operators, Except Auxiliary Equipment Operators 51-8013.01

Precision Pattern and Die Casters, Nonferrous Metals 51-9195.02

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011.00

Pressure Vessel Inspectors 13-1041.05

Private Sector Executives 11-1011.02

Producers 27-2012.01

Product Safety Engineers 17-2111.03

Program Directors 27-2012.03

Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers 11-9141.00

Prosthodontists 29-1024.00

Psychiatrists 29-1066.00

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066.00

Public Relations Specialists 27-3031.00

Public Transportation Inspectors 53-6051.02

Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products 13-1021.00

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products 13-1023.00

Purchasing Managers 11-3061.00

Radiation Therapists 29-1124.00

Radiologic Technicians 29-2034.02

Radiologic Technologists 29-2034.01

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters 53-4031.00

Range Managers 19-1031.02

Recreational Therapists 29-1125.00

Reed or Wind Instrument Repairers and Tuners 49-9063.03

Refrigeration Mechanics 49-9021.02

Registered Nurses 29-1111.00

Reporters and Correspondents 27-3022.00

Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities 41-3031.01

Sales Engineers 41-9031.00

Sales Managers 11-2022.00

Scanner Operators 51-5022.05

Sculptors 27-1013.04

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education 25-2031.00

Self-Enrichment Education Teachers 25-3021.00

Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining 47-5013.00

Set Designers 27-1027.01

Ship and Boat Captains 53-5021.01

Ship Engineers 53-5031.00

Signal and Track Switch Repairers 49-9097.00

Social and Community Service Managers 11-9151.00

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1067.00

Soil Conservationists 19-1031.01

Soil Scientists 19-1013.02

Special Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2042.00

Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School 25-2041.00

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2043.00

Speech-Language Pathologists 29-1127.00

Station Installers and Repairers, Telephone 49-2022.05

Statisticians 15-2041.00

Stonemasons 47-2022.00

Storage and Distribution Managers 11-3071.02

Strippers 51-5022.06

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors 21-1011.00

Surgeons 29-1067.00

Surveying Technicians 17-3031.01

Surveyors 17-1022.00

Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents 13-2081.00

Technical Directors/Managers 27-2012.05

Technical Writers 27-3042.00

Tool and Die Makers 51-4111.00

Traffic Technicians 53-6041.00

Training and Development Managers 11-3042.00

Training and Development Specialists 13-1073.00

Transformer Repairers 49-2092.04

Transportation Managers 11-3071.01

Treasurers, Controllers, and Chief Financial Officers 11-3031.01

Urban and Regional Planners 19-3051.00

Veterinarians 29-1131.00

Vocational Education Teachers Postsecondary 25-1194.00

Vocational Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2023.00

Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2032.00

Welder-Fitters 51-4121.03

Wellhead Pumpers 53-7073.00

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023.00

If the applicant cannot meet these requirements, he or she should NOT submit an entry to the DV program.

THE ENTRY

There is no specific format for the entry. Simply use a plain sheet of paper and type or clearly print in the English (Roman) alphabet the following information. Failure to provide all of this information will disqualify the applicant’s entry:

1. FULL NAME, with the last (surname/family) name underlined

EXAMPLES: Public, Sara Jane (or) Lopez, Juan Antonio

2. DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH

Date: Day, Month, Year

EXAMPLE: 15 November 1961

Place: City/Town, District/County/Province, Country

EXAMPLE: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

The name of the country should be that which is currently in use for the place where the applicant was born (Slovenia, rather than Yugoslavia; Kazakhstan rather than Soviet Union, for example).

3. THE APPLICANT’S NATIVE COUNTRY IF DIFFERENT FROM COUNTRY OF BIRTH

If the applicant is claiming nativity in a country other than his/her place of birth, this must be clearly indicated on the entry. This information must match with what is put on the upper left corner of the entry envelope. If an applicant is claiming nativity through spouse or parent, please indicate this on the entry.

4. NAME, DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH OF THE APPLICANT’S SPOUSE AND ALL NATURAL CHILDREN, AS WELL AS ALL LEGALLY-ADOPTED AND STEPCHILDREN, WHO ARE UNMARRIED AND UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS, EVEN IF YOU ARE NO LONGER LEGALLY MARRIED TO THE CHILD’S PARENT, AND EVEN IF THE CHILD DOES NOT CURRENTLY RESIDE WITH YOU AND/OR WILL NOT IMMIGRATE WITH YOU. Note that married children and children 21 years or older will not qualify for the Diversity Visa. Failure to list all children will result in your disqualification for the visa.

5. FULL MAILING ADDRESS

This must be clear and complete, because any future mailings will be sent there. A telephone number is optional, but useful.

6. PHOTOGRAPH. Attach recent photographs of the applicant, the applicant’s spouse, and all children. Print the name and date of birth of each family member on the back of each photograph. Failure to submit required photos for all family members will result in disqualification. The entry will be disqualified if all required photos are not attached. Recent photographs of the applicant and his/her spouse and each child, including all natural children as well as all legally-adopted and stepchildren, even if the children no longer reside with the applicant, must be attached to the entry. The name and date of birth of each family member must be printed on the back of their photo. Group or family photos will not be accepted; there must be a separate photo for each family member. Photos should be attached with tape and not stapled to the entry. If there is insufficient room on the front of the entry, applicants may tape photos to the back of the page. If photos do not conform to the following specifications, the entry will be disqualified:

SIZE: 2 inches (50mm) square, with the applicant’s, spouse's, or child's name and date of birth printed on the back.

Applicant, spouse, or child must be directly facing the camera; the head of the person being photographed should not be tilted up, down or to the side, and should cover about 50% of the area of the photo.

The photo should be taken with the person being photographed in front of a neutral, light-colored background. Photos taken with very dark or patterned, busy backgrounds will not be accepted.

Photos in which the face of the person being photographed is not in focus will not be accepted.

Photos in which the person being photographed is wearing a hat or glasses with dark lens or in which the face is obscured in any way will not be accepted. Photos may be either color or black and white.

7. SIGNATURE. The applicant must personally sign the entry, using his/her usual and customary signature, as it would appear on his or her passport or other official or contractual obligations . Failure to personally sign the entry will disqualify the application.

8. MAIL. Submit the entry by regular or airmail to the address matching the region of the applicant’s country of nativity. Entries sent by express or priority mail, second day airmail, fax, hand, messenger, or any means requiring special handling will not be processed.

The envelope must be between 6 and 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) long and 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 inches (9 to 11 cm) wide. Postcards or envelopes inside express or oversized mail packets are NOT acceptable. In the upper left - hand corner of the envelope the applicant must write his/her country of nativity (see instruction 3 above), followed by the applicant’s name and full return address. The applicant must provide both the country of nativity and the country of the address, even if both are the same. Failure to provide this information will disqualify the entry.

SELECTION OF APPLICANTS

Applicants will be selected at random by computer from among all qualified entries.

Applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements under U.S. law in order to be issued visas.

Important Notice

NO fee is charged to enter the program. The U.S. Government employs no outside consultants or private mail services to operate the DV program. Any intermediaries or others who offer assistance to prepare DV casework for applicants do so without the authority or consent of the U.S. Government. Use of any outside intermediary or assistance to prepare an entry is entirely at the applicant's discretion. A qualified entry received directly from an applicant has an equal chance of being selected by the computer at the Kentucky Consular Center as does an entry received through a paid intermediary who completes the entry for the applicant. There is no advantage to mailing early, or mailing from any particular place. Every entry received during the mail-in period will have an equal random chance of being selected within its region. However, receipt of more than one entry per person will disqualify the person from registration, regardless of the source of that entry. Applicants who are not selected will receive no response to their entry. Only those who are selected will be informed. All notification letters are sent within about nine months of the end of the application period to the address indicated on the entry. Anyone who does NOT receive a letter will know that his / her application has not been selected.

Bureau of Consular Affairs

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM