The diversity visa lottery, otherwise known as the green card lottery, is an annual program by the United States Department of State that offers additional immigrant visas to eligible individuals wanting to reside legally in the country. Through this program, more than 100,000 applicants are selected but only up to 55,000 visas are ultimately made available each year. This is to say that competition is high within this lottery system, and eligibility criteria are arguably strict. So, without further ado, please follow along to find out the ideal candidate for the diversity visa lottery program and how one of the proficient green card lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you complete the application for one.

Who is a potential candidate for the diversity visa lottery?

There are two basic, yet niche, requirements for someone to be a potential candidate for the diversity visa lottery. For one, this individual must be a native of a foreign country that has historically low rates of immigration to the United States. In other words, those from a country with more than 50,000 immigrants welcomed into the U.S. within the past five years may be disqualified. The official list of eligible and ineligible countries may be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Secondly, this individual must have at least a high school education or its equivalent in their native country (i.e., a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education). Or, they must have at least two years of work experience within the past five years. Such work experience must be in an occupation with at least two years of training or experience needed to perform. Importantly, you should not move forward with applying for the diversity visa lottery if you only meet one of the above criteria.

How do I complete an application for the diversity visa lottery?

Once you confirm your eligibility for the diversity visa lottery, you may submit Form DS-5502, Electronic Diversity Visa. Of note, applications for the 2025 diversity visa program must have been submitted by November 7, 2023. So, you may have to wait until the next fiscal year. Nonetheless, you must not leave any entries within your application empty or incomplete. Rather, you should fill it out with the following pieces of information:

  • Your legal name, exactly as it appears on your passport.
  • Your gender.
  • Your date of birth.
  • Your mailing address.
  • Your phone number and email address.
  • The city and country where you were born.
  • The city and country where you live today.
  • The most recent photos of you, your spouse, and your children who are included in the lottery entry.
  • Additional information regarding your spouse and your children who are included in the lottery entry.
  • Additional information regarding your highest level of education achieved or your most recent work experience.

This blog is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to immigration laws in the United States. So for more information, please reach out to one of the talented green card lawyers from Lupton Law LLC today.